You head over to the church for one last visit with Father Honigman and the Executors before heading out, it would seem however that the Executors had already set out before you got back, leaving you with just Father Honigman.
He was tending the church, doing some basic chores around the place. He gives you a soft smile as you come in, a few other practitioners were here as well, giving quiet prayers congregating a bit early before the scheduled Mass.

You head up to him, and he nods setting aside the broom he had and heading into his back office with you, "What can I do for you Joshua?" he asks sitting down.

You look at him and sigh, "It may be a while before I return home, I just wanted to say my good byes and thank you for everything you've done for me thus far."
He nods, "I'm glad for it, know that if you ever need help I will be willing to come to your aid." he sighs looking to the side eyes distant.

The questions of inheritance and legacy float about in your mind once again as they had the last few days, you have never managed to get him to give you a straight answer regarding your parents before, but now something feels different.

Do you ask him about your parents?
>Yes (Write in?)
>No

>>5114303
>Yes Did my parents work with undead?

>>5114418
Support

>>5114303
>Yes (I was never told about the circumstances about my parents death. Does it have something to do with my Pure Eyes or their association with the church?)

>Did my parents work with undead?
>(I was never told about the circumstances about my parents death. Does it have something to do with my Pure Eyes or their association with the church?)

Writing

You pull over one of the nearby seats and sit down across from Father Honigman, his gaze returns to you, his eyes giving you a knowing look.

"Before I go, I wanted to ask one more time about my Parents." you say.

He nods, "I suppose if there was ever a time to say it, it would be now. Very well seeing as this may be the last, and I pray to God it is not, time we speak I will answer your questions in full this time." he seems to take a deep breath after that, "Though I warn you the details are gruesome, it was not an easy decision to keep this from you."

You frown slightly before starting, "My parents, what was it they were working on, was it the undead and were they killed for this, my pure eyes, or their association with the Church?"

Father Honigman looks up to the sky as if beseeching the lord for strength, "Let's start from beginning, I don't know the specifics of what your parents were working on, I was more a liaison and a watchman for them. I would bring their reports back to the Church and hand it off to higher officials. My understanding of the matter however was that their research was focused on Dead Apostles."

He pauses for a moment as if remembering a bitter event, "This would be their undoing. We don't know the exact details, but what we do know is that the way they were killed was to meant as a message. Drained husks, torn to pieces, their heads piked and their research destroyed. Our investigations turned up with a few conclusions on the matter, that they were killed by a Dead Apostle is obvious given the state of their corpses. The next conclusion we came upon was what scared us. The Crest, you family's crest, was stolen, This dead apostle had stolen all their knowledge on it's kind, stolen their magic and destroyed everything of theirs from Madrid to Moscow. The investment of effort and time that the church and your parents had in the pursuit of finally ending this scourge was a major project, and this set back was massive in scale. So massive that it could only have been orchestrated by an Dead Apostle Ancestor."

He looks down, "Your parents were for all intents blood mages, their knowledge of how blood interacted with magic, life force, and the world around it were world class, their connection to the 8th sacrament and the church just made it all the better to work with them to put an end to this plague on humanity once and for all." he looks once more to you.

"I could not tell you because I feared you would seek out a foe far to great for you to handle just simply to die. I could not fail them again like that. I'm sorry I could not tell you sooner, and I pray you take the right path in how to use this information." his voice was sullen and sorrowful.

You're not really sure how to take all this in, all you could think to ask at this point is, "Who knows more about this?"

Father Honigman sighs, "People higher in the church than I."
[continue]

"Your best bet would be to seek out a member of the Burial Agency if you're truly looking for quick answers, but odds are they wouldn't be cooperative and I assure you it'd be best not to draw their ire. The slow way would be to rise through the ranks of the church and gain access to this information yourself."

You sit in the chair for some period of time, not fully capable of processing the events you're just fully learning the truth of for the first time. You feel rage, at who it's hard to pin down, the church? It was in their name that your parents worked.... The Ancestor? It was they that killed them.... Father Honigman? It was him who failed your parents...

You take a deep breath it shudders, your hand gripping the chairs arm so hard it hurt your hand.

