Urban Arcana 5E - Detroit City Magic

Game Master JKassand

In 2020 the humans and Shadowkind of Detroit are seeking to live in peace, but forces beyond their control are conspiring against them.


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Male Human level 12 DM

play Game!


Male Human level 12 DM

A powerfully build african-american man in a black suit sits behind the wheel of a large black SUV. He wears sunglasses despite the overcast spring day. It's a bit cool and dirty patches of snow a clinging to shady corners. The license plate of the vehicle is Lollard6. The vehicle pulls up in front your place and waits.

You were told to expect a ride at this time so this must be it. The man is the can is Henry Conyers, an employee of the Lollard detective agency, and if you do well today on your interview hopefully he will be your coworker. He's the taciturn type and as you get in the car he offers you a coffee in paper cup from a local chain.

The car stereo is quietly playing classic KISS songs, but Mr Conyers makes little conversation. Any questions you ask he directs you to ask Mr Lollard when you see him.

Feel free to describe your character, your residence and any other details of your pick up, welcome to your first day of work.


Male Human Fighter 1 (0 XP); AC15, HP 9/12, per.13 inspired

Kyle meets Henry outside a small apartment a friend owns in Novi, he spent the night on a dirty couch after playing games with the other vets still in their 20s. He's getting too old for nights like that, but at least he didn't get talked into shots again with the interview today. He shifts a little in his leather coat as the wind picks up carrying some moisture with it.

He stole a few cigarettes from the kids if only to keep his mind thinking too much about what might come ahead and to stay focused on the present. The extra warmth doesn't hurt either.

His olive duffle bag on his shoulder holds a change of skivvies and some survival basics, and he plans on taking a camping trip if this goes poorly before heading home again. The large black case holds a small arsenal under lock and key and rests against his calves. He keeps his service revolves under his coat hugging his ribs in its holster.

As the SUV pulls up he dips the cigarette into a puddle and folds it up in a tissue with the other butts. Tucking them into a pocket he gets in giving on the basic greetings. Henry didn't seem to want to talk much, and that suited Kyle just fine - he sat back in the seats and closed his eyes as the music played. Not bad music, he thinks amused at the selection.

He eats his energy bar breakfast, wondering if Lollard will have coffee. When they hit the typical 696 traffic he drifts off for a bit, his black case still resting on his feet while his pack is tucked in the trunk.


Male Human level 12 DM

Great intro. You get inspiration.


Rohan wakes up in the morning, the paper he was working on stuck to his face in paste of dried spittle. English majors were often considered as the easiest and most carefree of the liberal arts majors, but they didn't realize how much reading went into the essays and reports that had to be submitted, edited, and re-submitted in the correct format.

A vicious cycle indeed.

Fortunately his little hideout in an abandoned building gave him a lot of privacy. Just him, an old thrown out desk, a generator, and some blankets. He had to hastily find some clothes that were somewhat presentable before running off to meet his appointment.

He arrived, worn out jeans and hoodie, a blank look on his face as a nervous one might be seen as weakness. The SUV pulled up, and he opened the door to get inside. He then promptly closed the door and moved to the other side and got in that way as there was a large man already seated blocking the door.

He thought about saying hello, but the silence of the vehicle set the mood and he slumped against the car door, the vibration of the engine lulling him back into slumber.


Male Human level 12 DM

Good show Rohan, you are inspired. Who's next?


Male Human (Chelaxian) Vigilante (Stalker) 7 | HP 70/70 | AC 22, touch 17, FF 16 | Fort +4, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +5, Perception +10

Lysander is sitting in his office, going over old files without really reading them. He's been awake since an hour before his alarm went off this morning, having lain in bed staring at the ceiling until he reached out to kill the vibration from his nightstand. A brief treadmill jog and shower later, he moved downstairs with a banana to wait for the pickup. When the SUV finally pulls up outside, he rises smoothly, puts on his suitcoat, grabs his briefcase, and steps outside, locking the door behind him.

