#aundair

[adndmonsteraday]

A sorrowsworn is a creature that preys upon strong feelings of sadness and melancholy. Though some believe them to be demons, others believe they are a shadow creature that are manifestations of the Shadowfell and death incarnate.

At a whim, the sorrowsworn has an aura that encourages intense feelings of despair and sadness from the target. They prefer to prey on victims from the shadows, and use magic to remain unseen and unknown.

Sorrowsworn who lurk in the shadows prefer weapons of claws or scythes to attack their targets.

They were lured to the realms of Aundair, Breland, Karrnath, Thrane and the Mournland after the Last War, and make their lairs in ruins close by to batlefields.

Sorrowsworn are also believed to be servants of the Raven Queen.

Source: https://eberron.fandom.com/wiki/Sorrowsworn

[micklio]

Jonah and Emry cuddles 🥰🥰🥰 i love these boys

tried some new stuff w this and im happy w how it turned out! might do some more stuff in this style

(i traced the couch me and the besties hate drawing couches)

[thors-soft-cheeks]

Eric used to be part of a twin.

His brother Lasse (left) was 5 minutes older and the golden boy of the family. It gave him lots of pressure and stress that Eric never had. Nevertheless their love and bond was strong.

They grew up during the last leg of a hundred year war on their continent and were drafted to join the army. During one of the final battles Lasse and the unit he was in, mysteriously disappeared, and everyone assumes he died.

Eric still misses him and hopes he’s still alive somewhere, somehow.

This picture is one of his happiest memories, their birthday/nameday together in Stormhome.

In the campaign will be a flash back one shot of the battle and I’ll find out whether Lasse (paladin) made it 😬🥹😳

[dc9spot]

Some of the clothing design of my Eberron Character!

he is a character from Aundair, so he is a bit of a fashion forward guy.

[lodichi]

Cinders: An Eberron Adventure - A Primer

It is the year 1024 in the world of Eberron, 20 years after the Lord of Blades was defeated by a group of adventurers called The Wayfarers. One scholar who had been traveling with the Wayfarers, a half-dragon named Xarrash, left the continent of Khorvaire to explore the continent of Xen’drik in search of information about their draconic heritage. After discovering a large, crimson arch buried in Xen'drik, Xarrash launched an expedition to discover more about this mysterious "dragon gate" in hopes of finding Argonnessen, the ancient home of the dragons, who have all but disappeared from the land. The Xen'drik expedition is well established by now, and the third wave of airships are leaving from Sharn to arrive in the Xen'drik port of Stormreach. Unfortunately, before they can arrive, the airship the Owlbear is attacked by a group of Sahuagin, as well as a massive tentacled monster, which tore the ship asunder. After frantically scrambling to the lifeboats, six adventurers were swept away by the waves, only to be thrown into the midst of an ancient Draconic Prophecy...

Party below the cut! Character art will be credited as it appears.

The Party

art by PlagueCleric/RollforAlis

Aysel: a human storm Cleric who was, apparently, a pirate before joining the Xen'drik expedition. Upbeat and cocky on the outside, she is also a deeply spiritual person who believe her god, the Storm Lord, sent her to Xen'drik. She also has some hidden anxieties about being trapped or held back. Her Draconic Relic is a blue quarterstaff that crackles with lightning.

Art by puggaccino on discord, with colors by Changeling-Kisser/Al

Brân: a changeling (race currently not known by the party) barblock who wears a massive cloak and large hat over a sparkly bodysuit. They always keep one eye closed, hiding a false eye. They are outwardly stoic with a quiet intensity that shines through in certain moments. Since washing up in Xen'drik, they have been followed by a strange creature in their shadow, who called itself Ffrindllen. Their Draconic Relic is a bronze, double-bladed axe.

art by puggaccino on Discord (sorry Osc do you have more socmed)

Gawain: a goblin Artificer with a number of prosthetic limbs, which are intricately carved to resemble tattoos. She is very cryptic and hard to read, but she has a deep love of tinkering, and will express great (unexpected) enthusiasm when watching people smith or craft. Probably bit all of the party members while on the Owlbear. Her Draconic Relic is a set of solid gold earrings.

art by PlagueCleric/RollforAlis

Haze: a Kalashtar monk from Aundair. He was part of a Kalashtar monastery that followed the Path of Light, a spiritual philosophy of the Kalashtar that promotes the destruction of il-Lashtavar, the Dreaming Dark. He also worked closely with House Jorasco, the halfling dragonmarked house of healing. He is responsible and level-headed, but easily flustered by his party's teasing. His Draconic Relic is a set of ice-laced gauntlets.

art by PlagueCleric/RollforAlis

Harth: a half-elf forge Cleric who used to be a house agent for House Lyrandar, the dragonmarked house of shipping and transportation. She apparently suffered some kind of injury to her eye recently, which has rattled her significantly. She is somewhat shy and meek, but she can be quite forceful when backed into a corner. Her Draconic Relic is an imposing black Quarterstaff with a large red fang on it.

art by Changeling-Kisser/Al

Ishtar: a Minotaur rogue, the daughter of two enemy warlords who fell in love. She is very well-educated and polite, with a love of strategy games like Conqueror. She joined the Xen'drik expedition because she wanted to experience the kind of adventures she read about in her favorite books, a series written by the author Django d’Tharashk, who uh. Never exaggerated anything in his entire life. Her Draconic Relic is a green-scaled lantern.

