Magnimar Special Investigations Unit One (Inactive)

Game Master Nazard

A serial police drama set in Magnimar - unit One.


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Calatin can certainly find a new robe. Just deduct however much he wants to spend, plus 5 sp for the rush alterations.

At the funeral, after Heward receives his ashes, Taverson, timidly at first, then with a little more confidence, approaches and kneels as Heward did.


Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard (street performer) 2
Heward Wallas wrote:
"Markiv was a good man and a member of our team. Anyone of us could be in his shoes tomorrow. He tried to protect the citizens and the law, without him Rimblenuffin's might be sitting in Lowcleft or that damn snake might have killed some of us or the bystanders before Taverson answered your call. Markiv deserves some respect from us and from Magnimar."

"What good does respect do him now? He's dead. He wouldn't know if he got a funeral service or got tossed on a trash heap for dogs to eat. Maybe someone should have respected him when he was alive and it made a difference. If it is me tomorrow, I don't want a bunch of strangers showing up to stare at my dead body just to make themselves look good and feel pious. You didn't actually know Markiv. None of us did. He was just a cog in Captain Boring-Shoes' crime-fighting machine. No one ever asked him about his family or his beliefs or why he was doing what he was doing. Anyone who really wanted to show him him some respect would have known the answers."

Nazard:
Don't know if you're done with the Teeka scene, but when Auriel leaves the apartment, she's going to spend 1d4 hours asking around Littletown about Cobb, what he does all night, and whether he was any better a man before his string of bad luck started. Diplomacy to gather information 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20


Sometime before the funeral:

Auriel Minick wrote:

"What good does respect do him now? He's dead. He wouldn't know if he got a funeral service or got tossed on a trash heap for dogs to eat. Maybe someone should have respected him when he was alive and it made a difference. If it is me tomorrow, I don't want a bunch of strangers showing up to stare at my dead body just to make themselves look good and feel pious. You didn't actually know Markiv. None of us did. He was just a cog in Captain Boring-Shoes' crime-fighting machine. No one ever asked him about his family or his beliefs or why he was doing what he was doing. Anyone who really wanted to show him him some respect would have known the answers."

"There wasn't time to get to know him. We met less than a week ago and went to work on the case. If we worked together longer I would know that stuff too, but we didn't. "

"What I do know is this. He took the job to protect Magnimar. He did the job without shirking. That deserves some respect all by itself. I'm going to show that respect at the funeral, and maybe, somehow, someone will notice, and remember, and do the right thing because they noticed."

Heward pauses to breathe, then continues, "I can see this has got you shook up. Do what you want, but this is the last chance to tell us or the city or even yourself that you knew Markiv and were his friend for just a couple days."


Not done till you're done, just advancing things as well so others can play as well. Auriel learns that Cobb is a gambler. The men speak well enough of him as he drinks lots and loses coin to them on a regular basis (asking how he is when he's winning earns a few laughs about the whole winning thing) while the women dart eyes about at his name and mutter things like "poor Teeka".


Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard (street performer) 2

"How long have they been married?" Auriel asks some of the women. "Was it ever anything other than a horrible mistake, or has he always been a bone idle bastard?"

Talking with Heward sometime before the funeral

Heward Wallas wrote:

"There wasn't time to get to know him. We met less than a week ago and went to work on the case. If we worked together longer I would know that stuff too, but we didn't. "

"What I do know is this. He took the job to protect Magnimar. He did the job without shirking. That deserves some respect all by itself. I'm going to show that respect at the funeral, and maybe, somehow, someone will notice, and remember, and do the right thing because they noticed."

Heward pauses to breathe, then continues, "I can see this has got you shook up. Do what you want, but this is the last chance to tell us or the city or even yourself that you knew Markiv and were his friend for just a couple days."

"Of course there was time to get to know him. I've found out more about one-night stands than any of us did about Markiv. You know why? Because we didn't care. He was here to do a job, and he did it. His hopes and dreams and fears were irrelevant. Only now that he's dead, everyone's pretending they were close, to make themselves feel better about the fact that it never occurred to him to treat him like a person instead of a Watchman. I didn't know Markiv. I wasn't his friend. And, Hells, he wasn't mine! I don't hold it against him that he never asked about my life; none of the rest of you have, either. But this whole funeral is just a chance to not speak ill of a dead guy that no one bothered speaking of at all when he was alive. Look, I'll go down to Lowcleft. I know some people who will have no problem putting together an impromptu poetry slam about anonymity and alienation in the urban setting. I'll 'honor' his sacrifice that way. It's a lot realer than everyone standing around in dress uniform pretending to be broken up."


