2022/07/27

Last time in the Iron Kingdoms, Hurley was captured and Waernuk proved exactly how much of a stupid asshole he was.

The party continued their assault on Hurley's safehouse on squall island, moving from the elevator to what looked to be an underground smuggler's den with the walls lined with various contraband as well as a number of warjacks that looked to being kept for spare parts. There looked to be a stairway further away as a second entrance and exit. The stairwell seemed too small to fit Abe and the warjacks through so the party was slightly at a loss at what to do. This didn't last long however as Hurley and the last of his defenders presented themselves. Charlotte tried to do things the nonviolent way, and asked Hurley if he was willing to surrender, as they were supposed to take him alive so that he could be ransomed back to King Baird Cathor II of Ord. Hurley declined, stating that he wouldn't have gotten as far as he did rolling over for every pretty face with a intimidating warjack. And so with an impasse reached, combat began.

The fight with Hurley and the last of his men was vicious and bloody though the party was able to win the day, capturing Hurley and disabling the two warjacks that were serving as his personal guard. From there the party took the elevator back up and then sent off the second signal to show that they had succeeded and that they needed pickup. Once back on the major islands, Hurley was put in a cell next to Lord Governor Fariseu, who was also to be sent back to Ord. The party expressed concern at putting both of the prisoners next to each other, though the prevailing opinion was that this saves manpower and that Fariseu is unlikely to be a help to any plan of Hurley's and any plan of Fariseu is likely doomed to fail.

The party then met with Atrixia in regards to what's next for them and the city. During this conversation Charlotte expressed the need for some form of diplomatic corps to both keep Cygnar and Ord off their backs, as well as to try and find some other friends to help bolster Five Finger's might should it come to it. Atrixia confirmed that High Captain Riordan was spearheading that initiative and that hopefully communications would be opened with a number of the major powers soon. Gazza expressed a distaste for diplomats though the prevailing opinion of the party was that they were needed in this situation was heard.

A couple days passed when those at Undertow got word that someone was sending gangs to destroy casinos on Captain's Isle. Upon looking at the list of casinos destroyed Atrixia curses out Waernuk for being a fool again. Atrixia then told those of the party at Undertow at the time to gather up the others and either knock some sense into Waernuk or make sure he won't be a problem anymore, she really didn't have any opinion which. The party then set out to knock on the door of Waernuk's office that they had been to before on the Wake Islands. There, the party was met with the gate guard who asked what their business was with Captain Waernuk. When the party stated that they wanted to meet with the Captain, they were told that Waernuk was out at the moment. The party pressed the matter and was informed that Waernuk was going to “Show them all” and was sending messages to the southwest. With that information in hand, the party signed the visitor log and then left the area.

The information learned by the party was concerning, messages to the southwest could only mean one thing: That Waernuk was sending messages to the Scharde Islands. A fact that was reinforced by Waernuk originally being from the Scharde Islands and if rumors were true his original pirate crew was still in the area. The party then tracked down a number of Waernuk's lieutenants and the combination of Xavier's tact and Kitten's looming presence confirmed their suspicions about the matter. The party was also able to convince Waernuk's forces to stop destroying the casinos at least while Waernuk was away. A few days later a runner appeared in Undertow with a message for Atrixia and the party. Waernuk and his old crew were sailing into Five Fingers with the intent to grind Hurley's empire into the dirt. And if anyone tried to stop them the ship would fire incendiary shells into the port. The message just reinforced to the party that Waernuk was completely nuts and that he had to be dealt with, preferably before that ship got into range of Five Fingers. To that end the party began brainstorming ways to get to the ship before that time. Atrixia was able to provide a name that was on the short list for replacements for High Captain, one Captain Sebastyan D'Lamsyn of the Twisted Blades mercenary company might be a good place to ask.