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"The only sure thing about luck is that it will change." — Anonymous . The light, breezy morning has now progressed into a very warm afternoon with overcast skies, though judging from the lack of heaviness and humidity in the air, it doesn't feel like there would be rain. Stepping out of the Temple of Brigh, Keshka pass several of her fellow acolytes busy cutting some lumber and assembling them into what could likely become carts in the near future. Determined to get to the Foundry Tavern, she hangs a left on Temple Street. Rounding her way toward North Bridge, she comes up upon a group of six hauling some metal wreck, with a young blonde woman near the back complaining up a storm about how every cart and wagon in the whole town is tied up.

The Story Finishing up their mapping and note taking, the Blue Scarabs exit the temple. Closing the doors behind them, they find the streets in this section of the necropolis to be empty. The surviving members of the Scorched Hand have fled this area. Leaving the necropolis, the Blue Scarabs head back to the Grand Mausoleum to turn in their latest work to the Church of Pharasma. The few companies currently at the Grand Mausoleum seem to be excited about something. But first things first, the company needs to turn in their report. The priests take the report, and briefly review the maps and details. "Very good. Very good." one of the priests replies. "Come back in a couple of days. We do not have your next assignment determined" Then he hands an invitation from a Pharasma priest named Ptemenib. Tomorrow night there will be private auction for adventuring companies at the Canny Jackal. Auction begins after sundown. The doors will open a couple hours before the auction for refreshments. "Merchants or collectors that want to attend must be vetted before they are allowed access" explains the priest. Our brother Ptemenib has been reaching out to all of the merchant houses and noble families in the area. It will be a good oportunity to sell your more unique or valuable finds. The other priest adds "Your company is looking a little smaller? Do you need additional help? Another company had a nasty fight with a gang of ghouls. They decided to shut down, however, two of them are still interested in exploring." He nods to individuals leaning against a wall. Ooc During the walk over, the group had already encountered merchants that didn't have enough cash. Anyone that doesn't attend the auction will have their cash decrease. WBL and party treasure levels assumes attendance and participation at the auction. Party Status Ramad: hero pts: 3; 32/32 hp Anhotep: hero pts: 3; 27/27 hp Miriya: hero pts: 3; x /x hp Raisin: hero pts 2; x/x hp

This is the current active game play thread for Lucas Stirling. Unless invited by or , please do not post here. January 28, 2022 - Cold and Overcast, Light Snow throughout the day The streets of New York were cold and frozen. Light snow had been falling since dawn, adding a white frosting to the concrete and pavement of the city that made it glisten and shine like a rare gemstone in the early light of the morning. It was the first snow in almost a week, and had little impact on the amount of traffic filling the streets in the morning traffic. Outside of the office door of Lucas Stirling, a small box sat. It was wrapped in plain brown paper and twine, with a simple handwritten message on the top that read: L. Stirling PRIVATE! The other tenants of the small office building had ignored it for the most part, although a small post-it note had been stuck to it admonishing that packages are to be dropped off in the mail room for pickup, not the halls. Everyone in the building new that that would have come from the small marketing firm that dominated the third floor of the building.

. Following a recent lead from some travellers delivered to her through Father Joram Kyte's congregation at the Temple of Brigh, Keshka has travelled nearly a week on foot to reach the area just north of the source of the Dagger River known as the Gorum Pots. An area full of stinking coloured pools and geysers, each of which belches and pops with a thick muddy slurry of heated volcanic ash, clay and other fine particles that give the mud a slightly bloody rust colour. Unfortunately for any would-be bathers, the mud's temperature and acid content are just too much to stand for comfort, and so the area just doesn't see much visitation at all, save for perhaps the occasional pilgrim of Gorum's faith that hold the place to be sacred ground. After a week worth of searching, you finally manage to find the poorly described crevasse from the travellers' tale about some supposed ancient crash of some technological thing. Approaching slowly and cautiously, you follow a track at least five or ten feet wide, looking as though something heavy had been dragged across the ground here, until you finally see it. A grey and metallic looking lump with red markings, almost the shape of some giant egg, large enough for a humanoid to fit within, just laying there at the end of the rut, inert and motionless.

"There’s beauty hidden in the darkest of places. Too bad no one can see it there." — Sosiel Vaenic, Cleric of the Fifth Mendevian Crusade Once underneath Weeping pond, T'Sarra finds it rather easy to hold her breath and find her way, leading the rope as she swims ahead of the others in the brackish, sulfurous water. Though the murkiness of the pond makes it somewhat difficult to see, it doesn't take her very long to find a the submerged waterway along the northeast face of the underwater escarpment, about fifty feet from where they had entered the water. Though the underwater stream through the tunnel is fairly placid, it does wind through a slightly sinuous path, and the lack of light makes this part of the swim a particularly daunting challenge, as now the tiefling is restricted to not only relying on her darkvision, but also for trying to see through a semi-cloudy body of water. The tunnel goes on for another maybe forty or fifty feet, until finally clearing upward to a bitter air pocket stinking of mold and vinegar that leaves an unpleasant flavour in the mouth. Here, dampness hangs in the air of the lightless cave, condensing into heavy moisture on the slick stone walls. The calm, dark waters wind around the corner northwards, then again to the east further up north along a stony, soot-scarred beach. A five-foot high ledge sporting several stalagmites rises to the east, beyond which a low-ceilinged cave beckons. (( Everyone who has touched the water please roll a Fortitude save immediately. ))

ピレ (THE PYRE) After crossing Cougar Creek, it takes the group a little less than an hour to reach the their destination, first following Lost Coast road and skirting Ashen Moor along the edge of the coast, then skipping into a smaller path a bit less travelled when the main road turns south away from the water. The path winds its way around and up the side of a small hill, then down into a valley after passing what looks to be a hastily abandoned campsite, after which it finally opens up to the coastline once more as it ends in a small plateau at the edge of a cliffside. An archway of stone is set into the side of a small hill at the otherside of the plateau from the edge of the coast, overlooking the Varisian Gulf. Moss has overgrown many of the details, but one is still quite clear. The keystone of the arch is carved with a flame symbol with a stylized rune in the middle. Beyond the archway is a darkened tunnel that leads to a pair of massive wooden doors, one of which is slightly ajar. A pair of horses and a trio of ponies lie slaughtered next to the archway, each corpse still tied to a post set into the ground nearby. A swarm of flies hangs lazily in the air above them.

