[EDGEHAVEN’S RUINS, WEST OF SNAKEWATER; JANUARY 3, 102 BTF]

The winter sun burned brightly and coldly over the corpse of Edgehaven, a town long dead by a battle long past. It did little to warm the column of Metabionics that marched amidst the ruin, their shadows made short in the hour. Their numbers were a few dozen but they strode in synchronous step with each other and flanked the trundling passage of a few spider-wagons. 

These vehicles were laden with machinery rather than weaponry. Though spider-wagons required specialized “pilots”, their limbs allowed them a greater flexibility in terrain than their wheeled counterparts. This allowed the column to diverge from commonly trafficked roads to traverse the lesser known passages among town ruins, rough hills, and deep forests.

The din of their footfalls and clanking cargo scattered parafauna upon their approach. The clangor of the travelers’ march also deafened them to the Puma-hawk pride that was stalking them for the past few days. 

Instinct had demanded that these parafauna abandon their hunt. The scents of metal and oil, as well as the nigh imperceptible hum from within each of their prey was sign enough that these humans would make for poor feasting. Their bestial minds perceived the column as inedible and dangerous -- they would be better off seeking easier, softer fare. 

Yet, the Song quelled such thoughts even as it added length to their stride and saw through their sensory organs. The Song took note of the columns’ numbers, the armaments, and the spider-wagons’ stock. 

Follow quietly. Stay hidden. Flee if engaged.

And the Puma-hawks, with more eyes and limbs than the unblessed members of their species, did as the Song commanded.

The month of November saw the heightening of a Night King and the destruction of another. Though the following winter has been quiet thus far, this tenuous peace will not last. The King of Lightning’s strength continues to grow, as does the wrath of the King of Fiends. The battles to come will rage across the region and see the Delvers of Snakewater as participants, casualties, or both.

The King of Lightning is the strongest of his Night League brethren. A transplant from the Illustrados Union, he is a maker of mechanical monstrosities and a savant at Necro-tech. Until recently, he was disgused as a simple engineer named “Exanimus Portent” but he also calls himself the Machinist or simply, King Celso. The latter name is especially embarrassing to the similarly named but utterly unaffiliated corporation named Celso Innovational Enterprises.

The King of Lightning most recent exploits include the violent theft of relics from the Hellhounds’ Altar of Air and the killing of King Aetheldred.

King Ravan-Ajasha is also called the Raksasha or the King of Fiends. He is a father of monstrosities and horrors, known for creating abominations and commanding them to fulfill his machinations.

His recent exploits include infesting unwilling subjects with ravenous parasites and waylaying caravans using inhuman monstrosities.

King Aetheldred was called the the Herbalist, the Eternal Blossom and the King of Flowers. Brilliant yet also fickle, she was known as a researcher and alchemist dedicated to the expansion of her scientific knowhow without care for the consequences. A powerful Dryad, she was even able to imbue Eidolonic Spores unto individuals against their will.

In November 101 BTF, Aetheldred was believed to have been slain by King Celso with the help of Snakewater.

By Marcus C.

[LOCATION UNKNOWN; February 1, 102 BTF]

In the depths of some unknown facility, a long, cold, metal corridor stretches almost imperceptibly far into the reaches of the structure. It is only illuminated by slowly pulsing blue lights that dot along the edges of the protracted hall into the distance. A singular one room along its length shows a distinct illumination that stands out in the liminal space.

The room contains a grand array of machinery, seemingly both mythical and scientific. A display in a corner of the great web of machine displays, “NON-CRITICAL SYSTEMS - POWER DIVERTED: COMPLETE”. Two silhouettes can be made out against the illuminated interfaces and machine housings.

A man, mostly covered in metal, speaks out in a somewhat ringing voice, “It’s a shame Celso, it truly is, but I’ve learned enough times that we can’t trust people like them.”

He positions himself on a large metal platform, wires and machinery hanging menacingly above it.

“Maybe part of me wanted to think that maybe a few of them could be convinced to fix this rotten world. I gave them an opportunity and they gladly took it. They must have forgotten that their little jammer was only localized. They showed me -US- what they will do the instant we turn our backs with their own eyes.”

The second figure, framed more widely in metal and traces of plant matter, positions themselves in front of a panel off to the side of the platform.

“And do you believe them to be as threatening as they are, SAN?”

SAN stares up at the tangle of machinery that hovers above him and the platform that he sat on the edge of.

“They were not in a position to do more than mild damage to this frame, but you’ve seen yourself their capacity for growth. I will not underestimate them.”

He brings his gaze down from the ceiling to meet the gaze of the other figure, steely-eyed and resolute.

“I am ready for the N.E.X.T. frame.”

Upon hearing the words, the figure at the panel begins adjusting various interfaces displayed on its surface.