[smolgruulgal]

Finally finished!!! My beautiful babu ❤️❤️❤️Melanie Morgana D' Chevalier of Aundair!~ My hexblood warlock

[wizardtheworm]

A quiet party moment on the Lightning Rail through Aundair, with Vasken and Rayne doing some light landscape sketching.

[yellowmagicalgirl]

she left me (I'm still here)

Coronabeth still can't believe that Ianthe left her. Gideon tries her best.

That's right, it's an Eberron AU for The Locked Tomb! This was written for Morike91 for the 2023 Battleship Exchange.

CW: references to canon-typical death and Coronabeth being suicidal

AO3

SquidgeWorld

“She left me,” Coronabeth said for the tenth time in the last hour. Gideon looked up from her rations to keep an eye on Corona. If Ianthe was here, then she could just have used her mark to cast Calm Emotions on her sister. If Ianthe was here, then maybe Corona wouldn’t be in yet another depressive spiral, a real one instead of one merely meant to manipulate. She hadn’t threatened to kill herself, just had several sobbing fits.

If Ianthe was here, then Coronabeth could have pretended to use the Mark of Handling on her right bicep to cast Calm Emotions on herself. But Ianthe wasn’t here. So many members of their party weren’t here. Ianthe had left with the two Radiant Cultists and had taken Harrow’s unconscious body with them. Palamedes and Naberius were both dead. Pal had been killed by the fiend that had been masquerading as Lady ir’Septimus. It sucked, really, since his life’s work had been to do what the halflings of House Jorasco had never been able to. Dulcinea had been long dead before they could have even tried. Camilhareth wanted to see if they could go to Dolurrh, to try and find Pal’s soul and maybe even the real Dulcinea’s too. When Corona had asked what they would do after they found Pal’s soul, Cam hadn’t been able to answer. It wasn’t like the party would be able to put Pal’s soul back into his real body, not after what Cytherea did to it.

Babs still had a body to resurrect. They just wouldn’t be able to find his soul, not unless they wanted to wait until it was potentially too late, and Pal’s soul had faded away. According to Ianthe, Naberius still lived on in the dragonmark she had stolen from him, or at least he would continue to until Ianthe had been able to absorb his soul and knowledge entirely. She now had two dragonmarks while her sister held none.

“How did you and Ianthe fake your mark?” Gideon asked before kissing Coronabeth on the forehead.

“We took the Test of Siberys together. Father wanted a matched set, and Ianthe gave him one. When she manifested her mark, she then used Prestidigitation to give me mine. Then she calmed the hippogriff while I used my strength to hold it down. Sure, she specializes in transmutation, but she’s always been good at illusions. She made my mark glow while making hers not. I later got it tattooed on.” Coronabeth sniffled. “And now, the next time we’re around an animal, everyone’s going to find out I’m a fraud. She left me.”

“I’m still here,” Gideon said as she placed her hand on top of her girlfriend’s.

“I know,” Corona said as her watery violet eyes met Gideon’s own. “But you’re not my sister.”

Author's Note: To dump some random setting notes:

Given that the Tridentarii are supposedly flesh magicians, I thought that either House Vadalis or House Jorasco would fit them, but I ultimately decided on Vadalis because I wanted them to be humans. Plus, I like the idea of Vadalis doing freaky experiments with dragonmarks more than I do Jorasco. They're both from Aundair, and so was Dulcinea.

Gideon and Harrow are both from Karrnath. Gideon is secretly an aasimar connected to the radiant idol known as Jod.

Naberius was, despite being from House Deneith AKA the fighter-iest house to fighter, a worse fighter than Gideon (who has probably multiclassed into paladin at some point) and Coronabeth (who is sticking to fighter).

Cam is a kalashtar from the line of Hareth. Given how kalashtar names are styled, I decided that changing her name to Camilhareth was a fitting choice.

[sir-gawain]

Jaela Daran, Keeper of the Silver Flame

Jaela Daran is the Keeper of the Silver Flame, and leader of the Theocracy that governs the nation of Thrane. As the Keeper, she acts as the High Priestess of the Church of the Silver Flame, and she is the only known person currently able to consistently and directly hear the Voice of the Flame. The Voice is the immortalized spirit of Tira Miron, an ancient Paladin who re-sealed the Rakshasa Rajah Overlord, Bel Shalor, back into the essence of the Silver Flame, which acts as a prison keeping many such Overlords bound and unable to subjugate the Material world.

Around the year 991-993 YK, the Voice spoke out to a four-year-old girl living in the city of Flamekeep. Tira whispered warnings of catastrophes through the girl's dreams and nightmares, leading her Father to bring her to the Cardinals. When the Cardinals brought the girl before the flame, the Voice spoke through Jaela, revealing a cabal of disguised fiends under the umbrella of the Lords of Dust. Once the cult was destroyed by Thrane's knights, the Keeper at the time, Lavira Tagor, was replaced by Jaela Daran, a girl of only six years. By the time most Eberron campaigns and stories are set (998 YK), Jaela is eleven years old.

