Steamfont: Urgent Communiqué

To: Investigator Geo Friinok, Gem Choppers

From: Freelance Investigator Okosar

Re: Third Report on Steamfront happenings.

Urgent Communiqué

I have some very grave news to relay to you. I will make it brief. I was awakened this morning by a violent rumble accompanied by the sounds of explosions that could be heard in the mountains to the northeast of Steamfont. The severity of the tremor hastened me to break camp and investigate.

On my way toward the Minotaur mining caves, I discovered some unsettling news. The steamworks had increased their range, and were now free of the confines of the mining valley.

I continued on to the valley only to find it peppered with Minotaur soldiers! These soldiers seemed to be organizing to launch some kind of assault. As soon as they detected my presence, they attacked. My trusty animated swords lunged to my defence and between the two of us, we were able to inflict enough losses that the Minotaurs needed to regroup.

I immediately took the opportunity to retreat to Ak’Anon, post haste, where my report was heard by King Ak’Anon himself. The king, though completely mechanized for many centuries now, seemed pensive. “I have been expecting this, Okosar. Will you take command of our defenses in Steamfont? I will put in your charge an elite squad of defenders to be positioned just outside our city’s gates.

I could not refuse the King. There have been a few skirmishes outside the gates as the Minotaurs try to organize an assault, but they are cut down easily by the defenders. “The might of Ak’Anon cannot be defeated by the likes of you!” they cry before the vile beasts fall under their swords. Still, the Minotaur captain prods on his troops, “Alright you lazy cows, get your hooves moving and attack!”

So for the time being, I am sending this via Bard to you from the battlefront. I know I must begin scouting about more when I’m convinced the Minotaurs are at bay. The best way to defeat this threat to our city is to gather as much intelligence as possible so we won’t have to simply respond to their moves. If I can only unravel this plot, I know we can take the initiative and put a quick end to this shadow that is spreading over our lands.