>>4173595
Henry opened up a map of the city he’d been provided and scanned over it. The lobby was a fairly spacious room, with a couple glass chandeliers and some rather grand designs on both the floor and ceiling. What looked to be a painting of the harbor sat above the secretary’s desk, and the whole place exuded a charm of class.

Ophelia tapped her foot against the ground, grumbling about how this office had been built on her dads work. The microscope had been her father’s invention, yada yada yada. It was quite boring to Henry at this point. No sense holding a grudge with the people you were working with and would possibly be getting funding from. He’d tried explaining to her multiple times, but the damned woman had no business sense.

Johnny idly stood around, waiting for the show to get started, while Charles took note of everyone entering and leaving, trying to keep track of their faces. Henry had taught the boy the trick and he’d taken to it. Was always good to know who normally frequented a place, as people who stood out as outsiders tended to be worth paying attention to.

The mayors office was located right down the main stretch of the city. The place, having the highest concentration of both upper class and mages, was the least affected bit of the city and it almost felt like there wasn’t an epidemic ravaging the city. Inside was a small lobby, with a bored looking clerk and a few other workings shuffling about moving papers.

“Can I help you?” The clerk asked, not even looking up from his large stack of papers.

>from previous thread

>>4173599
“Yeah, we’re looking to gain permission to investigate the Glen Mill’s Sugar Refinery and… well, it’s a very important matter you see.” Henry said.

“Ugh, yes, I can probably help you with that. Its one of those abandoned factories near the docks right?” The man asked.

“Y-yes, how did you know?” Henry asked.

“I was asked to inspect them and write all the names down, had to make sure they really were burnt to cinders. That’s my lot being the local gopher. Look, I’ll help you with the paperwork, not like there’d be anything to steal down there. You with the church? Can’t believe they’re really investigating drug running at a time like this.”

“Y-yeah. We’re investigating an opium den, taking this apprentice here to show him how its done.”

“And the lady?” The man asked.

“Rune expert, to dispel any illusions that might be put up.” Henry said.

“Alright…” The man said, standing up and stretching.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It took about two hours, but by the end of it Henry and his group walked out of the town hall holding a properly filed investigation form, the front desk clerk proved remarkably talkative, explaining that a few members of staff had taken ill, but he’d been unaffected. He figured it was just dumb luck more than anything and was still happy to have the job. He was worried they’d close the hall down soon.

Henry nodded, paying attention to anything important the man let slip. The mayor’s office had been surprisingly lax during the early stages, trying to downplay things in the beginning before finally handing over authority to the Church. Henry sighed, same as it ever was, election year and all.

“I don’t understand how people could ever vote for someone like that.” Charles said.

“I don’t understand how the church could let such idiots run things.” Henry replied. “But hell, if they weren’t so easy to bribe then I’d probably not have a career.”

“They were initially created as a rubber stamping and public relations operation by the royals. Though the office slowly mutated from what it was originally designed to do.” Johnny said.

“Are people that easily led by a fake smile and some lies? My opinion about the commons has dropped even further, I truly thought that was impossible.”

Decisions: (pick one)
1. *head back to the factory, with proper paperwork in tow*
2. *had back to HQ to see if Larry or Xavier are available* (will take time)
3. *you notice some commotion from a nearby market. Investigate?*
4. *head to a local info broker you know*
5. *head to Magica General Hospital*

>>4173627
>2. *had back to HQ to see if Larry or Xavier are available* (will take time)

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4173650
writing

>>4173627
Henry and co. returned back to headquarters, they found the outer area deserted, the protestors long since dispersed, although the trash and refuse they’d left behind still littered the once pristine square. The inside of the Cult’s Headquarters was a different story, clean and bustling with activity. While there was an odd sort of tension in the air, everything was running smoothly for the time being.

They found Larry sleeping on the job as it where, napping in a hastily constructed hammock. Henry promptly threw him out of said hammock and demanded to know where Xavier was.

“Oy hell if I know. He was grumpy all morning, left around… ten I think? Got back around noon, was downright pissed off, then left again around one, bundled up like it was winter. I figure he’s upset that he has to go deal with his old vampire buddies. Really ain’t something the guy wants to do if you ask me Henry.”

“We aren’t debating this, I need every lead I can get right now, Larry.” Henry replied.

“He agreed to help us, and this also helps the populace too.” Charles said. “A man needs to stick by his obligations.”

“hrmph, you sound like my father now.” Larry said, sighing.

“Is everyone finished being grumpy?” Ophelia said.

“He’s just annoyed that Larry was sleeping instead of watching the door. I’m sure someone will meet his standards one day.” Johnny mused.

Decisions: (current time, 3:30 pm)
1. *take Larry with you and head out for the burned out factory*
2. *head back into forensics*
3. *head to Magica General Hospital*
4. *head to the cult of progress archive room*
5. *head to the cult of progress mage rooms*
6. *write in*

>>4173728
>1. *take Larry with you and head out for the burned out factory*
Ophelia can start using the runes to do another scry, using them as the source to see if there's a connection to elsewhere.
Charles can get some rest and lunch, and possibly some sword training with Johnny.

>>4173752
going to write in that you kept a single rune piece for this purpose. The rest are with forensics. Charles and Johnny will stay behind while Henry, Ophelia, and Larry head out.

>>4173728
Charles and Johnny were left behind to guard the base. Charles was more than a bit upset that he was essentially being left at home, but Henry wouldn’t have it. He wasn’t about to send his apprentice into a place that potentially contained either traps, or the man behind all of this. Henry was well aware that whoever had done this had a working knowledge of magic and likely had a plethora of spells under his or her command.

Ophelia had already begun scrying on a piece of rune she’d… acquired from the patient zero site. She’d never even mentioned she’d kept one, although Henry was hardly complaining. Not having to go back to Morgan meant he wouldn’t have to look like an idiot who couldn’t plan ahead.

Johnny had some… words about being left behind, but agreed that Charles was safest with him, and that the three of them would be the least suspicious pairing of people. He also said he’d be helping Charles more with swordsmanship practice, to which Charles shuddered. Johnny didn’t really know how to go easy on people.

Henry had always liked that fact.

Larry rolled his shoulders a couple times then packed up what he needed, which wasn’t much. While Henry and Ophelia ate a hasty lunch, they’d both neglected to pack anything. Charles was making something more filling for himself since he’d have the time, and Johnny was a skeleton so food wasn’t something he needed. He still sat at the table as per usual with an empty plate.

After the group had left, Johnny immediately began getting together everything they’d need to spar while cheering happily. He finally had the opportunity to beat some sense into the boy, just like his master had done to him. Physical combat was one of the easiest ways for Johnny to get points across to people, he’d hoped his lessons about not taking advantage of the commons would stick. They hadn’t really stuck well with Henry.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The sugar refineries burnt out husk stretched a couple stories above a weed infested lot. Now armed with proper inspection paperwork, and with a party of only humans… even though he used that term lightly for Ophelia, the group was set.

The factory’s first floor appeared to be sealed off, with the main entrance clogged up with rubble. On the left side there was a tree that had fallen into the building’s second floor, which seemed to be the only obvious entrance.

Decisions:
1. *try to clear the rubble around the main entrance and enter*
2. *have Ophelia scry around the area for traps* (roll 2d100)
3. *use a fallen tree to access the second floor*
4. *try to find an underground route. Your paperwork also covers the pipe network around the building.*
5. *Have Ophelia use a flight spell to get onto the roof.* (roll 1d100 to see if she can manage it, she isn’t Alice after all so her flight magic is iffy)
6. (write in)

>>4175937
>6. (write in)
Walk around the building looking for any signs of anyone else entering it or examining it.

>>4176070
Roll 1d100, will write tomorrow

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>4176221

Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>4176221

>>4176727
>>4176269
high roll of 72, pass

>>4175937
>>4175937
Ophelia did a bit of scry work while Henry and Larry poked around the building. Ophelia was attracted to a dumpster in the back near immediately. After a couple seconds of being unable to budge the thing, she begged Larry for help, who then roped Henry in as well. The three of them managed to push the thing away from the building’s wall, a man sized hole was revealed. Henry threw a rock inside to see if there were any obvious traps, then Ophelia scryed the opening and said it was clear.

“Good work Ophelia.” Henry said. “I figure this is how that bastard got into and out of the building, only thing that concerns me was that it took all of us to move it.”

“Maybe he has strengthening magic?” Larry suggested.

“I swear to god if its another werewolf.” Henry replied.

“I really doubt a werewolf would have the mental fortitude to set up such a complex array of runes while transformed. Not to mention he’d be noticed by the Cathars. They aren’t that stupid.” Ophelia explained.

