"If Azrael can stand to slip a fight, I certainly can too." Serephina smiled slightly. She'd agreed to fight simply to make sure Azrael had a partner. If they weren't going to both, that worked for her.
Very well then, you may cross. Everyone but the woman in the center is visibly disappointed. She merely counts out the coin she's given. The stages of "grief" include both the red guy and Oliver the half-orc throwing their hands in the air, with the red one kicking an errant hefty-looking rock that made the mistake of existing too close to him. Along with the man to the far right exchanging an aside glance with the shrouded woman. They shrug and head inside. Nevertheless, they step aside to allow the party through.
Enough. You want those pews fixed or not?
Before you leave, Lembe asks I um, I apologize but, how long do you folks expect to be? I need to know to keep the meter running.
It's been fun. She told the group in a flat monotone leaving no room for misinterpretation before turning to her avian companion. I thought you were a Tengu, not a chicken. She said with a soft smile. No, you're right, I don't understand it either. You would think they'd much rather curl up with a good book. People bludgeon people in there, too.
Hmmm... I'm saying an hour at most... though mty friends might have different ideas.
"Smart. Two hours just in case, then.
Lembe nods and urges the group to go on, the woman who stood center-place with the others waits for you to catch up before accompanying you inside. As the group approaches, she hands 60 GP back to Abel.
My name is Phara. You've come about the break-in as well? The last investigator was alone. And a foreigner. We didn't get on well at all.
The massive doors just on the other side of the bridge had a simple, yet pleasing swirling aesthetic, crafted from wrought iron against the wood. As you finally pass over the bridge itself the river seems much further down than before.
Once the gates open, the four from the other side disperse. The air slowly fills with the sounds of metal clanging. The sight of blue flares briefly peek over the wall. It's as if a war was happening around the grounds, yet still away. The property seems to be sectioned off by large stone walls.
"I didn't knew there were other investigators." admits Azrael trying to remember if he didn't knew or it slipped his mind now.
[Dice=Knowledge Religion] 1d20 + 7 ;
"Another one?" Serephina raised an eyebrow. That didn't seem possible, unless Openheim had contacted and sent a colleague.
Huh. That's weird. We weren't notified of another investigator.
Can we have a description of this other investigator? Anything he might have said, or perhaps touched while he was here?
The aforementioned competitive nature means more than just combat as well. The sounds and spectacle Azrael can hear ringing through the grounds are the flashiest and most distinctive parts of the churches renown. This ends up coloring the view most have of them. Of course, there is more available to see for those willing to look.
It's also readily apparent they don't have a set uniform judging by the varied appearances they sport.
As for relevant persons of interest, Seraphina recognives the name of Tora, their high priest. He fought during the Osterian incursion, and became a distinguished figure of mild renown.
We'll answer all of your questions soon enough, but I have other duties to attend to. If you would wait in my office, I'll have Reggie in to help you in a moment.
A few minutes go by before anyone opens the door to the office sporting more weapon racks and a top-of-the-line record player (Complete with hits from such radio darlings as The Silent Tragedy, Hurry and Tim Minor, as well as the underground Deathseeker, and Burial) than actual paper work. But, sure enough, a man you recognize from the bridge comes into the room with the masked woman in tow still silent as before.
Greetings folks. So, ya wanna know 'bout the last bloke? Called himself Micah White, human fella. He didn't touch much while he was here, 'cept his cup. he asked about the break in too, had to tell 'im we didn't even known there was one. Dunno 'bout him though. 'E had a bone necklace on 'im that I don't think he knows I saw. Only Vaoan's make religious symbols out of bone. Oh! Uhh, Caliss, can you get the folks something to drink? I shoulda got that before I came in, sorry. At Reginalds request, the woman politely nods, and walks to the door. Rather than opening it, she unceremoniously vanishes in a purple-blue blur, teleporting back into sight after some seconds with a rather large tray of various liquids ready to drink. Hot coffee, tea, and others in small portions in hand.
Thanks hon. Maybe I'm just paranoid though. I mean one of them'd 'ave ta be insane to come here alone. All the bad blood and such. Maybe it's just a weird good luck charm? The man reclines in the womans metal office chair, as if he owns the place.
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Azrael meditates before speaking, considering what they know of the case.
"Tis strange, I confess, as we didn't knew of other investigators. What brought as here was, how could I say it, some kind of psychical images that the thief left on the scene. My partner Gwynn sure can explain it better, as she was the one capable of perceiving it."
The paladin drinks from his cup, choosing hot coffee with no milk and three spoons of sugar. "In said images, which if memory doesn't fail me were first person ones, the thief used magic or some such power to view through and bypass a, security door, teleporting inside as your friend there did to bring the drinks." the paladin pauses briefly to allow others to add anything. "The thief then proceeded to store a jar containing a brain inside his backpack, one with a fiery scheme Gwynn again recognised as associated with the Choleric Queen colours. The thief then escaped through the window, as there was someonw coming to the room."