In my Eberron, Jaela proves a much stronger leader than most around her expected to be. Even when she was a child, she acted with more wisdom and foresight than the most experienced Cardinals, Generals, and Nobles. It is largely thanks to her efforts and outreach in the aftermath of The Last War that have ensured the war has not reignited.

The church has long been frought with problems, from corruption to zealotry to tribalism. Many officials such as High Cardinal Krozen, whose actions caused harm to many and went against the tenets of the Church, were either reined in or excommunicated. In Krozen's case, he concluded of his own volition that he would serve the flame better by simply adding his soul to the fire, and he submitted himself to be executed for the crimes he would then confess to.

Jaela observed that the Theocracy of Thrane brought with it incentives for the Cardinals and Bishops to serve their own interests, rather than to serve the values of the Church. Since Jaela became Keeper, the structure of Thrane's government has seen much reform, and whispers of abdication and a new form of government for the nation have been abounding.

For the groups such as the Servants of the Pure Flame, which have proven themselves to be violent fanatics espousing Machiavellian ideals to justify evil deeds, Jaela offered an ultimatum. Repent and look inward to see the corrupting evil that had festered in them, or be excommunicated and branded as heretical terrorists. The Puritans, as they called themselves, were split. By the words of the one who communicates directly with their god, some were convinced of their own wrong. But many, including a handful of Cardinals, doubled-down and were cut off from the Church. The removal of such violent zealots, whose hearts were corrupted by the Shadow in the Flame, was most felt in the city of Thaliost, a formerly-Aundarian city that changed hands between Aundair and Thrane multiple times during The Last War. Jaela has even begun negotiations with Queen Aurala of Aundair to discuss ceding the territory to put an end to the animosity between the two nations.

By 1020 YK, Jaela has grown into an extraordinarily powerful woman, and has been the cause of much growth in the Church of the Flame. She continues to lead, being seen by the people of Thrane more and more as she grows more able to see the will of the Flame done. As a high-level cleric in her own right, she is unmatched when within the Grand Cathedral in Flamekeep. Even if an assassin or other opponent could match her, they would be too distracted by her to see that she still keeps Skaravojen the Dragonhound by her side.

In the brief time I wrote Jaela on this blog (I believe it was only a post or two), my image of her has solidified and intensified. She's easily one of my favorite characters in any D&D setting, and I hope future publications of Eberron have more of her and her faithful Dragonhound.

[dndsettingsinfo]

[sevilemar]

I have an idea for my DnD session on Sunday. I think I will make a train encounter, since my party has quite a bit of a train ride ahead of them, and will be crossing borders while they're at it.

I think I will give them a little bit of foreshadowing what a fight Merrix vs. Mina would look like.

What happens:

Two Warforged in the train carraige behind my party's will get into a brutal fight, endangering and potentially killing the passengers. My party has to rescue and secure the passengers, see to it that they do not damage the train car, and stop the fight.

One of the Warforged attacked the other seemingly without reason, and does not speak anymore; the other speaks in a very robotic manner and seems rather vacant. Both Warforged will be taken into custody by the Aundairan authorities once they arrive in Fairhaven, and my party will be given an official recommendation by the authorities if they save the passengers.

What my players can find out if they are clever enough and the dice god is with them:

- The Warforged who attacked got infected by one of Mina's mini bugs.

- Both Warforged look very new, and do not possess a soul.

- They will be sent back to Breland by request of the Brelish government, which is not usually the procedure for crimes committed on Aundairan soil. Therefore, there must be some powerful force that's calling the shots here.

Background that my players will not know yet:

- The Warforged are part of Merrix de Cannith's secret army, which is in turn funded by a small but powerful faction of the Brelish government. They were sent to Aundaire as spies.

- Both Warforged do not possess a soul, they are merely walking, talking drones.

- Mina is developing necromantic bugs and other weapons that target Warforged specifically, and she uses them as spies to keep track of Merix and his machinations. They record all their findings and are magically programmed to return to her in regular intervals.

- One of the bugs hitched a ride on the Warforged and malfunctioned, causing them to attack their partner.

- Mina's work is supported by queen Aurala Ir'Wynarn of Aundaire.

[444namesplus]

