The Corpse Mystery – Recap from Monday Sept 11 2017

Monday Night in the Landing with nary a storm, but Towncrier Leafiara and some adventurers were at a corpse in the burrows. The corpse had dried rivulets of blood staining his cheeks as if they were tears. Stormyrain tried a loresong, and found the impressions of history that would normally cling … blocked! “Quinshon!” Stormyrain’s voice was grim as she swore under her breath…

http://bit.ly/2ffNoTO

Category: Towns
Topic: Wehnimer’s Landing

Date: 09/12/2017 02:31 AM CDT

From: LEAFIARA

Subj: The Samuel mystery (September 11 story recap)

Note:
The action started a little earlier than what I saw, so this isn’t a complete log. My understanding is that some town militia were speaking about finding a body, but they couldn’t investigate since they had to go back to guard. So that left it to our own nosy characters to go searching! After quite a while of several groups looking around, finally someone found it and Stormyrain announced over the amunet, so there our story begins…

An Underground Discovery

[Wehnimer’s, Burrow Way]
Huge in size, the underground chamber is set with blazing torches along every wall. Old wagons have been pulled to one side of the pathway, all of them in need of serious repair. You also see a fresh human corpse.
Also here: Mylenna, Arnylon, Mayor Cruxophim, Stormyrain, Kayse, Shinann, Subarashi
Obvious exits: southeast
>look cor
The corpse appears fresh, perhaps only deceased a few days past. It appears to have once been a middle-aged man, garbed in simple clothing. There is no sign of wound or other injury save for dried rivulets of blood staining his cheeks as if sanguine tears had poured out from his now lifeless eyes.

Speaking to Cruxophim, Arnylon says, “Blood tears. Hmmm.”
Cruxophim pores over a fresh human corpse, engrossed in the study of it.
Drektor just arrived.
Cruxophim thoughtfully remarks, “Curious.”
Cruxophim paces to his left, moving in a circle around a fresh human corpse.
Cruxophim kneels down.
Kayse rolls her eyes.
You speculate, “A similar but worse condition to Reannah’s?”
Cruxophim cocks his head and examines the human corpse.
Drektor says, “Well that looks gross.”
Speaking absently to you, Cruxophim speculates, “Don’t think so.”
Subarashi quietly says, “No marks. It could be many things…”
Cruxophim looks thoughtful for a moment, then shrugs.
Kayse slowly asks, “How is it similar?”
Kayse peers quizzically at you.
Arnylon says, “It appears pretty petrified.”
A pale-faced coppery barn owl flies in and lands on the floor.
Stormyrain squints at a fresh human corpse.
Shinann says, “Looks pretty fresh.”
You curiously ask, “Have we not seen her bleeding from near her eyes before?”
The coppery barn owl examines a fresh human corpse curiously.
Stormyrain says, “Her nose, she’s bled from her nose.”
Kayse nods briefly at Stormyrain.
Arnylon says, “The corpse appears to be mostly stone, regardless of being fresh.”
Cruxophim absently reports, “Couple of days at most, I’d say. The carrion insects haven’t yet matured at all.”
You understandingly say, “Ahh… I must have seen wrong in the dark of the night.”
Shinann says, “I do think she did bleed once from her eyes.”
Shinann says, “But, nothing else indicates this is the same.”
Stormyrain nods in agreement at Shinann.