Wearing a suit and tie, Lysander certainly cuts a different figure than the two men already in the car. He also acts differently, greeting the driver in a cheerful voice. "Henry? Good to meet you." Lysander gives him a smile and takes the coffee with an appreciative nod. "Thanks for the pickup."

As he moves to enter the vehicle, the passengers may have a chance to look at his residence. The building is small but pleasant, and overall has the impression of being somewhat nicer than those in the neighborhood around it. On the front door is a stenciled name: TREMAYNE LEGAL SERVICES.

Inside the SUV, Lysander enters with a smile and nod to the other passengers and takes a seat. "Also here for the job?" he asks, sipping his coffee. "Hopefully we'll all be working together soon, hm?" He offers his hand. "Lysander Tremayne."


Male Passive perception 12. AC 15. Hp 10/10. Human (Variant) Monk 1

Doctor Burn is in the attic of his house, not having slept much the night before. He carefully carefully now pokes the heart in front of him with a scalpel, piercing it and looking on the inside.

"Hmmm." He takes out his notebook and pencil, and writes. Elf hearts are curious things. Seemingly lighter than humans, and with less blood flow. This might contribute to their long lives, with less work meaning more time before heart degeneration. This could also factor into their seemingly lessened toughness, and thinner skin. Job is here now, will report more later.

He puts the heart in his freezer, near the back in an opaque bag. He walks out to the SUV, squinting in the sunlight, and gets in. "Greetings." He says, putting on a rubber glove before shaking Lysander's hand. "I am Doctor Felix Burn. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Apologies about the glove, but some of the substances I touch are not very hygienic if you are not used to them."


Male Human Fighter 1 (0 XP); AC15, HP 9/12, per.13 inspired

Kyle takes Lysander's hand firmly, Pleasure. Ensign Kyle Groski, but most people call me Kage. Looking around at the candidates Kyle thinks, What the hell did I sign up for? I'm surrounded by freaks and geeks.

Kyle volunteers for the third row of seats by the time the weirdo with the glove, laying out so the leg room doesn't bother him none. Things have gotten strange since that damned whole opened up dumping alien creatures and bringing their magic to the D. He, like most sane people, ran to the outskirts; but those that stayed were never quite right again.

Finding work was tough enough before these things took root, and now most people are just taking advantage of the FEMA support. Regardless of who he is getting mixed up with or where this car goes he has to keep an open mind... this might be the only chance to bring some cash home for a while...


Male Human Cleric 1 | HP 9/9 | AC 15 | Passive Perception 18 | Passive Investigation 16 | Passive Stealth 11 | Init +1 | Speed 30ft | Heart of the City 3/3 | Spells: 1st - 2/2 | Active Conditions: Inspiration

Looking out of the window of his small but well kept second floor apartment, Derrick sees the black SUV turn up at precisely the time he was told to expect it. Stopping to tuck his sidearm into it's pancake holster in the small of his back, he double locks his front door and takes the stairs two at a time down to his building's lobby. He buttons his suit jacket, straightens his tie in his reflection in the small decorative mirror, and steps out into the cold.

The wind tugs at Derrick's long black coat as he crosses the sidewalk and he climbs gratefully into the shelter of the car. He is surprised to see so many people already presents, but he smiles politely as he closes the door and belts himself in.

"Good morning gentlemen. I'm Derrick Johnson," he says, leaning around the car to introduce himself and shake hands with all of the occupants. The other occupants of the SUV seem to be a dishevelled college kid, a tall guy wearing rubber gloves, and a large man who is clearly a veteran of some kind. Spotting a face he knows, Derrick's smile widens. "Mr Tremayne, I didn't expect to see you here. How's business?"


Male Human level 12 DM

Great! Thanks you everyone for those tremendous introductions inspiration for everyone!

Henry gets back on the highway and heads south towards downtown but then exits west onto the 75. He gets off the highway in an area of the city known as Delray. Once this area was a thriving industrial neighbourhood but in recent decades it became almost entirely depopulated. This is why large swathes of land here were cleared and donated to the Shadowkind to build their enclaves.

