"That's because sometimes you're wrong!" Ciryl shouts from the other side of the door, having been peeking through the cracks in the door since overcoming his exasperation with Brennan's choice of course.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 246):

Brennan is neither searched nor hassled, but the Inquisitor ignores Brennan's request, instead gesturing for him to follow the guards.  These swarm around Brennan and guide him, albeit nonviolently for the nonce, away north along the wall.

The Inquisitor takes up the rear with a trio of guards flanking him.

In reply to GM (msg # 247):

Titus will follow behind at a safe distance.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 248):

Brennan follows the guards to wherever they lead, unless he happens to see a big burning stake or gallows in the distance toward which they are heading, in which case he will become less agreeable.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 249):

The guards guide Brennan slowly, with frequent looks back at the Inquisitor as if they were uncertain of their destination.

The group moves north along the wall, ending up not all too far from where the party first encountered Jack.  Built into the wall is another storehouse of rough logs and having only one low door and no windows.

The guards gesture for Brennan to enter, but they do not follow.

Inside Brennan finds many small wooden kegs stacked floor to ceiling and a few burlap sacks filled with flour.

There is enough space for maybe three men sitting or crouching, so when the Inquisitor follows and sits in the doorway, there is no avoiding physical intimacy.

The Inquisitor sits cross-legged, blocking the exit and silhouetted by the only source of light in the dark storehouse.

For a moment the white armor is silent.

"You must percieve that, as you are alive, there is yet chance for redemption.  I ask no confession, we know your sins.  However, if you join with us, here and now, there may be a path for you in this dream."

Titus watches from a safe distance, observing the contingent of guards milling about but unable to see the sacks of flour from his hiding spot.

In reply to GM (msg # 250):

Brennan observes the man's demeanor carefully, his expression neutral.

"So that's it, is it? You need my help."

He looks at the Inquisitor's mask where the eyes should be, his gaze never faltering.

"I seem to recall that forgiveness and redemption were deemed impossible back when you expelled me from the Academy," he says at last. "And I have a perfect memory, so I am quite confident that my recollection of that particular conversation is accurate."

"I'm at your disposal, but first I must ask: what has changed?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:03, Sat 25 Aug 2018.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 251):

The Inquisitor's tone has no inflection whatsoever.

"We do not need anything, but we try never to waste a potential resource.

You misunderstand the meaning of redemption.  It is not forgiveness, it is a chance to continue operating in this dream and do some good for a change."

In reply to GM (msg # 252):

Brennan lets the slight go and nods quietly.

"What would you have me do?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 253):

"You will contribute to our mission: cleansing the taint of Hell from this dream."

The Inquisitor straightens up slightly.

"First, you will tell me what you know of the demon living here.  Second, you will accompany me back to a citadel for further questioning."

In reply to GM (msg # 254):

He looks around the room for a moment, sighs, then launches into his tale.

"The demon calls himself Springheel Jack. He seems to have some power of smoke and fire, and can conjure and manipulate gold coins. He can travel miles in minutes, fast enough that he overcame an entire day's travel in just a few short hours. He's only active at night, though I'm not certain if he is weakened in daylight or simply dislikes it."

"The demon makes bargains in the common tongue, speaks it comfortably. He has been here a long time, and is not bound by a circle or to a summoner. I've already dealt with some of his cultists, but there are others -- primarily, a priest who is master of the town's urchin boys. These are his spies, while the various brutes of the slums serve as hired muscle."

"The young girls here serve as 'lamplighters' -- I know not the source of this tradition, but the urchins scout this group out for promising virgins and arrange to have them taken away. They do not appear to be taken unwillingly from their homes, which suggests drugs or trickery is involved."

"I do not know the location of the primary stronghold of the cultists. But they take the virgins they capture somewhere and sacrifice them to Jack. He seems to burn them from the inside out, and he claims to consume their soul in this way. The truth of this, I cannot verify."

