Someshot 5

Synopsis
==Summary==
Luna removes Elliard's clothes and items from him while the party ties him up. Ward requests that Drosera help by removing the knife from his hand, which she does. Ward keeps the knife. They question Elliard about the people he called; he explains that they are a probably powerfulish mercs that also work for his employer, but he doesn't know anything more about them. They were camped about a day behind, so they likely have just under a day before they arrive and begin securing the perimeter of the shard. After significant debate, it is decided that the party will remain for an hour to rest, then take Elliard and the Wanderer out to find the researchers. The Arc-Bound will remain behind to defend their own territory from the true invaders; they will consider temporarily dismantling the Ravager in order to prevent the invaders from potentially taking control of it. Over the course of the short rest, the party looks through Elliard's items. Ward questions Elliard about the knife. He explains that it is a lich knife, which has placed a curse on him, ensuring that it will likely take some time before he's able to cast spells properly. 
The party takes Elliard and the Wanderer and go after the researchers. They track them to a ruined structure, apparently from the time of the Three Kings War. They find one researcher outside, seemingly keeping an eye out for the party. As they enter the fort, Luna notices that this is an ambush. Combat ensues, with the sentry researcher proving to also be a traitor. The enemies take prisoners, taking Stephen, Ward, and Drosera captive while Mira, Luna, Rixy, Zrask, and Salasse escape. 
Those that escaped manage to flee their pursuers, hiding in a cave to decide what to do. Eventually it is decided that Rixy, Luna, and Zrask will return and attempt a stealthy rescue mission. Meanwhile, Mira and Salasse will attempt to return to the Shard Research League to explain what happened. 
Meanwhile, the prisoners are shackled in the dungeon and interviewed. The Commander questions everyone, asking whether they have anyone who would be willing and able to pay a ransom. Drosera replies that her life is worth a lot. She is then forced to swallow a tablet, dropping a copy of Drosera's body on the ground. A guard kills the corpse, and the Command claps a golden collar around the corpse's neck. Drosera's connection to magic is severed, and she is left in the cell. When asked, Stephen says that he will not risk bringing harm to his family. The Commander kills him outright. 
Elliard reaches Ward before the Commander does. He apologizes that things have gone so badly for Ward, but he isn't really that regretful because he is very content with his huge piles of money at home. He comments that at least he doesn't have to be the one to kill him. When he leaves, he leaves a key behind on the floor. The Commander, while not given a reason to believe there is someone to pay his ransom, decides they have a use for Ward. Like Drosera, forces a tablet down Ward's throat, a corpse is created and killed, and Ward is collared. The Commander leaves, the key still on the floor. Unfortunately, without hands or magic, he is unable to use it. 
Rixy and Luna arrive, breaking Ward and Drosera out of their cells. None of the other researchers were left alive. They find Stephen's body, and, after confirming it is really Stephen, grab him to take with them. As they escape, Elliard catches Ward as he is the last through the escape hole. After a moment of intense eye contact, he pushes Ward out to freedom. 
Over time, Drosera and Ward's collars are removed, and they begin working toward regaining their magic. The bad guys did make it to the Arc-Bound factory and gutted it. 
==NPCs==
=== Introduced ===
* Commander Falkan
===Returning===
*The Wanderer
*The Reclaimer
*Elliard Methuss
*Salassae
==Items==
* Warp Step boots (Luna)
* Gardener's Glove (Luna)
*Smoking Glove (Mira)
*Sovereign Tape (Rixy)
*Death's Breath (2 pcs) (Rixy)
*Potion Revolver (3 of 4) (Mira)
**Supreme healing potion x2 (one used by Stephen)
**Potion of Haste
*Satchel of Holding (Drosera)
*Horse-shaped whistle (Rixy)
*Universal Solvent (Rixy)
*Alarm Bell (Rixy)
*Garrote Ring (Rixy)
*Grappling Spider (Rixy)
*Salve of Silence (Rixy)
*Automatic Lockpicks (Rixy)
*Immovable Rod (Mira)
*Cypher Bird (Rixy)
*Bead of Forced Will (Rixy)
*Ward's rapier (taken by the Commander; posted to Ward by Elliard)
*Stephen's corpse ( *angry face* )