Eberron - the Rebirth

Game Master Dennis Harry

Eberron – the Rebirth

The Recent Past

The Last War left a legacy of devastation across parts of Khorvaire, most notably for the nation of Cyre, which was turned into an inhospitable ruin. A century of war has led to many that suffered through it with mental scars resembling the physical scars left upon the fields of battle across the Five Nations. When all you know is battle what other path forward can there be? Thus, the fight continues, perhaps not in War, but in skirmishes. Skirmishes between factions that operate in the shadows of the last war.

From the war rose new technologies that changed warfare forever. Some technologies which were theoretical in nature may now crystallize into actual technologies that can be exploited by those that seek to reignite the war itself. In the wrong hands, these technologies may make the Last War look like child’s play.

One such set of technologies, schema, are being sought by both House Cannith and by those who would seek to use House Cannith’s secrets themselves.

Several adventurers, mercenaries if you will, became involved in the retrieval of two of these schema. They and their employer were not quite aware of the link between these two separate “jobs” until after the second such task was completed – and that second one by entering and surviving the Mournlands no less! Perhaps just as disturbing as the Mourlands was an encounter with Hal who is now an agent of the Warforged known as, the Lord of Blades. Warforged are being asked to take sides being either with or against the “breathers”, essentially everyone not Warforged. Gauntlet and EE declined the demand to join and perhaps have made an enemy out of this being, time will tell.

The schema were returned to their employer a Lady Elaydren of House Cannith, with a rendezvous in Rhukaan Draal. Her claim was that Sharn was no longer safe for her.

In these trials, the mercenary outfit encountered and bested, though not without receiving their share of lumps and spilling their own blood, the outlaw organization known as the Emerald Claw. One of their agents, one bested by another set of mercenaries also employed by Mickey P. in Sharn itself, Tavack, informed the Party that the Emerald Claw sought the schema because they themselves had retrieved a schema! Unfortunately, where it was being held was not known and so no efforts to retrieve it could be mounted.

Upon returning to Sharn, the smaller group had one last job performed for Mickey P. retrieving a white piece of marble statue for one Mistress Kaelys Tola, defeating the Reavers of Colrac Hall in the District of the Fallen. However, the group found not just a marble piece, but an entire statue, with a single piece making it incomplete. It seemed the Reavers had been assembling the statue pieces to reconstruct it but for what purpose could not be ascertained. The exact piece that belonged to Mistress Tola could not be figured out and so the group brought the entire statue back to her. Ecstatic she paid ten times what she initially offered for the job! This is reflected in the increased WBL.

Something about the statue was offputting but what happened next was even more off putting. Baron Merrix d'Cannith sued Mickey P. for breach of contract stating that “certain artifacts” important to House Cannith were returned to a former agent of the House.
The lawsuit sent Mickey P. into a tailspin and his on the sober wagon time when the Parties were gone from Sharn led to an off the wagon bender. For six months the license to investigate and or take mercenary jobs in Sharn was suspended. Pierce the Warforged Inquisitive allied with Mickey P. tried to funnel jobs for Mickey P. but the old veteran feared arrest by the authorities and took no jobs that were offered to him.

Thus, for that period, the “Party” lay dormant…

It was never discovered where Carduus and Taryn had gotten of to, but it was suspected that they left the city together. Some good news was received from Lady Elaydren that her contacts with House Cannith allowed her to negotiate for the freedom Ama and Xetovia from captivity, they both chose to remain with the Lady in Rhukaan Draal.

Caelan and Erix d’ Orien, who had also been captured by the Emerald Claw and whisked away from the Battle of Rose Quarry ended up freeing themselves from the clutches of the Claw, with the help of the elven blade Viorr, saving their House substantial ransom money. Erix checked in briefly with Mickey P. but as there was no work, he busied himself with the affairs of his House after such a long absence from Sharn.