To the south, in the river you can see massive pillars of stone being erected to build the new bridge. You also see the great forest, which was grown literally overnight by the Fey Court to host their enclave.

You drive past the tall trees towards a humble neighborhood of mixed old and new construction. This area is called the ABC Blocks, because most of it was built form the ground up to help support the nearby Fey Court enclave.

You pull up to plain building with white vinyl siding. it's unclear if it's a house that's been converted to some kind of business or a business that was broken up into housing of some kind. It was clearly built in some boom time of a previous era and then left to rot. A simple sign in an upstairs window says Lollard Detective Agency.

Henry pulls up to a fenced in parking lot around back and presses a button on small remote on the sun visor. The gate rolls open and he parks amid a few identical black SUVs and a handful of other much less flashy cards.

Before getting out he turns to look at all of you and says: "Mr Lollard is a fair man and if you have any questions feel free to ask him, but he doesn't like genuine stupidity. You're here because he thinks you have something the agency needs. Make yourself useful and you'll have a job tomorrow. If you think you're here to collect a cheque and go home, this will be your last day." This is more words than he has spoken the entire drive in.

He unlocks a back door using an electronic key fob and leads you inside. There's a hallway connecting the front and back entrances and he takes you through to the front waiting room. It's like a doctor's waiting room in a poor area of town. The chairs are bad and mismatched and the magazines are frayed and out of date. One magazine proclaims "Romney upends Dems!"

There is a receptionist and the person sitting at that desk at first glance you think is a child, and then perhaps a little person but then you take in the delicate features, the proportioned limbs and the lightly pointed ears. The woman dressed in modern clothes in earth tones and busily taking calls on a headset is a halfling, what the media has sometimes called one of the Small Folk.

Henry motions for you all to sit and wait as he heads up a narrow staircase with threadbare carpeting. There is a TV in the waiting room and it seems some kind of news show is on, but something is unfamiliar about. You realise that the attractive newscaster is not African-American as you initially assumed but with jet skin and white hair is actually an elf of some kind.

It looks like you might have a wait a few minutes before seeing the boss.


Male Human Fighter 1 (0 XP); AC15, HP 9/12, per.13 inspired

Kyle sees a sadness in Derrick's eyes he recognizes and doubts many others would. He greets him with the common pleasantries, and figures out the (ex?) cop/lawyer relationship from the conversation. The rest just make no sense crammed into the SUV. Something is a bit off.

-----

Sitting in the waiting room of the office Kyle breaks his all but silence. Do any of you have a better understanding of what's going on? I was told this was a private security detail... and while I've been out of the game a bit in the city I don't know any of you, he says quietly in a deep voice before adding, On top of that, you - pointing to Derrick - make sense, but you - pointing to Lysander - are a lawyer? How does this combine with a... doctor? and a kid?


Rohan is still yawning off his nap from the drive over. He keeps his hands to himself, thrust into the center pocket of his hoodie.

Kyle Groski wrote:

Sitting in the waiting room of the office Kyle breaks his all but silence. Do any of you have a better understanding of what's going on? I was told this was a private security detail... and while I've been out of the game a bit in the city I don't know any of you, he says quietly in a deep voice before adding, On top of that, you - pointing to Derrick - make sense, but you - pointing to Lysander - are a lawyer? How does this combine with a... doctor? and a kid?

Rohan sigh. He was hoping to catch a bit more sleep in the waiting room. That, and he got enough of people looking down on him at the college. He pulls one hand out of his hoodie and holds it palm up as if grasping an invisible orb.

Not technically casting flame bolt cantrip, but making it manifest in my hand for some fluff should be acceptable, right? If not, I'll actually cast it to make a point.

From his palm a broiling fire turns over in his hands, its flames licking past his fingers as the heat and ligth intensifies. It swirls as a small vortex of fire. If you can see past the flame in his hand, you can see his eyes have begun to glow, a light blue aura emanating faintly.

"It takes all kinds, mate," Rohan says light-heartedly as he lets the flames fade away leaving his hand untouched. He gives Kyle a smile and returns his hand to his pocket.


