In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 119):

"Of course," Brennan nods, "I would expect nothing less. And you'll have them."

He thanks the man, asks a few follow-ups regarding where to find the Governor, and waits for a polite opportunity to extricate himself.

Right, then. A date with the governor seems to be in order...followed by a more thorough questioning of Keller's goons. Unless there's a better place to start that I'm missing...

He swings back by the tavern first to see if Titus and the rest have completed their day's tasks yet (OOC: I'm not sure how long this took relative to their own arcs).

If they aren't there, he'll head to whatever passes for city hall himself.

"Let me have a look," Ciryl asks for Titus's sketches, "Any signs what they did to her?"  At Titus's follow-up Ciryl shrugs, "I ought to be here, but the crowds are rather thin.  If he has any better leads I could close shop early."

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 121):

Titus shows him the drawings.  Then will head back to the inn if there nothing else to hold his attention.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 122):

Brennan reconnects with the others and relays what he has learned.

"I'm not convinced the Master of Arms is innocent of wrongdoing, but he certainly had the opportunity to lock me up and suppress my discoveries and didn't make use of it. Likewise, the Master of the Hunt did not seem overly worried about the discovery of the forged insignia other than to direct my attention to the Master of Arms," he concludes.

"There are two other masters to consult, but I'm leaning toward paying a visit to the Governor and pursuing some sort of official arrangement to continue our investigation. Maybe even get paid twice for it, if we can find concrete evidence enough to fulfill the bounties."

He looks at the others.

"Did you find her? Was she where I said she'd be?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 123):

Titus nods.

Exactly where.

He hands him the drawings.

Nobody in this town seems all that interested or afraid of demonic cults.  If we want to make them interested or afraid, I know exactly how to do that.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 124):

"I wouldn't say that. The Master of Arms is interested in the cults if that explains the kidnappings. Though I agree, they aren't particularly afraid of them."

He frowns at the pictures for moment, then nods as an idea comes to him.

"Deev...are you able to look like women, too, or only men?"

"The Guild Mistress doesn't sound very suspect, given the gossip around town.  She's strict, by all appearances, but I doubt she's summoning demons in between regulating the craftsmen and merchants."  Ciryl states, handing over Titus's drawings after his own examination.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 126):

"I... yes, certainly!" Deev responds.

In reply to Deev (msg # 127):

Brennan nods thoughtfully.

"Excellent. And how long can you maintain a given form? I'm...debating a rather daring plan to help save these women, and I'd like to be as well-informed as possible before pursuing it further."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 128):

You should probably ask him if he's willing to be kidnapped first.

Titus says offhanded.

"Girls," Ciryl speaks up, "They're kidnapping virgin girls and killing them.  Can he look ten years old too?" Ciryl waves at Deev.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 130):

Brennan narrows his eyes.

"I didn't ask him if he wanted to be kidnapped because that's not my plan," he says, glancing again at the drawing. "I was thinking more like seeing who notices someone who's supposed to be dead being...decidedly not."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 131):

None of Brennan's clarification seems to reduce Deev's visible trembling.

"I... sure I could look like her if..."

Ciryl furrows his brow and looks sharply at Deev, "If what?  You're shaking like a scared dog, what's wrong boy?"

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 133):

"Oh no, it's... I don't want to get arrested!"

Ciryl's expression falls to deadpan disbelief.  He takes the sketch back from Brennan and holds it up to Deev, draping one arm over his shoulder, "Look at this girl.  She's a child.  An innocent little girl.  Now even if you don't think a brief stint in a cell is worth justice for a child, even if you think your freedom is worth more than a life cut regrettably short, even if you aren't willing to get arrested in the name of doing the right thing, let me ask you one question.  If you look like this," he shakes the piece of parchment, "What in God's name do you think someone is going to arrest you for?"

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 135):

Deev makes confused rasping noises for a moment, then nods.

"I... that makes sense, doesn't it..."

"Course it makes sense.  Nothing at all for you to be scared of.  You'll be in the best position in this whole plan.  An innocent girl if anyone gets curious, but a capable lad if anything gets dangerous.  The rest of us are going to have to play ourselves," he gives Deev a friendly thump on the back and a short laugh.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 137):

"But not just yet," Brennan says. "We need to wait for the right moment. How long can you comfortably maintain such a disguise, by the by?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 138):

"A few hours if need be," Deev replies.

"Though, it gets.... itchy after a while."

In reply to Deev (msg # 139):

Brennan nods thoughtfully.

"That's very helpful, Deev. Thank you."

He glances over at the others.

"I'd like to pay the governor a visit, get a feel for where he or she stands in all of this. We can use your disguise later when we need to convince them that we have credible information...or when we need to see who does a spit-take when you walk by."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 140):

Brennan will collect whoever among his group is willing and set out toward the Governor's home seeking an audience.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 141):

Brennan, Titus, and Ciryl trudge through the muddy streets with Deev and Bryce in tow.

The Governor's home is easy to find, it is a dark squat building of rough-hewn logs on a low but steep mound of earth and rock overlooking the lake.

To approach the front door, you are forced single-file up a narrow set of steps cut into the earth.

The great oak doors are inlaid with silver flourishes, small leaves and woodland creates, that look somewhat out of place against the stark and simple wood of the walls.

The doors are thrown open, and no guard stands before you.  Through the door is an airy chamber with wooden benches on all sides.  On the far side is another door leading further in.

You are met by a young woman dressed in a stiff starchy doublet and pantaloons, the bright green hue of which throw further contrast on the dark room.  Around her neck, you see a thin bit of twine holing a badge of some kind.

"Ood 'Morrow," she says in an accent that also does not fit.  "Ken you an appointment?"

In reply to GM (msg # 142):

"Indeed," Brennan says with a nod of acknowledgement he deems worthy this woman's perceived station. "Pardon my brevity, madam, but I'm here on urgent business. My name is Brennan -- I'm a scholar from the South, as I'm sure you've surmised by my accent."

He smiles slightly.

"I've had the pleasure of speaking with the Master of the Hunt yesterday. He urged me to speak with the Master of the Guard this morning. Having done so, he thought it would be prudent for me to speak with the Governor..."

He lowers his voice and adopts a look of sympathy.

"It all concerns your fair city's recent...troubles, I'm afraid. I realize the Governor is a busy person, but I assure you, what I have to say will not waste their time."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:27, Tue 02 Jan 2018.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 143):


The woman's eyes go wide, not with fear but with curiosity.  She shakes her head vigorously.

"E canna take audience wit any random man, South or North.  Tell me wha it is eu want and I will pass it on."

The woman is young, you'd guess in her mid to late teens, and she has the look of a surprised squirrel at all times, but despite your pressing, she will not let you walk into the Governor's office.