> Your items:
> Fine quality narrow sword (rapier)
> Badges and symbols of Office
> Personal ornament: Hawk-shaped carved jade pendant

> Men with you right now:
> Kanjen and Munen, swordsmen
> 4 Mercenary Bowmen

>>18595152

You're really rather early today, OP.

I don't really think we should shoot, though. Who's that man down on the ground?

>>18595152
We can't act without knowing what's happening.
Can we get closer to see who the man is.

How many are of us are there? And how many of them?

>>18595194
>>18595196

'No, no, don't. We need to be sure.'

You stop the mercenaries, and then Kanjen goes around the other side of the hut to try and get a better look. Just then one of the horses snorts, and you freeze; but you are too far away to be heard.

The bunch of you continue to crouch, hands on swords and arrows, until Kanjen eventually sneaks back. 'It's bad, sir. That's Zatin they've taken captive, I'm quite sure of it... I can't see if it's the magistrate though. Those other men might be soldiers.'

Well, shit.

>>18595215

There are seven of you: you, two swordsmen, four bowmen.

As for them, there are... ten or eleven of them. They're all wearing travelling cloaks, so you can't see if they're armed.

> What do?

>>18595223
11 of them. Damn, don't feel like killing without knowing who exactly they are...
Though taking Zatin captive does not do them any favors.
Also I'm not sure we can take them all out if we go that way.

Perhaps we could wait, see what they are going to do and take action when they split up again?

>>18595250

You decide to wait and observe, and so everyone settles down a little.

Strangely, though you are not very near them, the night is quiet enough that if they were talking to each other there should be some sound; but you don't hear much of anything from their direction.

Then you spot Zatin stir a little, and then everyone looks down at him, and back up at each other. Damnit; you're still too far to see anything of what's going on, given the weak torch light and dark night. They shuffle around, then one of them bends over Zatin as if examining him.

> What do?

>>18595275
Tell your people to get their bows ready, one of them is to aim at the man bending down on Zatin. If they try to do something to him (say slicing his neck with a knife) then we shoot them.

Do our Swordsmen have shields?

>>18595296

Shields are beneath the dignity of gate-guests; they're gentlemen, not mere warriors.

You give the instructions, and the bowmen have their arrows nocked; a few moments later you suddenly see someone burst into the circle of light formed by the torches. A faint voice carries over to you, and then the man bending over Zatin kicks him, and two others move to his hands and feet.

Then suddenly four arrows whistle right past you into the night, and you see the whole circle of people freeze as the bending man, and the two at his hands and feet, stiffen, arrows embedded in them.

> Roll d100, first four rolls will be counted!

rolled 47 = 47

Rollan! But wait, didn't we hit them all already?

rolled 47 = 47

>>18595275
>>18595296
We also could ask Kanjen advice.

>>18595334
Whoops, too late!
Maybe we could shout to them that they are surrounded and tell them to stand down or be moved down? That way, if we made a misjudgement, we can still salvage the situation.

rolled 62 = 62

>>18595334

rolled 78 = 78

>>18595334

rolled 25 = 25

oh hell, stop the archers! we might need to rush them before they actually kill zatin!

>>18595357
Rush them?
Why do that, when we can snipe them if they make a wrong move? Better to hold them at gun-point, we could pretend that there are much more of us here than there is, but even the amount we have is pretty intimidating, since we have bows and they do not and we're shooting from concealed location while they are in the open.

> Four rolls: two wounding shots to the leg, and two fatal shots

The man who has been bending over Zatin simply slumps to the side with an arrow in his temple, while the man at his feet collapses, an arrow in his thigh.

'Wait, what's this!?' you hear, as you watch the other two fall - one with an arrow in his shoulder, and one full in his chest. They sound truly surprised - though you're not sure if it's a good or bad thing. They're still rooted on the spot, and in the excitement you swear you saw Zatin's arm move.

> What do? Attack, announce position, something else?

>>18595369

You have a point, though what about Zatin?

>>18595378

I think it's better to tell them that they are surrounded and anyone who even twitches a little will get an arrow through their eye.

Then we can see what they are actually up to. If we made a mistake, we can totally say "well, you were acting suspicious" and get away with it.

>>18595393
Shoot them if they try to do anything to him?

>>18595394
Also tell the bowmen to spread out a bit, forming a semi-circle if the enemies stand down.

>>18595394
>>18595419

You stand up and announce your presence loudly, while ordering your men to spread out and stand ready. The gathered men, excluding the wounded ones who are just crying for help now, turn to face you; and then Zatin suddenly pushes off the ground, rolling over the dead man who fell on him, and turns around.

'YOUR LORDSHIP! NO! GET DOWN!'

You blink, then hear a soft thud on your right, followed by another one against the wooden hut you were behind.

'Brother!'

You turn around to see one of your bowmen, wearing just below his collarbone the fletching of an arrow. He stumbles, looks at you, and then coughs up a mouthful of dark blood.

Meanwhile the group of men who are still standing scatter, screaming that it wasn't them; and you hear one, then another, cry out in pain before collapsing.

> What do?

>>18595378
Stop feathering them with arrows for a moment.

Announce: "You are surrounded by superior forces. In the name of the prince (insert your father's name here), identify yourselves!"

>>18595454
Dammit.
I made a mistake!
Now I'm at a loss.

Move away from our position, try to determine where the shots are coming from?

>>18595467

Are you insane? They just shot at us!

We should either get down, or follow Zatin immediately; he sounds like he is already aware of where the ambushers are. Where is he headed, if everyone else is running away?

>>18595454
They got us in the back!

Identify the foes, rally your men. Help Zatin to get to a safe position near a hut, where you can take cover.

>>18595454
Ok, time to figure out from where we are catching fire. Try to get something between us and it and start casting about for them damn archers.

>>18595478
I was too slow to answer!

>>18595454
Surround yourself with your bowmen and get to cover. Be ready to defend yourself.

>>18595482

Oh, sorry, not the back - as the position of the arrow in your mercenary makes clear, he was shot from the front. Whoever it is, is on the other side of the village.

>>18595478

You turn and see him roll to behind the wagon, at the edge of the circle of light; an arrow thunks into the wagon. Voices are coming from across the village. Those who are shot but not dead in the exchanges of arrows are still keening and crying, and you can hear other voices in the village too - being are being woken up now.

>>18595492
Get behind the wagon and take your archers with you!

Quickly ask Zatin what the hell is going on.

>>18595467

Incidentally, that is my favourite film. You have just given me at least three compliments. I thank you.

>>18595492

Get behind the hut again. Maybe if we charged on horseback to the wagon that might scare them?

Or we get shot down, but it's worth a try...

Okay, situation report to clear things up a bit:

- You and the surviving men are behind a hut now, and your horses are a short distance away.
- The mercenary who's been shot is writhing on the dirt outside.
- Zatin is behind the wagon, which is in the middle of the village square, at least 50 paces away.
- Whoever is shooting at you people (another arrow thunks into the dirt, near the stricken mercenary) is shooting from the other side of the village, possibly also from cover
- There are at least two dead, and four to five wounded men, on the ground now, and you hear voices in the village. Doors are beginning to open, people coming out.

> What do?

>>18595537
There will be chaos soon, with people running around and being scared. That's good, because I'm afraid we are the weaker party here atm.

Get behind the hut and order the archers to come with you. From that position, try to give Zatin cover fire.

Send one man to the horses to alarm the rest of our group. They should take their horses and get around the village in an arc, trying to cut off the attackers.

>>18595537

Is there a way of getting to Zatin that won't expose us to fire?

We have to keep the villagers from coming out though, they'd slaughter them - whoever they are. Are these the bandits?

>>18595556

Alarm the rest of the group as in? The whole of your group is with you now, save for Zatin, and I'd say they're pretty alarmed right now...

More ideas/suggestions welcome!

We should try to get that mercenary to safety and stop the bleeding.

>>18595571
I'm retarded. I thought Munen,Kanjen and the swordsmen were left behind.

Is the way to the horses in the firing arc of the attackers?

Because in that case, I would have the (three?) bowmen and Munen stay with us and give the swordsmen and Kanjen the order to get to the horses and ride around the village to flank the attackers on the other end of the village.

>>18595587

oh yeah, forgot about the mercenary. can he be saved, though? save him.

maybe letting the village run riot is fine.

>>18595571
Stay in cover. Darkness be damned, we need eyes on the enemy!
Is it possible to climb on top of the hut? If so, tell Munen to have a careful look from there (I think it was mentioned Munen is quite agile).

I'm not sure how the roof looks like. Could the archers get up, too, and establish a firing position?

Don't help the down merc unless you have large shields. Why? The sniper who sniped the downed guy will snipe the one helping him. Don't be foolish. The sniper is using the downed guy as a lure.

>>18595587
>>18595601

You get one of the mercenaries to drag the man back, but then after that he presses his fingers to the still man's neck. 'He's gone, your lordship.' Well, given the amount of blood there is, you're not surprised.

>>18595589
>>18595610

Munen looks up at the roof - it's sagging, and tiled, which makes it relatively easy - and then leaps up high enough to get an armhold. Then he clambers up to the spine of the roof.

'I can't see them, sir, they must be in the trees behind that house.' You look out and see the long house, where Zatin was. They are still shooting at the wagon and you, meanwhile, but they don't seem to tense about it, or perhaps there aren't many of them left.

'Kanjen! Take the horses! Flank them!'

He complies, and the horse canters out. Just then several more village doors creak open, and you can see people looking out, hear the gasps of surprise and horror.

'What... what's happening!?'

'Is that father? Is that father!?'

> What do?

We can't charge, can we, that would be suicidal...

