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>>46629677

“Nobody quite knows what to do,” Howa tells you sadly, lurching down into the seat opposite you, “No, that's not right – I think we all know what we should be doing. We should hand Jain over, and let Imperial law take care of him. He's still young, they might be merciful.”

That's what you should do, you agree quietly, but nobody has done it yet. You could take him now, riding out to the nearest outpost with him leashed behind your horse. A few hours, and the matter would be out of your hands. Out of everyone's hands. Legally speaking, it's what you should do – so why is Jain locked in a meditation chamber, and not on his way to the dungeons already?

“He's one of our own,” Howa reaches across the table, taking your hands and finally stopping their restless shuffle, “I know, that's no excuse, but... I don't know, something about this doesn't feel right, does it? You know what I mean, that's why you've not turned him in already.”

What about the Mentor, you ask, isn't it his place to decide?

“I've spoken with him,” Howa grimaces, as if swapping words with a sorcerer has left her defiled, “And he said we need to know all the facts before making a decision. That's all.”

Of course he did, you murmur. Once, you would have assumed that he trusted you enough to leave the decision in your hands – now, you suspect he's just avoiding making a decision of his own.

“I'm not going to tell you what to do,” Howa's voice lowers slightly, “But if you want to look into this... I'll help you any way I can. If you want to let the law handle Jain...” she shakes her head, “Go ahead. This is your call, Ira.”

>I need to know the truth. We'll find it out together
>It's not my place to play detective. Let Imperial law handle Jain
>You've got to have an opinion though, right Howa?
>I want to speak with Koa about it first
>Other

>>46629685
>I need to know the truth. We'll find it out together
It's how we handle Writs too. Besides handing him over to the Imperials, the ones that caused this mess to begin with feels wrong.

>You've got to have an opinion though, right Howa?
>I want to speak with Koa about it first
Koa should probably be our first stop. See how he is and if he has any information.

>>46629685
>>You've got to have an opinion though, right Howa?
>>I want to speak with Koa about it first
>Maybe we should wait for him to speak for himself.

>>46629685
>>I need to know the truth. We'll find it out together
>I want to speak with Koa about it first
Back to playing detective.

You need to look into this, you decide, you won't be able to rest happily if you just turn Jain over without finding out the truth. This is no different from a Writ – time spent learning the full story is never time wasted. If nothing else, if doesn't seem right handing him over to the Emperor's men, not when this all started because of them. You're not sure what else you might do with the prisoner, but... you'll decide that when the time comes.

“I'm glad you see it that way,” a note of relief creeps into Howa's voice, “Like I said, I'll offer you what assistance I can.”

First, though, you want to know something. She made a good show of leaving the decision up to you, but she had her own ideas about how to handle this – right?

“Caught me,” Howa's eyes widen in a parody of innocence, “I'll admit, I was hoping you'd look into this. The idea of turning Jain over without knowing all the facts never quite sat right with me. Chances are, he'd end up vanishing into some dungeon somewhere, if he's even allowed to live. No, I don't want this leaving our hands while we can still do something about it. Ah, besides...” her smile turns guilty, here, “It's not often I get to do some real work. The kind of thing that makes a difference – you don't get that very often with old books.”

Privately, you don't know how much of a difference either of you might be make now – knowing the truth doesn't change the act of Jain's crime – but you don't let Howa know that. First, you decide, you'd like to speak with Koa about things. He might not be able to offer you much information, but you want to check in on him. When you saw him last, he hadn't been able to stop shaking.

“As good a place to start as any,” Howa nods, rising painfully to her feet, “Lead on, Ira.”

[1/2]

>>46629991

As you head down the corridors of the Nameless Temple to Koa's chambers, you raise the idea of letting Jain speak for himself. You'd like to hear what he has to say, you mention, in his own words. Not forced out of him or plucked from his mind, but spoken freely. Even if he spills a load of lies, it'll reveal something of his true thoughts.