2nd day of the 3rd Ride of Uktar Gathering your gear, you follow Bettargh back through the halls of Ironaxe and down the steep ramp, through the Hall of Portals and the Hall of the Pool, where to your satisfaction, the waters yet remain stymied and the center column and pool seem somewhat dryer. You soon reach the hidden chamber where you'd left behind Myali. The large green and mottled brown mound of a hound, half the height of Bettargh, seems tired and weak, though clearly happy to see it's companion Qwynn once more. It lethargically rises to great your arrival, moving to Qwynn with tongue out in a clear sign of thirst. You sense, as Qwynn knows, that a day without drink or food would not so dampen Myali's mood and though the lonely darkness might have played part, it is the unnatural nature of the Halls that is the most likely culprit for the dampened spirits. OOC Note 1: Light Sources: Bright light within 20 ft., shadowy light within 20-40 ft. (glowstone) Bright light within 20 ft., shadowy light within 20-40 ft. (continual light hooded lantern) Bright light in a 40 ft. cone, shadowy light in 40-80 ft. cone (continual light bullseye lantern) Party Spell Effects: [For sake of clarity, any reference to cardinal directions in posts will assume that North is Top of Map as posted, unless a Compass Rose is visible.]

This is the currently active in game thread for William Enskraft. If you have not been invited by or , please do not post here. This story continues from:

This is the currently active game thread for Emma Henderson. Unless invited by or , please do not post here. This story continues from:

