We concluded our engagement at the Crimson Scar. The crew we encountered had begun construction of a foundry on the exposed volcanic roots of Vorruki.
Enoch, severely injured, was stabilized by Sal. I directed Charles to secure the captives. They claimed allegiance to the Blackwater Armada and declared we had no jurisdiction in the Embermaw. Mazarin countered, citing Ledgermen authority and stating that the Armada acted outside its mandate.
I pressed their leader for information, applying physical duress until he yielded. I know too well how pain can erode fortitude. He admitted Fischer Valantis is working with Conscriptus on plans to secede, citing my selection to the Ledgermen as proof of the erosion of the city-state’s autonomy. The plan was to construct an industrial foundry to rival Cindralis. He also named Serreaux, another member of Block 233, operating from an abandoned FETC outpost five clicks north. Despite debate, Charles executed the man, calling him a traitor. Mazarin seemed to agree. I released the others. We are not judge or executioner.
On his body we recovered six scrolls of Heat Metal and a sealed letter addressed to Drago. It read: “If you are reading this, our Valantis contact found something big. Meet me at the study in two weeks’ time. -Merrick.” His uniform marked him as a naval engineer in the Iron Curtain squadron of the Blackwater Armada.
We advanced to the quarry. Some recent construction reinforced an abandoned building against assault. Within, we discovered the body of a Ledgerman from Block 251, flesh dissolved and overtaken by fungal growth identified as Ender’s Bloom. According to Mazarin, this organism requires rare cultivation and renders targets more vulnerable to spells. Charles inadvertently burst the chest cavity, dispersing spores into the chamber.
Although Sal disarmed an activated rune on the entrance, during their tests with the firewood outside, the red powder coating the timber burned into the storm, marking our position.
NOTE: Documented evidence revealed an exchange in which Sal revealed his origin in Drakemire.
Further inspection within the structure by Mazarin yielded spent casings inscribed with psionic impressions. They contained the following messages:
- “Verify status of divine core…”
- “The Spymaster never knew, he sent us for loyalty and what we brought back was blasphemy.”
- “The Founder’s stasis maintained not by necessity but by design, and when the machine wakes, something must yield to flame and voice.”
She associated the work with The Sixth House and theoretical psychometry practices, although noted psychometry was more often used to read memories from magic items, not imbue them with memories.
Hearing of psychometry recalled Yedan Neric’s connection to the spellbook of Alexi Faraday. I further inspected the pocket watch Yedan had dropped upon his death. It spoke to me and surprisingly contained Yedan’s soul. He claimed the woman in the picture, Samita, assured him it would provide protection. He cautioned me not to trust Mazarin and urged inquiry into “Project Reverent.” I told him we would attempt to return the watch to his kin, secondary to the current mission.
The next morning, Serreaux confronted us alongside a dragon. He ordered Block 252 to retreat, demanding I remain to face Fischer Valantis alone, who, he claimed, had “use” for me. I refused to abandon my Block. Combat followed. After an extended exchange, both the dragon and Serreaux fell. Sal was incapacitated and revived; Enoch and I endured significant injuries, but the field was ours.
If the regents of Conscriptus have chosen succession, I will lend my hand to that cause. My loyalty lies with my house and with Conscriptus. Should that set me against the Ledgermen, or against Charles and Mazarin, so be it. Regret changes nothing. I was not shaped for sentiment.
Current Location
- The Embermaw
- The Crimson Scar
Recap Video
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