Legends of Sha'oghal S1E3 Off the Rails

The train ride has turned to chaos! After surviving the Mephits attack, the group must now help the other passengers and avoid derailing their mission.

### Synopsis

Having just defeated a group of Steam Mephits the group hear cries of duress elsewhere on the train. Rex, taking no time at all, pulls a few things from his bag and heads back to the dining car where the commotion is coming from, the rest of the group following close behind. Once in the dining car the whole thing was full of steam, barely able to see the swirling mass of steam and hot water in the center of the car. With a disadvantage due to sight the group jumped into action. During the chaos of battle Rex found a window to open and sat down to read all he could about elementals. Eventually the group triumphed and even helped fix some of the windows.

After the steam settled Mata and Daffodil went back to the bar car to finish the convo with Lord Rhys and Avis the rogue that helped them defeat the Steam Elemental. Friz had his robotic spiders mending windows in the bar car and tinkered with Rex while he read. Jynx sat near them and drank, trying to calm her nerves. And without warning Rex jumped up, grabbing all of his books and rushed towards his room. Jynx and Friz left somewhat confused.

Mata and Daffodil, continuing their talk with Lord Rhys, learn that he is headed to Athcross to speak with Carson Eolas or Sir Iagan to try and get gold for his town, Fallbreach. Lord Rhys, getting fairly drunk keeps going on about the dwarves and the gnomes getting the short end of the stick within the Kingdom. Avis, letting Mata and Daffodil know that they will be trying to have a dinner party and would love to have them attend to provide another set of eyes and ears. Heading back to the rest of the group to let everyone know about their conversation. Meeting up with their friends, the ladies, wanting to know more about the steam creatures, and if there have been more of these types of attacks before head out on the train to find someone in charge. Friz headed back to his room to continue tinkering.

Eventually Mata, Daffodil, and Jynx made it to the front of the train. In the open air, they see a few gnomes working away, some shoveling coal, but one was controlling the train, pulling levers, twisting knobs, pushing buttons. Talking with this frazzled gnome for a bit they learn that the other train that went towards Fithich in the X’alach Dynasty went off the rails and everyone died. It was also revealed that ice creatures attacked the train. Steam Mephits had attacked once more while they were building the train but it was brushed off as being just part of working with steam. With this new information they head back to talk to their knowledgeable friend Rex.

Once the group make it to Rex’s room, they find the door is cracked open and inside Rex is unconscious on the floor, papers everywhere with a bloody nose. After being brought back from near death Rex began asking “where did he go?” Everyone confused and worried for their friend went to get Friz who knows Rex the best. Friz and Rex having a private conversation discuss the dangers Rex is facing with his goals. Rex, knowing the voices are getting louder, confesses he will need to let their new friends know what is happening, and that he is willing to die for the resolution he knows he is destined for. Friz, frustrated, helps Rex clean up his papers a bit, and then shows everyone his new invention, a steel defender, to be named later.

During that night's rest, with Friz and Daffodil in Rex’s room just in case, Mata hears a soft knock on her door. Tomas Watson slinked into Mata’s room, immediately lounging on the bed. Asked about the Enclave and then filled Mata in on Lord Rhys and Avis. Avis being a member of the Hammer and Satchel, feeding Lord Rhys the right information to start ruffling feathers. Tells Mata to keep doing what she is doing there and they will meet again in Athcross. The next morning, the group enjoyed a lovely breakfast after OSCAR helped clean up the dining car and the bar car. Daffodil met Fredrick, a very well known Half-Orc bard who has been hired to play music on the train and then plans on playing some gigs in Athcross. Offered to play a duet with her some time. The group then discusses the name of Friz’s new invention. Eventually coming up with O.S.C.A.R. or Operational Sentinel: Coordinated Assault Response. After this Mata and Daffodil see Lord Rhys and Avis sit down for breakfast, Lord Rhys very hungover. Daffodil, having worked tirelessly on a song for Fallbreach, was eager to play for him. After the song was over, and Lord Rhys praising it with one small criticism of the pronunciation, you all hear three train horns sounding. Alerting you to know that something is going on with the conductor.