source

a adar adderport aelyndar aerenal ahdryatmin ak an and aqat arcanix ardev ardhmen areksul argarak argonnessen argonth arolangard aruldusk arythawn ash ashtakala askelios athandra atoll atur aundair avaroth aventus b baran barra barrel barren bastion bay below bitter black blackbriar blackcaps blackwood blade blades blood bluespine bluevine boneyard borunan brek breland brey bright broken brom bull by byeshk c cairdal castle category cauldrons caves cazhaak cerulean chance chasm citadel city clanhold corvagura cove crag cragwar crescent crimson crossing crown crying cyre d dagger dannel danthaven dar darguun dark daskaran dawn dead deathsgate deep deepdark delethorn demesne demon desert desolate desolation deth dhak dhakaani dhavin dol dollen dolurrh dor dowron draaka draal dragon dragonreach dragonroost dragonwood dread dreadhold drik droaam drum durat duskwing duskwood dvaarnava e eastwood eberron eldeen empire endworld erlaskar esk eston everice eyes eyrie f face faded fairhaven fairhold fangs farlnen festering field fields fire first fist five flamekeep flint forest fort frostfell g galethspyre galifar games ganitari gap garay gate gatherhold gathering ghalt ghoza glass gloaming glowing glyphstone goradra gorge gorgonhorn gray graywall great greenheart greenland greentarn grimwall gulch gundrak h haka halkhad hall harbor harrowcrowns harrowgard harvest hatheril havrakhad haztaratain highwater hills hilt hoarfrost holds hollow holt howling hydra i ice icehorn icemaw inner ironroot irontown island isle j jarp jern jhegesh jin jungle k ka kalazart kanatash karnel karrlakton karrnath karrnwood karthoon kasshta keep keeper kenn kennrun ker kerkulin keth khashana khorvaire khyber king kingdom knowledge korranberg korrandar korth korthos korunda krag kraken krona l lair lakashtari lake lakeside lanamelk lanharath larunor last lathleer lessyk lhaz lhazaar lidless light liugwen location locations loom loran lorn lost lyrenton m making maleer malharath malshashar mar maradal marches marguul marketplace marquan marsh mel menechtarun merylsward metrol mevakri minharath mirrors mist mistmarsh monastery moonshadow moonwatch mordai morningcrest mountains mournland mror mun n nail narath natek nathyrr nations nevitash new newthrone nightbit nightwood norinath novakri nowhere o obsidian of olath on onatar orcbone orgalos orioth orthoss oskilor otharaunt overlord p pain panitari parmelk pass passage paw peak peaks peninsula pillars pit plains plateau port post pra pride principalities pylas q qalatesh qat quesk questor r rage rath ravar reaches realm red regalport region rekkenmark rellekor rest reven rhashan rhenshia rhonewatch rhukaan riedra ring ringbriar river rock rotting ruins ruukosi s sarlona saval scions sea seaside seawall senne sentinel seren seven shadow shadukar shae shalquar sharavacion shargon sharn shavalant shield shining siber siberys sigilstar silver sinara siyar skyfall smuggler sorashana sorrowdusk sorrows sound springs starilaskur starpeak sterngate stone stonespur stormhome stormhorn stormreach storms straits sun sunscale sword swoz sylbaran syrkarn t taer tal talaear talenta tamor tanar tangleroot tansend tantamar tapestry tarandro tariston tarn tashalatora tashana teeth tellyn tempest teryk thakakhad thakashtai thaliost tharkgun thatari the thinharath thousand thrane three threnal thronehold thunder thunderwall thurimbar til titan tol tooth tor torch torvhak totens tower traelyn trag traglorn trebaz trolanport tronish tundra turakbar twilight type tzanthus ul underdark v valaestas vale valenar valiant valiron valley valshar varna vast vathirond vedykar venomous verge vigilant vom vralkek vulyar vurgenslye w ward warden wastes water whisper white windshire wolf woodhelm wroat wrogar wyr wyrmwatch wyvernskull x xandrar xen xephanan xirek y yrlag z zantashk zarash zi zilargo zilspar znir zolanberg zombie

[micklio]

thinking about the boys po4lycule tonight so here’s some sketch backlog of them (some of these r kind of old)

they are all dating except jonah and ty :) for reference cause i havent talked abt them a lot here:

jonah - bigger guy, short fluffy hair, human

tymmorn - large scalloped ears, fluffy hair, water genasi

emry - long hair/side shave, human/werewolf

crowe - tiefling 

jonah/tymmorn/emry are NPCs from @pangurbanthewhite ‘s dnd campaign 💖

[thors-soft-cheeks]

When Eric lost his home and family, he roamed around Aundair for a few months. Working here and there, sleeping wherever, with whomever. Until he found a job at a vineyard, owned by an elderly Gnome couple whose 8 children all left the house. They soon sort of adopted him 🥰

[eldritch-baby]

The Treaty of Thronehold

The treaty officially ended the Last War. The treaty recognized the following nations as sovereign states: Aundair, Breland, Darguun, the Eldeen Reaches, Karrnath, the Lhazaar Principalities, the Mror Holds, Q'barra, the Talenta Plains, Thrane, Valenar, and Zilargo. These nations abide by a common set of laws and maintain diplomatic relations. The Demon Wastes and Shadow Marches regions have no unified government. Droaam has declared itself a nation but has yet to be recognized by the treaty nations.

[babybluesquid]

Session 16, A Delicate Investigation

Our Players this Week:

Hog 112, they/them, Weapon Thaumaturge, skirmisher warforged, the leader of the inquisitives agency and founding member, tends toward practicality and following a command structure.

Vestige, they/them, Bones Oracle, warforged placed into a human body, a healer and the agency’s fleshborn face, remains on the periphery with an individualistic streak.

Strategy, it/its, Empiricist Investigator, officer warforged, an old model who’s seen much action and uses the tactics they learned back during the war now under Sharn.

Samanta, she/they, Swashbuckler Fencer, skirmisher warforged, a spotter during the war who turned to spying for one of Sharn’s criminal families before joining the inquisitives agency.