Male Human level 12 DM

I will allow harmless manifestations of cantrip spells until such time as I have a reason not to.


Male Human Fighter 1 (0 XP); AC15, HP 9/12, per.13 inspired

Well, shit. Shouldn't be too surprised, I wasn't going to avoid these types forever. thinks Kyle leaning back a bit sighing.


Male Human Cleric 1 | HP 9/9 | AC 15 | Passive Perception 18 | Passive Investigation 16 | Passive Stealth 11 | Init +1 | Speed 30ft | Heart of the City 3/3 | Spells: 1st - 2/2 | Active Conditions: Inspiration

The rest of the drive passes mostly in silence. As the SUV arrives at what is clearly their destination, Derrick unbuckles his belt and is about to get out when Henry speaks. He listens, nodding at what the man is saying, and moves to open the door. Before he pulls the handle, he turns back to Henry and says "Thank you for the ride." Derrick then opens the door and steps out into the cold.

The whole place looks kind of shabby, but no worse than some of the precinct houses Derrick has served in. The small Shadowkind woman at the desk looks amiable enough, and Derrick smiles politely at her as he takes a seat, undoing his jacket as he sits down.

"My understanding," he replies to Kyle's question, "is that this is some sort of private detective agency that takes cases involving the Shadowkind. I don't know what kind of cases, and I don't have much experience with Shadowkind related crime - there was a special bureau for that back when I was on the job."

The college kid, who until this point had seemed supremely interested, suddenly conjures a flame into his hand, and appears to be staring into it. It seems I'm not the only one who has developed new abilities. I wonder what happened to him to bring them about, Derrick thinks, but decides it would be impolite to ask.


Male Human level 12 DM

After about 20 minutes Henry Conyers comes down the shabby stairs and motions for you all to follow him back up. Upstairs is a warren of cramped offices with ratty carpet and a smell of old paper.

He brings you back around to the front of the building and into a large office. Behind a large desk is a sixty-ish man in an off-white button-up with suspenders and no tie. He greets perfunctorily and motions for you to sit.

The office has a bay window that overlooks the street. There are numerous awards and photographs hanging form the walls, all feature this same short, red faced man shaking hands with smiling community leaders and members at a variety of formal functions but also many mundane locations, backyards, front porches, kitchens. The photos stretch back years and show a man who was young and fiery-eyed with sandy blond hair grow into the irascible man with fiery eyes in front of you.

"My name is Tom Lollard" he says, "And this is my agency. I've been working here in Delray for 40 years. I have a reputation for dealing fair with everyone here. I do the work and I get paid. You do the same and so will you. Things have changed a lot around here in recent years, but they changed a lot in the years before that too. I need some new hands to help with the kinds of new cases that are walking through my doors. That's what you are here for. Whether you are here tomorrow depends on you. I have two cases on my desk, and i want one of them solved today," he motions to two folders on his desk.

"Do you have any questions before I outline the two cases?


Male Human Cleric 1 | HP 9/9 | AC 15 | Passive Perception 18 | Passive Investigation 16 | Passive Stealth 11 | Init +1 | Speed 30ft | Heart of the City 3/3 | Spells: 1st - 2/2 | Active Conditions: Inspiration

The shabbiness continues as Derrick follows Henry upstairs. The musty smell reminds him of the evidence storage lock-up back in his old precinct house. The office Henry leads them to has evidently been inhabited by the man behind the desk for most of his working life. The photos are clear evidence that Mr Lollard is proud of what he has achieved.

Derrick leans over the desk to shake Mr Lollard's hand. "Derrick Johnson," he says, introducing himself. "Thank you for this opportunity," he continues before sitting down.

Derrick listens carefully to Mr Lollard's speech, and leans forward slightly to ask a question. "May I ask, what kinds of new cases are you seeing? Are you seeing cases involving the Shadowkind?"


Male Passive perception 12. AC 15. Hp 10/10. Human (Variant) Monk 1

"No questions." Felix says. "Shall we get started?"