This is the currently active game thread for Enhola Gaye. Unless invited by or , please do not post here. Previously on : At the quote of her mother's saying Marygay interjected, "Well, contrition and obvious regret are better to show than nothing." As it became obvious that Ehnola was trying to get off the call, Margay also gave her goodbyes and hung up. A few hours after dinner, as she was thinking about turning in for the night, her phone suddenly rang, jerking her from her own thoughts and causing Gaeloraxus to swear at her as the Craftingi dropped from her hands. The number on the display matched that of the Plaza del Tirio. Posting Rate: Normal ; Jun 14 '23 at 9:15am. Ehnola Ghaye (Lola Montez) Sheet: Gender: Female Race: Human Height: 5'8" Weight: 135 lbs Age: 22 Date of birth: 01/01/2000 (1 minute past midnight) Place of birth: Cannock, Staffordshire UK Enhola reached for her phone and answered the call "hi is that you Mary"? Mary sounded more factual than from the first time they had met so Ehnola was merely exercising caution. I am in a better place right now. ; Jun 21 '23 at 1:44am. A voice, heavily distorted and twisted yet somehow still perfectly understandable, said, "Your service is required. Meet at <some address in Alphabet City near the park> within forty minutes." Without waiting for a response, the line disconnects. Ehnola knew that that effect had to be done via magic and Gaeloraxus hisses, "Well, that's suspicious..." Posting Rate: Normal Ehnola Ghaye (Lola Montez) Sheet: Gender: Female Race: Human Height: 5'8" Weight: 135 lbs Age: 22 Date of birth: 01/01/2000 (1 minute past midnight) Place of birth: Cannock, Staffordshire UK Enhola places the handset down and replied to her inner demon "indeed it is, we had better be on our guard" she says and prepares to leave. OoC: Would Ehnola have a handgun of some sort? nothing fancy but something there just in case. I am in a better place right now. ; Jul 12 '23 at 1:25pm. Roughly 35 minutes after the call Ehnola stepped out of an Uber in front of a non-descript row of brownstones. The basement of each building was a store of some sort or an empty storefront for rent. It was late enough that even the active stores were mostly locked and dark. The sign for the basement business of the building that Ehnola found herself standing in front was buzzing incessantly, it's crafted neon directing traffic down the half dozen steps to Bezo's. It appeared to be a rather ramshackle and overstuffed bodega. The windows of the likely apartments that filled the rest of the building were mostly lit from within, but obscured by closed blinds or drapes. From the shadows around the bodega entrance, Ehnola heard a soft whistle. With some trepidation, recalling the last time someone whistled at her, she tried to peer into the dark. Marygay was waiting there for her, dressed in tight fitting dark blue material with a hood pulled up over her hair. Posting Rate: Normal Ehnola Ghaye (Lola Montez) Sheet: Gender: Female Race: Human Height: 5'8" Weight: 135 lbs Age: 22 Date of birth: 01/01/2000 (1 minute past midnight) Place of birth: Cannock, Staffordshire UK Enhola uses her powers to protect herself with invisible armour (Ephemeral Shield ) and then enters the shop, a smile spreads from the left side of Ehnola's mouth as she takes in the sight of Marygay "wow, you look amazing" Ehnola says. The figure-hugging dress was certainly top-draw stuff, Ehnola was going to have to keep focused in order to survive. I am in a better place right now. ; Jul 4 '23 at 1:50am. Marygay spared Ehnola a small smile and stopped her before she opened the door. "You don't look bad . This guy is a low end mover of enchanted items. You seem to have a flair for persuasion. I need your help to find out who his main supplier is. Can you do that?" Posting Rate: Normal Ehnola Ghaye (Lola Montez) Sheet: Gender: Female Race: Human Height: 5'8" Weight: 135 lbs Age: 22 Date of birth: 01/01/2000 (1 minute past midnight) Place of birth: Cannock, Staffordshire UK Enhola wore a figure-hugging dress that was most likely too short, she showed only a little cleavage though as she did not want to look trampy. The outfit was augmented with stockings and suspenders, a black clutch and some perfume she had been brought as a gift. It was not overly expensive but not cheap, Ehnola had done her own hair and it was not half bad. Giving Marygay a wry smile she said "yes I can, just so long as I do not have to sleep with him, I do not do men" she said with a distasteful look. I am in a better place right now. ; Jul 8 '23 at 8:10am. Marygay nodded and said, "I doubt it will go that far. Hopefully just dropping Tiro's name and the threat of reporting him to the Guardians will be sufficient, unless you have another idea. He's Free Council, so likely a wildcard. Just in case, how well can you fight?" Gaeloraxus hissed, "There is no real power here, or I would know." Posting Rate: Normal Ehnola Ghaye (Lola Montez) Sheet: Gender: Female Race: Human Height: 5'8" Weight: 135 lbs Age: 22 Date of birth: 01/01/2000 (1 minute past midnight) Place of birth: Cannock, Staffordshire UK Enhola pondered the question for a moment and then replied "I can handle myself but I am no super girl. My powers are not destructive, they are more subtle than that" she said with just a hint of doubt. I am in a better place right now. ; Jul 10 '23 at 11:38pm. Inquisitive "Well, hopefully it won't become a thing." Marygay added with a wink before she pulled the door open and stepped inside. The bodega was crowded with shelves of dusty merchandise around the walls and down the central shelf that divided the barely twelve foot wide room in half. The wall to the right was a humming bank of soda and beer coolers. The florescent lights flickered and strained to provide even the faint grey gloaming light that suffused the room. The light felt weak and insufficient, but was still enough to dispel shadows and paint the room in an unsettling sharp relief. Behind the counter at the end of the center shelf row sat a nearly ball round brown skinned man with pie-bald patches of pale pink skin scatter shot across his face and arms. When he smiled at the two women entering, the flash of silver on his teeth was readily apparent even in the low-light. In an almost comically extreme mexican accent he says loudly, "HOLA, senoritas! I am so happy for such fine ladies to come into my establishment. How can Ramon please you tonight, eh?" Marygay strides across the room quickly and says, "Hello Ramon. I hear you can get your hands on interesting items." As she spoke she subtly flared her Nimbus around herself, a faint tracing of gracefully curving waves of movement and force around her. Ramon's eyes never left Marygay as he said, "Oh yes, senora. Ramon can help you. What are you looking for?" "Really I need to know who you work for, and how to get in touch with them." Ramon laughed uproarishly, flashing silvery teeth. "No, no. Ramon is all you need." Posting Rate: Normal Be Excellent to each other Ehnola Ghaye (Lola Montez) Sheet: Gender: Female Race: Human Height: 5'8" Weight: 135 lbs Age: 22 Date of birth: 01/01/2000 (1 minute past midnight) Place of birth: Cannock, Staffordshire UK Enhola stood back a little from Marygay and watched the guy called Ramon, she did note the aura around Marygay and knew that it was protective magic. Not sure how this would pan out, Ehnola kept herself at the ready, just in case. I am in a better place right now. ; Jul 15 '23 at 1:46am. Inquisitive OOC: Go ahead and give me a Composure+Socialize to see how much of a backup/support position you give off, and a Wits+Occult as you look around the shop. Posting Rate: Normal Be Excellent to each other Composure + Socialise = 2+2 Check: Dice Roll: 4d10 d10 Results: 2, 3, 6, 6 (Total = 17) Wits + Occult = 2+3 Check: Dice Roll: 5d10 d10 Results: 10, 9, 1, 2, 9 (Total = 31) I am in a better place right now. ; Jul 15 '23 at 1:52am. Inquisitive Marygay and Ramon continued to talk back and forth as Ehnola scanned the small storefront. She noticed that the merchandise on the shelves were all surprisingly old. Several brands she hadn't heard of in years, even back home. Glancing behind the counter where Ramon sat, she could see a few geejaws on the shelves that appeared to have a faint magical aura to them, likely Imbued items if she had to guess. Given that the last item she interacted with that had that kind of aura to it is how she wound up with Gaeloraxus, she had a leery feeling looking at them. She was forced to wonder how the Guardians had not rolled in a crushed this place to dust. Gaeloraxus roiled somewhere in her mindscape, and hissed, "There is something off here. Why would he have those items on display and no wards on the walls?" Posting Rate: Normal Be Excellent to each other Ehnola Ghaye (Lola Montez) Sheet: Gender: Female Race: Human Height: 5'8" Weight: 135 lbs Age: 22 Date of birth: 01/01/2000 (1 minute past midnight) Place of birth: Cannock, Staffordshire UK Enhola thought that Gaeloraxus had a very valid point, that is strange, perhaps he does not know of their aura. That potentially could be dangerous she says to her inner demon, there were too many possibilities to hazard a good guess thus she continued to scan the store for any more auras. Composure + Socialise = 2+2 Check: Dice Roll: 4d10 d10 Results: 7, 10, 2, 9 (Total = 28) Wits + Occult = 2+3 Check: Dice Roll: 5d10 d10 Results: 9, 3, 6, 6, 10 (Total = 34) I am in a better place right now. ; Jul 19 '23 at 2:56am. Inquisitive Ehnola maintains her cool countenance as she continues to scan the room. Little else of note jumps out, although she notices that some of the dried herbs in the dusty tins are traditional herbs often used in ritual work. Her attention snaps back to the conversation between Marygay and Ramon as Marygay slides a few bills across the table. There was no stir of magical energy, but the cash vanished from the counter quicker than Ehnola's eyes could follow. Ramon whispered a name to Marygay, but Ehnola was able to still pick it up. "Rhodes over on State. Today's phrase is 'Klondike'. It didn't come from me." Marygay gave him a smile and caught Ehnola's eye before turning and heading for the door. Posting Rate: Normal Be Excellent to each other Ehnola Ghaye (Lola Montez) Sheet: Gender: Female Race: Human Height: 5'8" Weight: 135 lbs Age: 22 Date of birth: 01/01/2000 (1 minute past midnight) Place of birth: Cannock, Staffordshire UK Enhola could not believe the speed with which the guy could move money, she had not picked up any magical aura but there were ways around that. She gave the guy a nod and followed Marygay out the door, once in the car she says "I got the name, what next"? I am in a better place right now. ; Jul 26 '23 at 2:56pm. Inquisitive "We go find this Rhodes guy." Marygay said with a smile. "You can ride with me, if you want." She started leading the way half a block down the street where the same car from earlier was parked. Posting Rate: Normal Be Excellent to each other Ehnola Ghaye (Lola Montez) Sheet: Gender: Female Race: Human Height: 5'8" Weight: 135 lbs Age: 22 Date of birth: 01/01/2000 (1 minute past midnight) Place of birth: Cannock, Staffordshire UK Enhola smiled and thought is that a trick question? "yes, I would like that" she said. Slipping into the seat next to Marygay was slightly exhilarating, Ehnola could feel her heart begin to race a little as she buckled her seatbelt "I will keep my eyes peeled for anything that could be interesting" she said as she realised she was staring at Marygay's legs. I am in a better place right now. ; Aug 2 '23 at 11:57am. Inquisitive Marygay smoothly pulled out into the relatively light traffic. As she drove she spared Enhola a glance and a small smile. "Soooo.... I know your new to town. How have you been finding the place?" Posting Rate: Normal Be Excellent to each other Ehnola Ghaye (Lola Montez) Sheet: Gender: Female Race: Human Height: 5'8" Weight: 135 lbs Age: 22 Date of birth: 01/01/2000 (1 minute past midnight) Place of birth: Cannock, Staffordshire UK Enhola responded to the question "I am doing ok I guess, work keeps me busy in the week and study most nights and weekends. I have had one or two days sightseeing but travelling on my own is a bit of a letdown, what I could do with is a partner to travel with or just a travel buddy who knows the best sights to see" she said with some hope in her voice. I am in a better place right now.

