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You place the magical lightning rod back into the pouch for later. This is a dangerous device, the wizard gave it to you but didn't really tell you where to use it. It must mean he expects you to use your best judgement. You are pretty happy that he trusts you enough, but the responsibility it caries is great. So for now you decide to keep looking for the woman the sailor told you about, as its your only lead.

Its hard to know exactly where to start. As you walk a few blocks mindlessly trying to think where to go, you start to realise your legs are starting to hurt quite a bit. You have not eaten or drank anything since last night, and you threw up most of that into the lake. On top of which, ever since midday yesterday, you have been running around town none stop. The tonic the wizard gave you helps, but you need a rest. So you find a grassy place to sit, and meditate for a while. You centre your body and relax, while you put your brain to work. You watch the people walk by and do some thinking. Where would the woman go? If she planned to live off the land, then she probably retreated into the forest and is gone forever. But by the chance she was as unlucky as you were hunting, she would have to come back. But where would she go then? Its possible that she could have maybe looked for a hunters lodge. In the town you grew up in, the local hunters all came together to build a place for themselves. It wasn’t a guild on paper, but in many ways it acted like one. There is also the fact that no one mentioned that she had a bow or not, perhaps you can check at the local bowyer if they had a female customer yesterday? Its a plan at least...

You take a good thirty minute rest to meditate (+1 INSIGHT)

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You check a crossbow shop near the pier, you assume this would be the place first checked by a woman looking to do some hunting. Unfortunately, the shopkeeper has not had a woman walk into his shop for almost a week. But he was able to point you towards the hunters lodge at the edge of town. It seems the tradition extends further then just back home. You hope that the woman went there.

Knowing about it and finding it is another matter completely. As most people have no idea that such a place even exists. Its not a secret, its just that they have no reason to know about it. So you don't get much help beyond the initial directions. Yet with enough time and perseverance, you do manage to find the place. Its basically just a small wooden cabin, maybe three rooms at the most. You knock on the door and get no resonance. Seeing that its unlocked, you open the door and walk right in. Inside you find a large quantity of men sitting about doing what it is hunters do on their down time. The place is pretty packed yet everyone notices you instantly. Before you get to say anything, you are mobbed by men. At first you think you need to defend yourself, but when they all try to sell their services as guides, you relax. You get the feeling that work has been slow. Eventually one man comes up to break the pack and confronts you seriously.

Head Hunter: “What can we do you for stranger?”

You: “I'm looking for a woman, any chance one came around here looking for some work?”

The man answers you quickly and sternly

Head Hunter: “No, not at all”

> What do? (2:10 min left)
> Out of leads, give up on finding her and return to the wizard
> Find a place to put your lightning rod (Tall Ship)
> Find a place to put your lightning rod (Big Snake Inn)
> wait around here in case she shows up
> Continue investigation: Check out the vineyard
> Continue investigation: Look around town for the nail that sticks out the most
> Ask the man why there are so many hunters sitting around here instead of hunting
> INSIGHT (1/3)
> Write in

>>4333711
>> Ask the man why there are so many hunters sitting around here instead of hunting

>>4333711
> Ask the man why there are so many hunters sitting around here instead of hunting

> Continue investigation: Check out the vineyard

>>4333711
> Ask the man why there are so many hunters sitting around here instead of hunting

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You take a look at the faces around you. Lots of desperation, angst, and melancholy.

You: "What happened here? Why are the hunters not out hunting or something? This can't be normal"

Head Hunter: "Don't see how thats any of your business stranger. If you ain't buying a service then I will have to ask you to leave.

You: "Does it have something to do with the lack of game in the woods?"

The hunters stone face cracks from your question.

Head Hunter: "And what do you know about that?"

>Blow your anonymity and tell him you are the wizards assistant, and that your investigation is tied in with the missing animals. If he knows anything about the woman he should confess
>Tell him that you are a hunter yourself and have noticed the missing animals
>turn to the hunters and offer to pay money to whoever can help you find the woman you seek
>INSIGHT
>write in

>Tell him that you are a hunter yourself and have noticed the missing animals

>>4333977
>>Tell him that you are a hunter yourself and have noticed the missing animals

>>4333977
>Tell him that you are a hunter yourself and have noticed the missing animals

we left our bow at home
becuase
you know
no animals to hunt in the woods

>>4333977
>Tell him that you are a hunter yourself and have noticed the missing animals
If he asks about are lack of bow & hunter attire We can tell him we left are equipment back at home. Due to are awful luck & were hoping for answers.
Quick question bud, how long does it take to regain Insight? Is it a case by case, or do we always have to be in a state of rest?

