Difference between revisions of "Diablotin 1 session 5"

Latest revision as of 13:20, 3 July 2015

Summary

Third-month, 2196:

4th: Dizon is transferred to another squadron; Falke Sathin joins the group.
6th: They find the body of Tria and uncover the Secret of the Scarlet Sign - A sheen house run by Orain Talavera.

Logs

Session Start: Mon Oct 28 17:50:16 2002

Logging #changeling to 'logs\diablotin5'

(Narrator) Now, if we end late tonight, we know whose fault it is ;)
(Narrator) We'll start now, and Pavo can just catch up when he gets here.
(Boden) ok

Loch is ready to play

(Narrator) The frigid grip of winter has finally eased around the city of Diablotin. It is the start of Third-month and the weather is still cool, but not the bitter cold of the past months. The ice in the river is beginning to break up in large jagged sections and make its way to the west, to the Ocean of Sorrow. The streets of Pearl City are dirtier than usual these days, as the debris of the winter makes its way to the surface of the melting brownish snow.
(Narrator) Two days ago, Lt. Svodoba announced rather abruptly that Dizon was to be transferred to another squadron. Her manner was unusually curt, though you soon found out the reason why.
(Narrator) A squadron patrolling Rhenea had become involved in a confrontation that left two of them dead: Cadoc Thoma, a rather hefty sorcerer from the House of the Cat, and Eleana Azvedo of the House of the Bear, a cheerful young woman who often entertained the barracks with her songs and stories.
(Narrator) Although you did not know the two deceased guards very well, their deaths still saddened you. Dizon, due to her seniority, was assigned to the remnants of their squadron in order to help them recover from the shock. She bade you a kind farewell, with a reminder that she would never be far away if you needed any help.
(Belden) Goodness, what a shame.

Belden will pray for their families. -_-

(Narrator) New recruits are a fact of life in the Imperial Guards - people are injured or die, or else they retire to raise a family in a more secure profession, or (occasionally) they are promoted.
(Narrator) One of those new recruits, a young man by the name of Falke Sathin, was assigned to your squadron yesterday. Though only a few months ago you were green newcomers, you already feel somehow older and wiser compared to him.
(Narrator) (C, you could describe Falke to them now, as much as they might have observed about him in a day, at least. Do you want people to describe their characters for you?)
(Falke) (yup)
(Narrator) (Okay, then everyone can describe)

Falke is of average height and, is slighlty on the slim side of average build. He does not really stand out in a crowd. The most striking features about him might perhaps be his green eyes and dark brown hair, which is shot through with streaks of silver.
Falke 's face is as yet unlined and young-looking but with the greying hair, it's hard to really pin down an age. He seems to be very quiet and very pleasant. When he speaks, it is with a calm, softspoken sort of voice. He prays at night and he also prayed this morning.
Falke hasn't said much; he seems to be gauging the group dynamics perhaps and trying to figure out how to fit in. If you catch him looking at you he smiles a shy, friendly sort of smile.
Falke is wearing the standard uniform as well, is also well-groomed and so far you haven't really seen enough of him to decide if he's ill-mannered.
Falke seems to consider the shortbow, morningstar and dagger as his weapons of choice.
Falke does stay at the barracks. He doesn't seem to have much in the way of possessions; the trunk at the foot of his bed contains his uniforms, weapons, and one or two sets of civilian wear; not anything fancy.
Belden is what some people would call 'a handsome woman'. Her features are strong and striking... prominent cheekbones, full lips, and a strong jawline. Belden typically wears her clerical robes over her armour, with her holy symbol on a chain or beaded belt at her waist.

(Belden) (You wouldn't have seen her outside of her robes and stuff really, so you can only guess at her build, but her hands are those of someone who has worked hard most of her life, strong and weathered)

Belden looks to be in her twenties.
Belden has not been around the barracks very much. when not on duty she is usually out doing... something, you know not what
Loch is in his mid twenties, stands 5' 6", and is proportionally built. His hair is a mess of short cropped straw blond hair, eyes a deep blue, and a well tanned complection.
Loch usually carries a spear and a crossbow and is alway accompanied with his little hedgehog named Willam, who is usually perched on his shoulder or hidden in a belt pouch.
Loch tends to be quiet. He doesn't shrug away from physical tasks, and like Belden has well caloused hands.
Boden is a huge man. He stands 7 feet tall and weighs over 300 pounds of muscle. But he seems light on his feet despite his size. Not very fast in the head but he is amiacable. He always wears a gauntlet on his left hand. Always.
Boden looks about 18 or so...
Kalman is a man with dark curly hair and an olive complexion.
Kalman is not exceptionally tall at 5'11, and manages to be muscular without being stocky.
Kalman wears the standard uniform, but is well groomed and well mannered and has been in an exceptionally good mood of late ;)
Kalman looks to be about 19 or 20
Kalman does not have calloused hands, persey, except on his left hand (not it isn't what you think ;)

(Loch) (lol...)

Kalman doens't stay at the barracks
Pavo is sexay. He wears the simple uniform, dressed for the weather. He has a lean build, like a swimmer. Short hair, light brown. Brown eyes.

(Narrator) (Okay, thanks all :)
(Narrator) This morning is grey and cloudy, with occasional light showers of cold rain that make the cobbled streets somewhat slippery. In some areas, large brackish puddles of meltwater and mud impede your passage as you make your way to Pearl City.
(Narrator) The streets are quiet this time of morning. You have a bit of a chance to talk, perhaps try and get to know this new addition to your squadron.

Falke is looking around at things as everyone slogs through the mud.
Boden will roll a cigarette and have a morning smoke.

(Loch) I'm not sure if this is worse than the snow
(Boden) Its harder to keep a smoke lit, dats for sure.
(Belden) Just imaging what it must be like outside the city!

Belden says cheerfully. Spring is coming! :)

(Kalman) hmm
(Boden) Yeah
(Boden) pretty soon they'll be planting.

Kalman seems to have othert things on his mind ;)
Falke looks interested and focuses his attention on the group.

(Boden) setting up patrols to clear the kobolds out of the pasture land...
(Belden) We don't have so many kobolds at our farm...
(Boden) oh,
(Belden) I guess because we're not really near any forests...
(Falke) Are you both from outside the city limits?

Falke asks Boden and Belden.

(Boden) This time a year's real important in gouge.
(Belden) They live in the forests, don't they?
(Boden) no, mostly caves,
(Boden) lots of caves and holes and stuff.
(Boden) Gouge is close to the mountains.
(Belden) Yes, my family has farmed the same land for generations.
(Loch) Myself, Belden, and Boden are
(Boden) not a lot of land, so we farm the flat land and use the hills for pasture.

Falke nods.

(Boden) gouge is pretty far away.

Belden nods.
Boden says almost sadly.

(Belden) I think it will be a good year for the crops, on the plains...
(Boden) thats good.

Falke smiles quietly to himself.
Boden takes a long drag from his smoke.

(Belden) If you're ever homesick, you can come to my parents' house, Boden.
(Belden) I'm sure they would love to meet you.
(Belden) Or any of you! :)
(Boden) I might just do that.
(Belden) Just let me know...
(Belden) We can go if we get another set of days off in a row.
(Boden) When the real work starts, I'd be happy to trade a bit'o work for a farm cooked meal.
(Boden) ok.

Boden smiles

(Loch) What is the name of the village that you're from, Belden?
(Belden) Oh, we don't live in a village, per se.
(Falke) It sounds interesting but would your parents be willing to put up with a man who is completely ignorant to the nuances of farming?
(Belden) My parents send my brother to Diablotin if we need anything we can't glean from the farm, or trade for with one of our neighbours.
(Belden) My parents like to feed people.
(Boden) Well Falke, if they put up with me they'll put up with you.
(Kalman) heh
(Boden) I was more use down a kobold's hole than I ever was on the farms.

Falke smiles.

(Loch) Besides a couple of extra backs this time of year are always welcome.
(Boden) Yeah, but it'll have ta dry up a bit first I think.

Falke occasionally scans the crowd as the guards chat.
Kalman listens but doesn't really have an 'in' to this discussion so stays quiet

(Loch) It can't rain all the time.
(Narrator) You pass by salespeople setting up their carts and stands for the day, children playing in the mud and puddles, and people on their way to work or market.

Falke sighs happily.
Falke waves to a few people he knows.

(Falke) Is the job always this easy?
(Boden) nope.

Falke half smiles and he looks amused.

(Belden) I'm afraid not...

Kalman nhakes his head
Loch shakes his head no

(Boden) but I like the lack of kobolds...always a good sign.
(Falke) Are there many kobolds in town?
(Belden) I don't think they let them in the city.
(Boden) no
(Loch) No
(Kalman) . o O ( ....enoygh with the Kobolds... )

Boden says happily.

(Loch) I take it you're from the city, Falke?
(Falke) I am.
(Loch) Why did you decide to join the Guard?

Pavo yawns tiredly.
Falke smiles, pleased.

(Falke) Well...
(Falke) I like to style myself a student of humanity...

Falke blushes slightly.

(Loch) Excuse me?
(Falke) I enjoy watching people... seeing what they're doing, what they're saying...
(Falke) So, I figured I might as well put my hobby to good use.

Falke shrugs.
Pavo yawns wide, shaking the sleepies away, finally.

(Narrator) You are approaching a section of Pearl City called the Rookery, an area that is well-known for harbouring a veritable warren of thieves, thugs, dealers in narcotics, and the cheapest whores. It is always best to be on one's guard in the Rookery.
(Falke) It probably sounds a bit weird... I'm a bit embarrassed that I told you.

Falke clears his throat self-consciously.
Loch will be more on guard

(Belden) Don't worry, we're all friends here!

Kalman will also be more on guard and keep an eye out
Belden will keep her eyes peeled as well.

(Narrator) The second and third stories of rickety buildings overhang the narrow streets here, nearly blocking out what little sunlight is present. A cold drizzle begins to fall, defeating the purpose of the haphazardly-hung rows of washing strung above your heads.

Falke keeps all senses open for any disturbance.

(Narrator) A distinctive smell permeates this area, a combination of sweat, boiled cabbage, and something less identifiable - vaguely acidic or sulfuric, perhaps. It makes your eyes water.

Kalman will pull up the hood of his cloak

(Belden) . o O (Oh well, smells better than the Shambles!)

Boden will throw the butt to the ground and boot it out.
Pavo keeps his whip handy.

(Narrator) A loud shout attracts your attention. A strong male voice calls "Oy! Summun gimme a hand with this baggage, now!"
(Kalman) ugh.
(Narrator) You see up ahead of you a fat man beside a cart laden with fruit. He crouches, partly supporting a slumped figure, mostly hidden by his bulk.
(Narrator) At his shout, a number of heads peek out from cracked windows and behind doors, but disappear when they spot your cloaks.

Belden heads over to the man.

(Narrator) As you draw nearer, the fat man stands, turning towards you. The figure behind him slips down and onto its side, but is still mostly obscured. The man swallows and tips his hat to you. He wears a grimy blue and red vest that is many sizes too small for his bulk.

Boden follows Belden
Kalman heads over also

(Fat_man) Sirs, I weren't doin' nuthin 'cept my duty as a citizen.
(Belden) (sense motive)
(Narrator) (You don't sense any deception from him)

Loch trails behind the group
Falke also does, loosening his morningstar in its leather thong surreptitiously.

(Belden) What seems to be the problem here, ser?
(Fat_man) Arnek Swart, costermonger, atcher service.

Fat_man sticks out a meaty palm for you to shake.
- - Fat_man is now known as Arnek
Belden will shake his hand.

(Kalman) what's going on?
(Arnek) A real shame, it is. Pretty young girl like that... I got three daughters of my own at home, it's a real shame.

Arnek gestures to the slumped body behind him.
Kalman looks past the man at the slumped figure
Belden will crouch down by the figure.

(Belden) (Are they alive?)
(Narrator) The body behind him sits on the street, slumped awkwardly against the wall. It is a young woman, perhaps 18 or 20, with fair hair plastered to her once-pretty face and darkened by the rain. She wears a white blouse and a pair of knee-length lacy knickers. Her green eyes stare sightlessly into the distance.
(Belden) Oh, no...

Kalman frowns

(Belden) (m) May you find peace in your next life...

Kalman watches Belden checking her over

(Kalman) Where was she?

Pavo sighs and drops his gaze to the ground.

(Belden) (Can I tell how she died?)

Falke will carefully watch the fat man.
Arnek seems genuinely concerned.
Boden looks kinda distressed.

(Falke) Do you know who she was?

Falke asks Arnek.

(Arnek) I've never seen her 'round here before. I'll wager she's not from these parts, from the look of her. Too posh by half.

Falke nods.
Belden nods...
Kalman nods

(Falke) When did you find her?
(Belden) Look at her clothes...
(Narrator) Belden, upon examining the body more closely, you notice several things:
(Kalman) (I don't recognize her, do I? ;D)
(Narrator) (no)
(Kalman) (didn't think so ;)
(Narrator) Belden: Though the girl's feet are bare, they are soft and more or less clean. Similarly, her hands are neither rough nor heavily callused. In general, her skin is very pale, with no sign of wounds.
(Narrator) However, the veins in her face, neck, arms and legs are grossly engorged, a violent black-purple against a creamy-white background. Her tongue, which protrudes slightly from her mouth, is a similar shade.
(Belden) (could she have been poisoned?)
(Belden) (Do I know of any substances/spells which could do this?)
(Belden) Someone carried her here, after she was dead...
(Narrator) (rolling)
(Boden) hmmm
(Narrator) All of you except Boden recognize the distinctive signs of an overdose of sheen, a popular but expensive drug reputed to bring users to incredible heights of pleasure.
(Kalman) Where was she?
(Boden) Where did you find her?

Kalman repeats

(Arnek) Just right here, sir.
(Belden) Sheen...

Kalman nods

(Arnek) Leanin' against that there wall.
(Boden) sheen? I heard o that stuff.

Arnek points

(Pavo) What a waste.

Loch moves forward
Boden will purse his lips.

(Falke) What time did you find her, Mr. Arnek?
(Belden) I don't think it's an accidental overdose though...
(Loch) What is sheen?
(Falke) A drug.
(Pavo) (By what matter is Sheen administered?)
(Narrator) (It is smoked, usually)
(Boden) guess there might be a house round here were she could be dosing.
(Belden) As I said... she didn't walk here...
(Falke) A lot of people use it here.
(Arnek) Just found here before you walked up...

Falke nods.
Kalman nods

(Kalman) (sense motive?)
(Narrator) Kalman - you don't sense any deception from him.
(Pavo) (Would that mean it's hard to OD on it?)
(Narrator) (It's not that common, no. Perhaps it can also be administered other ways, you're not sure.)
(Pavo) Hell, if she's as posh as our friend here (indicates arnek) thinks, she might have just bitten off more than she could chew.
(Belden) (is it the kind of thing where you could smell it on her mouth if she'd actually smoked it? If so, then I smell her. ;)
(Kalman) possibly...
(Narrator) Belden - you don't smell anything except wet body and grime from the street.

Belden frowns.

(Boden) well, the streets not a good place to drop a body.
(Kalman) I wonder why she would be brought out here...

Belden will close the girl's eyes, with a sad, solemn look.

(Boden) maybe the people who droped her were doped up too.

Pavo shrugs.

(Belden) Maybe she was with someone...
(Falke) Kalman, Mr. Arnek, why don't we go inside? Belden can get the information we need from the body.
(Pavo) Would YOU like to be found with her corpse after you offered her "the time of her life"?
(Arnek) Beg pardon, sirs, but if she were clothed when she fell here, her clothes might not have lasted the night, if you know what I mean.
(Belden) Someone who didn't want to be associated with her death, whether it was accidental or not.

Falke tries to organize things a bit but isn't sure if it's his place to do so, being the newbie.
Boden brightens up a bit.
Kalman raises an eyebrow at Falke

(Boden) That means that whoever droped her must still be close by!
(Belden) We should look around the spot where she was found.

Kalman nods to Belden, though
Boden will start to use his tracking feat to see if he can track who droped her...
Falke falls silent and lets the others handle things, while he observes, then.

(Kalman) (Is this the kind of place where Sheen might be made?)
(Kalman) (nearby in anycase...)
(Kalman) did you see anyone nearby before you noticed her?

Kalman asks Arnek
Falke scans the crowd for anything unusual. Maybe someone saw something last night.

(Narrator) Boden - you can see booted footprints, one set, leading to where she lies, and then some confusion around the body (probably from Arnek and Belden and possibly some others).
(Narrator) (The footprints you can see are small, probably female.)

Boden will start to track the footprints giving a quick grunt to the others.

(Arnek) No sir, no one.
(Kalman) hmmm

Loch will stick with Boden

(Belden) (Just how wet is she? Like, is her hair soaked? Is her back wet where she was leaning up against the thing, or only damp? How long do I estimate she's been here? And how long do I estimate she's been dead?)
(Narrator) Boden - you track them to the end of the street, then lose the trail)
(Boden) crap.
(Loch) Lost it?

Falke looks for people who might look sort of guilty, or as if they know something but don't want to tell...
Kalman asks Belden "Is it possible she walked here under her own power before she died?"
Belden shakes her head.

(Narrator) Belden - she is very wet. You would say she's been here several hours at least, possibly up to 8 hours.
(Boden) yeah, but maybe I'll be able to find it again.
(Belden) Well, it's possible, but she didn't.

Pavo looks over the tracks Boden was following

(Belden) Look at her feet.

Boden will spend a bit of time trying to find the trail again.

(Belden) They're clean.
(Pavo) Is there sign that these tracks were dragging something?

Kalman will kneel and look at them

(Kalman) hmmm..
(Belden) If she'd walked barefoot through Pearl...
(Narrator) Belden - you would guess she's been dead 6-8 hours, perhaps.
(Pavo) .oO(How is Sheen made?)
(Belden) She'd probably be muddy *and* bloody.
(Kalman) true
(Narrator) (sheen is composed of several organic substances, but is refined)
(Boden) (pavo: was that question to me?)
(Kalman) unless someone has been by and stole her shoes
(Belden) Why just her shoes?

Arnek nods at that.

(Belden) (is she wearing any jewelry?)
(Kalman) does she have any jewellery or anything else easily portable?
(Pavo) (Boden: Yup)
(Arnek) And her skirt, by the looks of things. She'd have been pretty cold dressed like that last night.
(Kalman) hmmm...
(Boden) hmmm
(Narrator) There are no signs of drag marks, and she is not wearing any jewelry.

Belden looks thoughtful.
Boden will check the tracks to see if I think the person was carying anything or watnot.

(Boden) (you know...from the depth.)
(Kalman) Boden... do you think those tracks could be hers?
(Narrator) Boden, you don't think so.
(Belden) (If she'd been moved around for the purposes of stealing stuff, she'd be all muddy, though, wouldn't she? And is she?)
(Boden) um guys.
(Loch) Yes?
(Narrator) She's somewhat muddy, but remember, she's under an overhanging second story here. She's sheltered somewhat from the worst of the elements.
(Boden) I don't think the one set of tracks leading up to the body was carying anything...

Belden looks up at Boden.

(Boden) (are the tracks leading *away* from the body...and if so were are they coming *from*)

Loch will move to the body and cast Detect Magic

(Pavo) Perhaps we should consult some sort of Toxicologist.
(Narrator) Boden - the tracks lead up to the body, and go no further, as far as you can tell. You followed them back to the corner, but lost them there.
(Narrator) Loch - you detect no magic.

Pavo looks at the tracks... (Are they of a size she might make?)

(Belden) I think it would be most useful if we could find out who she is...
(Boden) (how big are the boots that made the tracks?)
(Kalman) mayeb someone else has reported her missing...
(Narrator) The tracks were probably about right for her size, though they have expanded as they melted, of course.
(Arnek) Still, she did bring it on herself, I say.
(Kalman) oh?

Arnek leans on his cart

(Kalman) what makes you say that
(Arnek) Sheen's a nasty business.

Pavo looks up along the wall of the building she was found beside.
Belden shakes her head sadly.
Kalman stands back up

(Kalman) mmm...true

Pavo looks for windows.

(Arnek) Not too many people around here use it... too expensive.
(Boden) I think the tracks may have been hers...maybe, but they are boots.
(Falke) (Julie, is there a place where bodies go for autopsies and stuff? Is Diablotin that advanced?)
(Belden) (m)I weep for a life so unhappy it turned to poison for pleasure...

Kalman shakes his head

(Kalman) well
(Falke) (w) She's just one of many.
(Narrator) The building she leans against has a few doorways in either direction, but no windows on this floor.
(Kalman) I can't think of anything else to ask you at the moment, Mr. Arnek..
(Narrator) Bodies go to the guard post, where they are kept until claimed or disposed of.
(Pavo) Some turn to a glass of water on a hot day, Belden. But if you can't swim, a river can be as dangerous as Sheen.

Kalman looks at the rest of the group
Arnek tips his hat to you

(Kalman) could you tell us where we might find you, though, in case anything else does come up?
(Belden) A glass of water is hardly comparable to drinking a river, Pavo.
(Pavo) I wasn't implying one should drink a river.
(Arnek) If there's anythin' further, sirs, I'll be in this area until nightfall, with my cart.

Pavo turns to Arnek. "Thank you for taking time out of your day to care for her."
Arnek shrugs

(Belden) Yes, thank you.
(Arnek) Just doin' what I'd hope summun would do for me...

Kalman nods as well

(Belden) We should return her to the guard house/
(Falke) (Julie, using City Lore 3, do I know of any "Sheen houses"? Is there anything like that? Might be good places to go start asking questions)

Kalman nods. "is there anything else we can learn here?"
Arnek takes up the handles of his cart and trundles away down the narrow street, loudly calling out the goods he has for sale.
Kalman will look at Boden and Belden, since they are tracking and doctor types ;)

(Pavo) (Did you say anything about my toxicologist line Julie?)
(Kalman) (Yeah, do I know any of the kind of p[eolke who deal in or use sheen? ;)
(Narrator) Falke - you think about it for a bit, but nothing leaps to mind in this area. You know there are probably some such houses, but it's a more expensive drug than would usually be used in an area this poor.
(Pavo) (or anyone else? :D)
(Narrator) Pavo - like I said, bodies go to the guard post (well, actually, a building near the guard post), where there is a priest or healer stationed. No toxicologists, per se.
(Falke) (Well, where are the ones that do exist? We have established that she was transported here, haven't we?

Falke looks thoughtful.

(Boden) maybe we should knock on a few doors...nobody'd say nothing...but we might smell smoke and find the fire type thing.
(Belden) (no, we haven't)
(Falke) (OK)

Belden nods to Boden.

(Belden) Someone should stay with her, to make sure she doesn't lose anything else...
(Narrator) Kalman - you don't know of anyone specific, but it is the sort of drug people from your social class would be more likely to use.
(Loch) I'll go send for the cart... be back soon.
(Kalman) hmm
(Kalman) alright

Loch will head off to find the body cart

(Falke) Some of the houses around here probably might have heard or seen something. Whether they will tell us is the question.
(Belden) The truth will always out... eventually
(Belden) Come on, Boden...
(Kalman) ...

Pavo rolls his eyes while Belden isn't looking.

(Boden) ok

Boden follows Belden

(Kalman) I'll stay here
(Narrator) Falke, you do know of one place that might sell sheen in Pearl City. It's called the Scarlet Sign. It looks like a real hole in the wall from the outside, but inside it's a rather classy drug den - or so you've heard. The problem is, you don't actually know where it is - they say it moves around to avoid detection.
(Falke) (OK)
(Belden) Alright, Kalman
(Falke) Should we find out if anyone is missing her yet?

Belden and Boden go and knock on some doors, then.

(Kalman) Hopefully Loch will check into that

Falke nods.

(Kalman) if not we can see when we bring her back

Kalman shrugs

(Falke) If we can find out what she was wearing, we can check some of the pawn shops and whorehouses for her clothes.
(Narrator) Belden and Boden, you knock on doors. At some, no one answers. At others, they just shake their heads and say they don't know anything. You find little information from these people.
(Belden) (sense motive!)
(Falke) It might give us some leads.

Falke seems doubtful.

(Kalman) we have to get that far first
(Belden) (Are they lyin'?)
(Falke) I know.
(Narrator) (They're scared of you, but you don't get the sense that anyone is deliberately lying about not having seen the girl before.)
(Belden) (ok...)

Belden will be as friendly and cheerful as possible to try and show them that guards are your friends!

(Narrator) After about 20 minutes or so, Loch returns with the horse and cart for the body.
(Pavo) (Is the building she's outside residential or...?)
(Narrator) (yes, residential)

Falke would like to figure out where the Scarlet Sign is at the moment. Would Gather Information help me do that?
Pavo will wait to see if Belden talked to the folks with the windows right above this location.
Loch will enquire about any missing persons reported from the Grand while he gets the cart

(Narrator) (Yes, I can roll for you... just a sec)
(Narrator) (Falke, no one you talk to knows, or perhaps they're just not willing to tell you.)
(Narrator) Loch - no missing people matching this girl's description.
(Falke) (Figured. ;^) )
(Pavo) (You're trying to be nice, cherful and unthreatening ... while going around with the ogre that is Boden :D)

Falke wonders if Reanne might have heard...

(Belden) (He's a friendly giant!)
(Loch) Nobody looking for her yet... not surprising. It's still early.

Loch will help get the body on the cart
Kalman nods

(Pavo) (WE know that)

Kalman will help also
Pavo assists Loch

(Boden) (look up, waaaaaayyyy up.)
(Narrator) Loch, as you lift the lifeless form, you hear something clatter on the stones near your feet. A small round shape rolls a short distance away.

Falke picks it up.

(Kalman) what's that?
(Narrator) It is a heavy button of bone, which perhaps once held closed a skirt or dress. On it is carved the shape of an Owl with an unfurled banner in its talons.
(Falke) Well... it seems she might have been of the House of the Owl, possibly.

Pavo looks at the item in Falke's hands.

(Pavo) That's even more reason to speak to them.

Falke will Appraise it.

(Narrator) Falke - cheap. It's just a bone button.
(Belden) Is it a particular family sigil?
(Falke) It's just a bauble, though. Not worth much...

Kalman will look at it

(Pavo) They might be able to tell us something about what happened last night, with their powers or something.
(Kalman) (do I recognize it?)

Falke hands it over to Kalman.
Kalman frowns

(Loch) I'll take the body back to the guardhouse and catch up with you afterward

Kalman looks around to see if anyone is paying attention
Belden is paying attention

(Kalman) This is the seal of the count of Childress.
(Boden) I'll go with you Loch and help you out.

