"Secrets, huh?  I suppose we all do." Ciryl replies thoughtfully.  When they arrive back at his cart he thanks the guard for his service over the night and digs through his cart for some of the ingredients for the more common remedies he supplies the previous day.  Then he makes another announcement with as much showmanship as the one he made on arrival the previous evening to inform anyone in earshot not only about his marvels of modern medicine, but that they will only be available in town for three days, encouraging potential customers not to wait and to stock up before they're gone.  He doesn't pay much mind to how Bryce spends the time once he's back in business.

In reply to Deev (msg # 94):

"A thousand pardons -- introductions quite slipped my mind," Brennan replies easily. "My name is Brennan. Brennan Otthild, to be precise. I'm a scholar and linguist from the south, and I'm just passing through en route to explore the fascinating ruins of Losthelm. The Master of the Hunt had much to say on the matter, and I must admit it has only served to whet my appetite."

He steps closer to the spindly man, but not drawing within an impolite distance.

"My companions and I were waylaid by ruffians on the way into town. Big, loud, and clumsy, led by a man named Keller. We...resolved the situation, and found a badge much like your own among their things."

Brennan shrugs slightly.

"It wasn't as interesting, truth be told, as their tattoos. All inked alike, as if they were chattel, and with such profanities that I am reminded of my days at the Academy."

He glances at the Master of Arms carefully at this point, gauging his reaction.

"Regardless. When we arrived in town, I happened upon the Master of the Hunt and, not knowing who he was, I inquired about his badge of office, as I had seen its like before and was beginning to worry that the bandits had some authority here in town. I was relieved when the Master of the Hunt set me straight. He also advised me to speak with you about the badge we found, fearing it a forgery. Thus, here I am."

Brennan glances around surreptitiously.

"If you don't mind me saying so, I've heard whisperings about the hardships your village is going through at the moment. If the tattoos we saw on Keller and his fellows are any indication, you may be dealing with something a bit more complicated than mere kidnappers. I've see similar signs before, in the south -- such happenings generally attract the attention of the Inquisition. If you take my meaning, sir."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 96):

Titus punches Deev good natured in the shoulder as they crest the hill.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 96):

Up a Hill

Deev bobs along nervously.


A la Cart

Although the streets are bustling, the crowd is far thinner this morning.  Most people are hard at work and have little time.  However, there are a few who want cures for warts, moon tea, or the like.

Ciryl is not surprised to find the small boy from the other day has returned, imploring again for something that blows up 'for fishing'


The Forge

The Master of Arms eyes Brennan carefully, looking more at his clothes and stance than his face.

He slowly steps forward and extends one hand, waiting patiently until Brennan deposits the talisman into his palm.  Carefully he runs his thumb over its surface, then leans slightly to inspect it carefully.  When he does so, Brennan notes a tattoo of a shield on his neck, just barely protruding above his collar.

"I take your meaning," he whispers without looking up.  "We know enough up North to be wary of the denizens of the Dream of Hell.  Mayhap not so familiar as those of the southern academies might be, we have our experience."

He looks up slowly.

"This is indeed a badge of the masters.  I cannot tell if it is stolen or newly minted. I shall speak with Lady Rayne, but I will tell you her response: no artisan of DuckTown would be fool enough to craft this without our direction.  It is possible it was merely misplaced.  I shall enquire."

He pockets the token and straightens up.

"Could you recognize the tattoo if you saw it again?"

In reply to GM (msg # 98):

"I believe so, yes," Brennan replies. "As a linguist and a scholar, I have a certain eye for such things."

He mentally goes over the known brands and tattoos he's seen, trying to figure out which might include a shield.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 99):

All right let’s get to the nasty work of looking for this body.   Deev start over there and work you way toward me.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 17:56, Fri 01 Dec 2017.

Seeing the sparsity of the crowd, Ciryl lowers himself to one knee to look the boy in the eye following his second request for explosives, "Do you really think something that goes boom is going to help with fishing?  Or do you just think that's a more convincing story than what you're actually going to do with it?"