Always a good time to see you post dude.
>977. Asuras wrath Symphony No.9 in E Minor from the new world Asura VS Augus
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE2a8_Y3bkE

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>>4334274

You gain 0-2 insight per day and cap at 3. It all depends on where your head space is at. If your mind is clear and you can concentrate you have it, if you got a headache and are running around a battle field you probably don't.

>>4334128
>>4334226
>>4334236
>>4334274


You tell him that you, yourself, are a hunter. While you were trying to supplement your meals with game, you were unable to find any. He eyes you down, but its hard to tell what he is thinking.

Head Hunter: “So what kind of game do you usually hunt?”

You: “Oh, you know, anything really. What ever I can catch.”

Head Hunter: “But specifically, what kind of animals do you usually catch in the woods here? What kind of arrows do you use?”

You stumble into a quiz, the man is sizing you up as a hunter. Unfortunately, you are at best a novice, and it shows plainly. Eventually he even picks up from you came from and a lot about the path you have travelled just from the timbits of woodland information you unwittingly hand him. The man is clearly a veteran and puts your knowledge to shame. Oddly enough though, this makes him more receptive to talk to you. Its a noticeable behavioural shift that stands out to your investigative mind, but you can only guess at his reasoning.

Head Hunter: “So, what does all this have to do with the woman you are looking for anyway?”

You decide to keep that information confidential.

You: “It doesn’t, was just wondering what was going on here.”

Head Hunter: “Well, I can give you the 'what' but not the 'why' friend. One day the animals just started leaving, you have to go out several weeks now to even see a bird. Most of the hunters who have stayed are too old to move to a different town.”

You: “Have you contacted the mayor?”

Head Hunter: “He doesn't understand nor does he care, hunting was once the bedrock of this town. Now its all trade.”

You: “I see...”

You are out of questions and out of luck, its a dead end.

>What do?
> What do? (2:00 min left)
> Out of leads, give up on finding her and return to the wizard
> Find a place to put your lightning rod (Tall Ship)
> Find a place to put your lightning rod (Big Snake Inn)
> wait around here in case she shows up
> Continue investigation: Check out the vineyard
> Continue investigation: Look around town for the nail that sticks out the most
> INSIGHT (1/3)
> Write in

>>4335503
> Continue investigation: Check out mayors office?
>If not possible CI: Vineyard
Thank the hunter for his information & ask if he can show us the town hall. It might be a good idea to stake out the Vineyard later but we might be able to find something useful if were lucky with are time?

>503. Etrian Odyssey - Music: The Capital of Shinjuku
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQpi9D1ZxUQ

>>4335503
>> Continue investigation: Check out the vineyard

>>4335503
>> Continue investigation: Check out the vineyard
Probably should ask what direction the animals fled towards and when it started.

>>4335503
poor Philip suffers from yet another strike to the bumm

>>4335503

> Continue investigation: Look around town for the nail that sticks out the most

>>4335503
> Continue investigation: Check out the vineyard

>>4335503
>Out of leads, give up on finding her and return to the wizard
We only have 2 minutes left, there is no way that we could find this woman in such a short time. Though to be honest he just said to act naturally with whoever we interacted with and not necessarily bring them to him, so hopefully we did that.

>>4336643
Fuck, it's 2 hours not 2 min

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You leave the hunters lodge a little bit defeated. You were sure that the woman would be here, it was a long shot but you felt really good about it. Even worse you have run out of leads, the hunters lodge was a dead end. Hiking back towards the town, the length of the past two days catches up to you. You start to consider heading back into the wizards embrace early. You have, as usual, worked yourself into a frenzy on his behalf. “To eager to please” was the way your grandfather put it. A hard working characteristic that got you taken advantage of, but also put you head and shoulders above your peers. Soon enough, you decide to just give up and see the wizard after all. But, with every step, a new thought would crawl into your mind. A new idea, a new place to try and look. You wonder if maybe you should have just stayed with the wizard and watched the crowd? Maybe the person you were looking for was there the whole time? What about actualyl entering the church? What ever happened to that kid? Maybe none of this had to do with anything? Maybe the person is somewhere inside the vineyard? Maybe looking everywhere else will turn out to be a waste of time. Ah yes... The Vineyard...


