The High Guardian nodded in affirmation of Kvigr's choice of recruit to join the mission.  He had seen this Yngur in passing on occasion, and each time the lad always seemed to be giving it his all.  The gygr people, or giants, were not the most prominent of races in the Guardians' historical rosters - in fact were quite rare - but those that did become Guardians were some of the most steadfast and honorable of them all.  Vicious warriors too - Firo had fought against his fair share during the Sorrowars, and he shuddered to think how different the outcome would have been had the gygr fought as cohesive units instead of a sprawling, leaderless hoard.  Perhaps it was for the best, then, that the giants' prickly sense of honor kept them from working together - but what he could<span style="font-style: italic">accomplish </span>with an entail of gygr Guardians!<br/><br/>"Very well," Porfirio replied, with the matter of the deor's party having been decided.  Kvigr was intuitive and a natural leader, and could knock some heads together if the need arose; although still wet behind the ears, the elfe girl Gwenonwyn was a trained diplomat and a gifted healer; and Yngur's desire to prove himself would no doubt be beneficial provided Kvigr could channel the lad's zeal productively.  It was a small but balanced team that Porfirio felt confident could handle this mission.<br/><br/>"Here is the report from the Westwegh," he said, pointing to a document within the mission file that Kvigr held in his hands.  The report was written not by hand but transcribed by a Lumen-powered artifice known as a telecomm, which when linked together could virtually instantaneously convey messages across vast distances.  No small amount of time and effort was spent maintaining the miles of cable that linked the Westwegh to the city proper, but the improved efficiency of communication afforded Adelost a significant advantage when defending its borders.<br/><br/><span style="font-family: calibri;"><span style="font-weight: bold">RECEIVED </span>at                 02.19.331  13:44:58<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">FROM</span>: Cmdr. ARNOLD    |    WESTWEGH FORT    |    ADELOST<br/><span style="font-weight: bold">TO</span>:     Cmdr. NEILLS     |    CITADEL HEIGHTS    |    ADELOST<br/><br/>JAYSON - REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT PREVIOUSLY<br/>DISCUSSED MATTER IS CONTUING DESPITE BEST EFFORTS TO<br/>CURB . NO LONGER CONVINCED MATTER OF DESERTION ; <br/>BELIEVE SOMETHING MORE SINISTER AT WORK . TOTAL<br/>WATCHMENT LOST NOW AMOUNTS TO SIX , WITH FOUR IN THE<br/>LAST TWO NIGHTS ALONE . NO EVIDENCE OF BREACH IN <br/>SECURITY BEYOND WATCHWALL ; DEFENSES STILL INTACT ,<br/>BUT FEEL NECESSARY REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM CAPITAL .<br/><br/>PREVIOUS REPORT RESENT BELOW :<br/><br/>02.08.331 - SOLDIER ERIKSEN REPORTED MISSING AT POST BY<br/>MORNING SHIFT RELIEF AT 08:00 . SOLDIER BORNE REPORTS<br/>ERIKSEN DISPLAY SIGNS GROWING AGITATION PREVIOUS<br/>NIGHTS' WATCH . <br/><br/>02.13.331 - SOLDIER CARRILL REPORTED MISSING AT POST BY<br/>MORNING SHIFT RELIEF AT 08:00 . SOLDIER BORNE REPORTS<br/>CARRILL BEHAVE SIMILAR TO ERIKSEN 02.12.331 . COMMANDER<br/>ARNOLD ORDERS ALL SOLDIERS REPORT FELLOWS TO INFIRMARY<br/>IF SIGNS OF AGITATION . <br/><br/>02.15.331 - SOLDIERS BORNE , DANZIG , STANTON RELIEVED OF<br/>DUTY AND REPORT TO INFIRMARY FOR REST AND OBSERVATION<br/>AFTER SHOW SYMPTOMS INORDINATE DISTRESS . <br/><br/>02.17.331 - MEDICAL OFFICER KOELLER REPORTS BORNE , <br/>DANZIG &amp; STANTON MISSING FROM INFIRMARY . COMMANDER<br/>ARNOLD UPGRADES WESTWEGH TO SECURITY PROTOCOL ( 1 ) .<br/>WESTWEGH LOCKED DOWN FROM ENTRY / EXIT .<br/><br/>02.19.331 - SOLDIER BRIMSEN REPORTED MISSING . <br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">END MESSAGE</span></span><br/><br/>"I'd already asked Gwen to look into this report, so she should be ready to go?" Porfirio said after reading over the report, turning the statement into a question as he glanced across the table at the elfe, who nodded.  "Yes, I'm prepared to depart whenever you wish, Rolling Rock.  I'll await you at the Bailey Gate," she said, referring to one of the walled city's main exits to the west.  Thanking them both, the elfen diplomat-turned-Guardian left the Ironguard Room, leaving the two alone.  Porfirio drummed his fingers on the table distractedly as he pondered the disturbing report.  The fort was meant to be a state-of-the-art defense system, utilizing the very best in new<span style="font-style: italic">caith</span>artifices to detect and defend against intruders.  If Porfirio had to guess the cause of the problem, it would be one of those artifices malfunctioning.<br/><br/>"Why don't you take along a wright as well, just in case the problem lies with one of their newfangled artifices?"  Adelost was full of<span style="font-style: italic">caith</span>craftsmen, guild-affiliated or free agents, who would be perfect to hire as an expert for such a mission.<br/><br/>"And I don't have to tell you the Westwegh is our western border's eyes and ears, and our country's first line of defense.  I don't like the idea of them locking themselves away like a turtle in its shell, only to be slowly picked clean from the inside out.  Find out what's going on and put a stop to it, yes?"<br/><br/>With his own mission needing to be undertaken soon, Firo gave the hulking deor Guardian a clap on the shoulder before collecting his various reports and leaving the room.  Once Kvigr gathered up the giant, the elfe and a craftsman he could start the mission and finally leave the city.