Get the bowmen to shoot arrows, and yell for Zatin to try and get back to us.

>>18595639
I doubt the attackers will randomly shoot at the village people. But some will probably hurt just because they stand in the line of fire.

The roof doesn't sound too solid, better not keep any people up there except for Munen. He should report any enemy movements.

Take no chances and wait for the flank attack.

If the crowd was really thick, I'd suggest to make a dash for the wagon. But it's not worth the risk taking a random arrow in the eye.

>>18595713

At length you hear a yell from the distant portion of the village, and when you peek out you see Kanjen on his horse, and Zatin having also drawn his sword and advanced. By now there are people spilling into the square, in shock at the killing.

'Sir! Over here, sir!' You hear Kanjen yell. Well, if they haven't been slaughtered, they must have retreated or something...

> What do?

>>18595639

Oh shit. Get the people to get down as well! We shouldn't get people hurt if we can help it...

>>18595725

By 'they' I mean, of course, the bandits or attackers, whoever they were. You're not sure if Kanjen and Zatin got anyone.

>>18595725
Munen doesn't report anything suspicious? He should keep his eyes wide open for now.

Get out from cover. Ask what in the name of the heavens was happening.

Your men should keep order in the village. Keep the people away from the bodies for now. We'll ask them later if they can identify the bodies, but we can't have a panic now (or at least let panic turn to violence).

>>18595775
Do this but be careful. That archer is still out there. You don't want to get shot, don't you.

>>18595767
>OP, I think you picked a very calm time on /tg/, also holydays etc.

>>18595775

You wait for Munen to assure you that it's clear before you come out. 'What in the heavens is going on?'

Kanjen and Zatin are still waiting for you across the village. You tell Munen and the remaining mercenaries to try and hold back the crowd, but people are in shock, and during the resulting commotions something hits you in the face. It's some rice husks.

You go over to Kanjen, who has run one of the men through; the man lies transfixed, eyes staring into nothing. 'The others ran away, sir.'

'They're not running away, sir,' Zatin rubbed the back of his head. 'They're on to us. That wagon is a decoy. I tailed it, and got ambushed; but I faked unconsciousness. That's why I knew they weren't civilians; the magistrate, and the bandits, have gone. We'd better hurry back to the inn right now.'

'What? Why?'

'I heard someone say - it wasn't the magistrate, but someone - say they needed to finish the job. The constable, and the inn as well.'

> What do/say?

>>18595819

> Yeah, kinda figured. You reckon the rest of the weekend will be like that too? I really want to run the quest, though...

> Bit of a shame.

>>18595836
There are ~5 of the original group of bandits and an unknown number of archers... and they'll expect us to come to the inn...

Damn. Gather your men. Proceed hastily to the inn, but be careful when you come close.

Make three groups: Archers stand guard, arrows poised at the inn door.

Zatin and two of his swordsmen to make noise at the inn's back.

The rest accompanies you, entering the inn and clearing it.
Time to make use of your blade.

Also, the magistrate was totally not sent by the Arhun...

>>18595836

Oh, shit. Shit.

So that means they're going to slaughter Linden and Rose and our staff?

We have to go back, NOW.

>>18595883

Seconding this, though we didn't take any of Zatin's servants with us. So maybe that's a good thing - there are armed men in the inn.

We have to be careful not to cut the wrong people down...

>>18595911
Wait, the swordsmen aren't with us?

Shiiiii- they know the magistrate. They will be caught off guard...

>>18595911
>>18595887
>>18595883

You blink in realisation, and then quickly summon the horses, leaving before even the villagers can react. You can tell they are enraged, though - they haven't seen the bandits, so the only armed men running about are your lot.

When you finally come within sight of the village, you are met with a ghastly sight - the inn, which you can recognise by its position in the village, is burning. Or at least its roof is now burning. As you ride up, you see one of Zatin's servants lying by the door, several large gashes in his chest and abdomen. Two men lie dead before him.

Inside, you can hear commotion; quickly all of you dismount, and while the archers move to cover your advance, you move into the inn. Through the smoke, you see someone - another of Zatin's servants - fighting with a large man wielding a broadsword, with which he bats aside the servant's blows with ease.

Beside you is the staircase up to the upper floors, and to your right is the room where Baseg and the others were sleeping.

> What do?

>>18595953
Shit just got real.

Help the servant quickly. Stab cut stab cut stab!

Munen to the right to collect Baseg and the others.

You, Kanjen and the rest go up the stairs. Get your blade out if you didn't already. We'll try to save the constable.

We'll sort out the other village later. I doubt they recognised us, anyway. We were just some armed men for them.

>>18595953

Staircase first! The girls!

Get Kanjen and Zatin to attack the big man.

Also, where is the constable when the building across to his office is on fire?

>>18595953
You will wake Baseg and the others up yourself. The others will go up, leaving one to guard you.

>>18596004

The girls are with Baseg, downstairs. Your room's upstairs, but they aren't with you.

Also, the constable is not in the inn - he's at home, in the constable's office across from the inn. Or maybe he's not at home, which is why he isn't responding...

>>18595999

You rush up to help the servant, while Munen goes to get the girls and Baseg.

The servant is already wounded, and a misstep leads to the big man nearly lopping his head off. But the stroke is parried away as you draw your narrow, long sword and lash out at his wrist.

The servant quickly darts back, and then realises it's you saving him. The bandit simply roars, and swings in a wide arc towards you.

> What do!? Roll for any battle action!

rolled 10 = 10

>>18596039
Delect his swing sideways and while he recovers with his heavier weapons, thrust!
>dice gods, smile on us today

rolled 50 = 50

>>18596039

Deflect, and kick him while he's off balance!

rolled 25 = 25

>>18596039
Dodge the swing and attack without any faints or other complicated manouvres.

>>18596063
Wait, are we rolling d20s or d100s?

rolled 87 = 87

>>18596063

> Dice gods! Why are we thus forsaken?

Dodge and try to lash out again at his swordarm.

rolled 67 = 67

> Sorry, did not clarify - always d100 unless otherwise mentioned. Should really put that in the intro post next time.

> Taking highest of first (well, all) four rolls.

> 87 vs. 28+10, great success!

His weapon is heavy and long, and therefore slow. You saw the swing coming a long while before it came, so you simply step back and to the side, feeling the whoosh as the deadly blade swings past you.

Then, as you recover and he attempts to step in and reverse the momentum of the heavy swing, you wave your sword and tap the junction between wrist and hand; the sharpness of your royal-commissioned narrow sword tells, as it carves through flesh. The bandit howls as blood washes down his now useless arm, the sword clanging to the floor.

'I surrender, sir! I surrender!' He falls to his knees. You hear the sounds of struggle go on behind you, and even upstairs.

> What do?

>>18596128
Secure prisoner, find the rest of our posse, and gtfo

rolled 49 = 49

Take the prisoner. Honour demands it.

So if the constable is not with us, and he was not with us then, where the hell did he go?

>>18596128
Take him prisoner and send him outside to the bowmen. Where's the fighting?
Resolve quickly or retreat hastily while holding enemies back, then let's get our people out of the fucking *burning* building.

>>18596088
Nice roll.

> Is Good Friday like a big religious day in the US? Because, of course, the whole board seems rather quiet.

> Or is it just vacation Friday afternoon?

>>18596173
Well, most people are at work right now. not sure about religiosity though

>>18596179

So good friday is just, like, normal friday? I see...

>>18596156
>>18596160
>>18596141

'I surrender! Have merc-'

You move up, ready to help the bandit, when - too late - you spot a flash of metal in his hand. The blade then arcs up in his left hand, headed straight for your temple, and you dodge, and then you feel blood spray all over your face and stumble back.

You open your eyes again - your eyes actually open! - to see the bandit staring at you, the servant's short sword having entered his shoulder from behind. Twisting him around, the servant kicks the moaning man off his sword, and you wipe your face.

'Never trust a bandit, your lordship,' he says, holding his own wounded shoulder.

Just then you hear something crack and crash, and quickly lead the servant out to the dining area and entrance; Munen comes down the staircase, while Baseg and the crying girls are all being led out by Zatin, Kanjen and the servants. You quickly stumble out of the building just as the roof comes down on its upper floor.

'They're behind the building, sir,' one of the mercenaries tells you the moment you come out. Then he notices your bloodied face. 'You all right, sir?'

'It's not mine. It's fine.'

> What do?

>>18596197
Roll call. who's here, who's unaccounted for, who's dead

>>18596211
Then we gotta save the constable.

>>18596197

Figure out who's wounded. Is there anywhere we can get medical attention?

Also, not sure if we should hunt the rest of the bandits. If they're not attacking, are they waiting for us to go?

>>18596197
>Get distracted for a while
>people suggesting to have mercy on bandits who came to rape and kill our women
>I seriously hope etc...

Go and help where help is needed

>>18596197
A lesson to learn.

I vote to waitwith medical attention after the immediate threat has been dealt with.

We know their location, any more help we can't expect. To combat! Let's stomp them once and for all.

Don't split the party now. Let's leave our servants close, but behind us. Get all armed men to the front. Bowmen to the flanks, to shoot them from afar.

Pursue them, rescue constable.

Possibly draft a report to dear ol dad once this is over

>>18596227
>>18596211

Blimey. This has been a... surprisingly bloody encounter.

Dead:
- 1 of Zatin's servants
- 1 Mercenary Bowman

Wounded:
- 3 of Zatin's servants
- Kanjen got flung into a wall by one of the bandits, back first
- Zatin did get pretty brutally beaten earlier tonight
- Linden's nose is bleeding from being punched while biting a bandit

The constable should be in his office. You turn and look, but there isn't even a guard there now. It looks completely empty.

