When Cretien and the others know it is safe to reveal full details to the ACI, he says, "I have a lot of these scientific papers, it'll take me a bit to pore through them. Also, the man claimed to be working on orders of the king. Would you know of anything of the sort? Split factions who could legitimately claim to be under the authority of the king, or perhaps darker stuff from his own camp?"
Delft spits a little chaw into a paper cup and says,"If you want a word in private, fair enough."
He then orders the rest to start hauling the papers and documents that weren't destroyed and orders one of the guys to go back and get a larger carriage to haul off the golemmy construct, thingy.
He then walks outside around the corner of the building, looks both ways to check for any other people and says, "Ok, what's the scoop, constables?"
He listens to Falko intently and becomes increasingly concerned.
He then says, "We've got to get to the bottom of this, don't we!"
He then whips out his flask and passes you it and says, "This is the finest singlemalt rye whiskey in made at my cousin's distillary. Give it a try."
He then listens to Chretien, "What exactly did this man tell you? The king is getting a bit old but this doesn't sound like his handiwork, considering he wants to make peace with Danor and marry Lya Jierre"
Sarya seeing the opportunity to perhaps get rid of the Dream Merchant's hated rivals decides to do some good old fashioned manipulation.
Sarya speaks her tone is calm and seemingly impartial, from the sound of this I believe we are dealing with both necromancy and the Merchants of the Bleak Gate. Reviving the dead as unwitting slaves is perfectly within their capability, as is this witchoil...
Sarya then alters her voice, it is still factual and seemingly impartial but you can feel something like poison in her tone.
A city Chief is like a garden, it can be utterly beautiful and orderly. However to remain this way one must uproot the weeds, prune the flowers and destroy the diseased plants so that the rest of the garden may flourish. Flint could be a beautiful garden save for the weeds and diseased plants Sir.
diplomacy (convince Stover to do some "weeding and pruning")
Delft looks at Sarya for a quick moment and says, "Do you have any hard evidence that would back up any action to state that they revived the dead or that this group is at all involved in the affair? We have real problems that need to be taken care of before I can put the livelihood of my family on the line for what you propose. We have a shadow man, who had killed a fey terrorist at the Danoran consulate, who is also conspiring to kill one of the most revered and respected men, Nevard Sechim the Skyseer, during his rally tomorrow and you honestly want me to risk this to prune an organization which has no hand in the affair."
Then the chief whose voice now oozes like maple syrup falling on a plate of the finest porcelain says, "So, I understand that you were just fondled by a very creepy man/spirit and maybe it has been a might traumatizing for you but could you possibly present me some facts that are pertinent"
Even if they are not involved they may well know the people who are... This involves the Bleak Gate as such assuming that the "spirit" is a form of the undead is not unreasonable...
Sarya smiles then, oh it wasn't traumatizing, I did the seducing.
Sarya then switches to a business like tone, I may not have the best information but I know a way of getting it... Assuming that these spirits can come and go as they will, the Professor said he would visit me in two days time for some "private time" in the Dream Merchant enclave.
Assuming that he can move as he wills between the Bleak Gate and Flint we could set a trap for him...
Delft says, "In two days time, sure we can set up a sting for that spirit."
He then answers Falko, "Nevard will be having his speech at Dawn Square not too far from here, it holds a lot of people and it is the intersection of the North Shore, Parity Lake, Bosum Strand with an amazing view of Cauldron Hill."
He then says, "It is really late to try and find and get word to Nevard. He trusts you guys and he needs you to help with security tomorrow. If I were him I would lay as low as possible until that actual rally and then melt back away when its over."
He then says, "Alright, you guys have a very big day ahead and you need to get some rest. I would recommend you staying at one of our safehouses for the next couple of nights just to be extra safe."
"Delft, sir," Johnathan says quietly, almost inaudible above the others.
He shows Delft one of the notes: take the same precautions you would at the manor reservoir
"That's in regards to the witchoil transformation of the jaguars. At best they're making more jaguars there. At worst they're poisoning the reservoir. Or, something else I can't think of," he shrugs lightly.
"Another lead to look into."
Sarya'a tone is crisp and efficient, her goal obviously to make guarding the Skyseer a less difficult proposition.
Chief could you perhaps find the Skyseer a more defensible position to speak from like a high, bulky balcony? As trying to defend him in the middle of a a crowd in the square would be tantamount to failure by default, a balcony however will provide a much more defensible position.