Stormyrain and Drektor Sing and Poke For Evidence

Drektor says, “Check his pockets.”
Kayse snorts derisively at Drektor!
You concede, “Very fair.”
Speaking to Cruxophim, Stormyrain asks, “Shall I sing to it, then?”
Drektor says, “Wha.. for evidences..”
Drektor shifts his weight.
Speaking thoughtfully to you, Cruxophim admits, “I wouldn’t rule anything out just yet.”
Cruxophim looks thoughtful for a moment, then shrugs.
Cruxophim nods at Stormyrain.
Speaking to Drektor, Stormyrain says, “Go ahead, who knows what you might find.”
With a flap of his wings, the coppery barn owl launches himself into the air.
The coppery barn owl flies southeast.
You glance warily southeast.
Drektor rubs his chin thoughtfully.
Cruxophim gives a skeptical look at a fresh human corpse while placing his hands on his hips.
Drektor pulls at the ends of his rolaren-buckled gloves, tightening the fit as his fingers flex inside them.
Kayse gazes in amusement at Drektor.
Stormyrain sings something in Guildspeak to a fresh human corpse that you don’t understand.
The human corpse seems to respond to the magic of Stormyrain’s song.
Stormyrain blinks, staring off into the distance.
Stormyrain swears under her breath.
Kayse casually glances between Stormyrain and Drektor.
Subarashi cocks her head.
Shinann raises an eyebrow in Stormyrain’s direction.
Cruxophim gazes with interest at Stormyrain.
Stormyrain grimly says, “Quinshon.”
Speaking wryly to Stormyrain, Cruxophim mutters, “Ah.”
Kayse narrows her eyes, her dark sclera reduced to mere slits.
Speaking to Drektor, Stormyrain asks, “You find anything?”
Drektor slowly empties his lungs.
Drektor kneels down.
Cruxophim sardonically deadpans, “Well, color me shocked.”
Arnylon raises his fist defiantly.
Stormyrain sings something in Guildspeak to a fresh human corpse that you don’t understand.
The human corpse seems to respond to the magic of Stormyrain’s song.
Stormyrain blinks, staring off into the distance.
Arnylon asks, “Whyyyy?”
Stormyrain shakes her head.
(Drektor pats the corpse’s legs lightly.)
Arnylon says, “It’s out of my system now.”
Stormyrain says, “I’ll try twice more, but he’s blocked anything that might be of aid I do believe.”
Shinann nods slowly at Stormyrain.
Kayse sighs heavily.
Cruxophim nods slowly at Stormyrain.
Arnylon says, “Afterwards it’s going to be stupid question time. And boy is my plate full in that area.”
Stormyrain sings something in Guildspeak to a fresh human corpse that you don’t understand.
The human corpse seems to respond to the magic of Stormyrain’s song.
Stormyrain blinks, staring off into the distance.
Stormyrain squints.
(Drektor pats alongside the corpse’s torso.)
(Cruxophim reaches down with the metal eyeball scoop, measuring the human corpse as if trying to determine the most effective way to remove an eye with minimal damage.)
Cruxophim gazes thoughtfully at a fresh human corpse.
Stormyrain sings something in Guildspeak to a fresh human corpse that you don’t understand.
The human corpse seems to respond to the magic of Stormyrain’s song.
Stormyrain blinks, staring off into the distance.
Drektor says, “I swear humans must be the only things that get fatter after we die..”
Speaking to Drektor, Shinann asks, “Find anything?”