Also, you hear sounds from behind you and the inn, and all of you tense, but they appear to be calling for a retreat. You hear someone being roughly threatened to 'lead the way'.

> Huh. Chase them? Go for constable? Do something else?

>>18596278
I assume our girls are accounted for then.

Go after the voice

>>18596278

Shit. Poor Linden.

Resist temptation to cuddle, go after voice. How many voices are there, can we tell?

The constable's probably with them, then? Were they ordering him to lead the way?

>>18596300
>>18596259
>>18596286

You tell Baseg to take care of the girls, and quickly gather up everyone else. By now, much like in the previous village, the flames and noise has gotten everyone awake, and people are streaming out to gawk at the horrible sight before them.

You quickly skirt the burning building, then notice that in the backyard there is another corpse, sitting against the fence with his throat cut. That would be the inn-keeper. Just then, one of your bowmen raises his bow and looses an arrow, and you hear a cry of pain in the darkness. They're attempting to escape across farmland and bushes, into the night.

Immediately you give the order to give chase, but when you reach the first row of hedges and go through the gap to the other side - they're gone. Nothing but wet paddy fields underfoot.

'Must've kept their horses around here, damnit,' Kanjen mutters. As you turn back you see the mercs hunched over something still in the field, kicking and stabbing at it with their swords.

> What do?

>>18596386
"That's enough. I need someone to interrogate."

>>18596386
Are they beating a bandit?

Tell them to stop so that we have someone to interrogate.

>>18596423
>>18596415

They're beating and slashing him in revenge for what they did, killing one of the mercenaries. You stop them and have them held back.

The man lies on the wet ground with an arrow in his side, and a long slash across his forehead. He spits blood at you, but you dodge it.

'Answer my questions and I will spare you, dog.'

'Go dip... your head... in lye, weasel...'

> What ask?

>>18596457
Interrogation time.

We do this Jack Bauer Style

>>18596457
Who is their employer? What were they doing?

If he remains uncooperative, I see no reason not to hold our merc archers back.

>>18596493

He's already got slash wounds and an arrow in his flank, I doubt we can add much to that...

'Who sent you? How did you know about the inn?'

>>18596457
I don't have time for this, answer me or I'll cut your dick and ball off!
Take out your sword.

>>18596457
Hideout. Boss.
Where is the group fleeing to?
Who's paying them?
What have they done in the past?

Promise him a quick and painless death in return..

>>18596525
>>18596501

You ask all the questions.He looks at you for a moment.

'Heh. Bandits... never give away... the hills...' then he fades for a while before his eyes suddenly open again, along with his mouth.

This time the gout of blood hits you square in the face, again. You notice his hand scrabbling for a container on his sash. He starts laughing, a low gurgling laugh. 'You people... all on a ride!'

> What do?

>>18596573
boot on hand, open the container ourselves

> 'You people... all on a ride!'

Da fuq is this?

>>18596573
Get the container, let the archers continue kicking the bandit, clean self up. It's self evident.

>>18596573

For a ride, even. For a ride. Apologies.

>>18596635
Makes it sound like there is a larger conspiracy behind all this

>>18596633
>>18596590

You kick the hand away and take the container; his hand grasps your wrist, but he is weakening and you prise it off with ease.

The container looks like a simple holder for a message. You'll have to go somewhere with light to read it. Meanwhile you wipe yourself down and let the archers take over.

One of them presses the bandits head into the water, and you hear slow thrashing and splashing as he is slowly drowned. Eventually everything goes still again. You don't really know what he looks like, or what he has on him now, given how dark it is.

> What do?

How has this had 90 posts without me seeing it? Fuck. Catching up and then joining.

>>18596671

Were you around from last weekend? We need more players! Fortunately thread has been in good hands.

>>18596667

Damn. Well, find somewhere with light, read this.

Then rescue constable.

>>18596667
send some men to look for any stragglers.

Check on our girls, then open the container. Cautiously

>>18596667
We need to get more reinforcements. Can we send a messenger back home?

>>18596688
Yes I was, one of the main players. Thought I remembered that you were starting tomorrow, but it's all good. Caught up now, ready to rock.

>>18596720
Container can wait, the constable might not be able to.

Take Zinden to go check on the constable, detail everyone else to either try and put out the fire, or ensure that anything irreplaceable to the mission is pulled out of the inn. Keep at least one or two archers on alert.

>>18596740

You can... but it will take at least a day and a half to get back on a galloping horse. Such is feudalism.

>>18596755
>>18596720
>>18596735

You decide that the three bowmen should go and track around, and look for stragglers - or, at least, where they might have gone. 'Be careful. I don't want to lose any more men tonight.'

'Sir.' They plod off, and then you realise the water is soaking in through your boots and step out.

Soon all of you are back in the village, where by a considerable effort directed by Baseg and the girls, the fire has been mostly put out. The dead have also been laid out, and the whole place seems hushed in terror - which is completely understandable. You take out the container; it contains just a single note:

"Iatar, 300 taels, to share; frame Constable properly"

Come think of it, not to be elitist, but you were pretty certain that guy you just killed in the paddy field could not read. Besides, the handwriting on this note is quite nice indeed...

You go to Linden, who hugs you, and then check her nose. 'It's still straight,' she says; but the whole right side of her face is slowly turning an ugly bruised purple. That was one hell of a slap.

'Where's the constable, Linden? Baseg?'

'No idea, sir.'

> What do?

>>18596809
It's highly unlikely any bandits can read.
Maybe it was to be given to somebody else?

>>18596809
In the morning, you can ask the villagers about the magistrate and the constable. For now we need a place to hole up and the constable's workplace is such a place. We also could look though the place for clues and evidence. The servants and wounded can rest in there too.

>>18596809
2 questions:

Who is Baseg again?
Iatar is one of the feuding clans, right?

>>18596852
Screw that, we need to at least take a look for him now. A quick scan of all the likely places. He might be injured but saveable.

>>18596863

Baseg is your chief valet, an old veteran of the household service. He used to be one of your father's bodyguards, and then he was assigned to you. His daughter, Peony, is also in your service, though she's in the Palace right now.

And yes, Iatar is the house, sworn to you, which is feuding with Ahun.

> Who would be for me putting up some worldbuilding information and background stuff later on?

>>18596879
That would be nice. should help clear up any political situations

>>18596869
this

>>18596869

All the likely places, given he's a constable who patrols at night, basically means all the villages along this whole stretch of river.

We can't search that. We might as well check what's nearby, I would say.

Reading up, then I'll be active. I can't believe I missed this! I love this quest.

>>18596879
By all means. In character we'd know stuff that we players don't. While that's not been the worst problem so far, we might be making more in the way of brilliant maneuvers if we have more setting info.

>>18596904
Less of the "Can we just murder them all in their sleep?" questions, too.

>>18596809
Let's check the constable's house for Baseg. That seems the only other area of interest in this town.

>>18596896
I guess you have a point then. Leave someone, or two someones, as lookout before we sleep, and to tell the constable what happened if he turns up.

> So, course of action? I'm having votes for search, going to constable's, and sleeping (presumably also in constable's, though, the inn is fucked.)

Think it through and answer.

>>18596809
We have ice or anything else to slow down that swelling?

>>18596809
>Come think of it, not to be elitist, but you were pretty certain that guy you just killed in the paddy field could not read. Besides, the handwriting on this note is quite nice indeed...

Wait. Is this ANOTHER bait/trap?

>>18596950

Might be.

>>18596936

Not very likely, given its spring...

So, go to constable's? Or carry on the search? Your bowmen are already looking for stragglers from the bandits.

Also, you notice the constable's office is unguarded. There was a guard when you left to trail the magistrate, you were very sure of that.

>>18596930
Can we get some advice from Kanjen and Zatin?

might as well perform a sweep of the constable's. see if anything is missing, or has been added

>>18596983
I think it's a trap.
We should be careful

>>18596973
Read ALL the documents.

Well ok, maybe he left a note or a diary of recent happenings. Just a quick search.

If there is a large piece of metal, that ought to be cooler than the surroundings on a spring night. Have her hold that to her face, it will draw a little heat away at least.

>>18596982

Zatin rubs his head, and you blink as he spits a wad of blood onto the ground. 'Oh, don't worry sir. I bit my cheeks so I looked like I was spewing blood just now, when they hit me.

'Actually, sir, when I left to trail the wagon, the constable was with the magistrate. They left together, and were still together when I got jumped. But when I feigned a coma I heard a few people coming to lead the Constable away. "Just come with us," they said. "We got more for you."

'The way I see it, I'm just really suspicious of the Ahun people now. And that includes the magistrate... Agiho, his name was, right? The only person I say we have a good handle on is the Constable. He's covering up something, but at least we know he is. Besides, he's isolated out here, and doesn't have the Ahun to back him, since he's not a steward or anything.'

>>18596914
>>18597003
>>18596983
>>18597022

> Consensus: go to constable's, but do it carefully

You fish out the piece of carved jade, in the guise of a hawk, which you have as your personal ornament; then you go to Linden and press it against her face. She flinches, but then relaxes when she sees your idea.

'Thank you, sir. You are so kind.'

You then get your swordsmen and go up to the constable's office. Entering it, you light some torches and see it's pretty much the same as it was left. Most of the boxes and drawers are under lock and key. You tell Kanjen to look around for the keys when you hear coughing from upstairs. It's not a single cough, but a long, painful series of coughs - the way someone coughs when very badly ill. You know the bedrooms are upstairs.

Zatin glances at you. 'Could that be...'

> What do?

>>18597071
>pressing jade to Linden

What is this?

