In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 145):

Burke looks at the money suspiciously.

"If you're payin' and you say you're the new clerk, I got no problem with that.  Alls he did was pay me to watch his back when he was wandering 'round here, finding Keller an' Gheller and whatnot.  Make sure nobody jumped him or slit his throat.  Had me beat the hell outta some guy cheated him, never got the name.  Threw a couple fights, nothin' more than that."

"So what you want done?"  He looks down and almost ads "... that requires pants" but doesn't bother.

In reply to GM (msg # 146):

Titus smiles

Thats the spirit.

You'll see me around... watch my back.  Be ready when I call.  What I need right now is information, I got dropped in here without shit for intel.  Rumors, half truths, anything can be patched together into a coherent picture.

I know about who is working against us.  I need to know whose on my team.

Titus smiles and nods over his shoulder as he takes his leave of Burke.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 147):

Burke blinks stupidly, watching Titus swagger off and out of sight.

"...ok...." he grunts, and climbs back into bed.

Quite conveniently, Titus notices Ciryl's wagon just outside of the shantytown, where stand Ciryl, Brennan, and Deev.

In reply to GM (msg # 148):

....motherfuckers....You dumb stupid glorious shits....

Titus wipes tears away from his eyes and takes a moment to compose himself.  He approaches the cart confidence back in full swing, vulnerability lost.

You shouldn't have come back.  Didn't you get my note?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:53, Thu 02 Aug 2018.

Ciryl doesn't catch sight of Titus until he speaks, at which point his attention snaps to the bard, "So you're against doing stupid things despite other people's warnings now?"

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 150):

Titus turns with an equal snap

I'm against people I....

He trails off for a second and continues reluctant and at a whisper that won't travel beyond the team.

People I care about... risking their necks to get me out of something I did to myself.  That's what I'm against.

He pauses and just as someone is about to speak he chimes back in

I didn't think I would ever see you guys again... its good to see you.  But you still should go.  The inquisition will be here soon; I won't have you guys hanging when we're so close to figuring this out.

I can carve out a spot for myself here and wait for my opportunity to break out.  Things are about to get chaotic... and weird.  You know thats when I'm at my best.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 150):

"I foresaw ruin if we came back to get you. Naturally, I was overruled. and I must say, I find your collective lack of faith disturbing."

Brennan smiles tightly.

" I'm glad to see that you are okay, I feared the worst. How did you free yourself? Is the creature dead?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 152):

Don't need to be a prophet to predict this is a a chocolatey nougaty clusterfuck in the making.  Hence why I expected you to have the good sense to stay away.

Not yet...

I was dragged back to the lumber yard and then put on a forced march back to here.  I spoke to Jack some, apparently him and I are the only members of the 'brotherhood'

As Titus says this he holds out his arm showing the tattoo.  As he does he keeps his eyes locked on Brennan.

The others are fake... I've placed myself at the head of Keller, Gheller and Burke's teams.  None of them know shit.  Looks like the only one who knows anything bled out thanks to Jack.  That being said I learned that people only see Jack at night... so thats another piece to the puzzle.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:17, Thu 02 Aug 2018.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 152):

"You're ok!" Deev shouts, almost jumping for joy.

"I mean... um.... of course you are!"

In reply to Deev (msg # 154):

...they actually care about... me?!

Titus smiles and laughs in response to Deev pulling him into a warm embrace.

I am.  I appreciate you coming back. 
This message was last edited by the player at 19:19, Thu 02 Aug 2018.

"What do you mean they only see him at night?" Ciryl's expression softens from its judgemental glare as the group shares their collective feelings about each other, but his tone remains businesslike, "Does he go somewhere else?"

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 156):

Nobody knows...

Titus says in that mysterious storyteller way that is the ONLY way that someone who tells stories for a living can say it.  However, this is not an imbelishment.  He goes on to elaborate about how Jack moved around at night and abandoned him at Dawn and his meeting with the priest.

I don't know how much he can see or hear during the day but there appears to be certain limits to his power.  I just need to fill out the rules of the game...

After Titus details the information from the morning and the priest Ciryl looks at Brennan, "Does that mean anything new to you?  Can we do something to a demon who doesn't like sunlight?"

