Loose Threads: Clockwork Gargoyles, Moonflowers, Iomegang,
Participants: Khirl Galesinger Archiebald Ninivit Mirarim Ash
Locations: Republic
Short Summary: Followed up on Clockwork Gargoyles raiding threat in Republic Territory. Encountered extreme and insurmountable resistance. Learned they are a cover for a more focused core group, who are interested in diplomatic avenues with the Guild.
Full Report: The party met with their informant, Zorkac, who reported that the Clockwork Gargoyles have been a seeking a new fuel source for their vehicles. It was also reported they had tanks to supplement their motorcycle fleet.
The party took passage through the Temple of Two Suns, travelling by boat and by foot through fey territory to reach Republic lands.
They found evidence of a fresh Moonflower outbreak in the form of a mutant moonflower disguised as a dryad.
The party enters Republic lands with little trouble and enters a city to go shopping.
Continuing along their path they encounter a goblin proselyting for Iomedae (or his best interpretation of her) - the same goblin from the Clockwork Gargoyles spared by Arthur on the prior quest- to form an 'Iomegang'. He imparted a rumour that the Gargoyles were looking for a plant of some sort.
Further along their path, they ran across a roving group of Clockwork Gargoyle raiders, who are smoothly dispatched. As soon as they are, a group of Republic soldiers claimed authority in the region, leading the party to the next city and a military stronghold.
The party gathered intel on the Gargoyles (who are increasingly well manned and reinforced), their vehicles (formidable in both offense and defense) and their leadership (mostly out of sight, with newer undisciplined gang members doing the bulk of the raiding).
The party headed into the mountains to seek out Gargoyle camps, or possibly their sought-after fuel source. They party spots a lone scout, and follows them back to a hidden base.
The party entered the base, whereupon they were ambushed by snipers and bruisers. The snipers rapidly whittled down the party before Ash was able to put up Illusory walls as cover, and a combination of poor fortune and poor tactics meant the party was forced into a retreat, with Ash being downed and captured.
She was questioned by a Captain Amico, one of the military officers who followed the Major in his defection. He revealed that the Gargoyle raids were largely a cover for the group's actual objectives, which seems to be to kill the other hobgoblin Families who have begun to follow the Unsealed God Monday in the hopes of preventing their full return to power (though other unrevealed objectives are probable). They want cooperation with the Guild if possible, or at the very least the Guild to stop interfering with their plans.
Ash was permitted to leave after the interrogation.