Madam Zabeth Skoata headed back to her home base in the Deathsgate district of Sharn. Her services available if the group should ever need them again. [Changeling Shaman (Animist) 5]. Pink – Eye The cleric of Balinor moves to a local farm where he and his unusual mount, Tenzo, have room to hunt and aid the locals with what they may need. His survival as a prisoner with Gauntlet at the hands of the Emerald Claw have left a lasting impression and whenever he heads into Sharn he visits Mickey and Gauntlet. [Minotaur Cleric 5] Viorr The Valenar elf, ever the mercenary strikes out with an emissary of House d’Orien to rescue the Scions of that house held captive by the Emerald Claw, Gauntlet’s not heard from him since. Though Erix did mention that Viorr was seeking employment outside of Sharn after the successful rescue. Kana Cherryblossom the mysterious Kana is believed to have accompanied Viorr, even though she didn’t know the d’Oriens. Electric Eye the Warforged Investigator moved his services to the Warforged Pierce’s agency. Dev Blake the Psion Dev Blake shifted back to his workshop shared with a buddy of his named Demetrius. They run an artisan’s guild. It’s not clear if he had enough of a taste for adventure or not but he’s certainly making money off of that shop! [Human (Psion) Wilder 5].

None of the other many employees (i.e. former PCs) turned up for that last job and you haven’t heard from any of them either.

-------

TODAY First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK – Gauntlet, Frank E & Erix
Mickey P.s license has finally been reinstated, but the fight took a lot out of Mickey, he passes the torch, so to say to Gauntlet. Over drinks in his small apartment he sighs, ”License is back but reputations in tatters, Gauntlet… maybe it’s time for you to take up the mantle yeah? Head the company and take some jobs, yeah?”
Frank E. and Erix were also invited to join in the muted “celebration” of the success of overcoming House Cannith’s attack on his livelihood. Well, they weren’t the only ones invited but they’re the only ones that made it. The victory has been costly to Mickey’s gold pouch and his reputation no doubt, but perhaps most of all, his spirit…

Frank makes a pained expression, having enjoyed working with Mickey P for some time now.
He doesn't manage to comment.

The small hooded figure next to him puts a clawed hand on his shoulder.

Shaking his head, the strange warforged known colloquially as ‘Gauntlet’ apparently disagrees with Mickey.

”Where would I start? You have all the connections, contacts, and intangible resources in your head. In the end, I’m just a strange monstrous remnant of the Last War: A reminder to most that my kind were created specifically for a horrible time that is finally over, and now best forgotten. No one would really trust me in the end. You Mickey can, and have, earned people’s trust again. You cannot afford to fall down inside a bottle again. I’m afraid you might not find your way out.”

Ratchet

Some people just cannot appreciate your unique vision! Your [former] Mercenary company, The Coinshot Companions as it turns out are among those people. Several jobs from Aundair to Breland, specifically Sharn, everything went great. All of your devices worked perfectly.

Then the first job in Sharn, one little mishap and they fire you! Yeah ok, so you paralyzed the entire Party, except for your self and yeah the jewel thief you were hired to capture got way. So? You can get him again and hey, wasn't the fact that the invention worked the most important take away!

Alas, no, they didn't see it that way. Well something will pop up, it always does. As you are walking through some District, you're not sure where as the city isn't too familiar to you yet, you see your next potential move. A store with a lit up sign, Auggie's Augmentations, grabs your attention...

Brennus

Your contract with the Veiled Syndicate came to an end last week. You've spent that week poking around Morgrave University, trying not to be seen, no easy task!, to see if you could learn anything more about the fate of your former "Master" Failin. All you've been able to glean is that he has not returned. It's tough to speak to anyone that knew you both as you don't know his ultimate fate either and have little interest of being a potential test subject for the University faculty based on your unique awakened existence.

You contemplate heading back to the Syndicate to get some work and quite frankly, distract yourself from overthinking yet again, how your experiment in Xen'drik played out. As you perch on a windowsill in some District, you're not even really paying attention to where you've been flying, you see an unusual duo of Warforged take down a pair of humans. Intrigued by the scene, you fly in for a closer look. It seems the two Warforged are Inquisitives on a job tracking down some stolen merchandise. Based on the glitter coming from teh satchel of one of the humans, it seems these two caught their targets.

You follow as they bring the thieves to the local precinct to be booked. The two 'Forged don't say much as they leave the station nor do they say much to each other as they head to wherever they're headed to, as they are about to enter a large building you catch a sign you assume is their ultimate destination among the many signs on the name plate, Piercing Inquisitives - For Hire. One of the Inquisitives pauses, "Friend Pierce, we lost track of time. We need to visit with M.P. right now!" The other nods and turns looking right at you! "Well my feathered friend, you've been following us long enough. Are you a spy or just a curious bird"? If the expressionless face of a Warforged could be said to be giving a glare, he's giving you one right now.

