Terex discovers both a forward the communication as well as a way that he could falsify the identity of any of high spirits communicating. In fact, he notices that this method of falsification is already being used by user "Narvus" as well as two or three others.
Terexaltherin notes down the false identities, and looks to see if there's any way to backtrace their communications.
Azzim reports the deceivers, saying over the link, ::I completed a general sweep of the city. It's much as we expect, but I did see a pair of deceivers. I wasn't able to get close, I wonder if they're using the device Arlo found? Should we try to capture them?::
"Im in meetings here trying to unravel this mess, the pouless is happy as they are no longer being worked to death. But this will take the next three days."
Mazra continues consulting with Lyra on organizing the Plannar Alignment Structure, mostly about the proper working conditions the Planning Bureau.
Terex continues to monitor the comm channels but it frustratingly difficult to get a location for the more important figures...
But following Azzim's lead, by early on day 2, the party is able to trace a Deceiver the Crystal Testing Bureau, a bureau organized similarly to the Planning Bureau. The difference is the bureau seems to check the crystal production of the entire city, sending back crystals considered wanting in quality. Staking out the bureau, you find the same franticness but also with an underlying feeling of anger - testers apparently eager to create hell in the lives of certain craftpeople. The Deceiver involved, impersonating a shiny metallic earth spirit and going by Ithith, seems to be the second command of the Crystal Testing Bureau but the head seems confused and apathetic leaving most decisions to the assistant.
Terexaltherin reports on his findings to the group, then 'says', Ideally we can reveal this Deceiver without revealing just how much we're tracking this group. See if there's a way to seem like we've 'stumbled onto' how something's odd, and see what crawls out of the woodwork as we push. I'll keep monitoring their communications as we do.
Monel does his best to smile ruefully, "Well, I suppose I could try my usual wise-fool approach to this character. Or we could find someone unjustly penalized (of which I think there are many) and issue a complaint. Maybe talk to our contact Mazra. If we really feel adventurous, we could threaten this character and see if they bring in reinforcements and see what the reinforcements look like... Quite few options, you think?" Doing his best humble-brag as Seelie Court Royal Investigator...
I'd say we should find those who have been treated badly by the current circumstances and start encouraging them to make some noise, Terexaltherin says, after a moment to think over Monel's suggestions. That should get our opposition talking and moving without revealing our hand too much.
Azzim sent the mental equivalent of a nod over the shared link, ::Let me see if I can catch wind of any particularly egregious cases::
He set out once more asking after those who might be despondent or even destitute as a result of unfair Crystal Testing Bureau practices.
Arlo assists Azzim in his crystal testing inquires.
Carefully speaking to creator spirits around the city of Helaronthrop, In a space of five hours, Azzim and Arlo discover twenty or more cases in which the testing bureau refused to approve various producers works, demanding strange and unappealing pattern be added to them. Several producers reported being unnerved by the process of producing the modified designs and others complain the designs didn't seem to go through the regular planing process...
Terexaltherin begins looking into the approvers at the testing bureau, looking for signs of Deceivers.
Is one of you going to start relying those spirits with complaints to make an official complaint? I'll keep eyes and ears out for who we're searching for while you do.
Terex is able to drop into the busy testing bureau without arousing much suspicion. The desks are arranged in a huge, open grid, the beautiful crystal samples are quickly moved from spirit to spirit with sold transport tubes, spirits calling to each in overlapping discordant voices, the entire area has an ... intensity to it.
All the work seems legitimate but you sense a similar sort of angry corruption which found with spirits you initially encountered before the city proper. None of the line workers themselves seem like Deceivers however.
Terexaltherin observes the action for as long as he thinks reasonable before going back to the others. Something feels weird in the testing bureau but I can't put a claw on what. Are we ready to start encouraging some official complaints?
::Yes lets.:: replies Azzim over the link.
Azzim asks after some of the names he'd heard mentioned, hoping to find out where they live or work and meet some of them.
Azzim sets out to find the people he heard about and if he find any of them he says, "Hey I heard about what happened at the testing bureau, it all sounds highly irregular to me. I think you should raise an official complaint, a few of us are going to visit tomorrow. If we all go it will be much harder for them to just brush you off. What do you reckon, shall we get you some justice?"
Azzim finds about a dozen crystal crafters, from shapers to molders to one master engraver spirit named Adel (she's shaped like a giant metal spider with tools at the ends of her legs). Most are actually shocked once they emerge from the depressive funk their (apparent) failure put them into... Only very dark shaper named Mwabin says "I knew it! ... But what could I do?" whereas Adel "Ah, how dastardly but you must understand, we push ourselves hard to produce these amazing structures..."
At the same time, Monel has prevailed on your contact, Mazra to assemble a group of supervisors to visit first the research division to observe the R-n-R but then to go to the Testing Division...
Thus, Mazra' committee enters with the party and several of aggrieved crafter follow along. Whereupon the head spirit, Durnan, a huge elemental, immediately appears challenging the group, "I'm sorry, any investigation is improper since it would threaten our impartiality..." whereas his assistant, Ithith (the known deceiver), "Well, it is understandable that some spirits would complain at our standards - understandable but something we must still resist. In any case, the question must be settled by the highest authorities, Narvus or perhaps one of his lieutenants."
Terexaltherin keeps careful track of his tap on the Deceivers' communications, hanging back from the group and trying to stay unnoticed as he does. He does send some telepathic suggestions as he does so, however.
Point out all the lost productivity due to the need for rework, not to mention the risk of flaws slipping through the process at present. If they're going to be nasty about it suggest that the requirements aren't being well-specified at the beginning, and if they really push start pointing out the circular nature of the authorities.
So, with the party and their alllies looking on, Durnan and Ithith, attempt to communicate with Narvus and then activate a giant view screen that takes a while to warm up...
It's a mass suggestion device! Terexaltherin reports to the rest of the group. I have an idea...
Subtly, trying to stay unnoticed, Terexaltherin uses his fine telekinetic control to try to alter the targeting on the device so it targets solely Durnan and Ithith rather than anyone else.
Monel smiles as the screen fuzzes... "No doubt this will clear up everything..." while sending telepathetically ::Terex, brilliant but is it possible to reverse the device's effect as well as...
I'll see how far I can push it, Terexaltherin 'says'. He continues his telekinetic tinkering, now trying to swap out what the screen will display to show the true communications the deceivers have been having.
Once Terex had done his work and the screen changed once more, Azzim caught the eyes of the aggrieved spirits and loudly remarked, "Oh! Would you look at that...". To Durnan he added, "It seems to me you owe everyone here an explanation!"
Arlo stares down Durnan menacingly.