The woman listens to each of the group's concerns and comments, taking the signed document and applying a seal from her ring on the contract to finalize it.
"I'm glad to see you found your backbone young man, you'll need it out there" the woman jokes to Alex, "If it would make you feel better, than you can drag them back here to Sharn and I can deal with them" she adds
"I have heard only whispers and rumours of those who would work against our House, they sense we are at a time of weakness. We have yet to learn the truth of who they are, otherwise we would take care of it ourselves. Perhaps this will draw them out of their hiding places." Miranda replies.
"So if there are no further questions and the contract signed, I can now reveal where the Forge is located." she says, pulling out two maps.
The first is a regional map of Khorvaire, including parts of Breland, Zilargo, Darguun, and the Mournland. The second is a more detailed one of a mountain pass, including a hidden pass, concealed by magic.
"I've marked on the map where the forge is located, along the border of Darguun and the Mournlands, in small range of mountains north of Gorgonhorn. The distance is about 1,500 miles, but if you take the lightning rail to Starilaskur, you can travel along the Orien trade route through New Cyre and Kennrun before arriving at the mountains in question. It is a fairly easy journey as the roadway should be fairly clear of bandits. The path should be clear, the way through requires both knowledge of the pass and the correctly attuned device, I will entrust it to you, but it must be returned in order for payment to be rendered" Miranda says, pointing out places on the map as she speaks.
[sblock=History/Streetwise DC 15]
You recall a story in the Sharn Inquisitive a few years back about Kennrun:
SHARN -- The surviving members of the Red Gauntlet Regiment have gathered in Sharn this week to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Battle of Kennrun.
The regiment, composed of mercenaries who fought for Breland throughout the latter years of the Last War, was instrumental in Breland's victory at Kennrun. During that battle, elements of the Red Gauntlet Regiment prevented three heavy brigades from reinforcing the Cyran lines, enabling the Brelish 21st Cavalry to break through and liberate eastern Breland. The Red Gauntlet Regiment also served with distinction in the Graywall citadels during the late 980s, and during the "Great Thrust" battles of 992, when Breland pushed Cyran forces back to the original Breland/Cyre border.
Fewer than one hundred veterans of the regiment are alive today because its members were engaged with Cyran forces on the Day of Mourning. The regiment's standard is among those hanging at Athalus's Tomb in Wroat, dedicated to the Brelish victims of the Day of Mourning.
To commemorate the reunion, King Borumel issued a royal proclamation declaring the gauntleteers honorary members of the Army of Breland. This action is highly significant because the regiment's relationship with the regular army was often difficult.
House Deneith, a minority owner in the regiment's contracts throughout the Last War, also plans a ceremonial color guard ceremony in honor of the Red Gauntlet Regiment next Sul. On that day, Deneith soldiers across Breland will wear red gloves in honor of these brave veterans.
"The ceremonies and proclamations are appreciated," said Red Gauntlet Sergeant Darius Pike. "But the reunion is more about remembering the gauntleteers who never returned from Cyre in 994. I survived only because I was assigned recruiting duty in the winter of 993 -- an assignment I didn't particularly want.
"I used to know the thirty guys in my platoon better than their own families did," Pike said. "And my whole company was like family to me. Only three of those guys are still around. So we'll hoist a tankard for the other one hundred forty-odd brothers who are out there in the mist somewhere."[/sblock]