“There won’t be much left of the old you after, and while you’ve always been stalwart in our mission, I will ask you as a precaution, are you sure?”

SAN positions himself to lie flat on the platform surface, facing the enormous overhang of machinery above him.

“The old me was insignificant; barely able to move and worse yet, I thought like all of them.”

His eyes stay fixed to the space above him

“While corrupt men and endless horrors rip this world apart, they let themselves be hamstrung by their bureaucracy, morals, and their traditions. They say they wish to make the world better, but when anyone with the power or will to do so takes charge they shun them, they fear them. Meanwhile, the world continues to rot.”

SAN turns his head to face the figure at the panel

“You have been my shield Celso, you have given me the ability to live and the power to change what’s wrong with this world. And for that I will continue to be your sword. If the world as it is cannot be, or refuses to be fixed, then I shall be the man to set the world on fire so that something better can be built from the ashes.”

He turns his head back to the ceiling, closing eyes set behind a visor of steel and glass.

“If I need to, I will be the scar that this world needs.”

After making a few more adjustments on the panel, the second figure pulls a lever nearby causing the overhanging machinery to stir to life and begin descending toward the surface of the platform.

“Then we shall make it so together, if need be.”

Large cables illuminate around the room as they deliver power to the massive apparatus at its center.

———————————————————————————

Somewhere in a Peace Maker Barracks, Altair is wrapping up reports of the previous gathering when lights and various equipment strobe momentarily before blacking out.

“AH HELL you couldn’t have god damn wait till my report was god damn done, could you?!”

After a few moments the lights sputter and turn back on throughout the building

“Gotta talk to the damn mechanic now, freaking hell.”

-- Men, Machines, and Monsters: With the King of Lightning and the King of Fiends in mind, the Peace Makers and Snakewater’s forces consider their next options. However, even as they weigh the costs of dealing with these sorcerous threats, the two Night Kings do not tarry -- via herald or proxy, each offers their assistance against the other and threatens retribution if refused.

-- Ultimately, it is decided that neither King is deserving of loyalty or of service. A plan is forged under the protection of a signal jammer at the Cantina. Snakewater would play at being an ally for one King while dealing with the other. To that end, King Celso’s forward camps are sabotaged while his Kingspawn are distracted. (Mercado +5, Forge +5)

-- Erstwhile, King Ravan’s abominations are slain or scattered before they could give more information to their sorcerous maker about the other King’s forces. (Farm +5, Mercado +5)

-- The Delvers and Operatives worked together with King Celso’s forces, particularly SAN, to continue their destruction of King Ravan’s minions. The bulk of the Ravanic monstrosities are drawn into an open field to be slaughtered. And in a savage blow to the King of Lightning, the machine logic core of his outpost was sabotaged by Delvers during the brutal melee. 

Unfortunately, Snakewater’s designs were discovered by SAN. His discovery is for naught, however -- he is unable to fully trap Snakewater’s Delvers and Operatives in an inferno and his forces were deflected before they could inflict massive damage to the town’s infrastructure.  (+15 to Forge, Spire, Tombs; -30 to Mercado, Campus, Farm)

OTHER DELVES:

-- Manuel, Unmasked: The mastermind behind the Forge Beasts and their destabilization of Illustrados commerce in the area is revealed to be “Manuel Cervantes”. Despite his attempts, he is captured by ECL;PS and allies before he can escape Mid-Atla. (Mercado +5, Forge +5)

-- The Chronal Sun: Adria of the Flame performs a rite of her Church befitting the dark of winter: it deigns to bring reflection and thoughtfulness to those who partake, whether they are Redeemers or not. (Tombs +2)

-- Dispel the Shadows: The Steelwings and their allies hunt down the shadowy spies of Percivan. Though the entities attempt to escape their fate, their pursuers are too quick. (Farms +5, Spire +5)

-- Hide and Seek: A strange feeling pervades the meeting of local Delvers and Operatives. Those who were able to determine its source determine that something was scrying their thoughts -- fortunately, some of these were inquisitions were deflected and the destruction of Percivan’s shadows appeared to have stopped the happenstance from recurring for the moment. (Campus +2)

-- Youngbloods: Several Fomori novices were reported to have entered town, believed to have been carrying items of interest. It is believed that they left without speaking to anyone. (Mercado +1)

-- The Hand of Designation: The Blades of the Empress hunt down an undead menace and discover a gruesome item: a “Hand of Designation”. This item is believed to be from Sindra, a renegade Templar and known follower of Yama. They have given it to the Avataral Hand for keeping while they perform their own studies on it. (Tombs +3, Farms +3)

-- Hold your horses: Before he is able to escape the area, a Carmine criminal was apprehended by the Blades of the Empress. Laurencius “Lars” Auclair has been detained in Bridgeboro with the Peace Makers until it is seen fit to extradite him to Templar lands. (Mercado +3, Farms +3)