Sometime before the funeral:

Auriel Minick wrote:


"Of course there was time to get to know him. I've found out more about one-night stands than any of us did about Markiv. You know why? Because we didn't care. He was here to do a job, and he did it. His hopes and dreams and fears were irrelevant. Only now that he's dead, everyone's pretending they were close, to make themselves feel better about the fact that it never occurred to him to treat him like a person instead of a Watchman. I didn't know Markiv. I wasn't his friend. And, Hells, he wasn't mine! I don't hold it against him that he never asked about my life; none of the rest of you have, either. But this whole funeral is just a chance to not speak ill of a dead guy that no one bothered speaking of at all when he was alive. Look, I'll go down to Lowcleft. I know some people who will have no problem putting together an impromptu poetry slam about anonymity and alienation in the urban setting. I'll 'honor' his sacrifice that way. It's a lot realer than everyone standing around in dress uniform...

Heward is obviously upset and perplexed,"I don't understand you. Do what you want." When he leaves the room, he lets the door hang open behind him.

He wanders down to the common room and drops into one of the chairs. The first person to walk in on him is treated to, "I don't get Auriel. She won't go to the funeral. She says we're all just pretending to honor Markiv to make ourselves feel better. Doesn't she understand the team -- the job? "


"Of course she does. She just doesn't see it in the same way as you. She does not deal with it like you do. Do not judge her to harshly. I probably won't be there either. I am far to familiar with death for the ceremony to hold much meaning for me." With that, Awgin goes to catch up with Auriel. "Mind if I tag along with you for a while?"


M Human Wizard (Divination School Specialist)/2

Calatin's contribution to the 'before the funeral' conversation:

"Funerals and remembrances are not for the deceased, they are for the living, the people who are left behind, still alive."


Sometime before the funeral:

Awgin wrote:

"Of course she does. She just doesn't see it in the same way as you. She does not deal with it like you do. Do not judge her to harshly. I probably won't be there either. I am far to familiar with death for the ceremony to hold much meaning for me." With that, Awgin goes to catch up with Auriel....

This leaves Heward nonplussed. Of all the team members, he expected Awgin to understand, to think similarly to himself. After all, they had stood in battle together.

Et tu, Brute?

But he finds some comfort with Calatin....

Calatin wrote:
"Funerals and remembrances are not for the deceased, they are for the living, the people who are left behind, still alive."

"Exactly. In Markiv's funeral we honor him, but we're also showing the city where we stand. What's important to us as a community." A faint smile crosses Heward's lips. "That sounds like my old -- friend -- Halfman. He might have taught me better than he knew."


Nazard wrote:

At the funeral, after Heward receives his ashes, Taverson, timidly at first, then with a little more confidence, approaches and kneels as Heward did.

As Taverson returns to his place, Heward tries to catch his eye and give the older man a nod of recognition and respect without falling out of his rigid posture.


So who's there in the end? Heward, Calatin, Laya, and Garidan? Those who are there can tell that Percival is not impressed at any absences.

Taverson's eyes are too glued to the floor in front of his feet to notice Heward's gesture.


Female Halfling Bard (Archivist) 1

Once everyone who's going to come up has come up and received the ashes, Laya hands the chalice back to the priest who gave it to her and turns to face the altar.

Markiv's body has now been fully wrapped in the five-piece shroud. The priests lift the body up and move it into the casket. As they do so, Laya speaks, "We now commend Markiv's body to the earth. May his soul pass from the Boneyard to its deserved place as judged by our Lady of Graves, Pharasma." She traces a spiral pattern in the air over the casket as the priests close it. The priests then lift the casket and carry it across the temple to the the great doors on the opposite side. Laya follows behind it and motions for the others there to follow her.

Once outside, the casket is carried into the adjoining graveyard and to a freshly dug grave. The priest pallbearers lower the casket into the ground.

"If anyone has any final words to say," Laya says, "you may do so now."


Actually, I'm going to step in with my veto stick for a moment, suggesting that there probably isn't actually a graveyard outside the temple. In Magnimar, the place of honour for burial are the Catacombs underneath the Cenotaph and sprawling out from there. Access to the catacombs is gained through the Cenotaph Cathedral. However, Markiv would not garner a place in those high-brow crypts, and so everybody would be transported from the Cathedral by black carraige to a cemetary just outside the city, which is also tended by the priesthood from the Cathedral.

Other than that, carry on...


Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard (street performer) 2
Awgin wrote:
With that, Awgin goes to catch up with Auriel. "Mind if I tag along with you for a while?"

Auriel turns around when Awgin hails her. "Hey, Shy Guy," she says, smiling a little uncertainly. "What lists do you have in your head today?"

What day is this? Day of the funeral or day before?


"Maybe I just like to be around pretty women." Awgin gives Auriel his best non-threatening grin. "Actually, I don't know the city very well and was hoping to learn more about it. We can always say we're patrolling or something."


Female Halfling Bard (Archivist) 1

At the Funeral:

So, instead of walking straight out into the graveyard, you pile into a carriage to a small graveyard out of town. As the casket is lowered into the prepared grave, Laya offers people a chance to say a few words if they wish.

After anyone who wishes to has spoken, the priests begin filling in the grave as Laya leads everyone back to the carriage.


Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard (street performer) 2
Awgin wrote:
"Maybe I just like to be around pretty women." Awgin gives Auriel his best non-threatening grin. "Actually, I don't know the city very well and was hoping to learn more about it. We can always say we're patrolling or something."

Auriel's face breaks into a grin. "Not a bad line, Shy Guy, not bad!" she congratulates him. "Maybe the Shy Guy's not so shy after all. Where are you thinking of going? I don't know much of the city except Lowcleft and Keystone. And ... well, some places where I'm not so welcome."


"I am sort of in the mood for going places I'm not particularly welcome." He says with a menacing grin. "But the Captain probably wouldn't like that. Lowcleft and Keystone also sound good. Didn't we keep that building from falling on Lowcleft? It might be interesting to take a look there. What do you say?"


This could be either day you want, but given what seems to be coming to a head, it's probably the day of the funeral itself, the 10th.


Heward does not avail himself of the public speaking opportunity. It's one thing to toss out a toast after a couple drinks. It's quite another to stand in front of such a formal gathering.


M Human Wizard (Divination School Specialist)/2

At the graveyard

Calatin will step forward.

"Goodbye, good friend. Fare ye well in your next adventure, as you find answers to the things that puzzle us who have yet to follow."


Taverson steps forward after Calatin.

"I saw a man take on a beast he knew would kill him so that his friend could escape unharmed. I didn't know him, but wish I had. The Watch is poorer for the loss."

He steps back, still with eyes glued to the ground.


Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard (street performer) 2
Nazard wrote:
This could be either day you want, but given what seems to be coming to a head, it's probably the day of the funeral itself, the 10th.

Excellent. Let's go organize us a poetry slam, then. :)

"T'swhere I'm headed," she answers and then pauses. "They've heard of us there -- of the people who stopped the house from falling on them, anyway. If you tell them you're part of MSI, they might buy you a drink. I'd rather you didn't tell them I have anything to do with it. That's my home; I don't want anyone to treat me different. Besides," she shrugs, "telling people you're working for the Watch clams up an awful lot of conversation."


"No. No reason to do that. It's the same in Underbridge, where I stay. Or used to stay until the Captain called me for MSI."


Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard (street performer) 2

"So if it makes you a turncoat, why were you so eager to join up?" she asks curiously.


"I never said I was a turncoat. I only agreed with your statement that people have a way of not wanting to talk to the Watch. Besides, I have no loyalty to anyone or anything in Underbridge or anywhere that keeps me from improving myself. I was barely making enough to live on, getting by on my wits and good looks when Captain Percival offered me this position. I'd have been a fool to not take it. It allows me to better myself while being able to help folks a little."


Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard (street performer) 2

"So...," she pulls some leftover muffins from her pocket and begins to juggle them idly while they walk, "if you're the one who ends up in a box next, no family or friends back in Underbridge to notify? Just so we don't look like such heartless co-workers when the Pharasmins show up next time," she explains with a smirk.


After the funeral Heward will wait around and try to walk back to HQ with Laya and Calatin. He'll half-heartedly try to avoid Capitan Percival while definitely trying to avoid giving the capitan he's avoiding him. He still hasn't finished his report and that's not the trickiest subject he would like to avoid.


"No one. Maybe Captain Percival, but that would be it. What about you? You come from a big family? Have special dinners during harvest festival and all that?"


Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard (street performer) 2

She laughs a bit hollowly. "Only child. The sole repository for my parents' shabby, respectable, law-abiding hopes and dreams. They sell shoes in the Marches. You can imagine how pleased they are with my life trajectory." She is quiet for a moment. "If I die, someone should probably tell them, though. I'll be dead, so it's not like my mother would have one last chance to get on my nerves."