Kayse wryly says, “We really have no respect for the dead.”
Speaking to Mylenna, Arnylon says, “Dead body. Definitely time for cheesecake.”
Arnylon removes a slice of cinnamon cheesecake from in his sea-blue cloak.
Kayse gazes in amusement at her surroundings.
Arnylon takes a bite of his cinnamon cheesecake.
Cruxophim begins chuckling at Drektor!
Stormyrain gives a sidelong glance at Cruxophim.
Speaking to Arnylon, Mylenna says, “It’s always cheesecake time.”
Speaking to Cruxophim, Stormyrain says, “May want to wait on that eyeball scooping until Drektor is –done and out of the way.”
Stormyrain glances down.
Speaking affably to Stormyrain, Cruxophim concludes, “Makes sense.”
Cruxophim takes a few steps back.
Speaking teasingly to Drektor, Kayse suggests, “Take his teeth and make a necklace.”
Stormyrain offers, “And nothing from the song, but shadows and darkness.”
You curiously ask, “Checking for scarabs or something?”
Cruxophim gazes in amusement at Kayse.
Speaking to you, Stormyrain says, “He was checking to see if there were clues or evidence.”
You offhandedly say, “I do remember that was your very first suggestion with me after I was rel–“
Shinann asks, “But you saw Quinshon?”
Cruxophim leans on Kayse, giving her a companionable grin.
You say, “Ah.”
You nod understandingly at Stormyrain.
Cruxophim winks at Kayse.
Kayse flashes a quick grin at Cruxophim.
(Drektor turns out the pockets of the flimsy corpse’s pants.)
Shinann asks, “Or just shadows and darkness?”
Speaking to Shinann, Stormyrain says, “No. I saw colors melding, then shadows crept in like swirling ink.”
Arnylon says, “There appears to be a bulge just beneath his torso. Perhaps someone should begin the search there.”
Stormyrain says, “..and he did tell me if I ever got in his way he would–“turn me away”.”
Cruxophim draws a serrated steel bonesaw knife from one of the slots on his black harness.
Stormyrain evenly says, “That’s one way to turn me away.”
Cruxophim indicates a serrated steel bonesaw knife as a possible option.
Stormyrain glances at a fresh human corpse.
Speaking dubiously to Arnylon, Cruxophim ventures, “Wait, did you actually?”
You idly say, “Now if only that Teuriz would finally make his way here…”
Cruxophim places his hands on his hips and eyes Arnylon with a skeptical look.
Subarashi asks, “Maybe…save the eyeball-removal until he’s identified?”
Shinann stares sternly down her nose at Arnylon.
Drektor says, “Well.. it doesn’t look like he died on purpose..”
Kayse stares upward.
Speaking nonchalantly to Subarashi, Cruxophim reminds, “Teeth and blood are better for that.”
Speaking amusedly to Subarashi, Cruxophim concedes, “But I suppose it can wait for an official necropsy.”
Speaking to Drektor, Stormyrain asks, “His purpose or someone else’s?”
Speaking to Cruxophim, Arnylon says, “I’ve been eating cheesecake and throwing out suggestions. Whether they are followed or not is not my province to judge.”
Drektor says, “Nah.. if he was fightin somethin it was himself.. only his prints are around here..”
Subarashi explains, “If he’s got family, better to not remove pieces of him first.”
Stormyrain gives a sidelong glance around the room.
(Drektor gives a quick smack to the corpse’s face.)
Drektor says, “Better luck next time.”