Kalman says quietly

(Belden) ...
(Belden) Who's that?
(Kalman) That's the Warlord's grandson.

Pavo is as well!
Kalman says, equally quietly

(Belden) (w) Oh.
(Narrator) You get the body loaded into the cart. Who is going with Loch?
(Kalman) is there anything left here, or should we all head back?

Belden will volunteer.

(Belden) (Unless we're all going)
(Boden) (I'll go with Loch

Kalman will go also

(Loch) (that leaves Pavo and Falke... I guess were all going)
(Falke) I'd just like to check something out... would it be all right to meet up with you again at the Guardhouse?
(Belden) Where are you going?
(Falke) Well... I know there's a sheen house here in Pearl City. However, it moves around. I'd like to see if I can find out where it is at the moment.
(Loch) It's not wise to wander off alone, Falke.
(Pavo) I'll go with you... that's hardly a safe endeavour to be made alone
(Belden) Oh, there is?
(Belden) Good idea, Pavo

Kalman nods
Falke shrugs.

(Falke) Sure.

Loch will pull Willam off his shoulder and set him on Pavo's

(Kalman) we'll meet you both later, then
(Belden) If you don't have any luck, I know someone else who *might* be able to help us out...

Pavo quirks a brow at Belden

(Loch) Take good care of him, Pavo. We'll catch up.
(Kalman) oh
(Kalman) ?
(Pavo) 'Oh I will... *supresses a chucklE*

Kalman seems vaguely surprised that Belden would know any of that kind of people ;)

(Narrator) Okay, so everyone except Pavo and Falke are going back to the guard post. Pavo and Falke are going... somewhere else.
(Narrator) I'll deal with Pavo and Falke first, then.
(Falke) (Would Reanne be working at this time of day?)
(Narrator) No, it's early morning still; she would probably be at home.

Boden looks very surprised Belden might know someone...but says nothing.

(Falke) Well, Pavo, I guess you get to meet the folks.

Belden looks a bit embarrassed when she notes other people's surprised expressions...
Falke heads towards his parents' house (that's where she lives, right?)

(Narrator) (yes)

Kalman smiles at her embarrassment

(Kalman) I just can't imagine you hanging around anyone who would know much about sheen
(Narrator) Okay pause everyone else... Pavo and Falke head towards Birdcage Alley, a more well-to-do section of Pearl City.

Pavo whistles on the way...

(Loch) (I will follow Pavo's and Falke's adventures as best I can through the link with Willam)

Falke enters the street-level carpentry shop owned by his father.
Falke holds the door open for Pavo.

(Narrator) (okay, you will get vague impressions. I'll let you know if there's anything noteworthy)

Pavo steps through.

(Falke) Hello, father.

Pavo scritches a non-pointy part of the creature.
Jarl is a slender man, late forties, with dark hair.

(Jarl) Falke, what are you doing here?

Jarl looks up from his work, surprised.

(Falke) On coffee break? The guard has gotten soft since you were on it.

Jarl chuckles

(Falke) Is Reanne home?

Pavo tilts his head

(Jarl) She's still asleep, I think. Late nights for her, you know
(Jarl) She should be upstairs.
(Belden) (being a ho and all)
(Falke) Thanks. This is Pavo, by the way. He's on my squad.

Jarl nods to Pavo, politely

(Falke) Pavo, my father, Jarl.
(Jarl) Good to meet you, Pavo.
(Pavo) Likewise *offers hand, or similar Diablotin greeting*

Jarl brushes sawdust from his hands and shakes your hand.

(Falke) I'll be right back, Pavo.

Falke goes upstairs.

(Narrator) You go upstairs to the room your two sisters used to share (until you moved out, that is).

Falke taps on the door.
Reanne mutters something from inside that sounds like "go away"
Pavo yawns and looks around the place.

(Falke) Hey now! Is that the way to treat the guy who made it possible for you to have your own room finally?

Jarl goes back to his work, keeping an eye on Pavo
Reanne mutters something else, perhaps "come in"
Falke swings the door open and steps in.
Reanne is under her covers in bed.

(Reanne) Aren't you gone yet?

Falke smiles and leans against the door.
Reanne pokes her head out at you.

(Reanne) Did you forget something?
(Falke) No.
(Falke) I'm sorry to wake you up, but it's business.
(Reanne) Urg.
(Belden) (with your *sister*???)

Reanne pulls her head back under the blankets.

(Falke) I was wondering if you might have heard anything about the Scarlet Sign?

Reanne looks out again

(Reanne) What do you want to know about that?
(Falke) Just where it might be.

Reanne squints at you
Pavo offers the hedgehog his palm...

(Reanne) Try Dove Court.

Reanne says after a bit.

(Falke) Thanks. You're the best.
(Reanne) Urm.
(Falke) Sleep tight.
(Loch) (Willam eats Pavo's palm)

Falke turns and leaves.
Reanne grunts and pulls the blanket over her head again.
Pavo grumbles and will have to visit the nursery and buy a new one. ):|
Falke comes back downstairs and promises himself to get her something nice when he gets his first pay.

(Falke) Right, let's go.

Falke nods respectfully to his father and heads out.

(Pavo) ... alrighty.

Jarl bids you farewell.
Pavo nods as well, and steps out

(Falke) Let's go find the others.

Falke heads towards the guardhouse.

(Narrator) Okay, back to the others now.
(Boden) (as we walk, Boden will talk a bit..)
(Boden) I can't figure out those tracks...they don't make sense.
(Belden) How so?

Kalman listens

(Boden) well...they might have been her...wearing boots.
(Boden) but she wasn't wearing boots, and no other prints come away from the body.
(Kalman) we think someone might have taken her boots
(Boden) so how did she lose the boots...and what was she wearing that had that button on it.
(Belden) I guess someone could have taken her boots, like Kalman said...
(Boden) but that someone would have left tracks too.
(Belden) You're right...
(Boden) there should have been other tracks.
(Kalman) one way or another...
(Loch) We're the tracks made by someone in good health? Was the person staggering?

Boden is all confused and is thinking aloud.
Boden will think about that for a bit...(julie were the tracks staggering?)

(Boden) hmmmm./
(Boden) now that I think of it...the tracks were weaving a bit.
(Boden) and there were tracks around the body...just not leading to it. So some locals could have taken her stuff.
(Belden) Oh, alright...
(Boden) were did the button come from?
(Belden) It probably was locals... If someone had taken her dress and boots to hide who she was, or something, they wouldn't have been so sloppy as to leave that button behind, I don't think...

Belden looks saddened.

(Kalman) they may not have noticed it... we didn't

Belden thinks about the kind of person who would see someone in distress and only think about stealing her shoes.

(Belden) :(

Kalman shakes his head

(Narrator) You bring the body to the corpse house near the guard post and hand it over to the ministrations of Sister Maulde, who is on duty there at the moment.

Falke seems preoccupied as he and Pavo make their way back to the guard house.
Sister_Maulde is a middle-aged woman with thin grey hair and blue eyes, from the order of the Wolf.

(Belden) Hello Sister...

Pavo whistles faux-casually

(Narrator) (pause, you two :)
(Sister_Maulde) Hello, dears. Oh, what have we here?

Sister_Maulde clucks her tongue

(Sister_Maulde) Tsk tsk, what a shame.
(Belden) An unfortunate, wayward soul...

Sister_Maulde nods.

(Belden) I hope she finds a better path.
(Belden) -_-
(Sister_Maulde) Put her over here, would you, one of you big strong fellows?

Sister_Maulde gestures to a slab.
Kalman will give Boden a hand

(Narrator) You notice that several of the slabs are occupied already, even at this time of day.
(Belden) (any... commonalities?)

Kalman sets her down carefully

(Kalman) do you know if anyone has been reported missing?

Boden is helping Kalman.

(Narrator) Not that you notice. Two stabbings, one that looks like a drowning, and a couple without obvious signs of trauma.
(Sister_Maulde) Not that I've heard of, dear.

Kalman nods
Belden looks around the room sadly.
Sister_Maulde comes over to take a look at the body.

(Falke) (let us know when we arrive)

Sister_Maulde does some cursory examinations.

(Narrator) (I assure you I will)
(Sister_Maulde) Tsk tsk...
(Kalman) Belden thinks it might be a sheen overdose

Belden nods.

(Sister_Maulde) Yes, that's right, dear. But...
(Belden) The signs are quite distinctive...
(Belden) But?

Loch watches quietly

(Sister_Maulde) But you see here?

Sister_Maulde points to a spot between the woman's fingers, on her left hand

(Sister_Maulde) Puncture mark. She was injecting it, not smoking it. Much more dangerous that way.
(Kalman) Hmmm..
(Belden) Between the fingers?
(Belden) Is that usual?

Sister_Maulde shrugs

(Sister_Maulde) It's easy to hide, I suppose.

Belden picks up her other hand and looks for older scars.

(Sister_Maulde) But this is a very strong reaction, even for sheen.
(Narrator) You don't notice any, Belden.
(Belden) I don't see any older marks...
(Kalman) (Is sheen actually illegal? do we have anti-drug laws in Diablotin?)
(Sister_Maulde) It could be an unusually strong dose, I think. Perhaps even tainted somehow.

Belden frowns...

(Belden) If she had enough of a habit to be injecting sheen... one would think...
(Narrator) It's illegal to sell it or transport it. Since it's made from various plants, just growing them is not a crime.

Sister_Maulde nods

(Sister_Maulde) Perhaps she usually smoked it, and had just moved up to injecting it...
(Loch) What would a large dose of Sheen do to you? Would you even know you're dying?
(Kalman) maybe

Sister_Maulde looks to Loch
Boden takes up The Stance

(Sister_Maulde) I don't think you would know right away. I believe you would mainly feel very tired - it's an opiate, after all.
(Belden) (smoking it doesn't do anything convenient like make your teeth a weird colour, does it?)
(Narrator) (nope)
(Belden) (dang)
(Narrator) (there is an odour from smoking it, but she doesn't have it, as I said)
(Belden) (does sheen itself count as a poison for the purposes of detect poison?)
(Narrator) (yes, I'd say so)
(Belden) (k)
(Pavo) (Cast and see!: D)

Sister_Maulde goes back to examining the girl's body
Belden watches her work.
Loch will head outside
Kalman is half watching and half thinking

(Narrator) (Okay, Pavo and Falke can show up now)

Falke notices Loch and heads towards him.

(Falke) Any news on the girl?

Pavo slips into the room.

(Loch) Not much more than we knew before.

Falke nods.

(Loch) (I will call Willam back to me)
(Kalman) she was injecting the sheen...
(Falke) Well... the Scarlet Sign may be in Dove Court right now but by tonight it will have moved.
(Pavo) Hrm...
(Belden) (Boden is still in the romo too, right?)
(Falke) They'll know we've been asking.
(Boden) (yep)
(Loch) It that close to where we found her body?
(Falke) (is itJulie?)
(Narrator) (It's fairly close, a few streets distant - maybe a 5-10 minute walk)
(Falke) It's five or ten minutes away.
(Falke) So... close enough, I'd say.

Kalman nods

(Pavo) But we should be able to see THEIR tracks.
(Falke) How long has she been dead?
(Pavo) It would have to be some one strong enough to carry her. And their combined weights would HAVE to press their tracks futher into the street wouldn't it?
(Belden) (I already said 6-8 hours)
(Kalman) hmm?
(Belden) (back at the scene)
(Loch) She could have wandered there and her boots stolen after she died
(Falke) (Julie, was it raining overnight, 6-8 hours ago?)
(Kalman) ...yes.
(Narrator) (It's been raining on and off since yesterday)
(Kalman) It's possible that she was one of the count's servants
(Boden) so belden, what now?
(Belden) Well, I guess the next step is to find out who she is...
(Belden) She is connected to the Count of Childress somehow...
(Belden) Maybe one of his staff.

Boden nods.

(Kalman) Some of us could go and check into that
(Belden) I was hoping there'd be just one thing that we missed, you know...
(Belden) That would help us understand.
(Boden) well...

Boden seems to ponder for a while.
Belden looks sadly in the Sister's direction.
Sister_Maulde is still examining the body

(Falke) (How heavy has the rain been, Julie?)
(Narrator) Falke - the rain has been light, mostly
(Boden) (Is she wearing anything that would have that button on it?)
(Narrator) Boden - no, she's not.
(Kalman) It might be worth having someone investingate that Scarlet Sign, but it could be quite dangerous
(Falke) (Just wondering if it might have been strong enough to obliterate tracks in the mud)
(Falke) I think it would be quite dangerous.
(Boden) Belden...where did the button come from?
(Boden) I mean...it seems really odd you know?
(Belden) From her dress...
(Boden) nope
(Boden) look
(Belden) The dress was probably removed
(Pavo) ... or perhaps she pulled it off ,and it was in her hands.
(Pavo) We don't know for sure where it was before we picked her up.
(Belden) Like her shoes...

Belden nods.

(Pavo) Did anyone look at her hands before she was picked up?

Boden still looks troubled

(Belden) I looked her over...
(Falke) Loch...
(Pavo) (Julie?)
(Boden) um
(Narrator) Belden, you think you would have noticed if she was holding something in her hand.
(Belden) It must have been caught on some of her clothing... the fruit vendor had moved her already when we got there, remember?
(Loch) I never examined the body closely
(Belden) I would have noticed if it had been in her hand.

Kalman nods

(Pavo) Ok.
(Boden) yeah, it wasn't until we picked her up.
(Boden) could he have been robbing her as we got there...you know...hiding stuff in his cart?
(Falke) I don't know much about magic... but could someone have used any sort of magic to get her body to that place without leaving tracks? Would anyone even bother?
(Belden) No...
(Kalman) he called for us... it doesn't seem likley
(Belden) He seemed honest to me.
(Pavo) He called us over, I doubt he'd have been doing that.
(Boden) I don't know...

Falke is wherever Loch is- I think that's outside.

(Boden) something just doesn't feel right...like I should think of something or something.
(Kalman) hmmm
(Loch) Magic could do it, but it doesn't seem to fit.

Falke nods.

(Falke) It was just a thought.

Kalman goes back over where the sister is
Belden nods to Boden.
Sister_Maulde looks up as you approach

(Kalman) Is there any other sign of... violation of anysort?

Belden bites her lower lip.
Loch will head back inside
Sister_Maulde pushes her glasses up on her head

(Sister_Maulde) She was no maiden, but I don't see any signs of violence of that sort.
(Kalman) alright
(Belden) Well, that's a mercy, at least...

Falke heads in too. No sense standing out in the rain.

(Boden) I bet on sheen it wouldn't take a lot of violence for that sort of thing.
(Sister_Maulde) No, you're right. But I don't think she would have had very long...
(Loch) Why spend the money on Sheen when whores are cheaper?
(Kalman) how long would she have had?
(Sister_Maulde) From what I can tell, she injected the drug, and was dead ... less than half an hour later.
(Sister_Maulde) That's my best guess, at least.
(Belden) I have a feeling...
(Belden) Well... I don't know.
(Belden) Just a bad feeling.
(Sister_Maulde) See, the veins in her feet are still clear... It didn't have time to circulate through her entire body.

Belden closes her eyes.

(Kalman) I suppose that narrows down how far she could have come from, if she was moving under her own power

Sister_Maulde nods to Kalman
Kalman looks over to Falke

(Sister_Maulde) And I noticed something else... I don't know if this will help you or not...
(Kalman) Did you find out where that drug house is?
(Kalman) Or was, even?
(Falke) Yes.

Sister_Maulde points to the girl's waist.
Belden looks up at the priest.

(Falke) But if we don't go there soon it won't be there anymore.

Belden looks down.

(Falke) However, it will be dangerous.

Kalman nods

(Sister_Maulde) She was wearing some kind of skirt, I'd say, but it was torn from her - see the marks here and here? Probably after she was unconscious or dead, though.
(Falke) It's a lucrative business. I'm sure the owners have invested in protection.

Belden nods...

(Belden) Yes.. her shoes were taken too.
(Boden) would the skirt have had the button on it?
(Sister_Maulde) No signs of a struggle, and even on sheen, most people would try to resist having their clothes torn off.
(Sister_Maulde) It could be, dear.
(Belden) We're not sure if it was to try and hide who she was, or if it was just someone who wanted them for themselves...

Sister_Maulde shrugs

(Kalman) hard to say
(Kalman) one of the count's household may know who she was, at least
(Falke) It could easily have been someone who wanted some clothes, in Pearl City...

Belden nods to Kalman.

(Sister_Maulde) I hope I've been of some help, dears. Good luck finding this girl's name.

Falke says, perhaps with a hint of sadness.

(Belden) Thank you very kindly, Sister.

Sister_Maulde nods and goes back to her work.

(Kalman) Yes, thank you, Sister

Loch will head back outside again
Belden will head outside, to stand in the damp air.
Boden goes outside.
Falke heads out with the rest.

(Belden) You know...

Belden says thoughtfully
Kalman goes out as well

(Belden) If someone did steal her clothes...
(Belden) They may have tried to sell them...
(Kalman) possibly
(Falke) Yes, but we don't know what they look like.
(Loch) Would a servant be able to afford sheen?
(Kalman) possibly...
(Kalman) It depends on how well paid they are
(Belden) Probably someone would remember fencing something nice like that...
(Belden) Oh well... I don't really know much about that sort of thing
(Kalman) I expect the injected kind would be more expensive than the regular kind, though
(Loch) How well payed are they they in the Grand?

Loch looks at Kalman
Kalman asks the gm, sec ;)

(Kalman) It depends
(Kalman) some of them can make between one and two Imperials a day if they are well trusted...
(Kalman) To my understanding though, sheen runs about 50 Imperials a dose
(Kalman) (Is Sheen addictive?)
(Narrator) (yes)
(Belden) She doesn't look wealthy enough to support that kind of habit...
(Kalman) no...
(Loch) Imperials aren't the only currency out there.
(Kalman) true
(Kalman) One of us, at least, should visit the count's house

Belden nods to Kalman,
Loch nods in agreement

(Belden) I think the next step is finding out who she is...
(Kalman) I'll go
(Belden) I will, too
(Kalman) alright

Belden says resolutely.

(Narrator) And what are the rest of you doing?

Pavo will go along.

(Loch) I guess the rest of us will head back to the Pearl... keep watch until you find out more.
(Falke) Maybe we should keep watch around Dove Court.
(Kalman) alright, let's go, then
(Belden) Do you know where it si?
(Loch) If we stay in the vicinity of Dove Court on our route... well, its just a concidience

Kalman nods
Belden asks Kalman.

(Belden) Alright.
(Narrator) Okay. Pavo, Belden, and Kalman are going to the Grand. Boden, Loch, and Falke are going to the vicinity of Dove Court, if I understand correctly.

Falke smiles.
Pavo straightens out his clothes.

(Loch) (yes, I believe so)
(Narrator) (okay then)
(Narrator) I'll deal with the people going to the Grand first, then. Everyone else can pause for now.
(Falke) (ok)
(Narrator) The home of Eynard Arguelles is on the majestic Celandine Way. It is a massive, rather squat stone building, only three stories high, but very wide. The solitary guard at the gates swiftly allows you to enter upon seeing your badges.
(Belden) (ooh, swiftly!)
(Narrator) A butler opens the door promptly at your knock and stands back to allow you to enter. His red coat shines with brass buttons, identical in design to the one you bear.
(Kalman) . o O ( this could be unpleasant )
(Butler) Yes, how can I help you?

Belden tries to hide her discomfort, letting Kalman take the lead.

(Kalman) Goodday
(Kalman) I'm Kalman Vak Andras, these are Sister Belden and Pavo, my associates

Pavo nods
Butler arches an eyebrow on hearing your name, and nods
Belden bows her head in greeting.

(Kalman) We are investigating the death of a young girl who was found in Pearl this morning
(Butler) Dear me.
(Butler) But what does this have to do with my master?
(Kalman) We believe that she may have been associated with this household
(Butler) It could be, sir. This is a large household.
(Butler) Did you wish to speak to my master?

Kalman nods

(Kalman) Please.

Butler claps his white-gloved hands gently and a maidservant appears as if out of nowhere.

(Pavo) .oO(... I'd be fine speaking to anyone who would know her :o)
(Kalman) . o O ( bleah )

Maid bobs a curtsey and disappears up the stairs.
Kalman is diplomatic enough to hide his displeasure at having to deal with this guy like this, bleh bleh bleh
Maid is wearing a red skirt and white blouse.
Pavo simply tries to look anti-ruffian

(Narrator) The hall you stand in is richly carpeted with a complex red and white pattern. The dominant feature is a huge mirror with an ornate frame hanging on the wall, which on its own must have cost a fortune.
(Narrator) After a few moments, the maid returns, and you are escorted up the stairs, down a hallway and into a bedroom. The maid curtseys again and leaves.
(Pavo) (Does the maid have bone buttons we can see?)

Pavo discretely eyes the maid's skirt

(Narrator) (yes, you can see one at the top of the skirt, in the back, as you follow her up the stairs)
(Pavo) (Identical to the one we have?)
(Narrator) (As far as you can tell without sticking your face in her ass, yes)
(Pavo) (eww!)
(Narrator) Inside, the most obvious characteristic of the room is the massive mahogany bed, hung with heavy red curtains that are currently drawn back and tied with silk cords. A young man sits, or rather lounges, there. He is dressed in a silken smoking jacket and his black curls are tousled as if he has just woken.
(Eynard) Yes, what can I do for you?

Eynard says from his bed.
Belden exchanges a look with Kalman and Pavo re: the button.

(Kalman) We are investigating a death in Perl.

Eynard sits up a bit more.

(Kalman) A young girl who we believe may have been connected to, or even part of , your household
(Eynard) Well, as you can see, I've just awoken, and I haven't had time to do a head count of my staff yet.

Eynard says somewhat brusquely.
Kalman nods

(Kalman) (Sense motive)

Pavo puts on a sheepish face.

(Belden) (sense motive arrr)
(Pavo) (Empathy pirates?)
(Belden) (yes)
(Eynard) (He seems to be telling the truth, but Belen, you think he's worried about something)
(Eynard) (Belden, that is)
(Eynard) Could you provide a description of this young girl?
(Kalman) Of course, we understand that
(Pavo) .oO(dead...)

Kalman looks to Belden to provide that, I don't want to do *all* the talking ;)

(Belden) Well, sir...

Belden will describe her.
Eynard looks surprised.

(Eynard) That ... that sounds like Tria. She is... was... one of my maids.

Eynard rises from the bed, pulling the robe tighter around his waist and sliding his feet into black silk slippers. He walks to a dressing table, pulls open a drawer and removes a silver case, from which he takes a cigarette. He lights it and paces to the window.
Pavo sighs...

(Belden) (sense motive, ahoy!)
(Kalman) (is the surprise genuine?)
(Narrator) (Belden - he seems truly upset, perhaps more than would be normal for someone who has lost a servant.)
(Narrator) (Kalman - he seems... you're not sure. Not entirely surprised. More like angry.)
(Kalman) Would you, or any of your servants know what she would have been doing last night?
(Eynard) I saw her quite late...

Eynard says quietly.

(Eynard) I don't know where she went after that.
(Kalman) (lying?)
(Narrator) (You're not sure.)
(Belden) (sense motive)
(Narrator) (you're also not sure)

Kalman nods

(Eynard) Where did you find her?
(Kalman) She appears to have died of an overdose of Sheen.

Kalman says neutrally
Belden watches his response to that statement...

(Belden) (SM)

Eynard paces a bit more.

(Kalman) (me too)
(Pavo) (You guys are gonna sense motive him to death!)
(Belden) (if only)
(Pavo) (:D)

Kalman will tell him the general area we found her in

(Narrator) (Belden - you don't see a noticable reaction to that. Kalman, however, you think he twitches a bit, as if that statement was significant to him)
(Eynard) An overdose of sheen?

Belden nods silently.

(Eynard) Such behaviour is most unlike Tria. She was much too clever to get involved in something like that.
(Belden) (SENSE MOTIVE)
(Kalman) (indeed ;)
(Narrator) (shrug - not sure - either this guy is telling the truth, or he's a very, very good liar)
(Kalman) (same thing for me?)
(Narrator) (yes, for both of you)

Kalman nods again
Pavo attempts to look like he knows everything... (Bluff. Just a general look of "Nothing I hear is new")

(Eynard) Guards, I want you to do everything possible to discover how this came about. I'll offer you a reward of six hundred Imperials for a quick and satisfactory answer.

Eynard says, turning to face you.
Kalman waits for Belden to turn him down ;)

(Eynard) A *discreet* answer.
(Belden) ...

Belden looks surprised, and confused...

(Belden) We... we can't accept that money, your excellency

Eynard looks surprised.

(Eynard) What? Of course you can.

Kalman smirks

(Belden) We will do our best, as we always do

Pavo stifles a grin as bst he can.
Belden grows a little more confident.
Eynard looks angry.

(Belden) I'm truly sorry, your excellency
(Pavo) Our friend is unaccustomed to accepting gratuities.
(Eynard) You'll take the money.
(Belden) But to do so would create the perception that we give preferential treatment to those with greater means...
(Belden) No sir, I will not.

Eynard says in a somewhat strained voice.
Belden hardens the line of her lips.
Pavo holds his hand to his temple.

(Eynard) Of course it would. That's the point.

Belden shakes her head.

(Belden) That simply isn't true.
(Belden) That's not how the guard is supposed to operate.

Eynard inhales sharply.

(Belden) We are here to serve the people. All of the people. Equally.
(Pavo) Lets just say, we'll return to update you once we've concluded our investigation, milord.

Eynard turns to Pavo
Pavo throws a "you're being stupid" look to Belden.
Belden shoots Pavo a very sharp look.

(Eynard) Very well. I expect a quick resolution to this matter.

Eynard waves a hand to dismiss you.

(Pavo) Come on Belden, we have important work to do...

Pavo turns to leave.

(Kalman) With such interests in mind, may we have leave to question any members of your staff who may have been familiar with Tria?
(Belden) Good day, your Excellency.

Eynard turns back to the window.

(Eynard) Yes, of course.

Belden says politely.

(Kalman) Thank you.

Maid waits nervously outside the door to show you out.
Pavo follows the maid.
Belden waits for Kalman.
Kalman will leave also, I guess
Kalman turns to the maid
Maid looks unhappy.

(Kalman) Miss, did you know Tria?
(Maid) (q) Yes.
(Kalman) Did she have many friends on the staff?

