[I]Highwinter[/i], once little more than a fishing port in the bustling Qalini Magocracy. Today through its prominent location in the center of the Free Cities and favorable trade winds, a bustling economic center. Travelers from all over the world flock to its docks: Sadian traders bringing spices, silks and rare masterworks from the Dwarven Kingdoms, Imperium nobles coming to sample the varied wares and eccentricities, Warriors from Niratrem selling their services as guards and escorts, Yericlyns wizards selling curealls and magic amulets guaranteed to make you look more attractive, and even Fae creatures either ostracized from the Conclave or having never lived there hiding amongst the faces in the crowd. It was a mixture of accents, languages and dealings that was unheard of in some parts of the world. It was what the idea of the Free Cities tried to instill, a place that anybody could call home.

The Iron Mountain Adventuring Company compound was located in the upper tiers of the city in the Estate District. The Estate District was renowned throughout the city for the opulence of those who lived there and the varied history of the place. A history that could be seen in the large white stoned mansions that have stood since before the fall of the Magocracy. Aristocrats, merchants and anybody who was anybody lived there. It was for these reasons that the Company’s compound was chosen for that location, to show their power and status. The compound itself was a sprawling complex built from the remnants of an old Qalini laboratory. Three stories made of hand carved black stone leading to an intimidating and solid front upon giving the proper impression to prospective clients. Within the compound it had anything that any mercenary, wizard or vagabond needed: open courtyard used for sparring, firing range for those whose combat skills are range intensive, alchemical lab, fully stocked smithy, library with tomes on everything from politics, geography, to subjects more magical in nature, several bunk rooms, a fully stocked cellar filled with the finest ales and wines straight from the Imperium, and much more as nothing was considered too much for Iron Mountain. 

It was within these hallowed halls that a lone individual sat on a wooden bench waiting. At first glance of inspection one could easily tell that she was a Halfling, from her small stature and rounded face to her auburn hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. But she did not meet the stereotypical standard of the fun loving, lackadaisical people that most knew her kind as. Hard and determined eyes dominated her face that seemed to have been pulled into an ever permanent scowl. This was combined with her attire which was uncommon for a Halfling to say the least. She was dressed in plate mail grey in color and kept in immaculately well shape, on her back was a great axe that appeared to dwarf her and a strange necklace of a red dragon that from the way she clutched at it seemed religious in nature.

She sat for some time on the bench never slouching always at attention. The smell of fish and the sea wafted in through an open window on a lazy summer breeze. Sweat trickled down the Halfling's face as the oppressive humidity of the port city was relentless. She hated the summer almost as much as she hated Highwinter. It was a place of heathens in constant  state debauchery and excess, and the constant aroma of fish was gut wrenching to say the least. But she always did return if only to pick up another job at the compound. Over twenty years she had worked for the Company and for over twenty years she's wondered why she didn't just leave the bastards behind yet. 

Her mental sojourn was broken as the door in front of her opened with a groan. Out of it stepped a man of darker color with short black hair. His red vest and the way that he held himself marked him as a steward of sorts. Giving the Halfling a polite smile he bowed before speaking in a smooth baritone that echoed down the Hall. "Lady Vekk, Grog will see you now."

The halfling nodded with a common curiosity that only old acquaintances could provided as she arose from her bench. There was the subtle clanging as metal plates slide against one another with each motion. Standing she casted an intimidating physique for her short stature she carried herself in a professional manner that spoke of one that was familiar with battle and it's unpleasantries the same determined look never leaving her face. She slowly moved towards the door and entered the space within. It was a simple room with a bed in one corner and bookshelves lining the entirety of the shelves filled with books on topics from economic to military history. Currently hunched over the large metal table that judging from the crafting was of old Mapepo make. Hunched over it were two individuals one significantly taller than the other one.

She was only familiar with the taller one as for the past several years he had been her employer. Grog StoneBreaker, the fifth and current Captain of Iron Mountain. They say that he used to be a barbarian, a berserker in what would become the Niratrem empire almost fifty years ago a recruiter for Iron Mountain found him fighting in an arena and they say the rest is history. His body was long and composed of large muscle developed from swinging about two large battle axes about. Though the signs of age did perminate his warrior physique from the wrinkles upon his face, his lack of hair except upon his long snow white beard that barely grazed the floor and the way he hunched over as if his towering physique could no longer remain so high. The man next to him was in dark blue robes with spectacles upon his face, he seemed much younger almost a child compared to Grog but they both conversed in the rapid exchange that could only mean business. 

Lady Vekk’s footsteps must of announced her presence as the both looked up from the table and Grog smiled nodded his head and moving over taking the Halfing up into his embrace even in his elder state easily lifting her off the ground. He ushered her over to the table where he introduced her to the other men who was looking at them with a bemused expression upon his face. 