Soon enough, even thought you had decided to give up, you find yourself standing in front of one of the large wall segments that surrounds the vineyard. You are not sure where the gate is exactly, so you just follow along the wall. Much to your surprise, about thirty minutes later, you are right where you had started! There doesn’t actually seem to be a way to get inside? How does that make sense? You ask a person passing by, how to get inside and see the vineyard. But they just give you a confused look. They don't know about any vineyard at all. Once questioned, they explain that the wall is only there from an old project to defend the town that never got completed. It was a project that died when the last ma your did. On the other side of the wall, are just more houses. The next person you ask says the same thing, and the next, and the next. You of course know that cant be true, you saw it yourself from the top of the temple tower. But, its quit possible that most people don't know about it. After all, the walls are high enough that you couldn’t see over them if you stood on the roof of any of the houses.

So is this is a secret vineyard? How does it connect to everything? The merc said he was to meet here but even he didn’t actually know where it was. With no apparent way in, you have once again hit a dead end.

>what do? (30 min left)
>Head back to the wizard
(Anything else COULD cause you to be late)
> Find a place to put your lightning rod (Tall Ship)
> Find a place to put your lightning rod (Big Snake Inn)
> double back to the hunters lodge and see if maybe the woman has turned up
> attempt to search for a secret wall entrance
> search around the alleys for a possible sewer entrance
>INSIGHT (1/3)
> write in

>>4335503
>Y'know what? You're supposed to act like "yourself", not using logic that other people use. Act impulsively, run around the place and investigate anything and everything that looks even vaguely suspicious, it doesn't matter if you stick your nose where it doesn't belong or you get banned from the village, we're not staying here anyway! And if we get into trouble we'll just throw that lightning thing at the trouble and get rid of it! After all if anything bad happens it's not our fault, Rasputin should've known better anyway.

>>4337277
>Head back to the wizard

>>4337287
Um, I think we actually are supposed to act like ourselves. Maybe that's why the wizard gave us such a nebulous task, to see how we'd approach it. Also I don't think the lightning rod works instantly like that.

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>>4337287

>>4337295
Honestly, it could be that, but it could also be that we're supposed to awaken our eye of sauron to find this person, use our "smarts" to solve it or engage in shenanigans that somehow mystically lead us to our goal

>>4337277
>> attempt to search for a secret wall entrance

>>4337287
+1

>>4337287
Seconded
Fuck it, that's as good a reason as any.

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Hmm... You feel something in your brain start to give way, but you try to ignore it. Instead you focus on the wall. Maybe there is a secret door? A loose stone? Something... You place your hand on the wall and start the long, impossible, process of checking every inch of this wall for some signs that it can be moved. You don't get even 30 seconds in when your mind breaks down and you

>>Y'know what? You're supposed to act like "yourself", not using logic that other people use. Act impulsively, run around the place and investigate anything and everything that looks even vaguely suspicious, it doesn't matter if you stick your nose where it doesn't belong or you get banned from the village, we're not staying here anyway! And if we get into trouble we'll just throw that lightning thing at the trouble and get rid of it! After all if anything bad happens it's not our fault, Rasputin should've known better anyway.

Your sudden burst of insanity is hard to explain. Perhaps the days were just too long? Maybe it was a side effect of the tonic you drank? Possibly, it was whatever is lurking behind your eye. Or maybe you just had enough of everything. Either way, over the next fifteen minutes, you manage to assault several grown men, turn over a chicken cook, enter three homes uninvited, and push one town guard into the river. All in search for a mystery entrance into the vineyard no one seems to know about. Then for another fifteen minutes after that, you find yourself running from several very upset guards. Eventually, you give them the slip. Then, with no energy left to burn, you take a seat on the road and place your head into your hands. “Stupid Rasputin”, you think to yourself “this is all HIS fault. He should have known better then to leave you to your own devices”...

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...It doesn’t take more then a minute to pass before someone takes a seat next to you on the pavement. Have the guards caught up to you?

You: “What do you wan...”