Maid clears her throat
Kalman tries to sound sympathetic

(Maid) She wasn't... exactly on the staff, sir.
(Kalman) ahhh...
(Maid) She was the master's ... *personal* maid, sir.
(Kalman) of course

Pavo nods knowingly

(Pavo) .oO(Does the 'master' have a wife?)

Belden looks slightly uneasy.

(Narrator) (not that you know of)
(Kalman) Was she friends with anyone, regardless?
(Maid) I don't think so, sir. She spent most of her time with the master.

Kalman nods

(Maid) She thought she was above the rest of us, if you see what I mean.

Belden whispers to Kalman.

(Belden) (w) We still need someone to identify her conclusively.
(Kalman) I see

Kalman nods to Belden

(Kalman) Did she live here?
(Maid) Yes, sir.
(Belden) Might we see her room?

Kalman nods

(Maid) I... suppose so...

Maid seems a bit nervous at that.

(Kalman) Also, we will need someone to come down to the guard house and make sure that it really is her
(Maid) oh...
(Maid) Who?
(Kalman) anyone who would have known what she looked like, and can be spared, I suppose.
(Kalman) It will be up to the Count if he wants to collect the body
(Maid) I suppose I could go...

Maid says timidly

(Maid) Did you still need to see her rooms?

Kalman nods

(Kalman) please

Maid nods and leads you down the hallway and opens a door.

(Kalman) Do you know of she had any family or any friends outside of the count?
(Narrator) The room is large and spacious, much beyond what a servant would have.

Belden follows along.

(Maid) I don't know of any, sir. It could be.
(Kalman) do you know how they met?

Belden steps inside, and starts looking around.
Belden will look in drawers, jewelry boxes, etc...

(Maid) I'm not sure, sir. It was two years ago, I'd say.
(Narrator) Belden, you look around. (rolling)

Belden is looking for anything out of the ordinary, but specifically anything that might suggest a sheen habit.
Pavo will look around as well, without really moving anything.

(Narrator) Belden, you find several nice pieces of jewelry, again beyond what a servant might have.
(Narrator) You also find a small, empty box that retains the smell of sheen.
(Kalman) Do you know if she may have had a sheen habit?
(Narrator) Pavo, you see nice clothes, an unmade bed, thick carpets, and so on.

Belden sighs quietly, and sadly.

(Maid) It could be, sir. I wouldn't know ...
(Belden) Kalman...

Belden brings him the box.
Kalman looks over to Belden

(Kalman) ...
(Belden) Smell it... :/

Kalman sniffs it.

(Narrator) (smells of sheen)

Pavo listens to the little voice in his head that says he should look at the buttons.
Kalman nods
Kalman should be sense motiveing this girl

(Narrator) Pavo, you looks at the clothes. Some have nice buttons, some less nice.
(Kalman) (why does she seem so nervous?)
(Narrator) (because she's hiding something, you'd say.)

Kalman nods

(Kalman) Do you know if she went out at all last night?

Maid coughs slightly and holds out a hand discreetly.

(Belden) (how discreetly?)
(Narrator) (pretty discreetly. Are you still looking around the room?)

Kalman will give her an Imperial, why not?

(Maid) She left late. I think the master sent her out on an errand for him.

Maid says, quickly pocketing the Imperial.

(Kalman) (SM)
(Narrator) (you don't think she's lying)

Belden hides her displeasure.
Kalman nods

(Kalman) did he often send her out on late night errands?

Belden wonders if he is a user as well.

(Maid) Only when he was out of something he needed, sir.
(Kalman) What sorts of things?
(Belden) ...

Belden takes that as a yes.
Kalman asks, looking at the box
Maid clears her throat again and looks away.

(Pavo) (Are the buttons all with the same design?)
(Narrator) (No, there are many different kinds of buttons)
(Kalman) I see...
(Kalman) I think we've probably seen everything we need to here

Kalman looks for confirmation from Belden and Pavo
Belden nods.

(Narrator) (Are you guys done here? I want to get on to the other group...)
(Belden) Let's move on.
(Belden) (k)
(Narrator) You can take the maid back to the corpse house to identify the body, which she does.
(Narrator) Okay, moving on to the other group, what are you guys doing?
(Falke) (that's a charming name... ^-^)
(Loch) (I figure we do our job while the other three are playing detective)

Falke is being quiet and following the lead of the others, but always watching for anything of interest that's going on as they travel.
Boden goes with the others.

(Narrator) (were you actually going to look for the Scarlet Sign, or not?)
(Falke) (I think we were going to hang out in Dove Court)
(Falke) (Or close to it)

Boden will be more watchful than usual.

(Falke) (But going *into* the Scarlet Sign doesn't seem very conducive to staying alive... I could be wrong, though)
(Loch) (we were going to check out the area of Dove Court)
(Narrator) You go to Dove Court. It's a fairly run-down part of town, old houses that used to be nice but are now falling apart.
(Narrator) The Court itself is reached by an alleyway, and is a small open square that dead-ends.
(Loch) (any other exits that we can spot or figure out?)
(Narrator) There are three doors leading into buildings, plus the alleyway that you came up.

Falke will watch for people coming and going into the buildings in/around Dove Court. Does he recognize anyone who he knows is a sheen addict?

(Narrator) As you guards are standing there, no one seems to be going in or out.
(Falke) (Figured)

Falke wonders if there's a plain clothes unit among the guard, and if there is, whether he might be able to transfer to it eventually.

(Loch) (if the place is down a dead end allyway.... I dont think we would want to go up it and give our interest away...)
(Falke) (me neither)
(Narrator) (well, if you're not going up, then you definitely can't see anyone going in or out.)
(Narrator) You loiter aimlessly, then.
(Falke) (Are there any shops nearby that might afford a view of the alley and give us a plausible reason for being there? Lunch time or something? ;^D)
(Loch) Either of you think there is a back entrance to that place?
(Narrator) (It is about lunch time by now, but there aren't any shops right here.)

Boden will ask the others if we should check out fences in the area...just in case they sold the boots.

(Falke) Probably there is. But we're not going to see anything dressed like this.

Falke sighs.

(Narrator) (well, do something, people. It's getting late here. If you just want to go back and meet up with the others, that's fine, but don't just sit here.)
(Loch) I doubt the boots will lead us anywhere. lets just loiter around the area, see if we can spot anything by chance, and wait for the others to come back and let us know who the girl was.
(Boden) ok

Boden will start to smoke then.

(Loch) Then we'll get organized and storm the place to find suspects.
(Falke) If there are any left.

Boden nods. He will also offer tobacco and papers to the others if they want some.
Falke shakes his head and waves the proffered items away.

(Falke) No thanks.
(Narrator) Well, you stand there loitering for an hour or more, and then the other group find you.
(Narrator) Rejoin to your heart's content.
(Loch) Any news?

Kalman nods

(Belden) Well... she was the count's mistress...
(Kalman) we've identified her
(Boden) oh
(Boden) maybe he owed them money

Falke files that tidbit away.

(Kalman) According to one of the maids, she was probably sent out on an errand late last night
(Belden) I got the impression that the errand was sheen-related.

Kalman nods

(Loch) Does he want us to hit the Scarlet Sign?
(Kalman) that seemed to be the implication, in any case
(Kalman) He didn't mention it
(Kalman) he does want a quick and discrete resolution to the investigation, however

Kalman comments
Kalman seems vaguely amused

(Loch) Well, this is the best lead... do we go for it?

Belden purses her lips and shoots Kalman a vaguely annoyed look.
Kalman thinks

(Belden) I think we should.
(Belden) How should we go about it, though?
(Kalman) I don't know...
(Boden) in the door...fast?
(Kalman) If we knew for sure that this was the right place, I'd suggest getting some extra people
(Falke) I would too.
(Falke) Time is also of the essence.
(Falke) They may already be gone, if they were here to begin with.
(Belden) Well, if you found them once, we probably can again...
(Kalman) how reliable was your source?
(Belden) It wil be harder, but...
(Falke) She works in a tavern. She overhears things, sometimes.
(Boden) I think we should go in now.
(Falke) I would consider *her* reliable. However, her sources may not be.
(Kalman) does this place just run sheen?
(Falke) (Do I know anything else about it, Julie?)
(Narrator) (you think it offers many drugs, not just sheen)

Falke shakes his head and explains that, then.

(Kalman) hmm
(Kalman) I think we should get back up

Falke keeps scanning for anything interesting.

(Belden) I agree...
(Falke) I can go get some if you like.
(Belden) If we're just going to go straight in, we should get more guards.

Loch shruggs

(Kalman) sure. Talk to the lieutenant
(Belden) We have to keep things official, Falke.

Belden says, in a not unfriendly tone.
Falke looks at Belden with a peculiar expression.

(Falke) Of course.
(Falke) Back in a bit.
(Narrator) So, you're going to get backup, Falke?

Falke heads off at a walk and then when he's out of sight of Dove Court, he goes into a lope.

(Falke) (yup)
(Narrator) What are the rest of you doing?

Boden will be standing in The Stance, waiting to be told what to do.

(Kalman) I think we might be able to discreetly keep an eye on this place a little better
(Narrator) Okay, you're standing around.
(Loch) what's your suggestion?
(Belden) I don't know how discreet we look hanging about like this...
(Kalman) we can at least split up, go around to the next block and keep an eye on the back entrance

Kalman nods to belden

(Loch) There is no back entrance
(Narrator) A crossbow bolt flies seemingly out of nowhere and hits Loch in the upper arm, for 3 points of damage.
(Belden) O_o
(Narrator) *thwack*
(Kalman) ...or not

Boden looks around to find the source!
Belden pulls out her morningstar.
Loch grunts
Belden looks around as well.

(Boden) (and draws my sword.)

Kalman pulls his Crossbow and looks for the sniper
Kalman will move into better cover too

(Falke) (They don't like you guys)
(Narrator) Another one clatters off the wall behind you, not hitting anyone. They're coming from the opposite side of the street, where the alley is. Perhaps from inside a building or on top of onw?
(Kalman) (can I see anyone up there?)
(Kalman) They might be distractinhg us....
(Narrator) Another bolt flies, hitting Belden in the chest for 6 damage.
(Loch) (need to find they are comming from)
(Belden) urk
(Boden) Get to the walls!!!
(Kalman) shit.

Boden runs to the walls so the can't hit him.

(Narrator) That one definitely came from inside a building - you see a narrow window on the third story, Kalman.

Belden lurches after Boden.
Loch will charge forward with Boden

(Boden) Wich building?
(Narrator) (what walls are you running to?)
(Kalman) they're inside the building

Kalman says
Kalman watches and takes aim so the next sniper to aim he can try and shoot back
Belden will cast Bless.

(Boden) (which of the two buildings that make up the alleyway does Kalman indicate...)
(Belden) (that affects multiple ppl, right?)
(Narrator) Anoter bolt clatters harmlessly to the street. Kalman, I'll roll for you to try to shoot back.
(Narrator) Belden - yes.
(Kalman) (yay)
(Narrator) Boden - the left one.
(Narrator) Kalman - you shoot, but your bolt sticks in the wooden wall. That window is a small target.
(Kalman) we Boden, go after them

Boden will look for the door to that building and try to break it down...

(Kalman) I'll try and keep them off us

Kalman reloads quickly
Loch will follow boden in

(Narrator) You presume the door must be one of the ones down the alleyway, in the court.
(Kalman) are you okay, Belden?
(Belden) (can I cast a Doom spell on the guy if I can't see him?)
(Belden) Ungh.
(Belden) I'm alright.

Boden will charge and try and make it to the snipers.
Belden says through gritted teeth, although she is bleeding quite heavily.

(Narrator) (you have to have LoS, Belden)

Belden will go behind Boden.
Pavo steps in front of Belden.

(Narrator) Okay, so Boden, Loch, Belden and Pavo are going down the narrow alley, while Kalman stays out, right?
(Boden) (yep)
(Loch) Iguess so
(Narrator) Okay. Let me do a bit of rolling.

Pavo is covering Belden as much as possible.
Kalman is trying to give cover while they get across

(Kalman) (since I seem to be the only one with a bow)
(Narrator) Boden, as you're coming down the alleyway, you see the door in front of you open briefly, then slam shut again. You're the only one who sees that, as others can't see around you.
(Belden) (heh)

Boden will run to that door and break it down.

(Belden) (old "Big Ass" Boden ;D)
(Narrator) (sec)

Belden will lay a hand on Boden and cast Guidance.

(Narrator) Boden - you run up to the door with all your strength, and it splinters around you, collapsing inwards.

Boden is looking for the bad guys.

(Narrator) Inside, there is a hallway, and it's very dark.
(Narrator) It takes you a second or two to get free of the remains of the door, so that others can enter as well.
(Belden) (this would be when I cast it on him)

Pavo takes a moment to switch to his nasty claws.
Loch will cast light on a door shard that I pick up

(Falke) (Julie, did I get very far before all hell broke loose? Might I hear the sounds of combat?)
(Narrator) Okay Boden, you can proceed, as can everyone else, but you'll have to go single-file down this hallway.

Boden will go quickly.

(Narrator) (Falke - you might have heard something unusual, but it's up to you whether you turn back or not)
(Kalman) (baaaaackuuuuuuuuup!)
(Narrator) The air is faintly hazy with smoke, and an acrid scent hits your nostrils.
(Falke) (Probably not, I was ordered to get help)
(Belden) (keep going!!)
(Loch) (whats our order here... Boden then who?)
(Falke) (I'm going, I'm going!)
(Pavo) (Doors in the hallway?)
(Narrator) Kalman - whoever was shooting seems to have stopped.
(Belden) (what kind of smoke?)

Falke runs faster.

(Narrator) Just one door at the end of the hallway.
(Belden) (Boden, Pavo, me,?)

Kalman will watch the other doors for a moment while the other make their way inside, then joins them
Falke scans for guards on his way, that he might be able to send.

(Belden) (I would have reached sort of... around Pavo guess)
(Loch) that works... Boden Pave Belden Loch
(Narrator) The smoke... you're not sure. A mixture of different odours.

Belden wrinkles up her nose.

(Belden) ugh
(Narrator) From inside the building somewhere, you can hear someone yelling "Guards! Guards!"

Boden runs (as fast as I can) to the voices.

(Belden) (Do I think inhaling as much of this stuff as is in the air here is going to adversely affect us?)
(Narrator) It opens into a large, dimly-lit room. The air is more cloudy here, a perpetual miasma of fumes hovering near the ceiling. The room is cluttered with low couches, some of which are occupied by prone bodies clutching pipes, trying to struggle to their feet or simply staring vacantly at the ceiling.
(Narrator) (Could be, you're not sure)
(Narrator) Boden, there is some hasty movement near the rear of the room, where another hallway leads into darkness. Sounds of grunting and dragging can be heard.

Boden runs to it...I am carrying my longsword drawn.

(Narrator) Belden and Loch, you are both starting to feel quite light-headed from the smoke or perhaps loss of blood.

Kalman will catch up to them at some point?

(Narrator) Yes, Kalman, you can be at the back of the group.

Belden will pull out a handkerchief and wet it from her canteen, then tie it around her nose and mouth.

(Belden) I don't feel so well...

Kalman will exchange his croossbow for his shortsword
Belden tries to keep up with Boden.

(Narrator) Boden, in the hallway, you see a tall, thin man with a mop of red hair dragging a body towards the door. The body is male, fairly large, and the thin man seems to be having difficulty moving it.

Kalman is keeping an eye on Belden and also an eye out for ambushes

(Narrator) When the thin man notices you, he drops the body and runs for the door.

Kalman scans the room of druggies as well

(Boden) (I have the run feat.)
(Narrator) A bright light hits your eyes from the outside, along with a breath of fresh air, before the door slams closed again.
(Boden) (my ass is fast!)
(Belden) (lol)
(Narrator) People in the main room, those who are capable, at least, are pushing and shoving each other in an attempt to make it out the front door.

Belden will check out the body.

(Narrator) Okay, Boden, you're chasing the guy.

Belden will try to pull it outside to do so...
Loch will start herding the occupants of the room into a line against one of the walls

(Narrator) Belden: The body in the hallway looks to be a man in his early thirties, moderately well-dressed. His veins are blackened and distended in a manner identical to those of the woman you found earlier.
(Belden) (dead?)

Pavo will block the door and assist Loch, wearing his nasty looking catclaw gauntlets.

(Narrator) Yes, dead. You can't really move it, though. You're too weak.
(Belden) (If he's dead I'll leave him for now and go with Loch.
(Narrator) Loch and Pavo, you can be herding people in the main room, though you think some of them still get away in the confusion.

Pavo will keep note of faces if possible.

(Narrator) Boden, you run through another court and alleyway, out onto another street. You chase the man, who is some distance ahead of you.

Kalman can help heard
Belden will approach Loch unsteadily.
Boden will yell.

(Belden) Are you very hurt?
(Falke) (Do I run into any squads on the way who might be able to go serve as backup immediately?)
(Boden) IF YOU MAKE ME CHASE YOU FAR...I'LL HURT YOU MORE!!!
(Kalman) (LOL)
(Boden) (OVERBEAR)
(Narrator) (Falke - you find some guards, and start to head back to the court)
(Loch) I'll be fine
(Narrator) Boden - the guy falls to the ground, cowering.
(Falke) (Okay)
(Boden) (sweet!)
(Belden) You sure?

Belden asks weakly.
Boden runs up to the guy and will pick him up with his left hand and push him against the wall

(Belden) Is everyone else alright?
(Falke) (How many? I wonder if I can get some to go to the back of the buildings and catch any escapees there, and the rest of us go in the same way as my squad?)
(Narrator) The guy seems to be in his mid-thirties, gaunt and pale.
(Falke) (I won't be able to see where they got in until I get there though)

Kalman nods

(Kalman) look after yourself, Belden...
(Narrator) Falke - another squadron, that being 6 other guards.
(Loch) ... the crossbow bolts may have been poisoned.
(Belden) ...

Pavo will, when the the den itself seems secure, (if...) step out the door and try to follow Boden.
Belden casts Detect Poison on Loch

(Narrator) Boden isn't too far down the street.
(Boden) Were are the fucks that shot at us!?
(Pavo) All under control Boden?
(Narrator) You don't detect any poison, Belden.
(Kalman) (Are the guys we rounded up being good?)

Dude cowers.

(Belden) I don't ... see any
(Pavo) (Was there an upstairs to the den?)
(Narrator) Most of the people you've rounded up are too spaced out to be much trouble.
(Kalman) where are the snipers?
(Narrator) (Probably)

Belden will then hold on to her wooden Wheel, and cast Cure Light Wounds on herself.

(Narrator) (Belden - you can heal yourself for 6 points)
(Belden) (yippee!)

Kalman asks, mostly for the benefit of the guards
Boden reaches back like a pimp and bitchslaps the dude!

(Narrator) (You'd have to look)
(Kalman) they were upstairs
(Kalman) ...

Dude cowers more
Loch looks around for stairs
Kalman will also look for stairs

(Boden) Pavo!, take this guy...I'm going back to look for the shooters.

Boden will push/throw this guy one handed to Pavo.

(Narrator) Kalman, you find a set of stairs in one of the back rooms.
(Pavo) (Boden, i have clawed Gauntlets on...)
(Narrator) Falke, you arrive back with the reinforcements.
(Boden) (Pavo, Boden is kinda pissed right now and slapped around a guy who wasn't resisting...he doesn't care.)

Pavo will bare his teeth at the man and order him back to the sheen den, guiding him with the claws.
Dude_ will go with you, still cowering
Kalman goes upstairs, carefully
Falke suggests maybe half of them go around the back and see if anyone's there, and the other 3 go in to the building with him, but he's not their boss, so it's just a suggestion.
Belden will follow Kalman, then.
Loch keeps control of the room
Boden runs back to the house and searches for the crossbowmen.

(Falke) (Are there crossbows firing at us?)
(Narrator) Falke - they'll do just that. No, there aren't any crossbows being fired at you. You find the situation mostly under control in the main room.
(Loch) Check upstairs

Falke will do a quick search through all the basement rooms then.

(Falke) (er, bottom floor, rooms, rather)

Boden will rush in and run up the stairs looking for the guys with crossbows.

(Narrator) Belden and Kalman, you go up the stairs.

Belden is being cautious this time, sticking to walls and whatnot.
Pavo orders the man against the wall with the rest. "Loch, watch this one, he's the one who took off."

(Narrator) It's dark up there, and it doesn't seem to follow a normal layout. There are hallways branching off all over the place.
(Loch) Got it

Kalman is being careful, trying to place the inside space with where he saw the shot fired from
Pavo will leave the downstairs to the backup and head up the stairs cautiously as well.

(Narrator) It's like it was a series of big fancy houses once, that have had walls knocked down and moved around.
(Narrator) Kalman, you eventually find the spot. There's a narrow window looking out onto the street, but you don't find anyone there.
(Falke) (Are any of my squad downstairs still?)
(Loch) (I am)
(Narrator) Pavo, you join them upstairs.

Kalman will stop and try and listen for people

(Pavo) (Are there any other stairwells?)
(Narrator) Kalman, you do hear movement, but because the layout is so confusing, you can't place its source.

Kalman frowns

(Narrator) Like, it's coming from your left, but you don't see any doors that way - that sort of thing.
(Boden) (do the walls look thick?)

Kalman will move quietly and hope other take the cue
Boden will try a wall to see if he can go through.
Kalman will keep looking though, trying to find doors that go in the right places :p
Falke just wants to make sure things are under control downstairs. Are there people there that need to be guarded? Any squad members who need help?

(Narrator) Boden - probably, but they might be rotten in places.

Belden will be quiet and cautious, and listen for bad guys.

(Narrator) Falke - yes, there are people there who need to be guarded.

Boden will try a wall to see if he can go through.

(Narrator) Kalman - you eventually find a door that goes the right way, which leads to a hallway.
(Falke) (The three guys I brought, can they do it?)
(Narrator) (Yes, they can)

Belden is sticking with Kalman.

(Narrator) Downstairs, the guards are already restoring order, taking fines and such.
(Falke) (I will go upstairs then if none of my squad are down here.)
(Belden) (loch is, isn't he?)
(Narrator) Falke - there is also a locked door that no-one has been able to open yet.
(Narrator) Loch is still downstairs, as far as I know.
(Loch) (I am)
(Falke) (Does someone tell me that?)
(Falke) Loch!
(Narrator) You would see it on your survey of the situation downstairs.
(Falke) Everything all right?
(Falke) Heard anything behind here?
(Narrator) Those of you upstairs, you follow the direction of the sounds.
(Loch) The rest are upstairs trying to track down the shooters

Falke indicates the locked door.

(Loch) No. Can you open it?
(Narrator) Boden, you didn't get through the wall. Too solid, you guess.

Falke smiles and pulls a little rolled up piece of leather.

(Falke) Shhh.
(Boden) (ok)

Falke will try to pick the lock.

(Narrator) Kalman, you're leading the way. You find an open door, and can see some light from within.
(Falke) (Open Lock of 6)
(Falke) (he pulls his tools out of his pocket, didn't type that by accident)
(Narrator) (Okay, you're working on it, Falke)

Kalman will enter cautiously

(Narrator) Inside the room upstairs, there is a trapdoor that opens onto the roof. It is open.

Falke listens carefully for the tumblers clicking into place.

(Kalman) damn

Kalman willclimb out and look around, still being careful

(Narrator) Kalman, you look around on the rooftops, but you don't see anyone else up there.

Boden will look for tracks in the wet roof.

(Boden) (maybe in puddles or stuff.)
(Narrator) Boden - you see no tracks.
(Boden) (crap :/)
(Narrator) Falke, you can't seem to get the door open.
(Falke) Damn.

Falke curses under his breath.
Kalman loks for ways down off the roof

(Belden) They got away...

Loch will go over to the dude that Pavo brought in
Boden will head down as well.

(Falke) (Does it seem to be a normal kind of lock?)
(Loch) What's behind that door?
(Boden) Want me to get the door?
(Narrator) Kalman - there are probably infinite ways off these roofs, from jumping to going down through another trapdoor, to ladders or fire escape-type staircases.
(Kalman) (right....)
(Narrator) Yes, it seems to be a normal lock, just of pretty good quality.
(Belden) I guess we should jsut go back down, Kalman.

Kalman looks and sees if he can see any fleeing types in the streets, but isn't very hopeful ;)

(Belden) We should search the upstairs for evidence and clues first, though!

Falke idly wonders if his crowbar might work. ^-^

(Narrator) It might, Falke.
(Narrator) Kalman, you don't see anyone.
(Narrator) Loch, you're talking to the dude?
(Falke) (Or it might permanently screw up the lock)
(Pavo) (ugh... where can I reenter?)
(Falke) (Can I try picking it again or do I think it's beyond my skill?)
(Loch) (yes)

Belden will go back down through the trapdoor.

(Narrator) Falke, you think it's beyond your skill to open it without breaking it.

Boden will see Falke picking the lock.
Dude_ runs his fingers through his shaggy mop of hair

(Kalman) back down, I guess
(Boden) I could probably just take out the door like I did the front one.
(Falke) (OK, I'll bring out the heavy equipment. Crowbar, and if that fails, I always have my morningstar)
(Dude_) I don't know what's going on here.
(Dude_) Ah, void it all, this isn't my problem.
(Boden) um...Falke...

Dude_ whines.
Falke shrugs and steps asied.
Pavo supposes he finds himself down with the Dude & Loch

(Falke) If you want to try, be my guest.

Belden is searching rooms upstairs.
Boden will motion for Falke to get out of the way...

(Falke) (let's hope the TREASURE is behind this door.)
(Narrator) Belden - there are several rooms that look lived-in, but none contain people at the moment.
(Falke) (I'm already out of the way)
(Loch) Well, you were dragging your problem, so unless you want us to think you're the one responsible for his death, you may want to start helping us.
(Falke) (And since she's upstairs, she won't be any the wiser! :^D )
(Dude_) It's not my fault, I just work here.

Boden will run and the door and try to break it down.

(Pavo) Haha
(Narrator) Boden, you bounce off the door. It's harder than the other one!
(Pavo) And a respectable and legal profession that i, too?
(Pavo) is

Kalman will look around the upstairs with Belden, but probably doesn't find anything interesting either

(Belden) (I am searching for clues! :D)

Boden looks surprised.

(Falke) Bruised?
(Dude_) (Okay, I'll let you know if you find any :)

Falke moves in again with his crowbar.

(Boden) its not often that on inside door is stronger than a front door.

Boden looks unhurt.

