We departed the Veyari encampment, moving north on the available intelligence. Markings in the ash indicate a Blackwater Armada skyship. This is anomalous, I know of no exercises or deployments in The Embermaw and confiscation of a ship would require significant resources and connections.
I stopped to further review the file on Block 233. Fischer Valantis functions as the effective commander. His record includes honorable discharge from the Blackwater Armada. He is rumored to wield a corrupted relic once belonging to a Delmiri blade priest. He is known for inspiring an unusually high degree of loyalty among his cohort and shining quite brightly for a Xalithaen son.
Other members of the block include:
- Vell Senoch, tiefling diviner, deals in probability.
- Hale, warforged, maintains communion with beasts and the natural world.
- Holland Vire, native of Cindralis, previously Steel Covenant scout, versed in Embermaw terrain.
- Serreaux, chaplain of The Sanctiforge, dismissed after being denounced as a spiritual anarchist.
The composition of block 233 oddly mirrors our own 252: a Conscriptus noble, a Covenant soldier familiar with the Embermaw, and assorted specialists/dissident-adjacent members. We know of two additional groups that have been deployed to find Block 233: one lost entirely, the other sustaining significant casualties.
We tracked the ash-markings to an oasis surrounded by raw ore. Beneath the waters, I detected a magical object. Conditions were murky and visibility poor. What I discerned was a cache of enchanted objects, guarded by an alarm spell.
We discussed that the cache may constitute a draconic hoard or materials assembled deliberately by block 233. With no means to secure or conceal the find, we withdrew, intending to return if conditions allow.
Moving on, we reached a site, which Charles and Enoch called The Crimson Scar, which was being scaffolded by a group of individuals. On approach, I directed Charles to issue a situation report. His hesitation was brief, though his expression betrayed irritation.
The group we approached did not respond favorably. Once we identified ourselves as Black Ledger they did briefly mention Valantis, but the situation escalated to hostility.
Charles incapacitated their apparent leader at once. I dispatched an untrained combatant before engaging two advancing foes, who surrendered. One young man underwent draconic transformation. He was subdued under concentrated effort by the entire group. I absorbed the creature’s assault directly, while Enoch seizing the opportunity to break its neck.
When the fight concluded, Enoch was near collapse, Sal only just recovered, and I stood wounded.
The name of Fischer Valantis, and the feel of lightning running through me, draw my thoughts to Vaelin. The Ledgermen took much from me, but nothing greater than him. He was sworn to stand at my side, to shield me as I led our house. I still catch myself looking for him. My Swornblade, a loss I cannot set down.
Current Location
- The Embermaw
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