You look up to see Rasputin himself! By himself too, he seems to have someone escaped the crowds that should be following him around. You don't even see any kind of armoured escort. Its not that surprising. Since, back when you had a position in the guard, you couldn’t keep track of him yourself.

Rasputin: “Hello my friend, you seem to be quite distraught.”

You still feel pretty upset. Your impossible task took you to your wits end.

You: “hmmph, so you came to find me then? You assumed I would be late from the start then?”

Rasputin: “Is that what you believe? You are the one who is waiting here for me. See?”

He motions to a house to his left.

Rasputin: “This is the mayors house. Its where we will be staying tonight.”

You take a look around, and see that your escape did manage to get into a pretty nice part of town. On top of which, not even a block away, you can see the wall.

You: “Oh”

Rasputin: “Are you ready to head inside? I think you earned a rest.”

> Follow Rasputin into the mayors house
> Complain to Rasputin about the impossible task of his
> Ask him what you were supposed to do with the lightning rod?
> Tell him you failed to find the person
> Tell him everything you have learned, and ask for help in putting it together
> Attempt to beat up Rasputin
> Write in

Feel free to pick multiple options.

>>4338952
>> Tell him you failed to find the person

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>>4338952
>> Attempt to beat up Rasputin
why is this a prompt? lmao

>>4338952
>> Tell him everything you have learned, and ask for help in putting it together

>>4338980
Rasputin is only 6 years older then you, It wouldnt be too weird.

>>4338952
>> Attempt to beat up Rasputin

>>4338952
> Write in: "You know, it's really annoying being told to fuck off and do whatever with no guidance whatsoever. I feel like what I'm doing doesn't matter..."

>>4338952
> Attempt to beat up Rasputin

>>4338952

> Ask him what you were supposed to do with the lightning rod?
> Tell him you failed to find the person

>>4338952
>Don't beat him up, y'know how resilient and tenacious Rasputin can be.
>Follow Rasputin, admit to your failure because there's no shame in failing. You must pick yourself up and try again dammit! Also he probably knew you'd fail again and would speak some condescending master to apprentice spiel to you.

>>4338952
> Tell him you failed to find the person
> Follow Rasputin into the mayors house
Let's NOT attack are master yet, hes been aloof & helpful true. But not rude & aggressive about the whole situation.
>952. Oasis – Don't Look Back In Anger
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G1BFFcEgpc

>>4339996
Actually to add to this maybe to make everyone happy we can do a annoyed/friendly punch in his shoulder to show are frustration? Better?

>>4339996
>>4340034
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SYnVYJDxu2Q

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You put your face back between your knees, you are not ready to go yet. You didn’t plan to meet up with the wizard, yet somehow everything turned out like he expected. The whole thing makes you feel pretty gloomy.

You: “I failed, you know, I didn’t find the person at all.”

Rasputin: “Thats too bad, you probably came pretty close. Perhaps my mystery person was simply not meant to be found yet.”

What does that even mean? Is he trying to make you feel better? His good natured acceptance of your failure makes you feel even worse. Maybe he can be so relaxed about it because it wasn't even a real mission, just a goose chase to occupy you. You try not to get angry with him, you know if you do that he will give you another one of his condescending master to apprentice spiels. So you just bottle it up, and without anger all you’re left with is depression.

You: “You know, it's really annoying being told to fuck off and do whatever with no guidance whatsoever. I feel like what I'm doing doesn't matter...”

You hid your face and curl into a tighter ball.

Rasputin: “Hmmm... Well that remains to be seen doesn't it? ”

More riddles, damn him. You come out of your ball and bring down your fists on his shoulder and back. As if you were attempting to hammer how bad you feel into him. He doesn’t seem to mind the display at all. Its not like you were hitting him with enough force to hurt anyway.

You: “I already told you about the captain and the ship and you didn’t seem to care! And what about the device you gave me? What the hell was I supposed to do with that?? I can't read your damn mind.”

Rasputin: “I gave you the device because I trust your judgement. I know that you wouldn’t use it unless you truly felt it necessary. You are my eyes and ears after all, I can't be everywhere.”

DAMN, now you feel bad about getting angry. You KNEW he would turn it around on you! Yet you did it anyway. So you decide to get as far away from the subject as quickly as possible, and tell him about the woman you were after.

