Date: 3rd of Midspring
Location: Fort Foothold – the main Varian stronghold and staging ground of the reclamation campaign.
Current Goals:

• Establish a foothold in Fort Foothold.
• Decide whether to integrate with the official reclamation effort or pursue independent ventures.
• Secure resources (e.g., Lash’s shopfront for Tilda).
• Gauge the influence of the royal presence on their future.

Arrival at Fort Foothold

After twenty-five days at sea, the party reached Fort Foothold, a bustling fortress at the edge of reclaimed territory. Soldiers drilled in formation, caravans hauled supplies, and new arrivals were processed with efficiency. The Palisade marked the line between safety and wild lands beyond, where every reclaimed mile had cost lives and resources.

Upon arrival, Magra Greysong had a heartfelt farewell with her sister Daywin Greysong. Before parting, Daywin performed a magical ritual to link their maps, ensuring that marks made on one would appear on the other. It was both practical and a symbol of their bond.

Fenric’s Search

Fenric sought out the Mage Society for orders or contact, but his reputation as a mage-hunter drove mages into hiding. Even a tower seemed abandoned at his approach.

He eventually met Big Wonk, a dockworker, who pointed him toward a half-elven clerk managing cargo with clipboard precision. She bluntly confirmed that mages were avoiding him but reassured him his presence had already been logged. She explained the training regimen for newcomers and offered him a path toward integration, though Fenric remained wary of formal enlistment. Observing the recruits confirmed his suspicion: while disciplined, the militia lacked the tools to face true magic.

Lash’s Dealings

Lash searched for property options for Tilda, her tinkering ally. This led her to Urdul Bonebreaker III, the dwarven real estate manager of Foothold. Far from a meek bureaucrat, Urdul was a colossal, stone-skinned dwarf with the bearing of a warrior and the pragmatism of a seasoned administrator.

After seeing one of Tilda’s smoke grenades up close, Urdul was impressed and drew up two contracts:

• One binding Tilda’s work to the reclamation effort, supplying her with materials but no profits.
• Another granting her independence, but requiring rent and materials at her own expense.

She also offered two potential locations for a workshop: one near the civilian quarter, another along the river for easier shipping and trade. Lash left with clear options for Tilda’s future.

The Queen’s Speech

The party learned that Queen Isolde, rightful sovereign of Rivalon, was present at Fort Foothold. She was set to deliver a speech to inspire newcomers to the cause. For veterans of the fort, it was a routine ceremony, but for the party, it was their first glimpse at the political figurehead of the reclamation — and a reminder of the stakes of their mission.