>wat do

Make our way upstairs, again, prepared for an ambush

>>18597071
Swords out people. We're going up to check it out. Get ready for a trap.

>>18597092
Helping with the bruise. Thermodynamics.
>Educated nobleman, fuck year

Agreed, investigate CAREFULLY and be ready for having to stab someone.

>>18597104
so...an improvised ice pack?

>>18597128

Jade is believed to be a cooling stone, maybe. I guess any stone is rather cool when left out at night...

For some reason it isn't allowing me to quick reply, so I say we rush upstairs with our sword drawn. If it is the constable he's probably badly wounded, but it might not be the constable.

>>18597104
>>18597128
>>18597140

So it is. Jade is warming in winter and cooling in summer. One of the things people shouldn't think too hard about.

>>18597092
>>18597099
>>18597104

You draw your sword again, and everyone follows suit. Then you go up the staircase to the Constable's room, and edge it open, whereupon Kanjen immediately jumps in.

'Huh. Nothing here, sir. This room is strangely chilly.'

You swear you felt the same way that last time you went there. Then the cough sounds again, and you pinpoint the room to be the last one down the walkway. Again, you edge it open and Zatin leaps in.

*COUGHCOUGHHACK* '... father? Is that you?'

You blink and enter to see a frail young man - a boy, really - lying in his mattress. Then you smell it - a smell of... fish? Something like fish? Permeates the room.

> What do?

>>18597128
Basically. Not nearly as effective, but better than nothing. If the surrounding temperature is cooler than the person's body, it will draw heat away from the person more quickly than the air. This is because of the difference in specific heat of the air and the jade. Works REALLY WELL with metal.

>>18597174
So...Constable has a sick kid?

Maybe he's taking bribes from local bandits to pay for medicine or something?

>>18597174
See if any of our crew know what that smell is. Is this a healthy fish smell or a rotten fish smell?

Be kindly to the kid.

Fish could be anal discharge, but I doubt that's the case.

Anyway, stay away from the kid since he might be contagious but ask him if he's okay and where his father is. Also explain that we're friends of his father and were just looking for him.

>>18597211
>>18597203
>>18597193

You keep a healthy distance from the boy. 'Do you know where your father's gone, boy?'

'Uh...' He coughs a little. 'Well, he left in the evening, sir, and went off with the magistrate on a night patrol. But it's a bit weird that he still hasn't come back... is anything the problem? Nothing's wrong, right?'

'No, no, nothing. We are just his friends. Wondering where he's gone.'

As for the smell, Zatin goes to the desk where there's a small pot, and gestures at it. As you walk closer, the smell resolves itself a bit more - a bit... metallic. Rusty iron, or coppery.

'That's the medicine pot, sir, please don't touch it,' the boy's seen you.

'Of course. We shan't.'

'What's been happening downstairs actually? I heard yelling and screaming.' You listen; there is in fact still yelling and screaming going on now. 'Are you staying over here, like...' then the boy trails off.

> What do?

>>18597253
"like who?"

>>18597253

... blood, of some sort? or some sort of... funny herbal stuff?

'Yes, we are staying here. But who were you thinking of?'

>>18597285
Could be mercury, the miracle medicine!

>>18597296

Ah, immortality is so easy.

Yeah, we ask who, and we also reassure him that it's nothing. Poor kid.

>>18597315
>>18597285
>>18597259

You have no idea. Could be blood. That's not a very pleasant thought.

You are about to ask who it is when you kick something, and bend over to pick it up. It looks like a nodule, a root of some plant, and you keep it first.

'Like who? Who were you thinking about?'

'Eh? Oh, no... just, like, the guards. They often sleep downstairs. Where there are bunks.'

Bunks, eh. Well, that's handy. Meanwhile Kanjen comes back and says he can't find the keys; as for the documents that aren't locked away, they're mostly in code, or quite banal, grocery lists and such. The Constable might be the sort of person who just needs to prove he's literate.

> What do?

>>18597346
Ask the kid if his father said anything before leaving.

>>18597346
How sturdy does the lock look? We could probably force it if we really want to. No subtlety to it, but there you go.

>>18597346
may as well settle in for the night. get some rest, station some guards

>>18597352

'He just said he'd be back to make the medicine.' He gestures to the pot. 'I don't know what's in it, and it smells funny.'

>>18597363

You go down and look at the boxes. Some of the locks don't look too hard to force, but then they also have seals on top: 'Sworn to the House of Ahun. Do not tamper.'

Sure, you're the son of the Ahun's liege lord, but... you could force one, if you want. There's two small boxes, one red and one blue.

> What do?

>>18597367

seconding this actually, let's not arouse suspicions.

>>18597405
Ask Zatin if he has any idea where Constable could be.

Also, are we missing any of our people? We lost one mercenary. Any more casualties than that or MIA?
And where's Rose?

>>18597405
It could be filled with scorpions or something anyways. Let's not. Get some rest, we'll need it.

>>18597431

You've lost one mercenary and one of Zatin's servants, who fell after killing two men and standing at the inn's entrance.

Zatin only answers after you've left the boy's room and closed the door. 'Sir, wherever the Constable's gone, the magistrate's taken him. I'm sure the magistrate will return tomorrow, and we can force it out of him if necessary.'

As for Rose, she's come into the office as well. As you're downstairs pondering the locked boxes, she's busy preparing the bunks. Linden comes to you.

'Sorry to disturb, sir, but would you like to sleep in the bunk with everyone, or perhaps the constable's room?'

> What do?

>>18597431
See >>18596278

Confiscate the containers. If the constable is alive, you can explain it to him. If he's not, he won't care.
It's your right to do it.

>>18597479
Normally, I'd say the constable's room, but in the interest of security it's probably safer to bunk with everyone else

>>18597500
yep

>>18597479
Contable's room is fitting, the bunks for your men. Make sure the men change at the guardposts every two hours or so.

See the wounded servant who killed the big bandit for a minute. He saved the life of a nobleman, he at least deserves some formal gratitude, if not even a reward.

>>18597481
Confiscate them, aye. Open them, no.

No preference on where we sleep myself, but let's make sure everyone who's been injured has at least been checked by us and that anything that doable for them to heal up better has been.

>>18597520
>>18597481

You have the two containers taken away to the bunk, where they will be watched over. The constable can explain them tomorrow, if he wishes. And he had better wish to explain them.

>>18597514

You go to the bunk and look over everyone. Things aren't quite as handsome now that you've been through a big fight.

You ask after people's injuries; Zatin is helping his servants bandage themselves. The man with a long cut on his shoulder, who saved you from a dagger in the temple, looks at you as you go to him.

'I must thank you for your quick action, good man. You saved my life.'

'It is but my duty, your lordship,' he bows, not using his wounded arm to brace himself.

> What do/say? Still waiting for decision on sleeping place. If nothing, prerogatives should default to a private bunk.

>>18597565
Constable's bunk, but make sure there's not an easily accessible way past our men to it. We've got good people, but if we're staying true to culture and our place in it, we won't bed down with them barring a prison cell.

>>18597581
Er, barring the ladies of course. They can join us if they like, though I imagine everyone is a bit too wiped out for anything other than sleep.

>>18597581
I'll second this

>>18597565
We are entitled to our prerogatives.

Damn, we must find a way to get reinforcements or a message back to Daddy.

With our rag-tag bunch of misfi... er our mercenary/gentry/servant party deep in Ahun territory, I have the feeling we sit on a plank in an ocean of sharks (yes, not an ocean of water with the occasional shark. An ocean made entirely out of sharks).

>>18597581

Well, then.

You head upstairs to the bunk and bed down, and Linden follows you into the room. 'Ooh. This place smells... fresh.'

'Does it?' You can't really tell, you're a bit too tired. 'Maybe your nose is spoiled.'

'It isn't!' She sounds genuinely miffed by that jibe. 'It's a bit chilly tonight, isn't it?'

You feel it too. Under the bed there doesn't seem to be a warmer or something, so you get Linden to squeeze in with you as well. That feels a lot cosier.

Linden clings to you and you hear her start to cry, probably out of terror at what just happened. She's been trying to stay calm, but...

> What do/say?

>>18597610
I think our best bet would be, if we absolutely cannot take them on with the men we have now, to go to the Latar. They will be more than willing to lend us the men to strike against their rivals if we explain the situation. Obviously before we did anything we would need to make sure the Latar were trustworthy.

>>18597610
>>18597644

Iatar sounds sensible... but that would risk starting a war between our subordinate houses, though, wouldn't it? Not really the thing we want.

Meanwhile, cuddle Linden and kiss her forehead. Ask if it still hurts.

>>18597631
Reassure and cuddle

>>18597631
Tell her she did the right thing and well done to fight the fucker, and jest that maybe you ought to have her training fighting men with that sort of tiger's attitude.

>>18597631
Be all loving and gentle, pet her hair, cuddle, tell her it's okay, et cetera.

>>18597691
There are ways we could go about it that would leave the other house stumped as to who it was. Off the top of my head we could dress them as mercenaries or peasants, we could make sure there are absolutely no survivors, we could go all ninja and wear all black clothing and mask.

>>18597691
We have to subjugate unruly vassals. They are a threat to our rule. Ehem, our brother's rule, of course.
"The realm comes first."

>>18597711
This.

>>18597723
>>18597711
>>18597691

You hold her close, and her warmth is a lovely thing. 'Maybe I should teach you to use a weapon. Biting someone! That makes you a little tigress.'

'Next time, sir, just bring Peony along instead of me,' she murmurs, trying to stifle her sobs. You try to keep awake until she's asleep, a little game the two of you do, and this time you win handily.

