Harmony Session 28: Following the Program

Fresh out of their latest debriefing, The Suckhole Six had one other obligation before attending to their personal business about Echwink's Landing: Pilgrim's funeral. Guildmaster Ivin Ivinson led them to Xun's shrine overlooking the Singing Bay and proceeded with the Windblown Funeral Rites. Azarki, resident cleric, had a few exigent words for his erstwhile friend:   "It's hard to get to know someone after so short a time, but it was easy to see Pilgrim was transfixed on something greater than himself. He sacrificed himself for us and for that cause. There's nobility there. He did what needed to be done, and for me, there is no higher praise."   Ivin let loose a handful of native soil and seeds into the wind then turned to record the relevant information in the guild's logbook. Previously, Ivin had always carried a respectful but strangely emotionless countenance over the loss of his employees. But here, in this moment of silence, Ivin appeared to have some trouble with whatever he was writing. The frustration was plain on his face and after a few hurried attempts, he angrily stormed off down the hill. Amintolous "Minty" Xallanich took the opportunity to thank the Six and express her condolences for their loss. The funeral ended on that odd little note as the Six descended the hill and saw about their business.  

Bustling Through the Burgh

  Echwink's Landing had expanded considerably since the Six were last here. The constructions they had sponsored, alongside many others, brought a shocking amount of life to the camp. The Six navigated the much-busier paths between tents and buildings toward the Windblown quest board. An assortment of offerings were pinned there and the Six had a lively conversation about their next move. Malachai was reluctant to go back into Ferrous Forest for fear of the megafoot, but his companions were very interested in following the Drowned Woodsman to its predetermined, but unknown, destination. Eventually, Malachai conceded and the party's next mission was decided.   Fran Zetlevik was very happy to hear Enoch and his friends were going to take the Woodsman; after all, it had been her's and Enoch's project together and she didn't trust anyone else to do it properly. The two spent the week prepping the Woodsman, learning its controls, and upgrading The Woodsman's Call to be a more comprehensive and helpful device. All the while, the grim Gattlander Zigourney Zetlevik, Fran's uncle, attentively looked on with unreadable stoicism.   Gorr took the week to explore his new starberries with Shogo vu Chullat. They experimented with doses, combinations, and elixirs, and learned as much as they could about these pearlescent little bulbs of psychadelic sweetness. He also learned more about The Icehost and the role of Shogo as Bridgewalker for the Chullat clan. This led to the druid revealing that Gorr had been created by a collection of Bridgewalkers across the clans, each responding to a shared vision. The druids believed that now was the time to follow Stiga Star-Crosser to the Sky-Bridge of Gnet. Following ancient rumors from Clan Kylvasled (the clan that had opposed Stiga and attempted to stop her), the druids believed that Stiga came to Vardura, found the "sky-bridge" in the cold mountains to the north and traveled to Gnet, breaking the bridge into the "night of 1,000 knives." Gorr was created to find any evidence of Stiga, her trail, and her story. Shogo encouraged Gorr to search for answers in The Evervoice.   Azarki Kevin-Kevin spent the week out on a small sandy island in the middle of the Singing Bay. There, he constructed a modest shrine to a handful of gods in the Bari Pantheon: Otuna, Baena, and of course Kharlo. He hoped that this intentional act could help these gods find better purchase on the slippery sands of Vardura.   Dr. Malachai Husk spent his tenday with his new collection of mushrooms collected from the various biomes of Vardura. Reducing two of these strains to their base components, he was able to concoct a handful of healing potions and a poison applicable to any weapon.   New guy Enno decided to make full use of the new tavern, Pilgrim's Rest. Unfortunately, he caroused a little too hard for Ferrik the bartender's liking. One night deep in his cups, Enno came across a satchel left behind by a tavern patron. Enno rifled through and found an assortment of religious accourtremont as well as a notebook that marked the various movements of The Reconstitution personnel. Before Enno's beer-brain could make sense of it, Whisper Darren returned to the bar to recover his lost possessions. After an argument about "finder's keepers" and a shove or two later, Enno found himself tied up in a backroom of the Windblown guildhall listening to Ferrik chew out Minty and Walden for their adventurers' "reckless behavior." Enno was subsequently fined 10 gold for damages and started a conversation about local laws, enforcement, and the future of the settlement.  

Iron Willed

  After a tenday, the Six were ready to head out once again into Ferrous Forest, this time trailing the Drowned Woodsman, a Varduran lumberjacking automaton headed toward an unknown and pre-programmed destination. The day before departure however, His Masons, the adventuring party made up of Alerki Ascendency soldiers from The Reconstitution, returned to camp. Though they remained out of sight and quiet in their Tabernacle-attached barracks, their presence hung over the camp heavily. The Suckhole Six firmly believed His Masons, specifically Pestus and Byzix, were guilty of murder, but had no concrete proof. Plus, no system of justice yet existed in camp. How could they hold these people accountable when no crime had technically been committed? The Six briefly considered luring His Masons out into the wilderness and ambushing them, but tabled that discussion for a later date.   Enoch led the party into the woods by expertly piloting the machine. The Woodsman was able to work for 8 hours a day, but their going was somewhat slow. The loud clanking of the machine didn't attract any unwanted attention though (at least not yet), and the first few days passed without incident. Enoch got to bust out his new tiny hut at night and the crew enjoyed the comforts of a Sernovian-style workshop, complete with authentic clutter.   Three nights passed as the Six cautiously and carefully followed the Drowned Woodsman deeper into Ferrous Forest.