"Too often we are Posers. Don't be afraid. Be you. Live a life worthy of the calling you received." --Church of Luna motto After spending the afternoon plotting their course of action at the bar, the team gathers that evening at Gale's place to research. They don't have the complete picture, but they have found a few interesting things-- 1. Neighfertiti shows up in some obscure history books as the overthrown queen of Maregypt by the Roam general Mark Anpony. The late general had a love affair with her, but ultimately choose the greed of sacking the nation for its riches to bring back to Roam. The books seem vague on what became of Neighfertiti; somewhat it goes unsaid that she died in the overthrow, but since you all have met her a few times, it seems her deals with chaos spirits allowed her to avoid death as some kind of cursed immortal creature. Yay for her? 2. The gold coins that harm her originate in the Ponztec jungles of central Mexicolt. The Ponztec priests used these coins in rituals to control spirits in the jungle for blessing crops and warding off other, more sinister, spirits. Does this mean that VP Ashton has such coins and using them somehow to control Titi? He would need to know the blood rituals to make it work, and there's no info found on that ritual. 3. Ahuizotechnology's archology division, which did the excavation that you are all researching, will be having a private art auction of several items they recovered from the dig site. If somehow you can get in as invited rich guests, you might learn something about how ancient chaos spirit curses work. Jan 15th, 2054 (Saturday evening, 6:00 PM) After several hours of research, it's now around dinner time. Zee considers that if the team wants to start a job, they might want to call a Johnson before it gets too late into the night. Little does she know, that Deepwood did find time to gather the items he wanted to treat her later.

Title Only a few minutes after finishing your interview, you're called immediately back to Master Roderic's office, joined by two other people. Inside are two elves, both far along in their years, standing behind Master Roderic's desk. Master Roderic himself seems a bit annoyed, his little spectacles in hand. "Good, you're here. You three-" The elven man interjects in a badgering but kindly voice, "See! I knew you had more than some lone simpleton to hire. I half-think you didn't even choose that last one." "Indeed, ma'am, I didn't. That's an important facet of th-" "It is important! That's why I brought it up! You three young'uns look ready for a hunt, unlike the boy that chased after our gold more than our lovely little Larly." There's clearly some odd energy in the office as the man is pushing for a follow-up to what sounds like a freelancer who took the money and ran, so to speak. Thankfully, it seems that the wife would provide a somewhat calmer approach. "Oh, quit pestering the man like he's me two hundred years ago. We haven't even introduced ourselves to these three. Here," the man holds out both his hands with a slight bow in greeting, "my name is Jvorak Dannag. And this is my wife, Sanisk Dannag. Our granddaughter, Larly Dannag, is missing. And you're going to find her." With a browbeaten sigh, Master Roderick nods and invites everyone to take a seat where they may - though there were only two chairs and a small sofa aside from his own chair. Naturally, the couple take the chairs next to one another. "Yes. It is as Mister Dannag summarized. One miss Larly Dannag has not responded to letters in three weeks and we have confirmed that the second most recent letter was delivered. The most recent was sent alongside the freelancer - one Richard Burbage - who took the job the instant the Dannags put it up on the board. While we cannot rule out that he pocketed the advance pay and ran, we further cannot rule out that there were unexpected circumstances. After all, the village itself is about a day away from here by boat and four times that by land at best. They could very well turn up any moment. ...it's why you're not being paid in advance this time... The village in question is marked only by smaller regional maps of the northern coast by landmark. Larger maps simply don't have the granularity for the tiny islet that they use for fishing. Nevertheless, that's where the three of you are heading second. You'll be taking a skiff to the town of Outsmuth, as they actually have a pier to tie off on. It's also where we sent Mister Burbage. If you can find out if he even made it there and where he went afterward, send a report back if he went anywhere but the little village. I'll write a quick profile for you of him while the Dannags tell you of their granddaughter." Master Roderick pulls out a quill and begins doing so as Jvorak produces a flask from his robes and takes a swig. Sanisk begins speaking as he does so. "We've helped raised Larly on our own since she was barely able to walk..." an odd melancholy look overtakes both her and her husband, the latter stopping himself from re-corking the flask and instead taking another draw. "Our son was a good man, but was too eager to 'help' art and music. Philanthropy is good, but he would hurt himself to pay for some traveling musician's flute repairs or the like. Turned out some woman repaired his flute in return..." A small sputter from Jvorak and noticeable pause in scribbling from Roderick mark a small silence, but she continues unabated. "He worked too much as a result. Always doing his best to make ends meet. A child was hard on him, but he managed for years like that. Larly was even eager to help with deliveries." Jvorak pats her on the shoulder to signal him taking over. "Don't hurt us with too much storytelling. All they need to know is that our girl is not entirely mobile on her own. Knee-down on the left, ankle-down on the right. It's why we worry. After her father passed she fell into finding her mother while learning instruments of her own. Took years before we could let her actually travel on her own, but that's why we're here now. Yes, she has forearms that would put everyone in this room to shame and I think she had figured out the real power behind her violin, but she was alone. Any parent would be worried. Ah, and it's probably important to actually know what she looks like. She's otherwise rather wiry like us, blonde unlike any of us, brown-eyed like her father, and last we knew half her wardrobe was green. She mentioned that she might have found a lead on her mother, though she was terse with us about her and we never met the woman. Obviously human, probably blonde. Probably a musician herself." Satisfied, they go quiet for a moment. before Master Roderick folds the paper he was writing in half. "Good. With that and this paper, you should have a reasonable amount of information to go on. If you have any questions or need to make requisitions, please do so before heading to the docks. You'll be able to charter one of the guild skiffs at any time, though I recommend heading out as soon as you're able. I look forward to hearing from you." With a bit of dramatism, he stamps the paper with a guild logo of passage.

Round One The Ayr Ring has always been our home, ever since the fire fell from the skies bringing our ancestors here to these lands. We have clawed back much of what we lost and have started reaching out to our neighbors once more. Rumors of strange creatures coming across the oceans to the west have reached our spies, and our seers speak of oddities and doom on the edge as two of the five of the moons approach alignment. What this means of the future is unclear but we must prepare for the worst, as we and our neighbors wake and expand surely other things may as well. Vigilance is key. Rumors and Events The Myrkran have come to your shores seeking refuge from supposed terrors across the Western Ocean. The Moons Yølym and Winding Rose are approaching alignment, scholars say this is an unprecedented event and postulate its occurrence at once in hundred-thousand cycles at least. Citizens in outlying areas have begun disappearing under mysterious circumstances, all reports state the missing person talking about being called by the void before being reported missing. Not a single one of them has been seen again. References and Links BEGIN