Samuel, the Dockworker

Shinann observes the ground closely, but doesn’t seem to find anything of use.
Drektor stands up.
Shinann asks, “Crook… are you here?”
Drektor vigorously dries his hands with his towel, rubbing them over and over.
Shinann glances around the room.
Speaking to Drektor, Subarashi asks, “Find anything that’ll help identify him?”
>incant 205

Mana surges through you in a brilliant display of silvery motes which skitter across your skin as you prepare Light…
Your spell is ready.
You gesture.
The area becomes brighter.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.

(Cruxophim reaches down and reverently closes the human corpse’s eyes, as if attempting to soften its repose.)
Arnylon asks, “So we are assuming it’s Quinshon or is there something that definitely identifies the body as him?”
Drektor says, “Not at all. Mebbe someone will come along n claim em. Probably not tho.”
Shinann says, “No… that is not Quinshon.”
Subarashi nods at Drektor.
You clarify, “Quinshon is blocking Stormyrain’s loresong.”
Kayse simply says, “The body is not Quinshon–Quinshon is blocking Stormy from finding out what the tale is.”
Arnylon says, “Ahh, missed that bit.”
Arnylon says, “Stupid question number two time.”

Casting your light now, you recognize the man’s face. He has been in town center several times, mostly donating herbs to the bench. You call his name might have been Samuel, or something close, and he was a dockworker.

