To Earth Apprentice Envoy of Lothryn,

Greetings and salutations. First, let me commend you for your heroism in staying by the side of Instructor Iona of the School of Earth and your wounded classmate, Earth Apprentice Rockjaw, and your work with Lady Elise de Bellefiuelle in defeating the rampaging earth golem. I have taken part in the initial investigation of the events that transpired on that fateful day, and have been given the task of answering your questions and giving you the results of the tests that were taken on you several days ago. Though the information in this letter has not been classified as "sensitive" by the Temple or by the Collegia Esoterica, I personally recommend that you exercise discretion in any discussion of any information contained herein.

Despite earlier reports of Cryona Windcaller's death, she is indeed alive. This news was kept suppressed for fear of threats to Miss Windcaller's life, but it has since then been determined that the persons behind this dastardly scheme have come to an end, and there should be no further threat to her person. She has been released from the care of the College Esoterica, with the approval of the Temple, and has left Rephidim. Alas, she has left no note as to where she may be contacted, or what her next destination might be.

Regarding the matter of the earth golem and the strange glowing phenomenon observed in your horn, I believe we may have that resolved. The earth golem was one of several that had been conjured up with the apparent purpose of causing damage to College Esoterica facilities, and to kill several mages that have direct ties to the Temple.

I also believe that one of our secretaries who participated in this treacherous act of sabotage and murder abused his position by scheduling two tour groups – the group from the Academy and the small group you were in – so that they would converge upon each other at a single location. The cave-ins that blocked off the access tunnels were clearly meant to seal off access to the cavern you were trapped in, though it appears that the timing did not go as planned.

Since the earth mage in control of the golem was killed while resisting apprehension, we cannot discern whether the intent was to kill you or capture you. (It is assumed that you were a target, in light of your connection to the Temple by means of your sponsor in the Inquisition.) It is noted that, at one point, the golem appeared to ignore you and go after Mage Iona instead. My personal theory (lacking any proof) is that the golem originally thought Iona dead, then noticed that this was not the case, and sought to slay her to remove a possible threat to its activities, before dealing with a less-experienced spellcaster and cadet.

The effectiveness of Abaddonian iron in fighting this earth golem was certainly noteworthy, and I am one of many to recommend that we seek to acquire more of this material in use as a defense against future such attacks. Our normal wards in place were fairly easily sabotaged by traitors within our own ranks, and this may provide an alternative if such events should transpire again (or, better yet, a deterrent).

The incident in which your gem began to glow appears to be, in our brief attempts to simulate the occurrence, a case of a reaction between your unique physiology and the decay of the magical energies animating the earth golem. So far as we can tell, no damage was done to your "ansible", though I must admit that, in light of its alien origins, our tests cannot be considered conclusive. Attached are more detailed findings for your perusal.

A further examination of the events that transpired leads us to conclude that you should not have any undue fear for your personal safety. This attack coincided with the attack upon the Knights Templar in the Nagai Empire, and appears to have been made for "demonstrative" rather than tactical purposes.

We are, of course, very concerned about the matter of collaboration on the part of mages within the Guild in this attack, and despite the escalation of events likely to lead to all-out war, the branches of the Collegia Esoterica have agreed to meet together in council to discuss this matter of conflict between our Guild Halls. While I must certainly recognize that mages have been on opposite sides of conflicts for millenia, such attacks directly upon the College Esoterica by other branches of the Collegia have been unprecedented – at least in recent, more civilized times. A proposal is being drafted to reiterate the political neutrality of the Collegia Esoterica as a whole, despite the political alignments (real or perceived) of its particular members. There has also been a proposal made that all members of the Mages' Guild abstain from participation in the conflict between the Temple and with Nagai and Babel, but I personally expect that measure to be voted down.

I hope that these facts will bring you some measure of relief and reassure you that you have no cause for alarm. There appears to be no lasting effect upon your person, and I am confident that, with the meeting of the council of the Collegia Esoterica, these disputes may be brought to a peaceful resolution.