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 101):

Up a Hill

Titus and Deev carefully scour the area, turning to look down the hill at DuckTown to try and replicate what Brennan told you.

Somewhere off the path itself, you find a grove of high pine trees with an associated carpet of needles beneath.

After a few minutes of searching, Titus' boot kicks something hidden beneath.

Gently, you excavate the corpse of a young girl, naked as the day she was born.

Before the Boom

"Faster than a pole, ain't it?"  he asks.  He shuffles his feet in the dirt.  "So what if there's other uses... I can wait until you're gone to use it... if that's the trouble?"

Investigation

Wordlessly, the Master of Arms leads Brennan from the forge.  The man has long legs and walks with determined purpose, causing his black cloak to billow behind him and Brennan to hustle to keep up.

The man does not speak as he walks.  He gives polite nods to the passing artisans and nobility and a slight salute to guards but otherwise does not have any interest in mingling.

Presently, you come to a small building made of logs and built into the wall about the town.

A guard with a heavy mace steps aside, and the Master of Arms ducks to enter the doorway.  When Brennan follows, he finds himself in a large storeroom where weapons, tools, torches, and the like are kept.

The back of the room is portioned off with wooden bars to form a small jail cell, but it is bare.

"There," the Master of Arms whispers, pointing to a low table.

In the light of a flickering candle, Brennan makes out a body.  Closer inspection reveals it to be a young man who apparently died of stab wounds.  Upon his arm is the same tattoo you have seen on Keller's gang.

In reply to GM (msg # 102):

Brennan's mind races as he takes in the jail, the guards, and other important details. When prompted, he walks over to the table to give the body a closer inspection.

"Yes," he says quietly. "This matches the others in both appearance and location."

He frowns slightly.

I wonder how many tattoo artists this village has...

"Can't imagine it's much easier than a net," Ciryl replies to the boy's claim, "Why don't you tell me why you're so keen on this instead of trying to blow things up once I'm gone?"

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 104):

Investigation

The Master of Arms nods slowly.

"This boy was found in the outskirts, already dead.  His name was Eric, that is all I was told."

He allows the room to remain quiet for an uncomfortable amount of time.

"In what capacity were you speaking with the Master of Hunt?" he asks finally, still not looking up from the corpse.

Before the Boom

"Seems easier... and more fun..." the boy replies petulantly while kicking at a dirt clod.

In reply to GM (msg # 105):

"I'm afraid I don't take your meaning," Brennan replies. "I encountered him at the local tavern, wearing a badge much like the one you've seen. It piqued my interest, and the conversation flowed from there."

He frowns suddenly.

"Unless...that wasn't him?"

Brennan uses his utterly perfect memory to describe the Master of the Hunt precisely, leaving out no detail about his facial features, identifying characteristics, clothing, meal, drinks, number and appearance of associates, and general demeanor.

Let's see if this investigator is at all impressed.

"Well I'm afraid if all you want is a way to have fun, I'm not going to provide incredibly dangerous combustibles to do it," Ciryl says as he climbs back to his feet.  "Can't you do something more constructive for fun?  Like swimming or holding your breath or something? "

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 107):

Titus looks down at the uncovered body.

Well shit.  There she is.  I was hoping he'd be wrong... just this once.  Deev, watch the road tell me if anyone is coming, but stay out of site.

He pulls out a charcoal and paper and draws the body position just as it was found.  He looks her up and down for any marks that he can see.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 108):

The Investigation

The Master of arms finally looks up.

"Observant.  No doubt you have some experience in these matters, judging by your skill.  You have not been here long enough to study him long, that I know.  No, the man you describe is our Master of Hunt.  None but the masters and their staff should have such badges."

He gestures to leave the armory, and you step back out into the late morning light.

"Tell me what you know of the tattoo.  I will be grateful."