You breath out, you look at Father Honigman, he looks back and he's never looked older or more exhausted than he does now, your rage softens and you remember all he's done for you, how he's been there for you and done his best to raise you, your rage need not be directed at long past sins that have been and are still being atoned for, "Thank you Father." you say.

He nods, "I take it you'll be heading out now?"

you nod, "Yes I'll catch a flight over to Calais and likely spend a night getting acclimated."

with that you stand up and head out.

With the knowledge of your parents demise and what their goals were you feel a new urge a new drive.
What is it?
>Vengeance, Dead Apostle Ancestor or not, they will die whatever the cost.
>Justice, The crimes committed against humanity must be atoned for, you will see that done.
>Legacy, you will see their work done, no matter how long it takes.
>Write in?

>>5114708
What do we remember of our parents and how do we feel about them? This may change my answer. For now I'll vote...

>Legacy, you will see their work done, no matter how long it takes.

>>5114749
Your parents from what you can remember were about as warm as parents can be in a household of Magi.

You were treated well, your parents gave you more attention than most magi would their own children. Given that most see them as just an inheritor of the quest for the root, your treated you more as an actual child, albeit one that would have to inherit heavy responsibilities one day. That said you'd say you were only half raised by your parents, the other half you were raised by your tutors and other teachers. All in all you remember them fondly.

>>5114708
>Legacy, you will see their work done, no matter how long it takes.

Finish their legacy, avenge them and end the scourge of the Dead Apostles forever. Best keep it on the down low though.

>Legacy, you will see their work done, no matter how long it takes.

Wins

Writing.

File: Calais.jpg (222 KB, 1400x574)

222 KB JPG

Like many a magus before you, you've decided to take up the cause of your parents, however in this case it is not the quest for the root so much as the effective end of the curse that is the Dead Apostles. It is only right after what has happened to take up that mantle officially in the name of the church.

You swear this to yourself silently as you leave, heading off to Calais to set up shop and begin your first hunt.

- - - - -

The plain ride there doesn't take to long, nor does the drive to where your workshop was. Some ways off the Aérodrome du Grand Calais along a series of hedged in housing was a property owned by your parents, and now yourself. You head into it, it's a rather simple affair compared to the more luxurious housing you grew up in, but it was unassuming, out of the way and near immediate and quick transit. The perfect place for a Magus that travels frequently.

However of course that's only the immediate premises and housing itself, there is a hidden basement where all the resources would be stocked and the experiments would be conducted. Walking up to one of the walls you feel around for the old magic sigil and upon finding it invoke the pass phrase, with a short shimmer of light a stair well reveals itself spiraling down into the dark. You hold your hand against the wall guiding yourself down stairs as lights flicker to life in response to the activity in your magic circuits.

Reaching the basement you find it in the bare state it was when you had left it. The last you saw of it was, it was ransacked, anything of value destroyed or taken. You had taken the time to clean it up and put it in the bare minimum acceptable state. You never knew when you'd need to return after all.

It had a research bench with various alchemical tools, a bookshelf stocked with some texts that could be salvaged, most however were dissertations on the fundamentals of mage craft, and others on magical history, essentially they were there to make the place look more full.

Lastly there was a wide open space for the testing and application of both rituals and experimental spells.

You sighed scratching the back of your head, there was a lot that you'd need to get this and any other workshop up and running, you had a stipend from your inheritance that you mostly just invested into savings over the years, so you should be able to get the basics with that, but to restore all the workshops to working order was out of the question, you just didn't have the resources your parents and the church did. Better to focus on something you could bring with and set up at any given workshop than having them all set up.

Still you needed to get to work, you'll need this place in good order both to deal with the Magus and with your own personal goals.

How to begin was the question.
________

You Have gained Access to a Bare Bones Magus Workshop
You may spend both your free time and time on missions here to develop new techniques, research into your opposition, and plan your operations throughout Europe.
However somethings are beyond your capabilities right now such as further developing your working theory on inverting the necromantic process or delving deeper into your Family magic and their ultimate objective of putting an end to the scourge of Dead Aposotles.