(Boden) (I also look like I've done that before.)
(Narrator) (Boden - this one is locked ;)
(Falke) (lol)
(Boden) (I thought you said I splintered the last one...)
(Dude_) (Yes, you did. It was barred with a piece of wood, not a metal lock...)
(Dude_) You promise you'll let me go, I'll give you all the stuff that's here, and all the money too.

Dude_ wheedles to Loch
Falke checks the lock for a trap before trying to force his way in.

(Narrator) Falke - you think if there were a trap, you'd have set it off by now, either by poking at the lock or having Boden try to break down the door...
(Pavo) We've already GOT all of the stuff here.
(Falke) (right)
(Boden) maybe we could use the crowbar together

Falke crowbars.
Dude_ points to the door

(Falke) Let me try first.
(Dude_) You don't have what's in there...

Dude_ says slyly

(Loch) If that door opens to stuff, I may be able to forget I saw you here
(Falke) We're about to.

Pavo laughs derisively at Dude.
Boden will look to the dude.

(Pavo) As if that's going anywhere.
(Kalman) (search dude for keys ;)
(Narrator) You struggle, but can't seem to break the lock with a crowbar.

Boden will walk over to the Dude in a menacing fashion.

(Falke) (Oh yeah)
(Falke) So, by the way, do you have the keys?

Dude_ cowers from Boden
Falke pauses in his prying while he awaits an answer.

(Boden) um, just wondering...
(Dude_) Keep that psycho away from me!

Boden says in a very fake friendly kind of way.

(Boden) do you let patrons carry large weapons in this establishment?

Dude_ tries to hide behind Loch

(Loch) (I am going to bed all... if we get the door open, I will cast detect magic and identify anything magical that may be in there for the group... night all)

Boden will flex the left hand with the gauntlet on it.

(Dude_) (okay, night)
(Pavo) (Ciao terry!)
(Boden) (night)

- - Loch has quit IRC (Quit: )

(Falke) Boden, do you mind seeing if he has any keys, please?
(Dude_) Ah... ahh.. look, people come in here, they pay their money... it's not my job to search them for weapons.
(Boden) but what if they had a weapon visible?

Dude_ shrugs
Boden will reach out with his left hand and take the man by the neck.

(Falke) I'd hate to destroy such a fine example of the locksmith's trade.
(Dude_) urgrfh
(Boden) um

Dude_ gurgles

(Boden) what I was getting at is the fuckers with crossbows.(I'm not choking him...just holding on)
(Boden) I think they worked for you
(Boden) and they shot my friends.
(Kalman) (I suppose it is a big upstairs to search... la la la)
(Dude_) No one works for me, man, I work for them.
(Boden) what do you think of that?
(Boden) who is them? Who were they?
(Narrator) Kalman and Belden - eventually, you decide there's nothing more to find upstairs.
(Dude_) Look, if you let me off, I can tell you who owns this place. Believe me, you'll want to know that.

Dude_ squirms
Falke gives up and just pries.
Belden comes downstairs, then.

(Belden) Nothing upstairs...
(Dude_) You want that door open, man? I can do it...
(Falke) Please do.
(Dude_) You can have whatever's in there. (Belden> (I want to go to bed... but if I do, Belden won't be able to stop them from stealing the evidence!)

Falke steps aside.
Dude_ is still being held by Boden...

(Belden> Whatever's in there will have to be turned over to the proper authorities.

Belden says.

(Belden> (so tired... work tomorrow... :() (Boden> why are you still bargaining with us? (Narrator> (yes, well, just remember whose fault it is we started late... :( (Boden> we have you for murder (Boden> and we are willing to hurt you badly.

Falke glances at Loch (whose player is not here now)
Dude_ 's eyes bug out

(Boden> I'm willing to bet you will talk before I even break a sweat. (Dude_> Maybe the sheen was bad somehow, I don't know, I don't take the damned stuff. It's not my fault. (Falke> Boden, please let him open this door. (Falke> There could be valuable information inside.

Boden turns to Falke.

(Boden> trust us.

Boden says it in a menasing way...but then winks at you so the dude can't see it.

(Boden> are you going to open that door now? (Dude_> As soon as you let me go.

Boden will let him go, but stays menacingly close to him.
Dude_ goes over to the door, takes a key from a pouch at his belt, and opens the door.

(Falke> Thank you. (Narrator> The room is lined with shelves, which are covered with various powders, bottles, and other paraphernalia. As well, there is a locked strongbox. (Boden> open the box. (Dude_> So, you're gonna let me go if I do, right? (Belden> We can get it opened at the guard house. (Boden> No, but you walk out of here.

Dude_ squirms some more

(Dude_) And what if I tell you who owns this place? I can do that...
(Dude_) I just wanna get out of here.

Boden looks down at him sadly.

(Boden) you still don't get it do you?

Dude_ looks miserable
Belden gives Kalman an anguished "We can't just let him GO" look.

(Boden) Your guys shot at guards.
(Dude_) I told you, they're not *my* guys.
(Boden) You'll be lucky if you don't get executed.
(Dude_) I don't have anything to do with them.

Kalman nods to belden

(Pavo) Dude: And by telling us who's they are, and who's place this is.. you prove they weren't yours.
(Dude_) They're *his* men.
(Boden) well then, I'd stop worrying about being let go and try very hard to make us not execute you.
(Kalman) whose?
(Pavo) whose
(Boden) be helpful.
(Dude_) Yeah, you got it.

Dude_ says to Pavo
Falke wanders into the room and checks some boxes. I assume they're various drugs and things.

(Pavo) Dude: That doesn't mean you weren't working here though...
(Kalman) in fact, you've already admitted that you do
(Kalman) haven't you?
(Narrator) Yes, drugs.

Belden is watching the room and the guy alternately.

(Pavo) So since you can't go for gold... go for the silver.
(Dude_) It's Orain Talavera, right? Big nobleman, he's the one who's in charge. He deals the sheen, he makes the money, he orders the guards around, and if anyone knew it was bad, it was him.

Dude_ spills in a flood of words.

(Falke) Well, we'll need an armed escort with a wagon to get rid of all this.
(Pavo) (... is that Loick's father?)
(Pavo) (ooc question first, then outloud if I need to)
(Narrator) (You don't think so - no doubt a relative of some kind, though)
(Pavo) (ok, then if I don't think it's his father, I don't think I'd name Loick...)
(Kalman) (sense motive just to make sure this guy isn't making this up, though I doubt he is...)
(Narrator) Some of the other guards have already sent for reinforcements and wagons to get this stuff.
(Narrator) Kalman, you don't think he's lying. He seems too panicked.

Falke files away that tidbit.

(Dude_) You don't understand... if you take me in, I'm not going to survive.
(Kalman) (figures. DO I know who Loick Talavera is?)
(Dude_) He's gonna get rid of me.
(Narrator) (Yes, he's on your NPC sheet, I believe)
(Kalman) (not Loick, the other one)
(Pavo) (Kalman: Noble, playboy, swings both ways, or at least Pavo's way :D)
(Kalman) (i know)
(Narrator) (What other one?)

Kalman raises his eyebrows again when he hears the name

(Pavo) (Orain)

Kalman wonder what his mother will think of that :o
Falke steps out of the room again.

(Belden) (I am going to bed)
(Narrator) (Pavo - you've heard of him, he's a nobleman, but you don't know anything specific about him)
(Falke) (ok)
(Boden) (ok.)
(Falke) (Lates Sas)
(Pavo) (Night)

- - Belden has quit IRC (Quit: Still the prettiest. )

(Narrator) The wagons from the guard post show up and guards start clearing away people and drugs.
(Kalman) Well.

Dude_ is still squirming and looking around, as if he already fears for his life
Falke watches the proceedings and memorizes faces of the people in this room in case he runs into them in the future.

(Falke) (I help too)
(Dude_) If you don't let me outta here, you'll be responsible for my death.

Kalman will keep an eye on Dude

(Falke) (But I'm making note of names and stuff if we get any)
(Dude_) I guarantee it.
(Kalman) We'll need to make a report on that soon
(Kalman) I don't doubt it

Kalman looks at the guards from his group

(Dude_) I gave you everything you wanted....

Pavo eyes Kalman back.

(Kalman) we should take him back to headquarters

Falke is helping process prisoners.

(Falke) I agree.
(Boden) I'm willing to be responsible for your death.
(Kalman) Let's get going then. Gotta get you somewhere safe, don't we?

Dude_ looks crestfallen

(Pavo) Was there anything identifying the deceased?
(Boden) you were dragging a corpse when I found you.
(Boden) who was the new dead guy?
(Dude_) I don't know.
(Falke) And... what's your name, by the way?

Boden turns to Kalman...

(Boden) and we never even asked this guy about the girl yet.

Dude_ squirms some more

(Kalman) Do you know any of your customers by name?
(Dude_) What girl?
(Dude_) Most people don't want to chat.
(Falke) (I've got to go to bed myself)
(Kalman) Young, blonde. Well dressed
(Kalman) She would have been here late last night
(Falke) (If I learn anything useful by memorizing faces and finding out names with these drug addicts, etc. you'll let me know, right Julie? :^) )
(Narrator) (yes, I will)
(Falke) (thanks, it was fun!)
(Dude_) Yeah, I remember her. She came in, got a shitload of sheen, and left.

- - Falke has quit IRC (Quit: )

(Pavo) Did anyone follow her?

Dude_ looks confused

(Dude_) No, why would they?
(Pavo) For any multitude of reasons.
(Pavo) Thievery and murder spring to mind.
(Dude_) I don't know anything about that
(Pavo) Mmhmm
(Narrator) Some of the other guards come up to you and ask if you're ready to go. Everything else has been cleared out.

Boden looks at Kalman.
Pavo shrug

(Boden) we should get all the info out of this guy that we can before he gets himself killed.

Pavo frowns.

(Kalman) true
(Kalman) (did I think he was lying about that being all she did)
(Kalman) did she come in alone?
(Narrator) (no, you don't think he was lying)
(Dude_) Yeah.
(Narrator) The other guards are getting impatient..
(Kalman) (just lety me know if I think he is lying about any of this, though I do doubt it ;)

Kalman shakes his head

(Narrator) (will do)
(Kalman) I think that's about all we need, really
(Kalman) I'm assuming she wasn't very talkative?

Dude_ shakes his head

(Dude_) Stuck-up bitch.

Kalman nods again

(Kalman) didn't buy any more than she used?
(Dude_) She bought a lot more than she would need for herself, that's for sure.
(Boden) What about injections and stuff?
(Kalman) you sure no one followed her out?
(Dude_) That's what she was buying, the liquid sheen.
(Dude_) No, I didn't see anyone follow her.
(Narrator) So, you're taking this guy into custody, then?
(Kalman) (yeah, I guess so)
(Narrator) Okay. You take this guy, along with about a dozen other patrons of the Scarlet Sign, into custody, and take them back to the guard post where their fines will be issued and they will be questioned further if necessary.
(Narrator) You also took all of the drugs and the cashbox.
(Narrator) The drugs will be destroyed, but the contents of the box will be divided between you.
(Boden) (ok)
(Narrator) You return to file your reports on the day's events with Svodoba before you are free to go about your own business.
(Boden) (we try and hide it from Belden if we can.)
(Narrator) You can't, it's being divided by Svodoba. She can refuse her share if she wants, though.
(Kalman) (the box thing, is that just something we do or is that standard?)
(Kalman) (keen)
(Boden) (even better.)
(Boden) :)
(Narrator) That's standard for big jobs, any profits are divided between the guards who did the job (and the City takes a cut as well)
(Narrator) You file your reports on the day's events with Svodoba before you are free to go about your own business.
(Boden) (how much time went buy from last session to this one?)
(Narrator) Anyone keeping anything back from Svodoba in your reports?
(Narrator) Nearly a month, Boden.
(Boden) (ok)
(Boden) (not me.)
(Narrator) I'll assume not unless you tell me otherwise.
(Pavo) (Not I.)

Kalman won't

(Narrator) Svodoba says there would be great difficulty in even proving that Orain Talavera was involved, let alone successfully charging him with any crime. She tells you that you did the best you could, and instructs you to leave it at that.
(Pavo) What about the informer Dude? Will he just get lynched?
(Boden) ok...in that case I think some of us might report back to the duke guy.
(Narrator) He gets fined like everyone else, and will be let go once they've finished questioning him,
(Kalman) (count)
(Narrator) Okay, you can do that. What will you tell him?
(Narrator) (just a rough summary will do, we don't have to play it out...)
(Pavo) I ask Svodoba if he has the option of an escort somewhere.
(Boden) (well...if Kalman tells us about the money well collect on that and tell him the full story.)
(Pavo) If he wants it, he should have the opportunity to leave the city once his fine is paid.
(Narrator) Svodoba laughs at that, Pavo. "He can leave if he wants, but it's not our job to keep him safe."
(Narrator) Then it's up to Kalman, I guess.
(Pavo) It wasn't his job to tell the truth either.
(Narrator) Svodoba shrugs. "If you feel so sorry for him, you can protect him yourself."

Pavo scowls.

(Pavo) Perhaps I will.
(Narrator) So, Kalman?
(Pavo) (I'll ask if anyone else is willing to escort him out of the city)
(Narrator) (well, it's hard for me to say, since half my PCs are gone...)
(Pavo) (We can deal with that next time perhaps)
(Narrator) (yes, if you want)
(Narrator) But right now, I need to know what Kalman is doing.
(Boden) I think there is more boden may want to do on this.
(Boden) I think Kalman is sleeping.
(Kalman) (yeah, I'll mention it, why not?)
(Narrator) Okay, so you're telling the others about the rewards and going to get it without Belden, am I right?
(Kalman) well, I'd not go
(Narrator) Okay.
(Boden) yes. and I'll offer if the count has info he may want to give us so we can keep tracking the situation down.
(Pavo) (He DID say Discreet)
(Kalman) I'd say she'll be upset, and it doesn't matter to mne, but if they want to cater to the whims of the rich that's their perogative ;)
(Narrator) No, the count doesn't have anymore information, and he thanks you for your help.
(Boden) ok
(Narrator) He'll pay you the 600 Imperials, which you can divide as you see fit.
(Boden) I'll say that I'm not really trying to curry favor with nobles...but I *am* hoping he'll give us info that will catch the killer.
(Boden) I like catching killers.
(Kalman) I'd tell you I don't think he knows anything else that he'd tell you
(Narrator) And we'll call it there, because I'm hungry and tired.
(Narrator) If there's any further following up you need to do, you can do it next time.

Difference between revisions of "Diablotin 1 session 5"