Amon's sharp gaze swept across the assembled crew, the gravity of their mission etched into the lines on his face. "Lub’bisus may be shrewd, but he's not one to tread the path of betrayal. I trust him," Amon remarked, addressing Zemei's concerns with a sense of conviction. Stepping away from the copilot's seat, Amon rested a reassuring hand on Max's shoulder. "Max, steer us towards the Luxen Import/Export Bazaar. It's a Black Sun front. Contact them and let them know we're here to negotiate Lub’bisus’s cargo release." Max, displaying his Jedi discipline, simply nodded, the quiet determination evident in his response. As the ship delved into the shadowy depths of one of Coruscant's ventilation shafts—into the area of the undercity known as Night City, hidden beneath the bustling metropolis—Amon couldn't help but think of the layers beneath, where the desperate sought refuge away from prying eyes. Gathering the crew in the ship's common area, Amon laid out the plan. "Lub’bisus demanded a steep price for the randomizer, part of which involves retrieving cargo at the Luxen Import/Export Bazaar—a Black Sun front in the heart of Night City. We don't know Lub’bisus’s full involvement, so proceed cautiously." Pausing for emphasis, Amon's gaze grew intense. "Our secondary objective is to hack a Senate terminal using the data stick. We need to unravel what happened on Oncu. The betrayal by our own Clone troopers cannot go unanswered." A shiver ran down his spine as he recalled the haunting events. Turning his attention to specific assignments, Amon directed Max. "Max, lead the team to recover Lub’bisus’s merchandise. Zemei and Hakai, you're with Max. Anything in the holding area is fair game—we will sell it for your wages and ship upkeep." His eyes then met Willa's. "Willa, you and Felagi are with me. We'll infiltrate the Senate offices, locate a terminal, and access the data on the memory stick. R4, you're with us too." Amon's voice was steady, a commander outlining the path forward. "Any questions?" he asked, inviting the crew to voice their concerns or seek clarity before they embarked on this perilous journey into the depths of Night City. Game Level Aspects: Dark Conspiracy | Galactic Upheaval and the Rise of the Empire Maxon Katar's Aspects: Jedi Apprentice Eager To Prove Himself | Can't Let Go Zemei Ki's Aspects: Relentless Mandalorian Bounty-Hunter Hakai Mar's Aspects: Self-Taught Force Adept Healer Felagi Nai's Aspects: Shrewd Miralukan Slicer Willa Aspects: Level-Headed Chandrilan Diplomat | There Is Always Another Way Situation Aspects and Points: Outer Orbit of Coruscant Aboard the Radiant Off the Registry Scrapheap [ 1 ] GM Fate Points: 1 Amon's Fate Points: 2

Ghosts Come Home to Roost? 5th day of the 2nd Ride of Eleint, Year of the Banner The peaceful land of Mistledale has been greatly troubled of late by raiding brigands who strike on moonless nights and then retreat under cover of darkness. Chasing marauding brigands over the fields and hedgerows of Mistledale has proved futile so far, but the other night, sipping your favorite ale while lounging about the taproom eavesdropping at the White Hart Inn in Ashabenford, a new development caught your notice. Rumor, or perhaps fanciful spinning, has it that the brigands might be using the abandoned keep of Galath's Roost, an infamous ruin a few leagues east of Glen, as a base for their raids. Local militia sent to investigate the site have found a few monsters but no signs of habitation. Nevertheless, raids in the northeast end of the dale have been heavy, and the company of militia most recently sent to watch the keep through the night seems to have vanished without a trace! Some of the chatty patrons were not so sure brigands are to blame for the strange doings at Galath's Roost. Until recently, brigand raids were generally sporadic, and most of them took place not only on moonless nights but also always within half a night's march of the forest's edge. The most recent spurt of raids seem to occur more often, and on moonlit nights most of all. Furthermore, at least some of the raiders seem to be mounted. Galath's Roost has long been rumored to be haunted by ghosts of long-dead bandits. Perhaps the ghosts of Galath's band have awakened to raid again!? In any case, a great treasure is reputed to lie hidden in or below Galath's Roost, and that is enough to get any young, restless mind's attention. If that's weren't enough, there is mayhap coin to be made at the keep! The Rider's in Ashabenford have offered a bounty of 100 gp for any raider captured alive and 25 gp for a dead raider (but only if the bounty hunter can prove the slain person was a raider). Your ragtag group, gathered that night around a table at the White Hart by the grace of Tymora, has made a pact and set off to get to the bottom of the mystery of Galath's Roost! You've all yearned for adventure for reasons your own, for fame and coin, or mayhap to shed the yoke of the past. Whatever the reason, there is safety in numbers and so with legs still groggy from that night, you gathered your things, made some last minute purchase and set out for Glen and the ruined keep beyond the forest's edge. Its been a few days of light marching and you left Glen behind early this morning. The sun had warmed your faces as the miles wore on, a well worn trail led you some eight miles to the forest's edge and an overgrown path led you some seven miles more, deep under the canopy of Cormanthor. After some hours following the twisting forest path, you emerge into a wide meadow dotted with individual trees. Ahead, you see a vast pile of splintered and vine-covered rock surrounded by a bramble-choked dry moat. Broken curtain walls, now not much higher than a human can reach, line the inner side of the moat. Several gaps, each as wide as a doorway, are visible from where you stand. A causeway of dirt and rock leads right across the moat to an opening in the curtain wall where a gate might have once stood. The wrecks of stone towers, each only slightly taller than the remaining walls, flank the opening. The path behind you forks here, the west fork of the path leads in the general direction of Glen from whence you came. The east fork leads north and east, possibly towards the Standing Stone. Beyond the ruin, to the south, you can see a low hill with several vultures circling overhead. Light game trails run off to either side around the ruin. You all look to one another. So this is the infamous Galath's Roost? OOCKnowledge (Local: Dalelands) and/or Knowledge (History) might reveal more about Galath's Roost. [For sake of clarity, any reference to cardinal directions in posts will assume that North is Top of Map as posted, unless a Compass Rose is visible.]

