#ic report

AFTER ACTION REPORT SUMMARY ATTN LEONIS SAS KATHRANA, ZHENG REM DIREMITE SUBMITTING REPORT, LUCIEN KIR KORBINIUS

We were met at the agreed exchange location by Sil Ascheblade, authorized by their commander within the Ironclaws, Knight-Commander Laurent, to proceed.  Although the original intentions and actions of the Eorzeans was bordering to hostility, no open hostilities were exchanged at the time and instead oen Odysseus was returned.

A repetition from the Eorzeans that they were there with no intentions of hostilities and that they wished to resume negotiations was brought forth and once oen Odysseus was secured to our ranks and kir Cygnus began attending him, the information we were willing to offer was about to be discussed when we were interrupted by an arrival of a tall and hostile woman.

When the woman arrived all forces drew weapons as the woman approached and more Eorzean forces, associated with the Eight Winds group, arrived.  The cloud-figure was the start of a temporary alliance with the Eorzeans as she became a common enemy.  Kir Beringer's battlefield shielding served us well as it provided a buffer when combat began as the desire to question the woman was low.

After the woman was apparently defeated by a combination of efforts our medicii assisted in getting the downed Eorzean to their feet so that all forces were stable for movement if need be, on my order.  While the woman seemed to be a charred corpse after a few ticks her form regenerated and we prepared defensive positions again but she lifted herself off.  Her parting words included the phrase that combatants were marked and she will find them again, as well as mentions that the combatants would join the dream.

With her presence gone from the island, our forces formed up and a short negotiation was brokered between Wemrys Quintos (Eight Windows), Sil Ascheblade (Ironclaws), and myself under alias.  They have agreed to a meeting within Shirogane - I suggested the facility of the Gyuki Clinic and it was accepted - for the interrupted information exchange.  A linkpearl was accepted from Wemrys Quintos as well, which has been submitted and verified as undoctored after it was enclosed before moving locations, and can be used to decide the time for the meeting.

Field evaluation of the combatants, Eorzean and otherwise, can be provided if requested or desired.

Per the excursion last night I have a report on my observations. Upon reaching our drop point we discovered a cave opening, that had an unusual array of sensors. Old technology, new technology. There did not seem to be a pattern. Unorganized is putting it mildly. Past the sensors we breached the water into a cavern. There was more sloppy technology cobbled together with what appears to be all the skill of a goblin riding an adrenaline fueled mania. After a lengthy discussion about what to do with what was clearly a madman’s docks we pressed inwards. 

At a point where the cavern diverged into three branches, three hostiles approached. They were swiftly dispatched. I can not at this time recall who landed their strikes, but the one I remember was wearing white and looked like he was coming from an Ul’dahn disco. Once the hostiles were neutralized we were split into three teams. I was with Pyr Algus. 

There was nothing unusual to note about our trip through the tunnels. 

We did, however, encounter something interesting and unusual. We reached a cavern. I anticipated hostiles. There were no hostiles. I would have preferred hostiles. Hostiles are easier to deal with than the depravity of engineering that was the Academy’s “my first Popoto battery” made using high quality people instead of popotos and aether instead of how ever popotos make those tiny lights light up. The room had a few ilms of stagnant standing water, and was filled with unsavory things including blood from the popotos.. people. 

There was a large monolith in the center of the room connected to a total of eight pods. Three had already perished. Three were recovered to the best of my knowledge, one was an angry kojin who is dead now. One was Project XII. I went to assist with freeing Subject XII. Lux Bellor sought to disable the device while Lux Mishra checked the status of the others. 

I am going to take a moment to state that this contraption would periodically, with no discernible reason or rhyme activate. A light would pulse and levin would travel from the captives to the monolith. There was a definite sense of the absence of energy. It was unnerving. There was also a strong sense of building up to something. The what it was building up to is unclear. 

Subject XII was chained in place and unresponsive. There was no response to our presence, nor was there a response to the Levin being drawn from the other captives. I spotted a lock and manually disabled it. Once the lock was open and XII was free she sprang forth to destroy the closest perceived hostile. Which was me. I am not sure what happened after. I do recall fragments of the fight which was trying to stand and trying to beat her face in. I was not successful at either. 

[Attached is a small sketch and a note that the 4th currently possesses a more detailed drawing of the stabilizer from what must be edict memory recall of their private.  What is attached is done from memory.]

Named attendees- Kale Aideron, Commander 4th, Flames. Countess De'bayle on behalf of Ishgard's Holy See. Flame Private Neuer (provided drawn diagram, single copy writ large for discussion and view during briefing) Ironclaw Order Commander, Ser Vilette Oliver Delvants, Noble Rogues Free Company Mishi Mizuchi of the Otahrdian Resistance Serpent Lieutenant Levanha

Much of the debrief was presented and excluded any positive mention of Garlean actions, as one would expect.  Information presented so that all credit for saving the joint force activities was placed on the engineering core of the Eorzean Alliance.