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@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 * 4th: Dizon is transferred to another squadron; Falke Sathin joins the group.
-* 6th: They find the body of Tria and uncover the Secret of the Scarlet Sign.
+* 6th: They find the body of Tria and uncover the Secret of the Scarlet Sign - A sheen house run by Orain Talavera.
-==Log==
+==Logs==
-Session Start: Mon Sep 02 17:18:48 2002
+Session Start: Mon Oct 28 17:50:16 2002
-* Logging #changeling to 'logs\diablotin 1'
+* Logging #changeling to 'logs\diablotin5'
+<br>(Narrator) Now, if we end late tonight, we know whose fault it is ;)
-*** Curtana is now known as Narrator
+<br>(Narrator) We'll start now, and Pavo can just catch up when he gets here.
-*** Longpig is now known as Belden
+<br>(Boden) ok
-* Boden rubs his hands in anticipation.
+* Loch is ready to play
-(Narrator) So, any questions before we get started?
+<br>(Narrator) The frigid grip of winter has finally eased around the city of Diablotin. It is the start of Third-month and the weather is still cool, but not the bitter cold of the past months. The ice in the river is beginning to break up in large jagged sections and make its way to the west, to the Ocean of Sorrow. The streets of Pearl City are dirtier than usual these days, as the debris of the winter makes its way to the surface of the melting brownish snow.
-(Boden) Is Heather going to be here?
+<br>(Narrator) Two days ago, Lt. Svodoba announced rather abruptly that Dizon was to be transferred to another squadron. Her manner was unusually curt, though you soon found out the reason why.
-(Vess) NOt yet... I just got home so I am still reading the NPC's... give me a couple
+<br>(Narrator) A squadron patrolling Rhenea had become involved in a confrontation that left two of them dead: Cadoc Thoma, a rather hefty sorcerer from the House of the Cat, and Eleana Azvedo of the House of the Bear, a cheerful young woman who often entertained the barracks with her songs and stories.
-(Narrator) No, she's not.
+<br>(Narrator) Although you did not know the two deceased guards very well, their deaths still saddened you. Dizon, due to her seniority, was assigned to the remnants of their squadron in order to help them recover from the shock. She bade you a kind farewell, with a reminder that she would never be far away if you needed any help.
-*** Vess is now known as Loch
+<br>(Belden) Goodness, what a shame.
-(Narrator) Okay, Terry.
+* Belden will pray for their families. -_-
-(Boden) ok
+<br>(Narrator) New recruits are a fact of life in the Imperial Guards - people are injured or die, or else they retire to raise a family in a more secure profession, or (occasionally) they are promoted.
-(Narrator) But the Heather situation is under control :)
+<br>(Narrator) One of those new recruits, a young man by the name of Falke Sathin, was assigned to your squadron yesterday. Though only a few months ago you were green newcomers, you already feel somehow older and wiser compared to him.
-* Pavo rubs Rob's butt, since his hands are occupied.
+<br>(Narrator) (C, you could describe Falke to them now, as much as they might have observed about him in a day, at least. Do you want people to describe their characters for you?)
-(Boden) he he he.
+<br>(Falke) (yup)
-(Boden) I have one question...what would be the correct way to address Corentin van Andras?
+<br>(Narrator) (Okay, then everyone can describe)
-(Narrator) 'My Lord' at first, and then just call him "sir"
+* Falke is of average height and, is slighlty on the slim side of average build. He does not really stand out in a crowd. The most striking features about him might perhaps be his green eyes and dark brown hair, which is shot through with streaks of silver.
-(Boden) ok.
+* Falke 's face is as yet unlined and young-looking but with the greying hair, it's hard to really pin down an age. He seems to be very quiet and very pleasant. When he speaks, it is with a calm, softspoken sort of voice. He prays at night and he also prayed this morning.
-(Narrator) As in "yes, sir." :)
+* Falke hasn't said much; he seems to be gauging the group dynamics perhaps and trying to figure out how to fit in. If you catch him looking at you he smiles a shy, friendly sort of smile.
-(Pavo) Oh crap! I have ot be respectful to rank ):o
+* Falke is wearing the standard uniform as well, is also well-groomed and so far you haven't really seen enough of him to decide if he's ill-mannered.
-(Narrator) Well, only for people who are higher ranking than you ;)
+* Falke seems to consider the shortbow, morningstar and dagger as his weapons of choice.
-(Belden) What do we call our lieutenant?
+* Falke does stay at the barracks. He doesn't seem to have much in the way of possessions; the trunk at the foot of his bed contains his uniforms, weapons, and one or two sets of civilian wear; not anything fancy.
-(Belden) Just 'sir'?
+* Belden is what some people would call 'a handsome woman'. Her features are strong and striking... prominent cheekbones, full lips, and a strong jawline. Belden typically wears her clerical robes over her armour, with her holy symbol on a chain or beaded belt at her waist.
-(Narrator) "Sir"
+<br>(Belden) (You wouldn't have seen her outside of her robes and stuff really, so you can only guess at her build, but her hands are those of someone who has worked hard most of her life, strong and weathered)
-(Belden) 'k
+* Belden looks to be in her twenties.
-(Pavo) eq and weapons on that sheet Julie
+* Belden has not been around the barracks very much. when not on duty she is usually out doing... something, you know not what
-(Narrator) For both male and female superior officers
+* Loch is in his mid twenties, stands 5' 6", and is proportionally built. His hair is a mess of short cropped straw blond hair, eyes a deep blue, and a well tanned complection.
-(Narrator) Thanks :)
+* Loch usually carries a spear and a crossbow and is alway accompanied with his little hedgehog named Willam, who is usually perched on his shoulder or hidden in a belt pouch.
-(Narrator) Are we pretty much ready now?
+* Loch tends to be quiet. He doesn't shrug away from physical tasks, and like Belden has well caloused hands.
-(Boden) are their any laws regarding civilians carrying weapons or rules about using magic.
+* Boden is a huge man. He stands 7 feet tall and weighs over 300 pounds of muscle. But he seems light on his feet despite his size. Not very fast in the head but he is amiacable. He always wears a gauntlet on his left hand. Always.
-(Pavo) So what was that again?
+* Boden looks about 18 or so...
-(Belden) I was born ready
+* Kalman is a man with dark curly hair and an olive complexion.
-(Boden) Yeah, I'm ready.
+* Kalman is not exceptionally tall at 5'11, and manages to be muscular without being stocky.
-(Pavo) Guard Lieut, Guard Capt. and Warlord? Proper greetings?
+* Kalman wears the standard uniform, but is well groomed and well mannered and has been in an exceptionally good mood of late ;)
-(Loch) I am ready, thanks
+* Kalman looks to be about 19 or 20
-(Narrator) Laws regarding civilians carrying weapons or using magic - not really, unless they are used to hurt someone.
+* Kalman does not have calloused hands, persey, except on his left hand (not it isn't what you think ;)
-(Boden) ok
+<br>(Loch) (lol...)
-(Narrator) Lt. = sir or Lieutenant, Capt. = sir or Captain, Warlord = my lord
+* Kalman doens't stay at the barracks
-(Narrator) Okay, I'll get started then.
+* Pavo is sexay. He wears the simple uniform, dressed for the weather. He has a lean build, like a swimmer. Short hair, light brown. Brown eyes.
-(Pavo) k
+<br>(Narrator) (Okay, thanks all :)
-(Narrator) (n) The sun is no doubt somewhere above the horizon, but it cannot yet be seen through the clouds on this day, which is part of no month and no year. The winter air is chill. Mists rise from the black waters of the Ousel river which runs through the centre of the greatest city in the Aveyrone Empire, the city that has endured two thousand years: Diablotin.
+<br>(Narrator) This morning is grey and cloudy, with occasional light showers of cold rain that make the cobbled streets somewhat slippery. In some areas, large brackish puddles of meltwater and mud impede your passage as you make your way to Pearl City.
-(Narrator) (n) The Festival Days have come upon the city of Diablotin again, and with them, an excuse for merrymaking, celebrating, and debauchery. While most of the citizens take these six days to rest and enjoy themselves, however, there is no rest for the members of the Imperial Guard. For them the holidays are occasions for fist-fights, drunken brawls, and crimes of passion.
+<br>(Narrator) The streets are quiet this time of morning. You have a bit of a chance to talk, perhaps try and get to know this new addition to your squadron.
-(Narrator) (n) For this reason, you, who have all recently joined the Guards, have been asked to gather at the guard post on the Great Square of the Place D'Iena, just as other guards elsewhere in the city meet, at other posts, to be assigned their duties.
+* Falke is looking around at things as everyone slogs through the mud.
-(Narrator) (n) You stand in a crowd of exactly sixty guards (the number is always the same), shivering in the cold morning air (although some try not to show it). Your lieutenant, Elzire Svodoba, stands on a raised platform in front of the group.
+* Boden will roll a cigarette and have a morning smoke.
-*** NPC3 is now known as Lt
+<br>(Loch) I'm not sure if this is worse than the snow
-*** Lt is now known as Svodoba
+<br>(Boden) Its harder to keep a smoke lit, dats for sure.
-* Svodoba is a wiry woman about 45 years of age, with long, wavy blonde hair drawn back in a braid and brown eyes. She has a reputation of being clever and easy-going, but she has a temper.
+<br>(Belden) Just imaging what it must be like outside the city!
-(Svodoba) Guards, to attention!
+* Belden says cheerfully. Spring is coming! :)
-* Belden snaps to with everyone else!
+<br>(Kalman) hmm
-* Svodoba waits for the murmuring and rustling to stop, which it quickly does.
+<br>(Boden) Yeah
-(Svodoba) Today is the start of the holidays, and the day you'll receive your assignments. I'll be dividing you into ten groups of six - I've looked over the roster and given it some hard thought, trust me. Step forward when you hear your name called and take your place with your squadron.
+<br>(Boden) pretty soon they'll be planting.
-* Svodoba starts to bark out names: Shenk, Desmarais, Kumar, Alcantara, Sandifer, Blackshear... The list goes on, most of the names unfamiliar to you. Guards hustle to the front to take their places as their names are called.
+* Kalman seems to have othert things on his mind ;)
-(Svodoba) ... of Gouge, de Champe, vak Andras, Belden (P), Arnsenios, Dizon!
+* Falke looks interested and focuses his attention on the group.
-* Svodoba calls out, pointing to a spot over to her left where you are to gather
+<br>(Boden) setting up patrols to clear the kobolds out of the pasture land...
-* Belden steps forward and makes her way quickly to the area.
+<br>(Belden) We don't have so many kobolds at our farm...
-* Loch will step forward when his name is called
+<br>(Boden) oh,
-(Pavo) .oO(Arsenios...) *moves to take his place...*
+<br>(Belden) I guess because we're not really near any forests...
-* Boden will take his spot.
+<br>(Falke) Are you both from outside the city limits?
-(Narrator) (n) Once she has finished grouping you into squadrons, Lt. Svodoba goes to each group separately and gives them their assignments. You have some time before she gets to you, though. Now might be a good time for descriptions.
+* Falke asks Boden and Belden.
-*** NPC2 is now known as Dizon
+<br>(Boden) This time a year's real important in gouge.
-*** NPC1 is now known as vak
+<br>(Belden) They live in the forests, don't they?
-*** vak is now known as vak_Andras
+<br>(Boden) no, mostly caves,
-(Loch) Good to meet you all. I'm Loch du Champe.
+<br>(Boden) lots of caves and holes and stuff.
-* Loch will extend a hand to the others of the group
+<br>(Boden) Gouge is close to the mountains.
-* Pavo extends his hand to Loch... "Pavo!"
+<br>(Belden) Yes, my family has farmed the same land for generations.
-* Dizon smiles and nods to each of you, shaking hands
+<br>(Loch) Myself, Belden, and Boden are
-* Boden is a very large Man in standard issue leather armour. He is 7' tall and probably more than 300 lbs.
+<br>(Boden) not a lot of land, so we farm the flat land and use the hills for pasture.
-* vak_Andras is a handsome young man with a muscular but slender build, perhaps 18 years old, with curly black hair, olive skin, and hazel eyes. He has a crossbow slung over one shoulder.
+* Falke nods.
-* Boden will shake Loch's hand.
+<br>(Boden) gouge is pretty far away.
-* Belden is a relatively short woman, about 5'5". She's slim but far from waifish; you can tell she is built for endurance. While she isn't what you would call voluptuous, she isn't mannish-looking either... what some people would call a 'handsome woman'.
-* Dizon is a woman in her early twenties, with short, tousled mahogany-brown curls and a ready smile. She is armed with a rapier which she carries with the grace of an experienced fighter.
-* Belden has hazel eyes, and very little hair... her head has recently been shaved.
-* Loch is short and stockey , standing 5'6" with blue eyes and straw coloured hair
-(Dizon) Tristane Dizon - pleased to meet you all.
-* Pavo is a young man, in great shape. Firm in all the right places. His short hair is brown, and his eyes too! Damned sexy.
-(vak_Andras) I'm Kalman vak Andras. Glad to be here.
-* Belden is wearing dark brown robes under her guard's cloak, and has a holy symbol hanging from a beaded belt, as well as a morningstar looped into a sturdier leather one.
-(Belden) I'm Belden,
-* Belden says with a smile.
-* Pavo has a whip hanging from his front, and a sickle on either side
-(Boden) And I'm Boden.
-* Boden says with a large friendly smile.
-* Loch is dressed in uniform carrying a spear and a crossbow slung at his side. His hands are well caloused and his skin is a good tan.
-(Dizon) Are you all new?
-(Boden) Yeah.
-(Belden) The short answer is yes.
 * Belden nods.
-* Loch will nod as well
+* Boden says almost sadly.
-(Pavo) Yup.
+<br>(Belden) I think it will be a good year for the crops, on the plains...
-* vak_Andras nods
+<br>(Boden) thats good.
-* Boden carries a longsword and also wears a full metal gauntlet on his left hand.
+* Falke smiles quietly to himself.
-(Dizon) Okay, looks like I'm the senior one here, then.
+* Boden takes a long drag from his smoke.
-* Dizon says with a bit of a laugh
+<br>(Belden) If you're ever homesick, you can come to my parents' house, Boden.
-(Loch) (How old does everyone look... Loch is in his mid twenties)
+<br>(Belden) I'm sure they would love to meet you.
-* Belden looks to be in her early twenties.
+<br>(Belden) Or any of you! :)
-* vak_Andras looks about 18 or so
+<br>(Boden) I might just do that.
-(Boden) (I am around 18, its hard to tell since I'm so big.)
+<br>(Belden) Just let me know...
-(Pavo) (20)
+<br>(Belden) We can go if we get another set of days off in a row.
-* Dizon looks maybe 22 or 23
+<br>(Boden) When the real work starts, I'd be happy to trade a bit'o work for a farm cooked meal.
-(Dizon) Don't worry, guys, this won't be that bad.
+<br>(Boden) ok.
-* Belden laughs.
+* Boden smiles
-(Dizon) Oops, here she comes!
+<br>(Loch) What is the name of the village that you're from, Belden?
-(Boden) So you've been doing this a while?
+<br>(Belden) Oh, we don't live in a village, per se.
-* Dizon straightens up
+<br>(Falke) It sounds interesting but would your parents be willing to put up with a man who is completely ignorant to the nuances of farming?
-* Belden straightens up.
+<br>(Belden) My parents send my brother to Diablotin if we need anything we can't glean from the farm, or trade for with one of our neighbours.
-* Pavo stands attentively
+<br>(Belden) My parents like to feed people.
-* Loch will staighten up as well
+<br>(Boden) Well Falke, if they put up with me they'll put up with you.
-* Svodoba approaches your small group, clearly ready to get this task over with.
+<br>(Kalman) heh
-(Svodoba) Alright, listen up. You're a new group, so I've put Dizon here with you. She's got three years experience in the Guards. She'll help you through any tough situations you come up against.
+<br>(Boden) I was more use down a kobold's hole than I ever was on the farms.
-* Boden will starighten up when he sees others doing it.
+* Falke smiles.
-(Svodoba) Speaking of tough, I'm putting you on the Pearl City circuit. It's not usually that bad, but during festival season, that place just goes nuts. You should be prepared for fistfights, drunks, and just about anything else you can imagine. Don't bother arresting people unless it's truly serious - give 'em a warning or a fine and send 'em on their way. Just remember that we get the fines, not you. Got it?
+<br>(Loch) Besides a couple of extra backs this time of year are always welcome.
-(Belden) Yes sir.
+<br>(Boden) Yeah, but it'll have ta dry up a bit first I think.
-* Svodoba 's voice softens a bit and she smiles at you.
+* Falke occasionally scans the crowd as the guards chat.
-(Belden) (I assume we are supposed to answer... I hope :o)
+* Kalman listens but doesn't really have an 'in' to this discussion so stays quiet
-(Svodoba) This is a chance for you to prove yourselves. You do good here, in a few months you might get bumped up to patrolling the Castalia, maybe even the Pavillion.
+<br>(Loch) It can't rain all the time.
-* Pavo nods affirmatively
+<br>(Narrator) You pass by salespeople setting up their carts and stands for the day, children playing in the mud and puddles, and people on their way to work or market.
-* Svodoba hardens again, every inch the soldier.
+* Falke sighs happily.
-* Belden will be happy to work wherever she's assigned.
+* Falke waves to a few people he knows.
-(Svodoba) You do bad, you'll end up in Rhenea, or the Shambles, and then you might end up in an early grave or worse. So be on your toes and work to impress me. Understand?
+<br>(Falke) Is the job always this easy?
-* Svodoba waits for answer
+<br>(Boden) nope.
-(Loch) Yes sir
+* Falke half smiles and he looks amused.
-(Pavo) Yes, sir.
+<br>(Belden) I'm afraid not...
-* Boden glances at the others hoping they will answer.
+* Kalman nhakes his head
-(Belden) Yes sir.
+* Loch shakes his head no
-* Dizon nods
+<br>(Boden) but I like the lack of kobolds...always a good sign.
-(Boden) Yes, sir.
+<br>(Falke) Are there many kobolds in town?
-(vak_Andras) Yes, sir
+<br>(Belden) I don't think they let them in the city.
-* vak_Andras says a bit more slowly
+<br>(Boden) no
-* Svodoba nods, turns, and walks briskly away.
+<br>(Loch) No
-* vak_Andras mutters something under his breath that sounds like a curse.
+<br>(Kalman) . o O ( ....enoygh with the Kobolds... )
-* Svodoba turns back sharply, but speaks in an even tone.
+* Boden says happily.
-(Svodoba) What was that, soldier? I didn't quite make it out.
+<br>(Loch) I take it you're from the city, Falke?
-* Belden glances over at vak Andras, surprised.
+<br>(Falke) I am.
-* vak_Andras says nothing, but meets her steady gaze.
+<br>(Loch) Why did you decide to join the Guard?
-(Svodoba) Am I to understand that you don't think highly of your assignment? Or would you rather I interpreted that little remark as being directed at me?
+* Pavo yawns tiredly.
-* Pavo blinks as well, not thinking anyone would have cause to hate Svodoba... especially this early in their career.
+* Falke smiles, pleased.
-(vak_Andras) The assignment, sir. I didn't sign up here to break up fistfights and tell drunks to 'move along now'.
+<br>(Falke) Well...
-* Belden looks straight ahead.
+<br>(Falke) I like to style myself a student of humanity...
-* vak_Andras looks a bit nervous, but cocky
+* Falke blushes slightly.
-* Svodoba 's eyes flash with anger
+<br>(Loch) Excuse me?
-(Svodoba) That's what new guards do, soldier. I don't need people who are too proud to work in my division. You need to learn your place, and it's a few notches lower than you think it is, whatever your last name happens to be.
+<br>(Falke) I enjoy watching people... seeing what they're doing, what they're saying...
-* Boden shakes his head...he looks worried.
+<br>(Falke) So, I figured I might as well put my hobby to good use.
-* Pavo resists the urge to chuckle at vak_Andras's expense.
+* Falke shrugs.
-* Svodoba assesses Kalman for a split second, then nods
+* Pavo yawns wide, shaking the sleepies away, finally.
-(Svodoba) Latrine duty, indefinite duration.
+<br>(Narrator) You are approaching a section of Pearl City called the Rookery, an area that is well-known for harbouring a veritable warren of thieves, thugs, dealers in narcotics, and the cheapest whores. It is always best to be on one's guard in the Rookery.
-* Svodoba turns to the rest of you.
+<br>(Falke) It probably sounds a bit weird... I'm a bit embarrassed that I told you.
-(Svodoba) Sorry, it looks like you'll be one man short for a while. Make do.
+* Falke clears his throat self-consciously.
-(Belden) . o O (Not a good first impression for our squadron...)
+* Loch will be more on guard
-* Svodoba marches away again, but you think you catch a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.
+<br>(Belden) Don't worry, we're all friends here!
-* Loch gives narrow eyes towards Kalman
+* Kalman will also be more on guard and keep an eye out
-* vak_Andras shrugs almost apologetically, looking a bit shocked, and scuttles off to get his mop and bucket.
+* Belden will keep her eyes peeled as well.
-(Loch) Just what were you trying to prove?
+<br>(Narrator) The second and third stories of rickety buildings overhang the narrow streets here, nearly blocking out what little sunlight is present. A cold drizzle begins to fall, defeating the purpose of the haphazardly-hung rows of washing strung above your heads.
-* Boden lets out a sigh of relief.
+* Falke keeps all senses open for any disturbance.
-(Belden) That was... unfortunate...
+<br>(Narrator) A distinctive smell permeates this area, a combination of sweat, boiled cabbage, and something less identifiable - vaguely acidic or sulfuric, perhaps. It makes your eyes water.
-(vak_Andras) ...
+* Kalman will pull up the hood of his cloak
-(vak_Andras) Sorry.
+<br>(Belden) . o O (Oh well, smells better than the Shambles!)
-(Belden) :/
+* Boden will throw the butt to the ground and boot it out.
-* Boden smiles.
+* Pavo keeps his whip handy.
-(Pavo) For him...
+<br>(Narrator) A loud shout attracts your attention. A strong male voice calls "Oy! Summun gimme a hand with this baggage, now!"
-(Belden) We're not getting off to a very good start!
+<br>(Kalman) ugh.
-(vak_Andras) I'd better get going before she comes back..
+<br>(Narrator) You see up ahead of you a fat man beside a cart laden with fruit. He crouches, partly supporting a slumped figure, mostly hidden by his bulk.
-(Boden) well, guess on latrine duty you won't have to worry about any rowdy drunks.
+<br>(Narrator) At his shout, a number of heads peek out from cracked windows and behind doors, but disappear when they spot your cloaks.
-* vak_Andras shrugs
+* Belden heads over to the man.
-(Pavo) Oh don't be silly.... she's a smart lady. She won't tie this to all of us!
+<br>(Narrator) As you draw nearer, the fat man stands, turning towards you. The figure behind him slips down and onto its side, but is still mostly obscured. The man swallows and tips his hat to you. He wears a grimy blue and red vest that is many sizes too small for his bulk.
-(Loch) Sorry... you only have to clean out the latrines... we have do deal with things a man down.
+* Boden follows Belden
-(Pavo) .oO( I'm just worried I might get latrine duty some day... gross! )
+* Kalman heads over also
-(vak_Andras) Have fun, all of you.
+<br>(Fat_man) Sirs, I weren't doin' nuthin 'cept my duty as a citizen.
-* vak_Andras looks genuinely embarassed as he runs off
+<br>(Belden) (sense motive)
-*** vak_Andras is now known as NPC1
+<br>(Narrator) (You don't sense any deception from him)
-(Boden) .oO(yeah, as long as he stays in the latrines I'm making easy money.)
+* Loch trails behind the group
-(Belden) Ugh.
+* Falke also does, loosening his morningstar in its leather thong surreptitiously.
-(Belden) Well, maybe it's for the best.
+<br>(Belden) What seems to be the problem here, ser?
-* Belden says hopefully.
+<br>(Fat_man) Arnek Swart, costermonger, atcher service.
-* Dizon turns to the rest of you.
+* Fat_man sticks out a meaty palm for you to shake.
-(Dizon) Well, that wasn't so great...
+*** Fat_man is now known as Arnek
-(Dizon) But it could have been worse - she could have put us *all* on duty!
+* Belden will shake his hand.
-* Pavo makes a face.
+<br>(Kalman) what's going on?
-* Belden looks after Kalman's receding back.
+<br>(Arnek) A real shame, it is. Pretty young girl like that... I got three daughters of my own at home, it's a real shame.
-* Loch shruggs at the comment
+* Arnek gestures to the slumped body behind him.
-(Dizon) Hey, you're new - you don't know what those latrines are like! And there'll be a lot of drunks in there tonight...
+* Kalman looks past the man at the slumped figure
-* Dizon shudders slightly
+* Belden will crouch down by the figure.
-* Boden chuckles
+<br>(Belden) (Are they alive?)
-(Belden) It's a shame he had to make a first impression like that.
+<br>(Narrator) The body behind him sits on the street, slumped awkwardly against the wall. It is a young woman, perhaps 18 or 20, with fair hair plastered to her once-pretty face and darkened by the rain. She wears a white blouse and a pair of knee-length lacy knickers. Her green eyes stare sightlessly into the distance.
-* Dizon nods
+<br>(Belden) Oh, no...
-(Pavo) I thought she meant barracks latrines... they're public?
+* Kalman frowns
-(Belden) Hopefully the lesson he's learned will outlast the smell.
+<br>(Belden) (m) May you find peace in your next life...
-(Dizon) No, I mean drunk guards.
+* Kalman watches Belden checking her over
-* Belden says with a smile.
+<br>(Kalman) Where was she?
-(Pavo) Oh... *slightly relieved*
+* Pavo sighs and drops his gaze to the ground.
-(Boden) We should head out to Pearl, eh?
+<br>(Belden) (Can I tell how she died?)
-(Dizon) Yeah, we should get going.
+* Falke will carefully watch the fat man.
-(Dizon) Everyone got everything they need?
+* Arnek seems genuinely concerned.
-(Belden) Alright!
+* Boden looks kinda distressed.
-(Belden) I'm all set.
+<br>(Falke) Do you know who she was?
-(Boden) yep.
+* Falke asks Arnek.
-* Belden looks around at the others.
+<br>(Arnek) I've never seen her 'round here before. I'll wager she's not from these parts, from the look of her. Too posh by half.
-*** Svodoba is now known as NPC3
+* Falke nods.
-* Loch will reach into his pouch and pull out a little spinned hedghog and set it on his shoulder
+* Belden nods...
-(Dizon) ...
+* Kalman nods
-(Dizon) Cute.
+<br>(Falke) When did you find her?
-(Belden) Is he a pet?
+<br>(Belden) Look at her clothes...
-* Boden will pet the hedghog.
+<br>(Narrator) Belden, upon examining the body more closely, you notice several things:
-(Loch) This is Willam
+<br>(Kalman) (I don't recognize her, do I? ;D)
-(Dizon) Okay, I guess we're as ready as we'll ever be... let's get going! We can chat while we walk.
+<br>(Narrator) (no)
-* Belden starts walking.
+<br>(Kalman) (didn't think so ;)
-* Dizon strides off, indicating that you should follow her.
+<br>(Narrator) Belden: Though the girl's feet are bare, they are soft and more or less clean. Similarly, her hands are neither rough nor heavily callused. In general, her skin is very pale, with no sign of wounds.
-* Loch scratches the pointy little thing behind what might be an ear
+<br>(Narrator) However, the veins in her face, neck, arms and legs are grossly engorged, a violent black-purple against a creamy-white background. Her tongue, which protrudes slightly from her mouth, is a similar shade.
-* Boden walks after Dizon.
+<br>(Belden) (could she have been poisoned?)
-(Boden) (does she have a cute butt?)
+<br>(Belden) (Do I know of any substances/spells which could do this?)
-(Dizon) (yes)
+<br>(Belden) Someone carried her here, after she was dead...
-* Loch will keep up with the group
+<br>(Narrator) (rolling)
-(Dizon) So, if no one minds me asking, what Houses are you from? And where do you come from?
+<br>(Boden) hmmm
-* Belden looks around to see who wants to start.
+<br>(Narrator) All of you except Boden recognize the distinctive signs of an overdose of sheen, a popular but expensive drug reputed to bring users to incredible heights of pleasure.
-(Belden) Well...
+<br>(Kalman) Where was she?
-(Boden) I'm from Bear, and I come from the village of gouge.
+<br>(Boden) Where did you find her?
-(Belden) I'm from House Ox.
+* Kalman repeats
-(Belden) I grew up on a farm outsied of town.
+<br>(Arnek) Just right here, sir.
-* Boden didn't mean to interupt Belden...(I just typed slow.)
+<br>(Belden) Sheen...
-* Belden says with the same friendly smile.
+* Kalman nods
-(Belden) (s'ok)
+<br>(Arnek) Leanin' against that there wall.