Before the Boom

"I can hold my breath a long time," the boy mutters, sticking out his lower lip.  "Don't reckon what that has to do with anything."  He gives Ciryl's wagon wheel a solid kick before scampering off.

"Charming," Bryce mutters.  "Were up to me, we'd string up all kids until they got useful."

The Grove

Titus sketches the corpse and has a look around.

The small grove is but a dozen paces from the path, which looks to lead further into the wood.  Judging by it's size, it's used by people and small animals, not much larger.

Looking back, DuckTown's walls are down the hill a good half mile away.

In reply to GM (msg # 109):

Titus flips the girl over, and performs the same activity of much more roughly sketching her settling for a girl shaped figure and he takes note of any markings, moles cuts or anything out of place.  He then puts her back and buries her in the shallow grave.

He stands up knuckling his back

Lazy bastards can't even be bothered to bury a body properly.  Wait until I am done with these assholes.

Lets get back to Brennan I have an idea.


Barring any interruptions or other issues we will hunch our way back into town as surreptitiously as possible.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:16, Wed 06 Dec 2017.

"Yes, well, not sure where that would get us but it's certainly an option," Ciryl replies to Bryce.  "The Guild Mistress doesn't have anything obviously suspicious about her.  You have any instincts about who would be most likely responsible for this?  You seem like a...practical man.  Which would you rather be if you had your own demon cult, Master of Arms or Master of Coin?

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 111):

"It's profane," Brennan replies, repeating his earlier assertion. "It talks about bringing together the young and the old, which on its face isn't a bad thing until you consider that the phrase has much in common with what the Academy would phrase a summoning ritual."

He shakes his head slowly.

"It's possible they simply thought the tattoo looked interesting or edgy, of course, and that they have no idea what it really means. But with the disappearances I heard people rumbling about in the tavern? No, I think the smart money bets on there either being legitimate or faux cultic activities being performed nearby."

Brennan gauges the man's reaction to this.

"If you have no scholars of your own with familiarity in such matters, I'd be happy to delay my trip to the ruins of Losthelm and offer you my assistance here. I'd only ask for room, board, and the reimbursement of reasonable expenses in exchange, as my own supplies will be needed once I do make the trip to the ruins afterward."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 112):

About Town

Bryce shrugs.  "Money is always good, if you had that, not much need for guilds or hunting.  Then again, arms gets you money one way or another."

Investigation

"You believe this mark has something to do with the young women gone missing?" The Master of Arms seems finally interested in Brennan now.

"I cannot employ you without the Governor's consent.  But I can pay a bounty on any solid information... or if you can lead me to someone willing to give a confession."

The Hills

Titus wanders back down the hill and into DuckTown without incident.

He is able to locate Ciryl and Bryce easily.

In reply to GM (msg # 113):

Well, Brennan was right. As always. Just this once I wish he wasn’t.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 114):

"I'm leaning that way, yes," Brennan replies. "But I'm not certain yet. A more thorough investigation could likely ferret out the truth."

He smiles slightly.

"I prefer a stipend to a bounty hunter's ledger, truth be told. I'd be pleased to present myself and my credentials to the Governor if their approval would help me serve you better in this capacity."

"Well that narrows it down," Ciryl says, shaking his head in disappointment at Bryce before seeing Titus approach, "I take it you found her?  Anything else?  Clues as to who's responsible?  I haven't heard anything noteworthy around here."

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 116):

Yeah I did. 

He produces two sketches with minimal (but noticeable) flourish.

Here are drawings.  Really no information though, just a dead girl.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 117):

Investigation

The Master of Arms' gaze drifts off, losing focus on Brennan.

"You are free to try to speak with the Governor, of course, but I will pay for results, no less."

Town Square

Bryce cringes.

"Now why would you go and do something like that?  Poor girl."

In reply to GM (msg # 118):

Because maybe Brennan can see something in the sketches that I don't know. 

He shrugs.

So now what?  You got anyplace to be?  The shopping in this town sucks.  If not maybe we just go wait on Brennan.