Emphasis placed on need for future healer protections and larger healer activities in any operations, as they felt their presence was inadequate for the scale of assault and conflict.

No information on whom provided inaccurate finger-pointing evidence for Garlemald's responsibility at the 'second Project Meteor' that motivated many of their forces for showing.  

Ironclaws provided reasoning and indicated which of their band pursued negotiations for cease fire, proposal was made (and rejected, by all appearances) for requesting the opening of discussions with Garlean forces in Azys Lla to learn more of the Allagan construct that was present and responsible for the destabilization of the island.

Discussions broke down during proposal, and resulted in a number of the 4th Flames being requested to remove themselves, or hold peace.  Ironclaws seem to have put their contracting with the Eorzean Alliance at-risk, from the sentiments in the room.  A sentiment is present that study of the Allagan corpse would be good but that to do so they might seek more conflict instead of diplomacy attempts, as the common feeling was that the Empire lost.

Serpent Lieutenant Levanha has proposed more observation and intelligence needs to be collected on any Garlean activities.  Scouts of the Wailers and Adders are expected to contribute, as well as requesting assistance from any Free Companies.  

Request by Mishi Mizuchi for any information from those who observed the Allagan construct to speak with them as they felt it was a harbinger of something mystical.  Unaware, perhaps, that the construct was killed or its corpse's location within Garlean hands.

Oliver Delvants delivered a speech of the import of remaining vigilant and united in support of the Grand Companies of the Eorzean Alliance.

-L.K.

Recommendations for some of this (the materials would not tip the hat of whom processing is being used by as it's not the material so much as the methods that set out steels apart from the commoner varieties) might include looking for the mining and trade posts that are nearby and either raiding or negotiating (on some behalf) for trade.  It's been some time but I do believe that they still favor softer pelts of the Eorzean-climed species as the harsh weathers have made their old quarry in the Highlands either flee or become less trade-viable targets.  Either we can hunt and trade or somehow else wise acquire the needed things for trade.  I would recommend barter over another method as barter will have the least record, and be much easier to hide.

Assisted on the transport investigation and recovery mission.  Injuries sustained have necessitated a reduced amount of time in the forges on heavy hauling or processing.  Originally saw jen Cittinius, for treatment - Castrum supplies deemed low enough that there were no on-hand treatments for dubious injuries as sustained and as I was not actively retching after other medicus, Minerva, acted via aether.  

Recommendations - eir Gehfroen is a known 'florist' but evinces a penchant for herbal remedies.  Discussions with eir Gehfroen have, in the past, secured herbal and safe painkillers for prolonged consumption that cause no harm for ones with issues handling aetherical treatments.

Other herbalists and trained chirurgeons are present as well - previously had contacted a Lionnet Blodoint in Gridania, Lionnet while being aetherically skilled was quite adamant in their professed knowledge and skills.  Either acquire resources who are capable of handling situations without forcing more debilitating care on those present, or augment and issue better supplies for on-field deployments.

Of note, a discussion with jen Cittinius regarding issued equipment - as they are unable to handle the presence of someone prone to aether sickness in close combat, jen Cittinius is making am informal (for now) request of a shift of issued equipment.  On the one hand, I'm personally offended that they're showing issues in handling a rather common occurrence in Eorzea that they should know how to approach, on the other hand, I've been unable to repair my own armor so that a further direct confrontation will not just result in the plating possibly cracking.

State of equipment versus supplies - while I can secure some more reliable treatments on a personal basis, in the future, this does nothing for the rest of the Castrum.  Given eir Gehfroen's ability to acquire odd plants and their skills in preparations, I would suggest that they be used as a means of securing resources, and perhaps discussing with the healer of Gold and Glory for supplies purchase.

Barring that, I am told of a few clinics that are friendly, to various degrees.  While I have been assured of one such clinic's presence and this one is known to the Castrum (brought up after R-11's recovery) in Shirogane, other friendly clinics perhaps should be identified and either leveraged for access to resources or negotiated with for services and supplies.

A fervent hope that the medical work in the labs progresses is also submitted.  Impressions are that the work there will be friendly for more than the aetherically gifted.

Hours tracking for past sennight-

Darksday (previous senn), injury sustained assisting adventuring company.  Released with note from a Lirilith Maellan for reduced activity/stress while recovering.

Firesday- Forum presentations for allocation of Castrum resources. You cannot blame me for how long it took. As they do not pertain to me, notes on presentations are not included in this time summary.

Earthsday- Still recovering.  Attached is diagram of current forge layout, noted during this day.  Materials sorting done and process of grading ores begun.  Assistance is needed to finish that process though. 