Rohan merely shakes his head. as he defaults to normal asocial behaviors was easiest when tired.


Male Human (Chelaxian) Vigilante (Stalker) 7 | HP 70/70 | AC 22, touch 17, FF 16 | Fort +4, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +5, Perception +10

In the SUV, Lysander greets Derrick with a similarly wide smile, also glad to see a familiar face. "Detective Johnson. Good seeing you; I suppose it shouldn't be entirely surprising. Business is..." Lysander trails off, wondering just how to put his thoughts into words. Business wasn't bad, really, but it hadn't exactly picked up like he'd hoped, starting out. He'd been relying on his savings and investments a little more than he'd hoped. "Let's just say I'm on the way to an interview?" He smiles again, hoping Derrick understands.
- - - - -
In the waiting room, Lysander crosses his legs and sets in to wait, having also thanked Henry for the ride and nodded understanding at the driver's advice. When Kyle poses his question, the man clasps his hands and thinks for a moment, allowing the student to display his talents. Interesting. Seems a few of us may have been touched by the Shadow, then. "As for myself," he says, "I am a lawyer, but also a professional investigator with connections and certain talents." He contemplates saying more, but Derrick has covered most of what he knows, and shortly thereafter the group is brought upstairs.
- - - - -
In the office, Lysander also offers his hand and name to Mister Lollard, and he leans back in his chair to listen to what the man has to say. He picks up the same notions as Derrick, noting the pictures and obvious use of the offices, not altogether unlike Lysander's own building when he first purchased it. His first question is covered by Derrick, once again, so he waits for that to be answered before asking anything more.


Male Human Fighter 1 (0 XP); AC15, HP 9/12, per.13 inspired

Kyle remains silent standing in the office.


Male Human level 12 DM

Mr. Lollard sists back in his chair. "Well Mr. Johnson, with the arrival of the Shadowkind comes a lot of uncertainty, a lot of unknowns. When some tragedy occurs people want to know if it was mere happenstance or if there was some previously unknowable agent involved. We have the opportunity to answer that question. And it's a two way street, the Shadowkind knew as little about us as we did about them at the Arrival. They have just as many problems as we do, and little in the way of money. Some like to stick close to their own kind, but others like to explore and venture out on their own. Sometimes that doesn't end well, and when people have troubles, Shadowkind or human, sometimes they end up here."

He pulls the two case files towards, slides them side by side and pushes them back towards you across his desk. One is labeled 'Carl Drain' and has a picture of a middle-aged african-american man smiling with two children affixed to the front. The other says 'Doris' Bar' and has a picture of a run-down looking bar on the front.

"Which brings us to our cases. Carl Drain, family man, dead. Fell off the roof of the bus garage where he worked. Family wants to know if or why he fell. They feel someone else may have had a hand in it and that someone else may live or work at the Fey Court enclave."

"Doris' is a local institution and shithole. The owner mostly looks after people, makes sure they don't get into worse trouble than they already are. Lately there's been a rough crowd, some Shadowkind, moving in and causing problems. The owner would like the place to return to being a quiet place to get wasted before dark, not a place to get your head busted after midnight."

"You can review the case files if you like, but neither of these cases is paying very much, so I would like one of them solved before," he looks at his watch, " midnight, or you all turn back into pumpkins rotting on someone's front porch. If you have any questions please ask them now. Otherwise Henry will show you to the conference room where you can go over these files and get you anything you need.


Male Human Cleric 1 | HP 9/9 | AC 15 | Passive Perception 18 | Passive Investigation 16 | Passive Stealth 11 | Init +1 | Speed 30ft | Heart of the City 3/3 | Spells: 1st - 2/2 | Active Conditions: Inspiration

Listening intently to Mr Lollard, Derrick suspects that they are motivated by the same thing - a desire to help people who have ended up embroiled in difficulties beyond their control.

He doesn't have to deliberate long over which case he would prefer to take. "I'd like to investigate Mr Drain's case," Derrick states, "but I'm happy to work at the Doris' case if other people feel more invested in that."


