For the Warmaster and Legates of Ephia's Well: The Bronze Forge and the Crucible

[Faith Is My Shield]

All copies of this letter delivered are stained with splotches and the scent of a potion of Fox's Cunning.

To:

Warmaster Mirielle Rosseau
Legate Vellyn Lhyrian
Legate Alexandria Sayburgh

This report details the attack upon the Bronze Forge which imprisoned the Crucible creature.

The attack occurred on the 23rd of Hziran, IY 7789. Members of the team included:

• Myself, Faith Kruehtzer, Layhammer of the Merciful Mother
• Theonaldarrion Vance of the Smithing Guild
• Korinthus Dungir of the Rathgan
• Acolyte Endora Tofonia of the Sisterhood of the Sibylline Vine
• Soldier Evanderall Ristar of the Sultan's Fourth Legion
• Soldier Lesthrae Ilphudel of the Sultan's Fourth Legion
• Student Solina Lyonsen of the Balladeer's College
• Recluta Olga Mendry of the Banda Rossa
• Gudari Ariixaka Astakhov of the Sukaitza Mercenary Company
• Gudari Itzalle Ligorri of the Sukaitza Mercenary Company

Serving in support were:

• Zyn of the Golden Sight of Kha'esh
• The rest of the Sukaitza Mercenary Company

The assault began when we made our way to an abandoned minaret in a remote section of the Scald. Explosives expertly placed by Zyn and the Sukaitza Company resulted in a breach into an unoccupied section of the Forge.

While the team infiltrated deep into the Forge, Zyn and the Sukaitza held a defensive line at the breach to fend off reinforcing orcs.

Knowing that the Sukaitza wold suffer more casualties the longer we took, I opted for a blitz strategy. The Forge was a maze but we had no time to check every path, instead we took the first or nearest door we came upon, trusting in the Wheel to deliver us to our intended destination.

Every room was filled with orcs and magical machinery which threw fireballs at us. It seemed, however, we attacked just in time as we encountered many orcs that looked to be in the process of being cast in bronze and in the early stages of transforming into Molten Berserkers (or worse).

The fighting was fierce at every step of the assault. Mid-way through the Forge, Gudari Astakhov was caught between too many orcs and fireballs. Despite our best efforts, she fell. Knowing time was limited, we quickly continued on.

Entering the deepest room in the maze, we reached the Forge proper. Before a massive anvil of old magic, we found a gigantic orc wearing the apron and gloves of a Smith. In his hand was a terrible hammer for which he crafted his monsters. At his flanks were two bronze flesh monsters. And behind them all was a pool of molten bronze, of which the Crucible was trapped within, held and kept down by three sets of massive linked chains.

The Smith attempted to negotiate, offering the two monsters at his side in exchange for him to continue his work. He was persistent; I had to rebuke him numerous times. Eventually he realized we would not leave so long as he was alive and the Crucible imprisoned.

This final battle was chaotic as our attention was divided amongst the two bronze flesh monsters and the Smith whom fought with the ferocity and skill of a Molten Berserker with the added protection of heavy armour. Eventually, however, we prevailed and all three final foes lay dead at our feet.

We turned our attention to the Crucible. Gudari Ligorri and Soldier Ristar set to work placing brewfire explosives upon the chains while Acolyte Tofonia communed with the Crucible to relay our intent. Vance and Dungir examined the magical anvil for anything of note. Myself, Soldier Ilphudel, and Recluta Mendry travelled back to Gudari Astakhov's body to retrieve the brewfire she was carrying while Student Lyonsen stood guard.

(In later discussion, Vance and Dungir spoke of how the anvil was a powerful and ancient thing, integrated directly into the structure of the Forge itself. This possibly implies that this Forge was not constructed by the orcs, but rather found and repurposed by them. In the coming days, we should see fewer and fewer monsters and beasts of broneflesh fielded by the orcs.)

After retrieving the remaining brewfire explosives, Gudari Ligorri was able to successfully detonate them to destroy all of the chains holding the Crucible within the pool of molten bronze. It climbed out, revealing itself to be at least forty yards tall or twice the height of a titan. Free of the torturous molten bronze and with its body rapidly regenerating, it was able to concentrate its thoughts clear of pain and spoke directly into our minds:

FLEE.

We did as instructed. The Crucible tore into the walls and ceilings of its former prison, the Forge began to collapse. I ordered the team to continue towards the exit while I made a quick detour to retrieve Gudari Astakhov's body.

As my team, Zyn, and the Sukaitza climbed back onto the open sands of the Scald, the Crucible burst forth from a nearby dune mound. The entrance to the Bronze Forge collapsed and overfilled with molten bronze due to the structural destruction wrought by the Crucible. After a second to wait for the ground to stop shaking, the Crucible turned its attention to us. It cried:

FREEDOM.

And then:

BOON.

It lifted a clawed arm to gently cut at its own body, presenting to each of us a piece of itself as thanks (the curious among us would later learn that consuming portions of the pieces would grant us a variety of pleasantly protective effects). Free and with its thanks conveyed, the Crucible burrowed and vanished back down into the sands with surprising speed and grace.

We exchanged words of thanks and congratulations with Zyn and the Sukaitza. Gudari Astakhov was turned over to the Sukaitza who will return her home for a proper burial. Zyn also saw us rewarded with dinari for our success. With nothing left for us to see to, we made our way back to the war camp and from there to Ephia's Well.

In closing, I wish to state that all members of the team performed with the utmost bravery and dedication. They are heroes in their own right and their contribution to the war effort against the orc should be noted with the greatest admiration.

With the Mother's Mercy,
Faith Kruehtzer

[Moonlighter]

Faith,

Excellent work!

I knew I picked the correct woman for the job. It is regrettable that the mercenary had to die, but that is why we hire them, yes?

I will make sure that when we finally close the book on this terrible war that there is a chapter about the deeds done here.

Mirielle Rosseau
WARMASTER