He rubs his chin and gives it a thought.

Rasputin: “Did you consider that maybe he was protecting the woman? He could have just lied to you.”

You: “Yes I consider that... But I was on a TIME LINE, I couldn’t just stake out the place for hours on end hoping she shows up. There was more work to be done.”

Rasputin: “Of course. What did your eye tell you?”

You: “I didn't use it... I was, er...”

Rasputin: “Afraid?”

How afraid of the consequences is the MC of using his CURSED eye?
Or better yet:
how suspicious are (YOU) the reader, that I the QM, will punish you down the line for over using your eye?

> __ / 10

>>4340914
somewhat to very

>>4340914
A solid 8, yeah.
It is hard to resist the temptation to go "told you so"

>>4340914
>0/10

>>4340914
10/10
As a reader, me thinks there's going to be punishment anyway due to anon's choices. The eye just apparently adds the risk factor of the MC losing himself and considering how we're in a presumably superstitious medieval setting and the MC has been told that his eye can devour his soul. I belive that he's scared shitless.

>>4340914
>Fear previously 2/10 know 6/10
Not from permanent damage... yet (Tbh didn't even think about that until you mentioned it.), but more on possibly wasting are limited stock.

>914. Rolling Stones – Sympathy For The Devil
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f47TZePukuQ
>>4340590
Neat.

>>4340914
sticking at a solid 5.5/10 until we get more details on curse

>>4333697
Money yes money

>>4341573
Dosh

>>4340914
0/10
the average player is a pusillanimous COWARD and will not risk overusing the eye

>>4340914
2/10
Just stare into the abyss fag.
Don't be a pussy come on.

You: “No! Of course not. I'm not afraid of anything”

Your reply is hasty and protests too much.

You: “Well... I mean... Isn't it normal to be concerned about a curse? Every day I wonder is this it? Is this my last day? Will what ever is sitting behind my eye spread into my brain? I think its more 'good sense' then 'cowardice' that prevents me from stirring the pot.”

The wizard places his hand on you shoulder and gives it a reassuring squeeze. He trying to calm you down, and honestly it works. You trust that the wizard has nothing but good intentions towards you.

Rasputin: “As long as I am with you, no evil will befall you my friend. Your condition has been quite stable for a long time now. But...”

You wait for the bad news. You know its coming.

Rasputin: “I have had no luck in diagnosing you, much less figuring out a cure. I am starting to fear that learning to live with your condition and mastering it, is your only option. Unless you want to be tied to my hip for the rest of your life, some steps need to be taken to 'stir the pot'. I'm sure there is something more you want from life then running my errands.”

Thats a lot to think about. It has taken so long to settle in with the wizard, that you have never really had much time to think about the future. What do you even want to do if he finds a cure? Go back home and follow your grandfather's legacy? All of that seems so far away now...

Rasputin: “Come, lets go inside. Before someone sees me and asks for some magic poultry.”

...

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The guards that answers the door are taken back by the sight of Rasputin. Apparently, they were not expecting him to return without the dozen or so guards, or without half the town following close behind.

Guard: “Master Wizard, we were not expecting you to return so soon. Who is this person with you?”

Rasputin: “Person? Oh, have you not been introduced to my associate? No? How odd... Either way, he will be my plus one for dinner this evening. Make sure to pass that information along to the mayour when he returns tonight.”

Offering no resistance the guard is swept back as Rasputin walks into the house with you close behind. You notice several more guards and servants as the two of you make it up to the large guest room. They notice you back, but they don't molest you. The Wizard pulls something out of his pocket and taps it on the door a few times before entering. A spell, you are not sure which one, but you assume it has to do with either security or privacy.

Inside the room you see much of your's and the wizad's belongings haphazardly placed around the room, still in their coffers and chests. The servants had no idea about your delicate ordering and filing system. Whats in what box is a mystery, and it seems the wizard has spent no time trying to organize anything. You almost launch yourself right into putting everything in its right place.

But instead the Wizard recommends that you relax, and maybe take a bath instead. As there will be much to do soon, and you wont have a chance to rest later. The bath sounds reasonable, so Rasputin has the help bring up an empty tub. Which he himself fills with warm water. By placing his right hand into his mystery pouch, he extends his left arm and from out his palm falls the water directly into the tub. He almost looks like a human teapot. While he does so you remove your clothing and get into the tub. The water is warm and relaxing, you could almost take a nap from all the hard work you did today...