Mage, they/them, Universalist Wizard, living wand warforged, a young forged who was built after the Mourning, looking to find their place in the world.

Carmine, she/her, War Priest, infantry warforged, a forged who converted to the Blood of Vol and extensively modified her own body to fit a Seeker ideal.

——————

“Well, man,” Hog says, “What’s your lead?” The cop pulls out an issue of the Sharn Inquisitive. On the front page: “Heights Fire Ruled Arson - Sinister Intent, says Valgernard.” “Valgernard is our victim. Eliot ir’Valgernard, an artificer from Aundair. He’s been studying psionics - it’s a little beyond me. His home in the Platinum Heights was burned down and some of his equipment vanished in the fire, I don’t know what. He’s only been talking to Medani.” “This seems to be the most high-profile case yet,” Strategy remarks. “People are starting to take notice. Especially with this fearmongering in the papers.” “Do you know what Medani has found?” It queries.

“I’d have to ask Warin.” “I doubt they’d be very forthcoming,” Hog grumbles. “Have you got a plan for getting us to the scene? They don’t just let anyone into those mansions.” “Yes,” replies Halt. “You’ll want to talk to his bodyguard, Malrut. I don’t know Malrut, but I know someone he owes a favor to. A man named Hendrick, a gator.” “A gator?” “A member of the Deathsgate Explorers Club,” Strategy explains. “A group with known Boromar connections.”

That shuts the watchman up for a second. “Well, yes, some people say that. But he’s a good man. Good to his word. You’ll find him at the Club’s offices or else at Red Blades.” Hog drops the issue. “Has the ordinary watch been told to look out for these arsons?” they ask. “They have. As far as I know, you’re aware of all suspected attacks.” Hog considers for a second. “That makes two attacks in the lower city, one in the middle, and two in the upper. Why? Are they just trying to sow chaos?” “Between the Cannith and Valgernard, it seems like Jack-in-Irons targets artificers,” Strategy theorizes, “as well as warforged.”

“The attacks on warforged were for parts, and this attack was for components,” Halt observes. “What’s curious are the attacks on Rattle Row. Why goblins?” Vestige speaks: “The goblins were the components. The arsonist used the fire as cover to abduct some. They were turned into the fire corpses we fought.” “It seems that the warrens of Khyber’s Gate were simply the easiest target,” Strategy says. “What, then, did this artificer have that would entice the arsonists to the upper city?”

“Aside from the usual tools, Valgernard had a stash of sentira and psicrystals.” “And did they go missing?” Hog asks. “I told you, I don’t know.” Hog emits an angry chatter, and Halt responds, “I’m working with what I’ve got. I’m not even assigned to this case.” “Do your superiors know you’re doing this?” Halt is blunt: “No. I’d like to keep a low profile.”

Strategy suddenly speaks up. “Perhaps Jack-in-Irons seeks to use psionics to spread his madness across the entire city.” “Right now,” Hog points out, “that’s a theory without any evidence.” “It’s plausible,” Halt says, tapping his arm nervously. “I’ve been reading some old goblin legends. They talk about demons that burned whole cities and drove great kings to madness.” “Goblin legends,” Hog sneers. “I wouldn’t put much stock in them.” “Sharn was a goblin city, friend, long before Malleon or Galifar. It still is, in its bones.” Hog suddenly looks uncomfortable. “Well,” they mutter, “we’ll see who’s right.”

“It was nice talking with you, Hog, but I need to go back before my superiors notice I’m gone. Anyways, I’ve got a lot more reading to do.” “Perhaps I should speak to Warin Town. I believe she respects me, and I have a plausible reason to make inquiries,” Strategy suggests. “Sounds like a plan. Samanta, Carmine, you’re coming with me! Let’s take to this Hendrick,” Hog calls out into the office. “The rest of you, head up to Daggerwatch. Let’s see what we can get out of Warin Town. And don’t let on… this.” The commander gestures at Halt.

“What about Slogar?” Vestige says. “The sooner we provide him with a report, the better.” “Would you like to handle that?” “I would.”

With their plans settled, the inquisitives part ways: Hog and their squad heading up-south to Deathsgate and the rest going west to the watch district, by separate routes, of course. Halt hops a skycoach in Dragoneyes, while the sleuths take the long road up the Dura liftways. The Deathsgate crew is first to arrive, finding the Explorers Club with only a smidgin of financial persuasion.

At the Explorer’s Club, they ask after Hendrick’s gang. He’s a man in the legitimate adventuring business, after all, or at least claims to be. He’s not accepting jobs right now, but after a little insistence, the secretary points them to a room where one of Hendrick’s crew is working. In the workshop is a khoravar, loaded down with tools and hunched over some piece of machinery. On a table beside them are a gleaming sword and a hulking mechanical dog, the size of a Karrnathi Wolfsblood. Its weight bows the table and makes the elf look like they could blow away in the wind.

