Spymaster Letters
Type
Correspondence - Intelligence documents
Status
Three letters sent by Frankish Spymaster to Alaric of Toulouse
Overview
A series of three letters from the Frankish Spymaster (codename "Raven") to Alaric of Toulouse (codename "AdT") documenting an assassination mission, growing concern over lack of contact, and ultimate disavowal. These letters reveal covert Frankish operations in Iberia and the ruthless nature of intelligence work.
The Three Letters
First Letter: Mission Briefing
Content:
- Target identified as "G"
- "G" making covert entries into Iberia
- Travels by first quarter moon light
- Disguised as merchant with merchant-disguised guards
- Next journey anticipated within fortnight
- Contact via "mark of the falcon" at dusk market
- Mission requires "utmost discretion and urgency"
- Warning: "Failure is not an option"
- Disavowal threat if captured
- Instructions to "burn this letter upon reading"
Signed: "Raven"
Second Letter: Concern Over Silence
Content:
- Over two months since last contact
- Expresses concern for Alaric's safety and mission progress
- "G's" movements continue to pose grave threat
- Without updates, handlers are "blind to his schemes"
- Urges immediate contact through secure channels
- Mentions contingency plans being prepared
- Warning that mission objectives cannot be compromised
- Reminder: "the shadow veils both friend and foe alike"
- Instructions to burn letter
Signed: "Raven"
Final Letter: Disavowal
Content:
"AdT,
Effective immediately, you are disavowed. All ties between you and the crown have been severed. Cease all actions and disappear.
Raven"
Brief, final, absolute.
Significance
Intelligence Operations
The letters reveal:
- Frankish crown conducting covert ops in Iberia
- Assassination missions against high-value targets
- Sophisticated operational security protocols
- Ruthless management of assets
- Quick abandonment of failed/silent agents
Alaric's Situation
Shows his fall from grace:
- Trusted operative given important mission
- Failed to maintain contact or complete mission
- Abandoned previous contract (killed "G")
- Disavowed and cut loose
- Now operating as bandit, possesses dangerous knowledge
Operational Tradecraft
Demonstrates spy practices:
- Codenames for all parties
- Burn protocols for documents
- Contact procedures (mark of the falcon)
- Disavowal clauses
- Limited information sharing
- Strict reporting requirements
Current Location
Possible locations:
- With Alaric of Toulouse (kept as evidence/insurance)
- In party's possession (if found during tunnel raid)
- Hidden in Alaric's compromised base
- Destroyed per instructions (unlikely)
- In other hands unknown
Intelligence Value
To Multiple Parties
If found by party:
- Evidence of Frankish operations
- Leverage against Alaric
- Understanding of regional spy networks
- Connection between Alaric and Jean-Luc?
If found by Caliphate:
- Proof of Frankish interference
- Intelligence on methods and targets
- Reason to intensify counter-intelligence
- Justification for actions against Franks
If found by Jean-Luc:
- Knowledge of fellow operative
- Understanding of Raven's methods
- Warning about potential disavowal
- Intelligence on "G" mission
If kept by Alaric:
- Insurance against further betrayal
- Proof of past service
- Leverage if needed
- Evidence of Frankish operations
The Mystery of "G"
The letters' primary intelligence concerns G:
- High-priority assassination target
- Important enough for detailed operation
- Still unresolved (Alaric failed/abandoned mission)
- Possibly same person as William of Aquitaine?
- Continues to operate in Iberia
- Remains threat to Frankish interests
Connections