Chapter 1: The journey of the Legend

Umbra Hearthforge has summoned me. The High priestess of the Forge God, Daja, has summoned me. Just an armor smith running a Business. She says there is some matter of importance the city needs me for. Maybe the council Guard needs me to repair some armor? I figure some of the smith-priests could manage that, but I think it would be a good thing to stay in the city's good graces. I walk over to the temple, a good time to stretch my legs, ease my arm and back from the work I had been doing. I had been showing my Apprentice various ways of attaching straps to shields, and she is coming along very well with all the work we had shown her. Last week Max had her working on simple blade working, and her natural Strength made work quick and effortless. When she keeps her cool, she is an excellent source of help. Otherwise...
 
My mind comes back to the task at hand as I mount the steps of the Temple. I can smell the coal burning below, which keeps the forges going, faintly hear work being done inside. Many Smith-Priests would be working on various projects inside, some of them great works. As I enter the temple I see Marcus Varathus, a priest I know. He seems to be a little surprised to see me as I am almost a half hour early, but we exchange pleasantries, and he says we need to wait for another person. My many years of the army has helped me learn to wait properly. I pass the time waiting calmly inside, the interior of the temple being magically cooled, it's a pleasant wait. My eyes closed, head resting on the wall behind me, I simply absorb the atmosphere. Maybe it was because of this lax feeling I don't notice when our other guest has arrived. Almost as if every shadow in the temple is hugging him, there is some mysterious darkness around him, even though the temple is well lit in the middle of the day. I pass it off as my eyes re-adjusting to the light, and Marcus introduces me to Rorin Ashforge, a name I had heard in the past, and someone I had met a few times in the past. A dwarven man, he wears mostly brown. With heavy bracers, wrapped around think arms, larger than normal for his kin. A belt with a small hook sits on his belt, with a fine rope coiled up, and clasped in a leather loop next to the hook. Sturdy, and looking like he can take care of himself, His expression is that of one participating in just another business meeting. His family was deep in the smithing guild, and has a lot of money, so I know he may have participated in this type of meeting many times. I know he had left the city a few times, but I had never been close to him, or done very much with him. Marcus Led us into the office Of Umbra, and my mind once again wandered into what she wanted with the Both of us. Maybe it was something as simple as a smithing project after all. Me to work the project, Rorin to fund it? Ha. Doubtful
 
Sitting in her office, also Dwarven, she is middling years, for a dwarf. Wearing a slightly finer tabard than the rest of her priests, it has no burns or smudges that one expects from smithing wear. She greets us, and starts to explain why we were summoned, and while obviously leaving out some things, what she does tell us is a little more than I had bargained for. It turns out a couple dozen people have been disappearing. Taken more like it. All young people, most if not all under the age of 30, but as of now, nothing has really connected them. We are to talk to a prominent young inventor by the name of Elon Tusk. He has been working on some sort of engine, working with steam and all manner of mysterious things he calls Science. I'm all for new ideas, and better ways to work, but some things... anyway, we are to head over to his workshop for an appointment after normal working hours. Max may not be happy. I was supposed to work on getting that scale mail sorted out properly today. I hope this will be resolved soon. As the appointment is in a couple hours, we decide to head over to the lovely aftermath cafe. The smell of bread wafting through the air always makes my mouth water, and want for a delicious bread bowl makes me hungry. We talk with the proprietress Maven, and we also meet Aurane Velaryon, a Cleric and stonemason here in the city. A Human man, a clean shirt under suspenders, he wears simple style, but finely made day wear. A black bowler hat tops his head, strong jaw and mustache under his nose, and a hammer pendant around his neck. He and I Have worked on a few projects, and his office and home are near to my shop. A friendly sort, and always looking out for the good of the city, and proper citizens, and a hard worker, he joined us in our meal, and told us he also had an appointment with Elon this evening. It seems one of his contractors has gone missing, and because he has contacts and is somewhat known in the city, he has been brought into this missing persons problem. we all have skills that can help in this situation it seems. Rorin is a prominent family member, has money and must have some sort of other skills we haven't seen yet. I have tracking ability from my old days in the army, and know some people in the city too, although not as many as the other two. I'm not sure how helpful I can be....
 
After we eat we head over to Elon Tusks workshop, a sign on the front saying Locomotion. We enter the building, and are greeted by a secretary who gives us a hassle about an appointment, and while that is going on, two women come in. A tall pale Human enters next to a Halfling who walks with the grace of a warrior, someone who knows how to handle themselves with speed more than bulk. They both wear armor, and seem to have recently traveled. I don't recognize either of them, but then again, I certainly don't know everyone in the city. They seem to also be here to talk to Elon. Our host himself comes out into the room, a Half orc man, a bit taller than me, who seems a little disheveled with his vest slightly askew, the rest of his outfit slightly off. A man who normally cares for his appearance, but gets very deep into thought, and his passion for his work. After a kerfuffle with his secretary, leads us back into his office. stacks of papers litter every surface, and parts of the floor. Various bits of machinery scattered around, and under papers. in the corner I can see a large tank of water, and inside I see large, long creatures I am not familiar with. Having heard of various water creatures, it may be an eel or squid. Elon tells us that many people are going missing at night, all of them walking alone, all within the last 20 days. We are to look into the disappearances and report back to him, who will in turn tell our respective leaders what is happening. He states that the two ladies are from the Cerulean sanctum, a faction in this town that keeps to itself, and any information it may have is not shared with just anyone. We decide to walk everyone home, including Elon, and meet up at the Ashforge estate in the morning. As Aurane and I live rather close together, and the two women, Marda the halfling and Melfina the tall Human, are rooming together, we are dropped off first, at our respected residences. Tomorrow, we shall meet to discuss what needs to be done.