Hog opens the conversation. “Hello. We’re looking for Hendrick.” “Ah, well, my name is Shard Doc. I’m a philosopher of ergomechanics. Some are so bold as to call me a master. I-” “Excuse me, Shard Doc, you do know Hendrick?” “Of course I do. He’s my captain.” “Okay. Well, if he’s your captain, where’s the…” Hog waves their hands around. “... the crew?” “Oh, they’re at Red Blades right now, celebrating. We just got a new contract. I don’t partake myself, not supposed to, so I’m here giving the equipment the old once over.” “What kind of contract?” “Oh, the boss doesn’t tell me that sort of thing. But I heard him muttering about a ‘paranoid little man.’ You know, I was just about to go to Red Blades. I could accompany you there.” “It would be my honor,” Carmine replies. “Sure,” says Hog.

Shard Doc makes some gestures and the automaton suddenly wakes and leaps off the table. They grab their sword and the odd group hits the streets. Hog falls back a bit with Samanta. “Say,” they muse, “Halt didn’t say anything about these guys being pirates.” “I think they meant ‘captain’ figuratively,” Samanta explains.

They find the adventurers sharing a table in Red Blades, already drowning in beer. A huge man, his body more scar than skin, sits at the head of the table: Hendrick, no doubt. On the bench to his left a goblin woman sits, loaded like a Mror king with robes and trinkets, and a human fencer stands high on his seat gesticulating wildly with his rapier. “... and BOOM!” he says, “His club split the very rock I had been standing on. Why, an inch to the left and I might have been dead, or perhaps crippled.” “I don’t know which I would have preferred better,” the huge man snarls, and the fencer starts laughing like a mad gnoll.

The inquisitives sit down on the opposite bench, Carmine at the big man’s right hand. He immediately takes notice. “Who in the Mournland are you? Shard Doc, who is this?” The artificer remains standing, staring into the distance. Carmine arches her deadly fingers. “Hendrick. We just-” Hog interrupts. “This is Carmine and I’m Hog 112.” “-We just have some simple questions and then we’ll go.” Hendrick expels a single bitter laugh. “Who are you to bust in here with the bluster of Lambert?” The fencer chuckles. “We’re inquisitives,” Carmine calmly continues, “on the trail of some dubious business.” Hendrick narrows his eyes at the group. “Shard Doc! Who are these people?” The tinkerer looks down. “Hm? Yes. Oh. They seemed all right.” Hendrick looks Carmine straight in the eyes. “What do you want?” “We only come seeking information,” goes Carmine’s mellifluous voice. “Look, we just want to talk to a guy named Malrut,” Hog butts in. “Oh,” says Hendrick, “You looking into this arson thing that’s been in the papers?” “We need to get to the bottom of this,” Carmine carries on, “The whole city is in danger with a criminal pyromaniac on the loose.”

Hendrick sips his ale. He says to Carmine, “I want you to tell me everything you know about these fires.” Carmine turns to Hog and whispers, “Can I say his name?” “No.” She turns back to Hendrick. “We believe Jack-in-Irons is behind it.” “The ghost?” Hendrick asks. “Well, of course he’s not really a ghost,” Hog says, “That would be ridiculous.” “He’s only a man”, Carmine clarifies, “a man perverted by the powers of the Dragon Below.” “And who is this man?” “We… don’t know.” Carmine says. “But, hey, we might remember if you can get us a talk with Malrut,” Hog adds. Hendrick’s eyes bulge out of his sockets for a moment, and then he breaks into blind laughter. “Who are you to make a demand like that?” “I’m the commander,” Hog says. “Really?” Hendrick drawls. “Forgive me. I couldn’t tell.”

“Do you want the information or not?” Hog says, rumbling with annoyance. Hendrick leans back. “I don’t give a Cyran flute about your information.” “What, then, money?” “I’ve got three sovereigns,” Carmine mentions. “No. But your crew might be able to do me a favor. I happen to know more about these arsonists than you think. I happen to know they’re picking up a cartload of merchandise tomorrow in Blackbones. If you went down and diverted that cart to a place of my choosing, I can get you what you want.” “Who are the sellers?” Hog asks. “Just some Khyber’s Gate street thugs.” “Street thugs who probably have Daask connections…” Hog grumbles. Hendrick shrugs. “... that’s one big ask for a small favor.” “Then, at the end of this, I’ll owe you a favor. You may not know me, but I don’t give my word easily cause I always intend to keep it,” Hendrick says, and then taps on the table. “One more thing. I know someone you might want to talk to. My employer: a short little wizard with one burnt down house and a paranoid streak. I’ll throw him in as a little treat.” Hog stands up, deciding to contain their curiosity. “I’ll think about it.” They gesture for their comrades to do the same. “Let’s go.”

Meanwhile, Vestige remains back to man the agency, keeping busy by writing a report to give to Slogar. Soon, Cloak the goblin returns to give their report. “The warforged who were there are packing up and leaving now. Whatever they were waiting for never came.” Vestige considers the news for a moment, “can you tail them to the new location?” “If you hire Cloak again, yes.” “Of course.” “Tail them to the new location and report back, that’s it?” “No, I’d like you to keep watching.” “How long would this be?” “Don’t worry, you’ll be paid by the day.” Cloak nods appreciatively, “I will be watching during work hours. I need to sleep but I will be watching for large times.” “Very well.”