You have the following resources
Money: 300k Euros
Mystical Reagents: None
Research Items: Necromancers Research Notes
Artifacts: None

You have 2 Actions before the end of the week What will they be?
>Improve your workshop [Unlocks the Spell Research Action, Gives you a +5 bonus to fighting in your workshop] (Costs 100k Euros)
>Investigate the City
>Investigate the Country Side
>Make Contact with the Local Chruch Officials
>Take a quick trip across the Channel to Speak with Clock Tower Officials

>>5115041
>Improve your workshop [Unlocks the Spell Research Action, Gives you a +5 bonus to fighting in your workshop] (Costs 100k Euros)
>Investigate the Country Side

>>5115041
QM, how many other workshops do we have in the world and in Europe, are there any in better condition and do we have one in our original home where we just came from?

I'm thinking that it may be best to avoid investing our limited funds in some random workshop out of many in a city that isn't our home city that we will be departing for another city soon to deal with our next target.

>Investigate the Country Side
>Make Contact with the Local Chruch Officials

>>5115041
>Improve your workshop [Unlocks the Spell Research Action, Gives you a +5 bonus to fighting in your workshop] (Costs 100k Euros)
>Make Contact with the Local Chruch Officials

>>5115318
How many workshops do you have: as noted 1 in every capital in Europe [sans micronations] so roughly 41 from there, and then about 10 more scattered around North West Germany and the Lowlands.
So about 51.

As for the rest of the world, Your family had one on each continent outside of Europe, 1 in the USA, 1 in Brazil, 1 in Egypt, 1 in Japan, 1 in Australia, they didn't have one in Antarctica.

No they're all in equally poor condition, the best would probably be the one back at your house, which is ostensibly an inflexible version of what the Improve your workshop option is offering.

I'll note that the intention here is more to provide a base of operation where needed for the mid game as you move around the continent, I don't expect you all to purposefully spend millions of Euros to get all of them up to the state they used to be, so the Improve your workshop option is basically mobile, it comes with you as you move from location to location, I tried to imply that in the writing, but I should have been more explicit with that.

I'll leave the vote open for a few more hours to see if this changes your opinion or anyone else's opinion.

Alright we've got a 3 way tie on 2 options
so I'll wait an hour for a tie breaker or change after that I'll roll 1d3 and 1d2, it'll go like this.
1.Improve your workshop
2.investigate countryside
3.Make contact with local church officials
Whatever the 1d3 lands on gets removed and the subsequent one is decided by the 1d2 which will go in order so the highest remaining one is 1 and the lowest one is 2.

Rolled 2 + 1 (1d3 + 1)

Alright

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>5116012
Well figured I'd try, wasn't sure if I could get both dice in one roll, guess not or I did it wrong.

>Improve your workshop
>investigate countryside

Win

Writing

You earmark a rather large sum of money to upgrade the workshop, though you make sure to only get equipment that you can easily bring with you as you'll be on the move quite frequently you suspect. It would take several days to get here and about another day or so set everything up.

Whilst you waited on the equipment you've ordered you took the opportunity to head out to the French countryside in order to investigate the goings on and see if you can't get an early lead on your quarry.

This would however be a bit more complicated than you had anticipated as the region of Pas-De-Calais had the most communes of any region in France. Ostensibly this means that there's over 800 small to moderate sized towns that this Magus could be hiding in biding her time to find a way out.

You can immediately eliminate escape to the United Kingdom, as that would land her right in Clock Tower hands, there might be a black market in London, but it's a black market for a reason. It's damn hard to hide from the Clock Tower in it's home territory.

Which means that communes near Calais Proper are unlikely to be where she'll be harboring, so instead you head south and spend several days getting to know the territory. From your research you suspect that the Magus will either being hiding in the town of Lens or Arras. Lens seems more likely due to the town and surround towns history of mining, any abandoned mines would make excellent hideaways.

However over the course of the week you find no easy leads on the magus, whatever they're using to cover their tracks their using it well. You'll likely need to spend some time getting to know some of the locals to get a good pin on her.

Still with the information you've gathered in hand you head back to your workshop and set everything up, as well as taking a few days to set up some basic warding and a bounded field just in case you find yourself accosted by unwelcome guests.