>Ophelia has scryed the newly discovered entrance and has found nothing magically dangerous about it

Decisions:
1. *utilize the new opening*
2. *use a fallen tree to access the second floor*
3. *try to find an underground route. Your paperwork also covers the pipe network around the building.*
4. *Have Ophelia use a flight spell to get onto the roof.* (roll 1d100 to see if she can manage it, she isn’t Alice after all so her flight magic is iffy)
5. (write in)

>>4177986
>5. (write in)
Move the dumpster back into place, have Larry hang around it, while Henry and Ophelia use the fallen tree to enter. If there's someone inside, he'll try to use his secret tunnel to escape where Larry can ambush him.

>>4178013
writing

>>4177986
The group moved the dumpster back into place, which Larry strongly objected towards. The man didn’t really want to waste all of the effort they’d put into moving the thing. Henry explained that they would be sealing off an escape route, and that Larry could just stand around guarding it which made the man far more willing to accept the arrangement. So the dumpster was moved back into place, and Larry was left behind to guard the entrance.

Ophelia and Henry climbed into the second floor, using the fallen tree. The upper floor was a series of small offices. The whole place smelled of smoke and mold and was badly falling apart. There was a series of skittering noises coming from below, where the factory must have been. Henry placed a finger to his lips and told Ophelia to be quiet.

The two quietly crept along, a hallway until coming out into a factory floor. The ceiling was partially collapsed, which let in a massive amount of sunlight illuminating the entire area. All around skittered around ten small red creatures, which were around half the size of a human each. The things were busy playing around with the various factory equipment, scorching things, or breaking things. All the while giggling and having a grand old time being annoying shits.

Devils, god damned devils. Henry sighed, it wasn’t entirely surprising the fucking things were here, but it was concerning that there were so many gathered at once. They’d likely not be too much of a threat if he could kill enough, and they weren’t exactly all that bright so sneaking past was an option. Henry noticed what appeared to be a storage room at the far side which was hanging ajar. The thing seemed to be relatively intact, and was likely holding some evidence if Henry’s gut was anything to go off of.

Decisions:
1. *try to retreat out before the devil’s notice you*
2. *have Ophelia cast a spell* (write in)
3. *cast a spell* (write in)
4. *try to sneak past*
5. *initiate combat* (write in)
6. (write in)

>>4178239
>2. *have Ophelia cast a spell* (write in)
Can she cast a wide area mind scatter, just enough to stun them so we can kill a few

>>4178239
4.

>>4178288
>>4178252
current tie, will do a coin flip tomorrow if its still a tie.

>>4178239
+1 >>4178252

>>4178549
>>4178252
Ophelia's spell wins with 2 votes. Roll 2d100 to see if she can stun the large mass of devils. A success will cause them to become confused for a period of 2 actions, failure will cause them to become alerted to your presence.

Rolled 32, 39 = 71 (2d100)

>>4178716

Rolled 33, 62 = 95 (2d100)

>>4178716

Rolled 44, 67 = 111 (2d100)

>>4178716

>>4179235
two passes

>>4178239
Henry signaled Ophelia to cast a mind scatter spell on the clustered devils, and before Henry had even finished explaining what he wanted her to do after she’d already flung a couple of spells. The spells were area of effect and fairly complex for such short notice casts. The second they impacted the floor near the devils a cloud of blue haze erupted, coating the factory floor in a blue mist. It lasted for a few seconds and after it dissipated it revealed three unconscious devils and seven more in a stupor.

Ophelia gave the thumbs up while Henry considered his options. While to a lay person, killing the devils would’ve appeared to be the best option, Henry knew better. Devils exploded into boiling blood, brimstone, and fire when killed. To safely kill them, Henry would have to toss a bomb rune at them, which would draw in all sorts of attention. The other option was to quickly sneak past them which was a more workable short term solution but there was the issue of getting back outside. Hopefully the dumpster entrance would be accessible from the storeroom.

Decisions:
1. *toss a couple bomb runes at the dazed devils* (failure will result in the devils snapping to attention)
2. *sneak past the devils* (no roll needed due to prior success, unable to harm devils)
3. *try to collapse the roof down on top of the devils* (will bring less immediate attention due to the lack of magic, but a failure could seal off the factory floor, or at worst seal you inside)
4. (write in)

>>4179812
2

>>4179812
>4. (write in)
can we tie them up where they can't escape, and hand them over to the church later?
If not, then
>2. *sneak past the devils* (no roll needed due to prior success, unable to harm devils)

>>4179857
will wait a few more minutes then write

>>4179812
“Shouldn’t we eliminate them?” Ophelia asked, nervously glancing over her shoulder.

“No, they’ll burst into flame.” Henry said.

“Can we tie them up?” Ophelia asked.

“No, they’ll burst. Into. Flame.” Henry said.

“I brought chain.” Ophelia said.

“So you want the devils to have access to a red hot whip then?” Henry asked. “No we can’t tie them up, they’re the very definition of uncontrollable.” Henry explained.

“Yet they’re all clustered around here like they’re guarding the door.” Ophelia explained.

“The only thing I’ve ever seen control them was a demon, and we’re right fucked if we have to fight one here.” Henry explained.

The two managed to get past the ten devils and ended up inside a small study that had been crafted out of the storeroom. The place had a cot, a cooking area, and a lot of worktables, bookshelves, and signs that until recently someone had been living here. However, there were no books left on the shelves and there were no tools left anywhere. Whoever had been here had cleared out, shit.

“We need to figure out if anyone’s around.” Henry said.

Ophelia began to cast a scry spell but Henry stopped her.

“Without alerting our guests outside.”


>the room is a small rectangular space that is fairly cramped, to the left of the door you came through is the cooking are and the cot. There is a hastily constructed chimney made out of iron scraps connected to a small cobbled together furnace. There is no fire in it presently but it looks like it was used fairly recently based on the soot. To the right of the entrance door are a couple work tables, a few bookshelves, and a small light rune lamp.

How do you search?:
(write in)

>>4179936
>(write in)
Ophelia looks over the work tables, we'll look over the book shelves, and the light rune lamp.

>>4179936
Look through the ashes. Investigate the chimney.

>>4180023
>>4179943
writing

>>4179936
Henry looked over the bookshelves while Ophelia looked over the work tables. The woman quickly found a lockbox hidden beneath one of the tables, and a few miscellaneous papers showing an invoice for a pair of glasses. It was a surefire lead at the very least, although the box wouldn’t open without the key.

Henry checked the bookshelves and found nothing on them, they’d been scraped clean and there hadn’t even been enough time for a layer of dust to form. Interestingly enough, there was a potted plant with a dead flower inside of it on the very top of one of the bookshelves, seemed whoever had been here hadn’t exactly had a green thumb. The flower hadn’t died from neglect, it look like whoever had touched it had forcefully killed it with magic, based on the scorch marks. Lastly, the middle of the three bookshelves had small metal wheels attached to its base, which made it rise up a bit higher than the others.

Henry batted at the lamp a couple times in frustration before noticing that a small key had fallen out of it. He smiled when he managed to unlock the lockbox and find a journal inside of it. Opening the journal revealed that… all of the pages had been torn out.

Except for a small scrap of a page with the words “Downry Hold” written on it. Henry had no idea what the hell that meant, maybe it was the name of a company?

Henry tossed the box away but Ophelia scurried after it. She wanted to try a scry spell on it later to figure out where it was made, as it’d be another lead. Henry sighed, she had a point.

Inside of the chimney, Henry found the burnt remains of all sorts of documents and newspapers, a few of which were legible. All of them had names of different factories or companies circled. Henry took the time to read through each. From what he could tell, a lot of them were affiliated with the cult of progress. Seemed whoever had done this really did hold a grudge against the church.

>evidence secured:
>1. Glasses invoice
>2. Newspaper clippings with various companies circled
>3. “Downry Hold” Journal

Henry froze when he heard something clatter outside the door. Seemed the devils were up and about again.
Decisions:
1. *try to sneak back outside*
2. *fight your way out, hopefully the noise will also attract Larry*
3. *write in*

>>4180133
>3. *write in*
There's a secret exit, might as well look for it.
Just let Larry know we're coming, get Ophelia to use a communication magic when we're near.

>>4180140

>There's a secret exit, might as well look for it.

do you want to roll or write a guess in? If you guess correctly where it is then you get an instant pass.

>Just let Larry know we're coming, get Ophelia to use a communication magic when we're near.

you'd need to roll to see if Larry understands the message properly, he didn't really pay attention to Alice's lessons about the codes

>>4180153
Is it behind the book shelf?
And Ophelia would know Larry doesn't know the codes, so she'll just tell him.
Or would she?
HMMMMM

>>4180153
And couldn't Ophelia just Scry the empty journal and see where the pages went?