>What do?
> Take a nap, you deserve it champ
> reminisce about how you met the wizard (part 3/4)
> Tell him everything you have learned, and ask for help in putting it together
> Ask the wizard what his plans are, and if he has more tasks for you
> INSIGHT (1/3)
> Write in

>>4343040
>Invite Wizard to bathe with you

>>4343048
+1

>discord

>>4343040
>>4343040
> reminisce about how you met the wizard (part 3/4)
>Then take a nap
>>4343048
To soon for lewd

>40. Whitearmor – I kno
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3PwteHlkN4

>>4343058
Due to school life I can't have a stable update schedule, having a way to ping everyone makes more sense then expecting people to sit in my thread all day.

>>4343040
> reminisce about how you met the wizard (part 3/4)
DON'T take a nap, do you know how many people drown inside their bathtubs?! How do you know your head won't slip underwater?

>>4343040
>> reminisce about how you met the wizard (part 3/4)

>>4343040
>Reminisce, into a nap

>>4343040
> Take a nap, you deserve it champ

>>4343040
> Tell him everything you have learned, and ask for help in putting it together

>>4343040
> Tell him everything you have learned, and ask for help in putting it together

>>4343040
> reminisce about how you met the wizard (part 3/4)

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You: “Care to join me master wizard?”

You say the last part in a tone that's meant to mimic the guard. You do so because you know he hates it. He explained to you what it means to be a “master” wizard many times. After the seventh or so iteration, he finally figured out that you were teasing him and stopped bothering to correct you.

Rasputin: “I'm happy to see that you are not so tired as to lose your sense of humour...”

He replies as he passes you a bar of soap.

Rasputin: “But I must respectfully decline the young masters invitation.”

You: “Yes, it would be a tad cramped. Perhaps, in the future, your fame will afford you a larger bathtub.”

With no further retort, the wizard takes a seat at the desk and begins to work on something. You on the other hand return to relaxing, you earned it after all. Yet you soon find your mind drifting to earlier days...

How you met the wizard (part 3/4):

...In the days that followed, you begged your superiors to be put in charge of guarding the wizard. It was so out of character, of your younger pompous self, that you got the position. From then on you attempted to stick to him like glue. He spend most of his time keeping to himself, and only seldom provided free service to the town. Mostly in the form of public feats, which for your town, turned out to be the construction of a large stone wall to encircle and protect. Since this was your first time meeting the wizard, you had no way to know how out of character it all was.

Instead, you just talked his ear off in an attempt to impress him. The things you read in books mostly, and how your future was to be the mayor. You were desperate for him to recognize you as someone interesting and worth knowing. But now that you look back on it, you were really only trying to convince yourself of these things. No matter what you did though, he didn’t have much interest in hearing it. Or even worse, he would have a first hand experience of things you had only read about. He did his best to be polite, but every time he would turn a corner on you he would disappear like a puff of smoke. Causing you to search high and low for him.

It all came to a climax on the night your grandfather had organized a dinner for the wizard. Everyone in town of any importance was invited. You spent hours getting ready, you wanted to look your absolute best. If there was a chance to impress him it was that night. Even though you weren’t meant to be seated next to the wizard, you did so anyway. Robbing the leader of the merchants guild the pleasure. You knew it would mean a lashing from your grandfather, but you didn’t care. You knew they would be too polite and proper to say anything. Over the next hour you gave it everything you had, but it was hopeless. For the first time in your life you felt broken and defeated, why didn’t he like you? But then, suddenly, a turning point. With nothing more to say you listened to the wizard tell a story about some natural wonder he passed on his journey. The story resonated in you, because you knew that you were stuck in this town, living someone else's life. A cog in someone ease’s clock.

You: “Sigh... that sounds wonderful. I... I wish I could have seen it...”

The wizard turned to you, and with a smile he said to you something so poignant the man who you were up to that point was dead.

Rasputin: “I think that's the first genuine thing you have said to me since we met.”

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Suddenly you find yourself awake. Looking around, you quickly ascertain you are only about several feet from where you must have dozed off. But instead of a tub, you are in a bed. Its dark outside, and the wizard is working on binding a spellbook to the light of a single candle. On the table you see a cold dinner. Featuring a piece of bread, some cheese, a carrot, and a tomato.