“I'd like to hear what he has to say as well,” Howa agrees, “But, ah, that might take some time. Last time I saw Jain, he was still not talking. He hasn't even eaten anything, and it's been a while. I don't know if waiting is going to help us.”

Regardless, you shrug, you'll wait. If nothing else, you've got some other things to focus on first, plenty to investigate.

“On that subject,” the limping woman at your side adds, “You should know what I'm capable. It's been a while since we worked together, so a little reminder can't hurt...”

>Howa's spell cards
>[Air] Master's Eye
>“A perfect craftsman should have an eye for perfect things – and thus, imperfections.”
>By taking a moment to touch a substance, gain knowledge of any irregularities or unusual properties that item or substance possesses.

>[Air] Measure the Breath
>“By attuning the senses, you can sense disturbances in the flow of energy.”
>By concentrating, you can determine the source of any magical effect in the area. If this is a person, you can track them easily for the next hour.

>[Water] Reading the ripples
>“Surface thoughts are easily skimmed, and genuine emotions easier still.”
>By studying one character for a brief moment, you can gauge their surface thoughts and emotional state. The character will not notice your scrutiny

“But I'm warning you, I'm not as fit and healthy as you are,” Howa's voice darkens, “I get tired easily. Using spells, at least.”

[2/3]

>>46630057
>I get tired easily. Using spells, at least
she wants us to piggyback her

>>46630109
I think that was more in reference to spells draining her more than certain physical activities....

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>>46630057

Koa answers your first knock, letting you into his plain chambers. Remarkably empty, with little in the way of clutter or ornamentation. The bed is unmade, though, and the remains of an uneaten meal are scattered across the table. Koa himself is pale, dark and sleepless circles colouring his eyes. Once the door is open, he slinks back inside and sits on his bed, waiting for you to begin.

“You're not in any trouble, you know,” Howa says lightly as she lowers herself into the chair you drag over, “And you're in no danger either, if that was worrying you.”

“I'm just tired,” Koa replies softly, his voice just barely above a whisper, “I've not slept since... you know...”

Understandable, given the circumstances. Keeping your available spells – and those in Howa's repertoire – in mind, you think about where to begin.

>Tell me about the duel, from your perspective
>Did you see Jain at all before the duel?
>Other than Jain, do you know anyone who might want to harm you?
>I have some other questions to ask... (Write in)
>Other

>>46630144
>Tell me about the duel, from your perspective
>Did you see Jain at all before the duel?
>Other than Jain, do you know anyone who might want to harm you?

I guess just go down the list.

>>46630144
>Other than Jain, do you know anyone who might want to harm you?
>Did you see Jain at all before the duel?

>>46630123
and clearly we must compensate by supporting her. Embarrassingly.

>>46630144
>Tell me about the duel, from your perspective
>Did you see Jain at all before the duel?
>Did Jain's actions seem unusual in retrospect? That even in his situation, you would not believe he would do something like that?
Just a little faith.
>You did good, Koa.

>>46630144
>>Tell me about the duel, from your perspective
>>Did you see Jain at all before the duel?
>>Other than Jain, do you know anyone who might want to harm you?
>Shiki have anyone else really close to her? Freinds, crushes etc? Jain have anyone like that for him?

>>46630227
Princess carry?

>>46630248
We must. Absolutely.

The best place to start is with Koa's version of events, beginning with the duel itself. You'd like him to tell you about the fight, you begin slowly, from his own perspective. What can he say about it, or the events leading up to it?

“I arrived pretty late, not so long before you did,” Koa sounds exhausted, resigned to the unenviable task of recounting his brush with death, “You know why – I didn't want to hand around where I wasn't wanted, not any longer than I needed to at least. There were a few comments when I did arrive, but I ignored them. I needed to clear my head, and arguing with them wouldn't do any good. Jain... he never said anything when I arrived, but I thought he was going to start something there and then. It took one of his friends to hold him back.”

And that was the first time he saw Jain, you confirm, the first time before the duel?