-(Loch) I'm of House Ox, from Flatwood.
+<br>(Boden) sheen? I heard o that stuff.
-(Dizon) Lizard, and I'm from here in the city.
+* Arnek points
-* Belden smiles a little more when she hears that there is another Ox.
+<br>(Pavo) What a waste.
-(Dizon) And let me guess, Cat, right?
+* Loch moves forward
-* Dizon says to Pavo
+* Boden will purse his lips.
-* Loch will smile back
+<br>(Falke) What time did you find her, Mr. Arnek?
-(Narrator) (n) Pearl City is on the south side of the Ousel river, just to the west of the Place D'Iena. The roads are beginning to be crowded with revelers, even at this early hour. As you approach the red-light district, the crush of people becomes enormous. Their mood, however, seems cheerful for the moment, and you receive many smiles and wishes for good fortune as you pass by in your uniforms.
+<br>(Belden) I don't think it's an accidental overdose though...
-* Dizon raises her voice to be heard over the crowd
+<br>(Loch) What is sheen?
-* Pavo nods with a big smile
+<br>(Falke) A drug.
-(Dizon) It's not always this busy, but the holidays...
+<br>(Pavo) (By what matter is Sheen administered?)
-(Dizon) I guess everyone just wants to have a good time.
+<br>(Narrator) (It is smoked, usually)
-(Dizon) Too bad we have to work, eh?
+<br>(Boden) guess there might be a house round here were she could be dosing.
-* Pavo always returns the well wishes with a smile... especially the cute ones.
+<br>(Belden) As I said... she didn't walk here...
-(Belden) Someone has to do it. :)
+<br>(Falke) A lot of people use it here.
-* Loch nods
+<br>(Arnek) Just found here before you walked up...
-(Boden) And we don't work all the time.
+* Falke nods.
-(Dizon) Well, I guess that's true. Things can get pretty hectic.
+* Kalman nods
-* Boden looks pretty happy.
+<br>(Kalman) (sense motive?)
-(Narrator) (n) On all sides, people are shouting, drinking ale or wine, holding up mugs in celebration. From open doors and windows, whores wave to passers-by, trying to entice them in for a short, private celebration of the holy day. Small children squeeze through the crowds, in a hurry to see the group of acrobats performing near the statue of the First Empress, Dorea, holding up her sword in victory for all time.
+<br>(Narrator) Kalman - you don't sense any deception from him.
-(Dizon) Some of those kids are probably pickpockets, keep your eyes peeled.
+<br>(Pavo) (Would that mean it's hard to OD on it?)
+<br>(Narrator) (It's not that common, no. Perhaps it can also be administered other ways, you're not sure.)
+<br>(Pavo) Hell, if she's as posh as our friend here (indicates arnek) thinks, she might have just bitten off more than she could chew.
+<br>(Belden) (is it the kind of thing where you could smell it on her mouth if she'd actually smoked it? If so, then I smell her. ;)
+<br>(Kalman) possibly...
+<br>(Narrator) Belden - you don't smell anything except wet body and grime from the street.
+* Belden frowns.
+<br>(Boden) well, the streets not a good place to drop a body.
+<br>(Kalman) I wonder why she would be brought out here...
+* Belden will close the girl's eyes, with a sad, solemn look.
+<br>(Boden) maybe the people who droped her were doped up too.
+* Pavo shrugs.
+<br>(Belden) Maybe she was with someone...
+<br>(Falke) Kalman, Mr. Arnek, why don't we go inside? Belden can get the information we need from the body.
+<br>(Pavo) Would YOU like to be found with her corpse after you offered her "the time of her life"?
+<br>(Arnek) Beg pardon, sirs, but if she were clothed when she fell here, her clothes might not have lasted the night, if you know what I mean.
+<br>(Belden) Someone who didn't want to be associated with her death, whether it was accidental or not.
+* Falke tries to organize things a bit but isn't sure if it's his place to do so, being the newbie.
+* Boden brightens up a bit.
+* Kalman raises an eyebrow at Falke
+<br>(Boden) That means that whoever droped her must still be close by!
+<br>(Belden) We should look around the spot where she was found.
+* Kalman nods to Belden, though
+* Boden will start to use his tracking feat to see if he can track who droped her...
+* Falke falls silent and lets the others handle things, while he observes, then.
+<br>(Kalman) (Is this the kind of place where Sheen might be made?)
+<br>(Kalman) (nearby in anycase...)
+<br>(Kalman) did you see anyone nearby before you noticed her?
+* Kalman asks Arnek
+* Falke scans the crowd for anything unusual. Maybe someone saw something last night.
+<br>(Narrator) Boden - you can see booted footprints, one set, leading to where she lies, and then some confusion around the body (probably from Arnek and Belden and possibly some others).
+<br>(Narrator) (The footprints you can see are small, probably female.)
+* Boden will start to track the footprints giving a quick grunt to the others.
+<br>(Arnek) No sir, no one.
+<br>(Kalman) hmmm
+* Loch will stick with Boden
+<br>(Belden) (Just how wet is she? Like, is her hair soaked? Is her back wet where she was leaning up against the thing, or only damp? How long do I estimate she's been here? And how long do I estimate she's been dead?)
+<br>(Narrator) Boden - you track them to the end of the street, then lose the trail)
+<br>(Boden) crap.
+<br>(Loch) Lost it?
+* Falke looks for people who might look sort of guilty, or as if they know something but don't want to tell...
+* Kalman asks Belden "Is it possible she walked here under her own power before she died?"
+* Belden shakes her head.
+<br>(Narrator) Belden - she is very wet. You would say she's been here several hours at least, possibly up to 8 hours.
+<br>(Boden) yeah, but maybe I'll be able to find it again.
+<br>(Belden) Well, it's possible, but she didn't.
+* Pavo looks over the tracks Boden was following
+<br>(Belden) Look at her feet.
+* Boden will spend a bit of time trying to find the trail again.
+<br>(Belden) They're clean.
+<br>(Pavo) Is there sign that these tracks were dragging something?
+* Kalman will kneel and look at them
+<br>(Kalman) hmmm..
+<br>(Belden) If she'd walked barefoot through Pearl...
+<br>(Narrator) Belden - you would guess she's been dead 6-8 hours, perhaps.
+<br>(Pavo) .oO(How is Sheen made?)
+<br>(Belden) She'd probably be muddy *and* bloody.
+<br>(Kalman) true
+<br>(Narrator) (sheen is composed of several organic substances, but is refined)
+<br>(Boden) (pavo: was that question to me?)
+<br>(Kalman) unless someone has been by and stole her shoes
+<br>(Belden) Why just her shoes?
+* Arnek nods at that.
+<br>(Belden) (is she wearing any jewelry?)
+<br>(Kalman) does she have any jewellery or anything else easily portable?
+<br>(Pavo) (Boden: Yup)
+<br>(Arnek) And her skirt, by the looks of things. She'd have been pretty cold dressed like that last night.
+<br>(Kalman) hmmm...
+<br>(Boden) hmmm
+<br>(Narrator) There are no signs of drag marks, and she is not wearing any jewelry.
+* Belden looks thoughtful.
+* Boden will check the tracks to see if I think the person was carying anything or watnot.
+<br>(Boden) (you know...from the depth.)
+<br>(Kalman) Boden... do you think those tracks could be hers?
+<br>(Narrator) Boden, you don't think so.
+<br>(Belden) (If she'd been moved around for the purposes of stealing stuff, she'd be all muddy, though, wouldn't she? And is she?)
+<br>(Boden) um guys.
+<br>(Loch) Yes?
+<br>(Narrator) She's somewhat muddy, but remember, she's under an overhanging second story here. She's sheltered somewhat from the worst of the elements.
+<br>(Boden) I don't think the one set of tracks leading up to the body was carying anything...
+* Belden looks up at Boden.
+<br>(Boden) (are the tracks leading *away* from the body...and if so were are they coming *from*)
+* Loch will move to the body and cast Detect Magic
+<br>(Pavo) Perhaps we should consult some sort of Toxicologist.
+<br>(Narrator) Boden - the tracks lead up to the body, and go no further, as far as you can tell. You followed them back to the corner, but lost them there.
+<br>(Narrator) Loch - you detect no magic.
+* Pavo looks at the tracks... (Are they of a size she might make?)
+<br>(Belden) I think it would be most useful if we could find out who she is...
+<br>(Boden) (how big are the boots that made the tracks?)
+<br>(Kalman) mayeb someone else has reported her missing...
+<br>(Narrator) The tracks were probably about right for her size, though they have expanded as they melted, of course.
+<br>(Arnek) Still, she did bring it on herself, I say.
+<br>(Kalman) oh?
+* Arnek leans on his cart
+<br>(Kalman) what makes you say that
+<br>(Arnek) Sheen's a nasty business.
+* Pavo looks up along the wall of the building she was found beside.
+* Belden shakes her head sadly.
+* Kalman stands back up
+<br>(Kalman) mmm...true
+* Pavo looks for windows.
+<br>(Arnek) Not too many people around here use it... too expensive.
+<br>(Boden) I think the tracks may have been hers...maybe, but they are boots.
+<br>(Falke) (Julie, is there a place where bodies go for autopsies and stuff? Is Diablotin that advanced?)
+<br>(Belden) (m)I weep for a life so unhappy it turned to poison for pleasure...
+* Kalman shakes his head
+<br>(Kalman) well
+<br>(Falke) (w) She's just one of many.
+<br>(Narrator) The building she leans against has a few doorways in either direction, but no windows on this floor.
+<br>(Kalman) I can't think of anything else to ask you at the moment, Mr. Arnek..
+<br>(Narrator) Bodies go to the guard post, where they are kept until claimed or disposed of.
+<br>(Pavo) Some turn to a glass of water on a hot day, Belden. But if you can't swim, a river can be as dangerous as Sheen.
+* Kalman looks at the rest of the group
+* Arnek tips his hat to you
+<br>(Kalman) could you tell us where we might find you, though, in case anything else does come up?
+<br>(Belden) A glass of water is hardly comparable to drinking a river, Pavo.
+<br>(Pavo) I wasn't implying one should drink a river.
+<br>(Arnek) If there's anythin' further, sirs, I'll be in this area until nightfall, with my cart.
+* Pavo turns to Arnek. "Thank you for taking time out of your day to care for her."
+* Arnek shrugs
+<br>(Belden) Yes, thank you.
+<br>(Arnek) Just doin' what I'd hope summun would do for me...
+* Kalman nods as well
+<br>(Belden) We should return her to the guard house/
+<br>(Falke) (Julie, using City Lore 3, do I know of any "Sheen houses"? Is there anything like that? Might be good places to go start asking questions)
+* Kalman nods. "is there anything else we can learn here?"
+* Arnek takes up the handles of his cart and trundles away down the narrow street, loudly calling out the goods he has for sale.
+* Kalman will look at Boden and Belden, since they are tracking and doctor types ;)
+<br>(Pavo) (Did you say anything about my toxicologist line Julie?)
+<br>(Kalman) (Yeah, do I know any of the kind of p[eolke who deal in or use sheen? ;)
+<br>(Narrator) Falke - you think about it for a bit, but nothing leaps to mind in this area. You know there are probably some such houses, but it's a more expensive drug than would usually be used in an area this poor.
+<br>(Pavo) (or anyone else? :D)
+<br>(Narrator) Pavo - like I said, bodies go to the guard post (well, actually, a building near the guard post), where there is a priest or healer stationed. No toxicologists, per se.
+<br>(Falke) (Well, where are the ones that do exist? We have established that she was transported here, haven't we?
+* Falke looks thoughtful.
+<br>(Boden) maybe we should knock on a few doors...nobody'd say nothing...but we might smell smoke and find the fire type thing.
+<br>(Belden) (no, we haven't)
+<br>(Falke) (OK)
+* Belden nods to Boden.
+<br>(Belden) Someone should stay with her, to make sure she doesn't lose anything else...
+<br>(Narrator) Kalman - you don't know of anyone specific, but it is the sort of drug people from your social class would be more likely to use.
+<br>(Loch) I'll go send for the cart... be back soon.
+<br>(Kalman) hmm
+<br>(Kalman) alright
+* Loch will head off to find the body cart
+<br>(Falke) Some of the houses around here probably might have heard or seen something. Whether they will tell us is the question.
+<br>(Belden) The truth will always out... eventually
+<br>(Belden) Come on, Boden...
+<br>(Kalman) ...
+* Pavo rolls his eyes while Belden isn't looking.
+<br>(Boden) ok
+* Boden follows Belden
+<br>(Kalman) I'll stay here
+<br>(Narrator) Falke, you do know of one place that might sell sheen in Pearl City. It's called the Scarlet Sign. It looks like a real hole in the wall from the outside, but inside it's a rather classy drug den - or so you've heard. The problem is, you don't actually know where it is - they say it moves around to avoid detection.
+<br>(Falke) (OK)
+<br>(Belden) Alright, Kalman
+<br>(Falke) Should we find out if anyone is missing her yet?
+* Belden and Boden go and knock on some doors, then.
+<br>(Kalman) Hopefully Loch will check into that
+* Falke nods.
+<br>(Kalman) if not we can see when we bring her back
+* Kalman shrugs
+<br>(Falke) If we can find out what she was wearing, we can check some of the pawn shops and whorehouses for her clothes.
+<br>(Narrator) Belden and Boden, you knock on doors. At some, no one answers. At others, they just shake their heads and say they don't know anything. You find little information from these people.
+<br>(Belden) (sense motive!)
+<br>(Falke) It might give us some leads.
+* Falke seems doubtful.
+<br>(Kalman) we have to get that far first
+<br>(Belden) (Are they lyin'?)
+<br>(Falke) I know.
+<br>(Narrator) (They're scared of you, but you don't get the sense that anyone is deliberately lying about not having seen the girl before.)
+<br>(Belden) (ok...)
+* Belden will be as friendly and cheerful as possible to try and show them that guards are your friends!
+<br>(Narrator) After about 20 minutes or so, Loch returns with the horse and cart for the body.
+<br>(Pavo) (Is the building she's outside residential or...?)
+<br>(Narrator) (yes, residential)
+* Falke would like to figure out where the Scarlet Sign is at the moment. Would Gather Information help me do that?
+* Pavo will wait to see if Belden talked to the folks with the windows right above this location.
+* Loch will enquire about any missing persons reported from the Grand while he gets the cart
+<br>(Narrator) (Yes, I can roll for you... just a sec)
+<br>(Narrator) (Falke, no one you talk to knows, or perhaps they're just not willing to tell you.)
+<br>(Narrator) Loch - no missing people matching this girl's description.
+<br>(Falke) (Figured. ;^) )
+<br>(Pavo) (You're trying to be nice, cherful and unthreatening ... while going around with the ogre that is Boden :D)
+* Falke wonders if Reanne might have heard...
+<br>(Belden) (He's a friendly giant!)
+<br>(Loch) Nobody looking for her yet... not surprising. It's still early.
+* Loch will help get the body on the cart
+* Kalman nods
+<br>(Pavo) (WE know that)
+* Kalman will help also
+* Pavo assists Loch
+<br>(Boden) (look up, waaaaaayyyy up.)
+<br>(Narrator) Loch, as you lift the lifeless form, you hear something clatter on the stones near your feet. A small round shape rolls a short distance away.
+* Falke picks it up.
+<br>(Kalman) what's that?
+<br>(Narrator) It is a heavy button of bone, which perhaps once held closed a skirt or dress. On it is carved the shape of an Owl with an unfurled banner in its talons.
+<br>(Falke) Well... it seems she might have been of the House of the Owl, possibly.
+* Pavo looks at the item in Falke's hands.
+<br>(Pavo) That's even more reason to speak to them.
+* Falke will Appraise it.
+<br>(Narrator) Falke - cheap. It's just a bone button.
+<br>(Belden) Is it a particular family sigil?
+<br>(Falke) It's just a bauble, though. Not worth much...
+* Kalman will look at it
+<br>(Pavo) They might be able to tell us something about what happened last night, with their powers or something.
+<br>(Kalman) (do I recognize it?)
+* Falke hands it over to Kalman.
+* Kalman frowns
+<br>(Loch) I'll take the body back to the guardhouse and catch up with you afterward
+* Kalman looks around to see if anyone is paying attention
+* Belden is paying attention
+<br>(Kalman) This is the seal of the count of Childress.
+<br>(Boden) I'll go with you Loch and help you out.
+* Kalman says quietly
+<br>(Belden) ...
+<br>(Belden) Who's that?
+<br>(Kalman) That's the Warlord's grandson.
+* Pavo is as well!
+* Kalman says, equally quietly
+<br>(Belden) (w) Oh.
+<br>(Narrator) You get the body loaded into the cart. Who is going with Loch?
+<br>(Kalman) is there anything left here, or should we all head back?
+* Belden will volunteer.
+<br>(Belden) (Unless we're all going)
+<br>(Boden) (I'll go with Loch
+* Kalman will go also
+<br>(Loch) (that leaves Pavo and Falke... I guess were all going)
+<br>(Falke) I'd just like to check something out... would it be all right to meet up with you again at the Guardhouse?
+<br>(Belden) Where are you going?
+<br>(Falke) Well... I know there's a sheen house here in Pearl City. However, it moves around. I'd like to see if I can find out where it is at the moment.
+<br>(Loch) It's not wise to wander off alone, Falke.
+<br>(Pavo) I'll go with you... that's hardly a safe endeavour to be made alone
+<br>(Belden) Oh, there is?
+<br>(Belden) Good idea, Pavo
+* Kalman nods
+* Falke shrugs.
+<br>(Falke) Sure.
+* Loch will pull Willam off his shoulder and set him on Pavo's
+<br>(Kalman) we'll meet you both later, then
+<br>(Belden) If you don't have any luck, I know someone else who *might* be able to help us out...
+* Pavo quirks a brow at Belden
+<br>(Loch) Take good care of him, Pavo. We'll catch up.
+<br>(Kalman) oh
+<br>(Kalman) ?
+<br>(Pavo) 'Oh I will... *supresses a chucklE*
+* Kalman seems vaguely surprised that Belden would know any of that kind of people ;)
+<br>(Narrator) Okay, so everyone except Pavo and Falke are going back to the guard post. Pavo and Falke are going... somewhere else.
+<br>(Narrator) I'll deal with Pavo and Falke first, then.
+<br>(Falke) (Would Reanne be working at this time of day?)
+<br>(Narrator) No, it's early morning still; she would probably be at home.
+* Boden looks very surprised Belden might know someone...but says nothing.
+<br>(Falke) Well, Pavo, I guess you get to meet the folks.
+* Belden looks a bit embarrassed when she notes other people's surprised expressions...
+* Falke heads towards his parents' house (that's where she lives, right?)
+<br>(Narrator) (yes)
+* Kalman smiles at her embarrassment
+<br>(Kalman) I just can't imagine you hanging around anyone who would know much about sheen
+<br>(Narrator) Okay pause everyone else... Pavo and Falke head towards Birdcage Alley, a more well-to-do section of Pearl City.
+* Pavo whistles on the way...
+<br>(Loch) (I will follow Pavo's and Falke's adventures as best I can through the link with Willam)
+* Falke enters the street-level carpentry shop owned by his father.
+* Falke holds the door open for Pavo.
+<br>(Narrator) (okay, you will get vague impressions. I'll let you know if there's anything noteworthy)
+* Pavo steps through.
+<br>(Falke) Hello, father.
+* Pavo scritches a non-pointy part of the creature.
+* Jarl is a slender man, late forties, with dark hair.
+<br>(Jarl) Falke, what are you doing here?
+* Jarl looks up from his work, surprised.
+<br>(Falke) On coffee break? The guard has gotten soft since you were on it.
+* Jarl chuckles
+<br>(Falke) Is Reanne home?
+* Pavo tilts his head
+<br>(Jarl) She's still asleep, I think. Late nights for her, you know
+<br>(Jarl) She should be upstairs.
+<br>(Belden) (being a ho and all)
+<br>(Falke) Thanks. This is Pavo, by the way. He's on my squad.
+* Jarl nods to Pavo, politely
+<br>(Falke) Pavo, my father, Jarl.
+<br>(Jarl) Good to meet you, Pavo.
+<br>(Pavo) Likewise *offers hand, or similar Diablotin greeting*
+* Jarl brushes sawdust from his hands and shakes your hand.
+<br>(Falke) I'll be right back, Pavo.
+* Falke goes upstairs.
+<br>(Narrator) You go upstairs to the room your two sisters used to share (until you moved out, that is).
+* Falke taps on the door.
+* Reanne mutters something from inside that sounds like "go away"
+* Pavo yawns and looks around the place.
+<br>(Falke) Hey now! Is that the way to treat the guy who made it possible for you to have your own room finally?
+* Jarl goes back to his work, keeping an eye on Pavo
+* Reanne mutters something else, perhaps "come in"
+* Falke swings the door open and steps in.
+* Reanne is under her covers in bed.
+<br>(Reanne) Aren't you gone yet?
+* Falke smiles and leans against the door.
+* Reanne pokes her head out at you.
+<br>(Reanne) Did you forget something?
+<br>(Falke) No.
+<br>(Falke) I'm sorry to wake you up, but it's business.
+<br>(Reanne) Urg.
+<br>(Belden) (with your *sister*???)
+* Reanne pulls her head back under the blankets.
+<br>(Falke) I was wondering if you might have heard anything about the Scarlet Sign?
+* Reanne looks out again
+<br>(Reanne) What do you want to know about that?
+<br>(Falke) Just where it might be.
+* Reanne squints at you
+* Pavo offers the hedgehog his palm...
+<br>(Reanne) Try Dove Court.
+* Reanne says after a bit.
+<br>(Falke) Thanks. You're the best.
+<br>(Reanne) Urm.
+<br>(Falke) Sleep tight.
+<br>(Loch) (Willam eats Pavo's palm)
+* Falke turns and leaves.
+* Reanne grunts and pulls the blanket over her head again.
+* Pavo grumbles and will have to visit the nursery and buy a new one. ):|
+* Falke comes back downstairs and promises himself to get her something nice when he gets his first pay.
+<br>(Falke) Right, let's go.
+* Falke nods respectfully to his father and heads out.
+<br>(Pavo) ... alrighty.
+* Jarl bids you farewell.
+* Pavo nods as well, and steps out
+<br>(Falke) Let's go find the others.
+* Falke heads towards the guardhouse.
+<br>(Narrator) Okay, back to the others now.
+<br>(Boden) (as we walk, Boden will talk a bit..)
+<br>(Boden) I can't figure out those tracks...they don't make sense.
+<br>(Belden) How so?
+* Kalman listens
+<br>(Boden) well...they might have been her...wearing boots.
+<br>(Boden) but she wasn't wearing boots, and no other prints come away from the body.
+<br>(Kalman) we think someone might have taken her boots
+<br>(Boden) so how did she lose the boots...and what was she wearing that had that button on it.
+<br>(Belden) I guess someone could have taken her boots, like Kalman said...
+<br>(Boden) but that someone would have left tracks too.
+<br>(Belden) You're right...
+<br>(Boden) there should have been other tracks.
+<br>(Kalman) one way or another...
+<br>(Loch) We're the tracks made by someone in good health? Was the person staggering?
+* Boden is all confused and is thinking aloud.
+* Boden will think about that for a bit...(julie were the tracks staggering?)
+<br>(Boden) hmmmm./
+<br>(Boden) now that I think of it...the tracks were weaving a bit.
+<br>(Boden) and there were tracks around the body...just not leading to it. So some locals could have taken her stuff.
+<br>(Belden) Oh, alright...
+<br>(Boden) were did the button come from?
+<br>(Belden) It probably was locals... If someone had taken her dress and boots to hide who she was, or something, they wouldn't have been so sloppy as to leave that button behind, I don't think...
+* Belden looks saddened.
+<br>(Kalman) they may not have noticed it... we didn't
+* Belden thinks about the kind of person who would see someone in distress and only think about stealing her shoes.
+<br>(Belden) :(
+* Kalman shakes his head
+<br>(Narrator) You bring the body to the corpse house near the guard post and hand it over to the ministrations of Sister Maulde, who is on duty there at the moment.
+* Falke seems preoccupied as he and Pavo make their way back to the guard house.
+* Sister_Maulde is a middle-aged woman with thin grey hair and blue eyes, from the order of the Wolf.
+<br>(Belden) Hello Sister...
+* Pavo whistles faux-casually
+<br>(Narrator) (pause, you two :)
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) Hello, dears. Oh, what have we here?
+* Sister_Maulde clucks her tongue
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) Tsk tsk, what a shame.
+<br>(Belden) An unfortunate, wayward soul...
+* Sister_Maulde nods.
+<br>(Belden) I hope she finds a better path.
+<br>(Belden) -_-
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) Put her over here, would you, one of you big strong fellows?
+* Sister_Maulde gestures to a slab.
+* Kalman will give Boden a hand
+<br>(Narrator) You notice that several of the slabs are occupied already, even at this time of day.
+<br>(Belden) (any... commonalities?)
+* Kalman sets her down carefully
+<br>(Kalman) do you know if anyone has been reported missing?
+* Boden is helping Kalman.
+<br>(Narrator) Not that you notice. Two stabbings, one that looks like a drowning, and a couple without obvious signs of trauma.
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) Not that I've heard of, dear.
+* Kalman nods
+* Belden looks around the room sadly.
+* Sister_Maulde comes over to take a look at the body.
+<br>(Falke) (let us know when we arrive)
+* Sister_Maulde does some cursory examinations.
+<br>(Narrator) (I assure you I will)
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) Tsk tsk...
+<br>(Kalman) Belden thinks it might be a sheen overdose
 * Belden nods.
-* Boden will pull his eyes away from the windows and concentrate on the streets.
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) Yes, that's right, dear. But...
-* Belden keeps an eye out for trouble.
+<br>(Belden) The signs are quite distinctive...
-(Narrator) (n) A drunken man shoves past you, but apologizes hastily when he notices your cloaks.
+<br>(Belden) But?
-(Dizon) Watch it, buddy.
+* Loch watches quietly
-* Belden gives him a disapproving look.
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) But you see here?
-(Narrator) (n) The drunk nods and moves away from you as quickly as he can.
+* Sister_Maulde points to a spot between the woman's fingers, on her left hand
-* Pavo hasn't brought much with him today, but keeps a look out for sticky fingers.
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) Puncture mark. She was injecting it, not smoking it. Much more dangerous that way.
-(Dizon) Most people, you just give them a warning and they'll straighten up.
+<br>(Kalman) Hmmm..
-(Dizon) It's the ones who don't listen that you've gotta watch out for.
+<br>(Belden) Between the fingers?
+<br>(Belden) Is that usual?
+* Sister_Maulde shrugs
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) It's easy to hide, I suppose.
+* Belden picks up her other hand and looks for older scars.
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) But this is a very strong reaction, even for sheen.
+<br>(Narrator) You don't notice any, Belden.
+<br>(Belden) I don't see any older marks...
+<br>(Kalman) (Is sheen actually illegal? do we have anti-drug laws in Diablotin?)
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) It could be an unusually strong dose, I think. Perhaps even tainted somehow.
+* Belden frowns...
+<br>(Belden) If she had enough of a habit to be injecting sheen... one would think...
+<br>(Narrator) It's illegal to sell it or transport it. Since it's made from various plants, just growing them is not a crime.
+* Sister_Maulde nods
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) Perhaps she usually smoked it, and had just moved up to injecting it...
+<br>(Loch) What would a large dose of Sheen do to you? Would you even know you're dying?
+<br>(Kalman) maybe
+* Sister_Maulde looks to Loch
+* Boden takes up The Stance
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) I don't think you would know right away. I believe you would mainly feel very tired - it's an opiate, after all.
+<br>(Belden) (smoking it doesn't do anything convenient like make your teeth a weird colour, does it?)
+<br>(Narrator) (nope)
+<br>(Belden) (dang)
+<br>(Narrator) (there is an odour from smoking it, but she doesn't have it, as I said)
+<br>(Belden) (does sheen itself count as a poison for the purposes of detect poison?)
+<br>(Narrator) (yes, I'd say so)
+<br>(Belden) (k)
+<br>(Pavo) (Cast and see!: D)
+* Sister_Maulde goes back to examining the girl's body
+* Belden watches her work.
+* Loch will head outside
+* Kalman is half watching and half thinking
+<br>(Narrator) (Okay, Pavo and Falke can show up now)
+* Falke notices Loch and heads towards him.
+<br>(Falke) Any news on the girl?
+* Pavo slips into the room.
+<br>(Loch) Not much more than we knew before.
+* Falke nods.
+<br>(Loch) (I will call Willam back to me)
+<br>(Kalman) she was injecting the sheen...
+<br>(Falke) Well... the Scarlet Sign may be in Dove Court right now but by tonight it will have moved.
+<br>(Pavo) Hrm...
+<br>(Belden) (Boden is still in the romo too, right?)
+<br>(Falke) They'll know we've been asking.
+<br>(Boden) (yep)
+<br>(Loch) It that close to where we found her body?
+<br>(Falke) (is itJulie?)
+<br>(Narrator) (It's fairly close, a few streets distant - maybe a 5-10 minute walk)
+<br>(Falke) It's five or ten minutes away.
+<br>(Falke) So... close enough, I'd say.
+* Kalman nods
+<br>(Pavo) But we should be able to see THEIR tracks.
+<br>(Falke) How long has she been dead?
