2 Autumn, 500 A.O.V.
The Ragman Squad paid a visit to Mireya’s friend, Dr. Xambria Meredith , who had recently returned from a disastrous archaeological expedition. She confirmed that her team had found the problematic Ancient artifacts, but they were massacred while Dr. Meredith was away from the dig site. She fled back to Flint with her life, but without the artifacts, and obviously traumatized by the experience. She said they had found the artifacts in “reliquary statues,” but claimed to have no idea how the objects had made their way to Flint.
Dr. Meredith had left behind her dig journal, but she did have a map showing the location of the dig in the High Bayou and she sketched a map showing the way through the swamps to the precise site.
The Squad decided to travel to the High Bayou to check out the source of the artifacts, which A.C.I. Delft also encouraged them to do. He provided a generous stipend for the trip.
Meanwhile, Const. Daecer received a message from Lorcan Kell demanding the release of Kaja Stewart. Even if Uraesco had been willing to comply, it was too late – Stewart had been transferred to the custody of RHC HQ in Slate because the military was interested in her ability to summon firearms out of thin air.
Const. Carlao asked for the Squad’s help investigating a murder that seemed to be related to the Macbannin affair (on the low-down, since the Squad was supposed to be off that case). In the cellar of a steel mill in Parity Lake, they find a curious crime scene including a dead body manacled by twisted bars of steel, a rusted iron ring, and a slender mechanical golem that had been torn to pieces. There was a container of witchoil nearby, but Uraesco could tell that no souls were trapped in it, even though it should have absorbed the victim’s soul when they died.
After work, Gruul’s wife told him that she’d noticed a shady-looking person watching their house. Gruul kept an eye out that evening and eventually noticed someone. Gruul gave chase, and although he couldn’t catch the person, he noticed it wasn’t the same one who had tailed him the previous day – this one was a more thuggish type.
3 Autumn, 500 A.O.V.
The Squad spent the next day preparing for their journey. The RHC Quartermaster provided some useful magic items, and an outfitter in Bosum Strand sold them everything they would need for their journey. Except for a few diamonds that Malachai bought from a jeweller, for the inevitable contingency.
4-5 Autumn, 500 A.O.V.
The next day, the Squad set out for the High Bayou. They spent first day on the train to Bole and the second day on a coach to the town of Agate.
At the inn in Agate, the Squad found out that a second expedition had gone into the Bayou and returned with a large, heavy object. They also learned of some of the hazards of the swamps and managed to purchase some boats for the final part of the journey.
Malachai decided that they should make an offering to the Voice of Rot, the fey titan of the swamps, to ensure their safe passage. He reckoned that a boatload of rotting meat would be a good offering, so the Squad arranged for a farmer to slaughter three pigs.
6 Autumn, 500 A.O.V.
In the morning, the Squad loaded their three punts and set out into the High Bayou. Malachai was in the bow of the first boat, guiding the way using Dr. Meredith’s map. Uraesco drew the short straw and had to pole the meatboat.
The bayou was full of thick vegetation, spider webs, and biting bugs. Also hippopotamuses, which Gruul insisted were the most fearsome beasts of the swamp. Sure enough, a surprise hippo attack nearly killed Mireya with a single chomp.
After fighting off the hippo herd, the Squad took a break to heal up and then continued on through the bayou.
To be continued...