You have the following resources
Money: 200k Euros
Mystical Reagents: None
Research Items: Necromancers Research Notes
Artifacts: None

You have 2 Actions before the end of the week What will they be?
>Research Spell - Blood Geas (1/?)
>Research Necromancers Notes (1/6)
>Investigate the City
>Make Contact with the Local Chruch Officials
>Take a quick trip across the Channel to Speak with Clock Tower Officials

>>5116524
>Research Necromancers Notes (1/6)
>Investigate the City

>>5116524
>Research Necromancers Notes (1/6)
>Investigate the City

>>5116015
You can get multiples of the same die but only one type of die
>>5116524
>Research Necromancers Notes (1/6)
>Investigate the City

>>5116524
>research blood geas
>research necromancer's notes

Apologies for the lack of responses today, I think I'm going to leave the vote open tomorrow as well. My work is starting to ramp up as some new things come online and I need to head the project to get them connected, so the faster pace I usually try to aim for even if slower recently just isn't going to happen.

>Research Necromancers Notes (1/6)
>Investigate the City

Wins

Will do the the write up in the morning.

Pulling out your phone you flip through the various photos you have of the Necromancer's notes scratching the back of your head as you do so. It was an inconvenient way to store the information, but you were also pretty sure that if you had it printed there'd be some degree of distortion of the text, plus you'd rather have a few copies of these things as you can.

With a sigh you settle down at your research bench in your workshop and start transcribing the notes as well as your own commentary on their contents, to the best of your ability.

There's an astounding amount of detail regarding the process which is used in the creation of you typical undead, as well as some notes regarding the differences between the undead, the dead and dead apostles, and the objective of a lich.

The first is that the undead are familiars sustained and essentially puppeteered by the Od of the magus creating them, it's literally just an animated corpse, but sufficient magical investment into the process can reinforce this corpse and reactivate certain centers of the brain. However it is ultimately a soulless creature.

The Dead and Dead Apostles differ in that they are created from a corruption of the soul, while arguably the undead are a corruption of the body. They make note regarding one of the Dead Apostles, the Serpent of Akasha, who in their terms, vary existence corroborates this theory.

Regardless the notes continue denoting that what he defines as a lich is the following, 'A being capable of substituting life force for Mana and Od while retraining their soul, instead of subsisting on blood like a dead apostle does they would subsist ambiently on the magic of a lay-line or through the consumption of other magically active creatures.'

It then goes on further to hypothesis that through this ambient consumption and subsistence upon magic it may be possible that after enough mana is consumed to create a path to the Root.

You look at the notes with a frown, as at this point it details the results of various experiments regarding attempting to retain the soul during the process of death and the transition to undeath. It would seem that they ran into an extraordinarily difficult wall as the best they could do attempt to create an artificial set of instructions imitating the soul.

From best you can guess they were doomed to failure, as they were treading on the domain of the Third Magic which has authority over the soul.

You set the notes to the side and close the pictures on your phone, It's astounding the lengths individuals will go to preserve themselves in the pursuit of power, knowledge or immortality.

Getting up you store your notes for later and head out of your workshop to investigate the city of Calais proper. Whilst it's unlikely to harbor the magus, it's best to know the territory in case they come to you.

[continue]

Exploring the city was rather uneventful, it's was a lively place that much was for sure, much of the city heading towards the docks from your workshop was residential, with the primary hub of activity being near there and the Channel Tunnel. Still it was worth the time investment as you should know exactly where to head and where to avoid if you get into a fight with another magus or something worse while you're here.

Still you feel like something is amiss as your explore the city, you can't quite put your finger on it, but it feels as if you're being watched. You made sure to take the most circutious route and several long stops before checking into a hotel for the night, only to leave through a staff exit later, just to make sure that you weren't being followed.

You have the following resources
Money: 200k Euros
Mystical Reagents: None
Research Items: Necromancers Research Notes
Artifacts: None

You have 2 Actions before the end of the week What will they be?
>Research Spell - Blood Geas (1/?)
>Research Necromancers Notes (2/6)
>Make Contact with the Local Chruch Officials
>Take a quick trip across the Channel to Speak with Clock Tower Officials

>>5119902
>Research Necromancers Notes (2/6)
>Make Contact with the Local Chruch Officials

>>5119927
+1

>>5119902
>>Research Necromancers Notes (2/6)
>>Make Contact with the Local Chruch Officials

>>5119902
>>Research Necromancers Notes (2/6)
>>Make Contact with the Local Chruch Officials

>>5119902
>Research Necromancers Notes (2/6)
>Make Contact with the Local Chruch Officials

>Research Necromancers Notes (2/6)
>Make Contact with the Local Chruch Officials

Wins unaniomously

Write up should drop tomorrow morning.

