Opening Song - "Faith" by Limp Bizkit
Cruising through the lands on their way to Last Hope, Neowulf and Leyawiin converse about the recent events. Aside from the usual chit chat, the rest don't inquire Leyawiin any further.
Before the group is able to reach Last Hope, their shoddy vehicle explodes from an outside attack. They're being ambushed by a group that calls themselves The Jammers - Song "Sabotage" by The Beastie Boys
Terofin exits their crashed vehicle and immediately attempts to curse the encroaching enemies with some misfortune and succeeds, but now they're more alert that they're alive in the vehicle. As Terofin crawls out of the vehicle, Slade gets up to him and attempts to slash him with his sword but misses due to misfortune.
Qaplowski unsheathes her sledgehammer and prepares to retaliate; she connects and lands a crushing blow on Chill, knocking him down to the ground. Blocus pulls out his sledgehammer to continue the pounding but whiffs on the attack.
Roxy aims for Terofin knowing Prodigy's are bad news. She lands a direct hit with her very large rifle and incapacitates him, putting him on the brink. Chill shoots at Qaplowski and fares better than Terofin. Kanteriss sets up his rifle to retaliate at Roxy and lands a critical hit, severely wounding her. Earl quickly draws out his sword and swings at the prone Chill. Chill continues to roll out of the way. Leyawiin attempts to hit Chill who still can't be hit. Neowulf jumps on top of the vehicle to get a vantage point and ensure "the cargo" is protected, then hops down and retaliates against the Jammers, slightly turning the tide.
Chill finally is able to stand up and attacks Qaplowski. She parry's most of the hit and retaliates, smashing his head in, ending him.
Blocus makes way to Terofin, rummages around his pockets for some rum, popping it in Terofin's mouth to bring him back. Slade attacks Qaplowski to avenge Chill but is too shook. Kanteriss continue to fire away at Roxy and lands another critical. Earl manages to land a devastating blow against Slade. Neowulf tells Leyawiin to take cover, as he Power Up's and sprints towards Roxy. Terofin uses his Essence to heal himself but is still trying to catch his feet. Qaplowski tries to close the gap. Blocus picks Terofin off the ground and begins checking the pockets of his enemies. Roxy feeling the group closing in, Power's Up, transforming into her wolf form. Kanteriss continues to aim downrange, hitting Roxy slowing her down, causing her to eventually bleed out. Earl takes the opportunity to loot, then moves back into action.
Out of the bounty hunter's crew, the big boss man comes out; Judge. The group dusts themselves off and look to engage him. Judge stops moving, aims and shoots at Qaplowski. The blast spreads to Neowulf and Earl. After reloading, Kanteriss continues firing with high precision, making Judge stumble forward and face plants. Neowulf moves in, quickly finishing him off with a double hit. The vehicle that the Jammers were driving blows up, with a mysterious shadowy figure seemingly disappearing into thin air. The gang needs to walk the rest of the way. After looting their enemies, they depart, resting along the way with the exception of Terofin, who's still nursing his grievous wound.
Outside of Desire's District (subsection of Last Hope), the group decides where to head to first
Leyawiin has a strong feeling that her boyfriend is at Fortune's Fame; Neowulf accompanies her. Terofin and Kanteriss decide to join them, while Earl, Blocus and Qaplowski decide to go to PROspect to sell their loot.
Fortune's Fame
Upon entering an antique type shop, the four of them are quickly ambushed by a mysterious Machinehead - Song "Zero" by The Smashing Pumpkins
While they're able to take cover, another person shows up, quickly decapitating the mysterious Machinehead ending their onslaught. Leyawiin immediately recognizes them, slapping then hugging them.
Neowulf exchanges some words of introduction and quickly recognizes who it is; son of King Oma; Triton - Song "Triton" by Galaktikon
Despite Triton doing the terrorist attacks, he's really been investigating Aldren Stockton and Aeroweb Industries. He shares that he discovered Aldren has been gearing up for another large war and also looking into destroy Essence completely. Terofin concerned by the gravity of the information being shared, casts a masking spell to hide them. Triton continues on, that Aldren is creating a Machinehead army and looking to infuse them with Essence in order to create a super army. Also through rumors, Rell Berridge has been tasked in finding lost artifacts of great power and is working under the direction of Aldren Stockton. Triton apologies to Leyawiin for leaving her but needed to be at Last Hope in order to meet with leaders to start warning others of Aldren's plans.