+<br>(Pavo) It would have to be some one strong enough to carry her. And their combined weights would HAVE to press their tracks futher into the street wouldn't it?
+<br>(Belden) (I already said 6-8 hours)
+<br>(Kalman) hmm?
+<br>(Belden) (back at the scene)
+<br>(Loch) She could have wandered there and her boots stolen after she died
+<br>(Falke) (Julie, was it raining overnight, 6-8 hours ago?)
+<br>(Kalman) ...yes.
+<br>(Narrator) (It's been raining on and off since yesterday)
+<br>(Kalman) It's possible that she was one of the count's servants
+<br>(Boden) so belden, what now?
+<br>(Belden) Well, I guess the next step is to find out who she is...
+<br>(Belden) She is connected to the Count of Childress somehow...
+<br>(Belden) Maybe one of his staff.
+* Boden nods.
+<br>(Kalman) Some of us could go and check into that
+<br>(Belden) I was hoping there'd be just one thing that we missed, you know...
+<br>(Belden) That would help us understand.
+<br>(Boden) well...
+* Boden seems to ponder for a while.
+* Belden looks sadly in the Sister's direction.
+* Sister_Maulde is still examining the body
+<br>(Falke) (How heavy has the rain been, Julie?)
+<br>(Narrator) Falke - the rain has been light, mostly
+<br>(Boden) (Is she wearing anything that would have that button on it?)
+<br>(Narrator) Boden - no, she's not.
+<br>(Kalman) It might be worth having someone investingate that Scarlet Sign, but it could be quite dangerous
+<br>(Falke) (Just wondering if it might have been strong enough to obliterate tracks in the mud)
+<br>(Falke) I think it would be quite dangerous.
+<br>(Boden) Belden...where did the button come from?
+<br>(Boden) I mean...it seems really odd you know?
+<br>(Belden) From her dress...
+<br>(Boden) nope
+<br>(Boden) look
+<br>(Belden) The dress was probably removed
+<br>(Pavo) ... or perhaps she pulled it off ,and it was in her hands.
+<br>(Pavo) We don't know for sure where it was before we picked her up.
+<br>(Belden) Like her shoes...
 * Belden nods.
-(Narrator) (n) A red-haired whore winks at you from her doorway.
+<br>(Pavo) Did anyone look at her hands before she was picked up?
-* Pavo winks back charmingly
+* Boden still looks troubled
-*** NPC1 is now known as Whore
+<br>(Belden) I looked her over...
-* Belden frowns disapprovingly.
+<br>(Falke) Loch...
-* Whore giggles and waves back at the handsome guard
+<br>(Pavo) (Julie?)
-(Belden) Don't encourage them,
+<br>(Boden) um
-* Belden whispers.
+<br>(Narrator) Belden, you think you would have noticed if she was holding something in her hand.
-* Whore disappears back into her house
+<br>(Belden) It must have been caught on some of her clothing... the fruit vendor had moved her already when we got there, remember?
-*** Whore is now known as NPC1
+<br>(Loch) I never examined the body closely
-(Boden) Most of them take very little encouragement.
+<br>(Belden) I would have noticed if it had been in her hand.
-(Pavo) I'm sure she needs a bit of good cheer today too, Belden.
+* Kalman nods
-(Belden) She looks like she's had plenty of... cheer to me.
+<br>(Pavo) Ok.
-* Dizon chuckles at that
+<br>(Boden) yeah, it wasn't until we picked her up.
-(Pavo) Never too much of a good thing :)
+<br>(Boden) could he have been robbing her as we got there...you know...hiding stuff in his cart?
-* Pavo continues walking and looking around.
+<br>(Falke) I don't know much about magic... but could someone have used any sort of magic to get her body to that place without leaving tracks? Would anyone even bother?
-(Belden) Bah.
+<br>(Belden) No...
-* Belden mutters.
+<br>(Kalman) he called for us... it doesn't seem likley
-(Pavo) You talk like you know from experience. *grins at the big man*
+<br>(Belden) He seemed honest to me.
-* Boden just nods.
+<br>(Pavo) He called us over, I doubt he'd have been doing that.
-(Belden) How about at least not encouraging them while we're on duty?
+<br>(Boden) I don't know...
-(Boden) Oh, yeah, of course.
+* Falke is wherever Loch is- I think that's outside.
-* Pavo is a bit surprised by the simple response, but continues to grin in amusement.
+<br>(Boden) something just doesn't feel right...like I should think of something or something.
-* Boden completely misses the sarcasm.
+<br>(Kalman) hmmm
-(Belden) We have a job to do, which does not include flirting with prostitutes.
+<br>(Loch) Magic could do it, but it doesn't seem to fit.
-* Pavo looks to Dizon
+* Falke nods.
-(Pavo) So if we spot a pickpocket, can we just stop them and check them out?
+<br>(Falke) It was just a thought.
-(Narrator) (n) The crowds grow thickest near the square with the statue, where just now two acrobats are juggling knives.
+* Kalman goes back over where the sister is
-(Dizon) Yes, if you can catch him. They're slippery bastards, and the crowds work in their favor, usually.
+* Belden nods to Boden.
-(Dizon) I guess that's why they usually use kids - smaller and harder to see.
+* Sister_Maulde looks up as you approach
-(Belden) Poor kids...
+<br>(Kalman) Is there any other sign of... violation of anysort?
-* Dizon wends her way through the crowd towards the other side of the square
+* Belden bites her lower lip.
-(Dizon) I guess..
+* Loch will head back inside
-* Dizon doesn't seem too sympathetic, though
+* Sister_Maulde pushes her glasses up on her head
-* Pavo follows
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) She was no maiden, but I don't see any signs of violence of that sort.
-* Loch will stay with the group
+<br>(Kalman) alright
-(Narrator) (n) You reach the other side of the square unscathed, and the crowd thins out somewhat.
+<br>(Belden) Well, that's a mercy, at least...
-(Dizon) Whew.
+* Falke heads in too. No sense standing out in the rain.
-(Belden) . o O (So far it's pretty tame...)
+<br>(Boden) I bet on sheen it wouldn't take a lot of violence for that sort of thing.
-(Dizon) I don't like crowds - that's where the most trouble happens.
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) No, you're right. But I don't think she would have had very long...
-(Narrator) (n) From a bit further down the street, you hear yelling from inside one of the whorehouses, which bears a sign over its door showing a rather contented-looking cat.
+<br>(Loch) Why spend the money on Sheen when whores are cheaper?
-(Belden) Here we go...
+<br>(Kalman) how long would she have had?
-(Narrator) (n) Sounds like a heated argument in progress.
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) From what I can tell, she injected the drug, and was dead ... less than half an hour later.
-(Boden) (Have I been there?)
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) That's my best guess, at least.
-* Boden looks at Dizon
+<br>(Belden) I have a feeling...
-(Narrator) (Sure. You know it's the Well-Filled Pussy.)
+<br>(Belden) Well... I don't know.
-(Boden) ?
+<br>(Belden) Just a bad feeling.
-(Belden) Should we all go in?
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) See, the veins in her feet are still clear... It didn't have time to circulate through her entire body.
-(Dizon) Well, I guess we should check that out.
+* Belden closes her eyes.
-(Boden) ok.
+<br>(Kalman) I suppose that narrows down how far she could have come from, if she was moving under her own power
-(Dizon) We'd better stick together, for now at least.
+* Sister_Maulde nods to Kalman
-* Boden will start to trot towards the place, not getting ahead of the group.
+* Kalman looks over to Falke
-* Belden moves with the group, then.
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) And I noticed something else... I don't know if this will help you or not...
-* Dizon will head towards the brothel
+<br>(Kalman) Did you find out where that drug house is?
-(Pavo) .oO( Such an eager beaver... )
+<br>(Kalman) Or was, even?
-* Loch follows
+<br>(Falke) Yes.
-(Narrator) (is everyone going inside?)
+* Sister_Maulde points to the girl's waist.
-(Belden) (I am)
+* Belden looks up at the priest.
-(Loch) (Yes)
+<br>(Falke) But if we don't go there soon it won't be there anymore.
-* Pavo follows Dizon.
+* Belden looks down.
-(Boden) (I will, but I'll glance in first.)
+<br>(Falke) However, it will be dangerous.
-(Narrator) (n) Glancing inside, your eyes take a second to adjust to the darker room. You see a young man and and older woman, shouting at each other.
+* Kalman nods
-*** NPC1 is now known as Young_man
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) She was wearing some kind of skirt, I'd say, but it was torn from her - see the marks here and here? Probably after she was unconscious or dead, though.
-* Boden will walk into the room.
+<br>(Falke) It's a lucrative business. I'm sure the owners have invested in protection.
-*** NPC3 is now known as Woman
+* Belden nods...
-(Young_man) Look, I already told you, I can pay it!
+<br>(Belden) Yes.. her shoes were taken too.
-(Woman) That's what you've said the last three times
+<br>(Boden) would the skirt have had the button on it?
-(Young_man) Yeah, but this time I mean it!
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) No signs of a struggle, and even on sheen, most people would try to resist having their clothes torn off.
-(Young_man) Really!
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) It could be, dear.
-* Woman scowls darkly
+<br>(Belden) We're not sure if it was to try and hide who she was, or if it was just someone who wanted them for themselves...
-(Boden) (they don't look like they are going to attack eachother do they?)
+* Sister_Maulde shrugs
-* Woman looks up when you come in
+<br>(Kalman) hard to say
-(Narrator) (no, not immediately)
+<br>(Kalman) one of the count's household may know who she was, at least
-(Woman) Now look who's here.
+<br>(Falke) It could easily have been someone who wanted some clothes, in Pearl City...
-(Boden) oh, Hi!
+* Belden nods to Kalman.
-(Woman) Some guards, come to sort out this little problem.
+<br>(Sister_Maulde) I hope I've been of some help, dears. Good luck finding this girl's name.
-(Boden) we're from the guard and we heard the shouting.
+* Falke says, perhaps with a hint of sadness.
-* Woman smirks
+<br>(Belden) Thank you very kindly, Sister.
-(Woman) This fellow here thinks he can get free service here.
+* Sister_Maulde nods and goes back to her work.
-* Woman gestures expansively at the young man
+<br>(Kalman) Yes, thank you, Sister
-* Boden frowns a bit.
+* Loch will head back outside again
-(Belden) Missed payments, huh...
+* Belden will head outside, to stand in the damp air.
-(Woman) Yeah, that's right.
+* Boden goes outside.
-(Boden) that doesn't seem right.
+* Falke heads out with the rest.
-(Woman) I don't run a tab for deadbeats.
+<br>(Belden) You know...
-(Belden) Do you actually have money on you?
+* Belden says thoughtfully
-* Belden steps forward.
+* Kalman goes out as well
-* Young_man is moving away from you guards
+<br>(Belden) If someone did steal her clothes...
-(Boden) How much does he owe you?
+<br>(Belden) They may have tried to sell them...
-(Young_man) Er...
+<br>(Kalman) possibly
-(Woman) 15 Imperials!
+<br>(Falke) Yes, but we don't know what they look like.
-* Boden gets ready to run after him if he bolts.
+<br>(Loch) Would a servant be able to afford sheen?
-(Narrator) (those are gold, by the way)
+<br>(Kalman) possibly...
-(Boden) wow!
+<br>(Kalman) It depends on how well paid they are
-(Belden) (yikes)
+<br>(Belden) Probably someone would remember fencing something nice like that...
-* Belden 's eyes get wide.
+<br>(Belden) Oh well... I don't really know much about that sort of thing
-(Young_man) It was never 15!
+<br>(Kalman) I expect the injected kind would be more expensive than the regular kind, though
-* Boden whistles
+<br>(Loch) How well payed are they they in the Grand?
-(Young_man) It couldn't have been more than 6 or 7.
+* Loch looks at Kalman
-(Belden) Yuong man, don't you have anything better to spend your money on??
+* Kalman asks the gm, sec ;)
-(Boden) How many nights did you let this guy go for free?
+<br>(Kalman) It depends
-* Young_man has the grace to look a bit shamefaced in front of the priest
+<br>(Kalman) some of them can make between one and two Imperials a day if they are well trusted...
-* Pavo smiles at the man and casually steps sideways to block a bit.
+<br>(Kalman) To my understanding though, sheen runs about 50 Imperials a dose
-(Woman) He's my sister's nephew, you know?
+<br>(Kalman) (Is Sheen addictive?)
-(Woman) Thinks family counts for something.
+<br>(Narrator) (yes)
-(Woman) Well, my girls are fed up with it, and so am I.
+<br>(Belden) She doesn't look wealthy enough to support that kind of habit...
-(Pavo) .oO(Sister's nephew?)
+<br>(Kalman) no...
-(Pavo) He's your nephew too? Or your son?
+<br>(Loch) Imperials aren't the only currency out there.
-* Young_man is inching towards the door
+<br>(Kalman) true
-(Belden) How many of you has he... um, stiffed?
+<br>(Kalman) One of us, at least, should visit the count's house
-(Boden) (aren't we in the door?)
+* Belden nods to Kalman,
-* Pavo can't suppress a chuckle
+* Loch nods in agreement
-(Woman) My sister's husband's sister's kid, I think.
+<br>(Belden) I think the next step is finding out who she is...
-* Dizon chuckles as well at that
+<br>(Kalman) I'll go
-* Boden works that out on his fingers.
+<br>(Belden) I will, too
-(Pavo) Ok, just checking :)
+<br>(Kalman) alright
-(Narrator) (yes, you're in the door - he's trying to see if he can slip by you, you'd say)
+* Belden says resolutely.
-(Pavo) Well now.. *to the young man* as my companion asked, do you have any money on you that you could give as a down payment?
+<br>(Narrator) And what are the rest of you doing?
-(Woman) Gawds, if this was my son, I'd have whalloped him long ago.
+* Pavo will go along.
-(Young_man) Er... Not exactly, no.
+<br>(Loch) I guess the rest of us will head back to the Pearl... keep watch until you find out more.
-(Boden) and how many times do you owe her for?
+<br>(Falke) Maybe we should keep watch around Dove Court.
-(Woman) I know where you live, you rascal!
+<br>(Kalman) alright, let's go, then
-* Belden shakes her head.
+<br>(Belden) Do you know where it si?
-(Woman) He's a charmer, you know?
+<br>(Loch) If we stay in the vicinity of Dove Court on our route... well, its just a concidience
-(Woman) Comes in here, talks to the girls, gets them to go with him for free.
+* Kalman nods
-(Woman) Well, nothing's free around here.
+* Belden asks Kalman.
-(Pavo) Perhaps you ought tell your sister.
+<br>(Belden) Alright.
-(Woman) Must be 15 times at least.
+<br>(Narrator) Okay. Pavo, Belden, and Kalman are going to the Grand. Boden, Loch, and Falke are going to the vicinity of Dove Court, if I understand correctly.
-(Pavo) Or her sister in law.
+* Falke smiles.
-(Woman) She's no good - too deep in the bottle to care.
+* Pavo straightens out his clothes.
-* Pavo looks to the man... "What would mommy dearest think?"
+<br>(Loch) (yes, I believe so)
-(Woman) Just look at him - he's too old to be ordered around by his mother! Doesn't have the respect.
+<br>(Narrator) (okay then)
-* Young_man looks more and more uncomfortable
+<br>(Narrator) I'll deal with the people going to the Grand first, then. Everyone else can pause for now.
-(Young_man) Look, um, maybe I can start to pay you back...
+<br>(Falke) (ok)
-* Loch looks a little bored by the whole thing going on, but tries to pay attention to it, and keep an eye outside as well
+<br>(Narrator) The home of Eynard Arguelles is on the majestic Celandine Way. It is a massive, rather squat stone building, only three stories high, but very wide. The solitary guard at the gates swiftly allows you to enter upon seeing your badges.
-* Dizon pipes up
+<br>(Belden) (ooh, swiftly!)
-(Pavo) It isn't a matter of ordering, ma'am.
+<br>(Narrator) A butler opens the door promptly at your knock and stands back to allow you to enter. His red coat shines with brass buttons, identical in design to the one you bear.
-(Dizon) You got a kitchen here, lady?
+<br>(Kalman) . o O ( this could be unpleasant )
-* Woman looks a bit confused
+<br>(Butler) Yes, how can I help you?
-(Woman) Yes.. why?
+* Belden tries to hide her discomfort, letting Kalman take the lead.
-(Belden) Maybe he can work some of it off.
+<br>(Kalman) Goodday
-* Dizon nods to Belden
+<br>(Kalman) I'm Kalman Vak Andras, these are Sister Belden and Pavo, my associates
-(Boden) wow, thats a good idea.
+* Pavo nods
-(Pavo) .oO( Will cook for sex. )
+* Butler arches an eyebrow on hearing your name, and nods
-* Boden seems genuinely impressed.
+* Belden bows her head in greeting.
-(Belden) And maybe in the meantime he can find a nice girlfriend that he doesn't have to pay.
+<br>(Kalman) We are investigating the death of a young girl who was found in Pearl this morning
-(Dizon) Yeah, washing dishes for a while would do him good, I'd say.
+<br>(Butler) Dear me.
-(Pavo) Or something like that *grins at the man*
+<br>(Butler) But what does this have to do with my master?
-* Young_man has a hang-dog look at this thought
+<br>(Kalman) We believe that she may have been associated with this household
-(Loch) Maybe Boden should give him a right to the gut to remind him of his obligation...
+<br>(Butler) It could be, sir. This is a large household.
-* Young_man looks at which one he guess Boden is and pales...
+<br>(Butler) Did you wish to speak to my master?
-(Boden) really?
+* Kalman nods
-* Dizon shrugs
+<br>(Kalman) Please.
-(Belden) No, not really!
+* Butler claps his white-gloved hands gently and a maidservant appears as if out of nowhere.
-* Boden looks at Dizon to see what she thinks.
+<br>(Pavo) .oO(... I'd be fine speaking to anyone who would know her :o)
-(Loch) and if he forgets... Boden should give him a left.
+<br>(Kalman) . o O ( bleah )
-(Dizon) Whatever works, I suppose.
+* Maid bobs a curtsey and disappears up the stairs.
-(Belden) We aren't here just to bully people!
+* Kalman is diplomatic enough to hide his displeasure at having to deal with this guy like this, bleh bleh bleh
-* Boden seems confused.
+* Maid is wearing a red skirt and white blouse.
-(Pavo) Well perhaps we'll let the lady decide.
+* Pavo simply tries to look anti-ruffian
-(Woman) Hmm.
+<br>(Narrator) The hall you stand in is richly carpeted with a complex red and white pattern. The dominant feature is a huge mirror with an ornate frame hanging on the wall, which on its own must have cost a fortune.
-(Pavo) Do you think that's necessary?
+<br>(Narrator) After a few moments, the maid returns, and you are escorted up the stairs, down a hallway and into a bedroom. The maid curtseys again and leaves.
-* Belden is shaking her head.
+<br>(Pavo) (Does the maid have bone buttons we can see?)
-(Pavo) ... *and to the man...* Do YOU think it's necessary?
+* Pavo discretely eyes the maid's skirt
-(Woman) Well, he *is* a disreputable scoundrel, surely.
+<br>(Narrator) (yes, you can see one at the top of the skirt, in the back, as you follow her up the stairs)
-(Woman) But family is family...
+<br>(Pavo) (Identical to the one we have?)
-(Boden) He looks kinda small....
+<br>(Narrator) (As far as you can tell without sticking your face in her ass, yes)
-(Woman) He probably doesn't deserve a busted kidney today.
+<br>(Pavo) (eww!)
-(Boden) (m)I left my first aid kit at the barracks.
+<br>(Narrator) Inside, the most obvious characteristic of the room is the massive mahogany bed, hung with heavy red curtains that are currently drawn back and tied with silk cords. A young man sits, or rather lounges, there. He is dressed in a silken smoking jacket and his black curls are tousled as if he has just woken.
-* Young_man looks slightly green
+<br>(Eynard) Yes, what can I do for you?
-(Pavo) That settles it then!
+* Eynard says from his bed.
-* Boden brightens.
+* Belden exchanges a look with Kalman and Pavo re: the button.
-* Pavo looks to the man... "Get into the kitchen with you..."
+<br>(Kalman) We are investigating a death in Perl.
-(Boden) Maybe I could pop buy tomorow and make sure he's doing good work.
+* Eynard sits up a bit more.
-* Woman nods
+<br>(Kalman) A young girl who we believe may have been connected to, or even part of , your household
-* Young_man will scuttle hastily towards the kitchen, looking back at Boden over his shoulder
+<br>(Eynard) Well, as you can see, I've just awoken, and I haven't had time to do a head count of my staff yet.
-(Woman) Thank you for your help, sirs.
+* Eynard says somewhat brusquely.
-(Woman) What do I owe you?
+* Kalman nods
-(Belden) Oh, nothing at all!
+<br>(Kalman) (Sense motive)
-(Belden) It's our job.
+* Pavo puts on a sheepish face.
-* Woman looks a bit surprised, but thankful
+<br>(Belden) (sense motive arrr)
-* Boden looks down at belden confused again.
+<br>(Pavo) (Empathy pirates?)
-(Belden) We get paid by the city.
+<br>(Belden) (yes)
-(Boden) (w to Dizon) is that right? We don't get tips?
+<br>(Eynard) (He seems to be telling the truth, but Belen, you think he's worried about something)
-(Woman) Well, if you say so...
+<br>(Eynard) (Belden, that is)
-(Dizon) (w) Usually we do, but... *shrug*
+<br>(Eynard) Could you provide a description of this young girl?
-* Belden nods.
+<br>(Kalman) Of course, we understand that
-* Pavo chuckles
+<br>(Pavo) .oO(dead...)
-(Pavo) (w) Perhaps the next time you come, you can give HER the tip, Boden :)
+* Kalman looks to Belden to provide that, I don't want to do *all* the talking ;)
-* Loch shrugs
+<br>(Belden) Well, sir...
-(Woman) Thank you again.
+* Belden will describe her.
-(Belden) Have a good day, now.
+* Eynard looks surprised.
-* Belden smiles and gets ready to leave
+<br>(Eynard) That ... that sounds like Tria. She is... was... one of my maids.
-* Woman nods and heads into the kitchen, where you can hear her yelling at the young man some more.
+* Eynard rises from the bed, pulling the robe tighter around his waist and sliding his feet into black silk slippers. He walks to a dressing table, pulls open a drawer and removes a silver case, from which he takes a cigarette. He lights it and paces to the window.
-* Boden will walk out the door, still confused.
+* Pavo sighs...
-* Dizon heads out the door
+<br>(Belden) (sense motive, ahoy!)
-* Pavo saunters out!
+<br>(Kalman) (is the surprise genuine?)
-* Loch follows the group
+<br>(Narrator) (Belden - he seems truly upset, perhaps more than would be normal for someone who has lost a servant.)
-(Boden) Um...Belden?
+<br>(Narrator) (Kalman - he seems... you're not sure. Not entirely surprised. More like angry.)
-(Belden) Yes?
+<br>(Kalman) Would you, or any of your servants know what she would have been doing last night?
-(Boden) I think they usually give us something if we help them out...
+<br>(Eynard) I saw her quite late...
-(Belden) Why?
+* Eynard says quietly.
-(Belden) It's our job to help.
+<br>(Eynard) I don't know where she went after that.
-(Boden) Its just kinda how things work. I think.
+<br>(Kalman) (lying?)
-(Belden) Why should they feel obliged to give us more when we're already being paid to serve them?
+<br>(Narrator) (You're not sure.)
-(Belden) Well, I don't care if it's how things work for most people.
+<br>(Belden) (sense motive)
-(Boden) I wouldn't say obliged...
+<br>(Narrator) (you're also not sure)
-* Pavo takes on a slightly scandalous look... "Don't you tip the waitor at a restaurant?"
+* Kalman nods
-(Belden) It's greedy.
+<br>(Eynard) Where did you find her?
-(Pavo) You tip for good service.
+<br>(Kalman) She appears to have died of an overdose of Sheen.
-(Boden) but if they offer...
+* Kalman says neutrally
-* Dizon isn't about to get involved in this debate...
+* Belden watches his response to that statement...
+<br>(Belden) (SM)
+* Eynard paces a bit more.
+<br>(Kalman) (me too)
+<br>(Pavo) (You guys are gonna sense motive him to death!)
+<br>(Belden) (if only)
+<br>(Pavo) (:D)
+* Kalman will tell him the general area we found her in
+<br>(Narrator) (Belden - you don't see a noticable reaction to that. Kalman, however, you think he twitches a bit, as if that statement was significant to him)
+<br>(Eynard) An overdose of sheen?
+* Belden nods silently.
+<br>(Eynard) Such behaviour is most unlike Tria. She was much too clever to get involved in something like that.
+<br>(Belden) (SENSE MOTIVE)
+<br>(Kalman) (indeed ;)
+<br>(Narrator) (shrug - not sure - either this guy is telling the truth, or he's a very, very good liar)
+<br>(Kalman) (same thing for me?)
+<br>(Narrator) (yes, for both of you)
+* Kalman nods again
+* Pavo attempts to look like he knows everything... (Bluff. Just a general look of "Nothing I hear is new")
+<br>(Eynard) Guards, I want you to do everything possible to discover how this came about. I'll offer you a reward of six hundred Imperials for a quick and satisfactory answer.
+* Eynard says, turning to face you.
+* Kalman waits for Belden to turn him down ;)
+<br>(Eynard) A *discreet* answer.
+<br>(Belden) ...
+* Belden looks surprised, and confused...
+<br>(Belden) We... we can't accept that money, your excellency
+* Eynard looks surprised.
+<br>(Eynard) What? Of course you can.
+* Kalman smirks
+<br>(Belden) We will do our best, as we always do
+* Pavo stifles a grin as bst he can.
+* Belden grows a little more confident.
+* Eynard looks angry.
+<br>(Belden) I'm truly sorry, your excellency
+<br>(Pavo) Our friend is unaccustomed to accepting gratuities.
+<br>(Eynard) You'll take the money.
+<br>(Belden) But to do so would create the perception that we give preferential treatment to those with greater means...
+<br>(Belden) No sir, I will not.
+* Eynard says in a somewhat strained voice.
+* Belden hardens the line of her lips.
+* Pavo holds his hand to his temple.
+<br>(Eynard) Of course it would. That's the point.
 * Belden shakes her head.
-*** Woman is now known as NPC3
+<br>(Belden) That simply isn't true.
-(Belden) So, we should give better service to people with more money? I don't think so.
+<br>(Belden) That's not how the guard is supposed to operate.
-*** Young_man is now known as NPC1
+* Eynard inhales sharply.
-(Loch) . o O (its going to be a long day...)
+<br>(Belden) We are here to serve the people. All of the people. Equally.
-(Boden) I'm not saying we should demand it...but coudln't we say "Whatever you can spare." Instead of No...
+<br>(Pavo) Lets just say, we'll return to update you once we've concluded our investigation, milord.
-(Pavo) Well, I know one lady who isn't popular with the food establishments.
+* Eynard turns to Pavo
-(Belden) I think we should let them keep their money.
+* Pavo throws a "you're being stupid" look to Belden.
-(Belden) They don't owe us anything.
+* Belden shoots Pavo a very sharp look.
-(Boden) true, they don't. But if people want to give me money...why say no?
+<br>(Eynard) Very well. I expect a quick resolution to this matter.
-* Belden is shaking her head again.
+* Eynard waves a hand to dismiss you.
-(Loch) Simple... the one who will be saving you if someone puts a knife in your back in a dark alley is asking you not to.
+<br>(Pavo) Come on Belden, we have important work to do...
-(Belden) It's unprofessional, on top of everything.
+* Pavo turns to leave.
-* Pavo eyes Loch unpleasantly
+<br>(Kalman) With such interests in mind, may we have leave to question any members of your staff who may have been familiar with Tria?
-* Boden looks at Loch.
+<br>(Belden) Good day, your Excellency.
-(Boden) ok, thats something I can understand.
+* Eynard turns back to the window.
-* Belden sighs.
+<br>(Eynard) Yes, of course.
-(Belden) . o O (it's going to be a long day)
+* Belden says politely.
-(Narrator) (n) As you approach the Bridge of Vanities, which connects Pearl City with the Imperial Island, the crowd is thicker than ever. People pour across the old stone span in both directions, as nobles search for pleasure and commoners seek a glimpse of luxury, or maybe just a way across the river that doesn't take them through the Shambles.
+<br>(Kalman) Thank you.
-* Boden smiles again, happy in his new found comprehension.
+* Maid waits nervously outside the door to show you out.
-* Dizon gestures at the bridge
+* Pavo follows the maid.
-(Dizon) This is a pretty busy spot, another bad one for pickpockets
+* Belden waits for Kalman.
+* Kalman will leave also, I guess
+* Kalman turns to the maid
+* Maid looks unhappy.
+<br>(Kalman) Miss, did you know Tria?
+<br>(Maid) (q) Yes.
+<br>(Kalman) Did she have many friends on the staff?
+* Maid clears her throat
+* Kalman tries to sound sympathetic
+<br>(Maid) She wasn't... exactly on the staff, sir.
+<br>(Kalman) ahhh...
+<br>(Maid) She was the master's ... *personal* maid, sir.
+<br>(Kalman) of course
+* Pavo nods knowingly
+<br>(Pavo) .oO(Does the 'master' have a wife?)
+* Belden looks slightly uneasy.
+<br>(Narrator) (not that you know of)
+<br>(Kalman) Was she friends with anyone, regardless?
+<br>(Maid) I don't think so, sir. She spent most of her time with the master.
+* Kalman nods
+<br>(Maid) She thought she was above the rest of us, if you see what I mean.
+* Belden whispers to Kalman.
+<br>(Belden) (w) We still need someone to identify her conclusively.
+<br>(Kalman) I see
+* Kalman nods to Belden
+<br>(Kalman) Did she live here?
+<br>(Maid) Yes, sir.
+<br>(Belden) Might we see her room?
+* Kalman nods
+<br>(Maid) I... suppose so...
+* Maid seems a bit nervous at that.
+<br>(Kalman) Also, we will need someone to come down to the guard house and make sure that it really is her
