So I've started the next chapter. I'll be adding to what's there over the next few days so please do not post anything in IC until I give the go-ahead.

Sure.
Sounds like we would check out the winery, and of course check on the trading group.

Um, that winery is a very long ways away. It's in Lu'Zan, a very large country quite a distance from where you are, just so you know.

Just out of curiosity, should we be using this OCC now?

Given that he managed to sneak in once, it seems possible to go back. Placing a listening device seems like a good idea, but he points out that it is also a serious offense that, if discovered, the Chapter Master would likely go through a great effort to find ways to track the source.

oops, I just noticed this new OOC.

It's really risky, I agree. I was surprised you were willing to pull it off the first time, tbh.
I had a couple thoughts,

one: it may take time for him to notice the bottle missing. Once gone missing, however, I think measure of security will rise, closing off this option again. This means there may be a window still to work within.

two: ordering a bottle was an awesome idea, because we can then compare the two liquids.

Btw, is it possible the wines are just a bribe (attempted bribe), and the Chapter Master doesn't even really drink wine? Just doing it to humour the gift-bearing man? That would also explain the stock pile.

Far away sounds fun to Vanyra!

Also, can you Notice post this thread Mike so it goes to the top?

The answer to #3 is certainly yes; you know very little about the Chapter Master and why he has all this wine. Could be he really likes it and is ordering directly from the importer to save money, or could be a bribe.

OK, so I think that pretty much brings up the IC thread to where we need to be. You've got most of the information about that wine that you can uncover in Ossylia done. There's a chance someone in Daedalum, with the correct equipment, could tell you guys more about the odd molecules or cells floating about in it, but you'd need to a) find such a device or someone with access to it, and b) gather enough influence to actually get it done.

Yuu has considered a plan to that end that should strike off many of his family-related check boxes. First will be to check-in with the local Freelancers about jobs coming out of Daedalum, particularly ones involving the research institutes or academies there. This would give them direct access to some well funded researchers, provide money, and satisfy his mother's desire for him to put his learning to some practical use.

Secondly, if they can find such a job, then he could escort Qwe to Daedalum and provide a measure of assurance for her safety and getting her properly setup in the foreign city state.

Lastly, once in Daedalum they may discover any number of other investigation avenues that could shed light on the wine.

That's the basic premise I've got to get you guys out into the rest of the world; if you have any comments or questions about that let me know. Otherwise we'll move forward in that direction.

Vanyra's happy moving out into the world in that way.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:56, Mon 21 Jan 2019.

Sure, it may be good to stay away for a while, even though Zelpuz doesn't seem to be in immediate danger, and this seems to be the only avenue to look into. Zelpuz will check in with the merchant that may be able to get another bottle first though to get an updated estimate if or when he can get the bottle of wine to see if that would also be 'contaminated' before they head out.

It would take at least a 30 days or so for a bottle of that wine to come in, maybe more, depending on how the supply and shipping schedule looks in Zu'lan. At any rate they don't have Amazon Prime there so it'll be a while. Obviously that bottle would be held for Zelpuz though.

Wasn't the bottle being delivered to the Jin residence?

Were we taking the 30 days in Ossylia in the meantime, to do all the research and prep that's been going on?