PC Central - Homecoming: Kith and Kin
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Hrresh sends Lieutenant Grant, George's peer, with a verbal message to George:
"Allo, George. I bring word from the Captain, and the Queen. You can move freely as you please. And if the Magistracy tries to gaol you for it, our troops will send notice to the regiment. The gaoling won't last a day. That's a promise, says the Captain. That's not something the General or anyone else can stop us from doing."
If George insists otherwise, the soldier says he'll report back to the Captain and Queen.
If not, the soldier salutes, and stays on in the city, along with a few other of Hrresh's troops.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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From her interview with the Bravickus staff, Aoth learns the following:
The head servant, a woman that Aoth met before, is loyal to the house, answers as follows, which Aoth notes down:
- "The inquisitor was a meddlesome gnat, who should mind his own business."
- "The simple truth. Which is to say, that this House was utterly uninvolved. We were duped by a fraudulent version of Enenan Snydders to enlist our caravan driver who, during the fateful night, knew nothing of his actual cargo."
- "Some people think the only reason the mage is still about is thanks to Analisea Bravickus. But he is a loyal servant, just as me."
- "Besides yourself, the so-called 'Golden Geese,' and the inquisitor proper? You're each strange to me."
The caravan driver responds:
- "Oh, well, he was just doing his job, I'd say. That's what I'd say."
- "What happened! I was asked by my Lord to go down to the crossroads, in the dead of night. That's when I found the fellow, a hooded fellow. He had the chest with him. Loaded up the caravan and then started making my way back to the city. That's when we were waylaid by bandits."
- "I hear he appears much younger than he actually is. And he don't appear that young, if you catch my meaning."
- "Just the one servant who up and quit after you lot came the first time."
The employee who quit, i.e. the one the Golden Geese previously bribed, responds:
- "A fine officer of the law, on the lookout for the common man. An elf of principle, clearly."
- "My Lord Bravickus conspired with Enenan Snydders to import those dangerous weapons. No, I don't have any documents or anything of that sort. Doesn't matter. Everyone knows it. Everyone says it. It was obviously a plot to dispose of their enemies. I'm glad I no longer work for such a tarnished house."
- "Old crone Bravickus is the one who keeps that mage on. Everyone else thinks he's an occultist, involved in dark dealings. Don't trust him."
- "Everyone who visits House Bravickus is strange."
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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@Flom
A packet is sent to magistrate Vlana Borodin.Within is a letter, along with the documentation provided by Rey.
The letter reads:"Most honorable Magistrate Vlana Borodin,
Inquisitor Fenmeron accosted Reyhenna Jorino, Isolde Garibaldi, and George Longcloak, for an informal conversation outside the Dancing Mermaid inn, whereupon he began questioning about the matters relegated to the accusation against these persons. Multiple times was he told that the setting he chose for the inquiry was inadequate given the current dangers that lurk within the city, and multiple times was it suggested a different setting be chosen for answering any questions that the inquisitor deemed necessary. In any moment did the accused withheld information they were at liberty to disclose from the inquisitor. Two of the accused are under the direct employ of the Peltarch military, with the third being cleared as an aide, and as such have access to classified information that is not meant to be shared in such a public location.
In fact, the Peltarch Military code specifically punishes unauthorized disclosure of information, so had the accused divulged the information requested by the Inquisitor in these terms, they would be breaking military law. Even Isolde, despite not holding any military rank, could possibly face charges had she chosen to disclose any information gathered in the service of Peltarch.
Had the Inquisitor followed the proper channels, this situation would not have happened.Further, his line of enquiry strayed very far from the breath of knowledge that the accused are obliged to have, namely the intentions and actions of House Bravickus, which the accused are not privvy to, nor are they expected to be.
Which is to say that the current accusations of obstruction of justice, withholding information and fabrication of facts are, frankly, preposterous and show immense irresponsibility from your inquisitor in regards to such sensitive matters, as he was repeatedly told.
I am unaware of what Inquisitor Fenmeron wrote in his report, but the reality is that his blatant disregard of even such basic notions of security shows that he is not at all concerned with the safety of Peltarch's people, which is among the highest duties anyone in the legal profession has to observe.
Therefore, I respectfully request your honor order Inquisitor Fenmeron redo his inquiry, this time following the proper channels and ensuring the privacy of the information to be collected.