You dream of strange things. Girls crying out for help. We are still alive, they say. Anyone up there hear me? Then you dream of being punched really hard across the face, and sit up awake.

'Woah.' It's just into dawn now. Linden murmurs at the movement, and then sits up as well. It's a knock on the door, and it comes again.

You get Linden to get the door. It's Baseg, and he looks in at you.

'Sir. Something from the Palace, sir.'

'Palace? What, the Ahun?'

'No, sir, Raumar Palace. Like, our palace. Your palace.'

> Eh? What do?

>>18597782
The fuq do they want now?

>>18597782
Well, what is it?
whatisitwhatisitwhatisit....

>>18597782
Let's try to avoid the getting punched part of this dream, and find those girls. We might be a man of education, but that doesn't mean we can't hedge our bets just in case of an actual premonition.

Find out what the palace sent.

>>18597782
How's her face look?

>>18597804
>>18597802
>>18597800

You get dressed, roughly, and then go downstairs, while still wondering about those girls. So they're alive? That would be nice. Up there? What's that mean?

You look at the emissary who's sitting with the box and scroll - the lacquer box puts it in no uncertain terms that this is indeed the Prince's order. You check the seal and open it, and the emissary holds the scroll out for you. You unfurl it and get to the important bit.

"By order of the Prince, you, Earl, are instructed to return to the Palace post-haste. Do not delay your journey."

'Your lordship, the Prince said this was quite urgent,' the emissary says. Come think of it, you don't remember seeing this guy before in the palace. And yet the scroll, and seal, and box, are definitely real...

> What do?

>>18597863

Poor dear, her face is properly swollen now. You can't see her right cheekbone, and she has some pretty nice cheekbones too.

Meanwhile, as you ponder the edict, you can hear talking from the bunks. Clearly they're awake now.

>>18597885
Whoo boy.

This guy had to have been sent out right after we were if he's legit, since the palace is a day and a half away they couldn't have known about the stuff just happening.

The fuck is going on here?

>>18597885
inquire as to when he started working for the palace, We might also consider sending a letter with one of our people back, confirming the order and mentioning what appears to be a major plot in progress

>>18597885
Hunang. The. Bastard.

Ask the messenger: Who gave him the message? How long has he been in your father's service? When did he leave the city?

>>18597885
Well the only obvious thing to do is leave Zatin and his men to solve the mystery, and grant them a large allowance for hiring more mercenaries. Take Kanjen and Munen with us along with the two girls to return to the palace.

>>18597942
We send a letter back and we're being disobedient. Being disobedient could be Very Bad.

Though we might be just about to blow this case wide open.

How easy would it be to spoof a lacquer box? Question the messenger, perhaps with some questions about the palace, life there, or the people there. Make sure he's legit.

>>18597957
Oh, and take the mercenaries too. If it's a trap, we'll have some protection and we can then return to Zatin to continue solving le mystery.

>>18597953
>Hunagan, you mean

If we have some reason to believe, even as an excuse, that this guy isn't legit, find it. Not sure if there's a good excuse for not obeying immediately.

>>18597953
>>18597942
>>18597938

'I've never seen you before, man. Since when have you been in my father's service?'

'Sir? Um... about a year, sir? But I was always in the clerical job, sir, I also don't know why I was tasked to bring this to you, sir.' He seems a little bit panicky.

'I can confirm the order was given by the Prince himself, sir. His Highness told me to come here, directly.'

This is weird. Just then, the bunk doors open, and everyone sees what's going on. There is a deep silence. You remember the saying from the ancient Military Affairs book:

'When a general is in the field, there are circumstances whereby the ruler's orders must be disregarded. The general has been given due trust; the life and death of the realm is determined on his calculations in the field.'

Hmmmmm. Of course, that's easier said and read than done...

> What do?

>>18598017
"Do you have any idea why? What is the news from the palace?"

>>18598010

This is certainly a good reason for disobedience. That's what the seal, box, and scroll are designed for - easy authentication.

Then again...

>>18598017
Order the bunk doors closed.

If he heard the Prince's order, he also would have heard the reason why. Get that reason.

I'm inclined to disagree, and start digging up buildings until we find a basement full of girls.

>>18598017
Draft a letter for him to take back, stating what's happened and expressing our deepest regrets that we are unable to return.

Then send one of our own men back to the palace with a message for our father alone. include the letter we snagged from the bandit with this one

>>18598017
This man is not allowed to leave.

Guys, if we never *got* the message, we cannot disobey father, if the letter, indeed, is from our father. Messengers get killed on the roads all the time.

If it wasn't father and we solve this mystery, double the pleasure.

I'm for staying in the field.

HOWEVER... if the letter is from our father and there is a crisis of far greater importance in the palace? Civil war? One of our brothers assasinated?
Ask the man if anything was amiss in the palace. If everything's calm, I say we stay in the south and get shit done.

>>18598017
Cool, about a year? Then he'll know what time the rooster crows, or the about the special dish served on holiday X, or which stair creaked, or that Hyun Jin loved to sing while doing the wash.

Well, there would be something at least that most everyone who lived there should know, and a few things at that. We'd know as the main character what those things are, and now it's time to see if the messenger does too.

>>18598045

Shouldn't we consult our men? Maybe Baseg and the gate-guests know better what happens. This sort of thing might happen to them before...

>>18598067
This.

Do not send a letter back.

We 1) Regain privacy for the meeting. 2) Verify his identity with questioning. 3) Keep him with us -- either as a prisoner or as, well, a polite prisoner.

>>18598010
Hunagan. I can just smell the chamberlain's dirty hands all over this whole affair.

But I will never suggest to alter the quest because of meta talk. So, no fears, brothers. Let's proceed and the honour the laws of questing.

>>18598077
Was thinking more about the mercs. Not sure our men need to see that we don't trust the guy's identification either. We might allow one or two in particular like Zinden to stay.

>>18598100
I concur. Let's consult our trusted and experienced followers: Zatin, Munen, Zanjen and Baseg.

>>18598069

'About a year, eh? Do you recall that time when the Second Earl officiated at the sacrifice to Mount Nahug then? That was pretty grand, wasn't it?'

'Yes, sir... no, wait, sir, I'm quite sure the Second Earl was not officiating, but His Highness himself, sir.' Then he caught himself. 'Sorry for my presumptuousness, sir.'

'Presumptuous is better than deceitful,' you nod.

>>18598067
>>18598034

'Well, do you know why the order was drafted?'

'I am but a lowly servant, sir, I can not pretend to understand the workings of gov...'

'Was there any major occurrence in the palace? When exactly did you leave the palace?'

'About... one and a half days ago, sir? And no, I don't... think anything happened, particularly.'

> What do?

>>18598100

The mercs aren't with us; they're outside tracking the bandits, weren't they? So the men here are our men. Well, besides Zatin.

Let's consult them, definitely. Leave the emissary outside and go to the bunk.

>>18598129
Well, great. I think the Royal Jacka-dviser put some words in ol' Dad's ear, and we got recalled right as we set out. This guy has made good time finding us here, too. He probably should be commended on that as we take him prisoner (politely) to keep with us as we "never got the message".

Consult with our trusted advisers first before doing it, but I don't think we should turn back.

>>18598143
>>The mercs aren't with us; they're outside tracking the bandits, weren't they?

All night? Surely they were going to need rest also?

>>18598143
Well if no mercs, no need to close the door.

>We need to start searching every building for a hidden basement.

>>18598129
>>>>18598122
War room. Now. The man is our *guest*.

I stand by my suggestion here: >>18598067
The letter says "immediate return". And the man seems legit.
But messengers are not 100% failsafe. They get robbed. Their horses break legs. They get delayed. I'm puzzled how fast he could even fucking find us (well, with directions from other people, I guess).

I say, we can take the risk and solve this.
However, as I said before: there's the risk of not only *disobeying*, but what if father sent the letter because he has a very good reason and needs us?
Wait, what if he learned of the Ahun's treason (if I may be so bold) andwants us to get back to safety? He obviously can't mention it in the letter....

Damn. Gentlemen, input please.

>>18598218
I'm willing to take the risk that there is something bigger going on. No emergency was noted, and if there's an ambush waiting for us, so be it. We'll handle that as it comes, and possibly hire some more mercs if we have the opportunity.

The man is /probably/ legit, but we can keep him for now, and threaten/pay/etc him to keep quiet as necessary.

We go back now, we might never have a proper way to resolve this. Our men seem capable, but we are getting toward the bottom of this better than they could on their own.

>>18598099

How is that meta? If you suspect a character in game of machinations, act on suspicion! They are characters, and some of them do in fact want you dead.

>>18598143
>>18598186

The mercs are indeed in the bunk, they've only just come back. They were going to give a report, but this got in the way; and in the interim you see they've fallen sound asleep.

>>18598174
>>18598077
>>18598100
>>18598122

You take your men to the office, close the door, and tell them what's happened. Then you tell them your suspicions. Heavens-damned Hunagan! That pimply, spiny little burr in the eye!

But Zatin begs to differ. 'Sir, remember when you sent me to check up on the Ahun lands and I told you about my suspicions, that they were corrupt? It is not beyond reason for them to have sent a herald to Raumar Palace the moment we arrived. Changing horses as needed, he would take a day and a half to get back to the Palace; and the emissary would take two days to get to us, which is about right.'

Kanjen and Munen are nervous about what might happen if they do not heed the call and return. Naturally, since they are for now your retainers, they will follow your call, but you know your own father best.

Baseg speaks up against sending a letter back. 'Sir, if nothing else, consider the messenger. You know what His Highness would do if that man went back without you...'

> What do/say?

>>18598268
There won't be a letter sent back--period, dot. That's the way to getting our people (and us possibly) executed.

