"I don't care what you have promised Jack, boy.  We are trying to be rid of him, not play his game.  If he is going to show himself to silence you then you would do well to speak loudly and clearly on our way to the inquisitor right now, that'll make this all much simpler."

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 421):

Titus quirks his mouth in a 'maybe thats not that terrible an idea' kind of way.  Then says

It won't work... and I have much grander ambitions for my death.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:40, Thu 07 Mar 2019.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 422):

"Nobody is giving me to the Inquisition," Brennan says, walking toward the road and shoulder his bow. "Except for me. Come on. If we want the Masters on our side, we need this to be done right."

"Alright then," Ciryl says with a nod and follows promptly.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 424):

As Brennan marches along Titus grabs his arm.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 425):

Brennan nods resolutely.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 426):

Titus nods and with a flourish disappears into the shadows.

"Oy!" Ciryl shouts after Titus, "Aren't we going to need him too?" he asks Brennan with mild concern.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 428):

"Not really," Brennan shrugs. "But I suspect we'll see him again shortly anyway."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 429):

Main Streets

Brennan and Ciryl make their way conspicuously toward the governor's office and residence.

It is not long at all before they are spotted and surrounded by guards bearing torches, spears, and confused looks.

Almost immediately after this, the Master of Arms appears, cold and resolute as ever.

"You are wanted by the Inquisitor," he notes simply.  "Might I ask where you thought you were going?"  A thin cold wind blows through his great cloak and furs, but he does not seem to mind.

Elsewhere

Titus ducks away into an alley and goes about his work.

In reply to GM (msg # 430):

Titus huffs in frustration as he leaves the bar...

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 431):

As Titus steps outside, it is not hard to locate Brennan and Ciryl, as they are the ones being surrounded by guards.

In reply to GM (msg # 432):

"We're coming to see you, good sir," Brennan says, forcing a plastic smile. "You see, the Inquisitor and I have competing goals. He wants to take me away to his Citadel for questioning and abandon this town to its grisly fate. But as for me?"

He narrows his eyes and gestures toward the night itself.

"I would prefer to finish what I started. Put an end to these kidnappings of your innocent daughters. Put an end to this demon problem, once and for all."

He looks up at the Master of Arms apologetically.

"I expressed as much to the Inquisitor, but he disagreed. Wanted to leave town immediately, the coward. He disrespects you, and he ignores his sacred duty. If he had his way, we'd all be miles from here by now and you'd be left to the mercy of this creature. I implore you not to let that happen, sir."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 433):

The Master of Arms raises his torch above his head, watching Brennan's eyes carefully when he speaks.

"The Inquisitor has informed me that he has reinforcements on the way.  Furthermore, I don't know that it's my place to question the business of the Inquisition.  Besides, if he leaves the city, so much the better."

He glances over at his guards, still surrounding Brennan and Ciryl.

"You have found another of our daughters, are you any closer to finding their killer?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:55, Tue 12 Mar 2019.

"He rode a horse to death getting here, probably his paladin's as well, how far behind do you think his reinforcements are?  The demon has been taking your daughters and we are offering to help stop it.  The business of the inquisition is to remove the unholy, is it not?  We are not asking you to question the inquisitor, we are asking you to hold him to his duty and defend your city, as is your duty," Ciryl pleads to the Master, his voice level and reasoned as he speaks.

((10, 9, 9, 8, 6, 5, 5 & 2 negotiate if necessary))

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 435):

The face of the Master of Arms tightens visibly.

"I will always do my duty to the town, no man would dare question that."  his hand is laid overtly upon his still sheathed sword.

"I ask again, so it will save you time, have you found our daughters or their killer?"

“The demon is the killer.  One of the men that’s been taking them said the girls were for Jack before his untimely end.  The demon spoke about them himself like they were playthings.  We can find him again, but we need the inquisitor’s help to put a stop to him, please.”

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 437):

As Ciryl is speaking Titus comes up at the head of a small knot of people.  You can hear as he moves walking backwards infront of the group he has clearly been talking the whole time..

You saw that thing... during the day.  So far the inquisitor has done nothing but hold us...

he indicates the team.

...hostage, the ones who have been trying to help.  The ones who have gotten further in the investigation than any other so far.  What is he doing for you?  Why... oh why would he try to impede our progress?  Time to tell him to help or move along.

He shrugs at brennan.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:35, Tue 19 Mar 2019.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 438):

Brennan nods slightly at the gathering crowd, but decides to wait to see how the Master of Arms (and the crowd, for that matter) reacts before saying anything further. Cyril and Titus have, after all, already made a fairly convincing pitch on their behalf.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 439):

The crowd certainly does react to Ciryl and Brennan's plea, muttering and grumbling fill the air.

Along with those Titus lead pied piper-style from a tavern, a handful of other non-guards have joined the gathering, though they largely keep behind those with weapons and well out of reach of any of your crew.

The Master of Arms squints in the flickering torchlight.

"A daemon many have seen, yes.  So simple an answer... yet not so simple as an imposter."

He pauses.

"If you have spoken with this creature and lived... and if I know anything about their kind... then you are either in its thrall or understand the severity of such a thing.  You have not asked for gold, lending credence to your claim."

The voices in the crowd become louder and more intense.

"But... the Inquisitor is no doubt on his way here now.  When he arrives I shall ask, and make your plea.  It is... odd that he plans to leave so soon."

Ciryl seems to sag slightly, settling back into a reserved posture "It has been an odd day, Sir Master.  And the night not yet over," he agrees.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 441):

Brennan bows slightly toward the Master, gesturing his respect.

"That is all we ask, my lord," he replies. "For this man's intentions be made plain and laid bare out in the open, instead of sequestered to his Questioning tables where he can tell each person a different truth."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 442):

You do not wait long.

The Inquisitor does not arrive so much as he appears between flickers of torchlight to a sudden hushing of the crowd.

He immediately steps forward into the circle.

"You have captured the fugitives it would seem, Master of Arms of Ducktown.  Your diligence is appreciated by the Inquisition and the Crown.  See that Brennan and his accomplices are secured and brought to the armory at once."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:10, Mon 25 Mar 2019.

In reply to Inquisitor (msg # 443):

The Master of Arms narrows his gaze.

"Inquisitor, as you may have noticed, the good people under my watch are deeply concerned of late.  Girls gone missing, corpses piling up, daemons sighted in broad daylight as well as in shadow... mysterious fires.  The people are grateful of His Majesty's protection, and of the dutiful service of His Inquisitors."

The Master of Arms purses his lips, then speaks more slowly.

"The good people of Ducktown wonder, sir, what is to be done about all this.  Surely the apprehension of these... men is important.  When can we expect aid as regards the darkness we now face?"

In reply to GM (msg # 444):

Until the last few words, the Inquisitor appeared to be ignoring the Master of Arms entirely, focusing all attention on Brennan.  After the Master speaks, however, he spins around suddenly.

"Others of my order shall be with you soon.  My task concerns only these fugitives."

One or two voices among the crowd can be heard, though they speak in whispers.