On behalf of the accused, and with the highest regards,
Lord Salin Ashald, the Fifth"
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George abides the order to remain in the city, taking up tasks in City Hall and Defender HQ as they arise. On his time off, he is working in the shipyard, helping to repair the damage to the Wisp.
He seems mostly unconcerned with the charges, noting only that Salin will prove exactly what sort of circus act it is.
He does write one letter to H'resh, to be delivered by one of his marines passing through the city."Hey cap'n.
By the time you read this, I will assume word of the charges against me has reached you. I have chosen to abide by this farce, for now. Can you do me a favour and tell the boys that they should, too? Even if they end up throwing me in jail, let the dance continue. Give Salin the time to show what a sham this is. Gom is antsy enough as it is, don't let them do anything that might be taken as sedition.
That said, I will not let me keep this from fulfilling my oaths. If you need me, send word, and I will come. That sniveling little social climber will learn exactly what his scribbled on rag is worth in the face of duty.
Give Martha my best. Tell her not to worry. I'll get through this, same as I have gotten through all that came before. Thanks, Renius.
- George"
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Following her morning in the library, Aoth returns to the Bravickus house. She gives the crowd a royal wave and deflects their insults with unearthly calm. “I hear they have hired a fool for a barrister. With any luck you can all return to your families soon.” The wind circles to shield her against stray rocks, and if need be, she will summon a harmless gust to clear a path.
Once inside, she requests a room to meet with the staff, one by one. If she can procure a list of who’s known to have spoken with the inquisitor, she will focus on those names. “I would prefer only predictable surprises at the hearing,” she explains to the family and head servant, “and I do hope you agree.”
She conducts the interviews with a breezy tone, as one less invested in the affair than bemused by it. She opens each with casual questions (“what is your role in the house?”, "what is the furthest you've been from Peltarch?", “have you ever eaten Shou cuisine?”), and disarmingly, she takes up her pen only to record such minutiae. All the while her keen eyes are watching for nervousness and other tells until eventually each interview lands on the gritty details:
- What did they think of the inquisitor?
- What did they share with him?
- What are the wildest rumors they’ve heard about the house mage, Ilius Obsidia?
- Have they seen any strange visitors (herself excluded) or usuals acting out of character?
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In the window of the Ladies No 1 Detective Agency hangs a fanciful paper crane - or possibly a goose - neatly folded out of fine official documents from the Magistracy. Past this, the silhouette of a curly-haired woman can be glimpsed seated by the desk. Though, if one stands there for a prolonged time, one might notice the figure isn't moving at all. In fact, is it just a painted outline, a mannequin, a prop? Isolde herself may or may not have left the city, but the stealthy bardess is as ever only found when she so chooses.
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@Karnivor @WouldBeBard @Caoimh
Isolde, George, and Rey are each approached by Peltarch Guards, who give them envelops enclosed under the seal of the Magistracy, specifically Inquisitor Aimon Fenmeron. Within the envelopes are official documents from the Magistracy.
These documents state and order the following:
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First, criminal charges have been leveled against each of them.
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Second, each is ordered to remain in the city, and under no circumstances leave the city, pending further investigation into and a hearing to address the foregoing charges.
[OOC Note: Feel free to leave the city for other DM events or for outings to hunt. The assumption will be that those events or outings occurred prior to the above order. Feel free also to RP the restriction when RPing with others - in that case the RP will take place after the order.]
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Edwin Ashald replies to the sending - his tone at first jovial, though growing more serious after the greetings: "Cousin Salin! Been a while. I'll be back in Peltarch very soon. As for the Moonsea... we should talk once I return."
Frewin Ashald notes, with amusement: "Oh, don't worry about me, Uncle S. I don't have very much interest in the day to day of our dear family shipping business. I have an upcoming tournament in Kront to worry about, along with my new champion. Have you met her? She's quite good."
"Oh, and let me know if you need anything from me with regard to that Royal Council business. I'm more than happy to let you handle that, though. Thanks, Uncle!"
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Aoth learns of the following charges:
- Those against House Bravickus, namely Aaron and Analisea Bravickus;
- Those against the Golden Geese, namely Isolde Garibaldi, Reyhenna Jorino, and George Longcloak.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Following the developments with Frewin and Gom, Salin heads over to Spellweaver Keep to prepare a Sending towards Edwin: "Edwin, Frewin's not cutting it. I'm taking care of business in the homefront. Do you need backup in Phlan? Are you safe?"