The one who is named Pierce stands 5'6" tall and is Darkwood plated. He wears a holy symbol of Aureon, very unusual for a Warforged. The other is unusual as well, standing about 6'3", he has a single central eye that radiates a soft light instead of two eyes. His plating is a shiny steel, and unlike most "forged, his inner working appear to be some sort of metal alloy instead of a combination of wood and stone at is hip, a rapier.

Being fired was bad enough, but then the guards wouldn't let him bring his workshop into the city! It was just insult to injury lately How was he supposed to know that he needed permits for constructs? The workshop wasn't really a construct anyway. It was more like a really complicated rickshaw. The streets were too wide enough! Barely, sure, but still. He saw plenty of wagons. The shop wasn't that much bigger! Hopefully the instructions he'd left Ace with would be enough to keep them occupied, and hopefully nobody would be dumb enough to try to break into the shop. Curious passersby and bored Constructed Intelligences did not mix well.

Ratchet wasn't really worried for their safety. Proto was in guard dog mode, and if it really came down to it Ace had the Armory, and even the workshop itself. The warnings couldn't possibly be any clearer, so anyone that managed to get inside deserved what they found.

Ratchet meandered through the city, occasionally snagging small treasures from anyone who looked decently well off. Most of the money and generic valuables ended up dropped into beggar's cups and street urchin hands. The more interesting baubles vanished into Ratchet's seemingly-bottomless pockets. He didn't really need the stuff. It was just part of Zero's training. The thin metallic arms were currently inside Ratchet's sleeves, copying his technique, memorizing patterns and movements, learning at a mind-boggling rate.

He was in the bustling city to look for work, but Auggie's Augmentations was just too tempting a name to ignore. With a wide grin and an extra spring in his step, he walked in.

Brennus briefly considers playing it off, croaking like a normal raven and just flying away, but he rather doubts a pair of Inquisitives would be so easily fooled... especially since he's wearing his pack, given he has nowhere safe to store it (he quashes the instinct to think again about creating his own extradimensional pocket). So he takes a different tack.

"Oh, of course, you see a sapient bird following you around and immediately go to the spy accusation!" he croaks, his voice just as rough-edged as you'd anticipate a raven's voice to be. "Here I am, just indulging my curiosity about such a curiously constructed Warforged in company with another who shows devotion to the god of magic, and you go asking if I'm a spy? Tell me, is it the black feathers, or do you just suspect anyone following you of spying?"

"I agree with Gauntlet. We're each ill-equipped to carry on the business, at least compared to you." Erix says, finishing off his drink before continuing. "However, I for one, would be willing to bust ass in order to help rebuild not only yours(and our) rep, but also this entire company back up."

"Here here!" Frank agrees, raising his mug.
"All good things come to an end-" Frank adds, flinching at the end.
Clearing his throat, he continues. "-but we're not about to let house Cannith keep us down."

First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK – Mickey P's Humble Abode --- Erix, Frank, & Gauntlet

Mickey frowns, "Are you kiddin'? You all have reputations now, I'm just an old washed up soldier. You've had work for some of the Dragonmarked Houses, I mean ok one of them sued us but that's business I suppose, you solved murders. Went to the damned Mournlands and survived for Sovereigns Sake! Hell, you faced down Emerald Claw agents and came out on top.

Heck, I never even had a company name that was ever any good".

First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK – Auggie's Augmentations - Ratchet

You step into Auggie's. The place is buzzing with energy, that much is certain. You cannot place your finger on what that energy exactly is. Unlike what you imagined what you would see, this place is full of crafts. Vases, jewels, and especially crystals.

Cases and shelves line the walls and the inside of the place is a small maze, crystal and glass walls allow clear vision of the entire place and reflect light like crazy. A few torches flicker with light on the walls. The source isn't magic but it's not fire either!

