In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 69):

Brennan awakens looking a bit ashen-faced, and comes out of his morning meditation looking even more so. He gathers his allies together for a private powwow before anyone can leave.

"The Inquisition will reach Eastwatch soon," he murmurs to his companions. "And they have caught on to the fact that I am scrying them. I shall need to randomize my routine so they cannot predict it as easily, so as to conceal what they are really doing."

He sighs.

"Unrelated to this, I have had another vision. I intended to see the Master of Arms even before it, but now...I believe the kidnappings are actually murders. Cult-related, of course, so the murdering bit gets spread out. I've...seen one of the bodies, and I think I could find it again. But I don't know how to explain how I know to these people without getting the lot of us accused of being part of it."

Brennan frowns thoughtfully.

"They are unlikely to believe the truth about my gift of prophecy over burning a stranger at the stake. So the question is...do we tell them? Do we involve ourselves in this? Or do we away to Losthelm as we had originally planned?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:41, Mon 27 Nov 2017.

Ciryl wakes, secures his leg, wipes his face and straightens his clothes with a distinct sense of monotony, as if he's slept on the floor of this same inn before.  When Brennan collects the others he's willing to join or eavesdrop, depending on how invited he is.  "I could help with that.  Not difficult to brew a potion that compels visions in people.  Folk might be more willing to accept a stranger's concern and luck over a prophecy.  Where exactly do you think she is?  Could we conspire someone else to come across her instead of blaming visions?"

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 71):

"I saw a body buried in a shallow grave, covered in pine needles. In the woods not far from the town. Near enough to still see it, at least. I was atop an incline, and the village was below."

Brennan rubs his temples wearily.

"I can verify it myself before we go all in on a ruse if you think we can get out of the city and back in again on some errand or another. The guards aren't exactly accommodating though, you'll recall..."

He blinks.

"...though I bet they'd allow someone 'doing an errand for the Master of Arms' past rather freely. Shall we try it?"

"Is it common practice for..." Ciryl looks over his shoulder to make sure no one else is paying the conversation much attention, "demon cults to bury their sacrifices in sight of their homes?  Do you have any idea specifically what is afoot with the scrawl on those boys' arms and virgin sacrifices, or is this just run of the mill demon-dealing?"

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 73):

Titus sits crosslegged on the bed listening in a very child like pose, hands holding ankles and rocking back and forth.  He nods as Brennan speaks.

Would you need to be there?  Or could Deev and I go?  Nobody would know if it were us. 

He nods towards Ciryl

Don't suppose you have any visions or suspicions of whose at fault do you?  So far what do we know about this situation?

/ooc just doing this so we can get all people on the same page IC, but if anyone has a better grip on it than me a quick summary wouldn't be horrible.  My head has been spinning with the holidays work and getting ready for travel.

"Don't make a habit of having visions, no.  Just know virgin girls have gone missing, children.  You're the ones that said there's a demon cult afoot, and he's the one," Ciryl gestures at Brennan, "Found that coin or badge or whatsit, same as the Guild Mistress and Master of the Hunt's. Sign of office, I suppose.  That's why I'd like to know what exactly was written on those boy's arms and if there's anything virgin sacrifices tend to mean for demonspeakers.  That's your expertise, by the sound of you," he looks expectantly at Brennan.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 75):

"I'm a prophet and a scholar. It's my business to be an expert in as many things as is practical," Brennan shrugs, not exactly denying the merchant's accusation.

"The tattoos are words. Part of an ancient summoning ritual, but incomplete. I'm not aware of any enclave that does full-blown kidnapping and sacrifices and shallow graves, no. Garners far too much attention, and it's wasteful when all they need is a little blood."

He clears his throat.

"But these people we're dealing with here are unlikely to be a typical enclave. They recruit imbeciles. They brazenly tattoo ritual language, in Fel, on their limbs. They do not fear the Inquisition, likely because they are located so far from its usual reach. They are not concerned with subtly. This makes them intriguing...and sloppy."

Brennan glances at Titus.

"Of course you and Deev could most easily reach the place I saw, but you mentioned having other errands. Something we can do in your stead? I do have a badge of authority in my possession -- at least, until I bring the matter before the Master of Arms like the concerned citizen I am."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:10, Tue 28 Nov 2017.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 76):

Was just gonna do a bit of shopping and exploring.  Never know what you can come across in these towns.  We can breeze by the market on our way out of town.

He says with a smile.

Might be time for Lord Fastbender to acquire a new artifact of power.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 77):

Brennan nods thoughtfully.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 78):

Do you know what the writing on the arm is a ritual to summon?  Is it something specific?  Does it work like that?  A circle for every demon sorta thing?

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 79):

"If you know the true name of...whatever you're summoning...that's generally enough. This particular ritual may require a particular circle, as I believe it is an attempt to summon a particularly ancient being. But I'm not certain yet. We need more information first."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 80):

A particular circle to summon a particularly ancient being sounds... horrible.  Particularly ancient beings to be powerful.  Got a name?  Maybe I've heard of him.  I don't like whats going on in this town at all.

Hey you know more of your shapes than I.  Can you figure out based on how much you've seen how many would be expected to complete the circle?  I assume that the bits of text were different for each.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 81):

"That's the thing," Brennan says, shaking his head. "They all said the same thing. It's possible they didn't know what it said and just thought it looked cool. You saw Keller and his goons -- idiots. Some charlatan may be running the enclave here, if you can even call it that."

