18th Propho: Shatterstar Debrief

General Summary

Summary of details shared with Shatterstar and Alora.

• The whole thing might be City business but the Guard are definitely compromised, and clearly the Skirmishers too, to a point.
• Watchmaster asked the Freelancers to investigate the drug Aether in Shepherd’s Rest; some personal involvement as one of the freelancer’s family members was affected.
• Following that trail led to Bradkirk Brewery which had vats of the drugs; gang members from ‘The Ascendent’, and also attacked by a shadow Warforged; far smarter than the regular clankers, far faster than Saman.
• Though the incident at the Brewery had made us hesitant to pry too much further - feeling more of a hindrance than a help - and Robyn wanted to get out of the city anyway (fiend hunting excuse).
• When we got back, there was the Council Debate: there were references made to the Crook and the Marshall dropped in for Rell, who followed up on it.
• Toloy was, at the time, leader of the Ascendent. That particular person is missing.
• Edmund von Quist, also a planted candidate, not the real man, hence the extra checks.
• The leads led to a former Crook hideout that had been repurposed, including armed members, inventory of arms and supplies, details of their meetings.
• Also a drop point found in the wall, presumably not used now as it is likely known
• Evidence packet was put together and attempted to be delivered directly to the Watchmaster via courier and Danza, but recently learned that this never reached her - intercepted by these Shadows / Ascendent.
• Someone forged a note from Danza for Robyn
• Robyn’s apartment was also trapped, as was Hamish’s (though may not be related, it's not impossible, but he’s on the lower floors of Craghammer now)
• The Shadows and Ascendent work together: The Ascendent do the rough work, inciting unrest, the Shadows control more subtly and recruit from the Ascedent to ‘Shaded Companies’
• From notes that we found we believe at least 3 of the Council are connected as there was talk of the Human seat granting them ‘the majority’.
• We’re only aware of one Councilmember that we deem trustworthy, that is Felicity
• Leith, Stoneshield’s secretary, is of the same level as Absyn; a ‘lord’ in this Shadow Council.
• Unsure if Stoneshield is aware of this or just being manipulated at this point.
• The other two lords, Lord Amber (a strong spellcaster, will describe Berwyn, not confirmed but highly suspect), and Lord Merthwind (unknown half-elf man) - unknown where they could be.

Why is Robyn involved?

• The Freelancers are good people and deserve Robyn’s help
• There’s no unlearning what has been learned; she is a Shadow target now whether she gives up or not.
• The Shadow ‘Captain’, Arafel, is her aunt
• Rell is her cousin

Extras discussed because of how the conversation went:

• When did Shatterstar suspect Absyn? About 5 minutes ago, his assassin accusation didn't line up
• Daemon is alive (Purgatory NOT mentioned, just that ‘he’s busy’, and alive, though many of the exiles did not make it).
• Robyn has been ‘further north and further west’ than what was shown on the map she gave in Skirmisher Report: Western Expeditions.
• Arafel used to be a Skirmisher; is approx 1100-1200 years old, and was introduced to Thomas by Alora.
• Why are we trying to build a bridge? Because Stoneshield is asking for it.
• Hamish is in the lower levels of Craghammer. Hamish was invited to the Skirmishers but declined
• Rell was taken by another underground group, no names or details given, no references made to Faithful or Haven.
• No references to any other magic or magic users (other than Berwyn and Arafel)
• What will happen with the last Shadow agent? Alora will handle it.

Report Date

02 Apr 2024