"There is no honour to speak of when one deals with petty warlords, the very nature of such a concept is lost on these small minded men. The same is true of loyalty, and of fealty to Queen and Empire. Men such as these are opportunist, and they will eat from the palm of your hand and keep lying to your face for as long as you let them. It's only a matter of time until the right opportunity comes along and makes them feel emboldened enough to reach out and stab you in the back." — Lictor Resarc Ountor, Order of the Godclaw Citadel Dinyar Straddling cliffs that plummet into the Akramis River near the Arremer Falls, Citadel Dinyar rises among the Isgeri sweep of the Aspodell Mountains. Though a mighty fortress in its own right, its architecture also features spidery buttresses and flanged steeples common to many other cathedrals of Avistan. While the citadel’s defenses appear to be few, the only route to Dinyar is long, steep, narrow, and minded by the spears and traps of the order’s sentinels. Though a relatively new construction by rights when compared to the age of other similar strongholds, Citadel Dinyar stands no less as a mighty testament to discipline and devotion. "Steady up." The voice of Maralictor Alessa Volso gently cut through some idle chatter, rousing others from meditation amongst those gathered within the citadel's quiet map room, warning you of the impending need to pay attention. You know what's coming. The next command that follows is always delivered in a more gruff and commanding manner, as it would naturally be one intended to bring the current company to crisp attention to salute an arrival. "ROOM!" As the door opens to the sound of your boots clapping together, Paravicar Dominita Clara walks through and is saluted by the brunette. "Thirteen members of the Choaz Company accounted for, Ma'am." Without the usual dispensary of formalities, the paravicar nods sternly in reply, then briefly eyes the line of assembled hellknights. Then she announces, "Orders from the Lictor." Handing a sealed scroll off to the maralictor, Paravicar Clara addresses the company, looking each of you in the eyes as she speaks, "As you are already aware, every one of you were handpicked for the Choaz company because of your potential. Within each of you represents the brightest and most capable of the Order's future." "Your assignment is a simple one." Here she affords a pause. "You are to go to the Menador Mountains. There, you will find the manor estate of one local warlord named Olenius Bursio." "Bursio is a known dissident, and his voice has been tolerated by the Chelish Throne for some time." The paravicar explains, briefly walking you through the circumstances leading up to the reason behind your mission, "Thanks to our impotent steward Hedvend VI, Isger has done nothing but encouraged the ilk of men like Bursio, and now as of latest report he's been negotiating with local bandits and fortifying his holdings." "You will make an example of Bursio. You will show men like these that chaos has no place to stand." A glint of torch fire reflected in Clara's eyes as she laid your objective bare, before expounding upon the details. "This will be an in-and-out mission, so there will be no need for unnecessary bloodshed. Seize those who resist, ignore the rest." "But most importantly — Apprehend Bursio if possible, neutralize him if he proves to be troublesome." The paravicar made clear the desired end-state. Someone just signed this warlord's death warrant. "But whatever you do, do not allow him to escape." "Alright, you heard the Ma'am." After salutes are exchanged and the Paravicar has turned on her heel to leave, Volso wastes no time before turning to you, organizing the first of likely many necessary details. "Report to the quartermaster at the armoury in one hour. We ride at dawn." — Somewhere in the Isgeri range of the Menador Mountains You slipped in through the warlord's estate under the cover of night beneath the new moon, with nothing but scant starlight illuminating your obsidian forms. But even with the forces of nature working in your favour, you can't help but be a little surprised at the sheer negligence of Bursio's guards. Sloppy. It wasn't until you were practically at his manor's front gate that someone had raised the alarm. Guess they'd have had to do it some time, sooner or later. The ensuing chaos was easy to cut through. With your objective clear in mind, your team sifted through those who were simply escaping in a panic with little more than a cursory glance, focusing on striking down the remainder who were determined to die to protect Olenius Bursio. With a loud shattering crack, the pointman of your small assault force broke through the front door of the warlord's manor, wood splinters flying as the heavy door crashes down. With a few more guards whittled down along the way, you pick a particularly squeamish looking one, and the application of a little pain convinces him quick enough to reveal that Bursio's bedchamber is on the building's second floor. As you ascend the stairs, a few arrows whizz by, narrowly missing you overhead before clattering against the stone wall of the staircase. Rushing up to secure the landing, several of your team form a shield wall as the maralictor mumbles arcane words under her breath, "ድንገተኛ ኢሞሌሽን" Then, as she points her finger at the archer's chest, you hear the terrified shriek of pain as his body spontaneously bursts into flame, the still-burning victim crashing through a door in a foolish attempt to flee. "Olenius Brusio! By Order of Her Infernal Majestrix, Queen Abrogail the Second, you are hereby under arrest for the crime of seditious conspiracy against the Chelaxian Empire!" Maralictor Volso declares, even as you watch a few shadows flit around a corner. "This is the end for you. Give yourself up!" The answer came in the form of another arrow, this time shattering off of a direct impact with one of your shields. Volso sighs. "So be it." She nods, indicating for your team to move in. (( Everyone please roll initiatives immediately ))

4. A Course To Coruscant Hakai tended to the Chandrilan while Zemei saw to it their prisoner would not cause in further issues (nor that he might die from his injuries). Maxon was still in shock from the encounter aboard the Radian’t galley. Nonetheless, the boy dutifully went to the scanners and to monitor craft traffic communication to and from The Jungle for the all clear that the Star Destroyer was no longer in the vicinity. That left a little time for thinking and talking. Zemei returned to Amon who was deep in thought. “It’s a bold plan, captain. I’ll say this for you — you’ve got moxie going after the Empire like this.” Willa presently returned with Hakai. The pale-skinned Chandrilan was resilient despite her harrowing near-death experience with Balak’ka. Amon felt the kinship with Hakai. Her medical skill was clearly considerable to put Willa back in action so quickly. “So, what?” Zemei continued. “We just go right to Coruscant and ask to use their computers?” Amon also had to consider his promise to the twi’lek merchant to get his wares out of hock. Certainly the newly minted empire had a lockdown of all activities on the capital planet. OOC Just a little banter to get in the feel of the characters again. I'm reducing NPCs just to an aspect or two. Action will be focused on Amon, but some of those aspects will justify taking actions on behalf of some of his crew on occasion. But mainly, they are there to help you and to cause some complications. The main thing here is a feeling that even though they are with you, there is some doubt about the plan. Game Level Aspects: Dark Conspiracy | Galactic Upheaval and the Rise of the Empire Maxon Katar's Aspects: Jedi Apprentice Eager To Prove Himself | Can't Let Go Zemei Ki's Aspects: Relentless Mandalorian Bounty-Hunter Hakai Mar's Aspects: Self-Taught Force Adept Healer Felagi Nai's Aspects: Shrewd Miralukan Slicer Willa Aspects: Level-Headed Chandrilan Diplomat | There Is Always Another Way Situation Aspects and Points: A Labyrinth of Scrap Floating in an Asteroid Belt Air of Uncertainty Aboard the Radiant GM Fate Points: 1

The tavern is bustling with all kinds of creatures. Some have arms coming from all over their body, others don't seems to have arms... Or a body. The tavern is a very lively place and the barkeep hands out drinks faster than people can order them. The waiters trays look as if they could fall any moment. Who knows what friends, or enemies, could be made here?