Out of the corners of the shop, two people scheduled to meet with Triton come forward despite Terofin's efforts. First to be introduced is Kaylyn Smoak, confidant of Lady Alanis - Song "Somebody Someone" by Korn
Also introduced is Trent Razor, alliance maker between the Unforgiven and Wasting Light - Song "We're In This Together" by Nine Inch Nails
Triton allows them all to be part of the meeting since they're already this far into the whole ordeal
Kaylyn, despite her cold demeanor, is polite and cordial to Kanteriss and Terofin. While there to listen to the evidence Triton has against Aldren, she reveals that she herself has been investigating King Miraak of Stellarvania, who potentially is working along side Aldren. This is bad for The Gauntlet, as she fears Stellarvania's turn to Aldren's nefarious plans and their easy access to The Soundgarden would quickly escalate to their kingdom. She then reveals to Terofin she slightly recognizes him because she knew his father. Kaylyn asks if Terofin has picked up the mantle of his father's studies, which he has. They discuss places he's been, where he mentions they just came from Cypress Hill. She's disappointed that he hadn't met her friend Rygar, who has been studying many artifacts as of late and knows more about the dangerous group The 46&2. Kaylyn hands him a scroll, originally meant for Rygar, but knows Terofin would be capable of figuring out what it means. She's agreed to help Triton.
Meanwhile at the PROspect section, the group now at this point gets wired their payment from Neowulf for finding Triton, fulfilling the contract. Lots of shops, bars, etc.
The group enters the closest general store ran by sketchy merchant Greedy Fly - Song "Greedy Fly" by Bush
The Qaplowski looks around what seems to be reminiscent of a general pawn shop. She tries to intimidate him a little to see if he has any better deals but brushes her off. Earl attempts to sneak by Greedy Fly to check out the closed off room behind him. He's able to sneak through undetected by Greedy Fly. Blocus looks to sell some loot but also asks if he's got anything for people who've "been around", but comes up blank
Back at Fortune's Fame, Trento Razor is introduced who is brokering an alliance between Wasting Light and The Unforgiven which is a big deal considering the history of both places. He's more hesitate to believe Triton, based on everyone's personal stakes and ties to other people and kingdoms. He can tell Kanteriss and Terofin are just regular mercs/bounty hunters with no other personal interest, so he says if they buy Triton's story, he's in. Terofin explains to Kanteriss the implications of what Aldren could be doing to both the world and moons. Kanteriss, Terofin, and Trent go back and forth arguing and debating whether he should join Triton. While Terofin struggles to keep his composure, Kanteriss keeps his cool through the lengthy discussion and ultimately convinces Trent to join Triton.
At the PROspect, Earl tries to sneak down through the hidden door and is suddenly shot at; not hit directly but the blast of the gun was hear his head, blowing out his ear drums and disorientated. Greedy Fly stops for a moment, then continues talking to Qaplowski as if nothing happened. Qaplowski presses Greedy Fly for something a little more "rare", and all he mentions is that his "friend" downstairs deals with wares more like that. Blocus mentions he's done some pirating; he finally breaks down and allows them both to go downstairs. As they get down the stairs, they see Earl standing around dazed and confused from the blast. Then they're all greeted by an illegal arms dealer by the name of Pheelae - Song "Bulls on Parade" by Rage Against The Machine. Pheelae makes sure Earl is with Blocus and Qaplowski, which they confirm. He asks what they're looking for and is insulted that they're looking for "basic stuff". He offers to show them some "real stuff". But they need to be able to identify what they're looking at to even have a chance to buy it. Blocus is able to recognize a heavily modified Gauss Rifle. Qaplowski is able to point out a unique looking shotgun. Earl with his ears ringing, attempts to look; he notices it's a high tech sword. But Pheelae is still pissed that Earl snuck downstairs, so he tells him he's not allow to look at anymore items. Blocus succeeds in recognizes clawed gauntlets, but is becoming mentally "fatigued" trying to make heads or tails of what all this stuff is. Qaplowski looks at the last item and can tell it's a high tech wristband. Since they know what they're looking at, Pheelae agrees to sell them for a premium cost OR they can take up to three of them if they do a job for him; bombing a trading outpost/facility located in the Oasis with no other details other than the exact location. He mentions one last detail of the items for "sale". They all come with a specialized tracking device where he can teleport them back if the job isn't completed. They agree to pool their money together to buy two of the items but decline the job. He's pissed and mentions he'll find someone else to do the job and kicks them out.