>>4180211
correct, though it wasn't exactly difficult

>ophelia having the foresight and social ability to notice Larry wasn't paying attention to the lesson SHE helped plan

uhhh

>>4180327
She likes him, so she'll guess he has forgot already, as he does.

>>4181715
right, you've determined the exit which makes the roll necessary

>>4180133
Henry immediately closed the door that led back onto the factory floor, then ran back towards the bookshelf which had wheels underneath it. He swiftly wheeled it away from the wall, and back towards the door to act as an impromptu barricade. He then used his sword to knock a couple of the wheels off to further seal them inside. He turned around to find Ophelia was already crawling through the newly opened hole, which led out into a vent shaft. The two crawled for a little longer with the only illumination being a light rune Ophelia had pulled out. They eventually got to where the dumpster was covering up the hole and immediately realized that they had a massive problem.

“Larry! Get this thing away! We don’t have much time!” Ophelia said, before Henry shushed her.

“It too feckin heavy for just me!” Larry said. “Push on your end!”

Oh fuck. Henry thought. They’d moved the fucking thing back into place thinking that’d keep them safer, of fucking course they would’ve needed to leave quickly. Stupid stupid stupid.

He turned back around and saw that the coast was clear for the time being, but it wouldn’t be long until the devils sniffed them out.

Decisions:
1. *use a spell* (Ophelia is in front of you, switching places will consume an action*
2. *try to have Ophelia cast a spell* (write in)
3. *tell Larry to perform an action* (write in)
4. (write in)

>>4181924
You don't have to move it much, just enough to squeze through
And pretty sure henry and larry can move it, especially when henry uses his legs to help shove

>>4181933
alright, roll for it.

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>4181993

>>4181998
writing comedy

>>4182007
Nice

Henry immediately went into flight or fight, he settled on a mix of the two. Before Ophelia could even get a spell off she’d already been rudely shoved aside and Henry had scrambled ahead of her. He began ramming and pushing the dumpster with all of his might, telling Larry to do the same and to get ready to run. Henry could hear the sound of devils scraping around the vents, the fucker’s must have smelled them.

Since Henry was far too important to be mauled to death inside of a vent, he decided that he would choose life. The dumpster was shoved away several feet from the opening, and Henry scrambled out, falling face first into the dirt, but quickly picking himself out and scurrying away from the vent, a bolt spell already forming in his hand.

Larry wasted no time, pulling Ophelia from the back of the dumpster where she managed to get stuck. Her coat ripped a bit as he pulled her out, something which she immediately began complaining about.

“We’ll get you another coat god damn it, push the dumpster back into place!” Henry said, with the sort of scary resonance that a military command had when getting his troops in line.

The two piled onto the dumpster with Henry and they managed to seal it up as the first devil came through. The trio managed to crush the devils’ arm in the wall, which made a squelching sound as boiling blood spewed out from the wound. It sizzled as it hit the dirt.

“FUCKING BOOK IT!” Henry said, waiting for Larry and Ophelia to get away before joining them.

The group made out of the gate, which Henry slammed behind him, before being stopped by a pair of Cathars on patrol, who’d received several noise complaints from the locals.

Decisions:
1. *try to explain the problem to them*
2. *show them your investigation papers, showing you in fact are not breaking any laws* (mayor’s office papers)
3. *make a run for it*
4. *cast a spell, or have a party member cast a spell*
5. *bribe them*
6. (write in)

>>4182051
>6. (write in)
"FUCKIN DEVILS"
Point back at the decrepit factory
"There's about a dozen in there!"
Breathe heavily for a few seconds
"Frickin Investigations"

>>4182071
gonna let you have this due to the prior crit success

>>4182071
Huff, "They ain't paid me," huff, "enough for this," Huff, "shit."

>>4182051
“Fucking devils!” Henry said, breathlessly, pointing back from where they’d come from.

“Oy looks like they ran into trouble while trying to loot.” One of the Cathars said.

“There’s about a dozen in there!” Henry continued, quickly recovering from his panic.

“Oy well, you’re lucky to be unharmed, do you mind coming back with us to the station?” The other asked.

“We were allowed to be there, here.” Henry said, pulling out the paperwork they’d gotten from the mayor’s office.

One of the pair grabbed the paperwork out of his hand and rifled through it while the other eyed them suspiciously.

“Well son of a bitch you were allowed there.” The Cathar said, neatly folding the paperwork back up and handing it to Henry.

“Are you gonna do anything about the devils?” Henry asked.

“Maybe? We’re going to call it in and let our boss handle it, too many people dealing with the outbreak right now to worry about pest control. Long as they stay in that shite hole we’ll leave em be for the time being.”

Henry caught his breath as the two Cathar’s strode off.

“Fecking lazy pieces of shit.” Larry muttered.

Henry wanted to punch Larry in the face for that.

“They ain’t paying me enough for this shit.” Henry muttered.

“You said we were getting paid a hell of a lot!” Larry said, suddenly annoyed.

“Fuck off Larry you know what I mean.” Henry shot back.

“I think they’re following us.” Ophelia said, pointing back towards the gate.

Henry spun around but the only thing he saw was a regular gate, and the only thing he heard was Ophelia giggling like a child. Larry chuckled at the prank while Henry fumed. He was going to go nutty.

Decisions:
1. *head back to headquarters*
2. *head to city hall to see all the glassmaker’s guild members in the city. You figure you can track down the place the invoice belongs to with the remaining daylight*
3. *head to the hospital, you might as well get a handle on how bad this is.*
4. *head to forensics to drop the new evidence off*
5. *write in*

>>4182199
>4. *head to forensics to drop the new evidence off*
>5. *write in*
After Ophelia examines it

>>4182209
do you want her to do something specific, or just roll 1d100 per item?

>>4182231
Look over the notes to see if she can glean who best to apply them to the case at hand, like if it was a rune network, where would be the best places to place them in the city.

>>4182246
>>4182209
will write tomorrow.

>>4182311
writing

>>4180133
>Decided to have Morgan offer advice, rather than Ophelia, as it felt more natural

The group headed back to the Cult of Progress’ Magica branch and split up, Henry heading back into the building while Ophelia and Larry headed back to the headquarters. The two being so chummy now annoyed Henry for whatever reason, and made him miss Rosa. Where the hell was she, anyhow? He knew she was somewhere in the city, probably at the hospital. He hadn’t had the time today to actually go and look but he’d probably need to soon. If she found out he hadn’t checked on her she might get upset…

Ophelia flicked over her notes as she walked back home with Larry. The woman was deep in thought about possible spells, runes, and other arcane connections. She was mainly focused on where the runes had come from, from what she could tell only some of them had been hand made, the others had had makers marks on them. She’d need to wait for the forensics report… from the damned lab where the cult had stolen her father’s work. The glasses could be made anywhere, well, not really. Specific tools would’ve been needed not to mention a craftsman’s touch, only so many of those in this city. It was actually annoying they weren’t produced in a factory, made it much harder to track down. As for what Downry Hold was, not a building, didn’t sound right. It wasn’t a business either… she didn’t even know why she felt that, she just had a feeling. It felt like it was something that moved around…

She sighed, tucking her notes away. She’d had trouble thinking lately, the man next to her had been taking up an increasing amount of her thoughts and it bothered her. Larry noticed her staring and smiled. Ophelia felt her heart skip a beat. Why did she feel this way?

Henry continued into the forensics lab and dropped the new evidence he’d collected, but first made copies of anything ‘relevant’.

“Henry, this invoice, you can probably find a list of businesses that could’ve produced the glasses at the mayor’s office.”

“They’re barely functioning, I really doubt they’d be much help, besides there has to be several dozen businesses in the guild for a city of this size.” Henry explained.

“If you need manpower you can find it here, obviously.” Morgan explained.

>>4184341
“Right, thanks, I’ll write some instructions down once I figure out how much help I’ll need. We might be able to track down the maker in an afternoon.” Henry said.

“Talk to the branch head, he’d be the one to see for this.” Morgan explained. “He’s a sharp customer, so he won’t send you dregs for manpower.”

“Thanks Morgan, its appreciated.” Henry said.


“As for the Downry Hold note.” Henry explained.

“No idea, but I’ll send the name back to central so they can figure it out. Will probably take a few days for them, even if they’re completely focused on this.” Morgan explained.

“Days we might not have…” Henry said.

“Well we can only do so much, still have to do so much manually.” Morgan said, “Maybe one day you’ll be able to press a rune and get the information you need, wouldn’t that be something?”

“Yeah, it’d be the size of a mountain.” Henry said, laughing with him.