Rasputin: “Don't you know how dangerous it is to take a nap in a bathtub?”

I guess he knows you are awake.

You: “What time is it? Why didn’t you wake me?”

Rasputin: “I thought that if you were tired enough not to wake up when I lifted you out of the tub, that it was best to let you rest. You missed the dinner by the way, I brought you some left overs.”

Damn, you kind of where looking forward to it. You wanted to have a chance at grilling the ma your and his cousin yourself. Additional, you hadn’t had a chance to wear your formal outfit since...

Rasputin: “The mayors cousin wasn't there. I asked if he had any extended family members, and apparently he does have a cousin that used to live in this town. But he has not seen him in a long time”

You: “You think there is a connection? The mayor is in on it?”

Rasputin: “There is a connection. But the mayor is not directly involved, the man is far too simple. What ever is happening is going over his head”

You decide to lay it all out for the wizard, to get his help sorting it. He listens to what you have to say about the ship and the freezing cold captains quarters, the mercenaries being bought out for some big event tomorrow, the missing animals from the woods, and even the mystery vineyard. You don't know how it all fits together.

Rasputin: “The piece you are missing is disappearing villagers.”

You: “Disappearing? Disappearing how?”

Rasputin: “As in kidnapped, evident signs of a struggle. Your typical man on man violence. But no one knows where they are disappearing off too. The guard master informs me that they watch for people coming in and out of the town. No one has left and no bodies have been found. The guards here are not top notch but the amount of people that would need to be moved means someone would have seen something.”

You: “Are they also kidnapping animals?”

You say it as a joke, but the wizard answers seriously

Rasputin: “Animal disappearances are a major sign of witchcraft, the longer the exposure the further back they will stay.”

You feel fear creep up your spine

You: ”Like what happened in my town?”

Rasputin: “No, not yet anyway”

>What do you think is happening?

>>4346940
>"Is there a big demon cult hiding out in this town or something?"

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>"Is there a big demon cult hiding out in this town or something?"

Rasputin: "Possibly, men will worship just about anything these days. But if you mean are there demons directly involved, then most likely not. Demons are not subtle in their passing. Whats important is someones abduction the peasantry. We need to know the how, where, and if time permits, the why."

Maybe the missing people are being taken to that mysterious impenetrable vineyard that none of the locals know anything about

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>Maybe the missing people are being taken to that mysterious impenetrable vineyard that none of the locals know anything about

Rasputin: "An absolutely reasonable conclusion. Its the first thing that came to my mind when you mentioned the place. It seems to me the mystery of the vineyard coincides with why the wall was built in the first place. To reach a better understanding about the vineyard, you must find someone who has first hand knowledge about the construction of the wall. Alternatively, you can search for a way in and find out first hand."

>>4346940
>What do you think is happening?
If the mayor doesn't know what is happening but people aren't talking for some reason, that means someone powerful is keeping them calm or exacting pressure on them to prevent riots or worse. There can't be that many people in town.

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>If the mayor doesn't know what is happening but people aren't talking for some reason, that means someone powerful is keeping them calm or exacting pressure on them to prevent riots or worse. There can't be that many people in town.

Rasputin: "What you are describing would be akin to bringing a siege engine to cut a loaf of bread. The magic needed to suppress the minds of an entire town would require a cabal of wizard performing dangerous magic uninterrupted. The mayor doesn't know anything because he is a dunce, if you had met him you would know what im talking about. As for the people, they do know. They are the ones who told me about it. Its a rumor to them, been kept quite by the town guard in an attempt to avoid panic. But for the people who knew them, its quit real. Its one thing for people to disappear and die when they bring it on themselves. Its another when people are whisked away quietly from their own homes. My own investigation shows 13 missing people in 3 months from a town of 800 or so. Lets put the pieces in place before we draw conclusions. If the people/bodies are being held at the vineyard, how are the mercenaries and tall ship connected?"

>>4347943
"It doesn't have to be magic suppressing the people, a 'politically' powerful person can suppress it as well."