Speaking absently to Stormyrain, Cruxophim wonders, “Actively?”
You gaze thoughtfully at a fresh human corpse.
Drektor asks, “Is there sucha thing as someone makin someone all crazy in the head and mebbe seein weird stuff that would make em get all weird lookin like that?”
Speaking to Cruxophim, Stormyrain says, “Possible, or it could have been something he put upon the corpse. A ward of sorts.”
Dazmar asks, “Was anyone seen near the body?”
Drektor says, “Mebbe he was driven crazy to death..”
Drektor shrugs.
Speaking absently to Stormyrain, Cruxophim wonders, “Or is the obsfucation simply satur– yes, that.”
You curiously say, “Ah, I think I might know this one, looking at him more closely now…”
You add, “In the light.”
Cruxophim cocks his head at you.
Shinann raises an eyebrow.
You thoughtfully ask, “A dockworker… name of Samuel?”
Arnylon asks, “So if that is not Quinshon, and Quinshon is blocking the attempt to garner information, two parter here… First, for what purpose would he wish to hide the demise of a body, plenty of Imperial patrol fodder to use if he wished. And second, to put Cyph into?”
(Drektor checks the corpse for a wedding ring.)
Drektor shrugs at a fresh human corpse. Odd.
Speaking calmly to you, Cruxophim inquires, “Do tell?”
You firmly say, “Something to that effect, I believe…”
Kayse raises an eyebrow.
Speaking curiously to you, Cruxophim inquires, “You knew him?”
You assure, “He donated herbs in the square pretty often, yes.”
A mixture of confusion and curiosity crosses Cruxophim’s mien as he studies you.
Cruxophim nods absently to you.
Shinann says, “I bet this person was a Rook.”
Kayse gives a sidelong glance at Shinann.
You add, “I wouldn’t say I knew him closely or any such thing, though… just… you know, I do spend a lot of time in the square.”
Speaking to you, Arnylon says, “I’ve a sneaking suspicion he will not continue to donate.”
Speaking casually to Shinann, Cruxophim remarks, “Would follow.”
You try to roll Arnylon over, but he isn’t lying down.
Shinann says, “And maybe they were trying to get information.”
Shinann says, “Or they did get it.”
Speaking casually to Shinann, Cruxophim remarks, “Would also follow.”
Cruxophim folds his arms over his chest.
You muse, “A dockworker was among the missing if I’m not mistaken, right?”
You gaze thoughtfully at a fresh human corpse.
Shinann says, “We could go check around the docks and see if anyone knows him.”
Arnylon asks, “No speculation on the why..?”
You nod in agreement at Shinann.
Shinann says, “Oh, yes.”
Shinann says, “I know why.”
Arnylon turns an inquisitive ear toward Shinann.
Shinann says, “But, not sure I want to tell you after your joke earlier.”
You curiously note, “But this is a recent corpse…”
Cruxophim calmly suggests, “Perhaps we’d best summon the coroners to deal with this. No sense in leaving it here, we can perform an autopsy later.”
Cruxophim calmly adds, “..notify the next of kin, all that.”
Arnylon says, “You will tell if you wish and won’t if you do not.”
Stormyrain glances down.
Dazmar says, “Appears to be a few days old.”
Marshal Madmountan just arrived.
Madmountan sniffs at a fresh human corpse.
You evenly say, “Yes, relatively recent… much more than when a dockworker went missing, anyway.”
Relic Hunter Ulkov just arrived.
Shinann says, “Who was in town a few days…”
Shinann says, “Hmm.”
Speaking wryly to Madmountan, Cruxophim warns, “Down, boy.”
Ulkov raises an eyebrow.
Speaking to Madmountan, Ulkov asks, “Did you already try and eat the corpse?”
Madmountan whistles tunelessly to himself.
Ulkov shakes his head at Madmountan and clucks his tongue.
Speaking to you, Arnylon says, “Just because someone went missing some time ago does not necessarily mean their demise would have happened at that time.”
Speaking to Arnylon, Shinann says, “It is no secret they want the plinite.”
You speculate, “What I mean is… I wonder if Samuel here is the same one or if–“
You point at Arnylon.
You agree, “Precisely.”
Subarashi nods once.
Cruxophim nods absently at Arnylon.
Cruxophim simply concludes, “We lack data, at this juncture.”
Arnylon asks, “Ok question. I know what plinite is. But where the heck is it to be obtained. The Reach?”
Madmountan asks, “That’s the corpse’s name?”
Pookia just arrived, skipping merrily.
Pookia stares at a fresh human corpse.
Pookia sniffs at a fresh human corpse.
Speaking to Arnylon, you explain, “Dennet is after very specific, very pure plinite held by the Rooks.”
Shinann slowly empties her lungs.
Speaking thoughtfully to Arnylon, Cruxophim informs, “The Rooks are in possession, one assumes, of some very potent plinite they stole from the Hall. Not the usual stuff.”
Subarashi quietly muses, “…surgical.”
You idly inform, “But normally you could find less pure plinite in the Elemental Confluence.”
Cruxophim cocks his head at Subarashi.
Speaking to you, Arnylon says, “So all we need to do is have someone infiltrate the Rooks, discover where they have hidden their stash of pure plinite, plan a way to abscond with it without being noticed, and foil Quinshon and Dennet. Almost too easy.”
Speaking amusedly to Arnylon, you say, “I think Kayse’s working on those first few parts.”
Pookia leans over and whispers, “Why cant you just raise it?”
Some town militia arrive, and one of them stuffs some darts in a pouch on his belt. The militia nod, and slowly and carefully escort the body away.
You quietly whisper to Pookia, “Too long dead… several days now.”
Pookia nods understandingly.
Shinann says, “I am going to be yelling at some guards.”
Stormyrain incredulously inquires, “Did he have darts in his hand, still?”
Speaking to Succendus, Pookia says, “It’s one you can’t help.”
You interestedly say, “Now, about exploring those docks…”
Stormyrain shakes her head, totally at a loss.
Speaking affably to Stormyrain, Cruxophim informs, “I’ll submit a request to the coroner’s office for a investigative report, as well. Need to confirm who it is.”
Succendus asks, “Too far gone for a cleric?”
Shinann says, “I am leaving.”
Cruxophim amusedly mutters, “Guards gonna guard. Do you think they were goofing about in my office?”
Shinann says, “To go to the docks.”
You earnestly say, “Let’s do.”
Stormyrain asks, “Anyone joining us as we move out?”
Arnylon says, “Docks sounds like a reasonable location. Unless it storms, then it’s a wondrous location.”
Arnylon says, “Sure why not.”
Stormyrain says, “Join Shinann, then.”
Shinann says, “Moving.”
Shinann’s group just went southeast.