You settle in once again with your notes, the last time you had went through it was mostly to get a proper understanding of their objective and their contents. Now starts the long and difficult process of deconstructing the magical theory and trying to find a proper countermeasure.

Your certain your not the first to attempt this, worth keeping in mind for later parts of this endeavor, perhaps a trip to the clocktower might be worth while... then again it's probably best the minimize exposure to them, they're all about sharing knowledge unless they can't figure out how to share it, then it's about preserving it. The only way they know how to preserve something is by pickling the magus that figured it out.

Not a pleasant thought. Probably better to just work through someone over there if you need any of their records.

Regardless the basis of your research is as follows, "To Develop a countermeasure for the creation of the undead." furthermore you break this down into three separate concepts, "Inversion: Resuscitation", "Impediment: Rigor Mortis", "Incompatibility: Self Destruction"

You have three theories you can pursue in developing this countermeasure, the first is the most complicated, inverting the process, the one closest to your original intentions. However this much like the necromancers own research treads on the boundary of the third magic. There may be a point just after death where the soul can be preserved for a few seconds, or that something could be ingrained upon the soul to bring it back to a body that can yet live before it rejoins the reincarnation cycle. This is tentative at best, and a snipe hunt at worst.

The second is the simplest, for any corpse naturally enters the state of rigor mortis, at least in humans. By introducing your own Od into the corpse before or after it's been created it may be possible to stimulate the conditions for rigor mortis essentially nullifying the undeads usefulness by effectively paralyzing it. Not exactly an antithesis so much as a useful tool, but worth pursuing non the less.

The last one is a countermeasure by all accounts, however it's rather involved if used in a preventative measure. It revolves more around the application of church rites to create a sanctified territory. Within that territory any corpse is immolated, whether it's animated or not. While the church makes use of similar rites already, holy fire and the cremation rite, they're not made for specifics, which gives them greater utility over all. This also has the downside of being rather od intensive to utilize.

You dedicate several days to developing the starting concepts for each of these, but you'll need more time yet to get something even testable.

[continue]

File: Église_Notre-Dame_de_Calais.jpg (661 KB, 1920x1414)

661 KB JPG

Around Thursday you finally decide to head out, two weeks in to meet with the local Church officials. You've properly settled in, and gotten a lay of the land.

You had passed by the church a couple of times while you explored the city, it's a rather unique looking structure compared to the other churches in France, likely due to the proximity to the British Isles and the history of Calais as a whole.
Heading inside a bit after mass, you find the local priests going about their daily tasks and duties.

It doesn't take long however before one of the priests waves you over. Word of your arrival had been sent ahead of you, and so they've likely been waiting for you for some time. You follow them into a secluded area within the church, "You are Joshua I take it?" the mans accent is Thick as he attempts to speak German.

You nod, "Yes, though I can speak French if you'd prefer."

He shakes his head, "No, German is fine."

You shrug, "What is your name priest?"

He looks past you, "I am Henri, we've been waiting here for weeks where have you been?"

Your reply is swift, "Settling into the area, investigating the country side and city in turn. I'd rather have the capability to contribute to a conversation about strategy."

The priest gives a slight frown at this, "Very well then, what would you like to know about this situation?"

>Are you sure the target is still within the region?
>What do you know about the target?
>Has there been any recent sightings?
>Has there been any recent engagements?
>Does the local authority have an preferences on how the situation is resolved?
>Write in?

>>5121966
>What do you know about the target?
>Has there been any recent sightings?
>Does the local authority have an preferences on how the situation is resolved?
>What artifacts specifically were stolen, what was their nature and purpose, if they have no innate supernatural abilities then what use could they be put towards with the use of magecraft? What is their relation to the thief, she claimed she was reclaiming her rightful inheritance?