As you begin to try and figure out what the hell this place is all about, a man steps out from a door in the back, he wears quilted cloth armor as if he's expecting an encounter right here in his shop, the blue cloak on his back is most certainly of fine enough quality to be magic though the hood is down. He is human but his eyebrows are a blue tattoo, his eyes are a steel grey and perhaps most interesting, he has a light blue crystal smack in the middle of his forehead.

"Good evening friend, I'm afraid I was just about to close up shop, but I've a few minutes to spare though I'm already running late to see a friend". He smiles and appears warm and affable though an eyebrow does raise as he inspects your interesting appearance...

Please describe yourself for me.

First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK – Oakbridge District - Brennus

The larger Warforged speaks, "Target, intelligent fowl. Probability of danger, low".

The smaller Warforged nods to the larger one, "That's a presumption that can get you rendered inert EE.

If you're not a Cannith spy, then I am Pierce, to who do I have the pleasure of conversing".

First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK – Mickey P's Humble Abode --- Erix, Frank, & Gauntlet

I can stay on, make introductions. I've got some faith that more people will show up tonight even and we can make 'em all aware. Maybe it's not just you Gauntlet, but Frankie and Erix too!

Heck, I never even had a company name that was ever any good".[/b]

Thinking on Mickey's statement, Gauntlet has a strange idea.

"Why don't we run the agency as a group? Create a 'fake' owner and put him down on paper as the one in charge, but he just never shows his face. Only contacts people with official sealed missives. Or even magical projections? We are already considered a bit of an oddity for what we do, so it might make sense for a rich 'benefactor' to 'buy' Mickey out and make him a consultant, and put the rest of us to work solving problems for hard gold. We could call ourselves something like, 'Petrie's Problem Solvers' or something alliterative like that, with Petrie being the new owners name. Gives us a layer of anonymous protection...Especially if we say he doesn't live in Sharn, or if we say he's affiliated with a Dragonmarked house, but never say which. That would make it harder figure out or to track down. Sounds weird, I know..."

First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK – Oakbridge District - Brennus

The larger Warforged speaks, "Target, intelligent fowl. Probability of danger, low".

The smaller Warforged nods to the larger one, "That's a presumption that can get you rendered inert EE.

We have been followed by no less than three Cannith spies for the last three months my Fine Feathered Friend. With that backpack you certainly stick out, I'm sure even in a flock.

It would be like Cannith to try and send a familiar so yes, based upon our most recent interactions, the spy question seems valid. Of course if you were a spy, you'd not admit to it. Which is fine, EE has a way of sussing out liars...

If you're not a Cannith spy, then I am Pierce, to who do I have the pleasure of conversing".

"I don't appreciate being called a target either," Brennus complains, "But fair enough, if House Cannith was on my tail I'd be paranoid about being followed, too. Though asking 'are you a spy?' is just as ridiculous as you've just admitted."

"That said," he lays a wing across his chest, covering the odd lump of dark gray flesh in its center momentarily, and bobs slightly--maybe it's supposed to be a bow of sorts? "I am Brennus, a speaking, sapient, spellcasting scholar raven, presently neither a spy nor a familiar, and indeed, entirely without employment. My pack carries all my material possessions, for I have neither roost nor nest currently."

He straightens and returns his wing to its resting position at his side. "Now, you've certainly piqued my curiosity. While I can imagine House Cannith would have some interest in your construction, their persistence implies there's something more than that going on...?"

--- at Mickey's humble abode ---

"I like that, but please don't call me Franky."

T/N:I can still call you Franky, right?
"Hy can shtill call hyu Franky, right?" Broulnindre interrupts, while giving her best (and only slightly unsettling) impression of puppy dog eyes.

A pained expression flashes across Frank's face, but he doesn't elaborate.
Broulnindre quickly pulls her hood back up with her clawed hands.
Frank clears his throat "-anyway, I like the idea of a fake owner. I suspect that it won't be so easy to have an owner never show his face, though. Do the paper shufflers employ True Seeing? Maybe with a disguise B can impersonate the non-existant fellow."

First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK – Mickey P's Humble Abode --- Erix, Frank, & Gauntlet

Mickey grimaces, "I guess... is that...is that legal? Cannith's already all over me if I do something wrong now can it hurt the case I just won?

True Seeing on documents? I guess you can object read as a spell right? But is that something that the city administration does. Maybe we need to see my Attorney about this... but that's more gold, again".