With this business handled, Vestige is able to compete the report. They then go to the Forgehold to deliver it to the Cannith in person. The receptionist, a forged, stops them at the door, “what is your business?” “I need to deliver a message to Slogar.” “He is occupied by a meeting at the moment. You’ll need to make an appointment.” Vestige ignores that, “tell him it’s the HF&A.” The receptionist acquiesces and goes further inside.

Shortly, Slogar storms out, looking rather annoyed with Vestige for interrupting whatever he was doing. “Well, you have something to report?” Vestige hands the report over. Slogar looks it over and frowns, “where’s the rest of it? What happened?” “When we investigated the scene of the Tharashk inquisitive’s murder,” Vestige explains, “we discovered a characteristic weapon wound of a certain warforged model. We determined that the killer was an assassin named Khyberlurk. Due to the danger of confronting the assassin directly, we managed to lure them down to Khyber’s Gate and into a trap. We blew up an unoccupied tunnel and that seems to have killed them.”

Slogar frowns, “so you don’t have proof that they’re dead?” “Seems pretty dead to us,” Vestige replies glibly, “hasn’t crawled out of the tunnel. Look, you can send the Tharashk to go dig em out.” He’s quiet for a long second, eyebrows furrowed, then, “this isn’t over until I see the body.” “It’ll be there, I’m sure.” “Certainly.”

“Now,” Vestige adds, “about our payment.” In a split second, Slogar seems to have the confident upper hand again, “like I said, this isn’t over until I see the body.” Vestige’s tone turns angry, despite them doing their best to disguise it. “The case is solved, Lord Slogar. You’ve got something that you can give to Tharashk to get them off your back.” “You would’ve been wise to give me more proof, and to get our agreement in a written contract. I don’t legally owe you anything.” Vestige glares, “I don’t think it’d be wise for you to go down this path with us.”

Slogar smiles, “what are you going to do, kill a Cannith Lord?” Behind their mask, Vestige matches his expression, “why do you think we’d kill you? I’m just saying there’s things we know about you and your operations that aren’t exactly on the up and up.” “And who’s going to believe you? I’ve got a reputation in this city. They know me as a dependable higher-up in House Cannith who runs a successful Forgehold. You’re a bunch of unstart newcomers from the Cogs. Who’s gonna believe you except warforged in the Red Hammer?”

Their own smugness is replaced by flaring anger as Vestige mutters a bit too loudly, “you’re a ghoulish corpse thief.” There’s silence for a long moment before Slogar firmly replies, “get out of my establishment before I call security.” “Of course, Lord Cannith. I expect we’ll be getting our check by mail.” Vestige mock bows, turns, and leaves the Forgehold, heading back for the agency with a seething rage.

Meanwhile, Strategy seeks out its contact in the Blackened Book, Warin Town. It’s able to see them in short order, asking if they can help with the lead on Jack-in-Irons. Warin, though, says that her higher ups don’t want outsiders in on the case now, her hands are tied. Strategy insists, “you know we were on this case previously and came close to capturing Jack-in-Irons. We can help unofficially.” Warin sighs, “sorry. This case is running me ragged. You can report to me, but I don’t want you snooping around our crime scenes. We don’t want false information or details of the Medani case getting into the papers. Be careful.”

“Do you have any idea why Medani wants everyone else out of the picture?” Warin’s quiet for a moment, looking at Strategy quizzically, then replies, “it may be Twelve business, given how quickly Medani became involved and took over the case. Also, I believe the order to keep outside inquisitives out may be targeted at you.” That gives Strategy pause, “even though we were nearly successful?” “Yes.” “Is there any way you can provide crime scene information to us? That way we won’t be on scene.” She shakes her head, “I’m sorry. I don’t want to disobey my higher ups. You may be able to go through Medani or another Watch officer, but I can’t afford to risk my career for a bunch of lower city gumshoes.” Warin smiles apologetically, weariness evident on her face. Strategy nods, “I hope the Watch catches Jack-in-Irons before the next attack. Maybe I will go to Medani.” Having reached an understanding, it leaves Warin be.

Mage, meanwhile, finds Ironskull. They busy sparring with sticks with the younger cop Fredrick. As he strikes them, Ironskull remarks, “can you try again? Your stance was wrong.” Fredrick nods and does so. “Bit better. Again.” Seeing that they’re gonna keep at it until interrupted, Mage approaches. Ironskull turns to them, looking confused for a moment before recognition dawns. “I know you. You’re one of the associates. What’s going on?” Mage straightens out their suit jacket, “I came to follow up on a case. My friend Harold Greenwick vanished in one fo the arson cases. I wonder if there’s more information on that.” Ironskull thinks on it for a moment, “oh, right. He’s still missing. Someone reported seeing him in Red Blades in Deathsgate, but we weren’t able to confirm the truth of that claim and we haven’t been able to find him either. So, how are the associates? Doing good?” “We’re alive,” Mage offers. Ironskull nods gravely, “well, that’s the best we can hope for, huh.”

When the last inquisitive has returned to the agency, Hog calls everyone in for a meeting to share their findings and create an action plan. First order of business, they lay out the encounter with Hendrick the gator and explain the man’s proposal. “I don’t like it,” Hog tells the lot, “we’ve been trying to stay out of tangles with Daask. It seems bad for business. Besides, I don’t want to do this guy’s dirty work.”