Delft nods in agreement to Johnathan's point and says to Sarya, "Sarya, I am totally in agreement with you, however, the rally is tomorrow at noon and there have been flyers all over the city advertising it and add on top of it, getting into contact with the Skyseer is nearly impossible because we don't know where he is..."
Then he spits a wad of chaw into the sewer and says, "Even if I could talk to him, he is still 120 or so years old and he wouldn't change his mind for me. Older folks are just ornery and set in their ways."
Sarya's tone starts off briefly reminiscent as she remembers the elder Dream Merchant who brought her in off the street... Then her tone becomes all business like again.
You don't know the half of it... As it stands what other options are available to keep the ornery Skyseer from taking a trip into the Bleak?
"Seems they were administering the witchoil to the jaguars to effect a transformation. If they have been somehow poisoning the populace with this stuff, that could cause MASS chaos at tomorrow's rally. We can't call it off. Maybe WE can contact the Skyseer. Hell, maybe he knows the future that will greet him. From the papers, which we need to look at more, there was some sort of plate attached to jaguars and control via an amulet. We need constables, at a minimum, to be looking out for these things, on people. And obviously no animals anywhere near the rally. Are there chokepoints the people must pass through to get to the rally? Guards posted at the entrances to the square? We need heavy, HEAVY weights placed on the manhole covers that access the sewer. Entry control points, constables staffing them, barriers to prevent rapid ingress."
Delft smiles and says, "Well it is expected that the crowd will be in the thousands. I have been in contact with local police and they will be providing perimeter security with uniformed guards and they number to a little above 100, then of course there is the RHC and plainclothes officers. I suggest you guys go to the safehouse for rest and then we meet at HQ at 8 am, then we make our way to Dawn Square and we can brief the security personnel before the rally"
Maybe that mysterious organization just want to turn all those attending the rally in some form of transformation and open a bigger and more stable gate? Any way rest is going to be fine with me. That large thing i was fighting was no joke. Anyone needs some healing?
Delft nods in agreement with Falko.
Delft says, "Can you restore my leg and take off ten years, nah better yet fifteen years of age. Boy do I hate walking with a cane. Anyway, it looks like you need to heal yourself, my boy"
"Very well."
Sarya speaks, things need to be arranged...
"Chief if we are going to arrange a sting for the spirit it would be best to inform my fellow Dream Merchants so that they may assist you in your efforts..."
Delft says to Sarya, "I shall go to the Dreamies compound after the rally tomorrow to set up our snare for the next day. Make no mistake, stopping the plot against the Skyseer and getting to the bottom of this plot is of the utmost priority."
Falko spends his time going through the evidence collected at the creepy warehouse. He has figured out how to best combat, control and destroy such creatures.
He is able to get a good idea of the handwriting of the mayor but without samples of the actual mayors it will be hard to figure out but you figure you could probably get those the next day.
An unmarked RHC carriage picks you up the next morning to bring you over to HQ, you come inside and are escorted to the Meeting Room where a group of precinct Captains from the Nettles, North Shore, Bosum Strand, and Parity Lake are seated. There is a table with Brigadeiros and other breakfast like pastries.
In front of a large chalkboard is a podium and on the chalkboard is a vague drawing of Dawnsquare and a fresh box of chalk. Seated to the left of the chalkboard is Delft and Lady Inspectress Saxby(the head of RHC Flint)
There are chairs on the side of the wall with your names on them. As soon as you get some snacks and sit, Saxby an attractive and fit woman in her 50s with short blonde hair stands up first and does the first round of pleasantries which goes quickly and then she hands off things to Delft who in his ornery way gets up with his cane in hand and addresses the group saying "Ladies and Gentlemen, I will not mince words or whatever, the protection of the Skyseer is of the utmost importance. I don't need to tell you but he is a national treasure and must be allowed to speak. We predict that over 3000 people are going to be there today for the rally and they also need protecting, my constables have on good authority that we need to be vigilant today."
He then walks to the spittoon and fires off a wad of brown tobacco juices into the brass making a loud Plink and then says, "My constables will be taking point on this. Any questions?"
I really do hope we are somewhat successful in controlling the damage if an assassination attempt is made today is thinking to himself Angus as he is looking around during the speech.
Sarya not delighted with the situation speaks, her goal is to attempt to get the best help possible...
Can we requisition some spellcasting? With the right spells the Skyseer stands a much better chance of surviving...
diplomacy (persuade them to bring in casters or something)
Taking the ACI's words as a cue to talk, the Professor walks to the front of the room nearest the chalkboard, rolling his sleeves up along the way so as not to get chalk dust on them.