“Lady Vekk, this is Percivale Calwen, Junior Scribe of the Vanderveil Monastery in Yeric. Mr. Calwen and the monks of his order are our latest clients.” Grog explained as the Halfling reached over to shake the other man’s hand. As she drew closer her assumptions were right judging from his expression he looked nothing more than a boy maybe twenty years age a bit older. Though the picture he casted upon his face was one of great wisdom and authority of a man much older than he. She tried her best to remember what she heard of the Vandervell monks. They were an isolated group concerned mostly about keeping very accurate histories of the world and as well as keeping The Synergy of Magic always within balance whatever that meant.

“Master Calwen, this is Lady Anzira Vekk Paladin of The Crimson Dragon, First Class. She is also one of our best and a dear friend of mine.” Grog explained not letting down on the praise for a second. Anzira wanted nothing more than to slap him aside the head but he decided to let him have his fun. The boy Calwen nodded and bowed to her with a show of dignity and air about him that only those of noble blood came as natural as him.

“Ah yes Lady Vekk! Grog has told me all about you and assures me that you are exactly the person we need for this job!” Calwen explained with a smile upon his face as he gestured for her to join them around the table. Anzira raised an eyebrow before joining wondering what in the world Grog had gotten her into this time. 

“Aye the job! This one is an interesting one indeed. I’m sure you’ll find it meets your expectations.” Grog voiced with a tone that sounded as if he was unsure if he was reassuring her or himself in the manner. Calwen cleared his throat before turning to Anzira in a very solemn manner.

“I presume you already know the tales of Afryl The Uniter of the Thousand Tribes?” Calwen asked quizzically.

“Yes, she’s the Elven Women that was the first to discover primordial magic and united the Fae tribes together to bring an end to the Giants to bring forth the Green Age. Why do you ask?’ Anzira asked her interested now peaked. 

“Why.. That is always the interesting question now isn't it?” Calwen mused mostly to himself before he continued. “You see my order has known the location of Afryl’s lost artifacts for sometime. Devices of great magical power that in the wrong hands could easily give whoever had control over them dominion over our entire world. We’ve kept the locations a secret to ward off any intruders and prevent any misfortunes  from occurring. All in the name of the greater good.”

“But if you are coming to us for help, I figure something has gone wrong..”

“You would be correct in that assumption sadly. It has recently come to our knowledge that two of the three lost artifacts have been taken from their former dwellings. Due to the isolated and secretive location of these items we can only assume this was not some accident.” Calwen explained sounding resigned and saddened as if he blamed the thievery on himself. Looking down at the table beneath him he ran a finger against the complex line work.

“And you want us to make sure this does not happen to the rest?” The halfling asked her head cocked to one side as she regarded the situation in front of her running logistics in her head.

“You’ve read my mind Lady Vekk. Me and my compatriots would find it most kind of Iron Mountain if they could help us resolve this issue before anything troubling comes of it. You, a small team of trusted individuals, and myself would head out by the end of the week towards the last known location of the last man alive who knows the location of the final artifact. From there we will head out to retrieve it and hopefully intercept and deal with the vagabonds that intend to use this power for vile deeds. I can assure you that we pay our friends very well.” Calwen explained in a matter of fact way.

“You ask a lot of us Mr. Calwen and on such a short notice. But I feel if what you say is true and that these artifacts could end life as we know it on Dorthargal I feel we have little choice in the manner. Luckily for you, I think I have just the right team in mind for the job.” Anzira explained a small smile upon her face as Grog appeared out of nowhere with a bushel of papers and soon the signing of the contracts had begun.

[hr]
[I]One Week Later
Highwinter
The Docks[/I]

Lady Vekk sat alone in the guest quarters of the merchant barge Loyalist, that would take them on the first step of their journey. The ship was heading due north towards a small border city between Niratrem and Yeric called Kailee's End from there they would head due east into unclaimed territory. From that point on it was a mystery as their client and traveling companion Mr. Calwen refused to devoid any more information than that at the current moment. Anzira looked up for her perch examining the map that plotted their journey as heard the squeaky cabin door be opened.

Percivale came down from the stairs in a hurry holding his long flowing blue robes aloft as he did to keep himself from tripping. He approached the Halfling quickly with a sense of urgency about him as he spoke, from what Anzira had gathered he was always like this, always moving, always agitated about something. “Your associates have they arrived yet?”
  
Lady Vekk looked at the worried young man and raised an eyebrow as she did. She wanted to tell him off and explain that she wasn't her people’s keeper but instead she collected herself inwardly before she spoke. “I assure you they are coming. Most are probably finishing up any remaining business they have in the city before they set out, settling any debts and getting supplies you know things you usually do before you set out for some months.”

“Yes, Yes but we are on a very tight schedule and the captain of the Loyalist won’t wait here forever you know! And he is the only trader for a month that is heading to Kailee's End.” He explained with worried hand gestures.

“You know for one of an ancient monastic order based around balance of the self and world you sure do worry a lot.” She explained in a teasing fashion as she stepped away from the table and grabbed at his arm, yanking him towards the door.

“Come let us go outside and wait for them there to ease your little heart.” She explained dragging him towards the door.