Decisions:
1. *call it a day and have dinner with your group, see how they’re doing*
2. *head upstairs to see if Marko is still available to speak.*
3. *head out to one last location before nightfall, you’ll just have to use a heat rune plate to reheat your dinner when you get back*
4. (write in)

>>4184355
>“Yeah, it’d be the size of a mountain.” Henry said, laughing with him.
If you can modulate the mana flow in the mana transference runes, you could make a basic form of communication through it. Might just be morse code right now, but still.
>>1. *call it a day and have dinner with your group, see how they’re doing*

>>4184428
will post tomorrow morning

>>4184355
>1. *call it a day and have dinner with your group, see how they’re doing*

>>4184860
writing

>>4184355
Henry walked out of the branch office weary and hungry. It was time to rest and have dinner, then to get his head around what he wanted to do. He’d already made some progress, and it looked like whoever was behind this wasn’t doing the best job covering their trail. This led him to believe it was someone acting on their own, as anyone in Venser’s group wouldn’t be nearly so sloppy. He’d have to write a report up.. which meant getting paper and ink, or borrowing Ophelia’s if he could.

The usage of manpower would massively speed things up, as long as he could focus it on simple repetitive tasks, complex or detailed work would be his job, basically.

As he stepped through the door he found Xavier sprawled out on the couch. The vampire instinctively ducked away from the sun coming through the doorway and grunted in pain as a bit of smoke wafted off of him.

“Oh shit sorry.” Henry said, quickly shutting the door. “I didn’t realize you were there.”

“My fault, I should’ve found a better place to rest.” Xavier said, sitting up. “Talking with other vampires, those who have no qualms, took a lot out of me. I need more time to collect myself, I even snapped at Larry today.” He said, rubbing his head.

“Yeah I was informed, how bad was it?” Henry asked.

“I am still in control of myself, Henry. The blood you and the others have been providing has helped massively. I still feel awful about all of this though, I still don’t like the idea of drinking human blood.”

Henry sighed, where the hell had this come from.

Decisions:
1. *you’re tired and hungry, you can have this conversation later.*
2. *have dinner with the others, see if anyone else has anything valuable.*
3. (write in)

>>4185211
>3. (write in)
"At least it's blood freely given from friends."
Then
>2. *have dinner with the others, see if anyone else has anything valuable.*

>>4185218
writing

>>4185211
“At least its blood freely given from friends.” Henry said.

“Thanks.” Xavier replied, nodding his head in agreement. “Still doesn’t feel right, but at least I do not have to hurt any innocents merely to sustain myself, your donations have been extremely welcome in that regard.”

“Come on, lets have dinner.” Henry said.

Dinner had been made by Johnny and Charles that night, thankfully. Ophelia and Larry weren’t until tomorrow and Henry shuddered to think what those two would produce. A few different kinds of meat along with vegetables were served, and Henry even managed to produce a couple bottles of wine which he’d found in the basement.

All in all, it was a good dinner. Morale was high, people were in good spirits, and nobody had been injured yet. Well, Charles had a few bruises from training with Johnny but that hardly counted, he’d heal up just fine.

“Henry, how much time do we have left?” Ophelia asked.

“Likely a week or less at this point, we’re going to need to put a cork in this, and since it’s spell borne if we kill the original caster then the curse should weaken significantly, correct?”

“Well, yes, assuming any other circles he created were similarly designed. He or she is the lynchpin in all of this.”

“Couldn’t we get him to drop it?” Larry asked.

“If someone went to all the trouble to do this do you really think they would?” Charles asked. “Do you think it’d be worth the trouble to try?”

“Well… no… but this doesn’t seem like the sort of thing someone would just… do…” Larry said.

“Motive is something we need to discover.” Johnny replied. “I figure this is some sort of revenge plot given how the perpetrator has been primarily targeting cult of progress factories so far.”

Decisions:
1. (Write in a response)
2. *conclude dinner*

>>4185390
>1. (Write in a response)
"Hmmm."
"We might talk to the cult about that, see if there's someone who they upset that disappeared before all this started."

>>4185412
writing

>>4180133
“hmm, wouldn’t be the first, Del Mar’s testament to the amount of people the Cult’s screwed over.”

“Could be an inside job too.” Charles said. “Someone who left the cult under less than idea circumstances.”

“I really doubt it, most of them are in for life. While I have my issues with some of their policies and members, they do offer the best grants and they’re able to hold the church off.” Ophelia said. “It’s the real reason I’ve allowed Henry to throw our lot in with them.”

“Funny what fear for one’s life can get a person to do.” Johnny said.

“I just find them stifling sometimes.”

“We find you annoying sometimes too, Ophelia.” Charles said.

Henry laughed at that, slapping the table a couple times

“So are you going to ask the cult boys about all of this?” Larry asked. “I figure they’d keep tabs on people who quit in a huff.”

“Yeah, I’d imagine they would, probably to blacklist them.” Henry said, rubbing the back of his head. “We’d need to look for people with curse and runic experience magic wise, maybe even look to see if Downry Hold is a person’s name.” Henry said.

“I don’t think it is.” Ophelia replied.

“Then what do you think it is?” Henry asked.

“I don’t know exactly; I just don’t think it is. I just know alright?” Ophelia said.

>>4186017
“She’s been right about this stuff before. Though she doesn’t quite know how to say it without sounding full of herself.” Larry said.

“I’m not!” Ophelia said. “I’m being earnest.”

“Sure, just like you earnestly believe the cat corpse I got you last week wouldn’t explode when you shoved three runes inside of it.” Charles said.

“You said you wouldn’t talk about that!” Ophelia said.

“Ophelia… what did you do?” Henry asked, a small insincere smile on his face.”

“N-nothing…” Ophelia said, doing anything she could to not make eye contact.

“Well, I assume you did a good job cleaning it up since I didn’t find the corpse when I got home, so no harm done. That’s how those messes work… hide the body, nobody finds it, s’all good.” Henry said, the smile still on his face.

Ophelia laughed nervously, while Johnny chuckled. He knew the woman wasn’t in any real danger, Henry didn’t smile when he was actually angry.

The group went to bed, with Charles, Larry and Henry sharing a room, Xavier taking the basement, and Ophelia taking the loft. Johnny decided to sit down on the couch for once, after pushing it into a nearby corner, and watched the door.

!END OF DAY 1!
+++++++++++++++++

Henry rose out of bed and the crack of dawn, had breakfast with Charles and Johnny, and began preparing for the day. Ophelia, Larry, and oddly Xavier were still asleep. Johnny had explained that Xavier had wanted some time to process all he’d seen the previous day and had asked if it could wait a little longer. Charles didn’t buy it, arguing that they needed the information now and that he’d just have to tough it out.

Decisions:
1. *talk to Xavier, you don’t have the time to waste waiting for what could be critical information* (could potentially lower your reputation with Xavier)
2. *head over to the hospital to see if you can’t catch any of the staff before they go to work. Might as well take the time to see if Rosa is okay.*
3. *Start working on the glasses invoice lead*
4. *start trying to figure out what the hell Downry Hold is.*
5. *See if any of the companies that had been highlighted in the newspaper clippings are still operating right now.*
6. *write in*

>>4186020
5

>>4186029
writing shortly

>>4186029
Henry grabbed out the list of companies he’d written down the day before and got to work with Charles and Johnny. Over the next couple of hours. The three managed to determine which of the companies were still open.

>two hours pass, it is now 8:30am

Of the nine names, four were closed due to plague, and two more were closed for the safety of their workers. Which left three.

Gallup Wholesalers, which dealt in produce. Regin Glassworks, which produced glassware. The third was a bit odd, it was a newspaper, the daily horn. He was fairly certain it wasn’t a scientific journal, in fact it seemed to be a local newspaper, since Henry had never actually heard of it before. Henry didn’t really understand why that one would be circled, maybe a false positive?

>Current party, Charles, Henry, Johnny

Decisions:
1. *head to Gallup Wholesalers HQ*
2. *head to Regin Glassworks, the factory is fairly close to the cannery and sugar refinery, which is surprising*
3. *Head back to the building where the Daily Horn is. Maybe you can figure out why they were circled by the perp.*
4. *head back home and grab some more manpower* (will allow you to switch out party members but will take up time)
5. (write in)

>>4186150
>3. *Head back to the building where the Daily Horn is. Maybe you can figure out why they were circled by the perp.*

>>4186175
writing

>>4186150
The trio made their way to the office of the Daily Horn, braving several more checkpoints and noticing to their dismay that there were several people who watched their progress. Henry muttered that they’d likely be an increase in robberies in the city if aid wasn’t soon given out. Half the town had just ground to a halt.

The office itself was fairly nondescript. A three story masonry building that had at one point been a bakery and living quarters for a couple families. It had been converted recently from what Henry had found out, and now served as the location for a newspaper.