"We should put something together for us. You know for the next time one of us dies." Awgin takes a few steps before continueing. "I don't really know you, but this whole Markiv dying thing seems to have had an effect on you. Or am I wrong about that?"


Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard (street performer) 2

She shakes her head, looking at the ground. "I've never seen anyone die before. I've never really thought about dying. It's something that happens to old people. Or, I don't know, you heard about someone dying in Lowcleft sometimes, but it was always because they did something stupid: got really drunk without friends around to take care of them, or got involved with dangerous people, or, you know, something. Something you could tell yourself you were smart enough not to do. That damned snake ... it hit me the other night at Rimblesnuffin's. And anyway," she goes on angrily, "what is Captain Percival doing, putting me in such a dangerous situation? I thought we'd be, you know, investigating, arresting people, not having them try to kill us."


"You're a member of the Watch. We deal with those dangerous people you mentioned. By your own words, you are doing something that could get you killed. Though I think you are the least likely of us for that to happen to. Me and the Law will stand there and fight, you are smart enough to get out of the way." Awgin chuckles at that. "If you're going to stick around, it's because you like the danger."


Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard (street performer) 2

She shakes her head. "I didn't sign up to be a member of the Watch. I thought I was like ... a consultant. Just helping out until the whole pickpocketing thing blew over. I mean...." She realizes that Awgin hadn't known anything about that until she mentioned it and shrugs, blushing. "I was just a consultant on that, too," she excuses herself, a little shame-facedly. "The Watch are a bunch of jerks. Think they're better than everybody."


Captain Percival also received ashes at the funeral. His comments at the graveside are short and to the point. "Watchman Markiv was a man starting in an adventure at an age when most men retire from them. He saw a need in his city and decided to help meet it, and when the time came to choose between himself and his friend," he pauses to look around for Auriel, shaking his head and grinding his teeth a bit before continuing, "he did not hesitate to choose his friend. The Watch honors Markiv." Captain Percival salutes the grave. "May the watch always be kept!"

As the priests begin burying Markiv, Percival makes his way to those in attendance. "Where are Awgin and Auriel? Do they have no concept of what it means to show a united front? That even in a time like this, there are those waiting to pounce on any sign of weakness?"


Heward groans inwardly as the captain approaches. No matter the subject of conversation it won't be pleasant.

When the captain asks his question, Heward coughs and hopes Laya and Calatin answer quickly.


Female Halfling Bard (Archivist) 1

"Maybe they were eaten," Laya says. When the odd looks occur, but before anyone can reply, she goes on, "By a giant, man-eating muffin, I mean. I know it's totally absurd, but my point is, we shouldn't condemn without knowing the reason. They may have a legitimate one."


M Human Wizard (Divination School Specialist)/2

"Each individual makes their own choices, in large things and in small. It's called 'agency' - the concept that each person makes, and is responsible for, their own decisions; and it is not up to anyone else to call them in error... just because they might have done differently themselves," said Calatin. "Naturally, all choices have consequences..."


"Yet some people's' choices have negative consequences for other people, and if we're not free to judge choices like not attending a friend's funeral, like we're not free to judge somebody's decision to knock a building down over a cliff, then what are we doing here? Free thinking about individual rights and freedoms of choice is all well and good as a philosophical exercise, but eventually, somebody has to revert back to law and order and an outside morality before all of civilization devolves into complete chaos."

"I thought to let you lot find your own way, but it seems a small amount of direction may be in order. Watchman Wallas? Congratulations. You just made Sergeant. The Unit is yours." He shakes Heward's hand and turns to go.

Pausing for a moment, making sure nobody is in ear shot, he turns back. "For your first directive, Sarge, consider it a standing order for everybody to present a united front to the outside world. And, bloody hell! Start showing up to each others' damned funerals!" With that, he storms off.


I shudder to think that Heward's promotion is my doing.


Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard (street performer) 2

Arriving in Lowcleft, Auriel tracks down some of her artsy friends and introduces Awgin around. Her friends being mostly, as she is, children of middle-class to well-to-do parents rebelling against their parents' worldview, they're all excrutiatingly polite and inclusive of the half-orc in an attempt to prove how unlike their bigoted families they are. Sharing the news that one of the heroes of MSI died in Lord Millis' house and it turned out that none of the Watch knew if he had family or faith, she quickly gets them to agree to an art-in expressing their disdain for a system which views people only as cogs in a machine rather than as individuals in their own right. There's lot of spoken-word and bongo drums, as well as fumes of a heady and intoxicating nature. Up to Awgin if he sticks around for the poetry slam, although if the trust-fund girls get high enough, he might get lucky as a matter of principle. ;)


Captain Ilar Percival wrote:
"Yet some people's' choices have negative consequences for other people, ..., but it seems a small amount of direction may be in order. Watchman Wallas? Congratulations. You just made Sergeant. The Unit is yours." He shakes Heward's hand and turns to go.