[travel time]

Inquiring at the Dock

Shinann’s group just went over to a dock.
[Wehnimer’s, Middle Dock]
Laboring dockworkers and strolling seamen mingle here on the weathered planks of the dock, between the hulls of large seafaring merchantmen. The groan of ships pulling at hawsers, the clatter of feet upon gangplanks, and the swearing of the dockworkers mix with the cries of seabirds and the cadence of waves against the pilings. You also see a huge imperial wagon with a glowing blue-white pylon on it.

A pale-faced coppery barn owl flies in.
Shinann glances around the area.
Some dockworkers….work the docks.
Shinann says, “Excuse me.”

Mayor Cruxophim just arrived.
Cruxophim joins Shinann’s group.
Cruxophim affably reports, “Request filled.”
You loudly inquire, “Oi! Are any of you here tonight familiar with Samuel?”
Shinann asks, “Do you have a worker named Samuel?”
You add, “I… I’m pretty sure that was his name.”
A scruffy dockworker says, “Har!”
Pookia exclaims, “Yar!”
A scruffy dockworker says, “Samuel’s off tonight, check the bar! Or my wife’s house, har!
Cruxophim nonchalantly mentions, “Might be something in it for ye, if you happen to remember any more details.”
Arnylon asks, “When’d he work last?”
Cruxophim drops some coins.
A scruffy dockworker says, “Last night.”
Shinann ponders.
A scruffy dockworker says, “He’s on again tomorrow night.”
A scruffy dockworker says, “Wait, as it last night?”
Madmountan says, “Doubt that.”
Stormyrain whispers to the group, “Might be worth holding our tongues and seeing if “he’s” here tomorrow night?”
Arnylon whispers to the group, “Yes.”
Another dockworker stops and thinks, “…wait no, it’s been few nights now. He didn’t show last night.”
A scruffy dockworker says, “Oh he didn’t?”
Stormyrain whispers to the group, “–or not!”
Cruxophim affably teases, “I already checked your wife’s house… thoroughly.”
A scruffy dockworker says, “We ain’t his keeper!”
Stormyrain asks, “So he’s missed some work then, is that normal for him? Does he go on benders?”
Cruxophim indicates some silver coins as a possible option.
Arnylon says, “Ok well we can always look for him tomorrow. Thanks.”
Speaking amusedly to Stormyrain, Cruxophim wonders, “Who doesn’t, ’round here?”
A scruffy dockworker says, “He’s been pretty secretive for over two years. We don’t pry no more. Yanno?”
You pleasantly say, “We do know you’re not his keeper, but thank you for the information in any case.”
Cruxophim affably muses, “Eh, fair enough.”
Arnylon says, “Secretive. Sounds like he definitely did discover your wife’s hou.. Er, thanks.”
Cruxophim affably offers, “Well, get yourself a round or two on me, regardless.”
Cruxophim indicates some silver coins as a possible option.
A scruffy dockworker says, “Sorry I can’t take bribes.”
Shinann asks, “When you see him, could you have him speak with the mayor, please?”
Another dockworker grabs the coins, “I can!”
Pookia says, “Not while you’re on the clock.”
Cruxophim wryly reminds, “It’s not a bribe. A bribe would entail useful information.”
Shinann whispers to the group, “Or ask now.”
Kayse mildly says, “Everyone has a price.”
You greedily praise, “Good for you.”
Shinann asks, “Where does he live?”
Arnylon whispers to the group, “If our suspicions are correct, he doesn’t.”
Shinann says, “You took the coins.”
You whisper, “We know. We’re being discrete.” to your group.
Arnylon whispers to the group, “I’m a giant. What do I know about discreet?”
Cruxophim mutters, “Are we?”
The dockworker who took the silvers leans in and whispers something quick to Cruxophim and goes back to work.
Shinann whispers to the group, “Well.. yes… but trying to get a direction here. Anyone can ask questions.”
Speaking to Cruxophim, you admit, “Relatively. For us.”
Shinann whispers to the group, “Was that worth your coins?”
You whisper, “If it was, you could always supply more.” to your group.
Cruxophim whispers to the group, “Possibly.”
Pookia whispers to the group, “Do these guys not know hes dead?”
You whisper, “Since we just now found him, no.” to your group.
Arnylon whispers to the group, “They do not unless we tell them or they find out from the guards that took the corpse away a bit back.”
Succendus whispers to the group, “Unless they participated in the murder.”
Shinann whispers to the group, “Want to share here or in your office?”
Cruxophim whispers to the group, “Don’t believe so, no, though I imagine they’ll find out soon enough.”
Dazmar whispers to the group, “I am sure they would have mentioned it when we asked where he was.”
Cruxophim whispers to the group, “Office is fine.”
Pookia loudly exclaims, “Your coworker is dead under the town!”
Pookia clasps her hand over her mouth.
Pookia just skipped merrily west.
You whisper, “If they were the murderers, they should have run at the sight of two militia captains approaching and asking about him.” to your group.
You glance west.
Cruxophim gazes west in amusement.
Ulkov throws back his head and roars with laughter!
Cruxophim slowly states, “Don’t mind her… she’s… touch.”
You sincerely say, “It’s definitely a lie. She’s quite silly.”
Cruxophim corrects, “Touched, too.”
You whisper, “I can only say it’s a lie since he’s no longer under town, but… technicalities.” to your group.
Cruxophim whispers to the group, “No point in keeping it a secret, they’ll find out soon enough.”
Stormyrain says, “I’m going to go talk to some of the militia, and start some paperwork about this.”
Shinann asks, “Thank you. If you see him then will you tell him the mayor would like to speak with him?”
(OOC) Stormyrain’s player whispers to the group, “Aka; bedtime for work tomorrow for me. Night all.”
Pookia just skipped merrily in.
Cruxophim affably states, “Thanks for yer time, gents.”
Pookia exclaims, “The body’s gone !”
Pookia just skipped merrily west.

Speculation Afterward

[we depart the docks; Shinann first stops by the East Tower to chew out Pookia for interfering with official business, then it’s on to the mayor’s office…]

Shinann’s group just went through a varnished modwir door.
[Moot Hall, Mayor’s Office]
At the varnished modwir door, a red bear skin rug stretches across the polished hardwood floor. Twin velnalin hide chairs face the Mayor’s pine desk, while behind it sits an incurvated bone armchair. A great stag’s head and a dark-framed sketch are mounted above a cobblestone fireplace set into the western wall. Refreshments are offered atop an oak bar beside a tall arched window. You also see a bone-ringed dart board, a large dog bed, a large detailed map and a basket of sticks.

