At dawn, we regrouped aboard the train as it neared the Sanctiforge. Marrion formally identified herself as our handler—an arm of the High Regent, and by extension, the will of the Founder. Her demeanor is efficient, though strain is evident beneath her composure. She is under scrutiny, particularly due to the Oracle’s deviation that led to our assignment.
She briefed us on the situation. There is aberrant activity within the Sanctiforge, centered in the Shardlight District, which houses the bulk of the labor force. The district has failed to meet its production quota for two quarters due to worker shortages. Reports including disappearances, apparent psychosis, and some wandering the streets starved.
Marrion flagged Lord Thassen Elvire as a potential instigator, he is proselytizing more than normal and remains the most outspoken to her and her position.
Our investigation began at the crematorium. District Bishop Theodore Clavers, a scholar of the axiomatic order, served as chaperone. Eccentric and loquacious, but functional. We examined the body of Jeffery Solian, aged 96, Logistica worker. Despite excessive tissue hydration, signs of severe caloric depletion were evident. I noted residual magical depletion localized around the cerebral and vascular systems. Mazarin identified lingering psychic trauma.
Solian’s widow, previously encountered aboard the train, arrived during our investigation. She was clearly unsettled by our presence, though Mazarin managed to de-escalate the situation. She revealed that she had fallen ill and had received care in the Shardlight District. Whatever afflicted her, she believed, was the same thing that killed her husband. I attempted to offer comfort. I told her, that death is not as fearsome as most believe. It did not help, tenderness is a language I have forgotten.
We proceeded to the choir hall, anticipating one of the missionaries might recognize Solian. The effort was poorly conceived and executed. Charles lost patience with the director and struck him. We were promptly arrested. Marrion intervened—posted bail and falsified official reports at considerable cost.
Following the incident, I spoke with Marrion. She attempted to conceal visible distress. She failed. Her frustration escalated. She spoke of resolve, of what my mother would have done, and I understood what she meant even if she didn’t say it outright. At home, correction is colder, but no less final.
I remain unable to understand the Oracle’s selections. My record, my name, and by extension my House reputation, now align with this group. I have no jurisdiction over their decisions, yet I am accountable for their consequences. It is a disquieting equation. If I am to succeed here, I must do more than observe. Perhaps I should not have let Marrion speak to me in the manner she did. But she was correct.
I advised Charles to exercise restraint in future engagements. Mazarin had evidently expressed similar concerns. Charles assented. Temporary compliance seems likely. We continued to the Shardlight District.
NOTE: A halfling resembling Yedan-Neric was reportedly seen “trading” a Sanctiforge charm for a valuable flask, transaction described as non-consensual by omission.
There were invalids laying in the streets of the Shardlight District, visibly affected in a similar manner to Jeffery Solian. For the second time I observed a faint magical aura surrounding Mazarin. Upon inquiry, she confirmed the presence and attributed it to her anomalous arcane nature. Her transparency was unexpected, but welcome.
We encountered Bishop Thassen Elvire in person. His presence is disarming, the aura around him mirrors both Mazarin’s and the affected worshippers. Elvire claimed the faithful have strayed from the Founder’s true word and he denounced the High Regent and Master of Spycraft as corrupted by power. He claimed the Oracle was compromised in the selection of our unit. His convictions appeared genuine.
Shortly after he departed, on quite malevolent terms I will add, the vagrant man he had treated with the “Water of Life” transformed, his head splitting and reforming into a mindflayer.
Certainly not the work I was raised for, but it is the work I must rise to.
New People
- Marrion Virelle - Handler working within The Sanctiforge as the arm of The High Regent
- Theodore Calvers - District Bishop
- Elrey Solian - Met on the train into the Sanctiforge. Widow of Jeffery Solian, can write to her at Sitwell Corp to update her on the investigation.
- Thassen Elvire - District Bishop
Current Places
- The Sanctiforge
Recap Video
https://youtu.be/mgrh-fdktfU?si=T_-PFuTtJeVah1ZV
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