An investigation or a enforcement...Don't really have a skill set for either of those specifically. Then again...

Rohan looked at the photo, a father with his two children. The fact that he was gone and they would never see him again.

"Carl Drain gets my vote. People roughing up a bar is one thing, but a man's dead with no justice dealt. The surviving family will have to live with that, never knowing what really happened, not unless we step in."


Male Human (Chelaxian) Vigilante (Stalker) 7 | HP 70/70 | AC 22, touch 17, FF 16 | Fort +4, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +5, Perception +10

"Agreed," Lysander says, looking at both files on the desk. "I'd rather help a family find answers than pick a fight intentionally." He taps a finger on his chair and nods. "I'm glad to see I'm not alone in that desire."


Male Human level 12 DM

"Sounds like we have a winner. Take both files, just in case. Henry show these gentlemen the conference room."

Henry takes you down the hall and into a large conference room. This room actually looks nice. The carpet is new, the oval table looks impressive and seats 15 easily. There's an expensive phone sitting in the middle, a laptop in the corner and a new audio-video presentation system. Henry shows you an impressive coffee machine in a cupboard that will brew a wide variety of hot beverages.

"I'm at your disposal today, if you need transport or access to any of the agency's resources you let me know and I will provide it. I'll be keeping an eye on you, of course, but my job is to facilitate your investigation, so if you want me here or would prefer to work in private you let me know. We also have a few empty offices you can use, but they aren't as nice or as comfortable as this," He pulls out one of the expensive black leather office chairs and takes a seat at the table.

At this point you can ask any questions you like, or make intelligence rolls for investigation to go over the file. If some of you would rather work on the Doris' you are free to do so as well.


Rohan begins looking over Carl's file. He looks for testimonies before and after the scene, the details on the location of the accident, and pertinent relationships.

Intelligence: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10


Male Human level 12 DM

Rohan digs through the file and finds that the scene is the garage of the local transit commision. Carl was a bus driver and it appears that after work he went up to the roof and fell off. The roof is 35 feet off the ground and normally a fall form that height would not necessarily be fatal, but it was for him because he was found unresponsive and was taken to hospital with no vital signs where we was declared dead on arrival.

Employees of the garage state that some employees would go up to the roof to smoke on occasion and Carl was an on-again off-again smoker. He was not known to be depressed or have any other illnesses.


I wonder if there was an autopsy report for a potential suicide...

"We should talk with his co-workers, see if anything was unusual about his behavior for that day. Unless someone here has a piece of paper I missed."


Male Human (Chelaxian) Vigilante (Stalker) 7 | HP 70/70 | AC 22, touch 17, FF 16 | Fort +4, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +5, Perception +10

Lysander also goes over the case notes, reading thoroughly and paying close attention to the minuscule details--things that might have been considered unimportant, that others would skip over.

Investigation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21


Male Human Fighter 1 (0 XP); AC15, HP 9/12, per.13 inspired

It looks like the choice has been made... Kyle thinks.

Mr. Lollard, I would like to request a vehicle - preferably an older full-size sedan to work through these neighborhoods. A decent trunk would be useful too... Kyle think for a few seconds before adding, Can we get a police scanner too? We can at least keep an ear open for trouble at Doris'.

Kyle walks to Lollard's desk and grabs a few business cards before turning to the group and adding, What are your cell numbers? Let's make sure we are in sync if we get split up. If we are efficient we should be able to close both since they are in the city. He hands a card to each person, Keep this just in case; I doubt any of us have memorized the phone number or address.

Running down a list in his head, he begins writing a small list of wants:

  • Light-duty Flak Vest
  • 9mm ammo
  • Lockpicks
  • Camera (Digital SLR with video)
  • Acetylene torch
  • Bolt cutters

He passes the list on to Derrick, Let's get a shopping list going. Hopefully we don't need to use any of this... but we're going into some rough neighborhoods investigating deaths and violence mostly blind.