Henry had several ways in which he could go about this. He needed to figure out who he was going to take inside and how he was going to play it.

Decision 1: Party Members
1. *Go alone*
2. *Take Charles*
3. *Take Johnny*
4. *Take Charles and Johnny*

Decision 2: How to play it
1. *go for a shake down strategy, use the threat of violence to get what you want*
2. *try to go in with the intent to grease palms, hopefully a bit of money will talk*
3. *wave your Cult of Progress badge around, you figure they’d be very willing to talk to a Nail*
4. *try to pretend you’re working for the church, though you’ll need to be a very convincing liar*
5. *sneak inside if you can manage it*
6. *try to use your meager arsenal of mental spells to get what you need…*
7. (write in)

>>4186294
>2. *Take Charles*
2. *try to go in with the intent to grease palms, hopefully a bit of money will talk*
We issue a reimbursement fee after all this is done.

>>4186306
I see, pay them and then get paid back by the cult, essentially

>>4186306
writing

>>4186294
Henry and Charles stepped inside while Johnny kept to an alley to keep tabs on the building. Inside was fairly… normal? The interior was clean and the first floor had been converted to the actual printing area, there was a small desk up front with a man filing paperwork. He looked up for a moment then back down to his paperwork. Henry felt a sense of déjà vu from this, was nobody able to hold eye contact and have a normal conversation?

“Excuse me, we’d like to talk with someone in charge of this establishment.” Henry said.

“Do you have an appointment?” The man asked.

“Well, no.” Henry said.

“Its incredibly important we can assure you.” Charles added.

“Uh huh, look, the boss is really busy and doesn’t have time to speak to people right now, unless you got some sort of story for him, which by the looks of things you don’t. I don’t want to be rude but if there is nothing else I’d like you to leave.”

Decisions:
1. *leave, fuck him and fuck this place*
2. “Perhaps I could give you a couple reasons to let me through* (slide a couple silver coins onto the desk)
3. “Well, I actually might have a good story for you.” (can be a lie or the truth.)
4. “Maybe this will show you how serious I am about this. I’m saying that I believe someone has a reason to harm your boss.” (place a gold coin on the desk)

>>4187894
>2. “Perhaps I could give you a couple reasons to let me through* (slide a couple silver coins onto the desk)

>>4187946
roll 1d100

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>4188298

>>4188331
pass, writing

>>4187894
“Perhaps I could give you a couple reasons to let me through.” Henry said, sliding three silver coins across the desk.

The man looked at them for a second, up to Henry, then back at the coins. He slowly placed them into his pocket, like he wasn’t used to doing so. That told Henry a decent amount, he probably wasn’t used to graft.

>You lose 3 silver coins

“I’ll let Mr. Parson’s know he has visitors. I promise no more than that.” The man said, standing up and checking over Henry and Charles again.

The man got up unsteadily then turned towards the stairs, motioning for Henry and Charles to stay where they were. A few minutes later he came back down and motioned for them to come upstairs. Henry followed with Charles following along. Charles muttered about how empty the place felt, which Henry agreed with. The place felt dead.

There were a few more people working upstairs, but still not a ton. Henry didn’t have a chance to see any of the articles they were working on until he was ushered inside of a room. There was a rotund balding man sitting at a fairly fancy hardwood desk. The room had quite a bit spent on it based on the décor, from what Henry could surmise. Whoever this Mr. Parson’s was he dealt with important people, otherwise why would he go to the trouble?

“I hope you have a very good reason for coming here. I hope you paid Sam here a good bit or used magic on him, otherwise I’ll have to fire him after this for not doing his damned job.”

Henry watched as Sam left, and then noticed there was a gruff looking merc standing at the doorway they’d just entered through.

“Quite odd for a newspaper to hire security.” Henry said.

“Well, times being what they are you can’t be too careful. Street bums think they can take whatever they want these days. But I ain’t here to make small talk with some impotent fop who walked in trailing dirt and shit. Why the fuck are you here?” Mr. Parsons asked.
Decisions:
1. “I’m looking for information.” *slide some coins across the desk*
2. “I wanted to have a lovely conversation in private.” *flash the nail badge at Mr. Parsons.*
3. “Quite a rude welcome considering I’m trying to help you.”
4. “You know your guard looks like he is hung over, right?” (medical knowledge)
5. (write in)

>>4188349
>2. “I wanted to have a lovely conversation in private.” *flash the nail badge at Mr. Parsons.*

>>4188365
writing

>>4188349
“I wanted to have a lovely conversation in private.” Henry said.

Mr. Parsons began to go off until Henry flashed the Cult of Progress Nail Badge at him.

The man’s demeanor immediately changed, and he quickly got his merc out of the room to give the three of them some privacy.

“Alright, I apologize about before, I thought you were some nobody off the street, didn’t realize you were connected.”

“No worries Mr. Parsons.” Henry said.

“Call me Bill.”

“Alrighty.” Henry continued, enjoying the flow of the conversation much more now that he was being shown a good bit of respect.

“So what can I help you gentlemen with?” Bill asked.

Decisions:
1. “Do you have any coffee or anything? I forgot to get some this morning.”
2. “I wanted to inform you that I believe you and your employee’s lives may be in danger.”
3. “Your company came up during my investigation, do you mind telling me what exactly you do here? I get the feeling the paper is just a cover.”
4. “I’d recommend paying your doorman more, he flipped over a few silver coins.”
5. (write in)

>>4188418
>5. (write in)
"Did something specific occur to get a mercinary, something that wasn't plague related?"
And
"Have you noticed anyone hanging around lately, someone snooping on more than one occasion, they may have even broken in and not stolen anything?

>>4188418
“Did something specific occur for you to get a mercenary, or is it really just due to the plague?” Henry asked.

“In our business, sometimes people hold grudges, a few men with swords and spells give them second thoughts.” Bill explained.

“Have you noticed anything unusual around here lately, someone snooping or break ins?” Henry asked.

“Nothing we’ve noticed, and we do pay attention to that sort of thing.” Bill explained. “Nothing out of the ordinary so far, but there was some work done lately on the building next door after a fire broke out. Luckily it didn’t spread too far, but the fire happened last month, before the plague.”

“So you don’t think it was arson?” Henry asked.

“No, usual bit of drunkards spilling oil around. It was fortunate nobody died but the city issued several citations. The walls downstairs are all brick on account of this once being a bakery. So we suffered no damage.” Bill explained.

Decisions:
1. *ask further questions* (Write in)
2. *leave*

>>4188462
>1. *ask further questions* (Write in)
"Have you or your employees seen anybody going in and out of the building next door?"
And
"Would you mind if we looked around there?"

>>4188492
writing

>>4188462
“Have you seen anyone going in and out of the building next door?” Henry asked.

“Well, yes. The construction staff until recently had been rebuilding the interior. Heard they were converting it into a café or something. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Mind if we looked around there?”

“Nobody here would complain. Hardly anyone’s come in since the plague hit. Its been spooking all of the commons something fierce.” Bill explained.

The man stopped and lit a cigar, then continued.

“Just don’t cause a ruckus. Those fuckers make enough noise in there as it is, and I’d rather not have a ton of heat coming down here because you decided to cave some skulls in. Though given how you came to me I figure you’ll be fine.”

“We prefer a softer touch.” Henry explained.

Charles nodded in agreement.

Decisions:
1. *excuse yourselves to go investigate next door*
2. *continue the conversation* (write in)

>>4190280
2. Anything else weighing on your mind?

>>4190649
supporting

>>4190836
>>4190649
writing

>>4190280
“Anything else weighing on your mind?” Henry asked.

“No, well, yes actually. One of my employees, Richard, didn’t show up for work today. Its probably nothing but I am worried about him now.” Bill explained. “I figured he was just caring for his wife who’d taken ill, not with the plague mind you, but with you coming here all of a sudden I was worried something might’ve happened. Call it a gut instinct.”

“Do you want us to check?” Charles asked.

“You don’t have to but if one of you could run by his house I’d be mighty appreciative, though I realize you have much more important things to do.” Bill said.

>Optional Sidequest acquired: Find out where Richard is

Decisions:
1. *finalize conversation and check next door*
2. *try to locate Richard*
3. *continue to speak* (Write in)

>>4192531
Thank him for his time. Then 1.
Keep 2 in mind

>>4192580
writing

>>4192531
Henry and Charles thanked Bill for his time and quickly headed next door, bringing Johnny along as well for the addition support. The interior of the place was dark, but that was quickly fixed by Charles placing a few activated light runes around. The place had a bit of an eerie quality, everything was clean but Henry got the sense that something bad had happened here at one point in time.

The second floor still being worked on, quite literally, as only the joists had been put into place. The large gaps between them gave a clear view at the roof.