"Not more than a year after starting my service, my regiment was on patrol in the east Menador Mountains. A gang of brigands set off a landslide, then tried to pick us off while we dug ourselves out. We beat them back, but old Captain Kercerri caught a spear through his leg. We got out of there, but the captain never quite recovered — you could see it in his face, in the way he hunched when he walked. Months later, I woke up in the barracks one day and found the captain was gone — 'walking the Longacre,' they said. From my bunkmate's look, I assumed he'd died, passed on from some sick that takes old officers. 'Worse,' she told me. 'Retired. Headed off to the fields of weak drink and regret.'" "That’s when I realized there are worse fates than dying in battle. Longacre's one." — Viedman Linclair, Doomseer Company, Chelish Army Longacre Longacre. A town of should-have-been heroes, a dumping ground for the used and abused. Easily overlooked in its quiet, charmless corner just outside the fringes of the Whisperwood, it is a place where many grizzled old Chelish army veterans have settled, and where other folk go to slip away from the public eye. Unlike so many rural crossroads, Longacre girds itself in faded military trappings, the worn uniforms and tarnished regalia of hundreds of former soldiers caught up on both sides of the war that cast their nation into the grip of diabolism three-quarters of a century ago. This, is where the story of many have come to their ignominious, uncelebrated end... ...This, is where your story begins. — Evening. A few lights shine in the streets and windows, and the occasional snippet of conversation or laughter issues from open doors, but here on the outskirts of town, the night is quiet and dark. Sparse clouds scud across the sky, momentarily obscuring the dim light from the moon overhead. Across a scrubby field, barely distinguishable under the starry sky, a darkened, fortlike compound haunches in the distance. Cimri, a sharp-tongued hellion with a penchant for drinking and long knives, points toward the dim structure. Word is, she's recently gotten involved with some shady, if powerful and affluent strangers. That's how you got enlisted for this job — shaking down a profitable, and otherwise respectable local tannery for her latest employer. According to Cimri's employer, the tannery's owner Jabral Louslik hasn't been paying his taxes like a good, law-abiding citizen should. Cimri swears she hasn't been told any more than what's been disclosed to you, but chances are, your gang's pay is likely going to be tied up in whatever you manage to steal. The pay that's been promised you is a hundred gold apiece. It isn't much, but perhaps the real prize for pulling off the job smoothly is the chance to meet and make a good impression on Cimri's employer, someone by the name of Razelago. You yourself have never heard the name, but Cimri is convinced that her new boss is loaded and has some serious connections out of his back pocket — perhaps even including ties to Longacre's government. "That's it — Louslik Tannery. Here's the job: We break in, sack Ol' Louslik's office, take whatever's shiny, and get out before the sheriff shows up. If we get separated, meet back at the Ash House by dawn." The Ash House is an abandoned and half-ruined manor across town, something that's inspired dozens of local ghost stories. Dull moonlight glints across her dagger as she flicks it in emphasis. "If you get pinched, remember: you're mute. Keep your mouth shut, and I'll handle things. I got assurances that we won’t take any blame if things go south. Get chatty and I'll let you rot." A beat passes and her usual crooked smirk appears. "If you don't screw things up, we'll all be drinking on Razelago's coin come dawn. Let's go." (( Before we begin, you are each entitled to one single skill check, retroactively applied to represent reconnaissance done around the tannery, prior to meeting up with Cimri at the moment of campaign start. ))

A few hours after your interview concludes, a messenger finds you in the guildhall, bearing a perfumed letter. Instructions held within the patchouli-scented paper say to meet your new ward and friend at The Spinning Stool, a novelty chophouse on the eastern side of the city. Already, Lord Price seems to be putting forward a good hand, inside the letter is also a single silver coin to pay for transport there. Indeed, the messenger says that there's already one waiting for you. A four-seater wagon led by a donkey and driver grins as four people - each one with a coin to give him - leave the guildhall. --- A few minutes later you're dismounted in front of a somewhat busy-looking wooden building, sounds of people eating and drink coming from inside. Stepping in and being assaulted by the smell of roasting pork and weak beer, you see a lone man at a far table waving you over, as well as Master Roderick doing his best to lounge in his stool. Approaching, they both greet you. "Ah, the entourage. Always good for first meetings to go smoothly. No worries about me, I'm old friends with Lord Price so I am not here in an official capacity. It's why he hasn't eaten yet I have. I'll waddle myself out the door. Good luck to you four. This one has a tendency to get into trouble. It's why he needs a calmer bunch than he requested." Getting up and dusting himself off, he does indeed hobble a little out the door. Given the half dozen little bowls and one large plate he left behind, the relative simplicity and budget of this chophouse didn't deter him from enjoying himself. "Bah! I told him to hire on the problem children and backstabbers! Instead I get experienced, reliable-looking, and strong folk who are probably the more sensible option! What a terrible friend, thinking of me in the best possible way! Come now, take a seat and enjoy how they move!" Those who had not been here before now realize why the name is what it is as this apparent nobleman tucks in his knees and does a full spin on his stool, the top of the seat rotating with him. "Little metal balls on a track, polished smooth. Ingenious little device. Been here only a few days and already had a potentially fruitful discovery to take back home. Interesting that it's being only used for novelty right now. I'm certain I can come up with a better application." A man on the other side of the building collapses off his seat, spilling his mug across the floor and making it apparent why it's smooth stone. "...likely one that does not involve alcohol. But for now, I'm certain you have questions of me, our planned route, dangers expected, my life, your life, and the food here. Order whatever you wish and introduce yourselves to me. Let us begin our journey with a meal so that each bookend is another one! Consider it a sign-on bonus and, to answer the last question, my rule for these kinds of... copper-counting silver-starved eateries is 'if it's fried it's right, if it's roasted it's tossed, stew and soup are safe, and if it's potent dote on it'. I am not a bard for a reason." With that, he pulls a menu off the nearby wall and places it in front of the group and shoves Master Roderick's empty and used dishes to the edge of the table.

