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Sovellis watches Nippostia luxuriate in the artificial nature of the area of Idari. He can see the appeal of this place, and may even be a little jealous of the gnome's abandon. Decorum, and an emisssary's dignity demand that he maintain his reserve. His contract demands that he remain vigilant.
The elf can also appreciate the villagers' lifestyle. Elves share a cultural appreciation for the wild with these luddite kasathas. And while few of his people eschew technology completely, it is often hidden or disguised behind simple, traditional trappings. His own warrior school follows the pattern of embracing some technology while eschewing other aspects of it. Although his armor is a marvel of kasathan technology, it follows customary historical styles, and his weapons, his finest tools, use modern alloys but are formed after ancient, analog elven designs.
he keeps to the rear of the group, lest the armor alienate the kasathas.
Speaking with Cohomir , he asks,"Who are her friends? May we speak to them?"
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You seem to have a cheese obsession. However, it is not just cheese. They’re criminals. Some of them are artists or children from the big cities, but in that anarchic space, how could anyone not be corrupted? My neighbors have seen some of them snooping around our fences. My crops keep going missing, and animals never eat that much.
And sure - talk to anyone. They'll probably tell you the same thing.
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Pockets makes sure everyone they talk to sees his safety inspector tag before talking, then taps his trusty datapad as he begins.
"Safety inspector Pockets at your service, just here for a safety check-up. We hear people are disappearing and want to make sure everyone is safe."
Pockets checks his trusty datapad and gives it another tap.
"Have you seen anyone suspicious around here lately?"
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Switch and Sal discover the following:
Nindir seemed like a model member of the community. She worked on her family’s farm and helped her neighbors with chores, including taking goods to market in the city. Nindir’s many friends share stories of exploring the Sea of Grass and taking their weaving to sell in city markets with her, where she always made sure to visit her favorite art gallery. She knew where all the best foraging spots were and teased younger children with her “secret spot,” a location hidden somewhere near the lake. Nindir was busy and popular, with no obvious reason to run away.
Nindir isn’t the only one who’s gone missing. Over the years, many people have disappeared, most often to go live in one of the cities or even leave the Idari. There are three other unsolved cases where a person vanished without a trace over the past year.
Everyone’s seen Nindir taking long afternoon walks. Once or twice a week, she set off alone around midday. Usually, she came back with berries from her “secret spot” or with fish from the lake. She started taking her walks nearly every day right before she went missing and often came back empty-handed.
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Nixxer and Grimalki try Culture
Meanwhile Switch manages to help Sal find Nindir's friend, Kohu. He thinks that someone was following her. He thought he saw someone hanging around watching Nindir in the city when they went to sell their goods. A few weeks ago, Kohu was taking his family’s virix to graze when he saw someone following her along the road. When he told her about it, Nindir teased him about imagining things. Kohu sometimes explored the wilderness with Nindir when they were young children; he knows about her “secret spot” and can tell you where to find it.
You could go there now, search Nindir's room for clues with Perception checks, or go to the Red Corridors.
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"Let's search Nindir's room for clues first, since we're here, Mazer advises. "Then ask Kohu to show us her 'secret spot.' We may find something in either or both places that could prove useful when we visit the Red Corridors."
"Ugh, this room is too cramped to get my head around...literally," the sarcesian mutters to herself in Triaxian, before stepping out to give the others space to poke around.
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All you find so far is the following:
Nindir’s room is furnished with a bed, wash basin, and antique wooden dresser. A simple shelf holds a small collection of books and trinkets, including a patchwork toy virix. The dresser contains clothing and a few personal items including a necklace, an old crayon drawing, and a book of pressed flowers. None of Nindir’s belongings were packed or taken out of her room.
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Salamazarin bends down in the doorway to look over Grimalki's shoulder at the note. ”Hmm...It sounds like Nindir made a friend at the market in Red Corridors, who she shared her ‘secret spot’ with. And who gave her a reason to go there more frequently, whether she gathered any food or not.” She pauses a moment, her mind racing, but keeps further speculation to herself for now, until they’re well out of earshot of Nindir’s parents.
”I think it’s time for Kohu to take us to this ‘secret spot,’ to learn what we can there. Then we should probably go to Red Corridors to ask about this Hosa.”
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You get taken to the 'Secret Spot'.
A thicket of cane and tall grass surrounds a nest of blankets, cushions, and wool scraps. The nest faces a glorious view of the lake, reflecting the artificial sky in its dazzling surface. Burnt out candles an an empty bottle of wine lie discarded nearby.
It’s quite cozy, but not a place to stay for more than a tryst. Two sets of footprints lead away from the nest, crossed by a mess of clawed animal tracks near clumps of broken grass.
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"Cozy. A perfect place for two star-crosssed lovers to sneak away for some time to themselves. If that is what happened," Salamazarin opines, with a rather sentimental look in her eyes for a moment before she notices the animal tracks and broken grass. She moves closer, careful not to efface any possible clues as she crouches down to study the ground.
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Pockets spots an area where something was buried. Digging it out reveals a mk 1 null-space chamber. Inside it is a a laminated badge with Nindir’s picture and name, which identifies her as a market exhibitor; a university acceptance letter addressed to Rahosa; and a pair of simple metal wedding bands in a hand-sewn pouch.
Sal discovers tracks that can be followed to another clearing. This clearing bears obvious signs of violence. A picnic basket lies upturned near a ripped blanket. The damage looks like it was done by an animal’s claws.
Perceptions:
Both Nippostia and Switch spot three creatures stalking to ambush them.
Initiatives:
Order: (bold can go)
Salmamazarin, Green, Nippostia, Red, Sovellis, Switch, Nixxer, Grimalki, Blue.
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Salamazarin draws her pistol as she stands up from her crouch. As she does so, the sarcesian's manner changes completely. Instead of downplaying her size to appear as friendly as possible, she now uses her full fourteen feet of height, and a deep-throated growl, to try to cow one of the approaching predators, then shoots at it.
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The reddish creature looks intimidated and takes damage (-9)
Green charges forwards and attacks Grimalki.
Bold is up.
Salmamazarin, Green, Nippostia, Red, Sovellis, Switch, Nixxer, Grimalki, Blue.
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The sarcesian seems to have things in hand on the left, but the pahtra is already engaged on the right. Sovellis wheels and steps toward Grimalki...
The elf steps forward while drawing his sword. He holds out his hand and his starknife appears in it. Then he strikes at the brutish creature assailing Grimalki.
...
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Nip watches the red creature warily.
“Ewwww… weird, creepy kitty thing… let’s not get hasty now, kitty…”
Nip sidesteps away from the main group toward a tree in hope of getting some cover. She draw her laser pistol as she moves.
With her other hand, she gestures toward a heavy stick on the ground. A lime green haze forms around both her hand and the stick, then she flips her hand toward the approaching animal.
“Catch! Or don’t.”
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Sovellis' attention is already focused on green. He doesn't see Nippostia engaged with red.
The elf steps forward while drawing his sword. He holds out his hand and his starknife appears in it. Then he strikes at the brutish creature assailing Grimalki.
longsword v Green KAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 ... damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
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Salamazarin circles around the two ysoki and the creature engaged with them. As she goes, she pulls what looks like a length of ribbon from a clip on her belt. Once she has a clear shot, she shouts as she snaps that hand toward their foe--and the glamer falls away, revealing a normal-looking baton in her hand.