A Tale Of Remnant

EBNE: Northlands

Nathan held up his new spear with pride. Though not particularly long, the shaft was headed by a clean, razor edged spear head. It was crafted with special materials that absorbs light particles in similar fashion to a solar panel. Much of the blade was crafted with obsidian as a core base. Hammered in a forge enhanced by fire dust, the weapon was masterfully crafted. The shaft was constructed with gold mixed into the steel to better augment the semblance of Nathan Bourbon, it's sole wielder.

"I can't thank you enough for this", he exclaimed excitedly.

Elizabeth Malacraft, the creator of the spear construct, breathed a sigh of relief. Covered in the ash of a strong forge, she smiled beside herself. She was an expert at craftsmanship, hence the reason why Nathan recruited her, but it wasn't often she could use her hands on a forge. It wasn't just any run of the mill forge either. She used a dust empowered Mantle forge, a powerful superheated masterpiece that could work with all known metals.

Mantle forges were falling off the map, however, as more and more Atlesian factories dominate the market. People find robotics and mass-produced steel more appealing than hand crafted and mined materials. Much of this can be chalked up to Atlas' superior technology and industry. As it were, the rarity of Mantle forges happens to be the reason why Nathan, Brittany, and Elizabeth traveled to Ebonvale, a far northern Mantle settlement that was built to mine the black dust that cloaks the inner workings of the mountains. Ebonvale was originally intended to be another dust mine, but as the miners dived deeper and deeper into the mountains, they discovered rare ores and minerals, hidden caverns with rare crystals, and, perhaps most shocking of all, large streams of obsidian, an ore found only in volcanic rock. The mining camp boomed into a prosperous town. Many began to talk about possibly making it the capital. It was a hub for trade and entertainment.

"I hope it's up to your standards. It wasn't easy blending hardened steel and obsidian, but my semblance helped with that", Elizabeth explained.

Nathan couldn't help but crack a grin. He found his new recruit as a mere maid to an abusive man. When he first laid eyes on her, she was well dressed in a fine black dress hugged firmly by a feminine white apron. Her garments were a clear indication of her servant status. His intrigue in her was not for her appearance, however, it was for her brilliant mind. The spear she had crafted him would be near impossible to best. By all rights, she should be an arrogant and confident woman. Yet the faunus maid before him, still decked out in her uniform,  continued to be shy and humble.

"It is a shame that this place is abandoned though", Elizabeth frowned, "You would think Atlas would at least attempt to reclaim it."

"True", Nathan admitted, "But it went off the radar for a few years now. Atlas won't risk what little resources it has for what could easily be ruins."

It was true. Years ago, Mantle lost contact with Ebonvale nearly overnight. Merchants and trade caravans would venture there and never come back. Any military personnel sent to investigate ended up found dead. While there were plans for a possible reconquest, the Great War put an end to those thoughts. As heightened Grimm attacks and war plagued the land, Ebonvale faded from people's minds. Economically, culturally, and militarily, the loss of Ebonvale was a blow to the prosperity of Mantle. What continued to beat at Mantle was the cause. Rumors sprouted all over in an effort to answer. A conspiracy theory or two was formed. Officially, it has been assumed that a colossal Grimm attack wiped out the settlement. The prevailing belief, however, is no less sinister.

"You know it's the Ogre", Brittany Lilith dropped in. She was scouting the back alleys of the streets and had just returned. Her scarlet hair whipped out as she jumped up onto the railing that surrounded the Mantle forge.