Watersday- Design process work continued after forums, you noted some of that.  Assisted on process of recovery of Alerius quo Mercer.  Strain sustained during activities, and bells of observation are included.  You shit. After return sparring and training on pells for a few bells.

Windsday- Recovered from injuries sufficiently - smelt process in forges, with present materials on-hand.  Also resumed work (interrupted) on requested blade for Rafael oen Lanius, shaping and working on hilt and scabbard during the refinement process of the metal for the blade.  

Iceday- Continued work on blade; edge on the sword and after return from the Druthers, the blade was left for Rafael oen Lanius for their ability to complete their duties.  Some bells spent at Druthers.  As you well know.

Lightningday- Smelting.  Ore refinement in process, as it will always be in process.  The fuck you expect, how much ore we have and one doing the right alloying to make a proper set of steel to work from.  We’re using shit as pale as the tree huggers half the time, I hope your fucking daggers snap.

Lightsday- More smelting.  Dragged off to speakeasy by Iulius, there for what was possibly half the night?  Notes can be provided on two possible defectors identified.

Darksday- Since I don’t have the ability to order the changes to the forges themselves and all of that, diagrams are provided with recommendations for shifting for a more unified heat venting system.  Diagram attached for current forge as well.  Since I doubt you know a small ore forge and what it looks like.

-L.K.

Attached diagrams are below...

In addition to diagram of current forge, proposed layout for unified venting...

Upon arrival the transport had suffered a mishap - eir Lirus and myself approached the furthest end of the wreckage and began examining it, away from the bodies that were on the ground.  At our end of the site was the engine's area, one of the secondary engines - not part of the primary systems but an integral portion for the transport's stability.

The fire on the components was mostly died down and handfuls of snow tamped the rest down, allowing a chance to examine it.  Whatever explosion had blown the engine out from the rest of the wreckage had been a fairly strong one, the engine suffering a lot of damage.  Some of this was possibly aided by what was later found - the ceruleum fuel had been altered.  The coloration was off of the correct, and this could have made it more explosive, or prone to accident.  In addition, the engine itself had been almost coated, to encourage explosion and 'accident'.

Handed over was a container of siphoned contaminated fuel.  There's no reason, not even improper refinement, that would make that coloration, judgement is that the transport was sabotaged.  The contamination would normally have not been caught if the ship and engines had completely incinerated but suspect that the snows themselves aided in the prevention of the complete destruction of this evidence.

Further examination was cut off by the sound of a gunshot - this gunshot seemed to have ignited the spread fuel.  eir Lirus and myself ran from the engine's site to the primary group but were caught in the explosion and I was unable to see where the shot originated from.

The explosion seemed to have drawn the attention of ice-aspected wildlife in the area, as well as a (later identified) ninja.  At identification the ninja (aan Naras) was not considered hostile and their assistance was most helpful in dispatching the ogre that approached.  

At the ice-aspected creature's dispatch, and arrival of extraction from Aquilonis, evidence (siphoned corrupted ceruleum) was handed over to pyr Algus.

Following assignment by Goe Diremite to bring in the wayward Engineer Kir Pyke and Pyke’s significant other - a miss Daxinaud Noixledeaux - I have a status report to follow. 

Kir Pyke is heavily involved with the Order of the Twin Adders. During an Adders deployment I attempted to enter the free company house that Pyke is affiliated with. Pyke had a security system I failed to anticipate. He had built a mammet that self destructed taking the workshop and nearly myself with it. Following this disaster, I ensured that there was no trace of Imperial interference with either the Yellow Jackets or the Maelstrom. 

During this time I trailed Miss Noixledeaux. Miss Noixledeaux has a strong Somnus addiction. Table 1 shows frequency over a period of weeks with in which see seeks out this drug. Miss Noixledeaux acts as a coordinator for this free company and she arranged travel to Kugane. I was not able to fully determine why, but there seems to have been an exchange with a Doman resistance agent. 

I arranged transport and once I reached Kugane, I started to gather intelligence on the Free company’s activities in the housing district, Shirogane. It would seem that they are a small company that handles mainly mercenary and charity works. I proceeded to start integrating myself into their ranks as a lost florist from Eorzea. The members of the company seem to be aware that Kir Pyke is a deserter.

During this period I learned that Kir Pyke and Miss Noixledeaux had left for Eorzea again, to visit Gyr Abania. I regret to inform that at this point my trails had gone cold. It is unclear which merchant ships they took, or indeed if they took ships or traveled through the aether via aetherites. 

Upon returning to Eorzea I sought out Intelligence on the pair. I followed up leads as I became aware of them. I have been receiving mixed reports, including that Pyke and Noixledeaux have joined more resistance groups. 

I will advise as the situation improves but at this time the targets have remained elusive. I am continuing to monitor the house in Shirogane. 

~ Seele Eir Gehfroen