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 158):

"It either means he cannot manifest himself in the sunlight, or is harmed or otherwise weakened by it. In any case, I suspect that gives us greater agency to act. It is good to know."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 159):

So... I'm apparently tied here until we deal with this situation.  I've placed myself as the new head of Burke and another guy named Gheller's thugs who have been working for Jack.

You guys seem to have the master's well in hand.  So we are not without resources... the question is what do we do with them and what is the inquisition likely to do once they get here?

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 160):

Deev, now assured Titus is alive, goes back to his nervous self.

"I thought... well can't the Inquisition deal with... with Jack?"

In reply to Deev (msg # 161):

"They are capable of it, yes. But they aren't here for Jack," Brennan says wearily. "They are here for us. And they are already in Duck Town."

He gauges the time left 'til sunset.

"If they were to capture you, Titus, would Jack spring you or leave you to rot?"

"They're here?  Where?" Ciryl looks at Brennan a bit incredulously.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 163):

Titus looks thoughtful his expression darkening and lightening in turns.

He... well... I did... but then... I'd say... I'm not sure...

Knowing I'm half of his 'disciples' I want to say he'd save me.  But I don't think he cares much for his disciples.  He seems intrigued by me though.  I think the chosen hold a fascination for the demons.

Do you know how the inquisition is tracking us?  Is it something we picked up in Thorngate?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:58, Fri 03 Aug 2018.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 164):

"The Inquisition feel...ripples...from demonic rituals and from the Chosen in general. Whenever you use your gift, they get a fresh ping. And while I am careful to only rarely call upon the wind, there are others --" he gives Titus a meaningful look "-- who are far more cavalier about it."

Brennan shrugs.

"I know where they are because I can see them during my meditations. I believe they can see me too, which is why I separate myself from you and close my eyes when I do so."

He turns to Cyril.

"There was one Inquisitor already here in Duck Town proper last I checked. More are coming. They will almost certainly visit this shantytown at some point, though."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:07, Fri 03 Aug 2018.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 165):

Titus' mouth drops open with an incredulous look on his face... that appears genuine.

Why... didn't.... you... tell me?!

If you said I was summoning the bloody inquisition I would have changed my tactics significantly!  I rely on you to keep us safe from shit like this.  We trust you... shit I trust you, and I don't trust anyone!  Anything else we should know?

He looks at the others gathered round sincerely.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:08, Fri 03 Aug 2018.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 166):

"They were always going to find us eventually," Brennan shrugs. "I don't think it would have slowed them down much to have a handful of fewer reference points. We made a LOT of ripples in Thorngate, at the Witch's cave, in Eastgate, here in Duck Town. And only some of those were superfluous."

He scowls.

"Yes, they were always going to catch up to us. I had just hoped the reckoning would wait until after we made it to Losthelm and unlock the secrets buried there."

Brennan looks at the group for a moment.

"We need to be on the same page. I am not going to let the Inquisition put me to the question without a fight. If anyone wants to surrender willingly and take their chances with them being good and decent men, now's the time to take your leave. Best of luck to you."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:12, Fri 03 Aug 2018.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 167):

Titus spits on the ground.

I've got more money than almost anybody in this town, good underground contacts, several vials of poison, and a magic sword to grind... preferably with their face.

Fuck 'em.

How many are there?

Titus makes several pushing away gestures that appear to be Minoan in nature.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:18, Fri 03 Aug 2018.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 168):

Brennan makes some gestures of his own.


"Just one in Duck Town that I saw, but they probably have a paladin with them. There are a half-dozen others on their way, at least. I can't be sure without giving away our position."

He raps his fingers against a nearby railing.

"I'm still working on a good idea, but I've got a bad one ready to go. While there's just the one Inquisitor, we might be able to talk to him. Once they have numbers, though...the questions will only go one way."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:21, Fri 03 Aug 2018.

As Titus ands Brennan start waving their arms around Ciryl smacks both of their hands, "Would you stop that and speak plainly?!  If we're all to be on the same page you should keep us all in the blasted conversation!"  He looks at both of them, his expression very cross, "I'll talk to him.  They're not after me, yet, I should at least have the benefit of surprise."