Shadows part along the wall and Cruxophim steps out of the darkness.
Speaking thoughtfully to Shinann, Cruxophim reports, “So the request is filed, I’ll see what we can dig up on this corpse. If you’ll pardon the expression.”
Subarashi says, “Well, there’s the most obvious conclusion to jump to…”
Subarashi says, “Dennet, tracking down the plinite.”
You hesitantly say, “I’m not sure any one conclusion is more obvious than another, actually…”
You add, “Especially when they’re all as wild as this night might lead us to.”
Arnylon says, “I think we have to seriously consider one thing.”
Speaking to Arnylon, you say, “No. No cheesecake.”
Arnylon says, “Besides cheesecake.”
Arnylon says, “The one thing is…”
Arnylon asks, “We are all very good at jumping to conclusions. Perhaps sit back and collect more information before we leap wholeheartedly into a misdirection?”
Speaking to Subarashi, you admit, “My first thought was actually an experimental subject.”
Speaking to Arnylon, Mylenna says, “What? but that’s what we do best.”
Speaking impatiently to Arnylon, you say, “Nah, that takes too long.”
Arnylon says, “Ok conclusions it is.”
Speaking gently to Arnylon, you assure, “And I’m dead serious about that.”
Arnylon says, “It’s a plot by Icemule to gain a seaport.”
Speaking teasingly to Shinann, Cruxophim mutters, “Now who’s being obtuse.”
You quickly add, “Pun not intended.”
Subarashi calmly says, “Dennet had a plan to find the plinite, from how he was talking before.”
Speaking to you, Shinann says, “That was my thought at first… but the wrong part was left behind.”
Arnylon says, “They found out Goblyn’s shop will soon carry cheesecake, and he was killed in the rush to be the first customer.”
Arnylon says, “There, those are my conclusions.”
Speaking curiously to Shinann, you ask, “The wrong part?”
Cruxophim wryly remarks, “A plan that will doubtless result in more casualties of our citizens than I’d like.”
Emindala says, “What’s happening? For those of us just arriving . .”
Dazmar says, “Found a corpse under the town.”
Speaking to Emindala, Arnylon says, “One of the dockworkers was killed trying to buy cheesecake. Tragic, really.”
Speaking to you, Shinann says, “They wanted bodies before… but now I suspect they cleaned out his mind instead.”
Speaking thoughtfully to Emindala, Cruxophim reports, “Well, we found a body that may or may not have been… interrogated to death, possibly by Quinshon.”
Pukk quietly asks, “What leads you to suspect Quinshon?”
Emindala says, “I’m not surprised really . . the way Dennet was talking, he’s done playing games and wants his hands on some bodies.”
Speaking to Emindala, Arnylon says, “That’s also another possible take on it. What he said.”
Speaking wryly to Pukk, Cruxophim remarks, “The usual.”
Madmountan says, “Not bodies.”
Madmountan says, “Plinite.”
Pukk quietly says, “Tehir thing…”
Cruxophim gently suggests, “Let me go fetch that poor person.”
Cruxophim’s eyes cloud over with dark shadows as he prepares a spell…

