4 KiB
After arriving at Commander Taylor's manor, the party sat down with him to discuss a potential business opportunity. Taylor asked whether they would be willing to help throw the upcoming Crown Elect election in favor of the Vexens to defeat the Belters, laying out his reasons and a potential reward should they agree. The party decided to help, and set about learning more of the rift between the Belters and the Vexens. They spoke with a handful of individuals and learned of several locations, among them the Colonnaded Halls. It was here that they met Vezra, whom Saif would later take on a date. Eventually they made their way to the casino, where they held conversations with a number of its patrons and met some interesting folk.
While in the casino, the party descended into the basement and found a series of halls and doors they struggled to get through. Below they turned up various pieces of treasure, some armor, and other odd bits and bobs, and in one of the back rooms a series of chests full of what appeared to be forged votes cast in favor of the Belters. They resolved to burn the lot, gathered as much as they could carry, and made for the exit. On their way out they met a small automaton named Oils, whom they decided to smuggle out of the casino, believing that, with the forged votes destroyed, the election would swing their way. A few other matters were settled in the casino besides, but in the end the party managed to destroy the votes, take their loot, and get Oils safely out.
The party secured several thousand gold pieces and carried the coin out into the city, bribing citizens to vote in favor of the Vexens. They spent well over 5,000 gold in the effort, yet in the end Hofta Baldwin won the election all the same. The party retreated to Commander Taylor's manor to discuss the outcome with him.
In their talk, Taylor told them of a flooded mine in a town outside Brefield, one in which he held some interest, and asked the party to investigate why it was flooding and ultimately to protect it. Having accepted the new job, they visited Sivra's magic shop to inquire about Six's operation; there they were able to ask a few pointed questions and turn up some information unique to Six in particular, which they shared with Sivra at the end of it. They boarded a train bound for Brefield, where they met Koss Kelsey, a man searching for his son, who had not returned from the mines in over a year. Koss offered the party some gold and a discount on his wares, and told them he would be staying at the Blighted Night Tavern should they wish to find him. Stepping off the train, the crew wandered Brefield a while, found a tavern by the name of the Splintered Snake, and rented two rooms. There they met an automaton-looking individual named Voltain sitting at the bar, from whom they learned that the automatons were being rounded up in Voxiu and were awaiting deportation. Six also did a little shopping, arranging to have their plating upgraded. The party then decided to press on immediately to Mantle's Cradle, and walked several hours to reach it.
At Mantle's Cradle they met with several union members among the miners and gained more information regarding Koss Kelsey's request. While returning to Brefield, the party encountered two strange hooded figures who shared strange visions with them before disappearing into the distance.
Upon returning to town they were set upon by a group of bounty hunters, who were easily disposed of. The party did some small shopping for wares and then met a gathering of automatons at Hyperion Hall. Six shared their story with the rest of the automatons, who sat in disbelief. There the party learned of the Oilbloods, individuals who have merged with the essence and parts of a slain automaton, and came to believe, on the strength of a rumor, that Commander Taylor may be one of them. Kevana, the leader of the Hyperions, asked to speak with Six the following evening back at Hyperion Hall. The party then left to finish speaking with Koss Kelsey and to rest.