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>>4347995
Rasputin: "Thats true, but if we were to make a list of people benefiting from a suppressed working population and maintained status quo, you would end up with every merchant and middle class family in this town. If you want to run the investigation from that direction, I would go to the only two organizations who actually HAVE the power to pacify the populace by suppressing information: The town guard, or the church. If there was a political party that carried so much weight that it didn't need to use the resources of these two organizations, we would have met them by now."

>>4348038
In that case, we should probably check in with the church, the town guard, and the vineyard

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>In that case, we should probably check in with the church, the town guard, and the vineyard

Rasputin: "If you have time for all three, I dont see why not. But I would prefer you do prioritize whichever path rescues the missing townspeople the fastest. "

> What say?
> "ENOUGH, you clearly already know whats going on just explain it to me"
> "Can't you just... blow up the wall and we can fight our way through?"
> "I.. I don't get what you want from meee" (brainlet)
> "Do you want me to not find your mystery person anymore?"
> Attempt to put all the pieces together yourself one last time.
> write in

>>4350519
>> "Can't you just... blow up the wall and we can fight our way through?"

>>4350519
>> Attempt to put all the pieces together yourself one last time.

>>4350519
>Go investigate the vineyard

Doesn't seem like there's anywhere else the missing people can be, and we have the lightning blammy tool to blow our way in if necessary.

>>4350826
The wizard has to cast the spell, the device is just a lightning rod for him to aim from a great enough distance

>>4350838
In that case maybe ask him if he can be ready to ka blammy bo bammy the vineyard

Or just come with us I dunno

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>>4350519
> Attempt to put all the pieces together yourself one last time.

"Well 'sputs. CLEARLY the answer is this:"

The CAPTAIN of the SHIP Eio's Ire is a VAMPIRE and has hypnotized the MAYOR'S COUSIN into a thrall who is now hiring mercenaries from THE BIG SNAKE INN to kidnap the MISSING PEOPLE and drag them away through a secret passage into the VINEYARD to sacrifice them to the MYSTERY PERSON in preparation of some horrendous happening tonight, at the MARKET.

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"Well 'sputs. CLEARLY the answer is this:
The CAPTAIN of the SHIP Eio's Ire is a VAMPIRE and has hypnotized the MAYOR'S COUSIN into a thrall who is now hiring mercenaries from THE BIG SNAKE INN to kidnap the MISSING PEOPLE and drag them away through a secret passage into the VINEYARD to sacrifice them to the MYSTERY PERSON in preparation of some horrendous happening tonight, at the MARKET."

For the first time during your conversation, you see the wizard stop binding his book, put it down, and slowly turn to give you his full attention.

Rasputin: "Can you repeat that one more time?"

You begin to dive into your explanation for the second time, but he stops you half way.

Rasputin: "No, not that part. The first part. Did you just... Call me 'sputs? Please never do that again."

Unfortunately for him, the nickname sticks forever... [your theory is 47% correct]

...

Its still dark out but you get dressed anyway, there is much work to be done. You wear your Armour and sword, and restock your supply of coin. Everything you need to get to the wetwork. After, you get to finishing your breakfast, while you wait for the wizard to complete his newest book. Its an extremely large tome, the spell must be quite complex. He will need to carry it with both hands.

Rasputin: "I'm going to have to deal with the ship directly today, if what you said is true about the captains quarters, then the use of magic gives me agency to act. But we have no evidence that this mystery vineyard is connected to the ship, so I am unable to act against it directly. What you choose today is up to you, but if you decide to infiltrate the vineyard I will attempt to render some assistance."

>What do?
> "I will accompany you to the ship. I know the sailors and their help could be invaluable".
> "I will continue my search for your mystery person, she may be a key component to this mystery"
> "I will work to unravel the mystery behind the vineyard."
> INSIGHT (2/3)
> WRITE IN

>>4351809
> "I will work to unravel the mystery behind the vineyard."

"If I can confirm magic being used to keep people out will that give you agency?"

>>4351809
>Unfortunately for him, the nickname sticks forever
Huge success

>>4351809
> "I will work to unravel the mystery behind the vineyard."

>>4351809
>> "I will work to unravel the mystery behind the vineyard."

honestly hate to close shop so early but I got a pretty important test Thursday so its the end of the thread. Continued Friday I think

>>4354966
Good luck my dude

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update when?

>>4365241
soon baby soon I assume

>>4365241
>>4366706
>>4372468