Cruxophim gestures into the air.
A silvery fog coalesces around Cruxophim, obscuring his form. When the fog dissipates, Cruxophim is gone.
Speaking to Pukk, you explain, “Stormyrain’s loresong being blocked by him, mostly.”
Emindala says, “Yeah, but he wasn’t worried about how many bodies he had to go through to get that plinite.”
Speaking to Pukk, Arnylon says, “So we’re wildly speculating and leaping to conclusions. You heard my take on it.”
Pukk quietly says, “I still don’t understand all that much about magic, so if you guys say it is, that is all I need to know.”
Madmountan says, “Makes sense to me.”
Emindala says, “I prefer the term “educated guesses”.”
Mayor Cruxophim just came through a varnished modwir door.
Speaking to Emindala, Arnylon says, “Oh, there’s no education anywhere near my guesses.”
You diplomatically say, “I actually do understand criticisms about wild speculation, but the Landing does have quite a history of attracting malevolent geniuses to warrant it.”
Cruxophim wryly states, “Wouldn’t do to have another body unfound tonight.”
Speaking amusedly to you, Cruxophim wonders, “And what are we discussing now?”
Speaking to Cruxophim, you reply, “Just Arny repeating that we’re speculating.”
You concede, “Which we are, we are, but…”
Cruxophim nonchalantly reminds, “It’s a hobby around here.”
Speaking to Cruxophim, Arnylon says, “The possibility that they need to widen the doorway to the Pie Shop so such a tragedy does not occur on a semi-regular basis.”
You muse, “Good exercise for the mind.”
Succendus says, “I checked on the body, it’s no longer there.”
Shinann says, “Nothing solid we can accuse him with…”
Speaking to Succendus, you explain, “The militia took it away.”
Madmountan says, “This theory is plausible. Dennet is done screwing around, so he’s having rooks captured and grilled about the location of the plinite. I wouldn’t doubt that.”
Pukk quietly says, “So you are blaming Goblyn.”
Shinann says, “We had the guards carry it off.”
Madmountan says, “Amusing.”
Speaking diplomatically to Succendus, Cruxophim reports, “It was collected by the coroner’s office.”
Madmountan asks, “Wait, what the hell does Goblyn have to do with anything?”
Ulkov says, “She makes tasty pies.”
Speaking to Madmountan, Arnylon exclaims, “Exactly!”
Speaking to Ulkov, Rhayveign says, “I’m late to the party, I see.”
Shinann says, “All the missing people have been Rooks… except Lana.”
Kayse reasonably says, “After Dennet’s visit the other night–I thought it was agreed we had some time to try and get it without methods such as those.”
Cruxophim’s eyes cloud over with dark shadows as he prepares a spell…
There is a bright flash and a cherry-filled loaf of dark bread appears in the air, then falls into Cruxophim’s left hand.
Cruxophim offers Rhayveign a cherry-filled loaf of dark bread.
Rhayveign accepts Cruxophim’s loaf of dark bread.
Speaking to Rhayveign, Emindala says, “But always welcome.”
Speaking to Cruxophim, Rhayveign says, “Thank you.”
Speaking to Rhayveign, Ulkov says, “Haven’t missed much. There was a body, and the militia attacked the citizenry.”
Shinann says, “I would imagine they are long gone.”
Pukk quietly asks, “Missing rooks?”
Shinann says, “The others.”
Speaking to Kayse, Madmountan says, “I dunno who this we is.”
Cruxophim nonchalantly inquires, “So who wants to tell me about this… individual the other night? This young… lass, was it?”
Rhayveign says, “Lovely, sounds about right.”
Shinann asks, “Remember them attacking the Outpost?”
Speaking lightly to Madmountan, Kayse says, “Dennet and the collective group.”
Speaking to Cruxophim, Arnylon says, “There was a lass tonight. Not sure about the other night.”
Pukk quietly asks, “Once before we were able to contact the rooks, have you tried contacting them again?”
Speaking to Cruxophim, Madmountan says, “She amused me. She called me Earlkiller, which tickled me.”
Rhayveign says, “How to make friends and influence the citizens… workin’ great.”
Speaking curiously to Madmountan, Cruxophim prompts, “Crook, was it?”
Kayse vaguely says, “Rysus should know he wants to be spoken to regarding this.”
Kayse dryly adds, “It is just a matter if he wants to take the invitation.”
Madmountan says, “Rysus could probably stop a pretty bloody war in one fell swoop if he was so inclined.”
Ulkov says, “Inclination being the key.”
Speaking wryly to Kayse, Cruxophim reminds, “I do have an open door policy.”
Speaking wryly to Madmountan, Cruxophim muses, “Or start one.”
Shinann says, “Hmm…”
Emindala says, “I’m sure he’ll being showing up. . probably when least wanted.”
Speaking amusedly to Madmountan, Cruxophim admits, “I’ll still putting out little fires here and there, proverbially speaking, from their little attempted assault.”
Speaking to Cruxophim, Madmountan says, “I thought for sure that storming the Outpost was gonna do that. Everyone surprises me.”