"The brain he took wasn't a common one, much to my despair. "
"Frederick Remington"
-“Male, 31 years of age”
-”Cause of death: Self-inflicted blunt trauma during a manic episode.”
-”Subject information: The donor conducted rituals with the intention of scrying on the property of House Calweld. Despite warnings as to the side effects caused by such actions, the subject was not deterred. For three weeks following his transgressions, the subject grew increasingly unstable, first being unable to recall what he’d found. He then reportedly began speaking as if he were a second individual at times, at which point he was brought to the North Reidland Asylum. There he injured himself gravely in a fall, and passed later that day. He is survived by his sister and two brothers.”
-”The subject was a licensed wizard who graduated from the Lorne Technical School some years ago. In addition to his arcane career, the subject pursued defense contracts while at work with the Lockiron Company.“
Azrael tries his best to give a small summary of what they learned from 13-A "Brain came from a, dead bloke called Frederick Remington. A madman that tried to scry into House Calweld's property and wel... ended truly mad. He ended in the Asylum, but killed himself soon after. I remember him having three siblings, still alive. He was a licensed wizard working for Lockiron Company."
"Does the name ring any bells to you, Mister Micah... White?" Azrael pauses. "Are you related by any chance to Doctor John White?"
The paladin seems clearly confused and remains alert, as he had failed to put two and two when the man presented himself. Azrael listens intently, trying to discern if he's being lied to.
Only Vaoan's make religious symbols out of bone...
a foreigner...
Suddenly, everything clicks in Lanliss's head.
It's Jacques..... The investigator, I mean. He made up a fake identity. Remembering that Caliss and Reginald wouldn't know who Jacques is, he says: Jacques was an assistant back at the School. In fact, it's he who pointed us in this direction.
You mean we payed those bastards for nothing!?
"No," Serephina replied, "He tipped his hand that he is working against us. That alone is worth the gold."
'Scuse us. Maybe you recall yer still guests on our property. Reginald snaps at Gwynn's comment.
Guy came up with an alias for this? Huh, maybe he didn' want to be connected to a manhunt. 'E did seem real genuine in wanting to find whoever this was. Still, strange, eh? Maybe 'E ain't working against you. Er, maybe he is. Can't say for certain I'm afraid.
The man searches through the desk in front of him for a second before pulling out a bag. While not identical to the one Gwynn saw the design is very similar, although worn with age.
But that sack does sound like somethin' we have. This look familiar at all?
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"But why would he direct us here... that's it, unless he isn't involved and sinply a friendly third party." comments the paladin as he keeps writing down notes on his notebook.
Your friend Celiss seems a bit distressed... she knows something.
Don't alert her.
The late Ainsworth puts a hand on his belly "Surely a whole day following clues without discovering anything clear makes you hungry." he jokes with a hearthily laugh. "I hope it wouldn't be abusing your hospitality if I asked for something to eat, Master Reginald."
If Reginald accepts and sends Celiss, he would quickly pass Reginald the note and signal the rest to keep calm.
Abel noticing the nervous waitress, keeps a close eye on her. if she leaves the room he will find an excuse to leave as well and follow in secret.
Sure, yeah. Don't 'ave a lot ta choose from right now though. If ya would, Celiss? The woman puts the drink tray down and vanishes as before, though this time she takes a few minutes. Reggie takes the note handed to him.
Uh-hmm. I'm not sure what yer... oh. I... think I know what ya mean. But, look it can't be her. You don' understand. He seems less comfortable than before. Not enough to stop reclining, but his tone of voice has become more grave.
I retract nothing. Gwynn said.
Looks familiar with me. Older. Less... Shiny, y'know. She looked at it closer, trying to get a good idea about the object, then finding an idea. You wouldn't mind if I done an' handled it for a tic, would you? She asked.
Gwynn also notices nothing of the waitress, and begins thinking of food as Azrael mentions it.
Perhaps i should speak to the young lady in private, find out what's wrong. it might not be her, but she also might know something relevant. Either way something seems to be troubling her Abel suggests calmly
Reggie holds the bag up and gives it a light toss.
Ey, one request at a time. Be careful with it, ain't mine.
And I know she had nothing to do with a crime this morning. She's probably getting something from the kitchen. Last room all the way down the left from the door. He waves to Abel in a somewhat dismissive gesture.
"Thank you for your time," Serephina said politely, "It has been most helpful." Better to keep this line of contact open, after all, she considered as she headed for the door.
There's something to be found everywhere. Gwynn said to her feathered friend as she told herself to remember to delve in deeper to Kek'ra's music taste.
She reads the object.
Abel gives a quick bow, Thank you, Abel looks to the rest of the group, i will go talk to her, i will be back momentarily Abel takes his leave to go to the kitchens and find the waitress.