First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK – Oakbridge District - Brennus

"Don't mind EE, he speaks in an unorthodox manner, Target for him isn't the same thing as a target for a bowman.

If you are seeking a job and have interest in our tale, as one is inextricably linked to the other, come join us. We have a place to be and I am sure my friends would not mind your company. You may travel on my shoulder if you wish to save your wings for later".

Augie's Augmentations- Ratchet

"Oh, I don't want to keep you!" Ratchet said. "I just saw your sign and was curious. Some of the stuff I need is hard to source around here, so I'm just poking around really. I didn't think it would be so hard to find good flywheels in a city this size. Anyway, I'm Ratchet!" Ratchet said with a bright, but somewhat awkward smile.

The energetic halfling looked like someone had taken a ne'er-do-well street rat and enrolled him in a preparatory school. He wore a white collared shirt, and matching vest and trousers, but over them he wore a bandoleer and belt covered with pouches and tools, and a leather armored jacket that currently hung unbuckled and open. Attached to the jacket by a series of clips and straps was a compact, hard-framed backpack with a tool roll secured underneath it. Perhaps oddest of all for a halfling were his sturdy boots.

His hair was cropped close to his scalp, and a pair of elaborate protective googles sat on his forehead. He had a scar across his eyebrow, and another on his lip, and what looked like a fractal electrical burn rising out of his collar and crawling up his neck, past his ear, and webbing across the side of his head, where some of his short hair had turned white.

In contrast to his rough and tumble look, he wasn't visibly armed.

--- Mickey P's Humble Abode ---
"No worries, Mickey. It's not insulting. Just... painful memories." Frank explains as he grasps at nothing, seemingly short on adjectives.

"Anyway; B is a person, she can be the one named, maybe. Heh, I bet they'll be annoyed to not have any official records on her. We could call the organization 'Broulnindre's Boys' or something. Bruisers? Bandits? Hmmm..." Frank trails off thoughtfully.

"Hy like 'Broulnindre's Bruisers'." The hooded figure chimes in cheerfully.

First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK – Oakbridge District - Brennus

"Don't mind EE, he speaks in an unorthodox manner, Target for him isn't the same thing as a target for a bowman.

Well met Brennus, I am Pierce, my companion and protege' here is Electric Eye, EE for short.

You have piqued my curiosity as well, I confess I have never heard of a speaking, sapient, spellcasting, scholar raven before.

Our interactions with House Cannith have less to do with our unique construction, after all, they constructed us, and more to do with another matter entirely.

If you are seeking a job and have interest in our tale, as one is inextricably linked to the other, come join us. We have a place to be and I am sure my friends would not mind your company. You may travel on my shoulder if you wish to save your wings for later".

"I am, insofar as I have been able to determine, entirely unique in my exact combination of attributes," Brennus proclaims, 'humbly'.

He pauses a moment, as if in thought, though there's a faint shimmering to his feathers. Inwardly, he thinks of the need to be able to escape quickly should these warforged not be what they claim. He's swapping a moldable talent from Explosive Orb to Warp sphere

"Well, if you're offering a job, I do always need the gold," he says after the brief interruption. "And I am curious as to what all this is about, so..."

He spreads his wings and takes off from his perch, circling once to position himself right before diving down, coming up behind Pierce before angling upward, reaching the warforged's shoulder with a flare of his wings as he gently lands.

"Shall we?" he says, turning his head towards Pierce's.

First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK –Augie's Augmentations- Ratchet

"Here, I provide custom jewelry, crystals, and of course, some common household items. The exotics sell well but the mundane pays the bills.

In fact, I am heading over to a party to celebrate a recent court victory for that same person. Perhaps this is a bit of an odd request, but would you be interested in joining me? You look like just the type of character that Mick would get a kick out of and you can find out if he can help you source what it is you're looking for".

First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK – Oakbridge District - Brennus

"We shall", states EE.

On the walk over, Pierce, with a few comments from EE, fills you in on the "problem" he is facing with House Cannith.

The trouble started taking a job from House Cannith in the first place. Powerful as they were, they are a house divided since the end of the Last War and the Treaty of Thronehold.

