Objective:

Investigate Thefts on Lightning Rail

Location:

Lightning Rail transit between Freehold and Ranadonia

Outcome:

Favourable; Artifact recovered, weaknesses in Lightning Rail security identified (ventilation, aerial attack)

Parties:

Name Status Allegiance Disposition Notes
Arc Active Crown Self Self
Guild of the Watch Active Crown Unknown Closed Case
Guild of Blades Active Crown Vert’s crew has goodwill to us
The disposition of the rest of the Guild is unknown		 Hired retinue active on location;
Vert (leader), Ghim, Sammy, Corb
Guild of Seekers Active Crown Swiftwind has goodwill to us
The disposition of the rest of the Guild is unknown		 Agent active on location;
Swiftwind
Royal Guard Active Crown Unknown No presence seen
Union Reclaimers for the Nobility (URN) Active (thought extinct) Unknown
See the Boys, Brando Collosun, Redsang Pirates		 Antagonist
Involved in criminal enterprise		 Has access to the airship ‘The Vengeance’ via Brando Collosun
Single known agent; bard half-elf with a broken sword, wiry build, powerful music
Potential agents; 2x Pneumatic Knights
The Boys Incarcerated Freelance
See Brando Collosun, Redsang Pirates		 Antagonist
Involved in criminal enterprise		 Goblin gang, low-level criminals for hire, potential to be bought, led by ‘Mic Glorb’
Based in Dustchoke (Mic Glorb formerly based in Freehold, likely has criminal record)
Paid in Redsang
Brando Collosun Active Unknown (possibly freelance)
See URN, The Boys, Redsang Pirates		 Antagonist
Involved in criminal enterprise		 Owns the airship ‘The Vengeance’, likely has access to considerable private resources
Noted to have a nobleman demeanour, black and silver clothing, ‘ridiculous’ hairstyle, demeaning
Possibly based north of Dustchoke
Redsang Pirates Active Unknown (likely freelance)
See URN, The Boys, Brando Collosun		 Unknown (likely Antagonist)
Involved in criminal enterprise		 Manufacturers/suppliers of ‘Redsang’ narcotic
Based near or north of Dustchoke(?)
Lightning Rail staff Active Crown (private company?) Majority friendly Porter Theodore ‘Teddy’ was working with the URN agent, likely addicted to and bribed with Redsang
Driver is alcoholic and drives drunk but did manage to prevent The Boys from gaining control of the locomotive - recommend rehabilitation/replacement to ensure integrity of locomotive
‘Bee’ noblewoman/thief Active Unknown (likely freelance) None Possibly had prior knowledge of attack on train
Stole from undercover Agent Wizardman and other first-class passengers - cover likely intact
Appears to be based in The Five Span Spire based on Agent Wizardman’s observation of exit portal
Did not attack anyone but has magical ability or access to magic artifacts

Summary:

At Sir Nackle’s request we assisted with the Guild of Blades’, Seekers’ and Royal Guard investigations into unexplained delays and thefts from the Lightning Rail between Freehold and Ranadonia.
Available information indicated that the events were not on every journey and that the attackers were capable of killing, although this did not happen with every theft. The nature of the attack (detailed below) offers a reason for inconsistent violence.
The targets of the thefts appear to be artifacts from The War plus high-end personal valuables which suggests that the attackers have some inside knowledge of when the items are being moved.

In order to both entice an attack and not arouse suspicion we attempted to pass ourselves off as security for a faked artifact of our own. Whilst the faked artifact proved unnecessary we were able to gain access to the cargo hold where a real artifact was being guarded by a retinue from the Guild of Blades. This retinue had been on a number of identical escort missions but had been unsuccessful in deterring or identifying the attackers due to reported memory loss. This explanation lines up with our encounter.

As the train neared Dustchoke a red gas was pumped into the carriages and the train brought to a halt. The airship ‘The Vengeance’ was used to drop a Pneumatic Knight at the rear of the train to secure the artifact whilst ‘The Boys’ were dropped at the front to secure the locomotive.
At this time Agent Wizardman, situated in the first-class carriages, was rendered unconscious and had his rapier stolen by an apparent noblewoman with a bee necklace. This thief stole other valuable items from first-class before leaving via magic to The Five Span Spire. As this person appeared to have foreknowledge of the attack but played no active role (other than theft) I believe she is an opportunistic thief with access to criminal information.

The attack continued on two fronts; with ARC Agent Ten-Zing and Swiftwind of the Guild of Seekers incapacitating the goblin group ‘The Boys’ towards the front and Agent Wizardman assisting in regaining control of the locomotive, and the rest of ARC and Vert’s Guild of Blades retinue attempting to protect the artifact. The porter ‘Teddy’ was revealed to be working with the attackers and was eventually killed.
The Pneumatic Knight was incapacitated but a further Knight and an agent of URN became involved and were successful in throwing the artifact’s container out of a door before retreating. At this point neither ARC nor the Guilds’ Agents were capable of persuing due to wounds and exhaustion.

The artifact was later retrieved by Agent Wizardman - it does not look like ‘The Vengeance’ attempted to recover it. The container was found exploded and a circle of sand approximatley 30 feet across was vitrified, centred on the impact point of the artifact. Agent Wizardman reports that the artifact glowed intensely when he was stood at the edge of the circle but the glowe diminished upon approach.

Interrogation of Mic Glorb, leader of The Boys, revealed the below:

  • The Boys were hired by Brando Collosun to stop the train
    • Human
    • 30
    • Fancy looking
    • Wears black and silver
    • Ridiculous hairstyle
    • Condescending
    • Uses the term ‘boy’
    • Private airship owner
    • North of Dustchoke
    • Deferential to URN Agent
  • Hiring was done in a tavern in Dustchoke - tavern acts as hiring fare for criminals
  • Payment was in ‘good redsang’ and licence to sell under the ‘Redsang Pirates’ name

The Boys are now incarcerated with the Guild of the Watch while Mic Glorb is to be handed over to the Royal Guard.

The artifact is currently held by ARC and will not be examined at this time.