The Name Behind the Bandanas

Gryan needs more than another patrol. He sends the adventurer to Wiley in Lakeshire, an informant who owes him a favor. Wiley reports that the Defias are working with gnolls, kobolds and goblins, and warns that revealing their plans could cost him his life.

A reference to the Stonemasons sends the investigation to Mathias Shaw in Stormwind. Shaw names Edwin VanCleef, leader of the guild that rebuilt the city after its destruction in the First War. In Shaw’s account, the workers were dissatisfied with their treatment after reconstruction.

The trail gives the militia a person and a history behind the raids. The skills associated with rebuilding the capital are now connected to the organization driving people from Westfall. Shaw prepares a report for Gryan; finding where VanCleef operates becomes the next task.

VanCleef and the Unsent Letter

With the hideout exposed, Gryan Stoutmantle orders Edwin VanCleef’s death. He frames the sentence as necessary for Westfall’s people, while acknowledging its gravity. The adventurers are asked to return with proof that the Defias leader has been killed.

A follow-up begins while searching VanCleef’s person. Among his possessions is a recently written, sealed letter addressed to Baros Alexston, Stormwind’s city architect. Carrying it back to the capital opens another lead rather than neatly explaining every connection behind the rebellion.