Strategy says it’ll think on that before sharing the disappointment of Warin Town. “I suspect whoever is in charge of this case is compromised, bribed, or in on it. I believe we must watch our backs and avoid the Sharn Watch.” “What about Halt?” Hog asks, “do you think there may be any danger of a leak?” Strategy admits, “there may be. We must be careful. Medani is motivated by something other than just solving this.” “Has anyone seen any statements from Medani in the papers?” Nobody can recall, so Strategy looks through its records of papers. The only thing Medani had to say on the arsons was that top Medani inquisitives, not named, were on the case. Looking back to the very beginning, though, there was some reporting on Charity d’Medani finding and defeating a monster. The HF&A’s role in the situation is downplayed to simply “local Cogs warforged assist.”

Vestige speaks then, “well to add bad news, it seems we may have to twist Slogar’s arm to get paid for this.” Hog’s taken aback, “what was in the report? Isn’t our investigation and story about Khyberlurk in there? What’s the problem?” “He’s looking to get Khyberlurk’s body.” “Well, you told him it’s buried under rubble?” “Yeah.” Realization dawns on Hog, “do you think he’s never gonna pay us?” “Yeah,” Vestige confirms. “I’m not surprised,” Strategy says.

Hog sighs, “I wish we could get the bodies back from the Blades.” “I sent Cloak back out after the Blades from the warehouse,” Vestige offers, “they switched locations again.” “They took the bodies with them?” “Presumably, if that’s what was in the crates.” “Well, thank you for your initiative. If we want to investigate the Blades, our window of opportunity is swiftly closing. It’ll warn us no pay and no help, but what do you all think?” “I think we need to recover the bodies,” Vestige says, “it’s the right thing to do.” “We still don’t know what the Blades are doing with them,” Hog points out. “If Aggregate has them, there’s no way it’ll be good for us.” Hog’s quiet for a moment, “I guess I’m inclined to agree, and if nothing else they’ll be able to claim credit for getting the bodies back… which makes me wonder. If they can claim credit, why haven’t they? What game are they playing?” Course, there’s no answer to be found, so Hog just throws up their hands in exasperation, “can someone get me Shadowblack?”

Once he’s retrieved, Hog shows Shadowblack drawings of ghulras that Cloak provided from the warehouse. Shadowblack confirms them as Blades, mostly low level in the organization except for one. He recognizes them as an artificer, ranked higher than he had been. If anyone would know about the Blades’ plans, it’d be them. Hog asks if he can use his Blade contacts. He says it’ll be risky, both to himself and to his remaining friends, but he can try.

Finally, Mage manages to get a word in the conversation, sharing that Harold Greenwick was allegedly seen at Red Blades. That clicks right into place. Harold must be Henrick’s short paranoid wizard employer. With twelve hours remaining till the handoff, Hog decided the agents oughta take the deal. However, there won’t be any attacking Daask. The sleuths will watch the handoff and intercept the buyers afterwards. Still, there’s still some time left to change their mind if Hendrick turns out to be unreliable. Hog opts to do some more investigating into that gator.

Up in Clifftop, Hendrick’s group the War Hounds are known to be reliable, mostly because Hendrick himself is known for honesty. Hog’s a bit baffled by the consistency of that opinion among the adventuring types. They do discover that Hendrick got into trouble back in Karrnath a few years ago, and the guy fled to Blood Crescent in the Demon Wastes to lay low before ultimately coming to Sharn. His men, Shard Doc and Lambert, are also immigrants, but the goblin, who Hog learns is named Thiraa, is a Sharnie born and raised. Concerning any Boromar connections, there’s nothing substantial to grasp onto. Not liking it but having no reason to back out, Hog returns to Hendrick. “I’m in.”

While Hog’s out, Mage studies a scroll they bought. Strategy researches psionic devices and learns they may be used to manipulate minds. It also finds some references to Mindflame, a Xorian psionic affliction which drives its victims to madness, violence, and especially arson. Putting two and two together, it theorizes that the cultists may be seeking to spread their Xorian psionic signal throughout the city of Sharn using the stolen components. Vestige follows up with their contacts for leads on their body- no new info- and Aggregate. They learn he’s meeting with the Daask boss of Blackbones, the orc Karmir. The future bodes ill.

——————

Notables:

Halt he/they, warforged wandslinger and swordsman, captain of a squad within the Blackened Book. Wants to solve the Jack-in-Irons case, even if off the books.

Hendrick, he/him, a human Deathsgate mercenary. Knows Elliot ir’Valgernard’s bodyguard, so he’s an in, but he wants a dangerous favor in return.

Cloak, they/them, a goblin the agency’s hired to keep tabs on the movements of some Blades.

Slogar d’Cannith, he/him, the Lord of the Cannith Forgehold in the Cogs.

Warin Town, they/she, gnome who works for the Blackened Book.

Ironskull, they/them, warforged scout, works for the Blackened Book as a copper.

Fredrick, he/him, young dwarf, works for the Blackened Book as a rookie copper.

Shadowblack, he/him, since being kicked out of the Blades, he’s been assisting the agency in hopes of taking down the devious Aggregate.