Scene 1. Settling Up Cold rain pelted the slate rooftops of the dreary city. The Livestocks were gloomy, cold and utterly depressing, holding tomorrow’s specimens for the slave trade. These were dispossessed folk of Melvaunt, captured pirates, rogues, political captives, and a few northern tribesmen. In one open-air cell was a particular figure. Winnow Velb was a withered husk of a once proud, straight, and bejeweled member of the gentry. Now he was wraith-thin, bearded and bedraggled. He was pronounced to the slave stocks when a thieving ring had been brought down, and their primary fence. A deeper shadow rose in one corner. Quieter than death until she spoke. “It’s awful to see you like this, Winnow,” came a girlish voice. “It reeks in here.” The withered thief flinched, turning here and there. “That voice!” Zhai emerged from the deeper shadows. She wore leather leggings and a close halter top. A shock of stark white hair covered her head. “It is you!” the man cried. “Keep your voice down!” the half-drow hissed. He tried to embrace her, but she was out of reach in less than a heartbeat. “I could kiss you, you little rascal!” “I’m surprised that you’re so happy,” she said with a sassy inflection. “So, you have my loot?” The man stammered. “Loot? Ah! Your share! Yes! Yes! I have it… well, I mean… I had it. That is, before my life was…” Winnow began to whimper and sniffle. He told the sad tale of his lavish lifestyle being stripped away when the ring was broken. The council lords set their hounds upon Logan’s ring and took all their wealth for themselves. Zhai made fists in the air. “You mean it’s GONE!?” “Well… let me think on it,” Winnow stammered. “No, come to think of it. I had your stash set aside and put safe. I remember thinking, Zhai is a good lass. I have to keep her share safe knowing the like of Logan and his ilk.” “Where is it?! Take me to it!” “Oh, no!” Winnow sang. “I’m right where I belong. Maybe I’ll get sold to one of the merchant lords and actually have a warm bed and easy work for my rheumy fingers, like counting. I’m good at that. I deserved this.” Zhai sighed in frustration. “So, where is it?” “There is a problem,” Winnow said hesitatingly while holding up a finger. The half-drow lurker launched at him with sudden ferocity. Her blades were out and at his neck. “Are you holding out on me?!” “No! No!” he cried. Now, that was a bit too much noise. Zhai checked over her shoulder as some dogs began barking. “It’s in a hidden cache outside of town,” Winnow said now more quietly. He gave the location. Outside Melvaunt beyond frozen fens was an old thermal vent in the foothills. Caves riddled the hills. Other than being a labyrinth, a horde of orcs had taken up residence in the hills, wreaking havoc and plaguing caravans. Footsteps approached. Zhai was gone. Mythic Detail Chaos Factor. 5 NPCs. Winnow Velb, the fence Threads. None to start A random scene in media res PC Positive: combine prison — Zhai has learned something positive from a contact in a secure dungeon Is this a Zhentarim facility? No (81) — Some other nasty place on the Moonsea, like Melvaunt Is the contact a former adventuring partner? No (57) — it’s a fence What’s he like? Slowly Average, Beautifully Remarkable Is Winnow elated to see Zhai? (Likely) Yes (57) Does Winnow tell where to find her share of loot? Yes (35) Does he try to get her to help him escape? Exceptional No (97) Is the loot somewhere really hard to get? (Very Likely) Yes (58) Where is it? Energetically Lavish, Intriguing Primitive — some volcanic place Have the thermal vents recently been occupied by orcs or something? Exceptional Yes (03) Chaos goes up. Lists updated. Added Logan the ringleader, slavers, and orc horde. New thread is Recover Loot. Aspects and Fate Mechanics Aspects: Cold Rainy Night; The Livestock of Melvaunt; Barking Dogs Overcome to escape stealthily at Fair (+2) difficulty — Guile with Superb (+5) result Stress. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] Conequences. None GM Fate Points. 1 Player Fate Points. 2

The attic of the tavern holds many books. The walls are completely lined with them. A few small lights hung from the ceiling, illuminating the titles of each book. In the middle of the attic sat several chairs, with a table in the middle. Off to the back of the wall was another three chairs, spread out across the shelves, each with their own small tables. This place is quiet, nothing can be heard from downstairs and the books are in alphabetical order by name, not author.

"The first time I seen that purple fire shoot up into the sky, it liked to scare all my damn goats. They started bleating something fierce and then they up and bolted straight through the pen, knocking down half the posts. It took me two days to get'em all together again and back in the pen, and after that the nanny goats wouldn't give milk for a week. And the goats weren't the only ones frightened to hell! I shot up out of bed and darted to the window as the ground rumbled — I got tangled up in my blankets and damn near fell flat on my face! The sky was cloudy that night, and that purple flame lit up the whole thing in an eerie glow. I thought them demons from up north had attacked us for sure." — Old man Cogsburn, local farmer     18 Arodus, Moonday. Another day and a half of travel from Blackpipe, you arrive at the outskirts of the town of Torch just after midday, bringing the clouds with you. Most of the morning had been just partly cloudy, progressing into overcast in the past hour.   Approaching on the road from the south along the east bank of the Seven Tears River, the first thing you might notice is the distinct lack of a purple column of fire atop the blasted and charred top of the bald escarpment rising at a steep slope in the middle of town. The violet flame that has burned for a century atop Black Hill, which essentially birthed the town and gave it its name, having been Torch's primary economic driver for the last hundred years, is now conspicuously missing. [[ Mood Music ]]   After passing several outlying farms in the valley, the road takes you across base of the hill, over the beginnings of the main stem of the Seven Tears, then up to the plateau where the majority of the town's buildings are constructed with stone walls under roofs of ceramic or stone tiles, with the larger ones reinforced with metal.   The closer you get to the town, the more it occurs to you that something is greatly wrong. There's occasionally a few pieces of garbage floating down along the river, a townsperson is clutching their abdomen and hacking up a dry wheezing cough as he passes by, and a distinct smell of garbage and filth as you begin to enter the town itself.   Torch, for whomever calls it home, most definitely does not seem well at all.     [[ Map — Torch ]]

Trine Illume - Outer Underdeck - Ground Patrol Muster  The training of the new cadets mostly look place in the expansive labyrinthine underdeck of the Trine Illume's sprawling maze of wood, steel and outcropping all anchored to each other and the main mass of the City. The Ground Patrol muster for trainees and assigned living quarters for those unfortunate enough not to be able to purchase their own lodgings was its own complex built on the underside of the more famous promenade and the typical training and tourist venues. The Ground Patrol shared the Underdeck with the standing military of the Skies as well as the local police force and several other more mundane city services. This led to a fair amount of order and cleanliness in the dark winding passages and tight corridors that would otherwise be home to those falling through societies cracks.   It was here that the newly minted Ground Patrol graduates were given a few weeks 'shore' leave, apart from the odd member who required an 'escort'Looking at you Zikkeikkoth to ensure they would show up for their duty assignments. Passage to other masses and areas is easy enough to arrange in the Skies Between and the recruits were eager to share their accomplishment after the gruelling mental and physical toils they went in the short training period to familiarize them with the duties of Patrol.   It was back to the main courtyard of the Ground Patrol Muster that the graduates filtered in and signed in with the duty clerk. The ageing clerk gave each returning member a smile and a small joke about their shore leave before handing them papers with the location for them to meet their new Patrol members and assign for berthing on their new assignment. The room the directions led to was one of the multitude of briefing rooms new Patrol members were filing into as the new recruits were given assignments. A large circular table in the center of the room was filled with maps and neatly stacked paper in front of the eight seat. Along the entrance wall of the room rested a long table with some small sandwiches, biscuits and a pitcher of a red iced liquid. At the blackboard toward the front of the room was a man in a commandants uniform was drawing out a map of a section of the Skies while annotating certain points and writing out what looks like instructions. A summary of the weather for the rest of the season took up a second smaller blackboard closer to the entrance of the room. An attendant uncomfortably sat in one of the eight chairs, poorly hiding her annoyance at the commandant using chalk to write out the mission briefing. She was watching her superior like a hawk, waiting for him to give her any order she could jump at. Hearing someone enter the commandant speaks over his shoulder while continuing to make study the blackboard and adjust the notes and map. "Come in, Come in and sit. I've got a bit left to do here yet, converse among yourselves. Evelyn, offer them refreshments will you?" Tuned into his work he gestures toward his attendant, who rolls her eyes and gestures toward the refreshment table before shaking her head.