In reply to GM (msg # 194):

Bah! 

Titus grouses.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 195):

"The Master of Arms seemed certain the badge I found was a forgery, though he didn't disclose how he knew that."

Brennan frowns thoughtfully.

"So we should speak with the Master of Coin, this Smitty fellow, and then the mold's keeper, I suppose. And quickly."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 196):

Titus smiles charmingly at Pika.

Thank'ee dear lady fer the eel and he help.  Rest easy we'll ken what happened to the girls.

He takes her hand and bows his forehead to it.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 197):

He adds, his head still over her head.

Will milady ken fer me t' walk er back to the governor's mansion.  With all the talk of kidnappin's it wouldn't do t' have ee taken from us. 

His eyes sparkle as he turns on the charm.

"Actually, I'd like to ask her assistance with something if we won't be needing her company with the inquiries," Ciryl interjects.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 199):

Titus raises an eyebrow.

By all means if she'll ken to it.  I just won't ken to her wanderin herself.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 200):

Pika visible bristles.

"Eu need not worry.  I kann look after meself well enough."

She scowls petulantly at Titus.

"I am at eu disposal, whatever assistance the investikation needs."

In reply to GM (msg # 201):

"Do you have the schedules for the Master of the Coin and the Guildmistress? We'll want to speak with them both."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 202):

Pika seems to have no need to check her papers.

"Lady Ranee will be in the market for another hour or two.  The Master of Coin is in the bank, neer always I ken."

In reply to GM (msg # 203):

"Well, then. I suppose Lady Renee first, then, and afterward the bank," Brennan smiles, standing to rise and clearly expecting everyone to come with him. "Shall we?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 204):

Titus rises slowly to make sure that Ciryl is going with Pika otherwise he'll break off and follow her.

If Pika doesn't follow on her own, Ciryl leads her after Brennan, enjoying a more leisurely pace than the one taken to get to the eel man.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 206):

Titus will keep an easy pace with Pika chating her up with little pleasantries and in specific trying to find out where she is from, does she have a family and so on.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 207):

Brennan leads the way to the marketplace, though he glances over a Pika and nods toward the crowd as though to indicate she should show the way to their destination at this point.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 208):

Pika smiles and takes the lead, again careening down random alleys such that Ciryl is once again left behind.

You don't go far, however, Guildmistress Rayne is in the central market presiding over a small group of important-looking people.

As Ciryl described, she has a stiff professional air befitting her simple but expensive clothes and hair drawn back into a tight bun.

She speaks quickly and to the point.

OOC:  we can RP the whole thing or if you just have a few questions we can gloss over the details, up to you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:52, Wed 17 Jan 2018.

As the party begins to distance itself from Ciryl he sighs and with a shake of his head gives up the chase, veering toward his cart’s resting place instead.  Once there he begins digging through his various supplies, apparently on a mission of his own as he doesn’t drop down his sign or make any indication that he’s back in business.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 210):

Market

Guildmistress Rayne glances up at Brennan and his crew, initially dismissing them until she notices Pika waving at her.

She wraps up her business with a stout man in a tall hat and raises her chin at you.

"Yes?"

She is not a large or imposing woman, but the calm collectedness, formality, and meticulousness of her airs exude confidence and iron constitution.

Cart

Circyl works alone at his cart.

In reply to GM (msg # 211):

"Good morning," Brennan says affably. "My name's Brennan Otthild, scholar from the south. I've just come from the governor's office."

He glances around.

"We've a matter of some importance to discuss with you, I'm afraid. Is there someplace we could speak more privately?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 212):

The Guildmistress tilts one eyebrow almost dismissively.

Pika charges in.

"Guild Master, thees'r from out of town.  They're helping the Govnor investigate the disapperances, I'vea been asked to help."

The Guildmistress nods.

"As that may be, and if the Governor commands I will assist.  My time, however, is limited.  Be brief."

She dismisses those surrounding her, and leads you aside out of direct earshot of those in the market.

She then waits patiently for your questions.

In reply to GM (msg # 213):

Brennan follows his usual inquiry, establishing the facts of the case and asking for particulars including:

1) Does she know any of the victims well?
2) When was the last time she saw the last victim taken?
3) How many people has she entrusted with a badge of authority?
4) Does she know who Keller is?
5) What is her opinion of the other Masters and the Governor? (This isn't asked in quite that way, of course).

Do I get the sense that she is worried? Lying? Annoyed?

Do her answers have inconsistencies?

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 214):

The Guildmistress' replies are short and to the point, bordering on frustration, but never objecting to a single line of inquiry.

From time to time she casts glares at Pika, who just smiles broadly.

1. She knew none of the victims.
2. She never saw any of the victims.
3. She has only one direct subordinate who would wear that badge: her inspector.  The guilds each have a head or leader that is under her command, but they do not wear the badge.
4. She has no idea who Keller is, either by name or description, though she did hear that your group ran into and dispatched some "miscreants" the other day.
5. Through indirect questioning, and her alarming frankness, her opinions of the other masters appears to be:

The Governor is an honest and fair man
The Master of Hunt is an undisciplined scoundrel
The Master of Arms is efficient, though not sociable.  He is not above using fear as a tool.
The Master of Coin is good at money, but nothing else

Your read on her is that she is annoyed at you wasting her time.

After spending some time alone with his cart, Ciryl makes his way into the market, politely asking some errant passwersby or shop keepers where he can find the Guild Mistress and making his way there to find the rest of the party without quite so much rush and running as Pika might like.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 216):

Titus chimes in with

1.  What is the process for getting the badge
2.  Do the badges have signs to indicate their authenticity
3.  Has she noticed any sudden changes in fortune among the townsfolk
4.  Where would you be able to find more illicit vendors

The last, of course would be broached with the briefest of nods towards delicacy.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 217):

1. She controls the mold.  Under her or her Inspector's supervision, the smith uses it to make new ones when needed.
2. The mold is unique, you can compare any badge to it to see if it came from that mold.
3. Not that she is aware of.
4. You are directed to the outskirts for anything like a "black market".

In reply to GM (msg # 218):

Brennan will ask where this Inspector is now, and whether his duties would permit him to examine a potentially counterfeit badge now in the Master of Arms's possession.