I imagine we we ask about sighting they'll also mention engagements, but the target was considered non-antagonistic so far, so I doubt she decided to fight. Furthermore Michael was confident that the cordon the church had put up had rendered the mage unable to escape, we don't need to know the specific means by which they prevent her egress. If she has escaped, then most of this conversation is irrelevant as she would be impossible to catch and she could easily escape to London if she already broke the cordon. We were also already briefed on the target, but perhaps if the local church HAS engaged her then they'll have more specific information.

>>5121966
Supporting >>5122056

>>5122056
+1

>>5121966
>>5122056 +1

>What do you know about the target?
>Has there been any recent sightings?
>Does the local authority have an preferences on how the situation is resolved?
>What artifacts specifically were stolen, what was their nature and purpose, if they have no innate supernatural abilities then what use could they be put towards with the use of magecraft? What is their relation to the thief, she claimed she was reclaiming her rightful inheritance?

Wins, write up will drop tomorrow

>>5123868
QM?

>>5125407
Warden did say that RL is getting busier.

>>5125407
>>5125422
Busier indeed.
Doesn't help that I've been trying to kick Caffeine out of my diet so I'm constantly tired and headaches.

I will get the update out tonight, I'm just struggling with withdrawal.

>>5125429
Ah, that explains it. I tried to be too clever and cheat by simply not taking caffeine, despite suffering from insomnia and usually not having good sleep. All I got for it was the embarrassment of falling asleep at work.

Though I probably won't be awake to vote tonight, so I'll have to vote tomorrow.

Sorry for nagging you.

You consider what you want to know about the situation. You already know a decent amount given the rundown that Brother Michael gave you, but you believe a general rundown should suffice.

"What do you know about the target?" You ask first, wanting to make sure that your information lines up with there's.

Henri pauses for a moment to collect his thoughts, "She's a Magus, lived in France most of her life, studied at the Clock Tower as many mages do. Her family left it in their will that a few old artifacts be left to the church, and she took exception to that. Claimed we had the will re-written to steal her inheritance."

You give him a look for a moment, that familiar tingle in the back of your head says that's not everything, though you choose not to press on the issue for the moment, "What were the artifacts that were stolen, their nature, purpose any innate supernatural abilities or utility in magecraft?" you say continuing the conversation.

He shakes his head, "No they were simply artisanal pieces that the family had kept for a few hundred years, they originally belonged to the church around the 1400's, but were auctioned off as loot during the 100 years war. They had been passed around several times before ending up with that family, and they decided to return them in death. A shame this good deed is somewhat overlooked by the reckless actions of their selfish child."

Now you know he's lying, they're not just artisanal pieces, you're not sure what they are, but they definitely have some sort of magical nature, you note that down in the back of your head and continue.

"Any recent sightings?" you ask.

Henri shakes his head, "Last sighted in the south of the province, but nothing since, I suspect she's hold up in one of the Communes, but we don't have the manpower to check them all and hold the cordon."

You nod, "And you're sure the cordon will prevent her from leaving?"

Henri looks somewhat offended, "The cordon has alerted us to ever magical individual that has entered and exited the province, with guards stationed at 2 kilometer intervals with the means to close the distance on any but the absolute fastest of entities. If she had left we'd have known, and we'd have caught her."

Right like you caught her when she stole the artifacts... is what you want to say, arrogance is unbecoming of a church official, sigh slightly, "Is there any preference on how this situation is resolved?"

Henri nods, "Despite her egregious actions and the death of several members of the church, we would like her brought in alive. If she is willing to serve a penance and work with the church something may be arranged, however if she continues to resist after receiving this offer you are free to handle her as you see fit." a short hand for kill her, though the wording is vague enough to keep his own hands clean of it.

You nod... there are still some issues nagging at the back of your head.

Do you push him for the truth?
>Yes
>No

>>5125449
>Yes
>Lean in and whisper so the other priests don't hear. "You know I possess Pure Eyes of Truth, yes? Are you sure you don't want to amend your answer regarding the artifacts magical nature? We are in the house of the Lord after all"

Just caught this in time.

That last line may be a bit heavy handed, but whatever. God, it is moments like these I wished I stayed in church, but alas I haven't an ounce of faith in my body. I don't know the bible, but maybe we could quote the bible like we did with Michael.