If we don't heed the call, the messenger stays.

And Zatin, what sort of thing could they have said to prompt this order?

>>18598268

Man. We shouldn't go back.

And now that OP's reminded us, it might be for the best to detain the messenger as well. He might not be alive by the time we actually go back, if we sent him back...

>>18598262
It would suck if we return after succesfully solving our case and our father was, Idk, dethroned or something. However, if we return now, could we even affect any situation? I think not. Better build our strength outside the capital.

Hell, with good speed and some luck, we can get this done in a day or two? Four at max.

We can bribe the messenger to tell daddy he didn't find us until three days in the future, if it's just our father's good will we are risking here. And if it's that, if we bring him some gold, slaves and the heads of traitors on a spike, he might be more than forgiving!

I'm interested to hear what the quest NPC say, because this is fucking difficult.

>>18598310
It wasn't the OP reminding us that made it a good idea to hold the messenger...

>>18598325

Oh yeah, good point.

>>18598323

Yeah, maybe this. Let's force an answer out of the men.

Then maybe, worst comes to worst, we can shift blame to them. But let's hope we don't need that.

>>18598268
The man stays and. So. Do. We.

Let's solve this mess, gentlemen. I like this letter business less every minute. We will take the risk, I say!

> General consensus: We stay, and we detain the emissary along with the edict. Y/N?

> More consultation is also possible, of course, or even consultation with the NPCs.

>>18598373
Yes on that, there's more here than meets the eye. See if our companions have any clever additions to this but we're staying and he's not leaving.

>>18598373
>>18598393
Yes, and seconding this guy to make it easy.

Basically, we want to continue investigation, and not set ourselves up to die.

>>18598262
>>18598300
>>18598310
>>18598362
>>18598393

Righto, that's a lot of votes. Definitely enough.

You nod, and then say it very softly to your men as they stand around you.

'We're here to do justice to our people. We can't leave without having done what we set out to do. That would not be right.'

Your four men look at each other, then get on their knees to salute you. 'And we will follow you, sir.'

The emissary is standing outside the room, and jumps when you emerge. 'We will... disregard the Prince's orders, for the moment. There was a series of unfortunate delays. We did not get this message.'

'But, but sir, that would be...'

'It could be that, or it could be that I disobeyed and sent you back to tell the Prince what exactly happened. What say you?'

This time it's the emissary who falls on his knees in a panic. 'Please, sir, don't send me back without fulfilling my mission, sir!'

'Good. We are agreed, then. You must be tired. Go rest in the bunk.'

Once that is settled, the four men come out smiling. Incidentally, you suddenly recall the knob of herbal root you took from the boy's room last night. 'What's this thing, do you people know?'

Baseg takes it and looks it over. 'I think this is Four-Eye-Grass, sir. Pretty precious herb from the southern areas, there's a brisk trade in this in the city...'

> What do/say?

>>18598476
>>'We're here to do justice to our people. We can't leave without having done what we set out to do. That would not be right.'
>>Your four men look at each other, then get on their knees to salute you. 'And we will follow you, sir.'

Badass.

>>18598476
WHat's the herb used for?

Also, goals:
- main objective: solve the case of missing maidens
- find constable
- avoid Arhun (for now)
- find the mysterious bandits
- get to Iatar territory and talk to the Iatar family
- settle the feud between Iatar and Arhun
- find out more about the Stone Folk tribes and how they are involved in this

Boy, I have to start taking notes soon.

>>18598476
Are there tariffs or the like on it that would make smuggling it a good option, and what effects is it known for having?

My guess is that this is the only herb that can keep the Constable's kid alive and they're leveraging the fact that they are the only ones with a supply of it in order to make him help them and look the other way.

>>18598508
>>18598499

'Tariffs? I bet there are, though I'm sure that if the transports were to bear the Ahun mark and be counted as tribute...' Baseg trails off as it hits him, and everyone looks at the herb in your hand.

'This can't be it, can it? Smuggling under the Ahun's river-boat pennants?' Munen mutters.

'What effects does this thing have?'

'I'm not too sure about that, sir. We'll have to go ask a physician, or an apothecary - of whom I'm sure there will be some, in this village,' Baseg offers. You look out the window; it is a rather cloudy morning. Meh. It'll be a long day.

> What do?

>>18598566
If something "can't be", then it probably "is".

Prepare for the day, get the physician in here on an excuse to check over everyone's injuries and treat them as appropriate. Then have him check the herb, more subtly.

>>18598566
Find an apothecary and find the effects.

See if anyone has any idea where the constable is.

Return to the hedges where the bandits disappeared the night and see if there are tracks to follow or anything left behind that could be useful.

>>18598591

Are we finally nearing the end of this damned mystery?

Find apothecary; then find constable. Maybe even find magistrate... wherever he is.

>>18598566
Wait, he knows it's expensive, but not what it's used for?

We have to talk to the village people. And tthat means we'll reveal our identity.

We will tell them about the killings in this village and the other (no details, just that we were fighting off bandits fro them). Also, because we are so nice, people can come with important messages to us for now, instead of to the Arhun officials, which we support in upholding the law etc. Or , at least, once to us and then to the Arhun.

Then we'll ask where we can find a physician, if people have seen troop movements (Arhun or Iatar, if they even know the difference) and if young girls or goods mysteriously disappeared recently.

Also, make sure that they don't waste our time. We are the son of their prince. Even looking at our face is too much for the villagers. They should show the proper respect for us and our trusted men.

>>18598628
Also, wash yourself and get your robes in order before you appear in front of the rabble. Let one of our gentlemen with an impressive voice be our herald.

Meanwhile, as you ponder your courses of action, the world continues to move - in a rather panicked way, given yesterday's situation.

A courier has come from that other village to report the deaths and injuries, another has come from a village farther off yet, saying that another girl appears to have been kidnapped. Again, it's a young maiden, just twelve or thirteen years old.

Finally, there's been a report from the local physician, saying that the Constable is there, and he'd like to inform you of his whereabouts. Well, about bloody time!

> What do?

>>18598600
Dude, the mystery is awesome and why this quest is awesome. We may still have some way to go though--finding the girls, for instance, we still have no solid lead on.

>>18598656

Meet with the constable personally

Send someone to interview the courier who reported the kidnapping

>>18598656
Visit the physician, bring the root, we can talk to the constable and find out more about the root at the same time.

Current theory is that the "bandits" are smuggling under the Ahuns banner, and are in turn supplying the Ahun with young girls for their "sport"

>>18598656
Let's go to the physician then. But I hope we'll wash yesterday's blood off, first.

The constable is in cahoots with the bandits, though! He must be.

We can't show him the root. It'd let on that we know a bit too much.

>>18598656
Anything else that happened along with the kidnapping?

It occurs to me that while the clans were stealing girls from each other according to that girl at the Ahun, they must be really being covert about it since not many people seem to be dying along with the kidnapping. Something seems amiss...

>>18598705
We should inquire about his son from him. And from the physician too.

>>18598716
>>18598705
I second these.

>>18598767
But we want him to think we know more than we do, because then he's more likely to start spilling more information since he'll think he's already been caught.

>>18598706

Munen went to talk to the courier.

It appears the girl was simply plucked from her home by night. That was part of what made the whole series of kidnappings so terrifying - the kidnappers seem to be able to go about at night freely...

>>18598672
>>18598682
>>18598684
>>18598716

You change into your new clothes, and take Baseg and Zatin along with you to the physician and apothecary. Naturally the whole place is all blocked up, and you spot the Constable directing people to and fro.

Baseg takes a deep breath. 'Way for the Earl, son of the Prince of Mar!'

Everyone starts as if they'd just been slapped, and immediately clear the way and get on their knees. You bid them relax, then go to the Constable, who salutes you. 'Sir. Please pardon my tardiness last evening, sir. I only heard of the happenings this morning.'

You look him over. Has he been in a fight himself? He's got so many bruises here and there you're not sure if he's here to help or to be a patient himself...

> What do/say?

>>18598801

Let's go on and talk to the physician in his presence. Take him along. Maybe we can grill him or something...

>>18598801
Leave one of our people to direct people and bring the Constable with us to the Apothacary, have a private chat with him about his son, what he knows, what happened last night and so on.

Then ask the Apothacary about the root and the Constable's son.

>>18598801
Ask him if he believes it was the work of the bandits he mentioned when we first met him at the Arhun seat.

Ask him where he got the bruises.
Than ask him about his son (before going to the physician and revealing the herb). You were in his house after all.

Ask him about the blue and red containers.

Then proceed to the physician.

>>18598801
Ask him and be polite but very firm. Our bullshit tolerance level has definitely been exceeded for the week.

>>18598887
>>18598879
>>18598835

You look at the Constable. 'What happened to you, officer?'

'I... fell over, sir. I was attempting to track the bandits.'

'So you did know about the bandit attacks.' You turn to him. 'It was them, wasn't it, those were the people you mentioned?'

'Yes... yes, sir. And I heard you killed some of them.'

'Killed. And some of my men were also killed.'

> Turn on pressure to full, or stay nice?

>>18598946

I think, honestly, we should turn on the pressure now. He's been bugging us ever since we saw him. Remember how he knows exactly how many girls disappeared, including Stonefolk girls?

>>18598946
Heh.
First, be nice. Then say casually you have your men. In his home. Looking after his beloved son. So, he's safe and all, right?

>>18598980
Be really careful how we word this. Let's phrase it very much as not a threat.

He'll get that idea anyways.

