Violet Letter
Purpose
There is a raging debate over the purpose of the violet letters. Most insist it is a deadly trap that only the worst of fools would fall for. Others insist that it must be a genuine offer of incredible riches and power that only the worst of fools would pass up. If the true purpose of the letters were notoriety and excitement, then it could only be called an incredible success: anyone on Khthon within rumor spreading distance of a trade hub has heard of and has an opinion on the letter arriving in an intense violet envelope and written on vellum seemingly made from the skin of a golden aurochs calf.
Document Structure
Clauses
The contents of the letter are quite simple. It begins by explaining the offer: a chance to climb the legendary Godstairs and claim a divine mantle, and even consolation prizes of enormous value should the recipient fail to climb the stairs. Available even to those who fail are apparently incredible wealth, unmatched martial prowess or magical power, great authority, the love of the one (or many) they desire. It does explain that there is risk involved, but it always appeals to some positive aspect of the recipient in order to downplay it. Below that, it names a port and a ship which it claims will ferry the recipient to the author and the stairs, but warns that the voyage must be undertaken before one year and one day have passed since the seal on the letter was broken. Finally, on a second sheet of the same rare vellum, there is a contract attesting to the various rewards promised by the letter upon a good faith attempt by the recipient to ascend.
Publication Status
No one knows where the letters come from or how their recipients are chosen, but they always appear in the personal belongings of the person it is addressed to without any sign of an intermediary.
Legal status
The contract is generally acknowledged to be well put together, and of a format that would be legally binding in as many jurisdictions as possible while always including the home of the recipient.
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