Chalk in hand, he begins enumerating points of interest on the board, writing them as he speaks, using the loud clacking of the chalk dissuade any from interrupting.
"I am Professor Dufrene, of Pardwight University. Please lend me your attention for the following point piece, and in return, I will remain as concise as possible."
"One. Witchoil was administered to jaguars to cause transformation."
"Two. A metal plate bolted to the ribcage of the subjects was the final piece of the transformation ritual."
"Three. The metal plate was used in conjunction with a control amulet, magical in nature."
"Points one through three intersect to effect control over the subject. I don't need to reiterate that such a ritual, when performed on a human subject, could give enemies of the state humanoid killing drones. It is my hope that our resident Dreamie can expound upon any symptoms that our guardsmen may look for to suggest a humanoid may have been administered witchoil. Although I or my colleagues could lecture for hours on all the eldritch and arcane uses and effects of witchoil, only the most practical understanding is prudent."
"Animals may also be used in this attempt (for I believe there will be an attempt on the skyseer's life), so no animals must be allowed if such is at all feasible."
"Four. We have a spell that can trace effects of witchoil, but it is magic and not science, and as such is inexact."
"Five. Witchoil has been seen bubbling out of the sewer system in some areas. "
"Six. The number of people present for the speech will be staggering. "
"My points four through six support my suggestion that we use entry control points, by which the populace can be searched and any suspicious persons detained before the speech. Furthermore, any access to the sewer must be blocked fully. This could be done in any number of ways, such as perhaps pallets of worked stone to suggest a future civic construction in the works. Effective, and arouses little suspicion."
Johnathan watches and pays rapt attention, adding a few lines to his own notes as Cretien goes over what they've uncovered.
When Cretien finishes, Johnathan asks, "All that witchoil under the streets is really dangerous, I can't imagine the damage if it was detonated. I feel like we're on the edge of a catastrophe and we've only delayed it slightly. Is there no time to deal with the witchoil before the speech?"
He adds, "Oh, that wasn't a vision, just a guess."
Delft chuckles at Sarya, "The Dreamies don't understand Flint very well. Of course we will be using spell casters."
After Chretien speaks, Saxby now a bit more concerned and judging by the other faces in the room she asks what they all have been thinking, "Is there any evidence that they have been successful in doing the jaguar ritual on humanoids?"
Delft says in response to Johnathan, "We have had the cities municipal street cleaners with special equipment to clean the witchoil but it has hardly scratched the surface."
"No evidence, just my own hunch that it will be the next progression. However, an alternate progression may be their aim. With witchoil in the sewers, they could detonate it. They could also kill a large number of people in the crowd however they wanted, and the souls would go into the witchoil in the sewers. There was mention of using the witchoil possibly with sharks to bite through hulls of ships, and witchoil supercharged with 3000 souls might fit that bill...
Sarya speaks thoughtfully, trying to figure out a solution to the witchoil.
"This witchoil could be potentially disposed of another way, if a massive hole was created at the lowest point in the sewers all the witchoil could be drawn into it and then it could be sealed off... Before anyone screeches that it would be impractical remember that a decent mage could probably accomplish that task..."
Delft says, "Interesting ideas. I will get in contact with public works after the rally to see what we can do about the witchoil. Priority one, protect the people and the Skyseer. Anything further or shall we break this up and get into place."
All of the captains are given their responsibilities for the day and the meeting breaks. Saxby leaves with the rest, schmoozing with the different dignitaries and such and then Delft comes over to you and says, "Our research staff is pretty confident we will have the mayor's name this afternoon. They have already narrowed it down to three names and they are now comparing the notes you got from Dr. von Recklingshausen and the lab to see if they are connected and well. It is just a matter of time."
"I am glad the research team has made such progress."
Johnathan stares off vacantly, barely nodding or shaking his head in response when approached. Impossible to say what he's thinking or why, and his expression is unreadable.
Delft says, "Only one of the three suspects has a manor on the Ayres but we shouldn't jump to conclusions. Ok we should make our way to Dawn Square."
You jump in a carriage that makes its way from Central District to Dawn Square, after leaving the Central District and moving through Bosum Strand, you can feel a palpable level of excitement amongst the people like there is a huge carnival. People are so excited to see and hear from Nevard. The closer you get to Dawn Square, you start to see streaks of witchoil on the roads but that doesn't damper the atmosphere of excitement.