-- Delvers. Thanks to local Delvers and Operatives, work continued apace on the repair and calibration of the Stormbringer Spire from the recent Magna-storm. Sweat and blood was also spent ensuring safety in the Farms and the Forge districts. Meanwhile, proper reverences and prayers were given to those that had passed and those that need rest.(NPC shifters =  Farms +3, Forge +4, Spire +23, Tomb +18)

-- Snakewater’s Townsfolk*: Though SAN and King Celso’s forces ran amok through Snakewater, the damage they inflicted was no match to the industry and spirit of the townsfolk.  (Campus +10, Farms +19, Forge +34, Mercado +19, Spire +36, Tomb +38)

* These values match the Player Characters’ contributions, representing the NPCs work in building their homes and how the PCs inspire them to greater heights.

NEW VALUES: (updated 2/19/24)  

• FARMS (FRINGE FARMLANDS) Tier 2: 224/300 (up  from Tier 2: 216/300)  

• TOMBS (GRAVEYARD): Tier 2: 9/300 (UNLOCKED from Tier 1:  233/300)  

• FORGE (LA GRAN FRAGUA) Tier 2: 176/300 (Up from Tier 1: 108/300) 

• CAMPUS (LIBRARY LANE) Tier 3: 185/300 (Down from Tier 3: 211/300) 

• MERCADO (MARKET EXCHANGE) Tier 3: 219/300 (Up from Tier 3: 211/300)   

• SPIRE (STORMBRINGER SPIRE) Tier 2: 181/300 (Up from Tier 2: 105/300)

-- Dispel the Shadows: The Steelwings and their allies hunt down the shadowy spies of Percivan. Though the entities attempt to escape their fate, their pursuers are too quick. (Farms +5, Spire +5)

-- Hide and Seek: A strange feeling pervades the meeting of local Delvers and Operatives. Those who were able to determine its source determine that something was scrying their thoughts -- fortunately, some of these were inquisitions were deflected and the destruction of Percivan’s shadows appeared to have stopped the happenstance from recurring for the moment. 

-- Youngbloods: Several Fomori novices were reported to have entered town, believed to have been carrying items of interest. It is believed that they left without speaking to anyone. 

-- Prophet at Large: A renegade Templar and known collaborator with the Night Kings has been confirmed to have escaped imprisonment after several years in Peace Maker custody. Despite the recently dispelled obfuscation magic that obscured how long ago he had escaped, it is believed that he did so during the Dryad attack in November 101 BTF. The Obfuscation aspected Orb associated with him was also reported missing from the Peace Maker vaults.

-- Manuel, Unmasked: The mastermind behind the Forge Beasts and their destabilization of Illustrados commerce in the area is revealed to be “Manuel Cervantes”. Despite his attempts, Manuel is captured by ECL;PS and their allies before he can escape Mid-Atla. 

-- The Chronal Sun: Adria of the Flame performs a rite of her Church befitting the dark of winter: it deigns to bring reflection and thoughtfulness to those who partake, whether they are Redeemers or not.

-- A New Age: Though the deliberation took a long time, the Illustrados Senate has finally moved on the matter of the Technocratic League. With advice from individuals within the Union and outside of the islands, the basic structure of the league remains but with Senatorial oversight in the form of a Magistrados officer. In addition, several loopholes have been removed and the banning of Forge Fauna use has been reinforced. The new organization is to be called La Liga de Faroleros or the Lamplighter League, representing the lowered control of the Technocracy in its function and the objective of the Illustrados to bring light to the world. 

-- The Hand of Designation: The Blades of the Empress hunt down an undead menace and discover a gruesome item: a “Hand of Designation”. This item is believed to be from Sindra, a renegade Templar and known follower of Yama. They have given it to the Avataral Hand for keeping while they perform their own studies on it. 

-- Hold your horses: Before he is able to escape the area, a Carmine criminal was apprehended by the Blades of the Empress. Laurencius “Lars” Auclair has been detained in Bridgeboro with the Peace Makers until it is seen fit to extradite him to Templar lands. 

-- The Wall: Far to the west, the Wall Watchers have engaged enemies at the Beringian Blockade. The first elements of a Glow Devil attack have hit the region. This has the unfortunate result of drawing troops away from most other pursuits and other objectives, leaving only the absolute minimum on far off garrisons and holdings. 

-- Prophet at Large: A renegade Templar and known collaborator with the Night Kings has been confirmed to have escaped imprisonment after several years in Peace Maker custody. Despite the recently dispelled obfuscation magic that obscured how long ago he had escaped, it is believed that he did so during the Dryad attack in November 101 BTF. The Obfuscation aspected Orb associated with him was also reported missing from the Peace Maker vaults.