In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 594):

Brennan swirls his cup absently and brings it near his lips, but does not drink, while the archer and his fellows take in the scene and his words -- and while they all await the Master of Arms.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 595):

Deev shrugs.

"A demon... a kidnapper... that's a lot for one night."

He looks over his shoulder quickly, but sees nothing.

"If it's all the same to you, we should get indoors..."

In reply to Deev (msg # 596):

An Alley

The guardsman nods and probes the gentryman with the toe of his boot.

"Seen him around the counting house," he agrees.  "Not sure his name."

The watchmen do not touch the coin or the badges, waiting for their Master to return.

OOC: Brennan has a little while before that happens if you want to do anything other than wait.

In reply to GM (msg # 597):

Brennan does little aside from murmuring a bit into the cup until the Master arrives.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 598):

I guess your right Deev.  Let's find someplace to stay.

Titus sets the words to actions

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 599):

If the watchmen notice Brennan talking to his beverage, they don't mention anything.

In reply to GM (msg # 600):

Brennan nods thoughtfully.

"Hello, I'm helping with the Master of Arm's investigation into the disappearances of girls in town," Ciryl says cautiously, glancing at the young girl by the woman's side, "I'm afraid that in our pursuit of the culprits your husband was found injured."

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 602):


The Long House

"That no-good bastard," she replies spitting on the ground.  "No surprise he ended up in shit like that.  Man was an idiot, and sick too.  Good riddance, I say!"

"I take it you didn't concern yourself with what he did that would've brought him in contact with these people?" Ciryl asks calmly, trying to sound understanding and professional at the same time.

In reply to GM (msg # 603):

The Long House

She sniffs dismissively.  "He was no good, everyone knew that.  Left me with an urchin and not but a few pennies a month.  How he pissed away his life I never knew."

About Town

Newly patched up, Titus leads the way into the night.  It does not take long to find new lodgings, as one of the other taverns is happy to 'steal' talent from a competitor.

Titus and Deev are given a place to sleep for the night (on the floor beneath a table) on the condition they perform first.

The Armory

After a short while, the Master of Arms appears, still pulling on his heavy cloak.

His eyes flash over the scene, glinting like marbles in the lamplight.

"Your ruse worked?" he inquires.

He collects the badges, inspects them for a moment, and then tucks them away.

In reply to GM (msg # 605):

Of course Titus performs.  He drinks, gambles, carouses... He subtly winds tales of the demonic into his stories so demons will be on everyone's mind.  He does keep to his bargain to not tell anyone about Jack or anything that transpired.

He also tries to find a black market or something where he can go shopping for illicit goods.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:25, Tue 15 May 2018.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 606):

"After a fashion," Brennan nods.

He explains the man and the guards and the fate of the girls, looking to the archer to corroborate the tale.

"He knows more, but someone tried to silence him even while he was in our custody. I've tried to help but I'm not a surgeon."

Brennan sighs.

"All is not lost, however. The man who oversees the urchins should be put to the question."

He describes the man who got away.

"He uses the boys to follow the lamplighters and scout out the next victim, and as spies and scouts throughout the city."

"I see.  Well then, I'm sorry to have brought you one last trouble from him.  Thank you for your time," Ciryl gives the woman a polite nod before lowering himself to one knee slowly to look the girl in the eye.  He rests his hand gently on her shoulder. "You take care of your mother," he says softly with a gentle smile, "Your papa loved you." he sets down his cane and produces the coin pouch which he presses into the girl's hands, "You heard her.  A few pennies a month," he says with a wink.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 608):

About Town

Titus is well-enough received.

OOC: I'd have to know what you're looking for.  There's no explicit illegal market... that would defeat the point.  Most of the people trying to do things under the radar would be in the shantytown.

The Longhouse

The woman harumphs, but allows Ciryl to talk to the girl.

The little girl accepts it carefully, as if it were as delicate as an egg.  She smiles surreptitiously, and vanishes into the house.

"If that's all then?" the woman asks pointedly.  If Ciryl has nothing further, she will wander back into the boarding house.

The Armory

The Master of Arms listens carefully.

"I believe it was Father... ex-father Dale, sir," the archer explains.

"There have been concerns about his behavior," the Master admits slowly.  "Though I had not put much faith in their veracity.  If you both saw him, I shall speak with him.  In deference to his old title, we shall not drag him in by torchlight.  I will find him tomorrow."

He frowns at Brennan.  "Thank you for your assistance, this indeed appears to have been a fruitful lead.  Once I have questioned Father Dale, I shall know the extend of this.  You have done DuckTown a great service, I am sure the Governor shall commend you come daylight.
 What do you require as compensation?"

In reply to GM (msg # 609):

"Only as much as you deem a fair bounty for my aid," Brennan replies with what humility he can muster. "Perhaps a pittance of (insert reasonable request) would be appropriate?"

OOC: I do not know what a normal price to ask for such things would be, but I suspect Brennan would know. He'd ask for less than he thinks he could get, as DuckTown seems impoverished.

"No, unless he actually left any of his effects with you for some reason," Ciryl says as he watches the girl run off into the building.  Then something seems to occur to him, "Or your daughter.  Did he give anything to her recently?  Do anything out of the ordinary with her?"

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 611):

The Long House

"If'n your implying he took advantage of her, wouldn't surprise me, the oaf!  But he didn't spend much time here."

The Armory

Brennan requests, and receives, 3 Silver Suns for his help, with it being clear that locating the missing girls would be much more greatly rewarded.

In reply to GM (msg # 612):

"My thanks," Brennan replies graciously. He lingers, hoping to be able to participate in (or at least witness) the questioning of their prisoner, provided he is indeed able to be questioned. "I will keep you appraised of anything else I am able to uncover."

"No, I didn't mean-" Ciryls sighs, "Thank you again for your time." He leaves the woman and the rest of the house as he goes to rejoin the others.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 614):

Assuming no further business, Titus and Deev settle in at their small tavern while Brennan, Ciryl, and Bryce rest at the larger tavern.

At the Big Tavern

The night passes without much incident.


At the Small Tavern

Having been given some painkillers by the surgeons, Titus is able to perform without too much difficulty.

Soon enough the crowd thins and Titus is able to rest, his keep well earned.


It is the 24th Day of the Queen's Month

In reply to GM (msg # 615):

Brennan takes longer than usual with his morning meditation.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 616):

Brennan is lost in his work for a short while, scrawling on parchment and concentrating.

In reply to GM (msg # 617):

Titus wakes up rubbing his throat.

Shit.

He mutters under his breath as he runs his hand through his hair, staring blankly at a wall.

He gets breakfast while he waits for Deev to wake up looking shell-shocked, once Deev is up they talk quietly while they eat.

Titus heads back into town and searches out the father from the previous night.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 618):

Brennan scowls, gathers his things, and heads down to breakfast.

"We're done here," he says to Bryce and Cyril (if they are there). "The Inquisition will be here soon. And just as well -- they are better equipped to deal with Jack than we are. Now that many people know about the demon, they will have no trouble explaining it to the Inquisitors when they arrive. Our presence here is no longer necessary."

He drums his fingers across the table.

"Cyril, Bryce? Would you mind looking for Titus and Deev? I need to run an errand."

Brennan's eyes narrow.

"The fool's in over his head. The least we can do is warn him about the Inquisitors before we leave."

He glances at Cyril.

"If you mean to come with us at all, I suppose. You're welcome to join me. Once we reach Losthelm, I promise it will be worth you while. But we have to leave today, around midday, or we will not be able to leave at all. The Inquisition has learned to See. And it has no fondness for the Chosen."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 13:46, Thu 24 May 2018.