There is too many people for you to go by carriage and the last three or four blocks you have to go by foot. Upon arrival you notice that over 1500 people are already there and more and more keep coming.
Nearly a hundred local police officers
lurk around the edges to watch traffic coming in from the dozen streets that lead to the square. Hawkers sell food from wagons throughout the square, while poets and musicians perform wherever people have clustered under trees for shade.
A large part of the turn-out is from the new docker’s union Thames Grimsley has organized, which had the knock-on effect of luring hundreds of sailors whose ships are stuck in port until their cargo is loaded.
Large groups chant about throwing out Danorans, and a few people
scuffle as different camps argue over whether the problem is the Danorans who brought the factories, or the Risuri who are running those factories. The densest crowds, of course, cling to the handful of bars along the periphery of the square.
The square stretches a half mile long, and its original checkerboard
grid of stone and greenery has grown mottled with grass through years
of poor maintenance. Islands of trees provide shade in grassy areas,
while fountains and statues dominate the stone squares. The west end
feeds into the docks of Bosum Strand, while a now-stagnant man-made
lake forms the east edge.
For major events like this one, a wooden stage stands near the lake. A
sputtering old fountain lies behind the stage, surrounded by three towers
capped with braziers, which provide light for night-time events.
Shortly after your arrival, Heward Sechim, Nevard's nephew walks up to Johnathan and says, "Hello constable, I think my uncle would like to have a quick chat with you before he goes on stage."
Johnathan frowns at the reservoir, then at the fountain.
"Yes, yes, okay," he says quietly, distracted.
He looks at the others, then seems to decide on telling Cretien: "It's all from the vision, this is it. I'll see what Nevard has to tell me, but...good luck professor."
The young RHC's eyes are sad, as if tragedy has already struck. He follows Nevard's nephew.
ok so this is it, people are trusting us to prevent an assassination attempt with such a huge crowd. I wounder if the Skyseer has seen anything about this he wounder waiting for Johnathan's return
Sarya accompanies Johnathan, she will attempt to dissuade the Skyseer from his apparent death-wish...
Johnathan frowns at the reservoir, then at the fountain.
"Yes, yes, okay," he says quietly, distracted.
He looks at the others, then seems to decide on telling Cretien: "It's all from the vision, this is it. I'll see what Nevard has to tell me, but...good luck professor."
The young RHC's eyes are sad, as if tragedy has already struck. He follows Nevard's nephew.
"What happens?" Cretien asks, simply. Now was not the time for verbosity, but he needed a clue.
Heward Sechim undoubtably under precise instruction of his Uncle or Great Uncle maneuvers his way through the ever increasing crowd making sure that someone isn't following him and Johnathan. Sarya follows them but Heward is definitely moving quickly but is trying to shake any potential tail but eventually about two blocks from the square there is a carriage pulling a wagon with ten skyseer acolytes.
Heward says to Johnathan, "He is in the wagon, Constable Holbrook."
Johnathan climbs into the wagon and sees Nevard in a blueish gray robe of the traditional Skyseer sort. The old man moves feebly and leans on a plain staff which carries the banner of his family line. His deep voice warbles frailly, but somehow when he speaks
the wind hushes so everyone nearby can hear him. He
possesses no overt magical power, certainly nothing
of use in a fight, but the land and sky respect him and
make his passage easy.
Seeing Johnathan he smiles and says, "Greetings Constable Holbrook, I take it today is a beautiful day. The unpleasantness of two day ago has been brought to me and I do give you my condolences, Liria was a gifted seer and she is missed."
Seeing Sarya, he says "Greetings young lady, you wear the garb of a Dream Merchant, hopefully you do not spend too much time in the Dreaming, fore it is a place where humans may lose sight of who they are and also their sanity."
Meanwhile, the crowd fills up more and more. Carts for hawkers and people selling food are making a killing when it comes to business.
Johnathan only shrugs in response to Cretien, a small, resigned movement of his thin shoulders, before hurrying off to meet with Nevard.
Despite Johnathan's earlier sadness, he perks up visibly to see the old skyseer, grinning immediately.
"It's good to see you again Nevard," his smile fades slightly when Nevard mentions Liria. "Mostly by me, I think. She could be a bit...abrasive, to others. Fighting a war to try and keep peace, it's an ugly feeling."
He changes the subject off his old mentor, still a painful wound. "Nevard, have you seen what's going to happen? Ill-intentioned powers are moving their pieces around the board for something big, and it seems like it'll be tonight, at your speech. Witchoil, assassins and shadowmen. I have a bad feeling."