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ArtistA lush evergreen tropical forest with large trees. The trees support delicate wooden treehouses surrounded by terraces and connected by rope bridges. On the largest central terrace a magnificent anthropomorphic king cobra reclines on ruby-red cussions. The anthropomorphic king cobra wears a golden turban-style crown on its head, decorated with emeralds and a peacock feather. The anthropomorphic king cobra also wears an emerald green robe with gold thread embroidery. The anthropomorphic king cobra faces the viewer and has an expression of deep understanding and wisdom in its golden eyes. Three anthropomorphic cats stand on their hind legs in front of and facing the anthropomorphic king cobra. The first cat is fully white, the second cat is orange and roundish and the third cat is an elderly tabby. The three anthropomorphic cats wear red robes and cloaks and carry a rapier in a sheath attached to their belt.
The investigations in Purrsepolis have stalled. It seems increasingly unlikely that anyone in the country has had anything to do with the break-in at the Caninian strategic reserve of tennis balls. Queen Aphrodite Giant has received a message from her husband King Charles Spaniel with an update on the state of progress in Caninia. As a result, she has sent the three Wiskerteers to Queen Cobriel of Snakelorien to find out more about Snakelorian Sunsteel. Specifially which countries Snakelorien does business with and what requirements a blacksmith must fullfill to be allowed to train as a sunsteel smith.
Queen Cobriel receives the famous Wiskerteers with grace. She knows how important their mission is. She informs them that Snakelorien exports its sunsteel to many countries. However, all legally exported steel has spells woven into it, so that it can never be used for nefarious purposes. For example, a sword made of sunsteel can only ever be drawn in defense, never to attack. Similarly, all smiths who are officially trained as sunsteel smiths anywhere in the world must swear an oath to only use their knowledge for good. Unfortunately, investigations in her own country have revealed that someone has been stealing sunsteel and smuggeling it out of the country. Crucially, these criminals are after the steel that has not yet been imbued with the protective spells to prevent misuse. The Snakelorian blacksmith's guild has already reacted to this threat by increasing security around their forges and store-houses. They have also decreased production of sunsteel to only as much as they can enchant at any one time, thus reducing the risk of theft and misuse. But it seems clear that someone has discovered the secret of how to work with Snakelorian sunsteel without being taught by the official guilds - or else there is an oathbreaker out there.
The Wiskerteers want to know who might have an incentive to aquire untreated sunsteel.
"There are many possible suspects," Queen Cobriel replies. "Some criminal organizations might want tools or weapons to better control black markets or increase their shares of those markets. But this feels different. The marriage between Queen Aphrodite Giant and King Charles Spaniel which I brokered has forged an alliance between three powerful independent nations. Nations that are now treaty-bound to come to each other's aid, should any one of them be attacked. Some nations might feel threatened by this. Others might see the window of opportunity for conquest closing. Yes, this is truly what I believe. I am convinced that someone seeks to sow dissent between us, so as to more easily conquer each of us in turn, while we are busy fighting amongst ourselves. Thus, if we wish to survive as free nations, we must show our solidarity and determination to uphold the treaty we have commited to."