Male Human level 12 DM

Lysander goes through the file and finds that Carl was a bus driver who drove the route from ABC blocks up to the Fey Cort enclave and then back. As such nearly all his passengers either worked or visited the enclave.

On the date of his death he was late returning back to the garage. The police only looked into the death briefly but declined to investigate further, which Lysander knows implies they felt it was a suicide.

The statements from family and friends indicate no signs of family or marital issues. No indication of debts or strife of any notable sort.

To Kyle Mr Lollard explains that you'll have the use of one of the firm's vehicles, which you drove here in. It should meet your needs, however at this time there is no foreseen need for a police scanner.


"Maybe I've watched too many detective shows, but it sounds like we should go to the scene of the crime and look around."


Male Human level 12 DM

Henry produces a set of car keys and jingles them. "Wherever you want to go, as soon as you are ready," her says.


Male Human Fighter 1 (0 XP); AC15, HP 9/12, per.13 inspired

To Lolland: That's fine, we can swing by Doris' and give her our number to call if there is trouble while we work on Mr. Drain's case, Kyle continues to the group, Has anyone else trained to drive "aggressively"? It might be worthwhile to have two cars... and a bit more comfortable than the ride here.

Kyle starts to read through the Doris file to get addresses and see if anything jumps out at him.

Intelligence: 1d20 ⇒ 2 lol, fighter

To Rohan: It's worth a look for sure.

I think Derrick has proficiency with land vehicles too, so one car can go straight to Carl's house and begin interviewing the family while the less social can go to Doris' and at least learn what the issue is. Maybe the Doris car can swing by the crime scene?

If car A is Derrick & Lysander, I can take car B with Rohan and Felix. It makes sense the two that know each other stick together, and doesn't gimp our skills spreading that way. If there is trouble it's more likely at Doris' or the crime scene, and it seems like a bad idea to crowd a grieving family's living room.


Male Human level 12 DM

Kyle looks through the file and notes the address of the bar and the name of the owner. Keith Richards (not that Keith Richards).


Male Human Fighter 1 (0 XP); AC15, HP 9/12, per.13 inspired

Kyle laughs with a simple Heh. at the name.


Male Passive perception 12. AC 15. Hp 10/10. Human (Variant) Monk 1

"Two cars seems fine."


Male Human Cleric 1 | HP 9/9 | AC 15 | Passive Perception 18 | Passive Investigation 16 | Passive Stealth 11 | Init +1 | Speed 30ft | Heart of the City 3/3 | Spells: 1st - 2/2 | Active Conditions: Inspiration

Derrick takes a quick flip through the Doris' bar case file, while the others look through Carl Drain's.

Intelligence (Investigation): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Raising an eyebrow at Kyle's list he replies "This looks like you're planning on breaking and entering. I don't think Mr Lollard would appreciate us getting his firm into trouble by breaking the law on day one. We could do with some cameras though, and a notepad for everyone."

After spending a few minutes entering everyone's cell numbers into his phone, Derrick looks up at Kyle's question. "I did a defensive driving course when I was with the PD. Haven't used it in a while, but I'm sure it'll all come flooding back if I need it."

I'd suggest we concentrate on one case at a time, for efficiency. If Lysander and I go see the family, Kyle, Rohan and Felix can check out the bus depot. Then we could all reconvene to share our discoveries and plan our next move.


Male Human (Chelaxian) Vigilante (Stalker) 7 | HP 70/70 | AC 22, touch 17, FF 16 | Fort +4, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +5, Perception +10

That's fair, although I think Lysander and Derrick are also among the best at investigating for actual physical clues, too; Felix is also trained in it, though.

"Let's try and focus on the Drain case," Lysander agrees. "If we solve it soon, we can move to the bar, but sticking with one job at a time would probably make it go faster." He frowns at the concept of B&E, but doesn't make a comment; sometimes good people have to do bad things, but he'd rather not move that direction if they can help it.

"Two cars should be fine if we can get another soon enough. Derrick, if you're going to talk to the family, I can just head to the depot to look for clues and ask around there, unless you think we should stick together? Might be faster to spread out though."