Maybe "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour"

or

The story of Naboth in 1 Kings 21

or

Proverbs 12:22 — “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy” — or — Proverbs 25:1: “Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow

I dunno, I'm not christian, where are the bible studies anons when you need them?

>>5125449
>Yes

This will be interesting.

>>5125449
>>5125485 +1

>Yes
Wins

Write up will happen later today.

You give Henri a look of exasperation, "On the topic of the artifacts again, I'm sorry, but you said they were artisanal pieces yes?"

He nods, "Exactly so, why do you ask?"

You nod, "What exactly do they depict or look like, just in case I might run across them while looking for the Magus."

He thinks for a moment, "One is a wooden relief of the Crucifixion, one is a painting of the Virgin Mary, and the last is an ornate crucifix."

You nod again, "And which one of these is magically active?" asking bluntly the first time, hoping that the straight forwardness would catch the priest off guard.

It does for a moment, "I.. don't follow, none of them are...." He blinks a few times feigning ignorance.

You sigh, "Proverbs 12:22 The Lord detests Lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." chastising the priest with scripture, his face grows red and scrunches up in indignation, "I have done no such thing." he says his voice only slightly raised.

You give him a look, your eyes glowing a dull silver as the magic in your blood runs through you, "Surely you must know what a fruitless endeavor this is with me correct? Come now Henri, we seek the same goal, the return of these artifacts, I'm simply asking to know what I might be dealing with."

He deflates a little at that before looking away, "I... see... I will not ask forgiveness for I still do not trust your word, but you're correct, I do myself and the church a disservice attempting such hollow lies. The Wooden Relief was made from a piece of the pyre that Jean D'Arc was burned on, it survived in remarkable condition and was used to create what I have described to you. What attributes it holds I'm uncertain, however it is holy, and has been known to provide those in possession of it a serene calm in the face of adversity. That is all there is to say on the matter, the other two are just genuine artisanal pieces."

You nod at this, such an artifact would indeed be very useful in mystical pursuits, if nothing else as a fantastic study and research aid, though there maybe other applications for its particular ability, "Thank you Henri, is there anything else you'd like to share?"

He shakes his head, "No Joshua, I believe that is all there is to be said, blessing be upon you." though the last bit is said a bit strained, he's probably still agitated about being called out.

You shrug ever so slightly at this, "Thank you."

With that you head out.

___________

You have the following resources
Money: 200k Euros
Mystical Reagents: None
Research Items: Necromancers Research Notes
Artifacts: None

You have 2 Actions before the end of the week What will they be?
>Research Spell - Blood Geas (1/?)
>Take a quick trip across the Channel to Speak with Clock Tower Officials
>Research the D'Hoc Family
>Begin Search (Ends preparation)
[pick one if any]
>Research Necromancers Notes (3/??) [Inversion]
>Research Necromancers Notes (3/6) [Impediment]
>Research Necromancers Notes (3/8) [Incompatibility]

>>5128629
>Research the D'Hoc Family

And either
>Research Spell - Blood Geas (1/?)
Or
>Research Necromancers Notes (3/6) [Impediment]

>>5128629
>Research the D'Hoc Family
>Research Necromancers Notes (3/6) [Impediment]

>>5128629
>Research the D'Hoc Family
>Research Necromancers Notes (3/6) [Impediment]

Inversion might take years, impediment is immediately useful and not as Od intensive as Incompatibility nor as liable to destroy entirely non-threatening corpses or innocents or allies who have fallen in battle assisting us.

>Research the D'Hoc Family
>Research Necromancers Notes (3/6) [Impediment]

Wins

Write up will come later today.

The work crunch hit hard, I'll probably be out of commission until Mid to Late February.

I'm sorry, but this'll have to go on hiatus until then.

>>5132849
Sorry to hear that. I guess I'll see you then. Take care.

>>5132849
Shame to hear that Warden. Good luck in corporate purgatory mate.

>>5132849
Good luck

>>5132849
It's a shame to hear about that, but hey, good luck with the work Warden

Also, it might be a good idea to read the source material of this Quest while on hiatus

>>5137709
This

Uhhh, you might want to achieve this if you're still here Warden.