Krune smiles. "Rorch-ko is a challenge... S'good - I like challenges! Not seen much Rorch-ko since d'War, when dharsage has me translate spy messages!"
The old man takes the letter and peruses the page, murmuring over it as he reads.
After reading through it, he says: "This is a spy document, from d'War?"
He turns the page over in his hands.
"Paper is new...this is a copy of spy note from d'War?"
He peers at you and then shrugs.
"No matter, I translate. Short note!" He laughs jovially, though none of you are sure why he's laughing.
His wizened hands clear a space for the paper on the table, and he sets it out so you can see it. Then he points at different lines as he tells you about them.
"Rorch-ko very formal language; ramian very controlled, precise people. Right way to do everything. Written, Rorch-ko usually in five-line paragraphs. Form requires first paragraph to be introduction and praise, complimenting d'person the letter was for."
His finger stabs down at the paper.
"Not so here. Only one paragraph! Hee-hee! Spies write shorter messages, very, very rude - no compliments. No names! Only places. First line, here - very scandalous:
'shipment preparation' or 'ready for package'
Author is writing to person, expecting a delivery. What is it? See the second line:
'bring shirm-eh...' - with these ramian, it's usually shirm-eh - uh, where was I? Oh, yes:
'bring shirm-eh to T'Suha'
T'Suha is a person, or a place? Usually can tell with Rorch-ko, but this is missing formal articles and gender; could be either. Definitely a name; this symbol always precedes a name.
Next line:
'paid for Mo-an Darf-ter Kaigon...'
The name symbol shows that those are three names; Kaigon is the town..."
Barragar nods. Kaigon is a large settlement to the west, in southern Gauss just past the Glounda Forest, two days' ride by thombo from Ardoth.
"Fourth line and fifth line:
'Gratitude and prayers
Clear head and eyes'
...these are excerpts of formal Rorch-ko letters, which always end with compliments and well-wishes for d'reader. No higher value for a ramian than self-control; what is meant by 'clear head and eyes.' The author couldn't break tradition totally, and had to complete d'five lines."
Krune cackles a wheezing laugh again and pours more tea.
"So...some time during d'War, some spy was working with ramian to get them their medicine, and arranged for a shipment out of Gauss." He sips his tea and looks shrewdly at Miniri. "You working on a history book? History of d'War? I could tell you a lot about d'War..."
Everyone make a geography check, or just tell me if you are Experienced/Rank 12 or higher in that skill.