[Video]

[kalmaleader]

[Qubine starts his feed with a weary sigh.]

All right...now that Fayren is more or less back to normal, I want to bring up something that's been on my mind.

A few weeks earlier, I took care of a bounty in Fayren, namely a group calling themselves the Fingers of Decay. According to the notes left with the bodies of the mages they've tortured and killed, they wish to continue the work of the Hands of Decay. For those of you who are unaware, they are a group of cultists who believe that all magic and its practitioners are evil, and wish to eradicate them all from Fayren. I would just like to say, if there are any "Fingers" remaining out there, I would strongly urge them to think.

And if, after careful consideration, they still decide it's in their best interests to continue fulfilling the Hands of Decay's ideals, I would strongly urge them to think.

Again.

[The last word is spoken with a strong hiss, meaning the Fingers or the Hands of Decay had better not continue their work if they know what's good for them.]

Comments

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[stillsmiling]

Tortured... a-and killed?

[Shi shudders. Just saying it is awful.]

Thank you for looking out for us... You don't really think there are any more of them, do you?

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[kalmaleader]

...It would be prudent to assume there are more of them. From what I've read on the Hands of Decay, they are a crafty bunch. You likely won't see them until they want to be seen, or if they slip up somehow.

Do I assume correctly that you are a magic user?

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[superficially_busy]

Just as with the Hands, these Fingers will be broken if they try anything.

[It seems Alice is out and about placing new security dolls around the city.]

[stillsmiling]

That isn't exactly what I hoped to hear... I'll keep my eyes peeled, though.

[He hesitates, then shakes his head.] I'm not sure. Maybe? We don't call it magic back home, if it is.

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[kalmaleader]

[He almost smirks at that.]

That's the spirit.

By the way, you were here to deal with the Hands of Decay, weren't you? Is there anything else I should know about them?

[kalmaleader]

...Then it would be safer to assume that the Hands of Decay would consider your abilities to be "magical," even if they aren't by your standards. So yes, keep your eyes peeled.

[It may not be reassuring, but the false sense of security can be just as deadly. Qubine's always believed that being aware of the danger is important to one's survival. However, he does offer this one reassurance...]

I'll be working with Mavis and the other deputies to ensure that these cultists do not rise again.

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[didthemath]

(Yes, there's a newcomer on the screen, but one who doesn't seem too surprised to be talking to a dragon, but is certainly concerned at the implication of his message.)

Well, I'm certainly out of the loop, but that sounds like something I should know about. There's a cult around murdering mages?

(That sounds...ominously familiar to something that happened a few years ago back home...)

I assume you handled this sect?

[stillsmiling]

I'm glad... Dying is really painful...

Um. Is there anything I should be doing to help? Other than being careful..?

[Private]

[kalmaleader]

[He'll go ahead and switch the feed to private, just in case any of the cultists might be listening.]

...That is a rather difficult question to answer. What kind of skills and abilities do you have? Are you able to defend yourself?

[Private]

[stillsmiling]

I, um, collect curses and spread misfortune...?

[Shi is getting used to explaining his power to people. Perhaps he's also getting too trusting, as he really ought to not admit it so freely. At least he looks ashamed of his negative ability.]

I'm hoping to learn to train it, but it's probably not something I should be using on purpose...

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[kalmaleader]

[This person certainly looks like a newcomer.]

Unfortunately, yes. The only sect I dealt with was the Fingers of Decay bounty listed in the newspaper about two weeks ago. The Hands of Decay terrorized Fayren for a while before I arrived in this world, but from old network posts, I know that a dragon from my clan helped to defeat them.

Now there is another dragon from my clan here who uses magic, and she would be in danger from them, along with any other magic users. So I have a personal interest in stopping those cultists.

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[didthemath]

(Khadgar nods, his expression still grave. Was he going to try everything in his power to return to Azeroth, certainly, but if there was something he could do here in the meantime...)

Being a mage, I'd say I do as well.

(Not that he's going to try to hide that fact from any would-be cultists out there. If they want a fight, he'll give them one.)

Archmage Khadgar of the Kirin Tor. I'm thoroughly aware that probably means nothing to you, so Khadgar will be fine. I've never really been a stickler for formalities, anyway.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Ah, I remember hearing about the hands of Decay back when I lived in Everglade... I won't let these "Fingers" do what they want.

If there's a way I can help, just let me know.

[Private]

[kalmaleader]

[His eyes droop a little bit, his expression turning sour.]

A peculiar ability indeed, and one that would likely strengthen the Hands of Decay's ideals. In that case, I wouldn't recommend getting involved.

[stillsmiling]

Yes, sir. I understand... I'll try not to make any trouble.

[Likewise, Shi hangs his head with shame. He knew it was stupid to think he could help anyone, but it hurts every time. Especially being reminded that his ability does almost justify an anti-magic crusade.]