He looks thoughtful.

"In which case...our options expand significantly."

"The boy you caught said Keller made them get it, he probably didn't know what it was and took it as his own brand.  Odds seem pretty even Keller's employer had a better idea what it was for, but we still don't know who that is, exactly."  He stretches his back, "Should work with what we know first.  Find the body, maybe there'll be some detail to it.  If not, then one of the four who deal with those badges of office has some connection and we have to ferret out who.  I'll be at the market, have some business to take care of before I open shop anyway.  I'll see if anything about Lady LeRayne comes up."

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 83):

Deev watches you wide-eyed.

In reply to Deev (msg # 84):

"Three, likely. Unless the Master of the Hunt has an excellent poker face, we can rule him out as a mastermind on this. I used language from the tattoos in our conversation and he didn't even blink. So if he IS Keller's patron, he's as clueless as Keller was as to the sign's meaning."

Brennan sighs.

"Ok, I'll go talk to the Master of Arms. Cyril...I don't trust this town. You should take Bryce with you -- he'll be particularly useful if you come across any signs or symbols like the tattoo. Titus, you and Deev go to this precise spot (Brennan describes a location in the surrounding forest precisely, including the position of the body relative to the town's palisade and its gate). Search the body for clues. Be very careful."

Ciryl shrugs and Brennan's insistance on Bryce accompanying him, "If you insist, though I'm fairly sure the malcontents are a minority of the town.  I really doubt a salesman is like to get waylaid in the middle of the market, visitor or not."  He stands and makes toward the door, "Come on then, you can lend a hand."

Unless there's more to discuss Ciryl will make his way to his cart where he will retrieve the two recently acquired pairs of boots and have Bryce carry them to any local cobbler. Once located, Ciryl will inquire about any resale value of the perfectly serviceable footwear.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 86):

Titus spends a few minutes doing some makeup to make him look old and gaunt.  He wraps himself up in one of their dingy old oilcloaks and hobbles out walking like an ancient arthritic man.

Deev, change into something less suitable before we head out. 

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 87):

For Want of a Shoe...

Whatever his expectations, Ciryl finds Bryce less than willing to be a shoe lackey, and is forced to carry the wares himself.

However, once they get underway, their mutual grumpiness forms a sort of silent bond.  One that doesn't need much talk to maintain.

The morning sun is already solidly above the treeline when you emerge from the Inn, and the locals well on their way to a full days work.

Ciryl's cart is where he left it, true to the Guildmistress' word, the guards kept it safe overnight.

Ciryl locates a cobbler easy enough, and is offered a penny each for the pair of shoes.

Two Arms

Brennan stalks out in his usual manner.  He weaves through the artisans and peasantry, and easily finds a few guards to speak with.

They ask probing questions, but Brennan's demeaner is able to convince them that he's unlikely to be a common ruffian, and they direct him to the forge, where the Master of Arms is said to be inspecting new steel.

At one end of the row of artisans is a large, squat, building of stone mostly open on three sides about an enormous chimney.

There, a thin man with an unruly tuft of hair is inspecting some knives while the smiths watch.

Boys Be Shopping

Titus and Deev dress for success, or for inconspicuousness anyhow, and venture out.

They sweep past the local artisans and to the docks.

The fishing boats are already all out, and the fishmongers already at work with the preliminary catch: selling, salting, smoking, and kegging.

Slightly further inland, a small but bustling market has opened up, mostly food, but a few who sell random odds and ends.

In reply to GM (msg # 88):

Deev toddles after Titus dilligently.

In reply to Deev (msg # 89):

"Good morning!" Brennan says, addressing the thin man cheerfully. "The Master of the Hunt mentioned I might find the Master of Arms here this morning. Am I correct in assuming you're him?"

He displays his badge of office for a moment, as if to prove the Master of the Hunt sent him, before returning it to his belt.

"If so, there's been a development the Master of the Hunt believes you'd be eager to learn about. Is there somewhere we could speak privately?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:45, Thu 30 Nov 2017.

Ciryl is happy to go to his cart in quiet dignity with Bryce, but when he's forced to carry four boots in one hand as he makes his way along with his cane, the real grump settles in.  When they come to the cobbler he accepts the offer without haggling and after shoving the two coins in his pocket, seems notably more chipper, "So those two, the fop and the prophet.  They wave their hands around all the time like that when they talk?" he asks as he makes his way back to the cart.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 91):

Titus looks at all the shops with a keen eye but rejecting everything for one reason or another.

The two of them make for the town gate where Brennan told them the body was buried, and blend in with any kind of crowd they can find to exit town.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 92):

The Forge

The tall man carefully ignores Brennan's presence for a few beats, then slowly sets down the blade and turns to lock eyes.  He nods at his title and listens quietly.

His right eyelid twitches as he talks, slow and measured.  His voice is just above a whisper, but seems to quiet ambient noise so that you can hear him clearly.

"First things first.  Who are you?  How came you to have that badge?"

A la Cart

Bryce chuckles.

"They're an odd bunch... you'll see if you stick around with us."  He thinks for a moment.
 "They have their secrets, those two... the kid too for that matter.  I wouldn't put it past them."

The Gates

You are given no trouble, nor even a second glance as you make your way out the gates.

It is easy enough to spot the hill Brennan described, and a thin wagonroad leading up to it.

You start on your way, chatting all the while.

In reply to GM (msg # 93):

Deev keeps up with Titus's long strides.