video; un: raddude5000

[heroooic]

[Settled in a makeshift camp at the edge of Harsby, Finn waits until he's completely alone before connecting to his fellow Orbers. Helm tossed beside him in the grass, the kid looks a bit worse for wear. Bruises and healing cuts can be seen anywhere there was exposed skin and his long hair has become essentially one large tangle, but even so -- there is a spark in Finn's eyes.

After all, he'd just had a conversation with the Jun Shortaxe. It was all Finn could do to wait until he was alone to share what he'd learned with the rest of the team. And, y'know, get some lowkey bragging in. He's sixteen, whaddya want!]

Okay, so, uh. Got some hot goss to drop, y'all. Get ready for it. 'Cuz ya boy just had like, a fifteen minute conversation with, wait for it--Jun Shortaxe!

[The simulated audience applause and cheering (wooo-you'resocoolfinn-ahhhh) may not have been necessary, but he was definitely still doing it.]

--Hehe, um, anyway. [Okay, maybe the cheering was a little much. He's second guessing the cheering now.] I just wanted to pass on what we talked about so everyone can be on the same wavelength. He's like, so nice, just like everybody says. I told him all about how we're friends with Degar and how we need to get the Orb back 'cuz it's evil and he 100% gets it and wants to help us! The moment he finds out anything he's gonna let us know. Like, just, seriously... the nicest guy.

[Before Finn can get too deep in the gushing, he seems to snap out of it. There was way more to talk about here.]

He also gave me some history into the Songbird Brigade that never made it into the dossier. Apparently, they've been searching for the orb for a long time... like, even before Degar joined up with us. Jun wasn't even on the team for a long time, their leader used to be a paladin named Dweyre. But he bit the dust, so Degar recced Jun for the job. Guess not everyone was cool with that, but y'know, they were still looking for the orb and stuff. Oh--the orb's in a scepter, just like... uh, just like Felix said.

[The name feels weird to say, almost like he wasn't allowed to. Finn shrugs off the uncomfortable sense of shame and embarrassment, plowing ahead.]

S-So, uh, anyway--as they were on their way to get the orb, Degar gets Xim'd. They're really sad, but they keep going in his honor and make it all the way to the Silver Caverns where this Dragonborn creep has the orb. And they were fighting the guy, y'know, he was tough but whatever, Jun would've totally had 'em eventually. And then--Ellia Roundtree? From the dossier? Smokes Jun with some creepy warlock spell and totally betrays the whole party! [Finn is still scandalized by this fact.] Degar has no idea 'cuz he was already gone, or I'm sure he would've mentioned it in the dossier. Anyway, the dragonborn gets away 'cuz of all the chaos. But get this--they find him dead two weeks later, no orb on him at all. So whoever ganked him totally has it. I mean, or had it. I didn't really... ask how long ago that all was. Heh, whoops.

But that's kinda it for the Brigade... they all went their separate ways after that. You can tell Jun's still really torn up about it, poor guy. We really gotta help him.

[There was also the matter of Nina Darkwood, a woman who used to serve as Degar's guardian, but Finn doesn't go into it. Yelena and her posse were already on the way to pass on what they knew about Degar's whereabouts -- Finn figures they'll have more to share once they do.

Instead, Finn closes his video message with a proud grin.]

Also if anyone wants to get some fighting tips from like, the world's coolest guy, Jun said he trains 7AM every morning at the Knight's Guild and would totally give out some pointers to me and my friends. And you guys are all my friends! So... yeah!

I'll let you know if I figure out anything else, but for now... Finn, out.

video - un; nightmoves

[ruinously]

[ This seems important enough to divulge immediately while he's on a Ziggy hunt; ]

Guys, got something that might be pretty useful. Check these out.

[ He holds up his stolen papers, stretching them out so everyone can see, doing it slowly so they're able to be read. It's as listed;

- An official-looking parchment, granting an audience with the king to a Lord Durwald

- Several letters, all of them short, discussing arranging a fast horse and safe passage through the Forests of Gha'har, towards South Naelor; none are signed

- Notes, written by the same hand as the one asking for the horse; some of them seem to be detailing council meetings and discussions, but there are some particular entries that are of interest:

I have cause to suspect the king is using something to affect our decision-making. Yet another decision has been overruled by the council, despite majority vote passing it in the parliament yesterday. Have enlisted the help of Y.V. to spy on him.

Two more notes detailing council proceedings follow, but after them, there is one more entry:

Y.V. found the king speaking to the heirloom. Said there was a strange glow in the room. Suspicions can only be confirmed by removing heirloom.

Y.V. found dead this morning. Will put the plan to action tomorrow. ]

Seems important. Dunno how it correlates to stuff everyone else has found, but definitely think it should be looked into.

[ a pause, then- ]

If anybody's seen Cas, let me know.