Thank you for your time.

[kalmaleader]

I would say just keep your eyes peeled. If you learn anything about the Fingers or the Hands, just report it to me, Mavis, or Alice.

Re: video;

[superficially_busy]

I never encountered them directly, so I can't tell you anything substantial.

[A newly placed security doll salutes Alice as it takes a seat.]

Like when they were first introduced, I believe they feared possible over-reaching capabilities of my dolls, like the ever assumed privacy-invading camera, keeping them contained until they were cornered and overwhelmed.

I'd ask Mavis when she is well. She may have had a run in with Hands members.

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[kalmaleader]

[He bows his own head.]

I am Qubine, leader of the Kalma Clan in Sornieth, and a Deputy Guardian in Fayren.

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[didthemath]

Well met, Deputy Guardian. I'm sure it shows, but I'm painfully new around here. Be that as it may, I'll off whatever aid I might in stifling these "fingers".

(He looks thoughtful for a moment.)

A next step may well be infiltration. Do you have anyone prepared or capable?

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[kalmaleader]

Any aid would be welcome. We have many people who are capable. However, from what I have researched, the Hands of Decay kept themselves well-hidden, so infiltration would be difficult if not impossible. I would recommend contacting Mavis Vermillion with your aid. As the City Guardian, she would lead whatever measures we would take against these groups.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Understood.

By the way... have you been doing alright? I haven't seen you since I first healed you.

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[captain_by_the_book]

Hopefully you've eradicated all of that splinter group, but it'll be good to keep an eye out for other cells.

Apart from that, are you alright? Are things returning to normal in Fayren now?

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[kalmaleader]

Yes, I intend to keep an eye out, and I'm sure the rest of the team will also.

[He lets out a somewhat weary sigh.]

More or less. I'm not sure what happened to the peacock, but I could care less, really.

[kalmaleader]

Interesting. I thought I've made myself quite...visible.

[He shrugs.]

I've been all right. I'm a Deputy Guardian in Fayren now. I suppose that's all I can do in this world...

[captain_by_the_book]

[ Cassian scowls, that's important to know in his book, but he swallows the annoyance down. ]

I'll see about getting information myself then.

I hope other towns will be kept informed about the going-ons in Fayren, but I'll bring that up with Mavis when I speak to her. Between the Fingers of Decay and Obsidian I'm concerned of trouble spreading.

[kalmaleader]

[He is just...mentally facepalming right now.]

This world is starting to become more like Sornieth. And that is not a good thing.

We can be grateful that most of these "criminals" do not have pendants and therefore cannot cross into other cities. I believe that is why the Hands of Decay never operated outside of Fayren. However, we also know that not everyone with a pendant is pleasant either.

I will do my best to speak of the happenings in Fayren. You're more than welcome to contact me if you find anything on these Hands or Fingers of Decay, or to discuss anything that goes on in the other cities. I would be willing to help out there when I can.

[He may be a Deputy in Fayren, but he dislikes being confined to one particular city all the time.]

[im_gonna_heal_u]

I mean, I heard you through the comms a few times, but my trips through Fayren were pretty short up until recently. Mavis just made me a deputy.

Anyway, I'm working as a chief healer. If you see any injured, report to me.

Re: video;

[didthemath]

(Khadgar nods, making note of the name.)

I'll do that. It's only the one city. Flushing them out shouldn't be too hard. (He pauses for a moment.) Do they have a sigil or anything similar they use to identify one another?

[kalmaleader]

...If you do happen to see something suspicious, please report it to us. That is one thing you can do...

[No one should feel really useless. No one should really do nothing either, but some people shouldn't push themselves too far.]

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[kalmaleader]

...Not that I'm aware of. They're experts at stealth and hiding. One could call them faceless cowards, but their being faceless is more for cunning than cowardice.

[kalmaleader]

A new deputy, hmm? That is good to know. I can easily bring any injured your way.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Alright then, I'll keep you posted!

[stillsmiling]

[It's enough to renew a sense of purpose in Shi, at least. He nods, looking inspired and determined again.]

Okay. I'll do my best. If I see something, you'll know!

[And with that, he hangs up]

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[didthemath]

(He nods. That makes things more difficult.)

Still, there has to be something, or they wouldn't have a way of any sort of organization.

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[captain_by_the_book]

[ A curt nod. ]

I appreciate your efforts, thank you. As you said, we can't trust all pendant bearers. Other than that single witch burning-like murder series last spring, which we could never connect to anything beyond the usual Attleton serial killers, there have been no signs of anti-magical or anti-cyborg activity in Attleton. But I'm keeping my eyes open, just in case any pendant bearers are carrying these ideologies to other towns.

And I might come back to your offer of help next time we have a crisis in Attleton.