“Did the second floor cave in?” Charles asked.

“Looks like it, must’ve been from the fire. The actual frame of the house is stone so I guess it burnt itself out. Lucky since it looks like it would’ve taken the block with it.” Henry muttered.

“So I suppose they were rebuilding it. Looks like they did the roof already.” Johnny said, pointing up to the ceiling.

“Yeah, to make sure it doesn’t get fucked by rain.” Henry added.

Decisions:
1. *investigate the interior?* (write in specifics)
2. *head back outside* (will bring up more options)
3. *cast a spell* (write in)

>>4192626
>1. *investigate the interior?* (write in specifics)

>>4192629
you have to be more specific than that.

>>4192653
We'll look for the meddling of someone, see if they left some runes in there, or maybe another hidden room.

>>4192685
hmmm

well if you ain't getting more specific I'm makin you roll 3d100

Rolled 67, 20, 37 = 124 (3d100)

>>4192725
We'll be examining construction to see if something was changed after it was finished, we'll be looking for things that were covered up with debris, that doesn't look natural, as in someone moved it to there, and we'll be looking for out of the way passages.

>>4193603
well, that's 1 success, 1 failure, and 1 near success.

>>4192626
The group searched around for any obvious tampering but found none. From what Henry could tell the place hadn’t been touched in weeks. Johnny investigated the second floor for a bit and came down empty handed. Charles managed to find a couple runes that had been placed in a small bag, but Henry couldn’t be sure that they weren’t being used by the construction crew. They were mostly light runes with a few heat runes thrown in. Nothing one could use to make a curse. Henry coughed a few times from all the dust they were kicking up.

Fucking hell the place was dirty. There was a fine layer of soot all over the ground, the workers hadn’t even bothered to clean it up. Hell there was even a few brooms left lying around.

“Henry I found something!” Charles said, waving Henry and Johnny over to the stairs.

“What?” Henry asked.

“I think there is a crawl space under the stairs!” Charles said, tapping at the wall under the stairwell.

There was the distinct noise made by knocking on a hallow surface. Henry figured the kid might be onto something.

Johnny and Henry tested the wall, eventually finding a door that had been painted over with stucco. Henry used a hammer he found nearby to bash the door open, leading into a small crawl space. Henry’s nose was immediately hit with the smell of rotting flesh.

“Well fucks sake.” Henry said, stepping out and coughing. Even with his ability to bear the smell of dead flesh, it being cooped up like that made it a bit to potent for him.

“I’d say she died of suffocation. Maybe she fled here when the place burned down?” Johnny said, kneeling over the body.

“Yeah, fuck.” Henry said. “Well I guess I know why the place felt wrong.”

“Imagine if we’d never found it.” Charles said.

>>4194382

“Wait, you think she might be a ghiest?” Henry asked, checking the body again.

“What?” Charles asked.

“If she died like this she might be lingering. We might be able to conduct a séance and see if she saw anything weird happening around here, though it’d have to be after sundown.” Henry explained.

“Have you even done that before?” Johnny asked, incredulous.

“Once or twice, I know how if you’re asking me.” Henry explained. “Corpse is too old to ask it any questions so asking the ghiest might be our next best bet.”

Decisions:
1. *continue searching around* (specific request needed, write in)
2. *Inform Cathars about the body* (will cause the body to be removed)
3. *close the door and leave the body alone for the time being, you can return later tonight to conduct the séance.*
4. *head next door to continue talking to Bill Parsons.*
5. (write in)

>>4194384
>5. (write in)
If she ran in there during the fire, then why was she stuccoed in?
If there's soot everywhere, then looking to see if there was anyone before us would have been easy.
3. *close the door and leave the body alone for the time being, you can return later tonight to conduct the séance.*
Lets look for the source of the fire.

>>4194392
Suppin'

>>4194706
>>4194392
writing

>>4194384
“If she ran in here when the fire happened, then why did she get stuccoed in?” Charles asked.

“Because the lazy fucks running this job didn’t even bother to clean the fucking walls off, look at this shit! They probably didn’t even notice there was a room here.” Henry said.

Underneath the stucco was a clear bit of ash. The implications disgusted Henry to his very core.

“Good lord, she must have been in here for at least a month.” Johnny said. “I’d imagine her spirit would be furious. I would be surprised if there haven’t been hauntings around here.”

“There might be. When we speak to her tonight we’ll need to take precautions.” Henry replied. “I only asked the manager next door about stuff he’s seen, I doubt he stays there after dark.”

“Speak to her?!” Johnny asked. “We need to give her a proper burial right away!”

“She could be a witness if she’s still lucid.” Henry said. “We will wait till tonight and then bury her after we talk, I’m not doing it now. If we disturb the body the connection to the house might be broken and then we get jack shit out of her.”

“I agree with Henry, we should wait, half a day won’t make much of a difference if she’s been here for a month.” Charles added.

“They didn’t even bother to clean this place…” Johnny said.

Henry could tell the skeleton was horrified by all of this. It was kind of funny how he was sometimes unaffected and other times acted entirely human.

“Where do you think the fire started?” Henry asked, trying to get Johnny’s mind off of things.

“Well, either the first or second floor. It spread and I’d imagine the second floor came down. That’s probably what trapped the woman inside the stairwell.” Johnny said. “Maybe she slept through it at first, poor thing.”

>>4195722
Henry shut the door as Charles continued to look around for evidence. Henry sighed and concluded that anything that was here might’ve already have been moved. Maybe the perp had noticed their investigation?


“Henry I think I found something” Charles said, digging through the soot.

Henry stopped what he was doing and watched as Charles uncovered an array of lines carved into the foundation of the building.

“Fucks sake.” Henry muttered.

The entire thing was basically a massive detonation rune. It was incomplete from what Henry could tell and shoddily made. It would likely never actually go off.

“Do you think it’s the work of the perp?” Johnny asked.

“Maybe, or it could be the crew’s, maybe they were going to knock the house down at one point. We’d need an expert to really be able to tell more about it.” Henry said.

“Do you know someone like that?” Charles asked.

“Yeah… I think I do.” Henry said, immediately thinking of Coliq.

Decisions:
1. *break the rune for now* (the more damage you do the harder it will be to see who could’ve made it)
2. *inform Mr. Parsons*
3. *head to another location*
4. *write in*

>>4195737
the rune was essentially hidden by the soot and carved into the base of the building.

>>4195737
>4. *write in*
Can we carve a small dispersement rune on the foundation to make any attempt to charge the explosion rune fail by causing the mana to forcibly leak out?

>>4195742
yes, roll 2d100 to see how well Henry can do it.

Rolled 25, 45 = 70 (2d100)

>>4195776

>>4195779
yeah... no.

Rolled 41, 17 = 58 (2d100)

>>4195776

>>4195820
>>4195779

two near passes, but no cigar. Henry isn't well trained in more complex runes

>>4195832
Charles has been getting training from Ophelia right?
He can help, can't he?

>>4195737
Henry did his best to alter the rune so it would simply blow off all of the mana, but his ability to trace dissipation sigils wasn’t all that great. In fact, he had never been all that good at altering runes in the first place. He’d never had the mind for it. So while he figured he’d done a decent enough job, what he had done was completely ineffective.

“So that’s that then?” Charles asked, looking over the symbols Henry had carved into the ground.

“Should be. Shame we didn’t bring Alice.” Henry said, wiping his brow and tossing the hammer and chisel he’d found back where they belonged.

If anyone stumbled upon the worksite, they’d find almost nothing amiss. Henry even had Charles cover the rune back up. Stepping back into the fresh air, Henry noticed just how empty the streets had gotten. Only a few people moved about and they all kept a distance from one another.

Decisions:
1. *speak to Mr. Parson’s Again*
2. *head to another location* (will bring up menu)
3. *perform an action* (you won’t be able to go back into the café now, Henry believes he did an effective job.) (write in)

>>4195886
>3. *perform an action* (you won’t be able to go back into the café now, Henry believes he did an effective job.) (write in)
Lets go get the cult to investigate the boom rune.

>>4195886
Henry grabbed out some paper and quickly drew out a basic diagram of the runic engraving. He figured the Cult would appreciate the evidence and the location. Hell maybe they’d even set up a sting for the bastard. The church actually supporting his efforts would be a welcome change.

The group returned back to the cult, happy with the job they’d done. Henry handed the evidence off to forensics, and left another copy behind in the room Ophelia was using. It seemed her and Larry were nowhere to be found. Xavier was however and seemed to be in a mood to talk. The man didn’t really want to go back outside during daylight, he said it was painful with the clothing he was wearing. Henry made a note to ask Ophelia to do something about that. His own stitched wings were also chafing so he made a second note.