The persecution of my friend in the Courts spilled over into harassment of anyone assisting my friend. Thus, the spies assigned to me. EE was a part of my friends former crew so in addition to the friendship, there was a direct link of one of the operatives to me.

This is an abridged version of your more lengthy discussion.

Before you can ask any detailed questions, you arrive at a humble abode and the two Warforged step in.

Ratchet's big green eyes blinked in surprise and confusion. He looked down at himself, tilted his head in thought then shrugged. "Uh. Sure? I didn't expect to be going to a party. Glad I decided not to wear my work clothes."

"Can we talk shop while we walk? Crystals are on my list too, but not the usual stuff. I need really high quality quartz and zircon..."

Ratchet will prattle about weird supplies he needs for the entire trip to the dinner party if Dev lets him. I'm fine with cutting to that scene unless there's something important about the talking and traveling.

First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK – Mickey P's Humble Abode --- Erix, Frank, Gauntlet, & Brennus

As Broulnindre throws out the name for the new Company, a few familiar faces step in the door. Electric Eye and Pierce have arrived, late but they've arrived. Perched on Pierce's shoulder is a raven wearing of all things a back pack!

"Tardiness noted, apologies requested", utters EE.

Pierce nods, "Apologies Mickey, we had a lead on a few fences that were wanted by the Watch and had to take a shot, we got them.

We also picked up a new acquaintance, meet Brennus a sapient, spellcasting, scholar raven, I believe the first of his kind ad therefore one of a kind, like myself and EE".

Before EE, Pierce, and Bren arrive:

"If we're worried about Broulnindre's identity being known, a simple, well made mask that she always wears in public should be sufficient. Such a covering wouldn't even be all that odd." The dragonmarked young man offers.

When the pair of Warforged arrive, he lets out a low whistle at Pierce's introduction of Brennus. "A sentient, magickal raven? Fascinating." Is about all he could muster in response.

Gauntlet shrugs his bulky shoulders.

"It was just an idea. Creating a false identity is pretty common in Sharn, so I thought a false identity hidden behind paperwork and subterfuge would work if we are careful...and technically legal in the end as long as Mickey and the rest of us are actually in control."

Stepping back a bit at the entrance of the others Gauntlet takes a defensive stance near Mickey at the appearance of the strange Raven.

"How strange. That's even odder than I am."

Brennus asks few questions during the walk, mostly letting Pierce and EE speak, but his rare queries show he's quite well-acquainted with House politics.

When his new acquaintances carry him through the door, the raven takes in all of the assembled people, his little head turning from one person to the next in swift, jerky motions. Once he's been introduced, Brennus gives the assemblage another of his odd little bows.

"Yes, yes, a sapient raven that is *not* a familiar is a subject of interest wherever he goes," he says. "Fortunately I have thus far avoided vivisection, but I do find some comfort in the number of warforged in your company, as it suggests your willingness to acknowledge the personhood of unusual sapients."

"Now, then, while I've been filled in somewhat on your troubles, I don't think I have yet learned enough to contribute to your conversation, so just consider me a possible new employee and continue. I'm sure I'll pick up enough of what you're about as you go on."

"Oh? Uh- well met." Frank manages when Brennus arrives.

A small hooded figure spins around and waves cheerfully.
"Hoi!" she says in an unreasonably cheerful voice.

"We jusht renemed our company 'Boulnindre's Bruisers'. Eez great. Easy to say und everyting!" She adds.
T/N:We just renamed our company 'Boulnindre's Bruisers'. It's great. Easy to say and everything!

"We need a more genteel name." Frank protests feebly.

Looking away in thought, Gauntlet starts brainstorming out loud.

”Boulnindre’s Beyonders? Beacons? Brainiacs? Brawlers? Bastards? Bell-Ringers? I am sure there is one that could work.”

"'Bruisers' eez great." Broulnindre chimes in.

Frank sighs, but rather than trying to change her mind, he turns to Brennus.
"-anyway, possible new employee you say? Looking for work?"

"The alliteration is good, but what sorts of jobs do you want?" Brennus speaks up from where he's still perched on Pierce's shoulder. "If you go around calling yourselves bruisers, chances are you'll only get clientele looking for those proficient in the application of brute force. If, however, you're looking for a broader potential customer base it would be best to think of a different one. You might have to abandon the alliteration for a more descriptive name."