Previously on Shield

(Theme music) Previously on Shield...

Week of June 1st
La Vieille still tremors in the wake of the Woodgate's ascent. But unbeknownst to most of the city's inhabitants, its time in the air is limited - unless Junebug can find a more permanent solution. Accompanied by the Cleric and the Emberhand, the Artist began a citywide search for some sort of artifact that could help them. In the midst of their research they were called to a meeting with Lord Quermand. The Lord's daughter, Anika, is missing, likely stranded on a mysterious island while on a research trip ... the details of which the Lord was rather cagey about. The group agreed to help find Anika in exchange for two things: artifacts for Junebug and the Woodgate, and political assistance for Emeric and Ashe, who is currently in an extremely precarious position with the other Lords and despised Orarch-cum-dictator Nitrum.

In the days before they left on this expedition, they made another discovery: most of the city's artifacts had fallen into the hands of one of two criminal factions that are now on the brink of hostility. They met with Barrett the Heist, the leader of one such faction, who gave them an old portrait long since stolen from Junebug's apartment - by their old friend Oshwad, no less - but offered them nothing else to help them.

Their friendship with Barrett is likely short-lived, though - immediately after befriending her, Grimassi discovered that a crew of her henchmen had stolen her hammer, and the squad fought them at the docks, destroying their hideout. (Coincidentally, that crew's leader was Amfrei, a former Crimson the squad knows well, to her detriment.)

Now, they're making final preparations to leave for this island - and they can only hope the city won't fall to pieces while they're gone ...