#captain eclipse

A banner for the villagers of around the southern tip had united under. Red as the rising Sun and the patriotic colors of the Sin’dorei the rumors said they showed up Overnight and won the heart of the people. Itrius honestly liked the idea, everyone coming together, the bond of unity and duty was strong back home, hearing it out here was grand. Against the Legion, against the undead, and now against the Amani the Crimson Sun had defended the people.

Smiling up to the bartender Itrius tapped on the empty glass. “Another Sun Ale please.” It was a beer brewed from the wheat of Goldsea, it helped to ease his homesick heart. Turning his head the investigator checked out the room. A pair in a corner conversing in a huddle, no doubt lovers, Another at the other end of the bar drinking away tears. With him and the bartender as the only ones left. “Seems like a quiet night, mind if I ask a few questions?”

The husky giant of a man placed the golden labeled drink in front of elf, “Sorry Friend, fresh out of the keg.” Toothy smile in return, “Ya drank it all, so you’ll have to settled for this.” Pulling at his thick mustache he mused over the request. “Aye, we can talk it's pretty quiet tonight. Nothing beats chatting with a stranger out here. Mah name is Max, it's a pleasure to meet you.”

His thick hand crossed over the bar and practically landed in Itrius’ face. “Well, then my new friend, it's a pleasure all mine. Phoenix Captain Sunshatter, I am here to meet a representative of the Crimson Sun.

The name brought a laugh and another smile to Max’s large face. Stroking at his mustache again he nodded in approval. “They are a good lot, help saved the town and keep peace all around. None of da forces up north make it down here, so they filled da gap and been keeping the peace in this whole land.” Swiping his arms around to show ‘everything’ he really must have believed in them.

A mix of shame and relief filled Itrius. He was right, the Phoenix Guard couldn’t make it down her easily, small disturbances didn’t warrant teleports, and it just, honestly speaking to those in the city proper wasn’t ‘worth it’. So far away from Silvermoon these people suffered, everyone around suffered. It was a shame that they had been left this way, but still they gathered together, and the people found their own strength. It was the light of hope, the light of the many. This is why he joined the Phoenix Guard, it was the same calling.

Taking a sip of the ale Itrius again smiled. Catching Max’s eye he nodded. “That, that is good to hear. I was hoping to speak with the General, but I hear he is a busy busy man, and won't be making it tonight.”

Standing idle this long made the bartender nervous. Picking up a cloth he started to clean the area between them. “Aye, well defending the land from the south, east, and sky is no easy work. Doubt he be having much time to talk to anyone with all the work he be doing for us.”

“Can you tell me about him? Where did the Crimsons come from?”

Max picked up Itrius’ glass from the counter and started to rub the cleaning cloth. “Aye, good folk, least so I hear. The Leader himself is as much a mystery as a hero. Showed up one day, saying that there would be a problem that night in the town. Most laughed it off, hadn’t been a deader strike in ages, but sure enough at nightfall the moans of the deaders showed up, and well if not for the General we’d been over run.” Turning around Max put the glass down.

“It was a surprise, to many, but some heard the call, some thought he may be right and started to prep. Quiet times may lead to the unprepared… but still it wasn’t without questions.” Putting his wrists on his hips Max turns back to his patron.

“I mean a man shows up, says something bad is gonna happen and is does, well where da fingers getting pointed? Sure enough though, when da shit came down he wasn’t no idle warning….”

“Like the break of dawn itself he showed up with a small band and rallied the guard. It's where his nickname come from, after all, we told him so and he smiled and claimed it.” A prideful smile showing up as Max leaned back to tell the tale, you’d almost think he gave him the name himself.

A content sigh pulling him from the memory “....General Dawning, He is a good man, said he had been going through towns fighting back the undead, that he tracked them down Meridianam and just wanted to warn us.  He also said he’s been looking for those to join his cause. I’d be half tempted ta join if if weren’t for my bum leg.”

Leaning down Max smacked his calloused hand to his knee. “One of deaders got a bit to close, took my adventuring days right out from under me.” His chuckle echoed out and helped to calm the mood of the tale. Itrius couldn’t help but laugh, many back home suffered the same fate.

“Dawning got the ear of many others though, and he gave birth to the Crimson’s right here in front of the hall. Red bannered knights that save the poor and rich alike out here.” Pumping a hand to his chest in jubilation.

“No offense friend, but the City up north don’t give a wretches ass about us, so they are big damn saviours. We owe the Crimsons, and if weren’t for the General when those fel sucking bastards came back, we probably wouldn’t be here.”

Putting down the now empty bottle Itrius nods to the tale. How many other areas fell out of reach of Silvermoon, where there any other desolate places that needed to take their own action? Back in the Dawnspire this would have been unheard of...what else was he sheltered from.

“General Dawning sounds like a good man,” Itrius’ eyes never left the golden label, sometimes the reminders make it worse. “My brother was like that, inspired many and lead them to victory… I am sure the Crimson Sun will be able to help my investigation. Even more if they do this much for the people down south”

Max approved and slid his companion two more of the Sun Ale, “Well Friend, looks like your date is here.: Pointing out the newcomer with a wide grin.

Itrius turned and followed Max’s arm, it led him to a figure how like himself very much stood out in the small tavern.

The newcomer must have noticed the gestures for with a bow of the head they walked up to the pair. Red scales and chain covered their form blurring together any identity. A bright scarf covered their face hiding their entity….Itrius had to struggle not to narrow his eyes and examine the Crimson. Were all of them this secretive?

Shoving those questions aside he didn’t want to offend. Jumping up to his feet, he like Max before him offered his hand. “Greetings I am Phoenix-Captain Sunshatter. Investigation Taskforce.”

With no hesitation his new companion clasped his hand in a vice like clamp. “My name is Captain Eclipse, Second in command of the Crimson Sun. Thank you for hearing our plea.”