After that, he goes back to Seafarer HQ and talks to Frewin about the handling of paperwork and all boring stuff, suggesting that he handles the morale boosting and social side of the Guild instead as it would probably suit him better.
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Following the death of the Unreal and the proper disposal of its remains, the gray druid shifts her attention toward the upcoming Bravickus trial. She inquires with the courthouse as to the specific charges and then spends two mornings perusing the city library for similar cases. The windrider carries with her a fragrant sack of oranges, purchased in Gheldaneth the day before.
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OOC: We will spend 10-20 minutes prior to the event confirming the outcome of the preparations here that were not conclusively decided.
Event begins in 40 minutes.
DM Xanatos Gambit
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"If we can have the teleportation be say... into the heart of a living volcano, I'd say we might aswell all know about it to give the bastard proper pause. If not, it's best only one of us or even none knows where to. Ought we set it to trigger in the event of us all ending up dead, near death, or even just one party member dead though? If he tries to pick us off one by one, perhaps the latter has merit. Something to consider."
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"A teleport contingency makes perfect sense. I appreciate the spite of it. Only one of us should know the destination, yes? If even them.
"When we are prepared to depart, I can shape the weather to our desire. I would presume calm waters and clear skies as the Unreal's attention may preclude our ability to pilot."
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"We've aquired potions of Lesser Mindblank to be distributed, as well as one scroll of Contingency. The Unreal is very much on our trail however, and we lost a whole day attempting to get the supplies, ending up in the Residential area with one hell of a headache after. But seeing as we attained useful things, I count it as a win.
Now, the question is what to set the contingency to, specifically. Our reasoning so far is that the Unreal's target is the black steel first and foremost, and so I'd say in the event of everyone being down, the contingency to be triggered should be one that sends that cargo far, far away. Perhaps as simple as disabling the Planar Anchor, whereby a pre-set teleportation spell on the chest itself sends it off? Any and all thoughts are welcome on this front, though."
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George uses a scroll of Sending to contact H'resh ((Will burn it IG)).
"Battle coming, exact time unknown. Days. Wisp. Five miles north, seven east from docks. Expecting Dopplegangers. Requesting overwatch from the north. No interference unless sunk."
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All efforts here are being noted.
Please list any further preparations here prior to the scheduled time.
They will be accounted for during the event.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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"Sembians and a certain parade captain." The gray druid gives Reyhenna's lavender doings a familiar inquisitive arch of the eyebrow, but she makes no further comment. Aoth has been quiet since consenting to the plan, but she raised no further objections. Since returning to the surface, she has taken to perching in the rigging of the Wisp in the guises of various lake birds.
Within her mind, should any passing doppel query, she plays out scenes of what they might do with the black steel in endless variety. Bury them under the Plains of Purple Dust, scatter them across the Trackless Sea, return the steel to the earth in a volcano in Unther, sell them to abused and ireful wizard's apprentices in Athkatla or Eltabarr, launch them into orbit... The wayfaring druid's memory easily recalls dozens more places where few mortals are likely to visit in a century or, conversely, where the steel will find covetous hands.
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Isolde, meanwhile, flits about making attempts at preparations. First, she pays a visit to the Lighthouse temple and specifically the shrine to Valkur, enquiring about purchasing enough potions of Waterbreathing to cover the party's needs. Despite not typically being the type to rely on faith, she offers a prayer to Valkur while there, too. Thereafter, her path is due south, to the Witch and Seer, to seek out Jonni, Visum or both. She presents the dark-stained handkerchief with the Unreal's ichor on it, asking:
"Is there a way to use this to create some sort of proximity alarm, or at least increase one's chances at seeing the bastard coming? Since I doubt scrying will work so long as it's still got Triloquist's cloak, I'm wondering if we can think outside the box and yet make use of this for something..."
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George at first looks somewhat nervous at quite that many open flames on his ship, but hearing Rey's theory, he lets her continue because of reasons. He simply starts putting the candles in glass lanterns for safety. As the scent of lavender permeates the ship and starts wafting off the bow, he cannot help but grin at Rey.
"Know who else really likes lavender?
Sembians"
