Dearest Malphite,

I don't expect that you know who I am, with how prone to emotion your father is. However, I don't think it's right for him to have decided that you didn't get to meet me at all. Yet, I will admit that the reason you didn't hear from me at all until now is that I was... too preoccupied to seek both you and your sister out. But, here I am now. My name is Shadowfall and I am your mother, Malphite.

I just want to say that I am very proud of you and all that I've heard tell of about you. A little while ago, a Pearlcatcher called Dive found his way into the facility I run and only recently has he spoken about his past, which included you to an extent. After verifying with Master Yasuo, I confirmed that you were indeed my child.

Rattleguts never had a mind for science. Even Ivoryfang doesn't have that same thirst for knowledge that we seem to share. The thirst that drives us to go further and further each time in the pursuit of the results we want. Perhaps I've become just the slightest bit disenchanted with the goals of the Oblivionbane at this point and I realize how heretical that sounds. However, I still strive to find the key to immortality. Maybe not for any individual dragons or dragonkind at large, but immortality for the concept of dragonkind. I've been researching the threshold of what is and isn't considered a dragon as of late. Once I've found it, that's when I'll find the solution to guarantee that the concept of dragonkind continues far into the future. Forever. Immortality.

I bring this up not to impress you, but to lead into thus; something else Dive has told me is your experiments and interest in the Shade. So, I have an offer to make up for all those years I wasn't there for you. One of the specimens in my care is a creature of pure Shade. It may have once been a dragon but it isn't anymore. One of my research assistants has become quite close to it, to the point where they have been regularly producing hatchlings. I'm still working on observation logs of five of the hatchlings from this pair, however I have two more that there simply is no space in the facility for. Usually we let them go to roam Sornieth, but if you're interested I can one or both of them over to you. While researching them may be of interest strictly to yourself, if you did so and shared with me any conclusions you make that would also be ever-so helpful to my own research, especially since I've noticed that the abilities of these Shadespawn aren't exactly... quantifiable and easily predictable.

Of course, if you are not interested, that is completely fine as well. It was simply an offer.

I would like to once again reiterate my happiness and pride at having offspring that does things similar to me. I would eventually like to meet you in person if you'll have me but I am simply much too busy at this moment. I do hope that you will at least find the time to write back if you are interested.
With care,

Shadowfall

Dearest Mother,

I knew my curiosity and love for science and experimentation had to come from somewhere. It means a lot to share this bond with you. Not in a sentimental way of course, but in the like-minded drive of science. I believe a partnership in our studies would become quite beneficial.

These shade specimens you mention interest me greatly! I would gladly take one under my wing and see how such a hybrid plays into my goals and schemes.

My current project also involves immortality. I have sent an apprentice of mine by the name of Myca to investigate the claims of a madman wildclaw who is striving to ascend to godhood. She had played quite a roll in the challenges and rituals involved in this wildclaw's schemes, and I am learning much. Though, it involves The Eleven far more than interests me. That said, if we could ever find a way to restore the Shade to the power it once held to devour the gods altogether and reign in a shade-run world, that would be nothing short of a paradise. So maybe there is some value in Myca's particular project. We shall see how it plays out, according to her last correspondence, there are 6 years left in this ritual before we shall know if such a controlled ascension is possible.

Your son and research partner,
Malphite