Timestamp: 7.585.997.M41

Location: Stern Hope, Iochantos, Golgenna Reach, Calixis Sector

Situation: Xerza and Globus finally arrives

Body: Weeks later Mistress Xerza and Globus arrive on Iochantos. You don't see him much as he ficuses on Port Suffering, leaving the Stern Hope investigation to Mistress Xerza. She has held of relaying the information to the Ordo Malleus, to 'better ascertain the situation on the ground', but sooner or later they are going to come here and start asking questions. Many questions. The Aristarchus/Drusus will have to be investigated, as will the 'Crow Father' incident. If a daemonic entity was really trying to manifest in Stern Hope it must have been frighteningly dangerous to give rise to such turbulence in the Immaterium. And although claims of being Drusus reborn are common enough (the Tricorn has a special group working solely with matters such as this) the circumstances surrounding this particular incident are pretty unusual. Whatever his nature Aristarchus/Drusus will be taken in for...interrogation...most likely never to be seen again. That is, unless the Ministorum gets to him first. That could change the equation - for good or bad.

Xerza doesn't want her agents tied up in endless layers of protocol and needless questioning sessions. She will remain in Stern Hope and answer the Malleus - as is her right as an Inquisitor (by proxy). Globus get will do the same - they will go along with you aboard the Maiden (it's still Globus' operation and Castilas is in charge, with Haxtes as liaison). Xerza bids you take the Maiden and proceed to the feudal world of Acreage - located coreward in the Josian Reach sub-sector - the being Aristarchus' last known operation before coming to Iochantos.

You are to learn as much about Aristarchus' and his work as possible - including trying to figure out how the sole surviving card from his Tarot - the Magus - came into his possession. It's not every day you see a Tarot card containing Adranti heretek! Yes, once more Adranti technology surfaces. The only confirmed users you know of are the Serrated Query. You already suspect that they may be involved in Ghostfire Pollen smuggling operations on Iochantos - could they also be present on Acreage? If  so, how does this all related to Aristarchus, Dusus, and the Crow Father? You have no answers, only many many questions.

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One other item of significance; Xerza confides in the Acolytes present that Inquisitor Tancred is not present in Calixis anymore. He left the sector 'years ago' and Xerza has no idea when or even if he will return. She IS his proxy, and could continue operations indefinitely. But you have never really been in the presence of your Inquisitor - the hazy memories you have of the session where he projected through Xerza was just a fake one made by the Mistress. She does not say WHY he left, but you get an impression that it was quite important to him. She also confides that Tancred left her with extensive directives, mostly based on his many and accurate divinations - divinations that are rapidly losing their accuracy, leaving Xerza to try and figure out a way forward on her own (she calls herself 'a skilled diviner, but nowhere near Tancred's level'). She does know one thing - that your fates have somehow become intertwined.

She even offers Haxtes the opportunity to leave Tancred's  service, but somehow it has lost its appeal...