Decisions:
1. *head to another location* (will bring up menu unless location is selected in advance)
2. *exchange party members* (Write in, Ophelia and Larry are unavailable)
3. *speak with Xavier about what he did yesterday*
4. (write in)

>>4195957
>4. (write in)
Did we inform the cult about out attempt at disarming? Just checking as it wasn't specifically said.
Then We'll look at the news about any incidents that has happened before all this started that features the Daily Horn

>>4195965
yes, however they've chosen not to act immediately. News needs to reach the man in charge.

>>4195971
Aight, we'll look at the records, or librabry, where ever they store old copies of the papers that talk about incidents.
We're interested in things that occured around the Dailky Horn

>>4195957
Henry turned his attention back towards the Cult’s HQ. He really wished that Ophelia had stuck around. She had an eerie ability to search libraries that Henry had witnessed during their time in Celeste. It was like she somehow knew where every book was without even knowing what they were.

Regardless, Henry managed to use his authority to get into the archives of the branch office, and immediately set to work looking up information about the Daily Horn. He quickly determined that the newspaper was actually an information service, sort of like a high end version of the info brokers than Henry utilized in the seedier parts of the various cities he frequented.

From what he could tell, the final report from the daily horn were various reports about traffic to the … Nirdec Caverns. Henry sighed, of course that shit would’ve gotten brought up again. The damned church had actually done it but the Cult had supplied the weapon to do so. They’d gassed the cavern, people would’ve held grudges from that. He idly flicked through more information with Johnny but he already knew that had to be what had happened. Someone from there would’ve had the knowledge to set the curses up. He figured.

It fit, perhaps this was some petty attempt at revenge or just a way to strike back. He wondered if the Skalitz were in on it. Perhaps Xavier could provide more information?

Decisions:
1. *head back to Xavier*
2. *head out to another location*
3. *speak with the Branch Head, Marko*
4. (write in)

>>4197546
>3. *speak with the Branch Head, Marko*
See if he has a list of people that was at the caverns, then go to our seedy info brokers and see if any of them have been seen lately, or have any of their friends requested resources lately.

>>4197567
writing

>>4197546
Henry managed to get a quick conversation in with Marko, although it didn’t go exceedingly well. Marko immediately became defensive when Henry asked about what connections the cult had to the events at Nirdec. He explained that while the cult had supplied the church with materials, they hadn’t conducted the actual operation. Henry pressed the man but didn’t get very far.

Henry sighed, was this really something a Nail couldn’t get access too? That was a bother, he’d have to either find a way to get Marko to talk, go to Ludvig, or figure out how to get the info from the church.

Henry decided to visit one of his local info brokers. While he rarely came to Magica, he DID have a few people here that he knew he could trust enough. He needed to figure out who to bring, however.

Decision #1: (who to bring)
(write in)

Decision #2: (where to go)
1. Swans’ place
2. Sharps Tavern
3. Ringlo’s dive
4. (write in)

>>4197651
>2. Sharps Tavern
We can get a bite to eat while we're there.
is larry and ophelia available?
If so, leave charles and johnny and take those two

>>4197651
Henry checked back into the headquarters to see if either Larry or Ophelia had returned. Henry did notice that Ticky had been partially constructed, likely during the time they’d been out.

“Still nothing?” Henry asked.

“I’m afraid not.” Xavier said. “I don’t really know where those two have gone off too but this is no time to be goofing around.”

“Well, look, can we talk later about whatever happened yesterday?” Henry asked.

“Yeah, thanks for giving me some time, I appreciated it.” Xavier said.

> increased trust gained with Xavier

++++++++++++++++

The group arrived at Sharps Tavern, which was in the seedier backend of town past the workers quarters and industrial district. It was generally frequented by sailors or those from out of town, and for that reason it was both easy for Henry to blend in, and the owner was able to get a good bit of information, though the bastard could be quite stingy with it, charging a lot.

Luckily Henry had a decent amount of cash, and a near unlimited line of credit from the Cult.

Charles and Johnny sat down at the same booth as him and the quickly got to talking. Charles was mainly asking Henry if he could get him more books on general magic, as what he had right now was too specialized. Henry was quite impressed with the boy, fundamentals were incredibly important after all.

Decisions:
1. *try to find William Sharp the infobroker, he’s in the back.*
2. *order some food* (Write in optional)
3. (write in)

>>4199254
>1. *try to find William Sharp the infobroker, he’s in the back.*
>2. *order some food* (Write in optional)
Something for charles to eat, to both distract him and make sure he gets into no trouble.
Can't talk if your mouth is full of food.
Stew for the main thing, and something sweet, like a muffin or something.

>>4199254
Henry looked around the tavern, the place was a lot livelier than he’d expected, after asking one of the waitresses, he determined why. The church wasn’t letting any locals access this part of town. Henry had only been able to get in with his credentials. He’d been waved through the second he’d showed his badge, which was just a rank and file member of the cult he’d gotten from Marko before he’d left. He was happy that he had it since it was much less likely to draw attention than the Nail badge. There were plenty of robed cult of progress people in the tavern not to mention the district.

Henry ordered some stew and some bread pudding for Charles. Johnny wisely declined Henry’s gracious offer of paying for his food and decided to go without as usual. Charles was more than happy to stuff his face and barely noticed as Henry left “to take a piss”.

Henry quickly wandered into the back area of the tavern where he met up with the info broker and proprietor William Sharp. The man demanded a silver coin even to speak with him, the greedy bastard.

> -1 silver coin

Ask for info?
(Write in)

>>4199286
>bread pudding
HOLY YES
So good

>Ask for info?
Well yes, that's what we came here for.
We'll ask about people that were thought dead and have showed up, followed by murders not related to the normal happenings, and other strange occurrences that aren't plague related.

>>4199286
>you've also been granted a rank and file cult of progress badge from Marko

>>4199286
>
“Has anyone from Nirdec turned up?” Henry asked.

“What, looking for old contacts still? I told you before Henry, their dead bodies are all still in the cavern. Ted sent his looking glass in there last month and found hundreds. No way we’d be able to figure out who’s even in there. Not to mention the fact that some of the undead started eating the corpses.” William explained.

“No, I’m looking for survivors.” Henry explained.

“Well, I guess Naps came through last week, poor fella’s been looking for work in town, actual legit work, then this shit happened. Most of the other’s already left town… I know what’s his face… guy with all the children… has a big giant with the house on the back, he fucked off back to his plot of land just south of the city. Within spitting distance, lucky bastard got out right before the lockdown.” William explained.

“Any odd events?” Henry asked.

“Specifically?”

“Weird murders, non plague related weird shit.” Henry said.

“Like what, in general?” William asked. “That damned mutilator is still at large, tho he hasn’t actually gotten anyone in a week.

“Anything else? Already heard about that and that fucker’s been around long before Nirdec kicked off.” Henry said.

“Yeah, well, there’s been a fuckton of Devil’s around town recently. Like a lot. Nobody know’s where they’re coming from but after the plague kicked off they started gathering. Some people say it’s the cult but that ain’t like em. Shit that breaks equipment would be treated like rats. They’d lay traps out not invite em in, so I figure somethings’ going on.”

“How many devils exactly?” Henry asked.

“Enough that the mayor’s office recently surveyed the well system in town and found it to be inadequate. They can’t even spare the manpower to dig new wells so the whole town might go up in smoke. Wouldn’t that be fucking lovely.” William said.

“Fucking hell.”

“Beyond that, everything’s normal, or as normal as a plague is. Heard that people think its spellborne but I figure that’s horseshit made up by the church to put pressure on the Cult.” William said.

Decisions:
1. *thank him and offer another silver coin for the trouble*
2. *ask him more questions* (write in)
3. *head back to the tavern*
4. (write in)

>>4199334
>2. *ask him more questions* (write in)
"Heard any rumors about anyone holding grudges against the Daily Horn or the Sugar Refinery?"

>>4199351
writing

>>4199334
“Heard any rumors about anyone holding grudges against the Daily Horn or the Glen Mills Sugar Refinery?” Henry asked.

“Well I don’t know. Have I?” William asked, outstretching his hand.

The cunt did have any class about it.

“Alright, how much?” Henry asked.

“Oh I’d say that kind of specific insider information would run you about fifty silvers, especially if I’d have to deal with the Daily Horn.” William explained.

“And the sugar refinery?” Henry asked.

“Probably Pagan’s burned the thing down, wouldn’t be the first time, now are you going to pay for the info or not?” William asked.

Decisions:
1. *grit your teeth and pay it*
2. “You’re really going to pull this sorta shit on a long time customer?”
3. “I’m actually working in league with them, so you don’t have to worry about heat.” *reveal the Nail Badge*
4. “fuck off, I’m not paying that much.”
5. (write in)

>>4199377
>3. “I’m actually working in league with them, so you don’t have to worry about heat.” *reveal the Nail Badge*
Smile evily, and pay his fifty silver.