>>18598936
>>18598977
>>18598980
>>18598996
>>18598508

> Well, well.
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZDXi_6VEOw

'I'm sorry about this, sir. Surely I must be held acc-'

'No, no. Don't... worry about it.' You show him into the physician's room, where he quickly orders the physician to salute you. By now you have your ideas clicking into place, somewhat. The three of you sit down. 'I was at your house last night, constable. Where I saw your son.'

The constable's eyes opened, a little. 'I... my worthless child must have caused you trouble.'

'Quite the contrary. Quite the contrary.' You take out the Four-Eye-Grass root nodule, and put it on the table. 'It is a pity he is this ill, though. Physician, are you responsible for treating the constable's son?'

'Oh yes, definitely, your lordship.'

'Is it a chronic illness?'

'Sir, please, don't trouble-'

'I wasn't asking you.' You turn to the man with a scraggly beard. 'Physician. Give me the deference to which I'm due, and tell me honestly the answer to my questions. What is the nature of the constable's son's disease?'

'Your lordship... it's, uh, it's... consumption, sir. Brought on by humidity, and exposure to heat in summer.'

'And this Four-Eye-Grass treats that?' You ignore the gradual change of expression on the constable's face as you ask the questions. Now he is glancing between you and the physician. 'What's the prescription for this?'

'I... your lordship...'

'I'd advise you tell me. I'd advise you be honest.'

The constable is already looking away as the physician swallows and begins again. 'Y-yes, your lordship. The constable's son's illness... requires a rather heterodox prescription. Living cinnabar must be mixed into the stew, for efficacy.'

'Living cinnabar?'

'The... menstrual blood of... of virgins, your lordship.'

> What do?

> .... that took a bit of time to write.

>>18599140
Nasty!
But anyway, I'm wary to go accusing him because the Bandits were trying to frame him, implying his innocence.

>>18599140
Don't do anything. Just glare at the constable. I can see him melting right now.

One of our men is at the door, right?

>>18599205
>No worries.

>>18599140
That's interesting isn't it constable.

You see Constable I'm the nice son of the family, you've heard of my father, the Prince, right, the man who tied every citizen in a town to their local shrine and burnt it to the ground.

Given how these last few days have been, getting shot at, my men killed, my personal assistant hit, and people lying to me.

I am starting to reconsider my decision to be the nice member of the family, I suggest you start telling me everything you know, before you give me another reason to stop being nice.

>>18599240

Second this. No need for a word. Let's see if he's still going to deny it.

Perhaps, if by now he actually denies it, he might indeed be somehow innocent.

> More suggestions? There's both accuse and silent glaring for choice here, right now...

>>18599240
Thirded.

I propose a silence where in we give them the gendo look for a bit before simply saying "mystery Solved"

>>18599310
Silence, and wait. In this situation most people will feel pressured by the silence and want it filled at all costs--and they'll start talking to their detriment.

>>18599240
>>18599267
>>18599320
>>18599329

The constable, who despite his bruises had been carrying himself properly, now looks like he's actually been battered. You stare at him for a long while, and watch as his tears start, unbidden, to fall.

Finally he falls on his knees. 'I have been, sir, I have been truly, to the best of my ability, a father, and a husband, and an officer of the law, as trusted by... by...' he trails off. 'My son has been ill like this for years, and my wife died young from worry. The magistrate came to me with this scheme, and what ought I to do, sir, what ought I to do...?'

'That is not mine to answer,' you say, looking at his bent, weeping form. 'I am only here to solve the case.'

'Please, your lordship, please... finish the matter, the magistrate as well...' You see, out of the corner of your eye, people gathering outside the door in curiosity; but Baseg and Kanjen ward them off.

> What do?

>>18599140

... is that the fishy, coppery smell we detected in his son's room? Is that what it is, virgins' menstrual blood?

>>18599400
Let him keep talking, with mild prompting as necessary. We need more facts. And then we need to keep him safe, including from himself, to bring back to the palace as evidence.

There might be more to it than just what he's been up to though. After all, that captured girl in the Ahun's holdings wouldn't have been a part of this, would she?

>>18599400
What you are going to do is tell me everything you know about the operation, where they are based, how they operate, how long this has been going, who other than you and the magistrate is involved, how many bandits there are, the complete scheme. You will leave nothing out and perhaps the court of law will be lenient.

>>18599400
Not saying we will spare him (he did commit treason against his liege), but now that he's broken, try to get information about the magistrates offer.What are the details? Does he know who's behind the magistrate?

Remain stony calm. Let the people watch how you, otherworldy being that you are, stay in total control while a earthly worm crawls and whines before you which they knew as a person of authority.

>>18599453
>>18599487
>>18599516

'What about the magistrate? What plans are these? Speak.'

'The magistrate... has been involved for some time in a plan, sir, to smuggle herbs from the southern lands. They get packed... into a boat, flying the tribute pennant; then, presumably, they are sold in the city. I don't know too many details.'

'I only know that he hired a bunch of bandits to do the work. Vicious men. They knew they had a man on their side, so they terrorised this area. There was nothing I could do. I tried to stop them. I even arrested two of them, and had them escorted to the Estate for judgement, but they promptly escaped. Escaped, sir!' He wipes his face. 'Then they found out about... my son. And that's when... that's when they knew they had me.'

'I don't really know the extent of the magistrate's operations, sir. But please, sir, have mercy. I will do my utmost to uncover the truth and bring justice. These bruises, sir - these bruises, the bandits beat me last night for taking too much of the Four-Eye-Grass... I will do anything... I can release the girls, please just don't say it was me, your lordship, I shall never stand straight again...'

He breaks down again, falling to his knees.

> What do?

>>18599611
OP, what is the Estate, (I think I know, but just for confirmation)?

We need the location of these girls out of him, Now. They shouldn't even have to see this guy again, we'll go release them ourself. We also must, MUST get the names and descriptions of the people actually kidnapping them so this doesn't happen again. And for that matter, I don't think that will free all the girls from all the kidnapping going on.

In other news, I feel bad for the son who will no longer get meds.

>>18599611
>He won't stand straight again because our father will have his legs cut off at the knees.

>>18599647

Estate presumably is the Ahun estate?

>>18599611
Where are the girls kept, do you have any information on the bandits whereabouts or camps they frequent?

I can promise nothing, if you are truly repentant and aid me in every way you can I will do what I can to help your son and see the courts are lenient and understanding on you.

>>18599611
So, are they kidnapping all these girls and keeping them just so that they have a constable not interfering with the smuggling of herbs? Something isn't adding up. Clearly if his son needs virgin blood then they can't be doing anything to the girls, but...

Maybe it's just me but either the guy is lying or there's quite a bit more to this still.

>>18599611
There's more to what the magistrate is doing than smuggling. We need to have him tell us at least the basics.

>>18599660
>>18599673
>>18599692

Estate indeed refers to the Ahun estate. Since the Constable is a servant of their house, he just calls them the masters, and their seat the estate.

'This does not add up. Why would they keep girls just to keep your son alive? You are not that precious to them, constable. They merely needed you to stand by and do nothing.'

'That... is the issue, sir. It would be easy to release... the girls. They are right under my room, in my home.'

You blink. So that dream... might not have been a dream at all?

> What do/say? What of the magistrate, then?

>>18599760
so...no way of releasing them without the constable taking the blame then

> Going to take a shower and freshen up. 20 minutes!

>>18599760
Tell me everything you know of the Magistrate, especially how I could come into contact with him. Is he taking orders from someone or was this his idea. How long ago were you approached with this plan?

Why do they keep them there, do they do anything else with them other than keep them under you domicile? Are any of them Stone Folk?

What other than smuggling is the magistrate doing?

>>18599660
>me_gusta.jpg
>>18599611
We just went a big Ieap forward, but it's not over. The identity and methods of he bandits remain a mystery.
We need the mgistrate and get his employers' names out of him.

Before we jumpto the rescue of the girls: Can we use them and the constable as bait? Set up an ambush when the bandis come, or follow them secretly.

Would be nice to lay the trap for once.

this sounds like a case of "round up all parties, kill any that resist, and bring them all before a higher judge."

we're here to solve the problem and bring justice, not protect a sickly child. If we really want to, arrange for the boy to be cared for.

This would explain why that room was so cold, by the way. Nicely done, OP.

>BASEMENT DIGGING GUY HERE

>TOTALLY VINDICATED

>>18599760
We still have to find out how the Stone Folk are involved in this. Still remember Nam and the southern tribes? But one thing after another-

That the bandits "escaped" from the Arhun estate indicates that they are involved. But we don't know if the whole house is rotten or only a part. Still, the involvement of the magistrate indicates significant standind in the house (I can't imagine one of the Arhun boys planning this with the magistrate alone).

Also, is the feud between Iatar and Arhun really explained by the bandits raiding villages at night and the Iatar assume it's the Arhun picking on them (while the bandits did also strike on Arhun territory).

Goena (the tribal slave at the Arhun estate) told us of "a few raids in months". This seems to fit to the bandit story. Military action led by house troops would be more concentrated and more frequent (also less stealthy: simple soldiers -> rape, kill, burn, rape, kill, burn).

So... Now we'll try to hijack a trade boat and catch the responsible red-handed? Hijack a boat?

Somehow, someway, money is exchanged. If we follow the money, it will lead us to the Arhun (or even to a certain somebody in the capital).

>>18600013
>dat pic
>dat logic

LEAD US, GOOD SIR!

>>18599864

Nicely spotted, and thank you.

>>18599838
>>18599836

'I... don't know what else the magistrate is involved in, sir. But he is definitely very much trusted by House Ahun. After all, his family have been their retainers and gate-guests for three generations already.'

'As for the magistrate, well... I am ashamed to say this, but I do fear for myself and my family. If... if a trap were to be set... the bandits would likely just escape, like they did previously.'

