Chapter 1 - Ride or Die

So many questions.

"Does anyone know what the Mournland is like? I'd like to prepare accordingly. It is a widely circulated story that things don't come out of there after they go in. Also, don't hesitate to begin discussing compensation, we won't consider it crass."

Britt does her very best to contain her fury. She started a conversation with the baron, but the baron bypassed her and addressed the Artificer. She would have passed on the documents and such to him anyway but being ignored like that stings.

Gideon, I have heard that restoration magics don't really work in the Mournland, and...

'What was this machine designed to do, same for the artefacts?' If the house was looking to discretely retrieve them they likely had power. While she likley had more questions she would let the others get the rest of theirs out the way first before seeing if there was any left.

She hadn't intended to head to the Mournland any time soon, given how close she had been to being a part of it. She was wary of going, but depending on their exact destination perhaps she could say a few farewells on the way.

Misha glanced at Arianna. She wondered the same, but knew better then to ask. Clearly, the whole nature of this mission was so secretive that whatever they were going to get for the baron wasn't his newly invented beard trimming device. No, this was likely some sort of weapon, or related to the warforged. That was what House Cannith was up to before the Mourning after all. But even if the baron wasn't particular on sharing, perhaps Torque could figure it out once he got to see it. Not that it mattered. The job was the job, and it was worth doing regardless.

Merrix laughs out loud. "So many questions!"

"The Mournlands are...well...they're weird. While some areas do seem to inhibit magic, our intelligence tells us that's not consistent across the region. Some areas seem to crank up the power on some magic so much the spells take on a mind of their own. He chuckles. "In fact, one of the new technologies I've managed to develop since the Mourning has been to harness the power of some of these sentient spells to power machinery." He waves his hand. "But I digress."

"Your destination is...umm...well some might call it a mobile battle station. Colossus WX-62, [I]the Hubert[/i]. One of my greatest achievements, if I dare say. If it wasn't for the Mourning, many say the Colossus line of warforged would have won the war." Anyone with a passive insight above 10 can tell this is a sore point for him. "We poured invaluable resources into each Colossus, and they are run primarily by a Prime Docent, connected to a network of other docents. While we are currently working to re-establish a method to manufacture new docents, this process is painstakingly slow.

"Furthermore, a Prime Docent is irreplaceable. It's an ancient artifact that we only have so many of. More than anything else, the Prime Docent is what I need. Any other docents would also be invaluable as well. Any other materials and equipment, while potentially valuable, are not of particular interest to my endeavors. If you find you don't have use of them, I would consider buying them from you, or pointing you to someone who may be interested.

"As for payment, I am willing to provide 5000g upfront to Swords & Sages. Upon your return, another 2000 gold for your time and effort, plus 5000 gold per docent, and 10,000 gold for the Prime. In addition, I have arranged transportation via a three day lightning rail trip from Sharn to Vathirond, which is right on the border of the Mournlands. From there, you'll take a prototype land cruiser, which my man Roger will run you through on your trip over."

He stops and looks over each of you. "I think I got all the questions. Anything else?"

Gideon considers the information silently.

That is some serious coin. Even after S&S takes their cut and we split it 6 ways, that's still a ticket to easy street. He never mentioned why he isn't employing his own private forces, but I'd rather not fuck this up by inquiring. I can guess; there’s more than one faction vying for control in House Cannith if rumours are true, and a big score will help cement his hold.

"When do we leave?"

He laughs boisterously. "That's the spirit! The train leaves in a week, which should be enough for any preparations you feel the need to do."

Red Moon is rather surprised at the generosity of the plan. He then reconsider the point that this might be very dangerous considering the pay. Moorlands is never an easy point. He just feels it necessary to put forth that he is in. You will have your Prime Docent.

Torque started grin and partially stand up as the Baron explained the mission. A little laugh bobbled out when he thought of all the new gizmos he was going to see and all of the experiments the coin would allow. Pausing a moment he sat back down and began to think, absentmindedly rubbing his pets head. After Red Moon spoke, Torque spoke up again. "I am delighted to take part in retrieving these docents but to be most effective I do need some further information. would you happen to have any schematics of how to disassemble one safely without destroying it? Of course I don't need anything proprietary but something that shows the proper connections to the housing so I can prepare ahead of time. I'd hate to show up and realize I've left the wrong spanner at home. I mean obviously I could make one but I'd rather be prepared."

A prototype land cruiser, that sounds like fun Britt has forgotten her anger and while Torque is jabbering about tech stuff at the retrieval part of the mission, she is thinking about its entirety. Out, find, retrieve, return, and all in one peace.

One other important question comes to mind, Lord Baron. Why now? Are there any internal pressures that have prompted you to contact us now and not months ago? Britt hints at the internal struggles at house Cannith. What I am really asking is should we expect opposition doing this mission? Sabotage or a competing team?

The easy part of the trip had been arranged for, and it was now clear that they were indeed going to find some artifact of the war. She hoped the thing, which sounded immensely powerful since the baron clearly expected it is still intact in some form, was simply where it was and they could do a quick dash and grab. Misha wasn't one for fighting or, indeed, anything outside of a library really. her interest in such technological marvel was similarly limited. She left that field to the artificers. Torque looked like he was about to burst with excitement, and she could imagine how fascinating this would be to him. As for Misha, the gold exchanged was staggering and a welcome reward in itself, but to prove her worth to the baron remained her primary goal.

She glanced at Britt again. The question didn't change what they were about to do. The Mournland was rumored to be one of those places that swallowed up people to never be seen again. It was dangerous enough in itself.

Arianna raises an eyebrow at the mention of payment. That was a lot of gold, even the upfront amount. Then again he was asking them to go into the Mournland. What they were reclaiming supposedly already belonged to the house, so that calmed her slightly. If he was looking to get technology of another house or faction that would be more concerning.

'That sounds acceptable. I get a nice bit of gold, and good story to tell at the inns.'

No Adrianna. No stories of this venture. Not until we are back and all is clear with our employer.
Britt might no be totally honest, but it's what the Baron what's to hear.

'I meant when we are back. The stories are only thrilling if you actually lived them. I can omit the exact details.'

Red Moon watches the two female tangle. Either way it should be an adventure and the Baron here has paid us well. Appears Red Moon is more than ready to take on this. He doesn't seem to care or ask really any questions.

The Baron nods at Torque. "I'll make sure Victoria here gets you the schematics you require." She nods and writes down a note for herself.

He turns to Britt. "As for your question...Why now..." He pauses, and looks you over, considering you, then smiles. "Ever since the Mourning, it has been a challenge to create recover lost assetts. After all, our entire operation was centered in Metrol, the capitol of Cyre. I only recently received word of this particular Colossus, and most of my existing teams are...otherwise disposed.

"As for House Cannith, its a public secret that we've had a crisis of leadership of late. I like to think we'd be able to put our differences aside and work for the common good. I don't know that you'll run into any competition directly from House Cannith, but it also wouldn't surprise me if one of my compatriots attempted to sabotage the operation." He gives an exasperated, tired sigh. [b]"Politics can be so bothersome."

Britt nods, looks at Arianna, and opens her mouth to speak. Then she remembers that she did not have time to make a bet about this mission, and closes her mouth again.

Red Moon listens on, but has nothing to add.