>>4199401
roll 1d100, DO NOT SCORE 10 OR BELOW

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>4199432

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>4199432

>>4200458
>>4199763
easy passes

>>4199377
“I’m actually working in league with them, so you don’t have to worry about heat.” Henry said, handing him fifty silver coins, and proudly flashing his nail badge to the man.

Henry immediately realized something was wrong by the way William stared at him in shock and by the fact that the stacks of coins Henry had given him were spread out over the floor. Henry also became aware of the two thugs that were sharing the room with them, how they seemed to be reaching for weapons that were only just so well hidden. Henry quickly changed tactics and began to chuckle, slapping his knee and pointing at William.

“Oh man I fucking had you going there. I guess this fucking thing is a grade A forgery then.” Henry said, beginning to laugh.

“You motherfucker Henry.” William said, joining in laughing.

“Didn’t realize you were so fucking high-strung William. It looked like you were about to take my fucking head clean off.” Henry said, patting the man on the shoulder.

“Well what can I fucking say we’ve had the Cult trying to strong arm us outta the opium business, apparently they’re against people being able to fucking relax in this city. Its getting the Skalitz all fucking worked up, so I’ve had them trying to do something about it but then this shit happened.”

“Should you be telling me that?” Henry asked.

“Eh fuck em, they don’t got ears everywhere, sides you paid me fifty silvers so I feel I owe ya a bit.”

“So whats the deal with the Daily Horn?” Henry asked.

“Right, they’re the go to for every high ranking nobleman and cult connected honcho in Magica and Avignon. That owner Bill Parson’s has it good with everyone and has dirt on everyone who’d mess with him. Only the Hand is able to really work him over, dunno how since even the Bishops can’t touch him.”

>>4201067

“Alright, so the Horn basically provided the Cult with the rundown on the cavern. Not just a small bit of info but fucking everything. Friend of mine that works in a cult office even saw some shit that was supposed to be burned that’d been left out. Fucking photos of the interior of the cavern, fucking photographs. I even managed to have snag a few as proof. Was planning on letting someone know when it happened.” William said.

Henry figured he’d been planning on selling them, probably to the church or the Skalitz. Both were banned from the cavern.

“So I heard from a friend that a man tried to put in a fuckhuge order of explosives a few weeks back before cutting it off. Then suddenly bunch of people in a few cities along the coast get small exact weird number orders from all sorts of different people but the address was right to a location in Magica. I actually had someone look into it, but it was an old burnt down sugar refinery that was crawling with devils… actually I think it was the same one you mentioned. Well, the orders got dropped off there at the gate and by the next day they were gone, and then who the fuck knows where they ended up. All I know is you’d have enough explosives to blow a god damned Cathedral up. I figured out that the guy had also ordered some runes as well. I figure he stole money from Nirdec before it happened since some of the coins were stamped there.” William explained.

“Internal Nirdec coins?” Henry asked.

“Yeah.” William responded.

Nirdec coins were those that had been specifically made for use in the cavern. The merchants had all used them, which had royally pissed off both the church and the nobility. Henry figured that was the main reason that the gas attack had happened. The fact nobody would come to the defense of poor necromancers was probably just a bonus.

Decisions:
1. *ask further questions* (Write in)
2. *finish the conversation* (write in)
3. (write in)

>>4201074
>1. *ask further questions* (Write in)
Any idea if there's been any other place the coins have been used?

>>4201120
roll 1d100

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>4201210

>>4201237
failure

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>4201210

>>4201557
YAY

>>4203583
>>4201557
writing

>>4201074
“Any idea if there’s been any other places the coins have been used?” Henry asked.

“Heard a few stories about that, most of em were just idiot trying to get rid of the coin, most of em got snatched up by the church or ended up disappearing, I figure the Cult got to em. Best case they got job offers, worst case… well, you hear stories about the shit the Cult gets up to.” William explained.

“You have anything juicy?” Henry asked, “Already paid you fifty silvers.”

“Yeah, yeah I got something. Apparently some stray kid tried to buy some food near one of the markets using some of those coins, a Cathar recognized the symbol and tried to take him in. He had a pack of wild dogs attack them and then an angel got involved. Weird thing was she had a bit of metal stuck to one of her wings, like it was half the wing apparently. So I understand the kid got away but the Cathar ended up bleeding out, there’s actually wanted posters for him now for murder. All this shit going on and the church still has time to try and track a feral kid down. I figure he’s the same one who has been giving those guards down in Avignon all that trouble, Kid’s becoming a bit of a folk legend now.” William explained.

Henry was struck with the feeling that he should’ve known who William was talking about, but couldn’t quite remember.

“So yeah, if you have any of those marked coins, don’t even dare use em, Church will come down on you hard.” William explained.

“I ditched mine ages ago.” Henry said.

Decisions:
1. *end conversation*
2. (write in)

>>4203804
>enry was struck with the feeling that he should’ve known who William was talking about, but couldn’t quite remember.
Even I remember him.
1. *end conversation*

>>4204572
writing

>>4203804
“Well, thanks for the information.” Henry said, wondering what in the hell he was going to do with it.

“Yeah, come by again. If you want me to look into anything let me know, I’m always able to ask around.” William said, waving Henry out the door.

Henry returned to find that Charles had already finished his meal, and had started to pick at Henry’s. Henry glared at Charles for a bit until the kid shrank back like he’d been burnt.

Henry ate his meal and Charles quickly returned to his normal emotional state. Johnny commented on the fact that Charles had poor table manners considering where he’d been raised, and Charles explained that those rules hadn’t applied in almost a year.

Decisions:
1. *leave a note for William with things to look into* (write in)
2. *go to another location* (write in)

>>4205592
>2. *go to another location* (write in)
Go back to base and let the cult know that it's most likely a person from the caves that survived setting the cult up.
Give the evidence.

>>4205655
writing, you'll be speaking with Marko.

>>4205592
Henry finished his meal and headed out, not bothering to leave any coins on the table considering William had shucked him out of half a god damned gold piece. He hoped the penny pinching bastard choked on them.

+++++++++++++++

Henry laid out all the evidence he’d acquired in front of Marko in a nicely organized pile. Morgan had immediately sent him upstairs once he’d realized the implications of what Henry had found. Marko quickly scanned over the documents, occasionally looking up at Henry while doing so. Eventually he sat the papers aside and slumped into his chair.

“I knew this would come back to bite us.” Marko said

“Yeah, you think?” Henry asked.

“The top brass figured the Church would take most of the heat which was entirely acceptable. Whoever this is must’ve realized this was our operation entirely. We pretty much convinced the Church to act.” Marko explained.

“What?” Henry asked.

“We had the church gas the cavern to remove competition and potential enemies. The necromancers there had gotten too organized, they were a threat to our control of the coast.” Marko continued. “Especially so close to Magica.”

“Do you have any idea who this could be?” Henry asked.

“We confirmed the deaths of all of the leadership in there, so it has to be either one of their family members, or a random straggler. I’m going to start figuring that mess out and I’ll be contacting the Index as well to try and see if we can figure this out. It’ll take a few days at the very least to get some names. Maybe even longer.” Marko explained. “We might even have to ally with the Church again. Won’t be the best position for us.”

“Great.” Henry said.

“However, I imagine we’ll be getting angelic support if our latest project continues to yield fruit. The Angel of Midnight has been… more receptive to our methods than the High Seraph had been.” Marko continued.

“Do tell.” Henry said.

“I assume you’re qualified to know this. But the Angel of Midnight has confided with the Index that if we can prove we’re better stewards for humanity then her flights may side with us. Seems there is going to be a power struggle soon.” Marko explained, using hushed breaths. “If we can beat the church to the punch here, stop this now before they can, then that’ll be all the proof we’d need.”

“Ah…” Henry said, finally realizing why he’d been told.”

Decisions:
1. *ask questions* (Write in) (you can also use this to make demands of Marko and the Cult to help you)
2. *head back outside*
3. (write in)

>>4205725
waiting on votes

>>4205725
>1. *ask questions* (Write in) (you can also use this to make demands of Marko and the Cult to help you)
We need th ehs sih rof gnikool ecrof ksat a teg otmnanigans.
We'll go look at the patients now, see if he feels guilty about what he's done, see if he's trying to help them or some shit.

>>4209114
I'm sorry what. Did you have a stroke

>>4209431
Apparently
We need th ehs sih rof gnikool ecrof ksat a teg otmnanigans.
Some how got reversed half way through?
We need to get task force looking for the guy while we go check on the people so we can see if we can cure them.