Everyone reconvines at Sanguine's Corner. Before departing ways Triton says he's going to visit River City with his gathered evidence. He shares what he has with Leyawiin and Neowulf to have them bring it to Oasis, who will then in turn pass the information over to Aurora and Fritz's Corner. Time is tight with the Star's Sword event looming, which would block off access to the west.
The group now outside of a bar/restaurant, Qaplowski notices a person donning gear familiar with Kontra, going by Ranger-X - Song "Keep Hope Alive" by The Crystal Method
Ranger-X now notices Qaplowski and asks what she's doing around there. Qaplowski quickly asks the same question and she's out for a bounty, but knows Qaplowski is from Kontra as well. Blocus puts his arm around Qaplowski trying to play it off that she's no one but Ranger-X doesn't buy it. Qaplowski now worried, is reassured that it's ok she's not in Kontra and that she "left" as well. She shares a story of her squadron leader, T'Mek, that left because the direction of Kontra was turning corrupt. Ranger-X was originally angry and ashamed he left till she learned of the same corruption his did, causing her to leave Kontra as well. The bounty hunting is a front and she's really looking for T'Mek. She asks Qaplowski for any help she can spare.
Now inside the bar, the front is very modernized and trendy to accomodate for tourist and attracting customers. But towards the back looks more run down and where maybe more of the regular and "shady" types would be. After settling in with a drink, Earl Waddams is confronted by Toejam and Earl - Song "Check Yo Self (Remix)" by Ice Cube. Earl asks Earl if he's Earl. Earl Waddams asks why and the other Earl complains how someone is looking for him and everyone's confusing him for Earl Waddams. Suddenly a woman runs up to Earl Waddams excited, hugging him, telling him she's so excited to finally meet him, Tesora Matodo - Song "Lovefool" by The Cardigans. She's managed to stalk Earl for some time now since The Gauntlet and has photos and collections for everything Earl related. Earl jokingly agrees to be with her and that she should join them (to head off any danger). She happily agrees and claims Earl's joking about putting herself in any danger. Earl Waddams buys the other Earl and Toejam drinks to make up for all the confusion. Toejam notices that a few of them look like bounty hunters/mercs and interjects himself to talk business with Earl. Tesora let's them talk but stays close. Toejam asks if they've seen "a guy wielding Essence", alluding to Triton. They don't get an immediate answer and complain they're not going to get the reward money in order to fix their vehicle. Kanteriss tries to through them off the trail and convinces Toejam and Earl that he left for The Gauntlet.
A couple more characters show up from the back area, some shady looking bounty hunters, Jet Star and Kobra Kid - Song "Vampire Money" by My Chemical Romance. Jet Star overhears Kanteriss and Toejam and calls out Kanteriss's lie. He wants to know where the target it. Kobra Kid stares over at Blocus. Jet Star takes the hint from Kobra Kid and goes over to ask Blocus about "the guy" and offers to cut them in on the reward. Blocus tells him that both the guy and girl were here but doesn't know where they left to. Jet Star believes him and shares with him a job. There's a secret high tech place in The Distance that's a smash and grab, trash the place and keep the loot and money.
The group decides to check out the job in The Distance then quickly make way to Stellarvania.
Closing Song - "Push It" by Garbage