7: Aggressive Expansion

Homecoming

Expecting a homely welcome, instead the Reclaimers discovered the Derelict Ark in disarray as small drones scuttled throughout the area, many other members of Lifewood Labor were either away on their own missions or hidden away within the Derelict itself. The Reclaimers cleared the first floor and rescued a handful of Lifewood Labors newest recruits before delving deeper into a new level opened only a day or so ago by Athen Ligrant and Orwin Knuckle and seemingly the source of the drones.   Venturing deeper the Reclaimers found dilapidated tunnels, thin bridges over a vast pit, forests of foil, a forge, a teleportation circle, crafting areas and a medical bay. Some investigative work revealed an ornate mural of Mystra, a multi-armed, many-eyed woman who was seemingly present on the Derelict Ark long ago. Langly "Snaketail", Bird Feather, and Tomes, all seemingly captured and restrained in some way were rescued though Athen Ligrant was being held deeper in the Derelict Ark.   As the group progressed deeper they rescued a disheveled but otherwise friendly Warforged named Allistaire who was making an attempt to connect to some entity beyond Taurin. A repeating outgoing message: “Haven Status: Protocol Exigent engaged, Measure sostenuto, Accessing Site Permissions...” was being replied with “Insufficient access, requires additional privileges to resume communications: mensural key composition tarantella. Please await local override in estimated 9-9-9-9 weeks. Mydriasis protocol ongoing."   With the assistance of Allistaire, the group was able to bypass much of the remaining security and access the back-end security and AI hub, discovering Athen being interfaced into the power systems. The group defended Dorian as she interfaced her own STACI to communicate with the existing STACI on the Derelict Ark, a highly paranoid and largely frightened AI. Once integrated, Dorian's STACI was linked to the Derelict Ark systems even through larger distances, regaining a portion of her source permissions.   With the issue mostly resolved and the security systems easing down, Lifewood Labor was able to reestablish themselves in the Derelict Ark. Athen Ligrant, severely drained, was bedridden and remained so for the remainder of downtime for a period of 2 months in order to prepare of a masquerade ball between members of the upper echelon of the Legion Marred.

The Masquerade

The Reclaimers, Team Winners, and Exemplary Ensemble were collectively tasked with infiltrating a masquerade ball between representatives of the Lords in Waiting and gathering intelligence and allies among them. The Reclaimers in particular were tasked with taking up guises in the party and to assist the other groups from within. After proper preparations were made, the Reclaimers, along with Ome Samayo (aka Omneil Vazeiros) who was revealed to be the child of Elizabetha Vazeiros. They traveled through Kert to a Secluded Estate. Briefly on approach, Charlie Anderson and Zahiri Sapir felt a compulsion to enter a brilliant and flourishing greenhouse on the manor grounds, easily among the finest structures on the whole estate.   Arriving the day before the party, the Reclaimers took to their guest quarters and explored what portion of the grounds they could. Zahiri and Mal met Seeteth, an elderly Half-Orc who claimed to have some information on a being stalking Zahiri Sapir's family, Colsifiire, forming a tenuous alliance to remove them from power when the time comes due to "unprofessionalism". Shahana Zinvalur met Lord Arcath Vuxor and had a pleasant conversation about fashion. Elizabetha doted on her daughter Ome and spoke with the group about her time in Tarasil. Finally, Andii Thessalii, the Head of Staff of the Endleston Estate informed the group of a handful of rules for the night (do not enter the estate or greenhouse) as well as the third floor being forbidden at all times.   The following day the party began at roughly noon. Upon accessing the manor itself:

• The Reclaimers assisted Sebastian Hayden and Rikter Alamay in sneaking into the third floor, freeing Hunter Iltis, a gaunt Human who seemingly had ties to the hated Lord Lendosh.
• Gathered rare plants from the Greenhouse.
• Spoke with the manager of DJ Kraken about her coming show.
• Witnessed a demonstration of a newer type of Claw of Xiroth, a support oriented unit built to sleuth out anomalous individuals and twist their power against them.
• Zahiri Sapir, in the form of a spider, traveled into the well of the Greenhouse, discovering a hidden room marked with arcane runes but was discovered and mind wiped by Andii, revealing she has significant arcane power. Zahiri was restored later by Ome.
• Shahana Zinvalur got involved in a scuffle between Lord Arcath Vuxor and Lord Creth Vuxor, revealing a vale between both of Bertrund Vuxor's parents.
• Dorian revealed to Lorthan Thetris that he is almost certainly the Avatar of Pelor, God of the Sun.
• Charlie Anderson confronted Nikovan Jainstone II who was assuming the status of Nikovan Jainstone, Charlie's mentor.
• Stole books and magical items from assorted places.

Just as evening was beginning to show, a vessel cast in black and mended in a sickly green plaster, descended upon the manor. From it, a projection of Xiroth the Marred appeared who chided his staff for allowing things to get so far from his vision in his absence. He requested 3 people to be turned over to him, citing that there are traitors in their midst and to use this opportunity to do as you see fit.   In the ensuing debates, the Caduceus Mask an unknown and unnamed figure turned upon by the Clock Mask (one of the builders responsible for the new Claw), the Hare Mask believed to be Lord Ridley Maganti IX, and the Thalia mask or Nikovan Jainstone II, were all offered up to Xiroth the Marred. Nikovan II, unwilling to be captured, made a quick escape after casting a handful of destructive spells with Lord Creth Vuxor in hot pursuit. The Reclaimers made their escape, revealing their hand while protecting themselves and Bertrund Vuxor from Nikovan II with the help of the Exemplary Ensemble and Team Winners and made their way back home at Weft before additional security measures would become a problem.

Contract

Thanks to the sleuth work done by the Reclaimers, Team Winners, and the Exemplary Ensemble, we are aware of a large gathering of high level government agents in a masquerade held in a secluded location. While it is unlikely for many Lords to be present, many seem to be sending representatives in their stead. This is an opportunity for us to investigate the Lords through their representatives and see into what they might be planning.   The Ensemble has been tasked with infiltrating the back offices of the mansion during the event to gather any documentation on prototype weaponry, medical procedures, and hidden locations. The Winners are to take the place of several guards to investigate planned movements of the Party of Goodwill and Claws of Xiroth and ensure a safe exit.   Due to your flexibility in talents, you, Reclaimers are being tasked with attending the Masquerade to gather any information you can on the Lords in Waitings' next course of action directly from their representatives, establish connections we can exploit, or anything else.

Objectives

• Based on gathered intel, at least 1 Lord will be present, presumably this is their personal headquarters. Gather information on their identity, abilities, and role within the Lords.
• Gather any information you can gather from the representatives, most specifically information of immediate underlings to Lords in Waiting.
• Assist either the Ensemble or Winners in their objective should they need it. You may be able to call upon them if needed as well.
• If possible, learn more regarding potential ally Lendosh. We are under the impression that they may have some form of presence, if indirectly.

Rewards

• 5000 gp
• +500 gp for each substantial secret garnered
• 5 Vouchers from Jent Evans for Items of Magical Potential