"You've been watching us for a while. No doubt you saw how we exorcised the demon plaguing Eastwatch and the coven of witches before that. I tell you, as a man with some experience banishing demons to the Dream of Hell, that Springheel Jack is by far the most powerful foe I have seen. I was hoping you and your allies would have the power to banish him, for I fear that I do not."

He scowls slightly.

"If we had such power, you can be sure Jack would already be gone. He's a blight upon these people, and an obstacle for-"

Brennan trails off and doesn't finish that statement. Instead, he changes topics.

"What of my companions? Will they be coming back to the citadel, too, or shall they be free to resume their lives in my absence?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:49, Thu 30 Aug 2018.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 255):

The Inquisitor listens without comment or even moving.

"This is useful information, you may have saved many from damnation in telling me this.  The Inquisition is aware of Springheel Jack.  We can now begin to purge him.

Your friends will not be permitted to attend you to the citadel.  They will be questioned.  Those without sin need have no fear."

In reply to GM (msg # 256):

"None are beyond sin," Brennan says flatly. "Nor so far gone as to be beyond redemption."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 257):

The Inquisitor pauses for a moment.

"If it puts your... heart... at ease, we seek only to purge the influence of the demon, any further judgement is left to the King."

He sits motionless.

"If you are ready, we can leave at once.  Jack has dwelt here for some time, other Inquisitors are on their way to deal with him"

In reply to GM (msg # 258):

"I am ready to depart," Brennan says. He rises to go, following the Inquisitor's lead.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 259):

The Inquisitor rises and backs out of the small building, leading Brennan back into the company of several armed guards.

As he does so, Brennan notices that his armor is subtly different from the set Brennan took: it has an additional leather tube of some kind in the back of the helmet, made of the same white leather.

"It would demonstrate trust if you would turn over the confiscated equipment you possess, and tell your friends Titus, Deev, and Ciryl to cooperate, wherever they are.

You have a horse, we will need it."

In reply to GM (msg # 260):

"I have no means of communicating with them while I'm in your custody," Brennan replies.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 261):

"And the equipment?"

In reply to GM (msg # 262):

"They should have it with them."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 263):

The Inquisitor looks around for a moment, then turns back to Brennan.

"If you have a means of recovering the stolen equipment from them, I suspect you would prefer that to my means of finding and recovering it.

As of yet, your companions have not hindered my mission to purge the demonic influences here.  Continuing to transport stolen materials would change that."

In reply to GM (msg # 264):

"If I have a means..." Brennan blinks, confused. "Obviously, I could go ask them for it. But not with you and your escort holding my hand. They would suspect a trick or a trap."

He sighs.

"Look, I've come with you willingly. You want to build trust? That goes both ways. I'll meet you at the gate with my allies, my equipment, YOUR equipment, and my horse. 30 degrees of the sun should be enough time. What do you say?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 265):

The Inquisitor signals for the guards to follow him.

"You will not be followed, but you will not be permitted to leave alone."

The cadre move off, leaving Brennan beside the town wall.

In reply to GM (msg # 266):

Brennan makes sure he really won't be followed, then heads back toward the tower where Ciryl has been imprisoned. He walks straight up to the door and addresses the guard equally directly.

"I need to speak with the prisoner. Inquisitor's orders. He is not likely to be pleased with any delays."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 267):

The guards look at one another, then back at Brennan.

"Were told not to let anyone see the prisoner until... well we can't say.  Were told not to even trust an Inquisitor."

The men look nervous, the kind of look one has when faced with a dangerous person you might have to kill.

In reply to GM (msg # 268):

Brennan shrugs.

"Fine by me. I'll just tell the Inquisitor I can't collect the things he wanted. What's your name? I'll need to be clear on whose fault that is."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 269):

The guards give Brennan their names, but don't budge.

"Might be a test?" one whispers to the others when they don't think Brennan can hear.