The Cannikin Letter

During the War of the Suns, a letter was hidden in the packing material used for a box of metal cannikins that were delivered to a merchant in Valtarus who was known to be a childhood friend of Roth Barsinog. As he unpacked the shipment, he noticed that one of the papers used to protect the vessels had writing on the inside of it. On closer inspection, it was a letter addressed to Roth so the merchant called on him later that day and delivered the letter, explaining the unusual circumstances of its arrival.
The sender of the letter has never been identified, but the shipment most certainly originated in Gilfrost. The merchant had first visited as an apprentice because his master brought him along on a trade caravan that travelled between Valtarus and Gilfrost every summer. One of his connections in Gilford or among the caravans may have been aware of his friendship with Roth and could have written or arranged the delivery of the letter, although it may have come by way of a someone at the forge who packed the shipment, although it seems unlikely that a production worker would know the destination of any particular box.

Historical Details

Public Reaction

Roth's announcement to the Council that he would be leading a military campaign against the Twin Cities was not popular, although there were some council members who supported Valtaran intervention. Those who opposed his decision voiced concerns about both the loss of life and the expenditure of resources already severely reduced by the war.
He argued back that they were spineless cowards and their true motivation was to prevent drawing attention to Valtarus, which had been largely ignored by both the Adamants and the Zealots. Calling on their sense of honour and love of glory, Roth said that Valtarus would go down in history as the mightiest warriors in Forits when they vanquished both factions when all other nations had failed to triumph over either one. Those words rang true through the cycles and Valtarans are still held in the high esteem on the battlefield.

Legacy

Although the exact contents of the letter are unknown, that single piece of paper did more to alter the course of Fortean history than most nations. Where many diplomats had failed, it succeeded, and convinced Roth to lead his legendary campaign against the Twin Cities, ending a war that had consumed a majority of Fortis and establishing an era of relative political stability that has lasted ever since.