Rising Mists Campaign Story

The story of four mismatched citizens of Mistfall, set out to discover the fate of Sir Eustace.

### Chapter 1: Oil and Sparks

A few months prior to the adventure the common like of the party, Sir Eustace of Tarland street had mysteriously vanished. The man was known to have concerns about leaving the street without him after his death, egged on by a worsening sickness. He was a well known figure across the island with ties in the higher end of the Labyrinth and the Fogwatch both, known through all but the Crown leaving him a high value target for the ruthless side of the city.

With the party's meeting they've chosen to investigate around the Commons. Hoping to find leads by checking again the man's leftover possessions and friends of Tarland street.

Going to meet with a few of the neighborhoods closest friends to Eustace the party has discovered a few factors to the disappearance. In the weeks leading up to it the Shin-Kickers, a band of street toughs, had been hearing gunshots. They even had their last meeting with him not being in armor, apparently left with the blacksmith Ventrund. Seeing him they learned his armor was severely damaged by gunshots, but with the bullets caught in the back padding and the man himself unharmed save for a few minor injuries. They also heard of the Shin-Kicker's ex member, Amber, who had ran off shortly beforehand.

Taking the leftover scraps and information to the local gnome brothers and engineers, Tink and Plink, they learned of their plans to have Eustace help design the street's electrical system. However guns are not their expertise, they could only tell the bullet must've been fired by a gun too weak or using too little gun powder or something must've cushioned the shot for it not to go clean through.

Through Marcy, the local herbalist, they learned he wasn't particularly beat up or acting unusual before vanishing. She's certain he still lives through tenacity but admits at having urged him to find a doctor. Later confirmed to be a Dr. Topper who apparently travels but is currently located on the other side of the island according to medication found in Eustace's home. Alongside this the party found letters from people across the island and street showing he's had friendly connections. Including one of the few stand out business connections of Trok, apparently someone who provides the street with their glass bulb supplies.

The most important item found was a wax cylinder for his phonograph containing a photograph of himself, presumably before his self supposed death. It told them of his status as a lynch pin in any number of alliances of the Labyrinth and Commons, the fate of the Fogwatch, and instructions of what to do from here on out. First of which was to not trust Eriksson of the Fogwatch, or least not to follow his order. Instead find someone in the Labyrinth called Sollomund and ask his opinion on the death, and to follow his advice. Lastly his wishes to keep a large iron chest in the basement out of the hands of the Fogwatch and Labyrinth both, keep Marcy safe, and for some reason to tell Trok to be good.

Setting out from Tarland street the party spent the first day of investigation scrounging throughout the city. Deciding to work from the outside in they first went off to see the doctor. Finding him placed in a run down slum, operating out of a decaying building to brew his concoctions, though seemingly taking care of his equipment to some standard. He took some coaxing but revealed that Eustace had come to him shortly beforehand riddled with bullet wounds, forcing him to use a potion to both parties' chagrin. Luckily he neglects cleaning the floor and provided bullets, the same as Ventrund had kept on hand. Shots seemed intended to kill, aimed towards vitals.

From there they found Trok, a 9ft tall monstrosity who apparently was the glass worker of choice for Tarland. He didn't provide much, aside from the knowledge that about a year ago Eustace had been suffering nightmares of fires and feasts with people back on Vincer. As well as confirmation he never came to supply him, so the odds of something happening on his yearly trip seems less likely. Neglecting to tell Trok to be good, shameful.

Looping back around to Fogwatch they were let in without trouble and didn't find much relating to the disappearance, any information the Fogwatch having being kept confidential. However they did meet with the man named Eriksson, the apparent leader, and passed off the message to send soldiers. As well as taking up a job offer to track down a gang boss who'd been dealing in a drug named Kingsbane, though Eriksson was tight lipped about the details of it beyond the payment for the man coming in alive or dead.

Lastly they went off to Dandy. He runs a shop just south of Fogwatch called the Rumor Mill, a garish building with a doorman left broken and bare for his attempt to break in. But Dandy himself was able to provide some information for a slight cost. People had seen Eustace shrinking away at night when the chance showed itself, walking alongside a short person clad in a colorful uniform and 'mirthful mask'.

Returning to Tarland they spent the last of the evening moving the Iron Chest from Eustace's basement into Rondir's home, and dropping off Del for treatment at Marcy's overnight.