You're not sure what that means. No actually you have a good guess, but you're not sure you want to contemplate that possibility.

'Sir, there is one thing I must ask of you, sir - please do not let the magistrate know that you are aware of this. I can show you the girls, sir, show them to you so you can see they are well taken care of and they are alive and there is nothing to fear. But if the magistrate knows... well, he had me beaten like this simply for allowing you to come to the village. If you'd like to catch him, sir, it must be red-handed, while he's trading, and while he cannot resort to his many protections...'

Incidentally, you look up to see that the physician has disappeared. Clever person. No wonder he's lived long enough to have that scraggly beard of his.

> What do/say?

>>18600013
Hold on, there's more to it than that.

Goena was from Iatar, I thought, not the tribes. So the bandits sold an Iatar girl to Arhun? I'm not so sure about this.

Are we 100% sure that these girls are just for the constable's son to get blood meds from? And that we have ALL the girls involved?

>>18600048
Whoa there.

I thought he said he was beaten over taking too much of the herb? Somebody's story just changed. That's not good for the somebody. Not at all.

>>18600066

We calculated previously that there were seven girls kidnapped, right? Then if this morning someone came with a new report...

Maybe we should ask the constable how many girls he has now. If it's eight, that might not be so bad - they're all kinda safe with him. Beats being with the bandits, surely.

>>18600087
Doesn't beat being with THEIR FAMILIES. Plus, we can't leave him with the girls and go elsewhere, or he'll take them (and his son) and flee. Or other things could happen with them.

>>18600048
How many girls do you have under your house? Are any of them Stonefolk? When and where would I find the constable trading?

You were beaten because you took too much of the herb weren't you, what caused you to change your story? What aren't you telling me, I've had enough of being lied to these past couple days.

>>18600048
Is there somebody trying to weasel out of trouble?

Did the physician prescribe virgin blood and was he aware of the source by now?

Also, remember last night? The bandits were behind the Inn. If they tried to eliminate all witnesses, wouldn't they have tried to get to the Constabler's house and silence the maidens?

>>18600087
We should check that (secretly, if possible)

>>18600066
Well, women menstruate only once a month, and not neccessarily much in volume. If the son needs a lot of medication frequently... better have a few spare virgins.

>>18600110
>>18600087
>>18600078

'What was it that they thrashed you for, Constable? What exactly?'

He paused. 'It... it was for everything, sir. That I had led you here, and that I was asking for another girl, which by they way they've brought to me - I know her parents, even, I know all their parents, I wouldn't dare hurt them...'

'Not the time to weep now, Constable.' You watch as he noisily wipes himself. 'Is there a Stonefolk girl among those girls?'

'Yes, sir. Just one, sir. They found the other to be... betrothed, so they returned her. Or so I heard. They might have killed her.'

'Perhaps. They might have.' You're not about to let the pressure down. 'Do you know anything else about the bandits and what they do? They aren't always just shipping herbs and grabbing girls for you.'

'No, sir, that happens only during the tribute seasons. Other times they... raid. And because of the magistrate, and our deal, our villages... don't get raided as much. I simply, well, I let them pass through on the way north. Or south.'

> What ask? Blimey, this interrogation's fun isn't it?

>>18600167
Except that women who are living closely together tend to have their periods line up to all be during the same time. So there still wouldn't be a regular supply per say.

>>18600206

That... I'm not sure that's been proven.

Also, the point about the bandits not attacking the constabulary is a good one. Why wouldn't they hold his son hostage, or kill all the girls and lay it at the constable's door?

>>18600188
Better find out just what they're raiding for, and what he knows about them specifically. Where is their main base?

Ask how many bandits were there, before we dropped their number last night.

>>18600188
Well, we've solved the mystery of the disappearing girls, which is nice, but we need concrete proof. Also this almost certainly ties into the two families raiding the other's villages.

We need to set a trap and catch the Magistrate both red handed and with his pants down.

Get all the information we can on the smuggling route, where in the south it comes from, when it comes in. Ask if the Magistrate has any habits or a regular schedule so we can plan better. See if he can tell us anything else about the bandits, how many, what they look like, does he know any names.

>>18600206
I'm afraid this is an urban myth. Statistical studies have shown it's coincidence.

>>18600188
>Indeed it is. It's one of the few times we (seemingly) have the upper hand.

Does he know about the next shipment?
(It's spring. When dp tributes usually arrive?)

We should check whether the villages under his supervision were really less raided than others.

He is concerned for himself and his family. But still, is he supposed to contact or meet the bandits or magistrates in the next time? How would he contact them if he needed to?

>>18600264
>Not to take up too much of the thread on this, but...
>http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/532/do-the-menstrual-cycles-of-women-living-together-te
nd-to-synchronize

>>18600276
Would the girls themselves, right next door under the floor, be proof enough, you think?

>>18600308
It doesn't prove the Magistrates involvement and thus won't let us follow this all the way to the top. Given his connections we'll want more than the word of the guy with eight kidnapped women under his house in order to make sure this fucker goes down hard.

>>18600270
>>18600276
>>18600290

> Humbly request permission to make this the last post for today. Thread is about to autosage anyway...

'Well. Now.' You sit back, as your vision begins to clear. 'We need to bring the magistrate to justice.'

The notion does not quite bring joy to the Constable's stricken face. He looks at you. 'Sir, my house... is being watched by them, sir. The guards posted at my door are actually bandits. The magistrate arranged that, and I found out in time to not reveal where the girls are.'

'They don't know, still?'

'No, sir. But then they don't need to. They need only open the door, and my son is right there...'

'Sir? There's a servant at the Constable's door.'

'Later, Munen, I'm- Munen? Why're you here?'

'I just came from the Constable's office.' The constable freezes. 'It's the magistrate, sir, he'd like to seek an audience with you. He's waiting now...'

'I beg of you, sir, please be careful, he has my son in his hands-'

'Enough, Constable.'

> Okay, one more post actually. What do with the Constable? And what do with the magistrate?

>>18600308

The girls would incriminate the constable and the bandits, but the magistrate could just shake them I think. That's what I'm worried about...

> Oh, blimey, forgot to ask the question about the raids.

The constable says that the raids are when the bandits are hired by Iatar to attack the Ahun lands. You blink. So the group of bandits is profiting from *both* sides of the war... now that is a winning proposition.

May I also add, that even if we find proof,we can't do anything for the moment.

We have a dozen men. We are three- four days od ravel from the capital. The Arhun might have a hundred guards or more at their estate.

We told daddy we would handle this alone. But with 2000 tael and a few generous gate guests, you won't step on the toes of a lesser noble house.

We either need the Iatar or backing from the capital. And the capital of Mar, no offense, is a nest of spiders and snakes more than one galloping horse-day away.

>>18600361
*slow clap*
Good show, OP.

>>18600361
We need concrete proof, once we get it we can leave, get home, and wander on back with an army.

We will stroll in there and talk to the Magistrate, if he presses say that we think the Constable is up to something, try to make sure the magistrate doesn't know we're on to him. Have a few guards with us and guards outside.

I'm also seriously contemplating capturing the Magistrate and torturing him, but that's more of our Dad's style so I'm holding off on that for now.

>>18600361
I'm okay with stopping here for today and hashing out what to do in detail. (I may need to finally pass out now besides.)

Hmmm... with the son in there we can't just light the place on fire to avoid an ambush. I want to go confront him, but I think the odds are too good of getting jumped.

Because I don't think we need to arrest the magistrate in this case. I think we can kill him--or make that a clear enough option to promote full cooperation.

So the magistrate is going to have to come out to us, and seek his audience on ground of our choosing. No fucking way are we walking into that building with who knows how many bandits waiting inside.

>>18600400
So we grab the magistrate and bring him back with us. Free the girls, bring them too. Take the constable besides, and then we make fast tracks back home and avoid the Arhun in the process.

>>18600361
Gentlemen. This is the hour.

Do we take the constable with us and feign ignorance (difficult, since the villagers might have overheard something and the sonstable is not really stable or reliable in my oppinion)?

Or do we strike now, get the magistrate (who is much more involved and possesses more valuable knowledge), take him with force and, well, squeeze the information out of him?

I say, we strike. It's a risk, but we have much to gain. The magistrate is the connection between the bandits, the Arhun and the smuggling.

We agree to meet him, spread our men around the meeting point to secure the area and take him at blade's edge if we need. The magistrate is our prize!

>>18600420

Eh? .... thanks I guess?

>>18600448
>>18600443
>>18600400

Well, sounds like we have quite a range of opinions, so perhaps we can leave it for tomorrow?

I may run the quest a little earlier tomorrow, at around 9-10 am EST, since I might be going out later in the evening. Oh the nightlife!

Once again, thank you everyone. Awesome thread. Suggestions for plotlines, comments and other things are welcome. I intend to devolve more of the decision and initiative power to players as we go, so it's a good chance to hear where you'd like to take the quest later on when you go beyond being just an investigator. (You can always investigate, but you'll need to politick, and entertain, and other things...)

Good night then, everyone!

>>18600506
I say we tag and bag every one of the sumbitches we can get our hands on. Be hyperalert for a trap, then spring our own. Imagine ol' Dad's response when we show up hardly late at all, with slaves, major evidence of wrongdoing that will let him go beat the ass of a noble house, and have also accomplished the main mission we set out on. Oh, and got in some fights that we won, we did that too Dad.
>soniamproud.jpg

>>18600515
Thanks for running it! Your writing as usual is excellent.

Actually, should there be a separate discussion thread? For you guys for whom this isn't bedtime yet? I can make one since this one's sinking...

Well, new thread is here: >>18600672