Heward gapes. He had been doing his best to hide behind Laya during the first part of the conversation. "Sargeant?! " He smiles braodly. "Thank you , sir. I'll do my best."

Captain Ilar Percival wrote:
Pausing for a moment, making sure nobody is in ear shot, he turns back. "For your first directive, Sarge, consider it a standing order for everybody to present a united front to the outside world. And, bloody hell! Start showing up to each others' damned funerals!" With that, he storms off.

"I'll do my best." Heard looks after the departing captain, then at Calatin and Laya.

"What now?"


Awgin is quiet and polite. As is his way, he watches at first to determine the pecking order, though once that is done, he is more willing to join in. Awgin does not shy away from the heady intoxicating fumes, poetry (though he does not participate), or any attention.


Female Halfling Bard (Archivist) 1

Laya watches Captain Percival leave, then shrugs. "Congratulations, Sergeant," she says to Heward. "I'm sure you'll be a far more capable leader than our good captain is. I suppose it's the pressure. He must be under a lot if he has to deal with people like Stafford on a regular basis. If you'd like my advice, don't be too hard on Auriel for not showing up today. As I said, there may be a good reason, and even if there isn't, scolding and punishment won't do any good. If we wish her on the team, we need to provide incentive. Same goes for Awgin."

She climbs into the waiting carriage. "For me, some good incentive right now would be a nice muffin. Anyone else want one? I'll buy."


M Human Wizard (Divination School Specialist)/2

"You're on, Laya," said Calatin, heaving himself in to a chorus of overstressed carriage springs.

Sitting back he cast his mind out to Tylluan. Out mousing as usual, no doubt.

"I suppose one thing we need to do is see if we can request a court order to have the enjoiner remnants ritually deactivated before they are returned to their rightful owners. I have researched the ritual, but it's not ethical to work magic on someone else's property without permission, or at least due authority."


Calatin ab'Halla wrote:

"You're on, Laya," said Calatin, heaving himself in to a chorus of overstressed carriage springs.

Sitting back he cast his mind out to Tylluan. Out mousing as usual, no doubt.

"I suppose one thing we need to do is see if we can request a court order to have the enjoiner remnants ritually deactivated before they are returned to their rightful owners. I have researched the ritual, but it's not ethical to work magic on someone else's property without permission, or at least due authority."

Just to clarify, Calatin, the ritual was to detach the enjoiner fragments, not to "de-magic" them. If the property is going to be returned, that ritual will have to be performed.


So Auriel and Awgin are getting high on fumes, arsty poetry and free love, then heading back to MSI HQ?


Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard (street performer) 2
Nazard wrote:
So Auriel and Awgin are getting high on fumes, arsty poetry and free love, then heading back to MSI HQ?

Way more fun than getting yelled at at a funeral. :) I imagine, even with the muffin stop, they'll get back to HQ later than the law-abiding types. You coming back at dusk with Auriel, Awgin, or staying the night?


Laya wrote:

Laya watches Captain Percival leave, then shrugs. "Congratulations, Sergeant," she says to Heward. "I'm sure .... If you'd like my advice, don't be too hard on Auriel for not showing up today. As I said, there may be a good reason, and even if there isn't, scolding and punishment won't do any good. If we wish her on the team, we need to provide incentive. Same goes for Awgin."

She climbs into the waiting carriage. "For me, some good incentive right now would be a nice muffin. Anyone else want one? I'll buy."

"Thanks for the advice, Laya. I'll think it over." Heward follows the halfling into the carriage. "Muffins sound good. Especially if you're buying."


So the funeral goers get themselves some muffins at Laya's expense. Miria, the baker and owner seems pleased by the continued patronage, and serves you personally. You eventually return to HQ. Heward finds his Sergeant insignia has arrived while you were out, and Mrs. brighledpan proudly helps attach them to his uniform.

The others return several hours past sunset.

I'll give folks some time to RP any fall-out from all this, but am otherwise ready to introduce your next case. I hope Garridan is still around. He hasn't posted in his own game in a week.

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