Male Human Fighter 1 (0 XP); AC15, HP 9/12, per.13 inspired

To Derrick: I don't want to use any of it, but considering he brought in a combination of wizards and ex-police and military I can't imagine we're going to be photographing cheating husbands, Kyle turns to Lolland, I'm not one to break the law. I'd only use these under dire circumstances - I just don't want to circle the car around if I don't have to.

To Lysander: I'm fine with focusing on the Drain case. Whatever we do let's do it quick. We are on timeline, and I would like to get both of these done today, Kyle says, We should cover as much ground as possible.

I just suggested stopping by and making a promise to come back later, and giving the option of a phone call later in the day. I put Lysander and Derrick together because we can take our time and help each other find clues, you two need to talk to a family who might be hiding something (insight & persuasion). Worst case you meet us at the depot. Unless there is an objection, let's head out to the the Drain household and the Depot.


I vote against stopping by. What are we gonna do if he calls? Drop our first case, drive halfway across town and try and step in? One thing at a time. Btw, should we be discussing this in character?"

"Then I think we have our first destination. To the scene of the 'accident.' Let's move."


Male Human Fighter 1 (0 XP); AC15, HP 9/12, per.13 inspired

I think we've been doing both :p


Male Human Cleric 1 | HP 9/9 | AC 15 | Passive Perception 18 | Passive Investigation 16 | Passive Stealth 11 | Init +1 | Speed 30ft | Heart of the City 3/3 | Spells: 1st - 2/2 | Active Conditions: Inspiration

"Yeah, I get that," Derrick replies to Kyle, looking a little sheepish, "it's just difficult to accept as an ex-cop, you know? Carrying lockpicks in the state of Michigan is only illegal if you are carrying them with the intent to steal. I suppose you could call them locksmith's tools to minimise any issues."

Derrick looks at Lysander. "Grab the file and we can get going. We can start going over the case in the car, so we have a strategy for the interview."


Male Human level 12 DM

Derrick looks over the case file and finds that the police have been called to Doris' on at least seven occasions in the last two weeks. The owner claims that a new group of patrons has been harrassing locals and regulars and they've bee nstarting fights whenever they are confronted.

Mr Richards says this group consists of several large, but also several small people that he suspects are Shadowkind.

Mr Lollard looks over Kyle's list and offers you each a camera should you want one. The rest, he feels, will sttract too much attention. "Let's save the rest of this for day two," he says.

You jump in the vehicles, Henry driving one, and head to the bus garage. You meet supervisor named Brian West, who offers to take you up to roof and answer any questiosn you might have. He knew Carl for eight years, and knows his family as well.

The roof is a bleak gravel surface, but someone has set up a rusted patio set near the edge, where a railing protects from accidental falls. Cigarette butts and few beers cans lie around testifying to the many breaks taken up here.

Feel free to investigate and ask questions


Male Human Fighter 1 (0 XP); AC15, HP 9/12, per.13 inspired

Tell me what happened that day, Kyle says, I have read a few short sentences but I'd love to hear from someone around that day...

Insight: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 hopefully these get better

Kyle also tries to climb the protective railing to see how sturdy it is and how easy or hard it is to get over at all.

Athletics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Kyle walks around the facility trying to find anything that jumps out to him, looking for damage to the protective railing or anything out of place.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21


Rohan leaves the talking to Kyle for now. He heads over to the area where the man was before the fall, and where he landed unfortantely after. His eyes look for anything odd, anything out of place, and possibly....arcane in nature.

Investigation: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Math is +1 int

Arcana: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5
Math is proficiency bonus, +1 int
Welp...


Male Human Cleric 1 | HP 9/9 | AC 15 | Passive Perception 18 | Passive Investigation 16 | Passive Stealth 11 | Init +1 | Speed 30ft | Heart of the City 3/3 | Spells: 1st - 2/2 | Active Conditions: Inspiration

Have we all gone to the bus depot then, or have Lysander and I gone to talk to the family separately?

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