+<br>(Maid) oh...
+<br>(Maid) Who?
+<br>(Kalman) anyone who would have known what she looked like, and can be spared, I suppose.
+<br>(Kalman) It will be up to the Count if he wants to collect the body
+<br>(Maid) I suppose I could go...
+* Maid says timidly
+<br>(Maid) Did you still need to see her rooms?
+* Kalman nods
+<br>(Kalman) please
+* Maid nods and leads you down the hallway and opens a door.
+<br>(Kalman) Do you know of she had any family or any friends outside of the count?
+<br>(Narrator) The room is large and spacious, much beyond what a servant would have.
+* Belden follows along.
+<br>(Maid) I don't know of any, sir. It could be.
+<br>(Kalman) do you know how they met?
+* Belden steps inside, and starts looking around.
+* Belden will look in drawers, jewelry boxes, etc...
+<br>(Maid) I'm not sure, sir. It was two years ago, I'd say.
+<br>(Narrator) Belden, you look around. (rolling)
+* Belden is looking for anything out of the ordinary, but specifically anything that might suggest a sheen habit.
+* Pavo will look around as well, without really moving anything.
+<br>(Narrator) Belden, you find several nice pieces of jewelry, again beyond what a servant might have.
+<br>(Narrator) You also find a small, empty box that retains the smell of sheen.
+<br>(Kalman) Do you know if she may have had a sheen habit?
+<br>(Narrator) Pavo, you see nice clothes, an unmade bed, thick carpets, and so on.
+* Belden sighs quietly, and sadly.
+<br>(Maid) It could be, sir. I wouldn't know ...
+<br>(Belden) Kalman...
+* Belden brings him the box.
+* Kalman looks over to Belden
+<br>(Kalman) ...
+<br>(Belden) Smell it... :/
+* Kalman sniffs it.
+<br>(Narrator) (smells of sheen)
+* Pavo listens to the little voice in his head that says he should look at the buttons.
+* Kalman nods
+* Kalman should be sense motiveing this girl
+<br>(Narrator) Pavo, you looks at the clothes. Some have nice buttons, some less nice.
+<br>(Kalman) (why does she seem so nervous?)
+<br>(Narrator) (because she's hiding something, you'd say.)
+* Kalman nods
+<br>(Kalman) Do you know if she went out at all last night?
+* Maid coughs slightly and holds out a hand discreetly.
+<br>(Belden) (how discreetly?)
+<br>(Narrator) (pretty discreetly. Are you still looking around the room?)
+* Kalman will give her an Imperial, why not?
+<br>(Maid) She left late. I think the master sent her out on an errand for him.
+* Maid says, quickly pocketing the Imperial.
+<br>(Kalman) (SM)
+<br>(Narrator) (you don't think she's lying)
+* Belden hides her displeasure.
+* Kalman nods
+<br>(Kalman) did he often send her out on late night errands?
+* Belden wonders if he is a user as well.
+<br>(Maid) Only when he was out of something he needed, sir.
+<br>(Kalman) What sorts of things?
+<br>(Belden) ...
+* Belden takes that as a yes.
+* Kalman asks, looking at the box
+* Maid clears her throat again and looks away.
+<br>(Pavo) (Are the buttons all with the same design?)
+<br>(Narrator) (No, there are many different kinds of buttons)
+<br>(Kalman) I see...
+<br>(Kalman) I think we've probably seen everything we need to here
+* Kalman looks for confirmation from Belden and Pavo
 * Belden nods.
-(Dizon) They know so many nobles pass by here.
+<br>(Narrator) (Are you guys done here? I want to get on to the other group...)
-(Dizon) Good picking, I suppose.
+<br>(Belden) Let's move on.
-(Boden) Should we hang out here for a bit?
+<br>(Belden) (k)
-* Dizon nods
+<br>(Narrator) You can take the maid back to the corpse house to identify the body, which she does.
-(Belden) Alright.
+<br>(Narrator) Okay, moving on to the other group, what are you guys doing?
-* Loch will slip willam into his pouch so he can have a lower perspective
+<br>(Falke) (that's a charming name... ^-^)
-* Belden agrees.
+<br>(Loch) (I figure we do our job while the other three are playing detective)
-(Dizon) Just watch for a bit, see if you notice anything unusual.
+* Falke is being quiet and following the lead of the others, but always watching for anything of interest that's going on as they travel.
-* Pavo eyes the hedgehog strangely
+* Boden goes with the others.
-(Boden) Me leans against the wall or something and watches.
+<br>(Narrator) (were you actually going to look for the Scarlet Sign, or not?)
-* Dizon saunters over closer to the bridge, casually
+<br>(Falke) (I think we were going to hang out in Dove Court)
-* Dizon takes up a spot just at the edge of the bridge
+<br>(Falke) (Or close to it)
-* Pavo idles a bit further from the bridge... peering above the crowd from time to time.
+* Boden will be more watchful than usual.
-* Belden leans against the bridge railing, on the bridge but close to the near end.
+<br>(Falke) (But going *into* the Scarlet Sign doesn't seem very conducive to staying alive... I could be wrong, though)
-* Loch follows the group leader
+<br>(Loch) (we were going to check out the area of Dove Court)
-(Narrator) (n) You observe the crowds for a while
+<br>(Narrator) You go to Dove Court. It's a fairly run-down part of town, old houses that used to be nice but are now falling apart.
-(Narrator) (n) You see beggars and noblemen crossing back and forth over the bridge
+<br>(Narrator) The Court itself is reached by an alleyway, and is a small open square that dead-ends.
-(Narrator) (n) But it would be hard to say you see any crimes in progress...
+<br>(Loch) (any other exits that we can spot or figure out?)
-* Boden starts rolling a cigarette.
+<br>(Narrator) There are three doors leading into buildings, plus the alleyway that you came up.
-* Boden will smoke as we watch.
+* Falke will watch for people coming and going into the buildings in/around Dove Court. Does he recognize anyone who he knows is a sheen addict?
-(Narrator) (n) A bit of time passes
+<br>(Narrator) As you guards are standing there, no one seems to be going in or out.
-* Pavo wonders if we should be on the bridge itself.
+<br>(Falke) (Figured)
-(Narrator) (n)Suddenly, you hear a muffled scream from somewhere near the bridge. It sounded like a young woman.
+* Falke wonders if there's a plain clothes unit among the guard, and if there is, whether he might be able to transfer to it eventually.
-* Belden bolts in that direction!
+<br>(Loch) (if the place is down a dead end allyway.... I dont think we would want to go up it and give our interest away...)
-* Dizon moves towards the scream as well
+<br>(Falke) (me neither)
-* Belden looks back to make sure the others are coming too, but doesn't slow down.
+<br>(Narrator) (well, if you're not going up, then you definitely can't see anyone going in or out.)
-* Pavo quickly twines his way through the crowd towards the sound.
+<br>(Narrator) You loiter aimlessly, then.
-* Loch follows the group
+<br>(Falke) (Are there any shops nearby that might afford a view of the alley and give us a plausible reason for
-(Narrator) (n) A young woman spots you coming through the crowd, and waves her gloved hand to hail you.
-* Belden moves toward her.
-*** NPC1 is now known as Young_woman
-(Belden) (Does she look like a noble?)
-* Young_woman is young, perhaps 19 or 20, with long, curly black hair that frames her thin face and dark eyes that seem to have unknown depths. She wears a black half-mask and a white fur-lined cloak over a low-cut but elegant pale blue gown. She is crying.
-(Boden) (I am also witht the group.)
-(Narrator) (yes, she looks like a noble)
-(Belden) What seems to be the problem, my lady?
-* Pavo watches the crowd
-(Young_woman) My necklace...
-(Young_woman) It's gone!
-* Boden will stand up tall and look around to see if he can spot anything.
-(Belden) Alright...
-(Belden) Where was the last place you remember having it?
-* Young_woman looks confused
-* Pavo shakes his head
-(Young_woman) I had it on just now... when I was crossing the bridge.
-(Young_woman) And just as I reached the end, I noticed it was missing.
-(Young_woman) Oh, I'm going to be in so much trouble!
-(Belden) What does it look like?
-(Boden) (did I see anything suspicious when I looked around?)
-(Narrator) (Those of you surveying the crowd - you see nothing out of the ordinary - just tons of people)
-(Young_woman) It was a sapphire stone with a silver mount and chain.
-(Pavo) (Does her cloak have a hood?)
-(Young_woman) (yes, it does have a hood)
-(Belden) Could it have fallen off?
-(Pavo) (Don't suppose the hood looks heavy?)
-(Young_woman) I... suppose so..
-(Young_woman) (fairly heavy, it's fur-lined)
-(Pavo) Check in your hood, just in
 * Pavo frowns.
-* Rieg looks antsy, like he wants to leave
+<br>(Kalman) true
-* Dizon nods to the rest of you
+<br>(Kalman) (did I think he was lying about that being all she did)
-(Pavo) You haven't actually paid a fine yet, young man.
+<br>(Kalman) did she come in alone?
-(Dizon) That's our cue to get out of here, I think.
+<br>(Narrator) (no, you don't think he was lying)
-* Belden doesn't know who this person is, but is willing to trust Dizon.
+<br>(Dude_) Yeah.
-(Dizon) We're not ready to mess with Izaguirre right at this moment.
+<br>(Narrator) The other guards are getting impatient..
-(Belden) ...Alright.
+<br>(Kalman) (just lety me know if I think he is lying about any of this, though I do doubt it ;)
-* Loch nods
+* Kalman shakes his head
-(Dizon) Run along, kid. Stay out of harm's way, right?
+<br>(Narrator) (will do)
-* Rieg nods
+<br>(Kalman) I think that's about all we need, really
-* Pavo shrugs.
+<br>(Kalman) I'm assuming she wasn't very talkative?
-* Rieg runs off down the street
+* Dude_ shakes his head
-*** Lomeli is now known as NPC1
+<br>(Dude_) Stuck-up bitch.
-* Boden goes with the group.
+* Kalman nods again
-(Boden) (w) So, who was his boss?
+<br>(Kalman) didn't buy any more than she used?
-(Dizon) Nouel Izaguirre.
+<br>(Dude_) She bought a lot more than she would need for herself, that's for sure.
-(Pavo) (w) Izaquirre
+<br>(Boden) What about injections and stuff?
-(Dizon) He's a major player in the world of crime.
+<br>(Kalman) you sure no one followed her out?
-(Dizon) We don't really want to mess with him.
+<br>(Dude_) That's what she was buying, the liquid sheen.
-(Belden) He must have a plant in the palace...
+<br>(Dude_) No, I didn't see anyone follow her.
-* Boden nods and pats the side of his nose with his finger.
+<br>(Narrator) So, you're taking this guy into custody, then?
-(Dizon) I say we just take the necklace back to this girl's father, and forget about this whole thing...
+<br>(Kalman) (yeah, I guess so)
-(Dizon) But that's just my years of experience talking...
+<br>(Narrator) Okay. You take this guy, along with about a dozen other patrons of the Scarlet Sign, into custody, and take them back to the guard post where their fines will be issued and they will be questioned further if necessary.
-(Belden) We shouldn't tell anyone else?
+<br>(Narrator) You also took all of the drugs and the cashbox.
-(Dizon) Well, we can tell Lt. Svodoba.
+<br>(Narrator) The drugs will be destroyed, but the contents of the box will be divided between you.
-(Boden) Lets leave the shambles to start.
+<br>(Boden) (ok)
-(Pavo) Sounds good to me.
+<br>(Narrator) You return to file your reports on the day's events with Svodoba before you are free to go about your own business.
-(Belden) Alright.
+<br>(Boden) (we try and hide it from Belden if we can.)
-* Belden nods.
+<br>(Narrator) You can't, it's being divided by Svodoba. She can refuse her share if she wants, though.
-(Dizon) But it'll be up to her to tell us whether to pursue it or not.
+<br>(Kalman) (the box thing, is that just something we do or is that standard?)
-* Pavo aims for the shortest path out of the Shambles
+<br>(Kalman) (keen)
-* Dizon is aiming for Pearl City again
+<br>(Boden) (even better.)
-(Dizon) Funny, how it always seems like a relief to get back here...
+<br>(Boden) :)
-* Dizon murmurs as you cross the Bridge of Shadows again.
+<br>(Narrator) That's standard for big jobs, any profits are divided between the guards who did the job (and the City takes a cut as well)
-* Boden walks slightly behind her.
+<br>(Narrator) You file your reports on the day's events with Svodoba before you are free to go about your own business.
-* Belden nods in agreement.
+<br>(Boden) (how much time went buy from last session to this one?)
-(Pavo) Nothing wrong with Pearl City :)
+<br>(Narrator) Anyone keeping anything back from Svodoba in your reports?
-(Boden) .oO(I guy could get used to following her around.)
+<br>(Narrator) Nearly a month, Boden.
-* Boden nods at Pavo.
+<br>(Boden) (ok)
-(Dizon) So, do we agree that we go to the house the girl told us about? It's in the Grand.
+<br>(Boden) (not me.)
-* Belden walks up front with Dizon once we're out of the Shambles.
+<br>(Narrator) I'll assume not unless you tell me otherwise.
-* Belden nods.
+<br>(Pavo) (Not I.)
-* Dizon asks all of you.
+* Kalman won't
-(Belden) I'm against collecting a reward, though...
+<br>(Narrator) Svodoba says there would be great difficulty in even proving that Orain Talavera was involved, let alone successfully charging him with any crime. She tells you that you did the best you could, and instructs you to leave it at that.
-(Dizon) Okay then. I think I know where that street is...
+<br>(Pavo) What about the informer Dude? Will he just get lynched?
-(Boden) I think collecting a reward is different than taking tips from someone who is poor.
+<br>(Boden) ok...in that case I think some of us might report back to the duke guy.
-(Belden) We shouldn't perpetuate the idea that money -tips, bribes, whatever you call it - makes us work harder...
+<br>(Narrator) He gets fined like everyone else, and will be let go once they've finished questioning him,
-* Dizon will lead the way, which takes you through Pearl City, through the Place D'Iena, and into the luxurious neighbourhood of the Grand Vallon.
+<br>(Kalman) (count)
-(Belden) It's all the same.
+<br>(Narrator) Okay, you can do that. What will you tell him?
-(Boden) If you want we could collect the reward, and hand half of it in to the city.
+<br>(Narrator) (just a rough summary will do, we don't have to play it out...)
-(Pavo) Belden: There's a reason we have a salary.
+<br>(Pavo) I ask Svodoba if he has the option of an escort somewhere.
-(Belden) If we take rewards from the rich people, it makes it look like we are giving them preferential treatment in return for financial compensation.
+<br>(Boden) (well...if Kalman tells us about the money well collect on that and tell him the full story.)
-(Pavo) We aren't volunteers.
+<br>(Pavo) If he wants it, he should have the opportunity to leave the city once his fine is paid.
-(Narrator) (n) The street you were directed too is a very luxurious one, lined with trees and large mansions
+<br>(Narrator) Svodoba laughs at that, Pavo. "He can leave if he wants, but it's not our job to keep him safe."
-(Boden) but Belden...if that neclace was a small purse of coppers would we have gone to the shambles to get it back?
+<br>(Narrator) Then it's up to Kalman, I guess.
-(Belden) We do have a salary, yes. We are getting a fair wage for our work.
+<br>(Pavo) It wasn't his job to tell the truth either.
-(Belden) I would have.
+<br>(Narrator) Svodoba shrugs. "If you feel so sorry for him, you can protect him yourself."
-(Narrator) (n) The stone house with the white shutters at the corner of the Street of the Whispering Leaves is large and well-built, but not ornate. The house is shaded by several willow trees, now bare, and is set somewhat back from the street.
+* Pavo scowls.
-(Pavo) Belden: And if they think it fair to reward us more... I won't argue.
+<br>(Pavo) Perhaps I will.
-(Boden) oh.
+<br>(Narrator) So, Kalman?
-(Belden) Or at least I could have given her some of my own money.
+<br>(Pavo) (I'll ask if anyone else is willing to escort him out of the city)
-(Pavo) Then you're a fool...
+<br>(Narrator) (well, it's hard for me to say, since half my PCs are gone...)
-(Pavo) Copper wasn't worth all that trouble.
+<br>(Pavo) (We can deal with that next time perhaps)
-* Belden shakes her head sadly.
+<br>(Narrator) (yes, if you want)
-(Belden) Money won't get you to the Centre, my friend...
+<br>(Narrator) But right now, I need to know what Kalman is doing.
-(Dizon) Probably not all of us should troop up to the door...
+<br>(Boden) I think there is more boden may want to do on this.
-(Belden) But goodness and wisdom will.
+<br>(Boden) I think Kalman is sleeping.
-(Pavo) Well, at least you've got the goodness part... I'll give you that.
+<br>(Kalman) (yeah, I'll mention it, why not?)
-(Belden) I'll go,
+<br>(Narrator) Okay, so you're telling the others about the rewards and going to get it without Belden, am I right?
-(Dizon) We want to look professional.
+<br>(Kalman) well, I'd not go
-* Belden volunteers.
+<br>(Narrator) Okay.
-(Dizon) One more?
+<br>(Boden) yes. and I'll offer if the count has info he may want to give us so we can keep tracking the situation down.
-* Dizon looks at all of you
+<br>(Pavo) (He DID say Discreet)
-(Pavo) I can go.
+<br>(Kalman) I'd say she'll be upset, and it doesn't matter to mne, but if they want to cater to the whims of the rich that's their perogative ;)
-* Dizon nods
+<br>(Narrator) No, the count doesn't have anymore information, and he thanks you for your help.
-(Dizon) Good enough.
+<br>(Boden) ok
-(Boden) ok.
+<br>(Narrator) He'll pay you the 600 Imperials, which you can divide as you see fit.
-(Dizon) The rest of us will keep an eye out, right?
+<br>(Boden) I'll say that I'm not really trying to curry favor with nobles...but I *am* hoping he'll give us info that will catch the killer.
-* Boden takes up The Stance.
+<br>(Boden) I like catching killers.
-* Loch nods
+<br>(Kalman) I'd tell you I don't think he knows anything else that he'd tell you
-(Narrator) Pavo and Belden head up the steps to the front door
+<br>(Narrator) And we'll call it there, because I'm hungry and tired.
-(Narrator) There is a cord for a bell beside it
+<br>(Narrator) If there's any further following up you need to do, you can do it next time.
-* Pavo pulls the cord, but not too hard.
-(Narrator) (you wait for a few moments, the sound of the bell resounding in your ears)
-(Narrator) (a young woman answers the door after a minute or two)
-*** NPC1 is now known as Young_woman
-* Boden rolls a cigarette and starts to smoke.
-* Young_woman has long, wavy, light brown hair and blue eyes, and stands perhaps 5'11". She is dressed in a silver-grey gown and wears a silver bracelet studded with diamonds which suggests that she is not a servant.
-(Young_woman) Yes?
-(Pavo) Hello, my lady. My name is Pavo Arsenios, this is my companion Belden. We are calling to return an item stolen earlier today.
-* Young_woman looks at both of you.
-* Belden smiles, and gives a little bow.
-(Young_woman) Thank you.
-* Young_woman smiles back.
-(Pavo) ((I'll go on the assumption that some one gave one of us the necklace...))
-* Young_woman waits, looking back and forth between you
-(Pavo) (:D)
-(Narrator) (yeah :)
-* Belden holds it out.
-(Boden) (Is Dizon with you to?)
-(Pavo) (No)
-(Narrator) (no, she's with you)
-* Young_woman nods
-(Belden) This was stolen earlier from Noira Langevin.
-(Young_woman) Oh, I recognize that.
-(Young_woman) Yes, I can take it for her.
-* Belden hands it over.
-(Pavo) If you have any questions, please contact our superior, Lt. Elzire Svodoba of the guard.
-* Young_woman takes the necklace
-(Young_woman) Thank you both, very much.
-(Young_woman) Can I repay you in any way?
-(Belden) You're very welcome.
-* Pavo nods to the lady.
-(Belden) No, that's not necessary.
-(Boden) To Dizon: Do we still suspect the girl was involved?
-* Dizon shrugs
-(Loch) Something doesn't add up about this...
-(Pavo) You can always contact us at the guard if you'd like *smiles*
-(Young_woman) Very well, then.
-* Young_woman nods politely to both of you and closes the door with a graceful motion.
-(Belden) . o O (Just tell Miss Langevin to be a little more discreet with her jewels in the Pearl City!)
-* Belden makes her way back over to the group.
-* Pavo turns and walks back towards the rest of the group
-(Dizon) I'm not sure, but something is weird here.
-* Belden nods...
-(Dizon) Let's get back to Pearl City, and we can think about it while we walk...
-(Dizon) But something here is out of place.
-(Belden) I have to say, it was entirely too easy to get that thing back...
-(Boden) Is she going to be pissed we sugested she may have been involved?
-(Pavo) I have a question, with a name as big as Izaguirre... is the necklace in his playing field?
-(Belden) She already is, Boden...
-* Belden says glumly.
-* Boden starts walking to Pearl City.
-* Belden walks with the others.
-(Dizon) She might be... I know her family name - they're pretty powerful in the House of the Lizard.
-(Pavo) I mean... it wasn't a box of jewels... simply a necklace...
-(Boden) mabye it was a fake?
-(Dizon) Izaguirre.. it's hard to say.
-(Dizon) Maybe he didn't really have anything to do with this, and the kid just threw out the big name to get us out of his hair.
-(Loch) It didn't appear to be... but I'm not a proffessional appraiser
-(Pavo) That could be...
-(Pavo) I mean, why tell a bunch of children to steal a necklace, and then sell it for two imperials?
-(Pavo) Hell, that's not even worth MY time, let alone his.
-* Belden nods...
-(Pavo) *LIGHTBULB*
-(Pavo) (I mean... candle!)
-(Pavo) Isn't Izaguirre supposed to have a big house in the Grand?
-* Dizon trudges ahead, leading the way back to the squalor of Pearl City.
-(Dizon) Yeah, I think so, why?
-(Pavo) Well... could that have been it?
-(Dizon) ...
-* Dizon looks a bit stunned for a second
-(Dizon) Shit!
-(Dizon) Why didn't I think of that?
-(Belden) Well, shoot.
-(Dizon) It might have been. I don't know.
-(Dizon) But if it was...
-(Dizon) We just handed it back to him.
-(Belden) But Noira was the one who told us to go there, so...
-(Boden) Ok, someone dumb this down for me...I didn't quite follow that.
-(Pavo) I'm not sure I do either Boden
-(Pavo) I mean, this leaves two possibilities.
-(Pavo) Either that was never Noira's father's place.
-(Pavo) Or he had it stolen from his daughter.
-(Pavo) Or I'm confused.
-(Pavo) One of those three.
-* Pavo rubs his head
-(Boden) what?
-(Belden) She said that her father gave it to her...
-(Boden) why?
-(Boden) but she has a different last name to that other guy.
-(Dizon) Well, I'm pretty sure she's not Izaguirre's daughter...I don't think he's old enough, for one thing.
-(Dizon) And I know her family, sort of.
-(Belden) Maybe her father works for him.
-* Dizon shrugs
-(Loch) Unfortunately, we can't really prove anything
-(Dizon) Could be...
-(Pavo) I'd much rather understand what's going on, than have proof.
-(Pavo) Heh
-* Dizon scratches her head in frustration
-(Pavo) So was that Noira's last attempt to make sure that if we found it, it would still go to the mastermind?
-(Pavo) Or is she in the dark?
-(Belden) She was hiding *something*.
-(Boden) What was Noira's last name?
-(Belden) Langevin.
-(Dizon) Loch - weren't you saying that you didn't think that kid could've taken the necklace from her? That he was too short?
-(Dizon) Bugger it all, I should have listened to you on that one...
-(Pavo) The kid seemed to think he took it without her knowing.
-* Dizon looks annoyed with this whole situation
-(Loch) Yes, it didn't seem likely that he could have taken it without her knowing
-(Boden) can't we just find out who her father is and ask *him* about the necklace?
-(Belden) Maybe she 'let' him.
-(Loch) She may have known, but just didn't let the kid know that.
-(Dizon) hm. Yeah...
-* Belden shakes her head in dismay.
-(Belden) Oh dear...
-(Belden) :/
-(Loch) And she was surprised that you were actually able to catch the kid... perhapse she recognized him... I believe her exact words were "I can't believe you caught him"
-(Dizon) The worst part is the feeling that I just got played by a bunch of freakin' kids.
-(Boden) Well to be fair...I was pretty surprised as well.
-(Boden) I think the kids were pretty on the level.
-(Belden) I didn't think they were lying...
-(Belden) But now I- I don't know...
-(Dizon) No, maybe not.
-(Boden) What I found strange was how fast everything happened...I mean we didn't dawdle and the damn thing was allready at the fence.
-(Pavo) I agree...
-(Pavo) Some one wanted it to move fast.
-(Dizon) Maybe they were just pawns, somehow wrapped up in something much larger...
-(Boden) Does that mean we have to get wrapped up in the big thing to?
-(Dizon) And it passed through a lot of hands - three kids and the fence, at least.
-* Dizon smiles at Boden.
-(Dizon) Not necessarily, no.
-(Boden) good.
-* Boden brieths a sigh of relief.
-(Pavo) And if we do, I'm definately taking the tips.
-(Dizon) Five, if we assume that Noira wasn't the original owner...
-(Belden) I wonder how often she gets robbed...
-(Belden) :/
-(Narrator) (n) You have made it back to the rowdy crowds in Pearl City by now.
-(Pavo) Well, if the necklace was the real goal... the fence HAS to be in on it more.
-(Pavo) Since he was the one with it, in the end.
-(Narrator) (n) It's early afternoon, you're getting a mite hungry for lunch.
-(Boden) (What time is it in game...how long is our shift.)
-(Narrator) (Your shift goes until dinner time, roughly)
-(Narrator) (probably another 3 hours or so)
-* Boden pats his stomach.
-(Boden) Lets eat.
-(Dizon) But *we* were the ones with it in the end...
-(Dizon) Everything did seem too easy...
-(Belden) Except for catching the first kid.
-(Belden) ... She might have tipped someone off after we left her.
-(Dizon) Sure, eating sounds good. Usually I just pick something up from one of the stands along the way, you know, and eat it while I patrol.
-(Pavo) Rieg seemed suprised we knew Vrain's name.
-(Pavo) So if we were pawns, that step wasn't expected.
-(Pavo) So I have my doubts that we were meant to be the delivery.
-* Dizon leads the way to a stall that sells skewered sticks of roasted meat and bread, and buys some for herself
-* Boden will also buy a large quantity of food.
-(Boden) (how much)
-* Loch will pick some up for himself and offer to get Belden some
-(Dizon) (just 2 cp)
-(Belden) I'll be fine.
-* Belden says with a smile.
-(Belden) I'll just wait until we're done the shift, and eat at the barracks.
-(Dizon) (it's pretty crappy stuff, really ;)
-* Pavo orders a couple meat skewers too... mmmm meat skewers.
-(Narrator) (mystery meat, too)
-(Boden) (Boden does not seem to care...he eats hungrily.)
-(Dizon) So, where does all of this leave us?
-* Dizon munches away on a hunk of bread as she talks
-(Belden) Looking pretty foolish, I'm afraid...
-(Boden) eating back in Pearl.
-* Dizon grins widely at Boden.
-(Dizon) True enough.
-(Dizon) No one got hurt
-(Dizon) If a crime took place, it wasn't in our district.
-(Loch) Life is full of little lessons... lets just consider this one of them, and learn from it.
-* Dizon nods, grimly
-* Boden grins.
-(Pavo) ( Dizon mustard )
-* Loch feeds Willam a little bit of the meat
-(Belden) At least those two little kids will be able to get some food.
-(Narrator) (Willam nibbles it happily)
-(Dizon) I guess that's a good thing, at least...
-* Belden nods. :/
-(Dizon) Unless they get robbed or something.
-(Belden) they seem pretty quick...
-(Belden) Boden almost didn't catch them.
-(Dizon) Yeah, I'm sure they can take care of themselves.
-(Belden) I wonder how that other fellow made out with the latrines..
-* Pavo yawns and chews on a skewer.
-(Pavo) mmm stick
-(Narrator) (n) The rest of your shift passes uneventfully, more or less. You tell a few rowndy drunks to quiet down, and break up one fist-fight.
-(Pavo) ( By sticking Boden in the middle of it )
-(Narrator) (n) As the sun starts to dip towards the horizon, you return to the barracks in the Place D'Iena, which you now call home.
-(Narrator) (n) You feel satisfied, as if you have done a good day's work, but still most of you (maybe not Boden) have a slight nagging feeling about that whole situation.
-(Pavo) .oO( Time to head to the bars! )
-(Narrator) (n) Your evening meal is hearty, and you are free to do as you wish in the evening, though the barracks doors lock at midnight.
-(Narrator) (Any plans for the evening, ladies and gents?)
-* Narrator guesses Boden goes whoring ;)
-(Loch) (It is festival... might as well go out and enjoy oneself)
-*** Young_woman is now known as NPC1
-(Belden) (I'll go sell some of my apothecary stuff... I only charge enough to cover my materials of course)
-(NPC1) (n) There is plenty to do during the Festival, of course. Plays, street entertainers, and so on are plentiful.
-(NPC1) (n) Belden is the good samaritan during the evening, as one would expect.
-* Pavo would head for the Likely Lord, once stuffed.
-(Narrator) (n) Pavo hits his usual hangout and has a good time.
-(Narrator) (n) Dizon... you're not sure what she does, though she definitely leaves the barracks.
-(Narrator) (n) Eventually, all of you return to your beds (or someone else's bed)
-* Pavo makes it back in at 11:59
-(Narrator) (heh)
-(Narrator) (n) As night falls over Diablotin, the streets remain noisy, for it is Festival season, after all. Rest still comes easy to you, though. It has been a long day.
-(Narrator) (n) The End, for now :)
 {{d}}{{d-log}}