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Gwynn sees from the eye's of another woman. As the reading proceeds, it becomes clear the woman is the one who had been speaking with Gwynn previously.
A man sits in this same office as she puts her bag under the table. It is Jacques, one of the assistants Mr. White has. He looks the same as before. Pale, tall, and he speaks softly. Behind him standing a very vigilant watch are Oliver the orc from before, and another man who looks unfamiliar from your passing glances.
"Thank you for what little information Lady Phara. This is very concerning, not just because of the school's safety you know. John is very important to me."
"Yes, I understand your concern. I know I pointed you to him, but I still hope we're wrong. He has a history of poor decision making though. No harm will come to him if he's taken for questioning. Do you understand?"
"That wouldn't be my decision to make would it?" This sentence is followed by an underwhelmingly reassuring line of a smile.
"I don't think I like that answer Micah. Do you understand?"
"hehe. If it puts your mind at ease, I have no intention of harming Gabriel."
After a tense few moments Jacques is given the go-ahead to leave. When he's left the building Phara makes one more statement.
"Follow him." And with that the second man leaves.
Abel makes his way down the hallway and sure enough finds Celiss assembling a platter of... well, there's definitely food being made. there's no particular theme to the snack foods here. Finger sandwiches, nuts, something fried, and others look like ideas she's considering.
The kitchen itself seems to be a disorganized affair in a wide open room that's half mess hall, half actual kitchen, with people shouting orders of food back and scrambling employees. The ceiling is wooden and rather low. Celiss is on the opposite side to Abel.
Well... I'm pretty sure we're right about Jacques. She said, then explains the vison to her teammates.
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Azrael bids his time, sipping on his beverage and waiting for the man to process the party's suspicious on her friend before speaking.
"I do understand that you trust her more than the first group of strangers that comes knocking at your church." he says calmly as he places the cup on the table "But she knows something and is nervous about it. She may or may not be involved, and the Lord knows I hope she isn't because I just drank something she prepared hahaha, but she definitely knows about what happened at the lab and we need to know what is it."
Azrael is serious, but not alert as before, having decided to see how events unfold before jumping to conclussions.
"I've heard a good deal of things about your Church and their followers, mostly good if a tad bit unconventional for an oldtimer like myself. I would very much like to see your game fields, but I doubt today is an appropiate time. Perhaps I could come again when we aren't following a cold trail, I would even be glad to pay the toll again." he adds to help the tension dispel.
Yeah. That, uh, does sound something like 'ow that meeting went. Gabe is a new guy. Celiss' twin brother. They came to us together about a year back.
Look. I know what she's thinkin'. She's worried about 'im.
An, fer what it's worth, yer all welcome back if ya'd like.
Oh, almost forgot. My apologies. Names Reginald Alton.
Excuse me Miss may we talk, it will only take a moment of your time i promise. Abel say's with a smile to Celiss
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Azrael tries to remember his younger days, when the teachers back at Ainsworth's Manor taught him about the other noble houses...
...but to no-one's surprise, Azrael replaced those memories with his training as a Paladin. Ah, does he cherish 'Wise Judgement of the Old Lord' and 'Non-Lethal Combat 101'. Good times, good times.
The name goes over Gwynn's head, as she had spent more time reading about fictional characters than real life people.
She watches Abel act. So forward. Something to be said about that. Too few people ever took the direct approach.
... Abel doesn't receive a verbal response, but Celiss' body language does seem to indicate that she's ready to leave again as she puts down an apple.
Relax please, we can discuss this calmly. Would you like to take a walk? If find it always helps to ease the mind and body of burdens. Abel smiles trying to be comforting and kind, I am a follower of Soriel helping those in need is part of my job. so, If there is something troubling you, I will listen.
This might become... Interesting. Gwynn muttered to Kek'ra.
Gwynn watches the men who get up intently, watching for what they seem to be doing.
Celiss doesn't seem ready to bite. She shakes her head with her eye's downcast.
Oi, Lissy! This fish bothering you? A man a good head taller than Abel and flanked by barely shorter men yells across the din of the mess hall. The woman jerks her head up, and responds waving her hand for a "no" gesture.
Back in the office.
...
And you are? Tha big fella introduced 'imself already.
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hmm, fish...I 've never quite thought about it like that I suppose i am a fish man Abel responds to the men still being rather friendly, he turns back to Celiss Your name is Celiss correct? My name is Abel the Wanderer, i come from some distance away. Brought to this city by lord Soriel's will to save those in need, and redeem those thought lost.Please, do not let this burden weigh on your mind.
Though all but the womans eyes are obscured under her scarf and hood, they say enough on their own. For the part of the other men, they seem to be content with the responses they received. The three of them go back to their seats.
Celiss looks directly in Abels eyes for a moment before looking away again. This time she replaces the apple on the tray and begins to make her way to the hallway once more.