pawnstorm | Get down with the sickness [open]

Who: Caren and you!
When: After Intro and beyond!
Where: Caissa, Capablanca
What: Catch all with Caren, including More clue #4!
Rating: None until things happen

A: Independent Action

[For those who were interested in tea or various supplies, this was the place to go to! Caren has been doing brisk business, and has been hiring the local help, as well as some of the local heroes. There is one thing that might be remarkable, other then the fact that it's clean and quiet: the small sign saying that there is currently no infamous algae in stock.

If asked, Caren will shake her head, if not her employees:]

It's too likely to give an allergic reaction. I can't sell something that'd give someone an adverse reaction. Same with anything grown in Petrosian.

[Otherwise, she might be willing to recommend tea to drink in the store, supplies that can be used for alchemy, tea to be taken away, and suggestions for future products. Or she might be cleaning or something.

Who knows? Anything could happen in Independent Action.]

B: Rook Problems

[She's had some problems with her Sound powers before as a Rook before but...usually it's inflicted on everyone else but her. Loud noises, things turning silent.

Instead, Caren finds herself silenced by her own power. She tries to speak. Tries to even scream at one point, and all that comes out is the tiniest of sounds. Like a kitten squeaking.

It's good to know that her mana is working, but this is frustrating. And likely a way for some people to get revenge. For all that she works, and can be found in various places...she's herself.

Just silent.

Which drives her nuts, even as she works, and in the halls of glory, she can be found abusing the practice dummies. She has to exhaust herself somehow.

Because This Is Rude.]

C: Clue Four

[This could be just after she's left the manor, or later on. If still in Capablanca, she's likely to be found outside at a table at a cafe or a restaurant, with a thoughtful expression on her face.

But seeing a hero or someone else approach, her arms lean against the papers, obscuring what's written.]

Did you want to join me?

[Her eyes sweep over the hero, her gaze distant. Distracted. Her mind is half elsewhere.]

I'm willing to pay for a drink or a meal, if you have information to share.

[And only if they have information on the investigation. Well...unless you charm her.]

D: Wild card!
Job stuff, catching up with Caren, learning at Pigeon's Blood or training, it all goes under this label here! If you have ideas, go ahead and pm me or ping me on plurk!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's definitely unnatural. [He wrinkles his nose.] There are also strange carvings in the trees. Runes I believe, but I could not tell what they were exactly--but I presume they are linked with the rot.

Runes.

[That is interesting.]

But that could be an assumption-there could be something else that's the cause of the rot. For all we know, the runes are preventing the rot from spreading.

Oh! You're right, I should have asked the witch about them... [He rests his chin on his hand.] You wouldn't happen to know someone who specializes in reading the runes of this world, would you?

[She makes a face. Whether it was the opportunity missed with the witch, or thinking about the runes, it's difficult to say.]

Not exactly, no. But I can tell you something.

Noir are known for using runes. We've seen them with a mercenary, and in battle before.

Ah. [Syrlya's eyes widen slightly. Sure, that isn't proof what the runes are for... but it realigns his suspicions to what they were.]

Have you heard anything else that would make you suspect this is the doing of Noir?

[They were something. But what...it couldn't be certain.]

You mean other then mob families getting into a panic, particularly ones that have been threatened or had ties with Noir previously?

[Oh. Syrlya leans closer at that.] Ties with Noir, you say? That's awfully suspicious, but could be nothing more than their own paranoia. Did you hear anything in particular?

[A pause.] And... what is a mob family?

It was a lot of collection of gossip over time to support it. The missing persons is what everyone hears about, but I had to listen for it. Shouts of betrayal, talk about how there bad been threats against the family months ago, that sort of thing.

As with anything, it's not solid. It's heresay.

[She pauses.]

Mob family and mafia are interchangeable, but they refer to those who have a connection to crime, which can be small to large organization, usually centered around a certain family.

Oh--like bandits? [Although he has no idea if bandits are centered around families.]

It sounds as though most of what we have is speculation... but I think the missing persons and the forest are intentional. Mm, I hope that we find something definite before it's too late.

[He tilts his head.] If we could at least identify what sort of magic is being used in the forest we could have a course of action.

More like a family business.

[Bandits are more hit and go, opportunists if they can be.]

But I agree. Both are intentional. But the only way we'll get word back on the sort of magic is..most likely word back from Gammon. If people had samples, they might have given it to the School, or other experts.

Samples! If we can bring them to Gammon experts quickly enough it's a brilliant idea. I wonder if taking the etched bark will also trigger a blackout... [Hm. He probably shouldn't try that alone.]

It might, especially if it's up close. It might be air borne.

So either try it from afar or with help.

Airborne...? Oh, yes, the infection! But there is something else strange about the forest.

[He gestures.] As I went deeper to investigate I suddenly lost consciousness. When I awoke I was at the edge of the trees again, but I don't remember leaving!

It's possible that you didn't leave of your own violation.

[She frowns.]

It might have been a barrier spell. Are you familiar with them?

[He nods.] Some of them. Those that stop you with walls or bind you... but not so much those that actually move you.

[It's a little alarming.] I have no doubt that it is meant to keep us out, but I could not say how large the barrier is.

Considering the size of the forest, and how this isn't the first report I've heard of the matter-best to consider the worst case scenario, and that it may cover the entire forest.

[She shakes her head a little.]

A barrier like that would be extremely destructive to the environment, especially if it's been staying up for...weeks, if not months.

... How selfish of them. [He purses his lips, frowning down at the table.] Have they forgotten this is the world they live on as well?

What does it take to bring any experts from Gammon here? Need we only ask?

They likely don't care. They seem quite...unhinged, in their war strategy. There's some talk of the indoctrination practices of their soldiers as well.

[A shrug, and then...]

If it was just the people, we would only have to ask. But it's the equipment that's the problem, and most assuredly, what they must do to find out-

[She shakes her head.]

Would be considered illegal. So there has to be a few other things that must happen politically for that to happen.

Oh... of course. The ban on magical practice. [He frowns. Look at how your anti-magic laws are helping you now, Blanc.] Then I suppose it is up to us. I intend to take another look at the forest later.

[Well, they sounded like a good idea at the time...]

I suppose so; we're the only ones allowed to perform magic, technically.

[There are the alchemists in the one region, and the doctors but they don't call it that.]

I'm going to see if I can find further understanding on what the Noir are trying, long and short term. This might mean more listening for gossip and finding possible traitors.

[He nods.] It is a good tactic, and one we need. Will you take what you learn to our general?

[They have at least that much structure of authority, right?]

Naturally. It wouldn't do any good if I kept this to myself.

[She might keep things back but...still.]

Besides, our general might have information to exchange in turn.

Get down with the sickness [open]

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