“Right. We're hardly on good terms, after all,” a faint smile, bitter and humourless, passes across Koa's lips, “I spent the day avoiding him. I figured that bumping into him might only make things worse. Guess I never realised how bad they were already, huh?”

So, you continue, what about the rest of the duel? Is there anything he can say about that?

“I don't remember the details. You know, the blow by blow account. Jain never gave me a moment to think, let alone remember that happened when,” Koa pauses for a moment, biting his lips, “That's not a problem, is it? I mean, I don't want to leave you with nothing you can use...”

That's fine, you assure him. To be expected, in fact. Looking back on things, you ask, did Jain's actions seem unusual? He was aggressive, true, but was there anything that Koa felt exceeded those expectations?

[1/2]

>>46630470
If anything, that was a good duel, he held himself quite well against a rampaging attacker.

>>46630470

“The whole fight, honestly,” Koa shrugs, “We've fought before, like I said, but it was never anything like this. Looking back, I just don't see how he could fight like that – without ever faltering or getting tired. I knew he was fired up, but...”

You think, then, about the desperation you'd seen in Jain's eyes. It had seemed like he was wavering on the border of madness, held in place only by a faint respect for the duel itself.

“I mean, honestly?” Koa waits for you to nod, urging him on, before continuing, “Honestly, I wasn't even sure if he'd go ahead with it. I thought maybe the whole “challenge” thing might have been a spur of the moment decision, and he was just going to yell at me or something. I don't know, I guess.”

He doesn't need to know, you assure Koa, you'll see about getting to the bottom of things. Is there anyone else – anyone other than Jain – who might have wanted to hurt him? Any enemies Koa has among the other apprentices?

“Jain was the only one who had something against me personally, but...” Koa glances across at Howa and then returns his eyes to you, a question lingering behind his confused gaze. You nod – he can speak freely. “Well, I figure maybe someone in the cult might be angry with me. I mean, I've been working against them, same as you. Ah, I'm not trying to blame you or anything, but...”

No, you understand. You've put him in their sights, and the cult doesn't seem to have any use for the boy. Not in the same way that they seem to be trying to lure you over to their side, at least. So, Koa thinks the cult might have a hand in this?

“I'm not saying they do,” the apprentice shakes his head quickly, “I'm saying they might. I mean, it makes sense doesn't it?”

It does. A worrying degree of sense.

[2/3]

>>46630580

You'd like to know a little more about Shiki, you ask as you change the subject, did she have any close friends? Anyone else that might have been interested in her, or anyone that might have been interested in Jain?

“Interested...” Koa repeats the word, “You mean, like they had feelings for them?”

Exactly that – any strong feelings either way, in fact. Blooming romances or petty hatreds, anything that might have caused emotions to run wild.

“Man, I don't know...” Koa shakes his head, “I don't pay attention to that kind of stuff, not like some of the others do. Shiki had a lot of friends, I know that much, but not many of them were close. I mean, Jain was the only one she seemed really interested in. I don't know how that works, but...”

“When two young people fall for each other, they become each other's world,” Howa says wisely, butting into your interview to offer sage advice, “Anyone who gets in the way of that is taking a risk, especially when tensions are already raised.”

“Uh, right,” Koa, if anything, just looks more confused, “So I don't know how much I can tell you about that kind of stuff. Is there anything else you wanted to ask me?”

You just to say again that he isn't in any trouble, you assure Koa, and that he wasn't to blame for any of this. It was a good duel on his part, and he did very well for himself. That's something to take pride in, even if the rest of this duel was... less admirable.

“Thanks, Ira,” this time, the smile that touches Koa's lips is genuine, one that hints at a mind finally growing restful.

So, you think, where next?

>Examine Jain's belongings – maybe there's a clue somewhere?
>Visit Jain himself and see if he's ready to talk
>Ask a few more questions... (Write in)
>Some other approach? (Write in)
>Other

>>46630614
>>Examine Jain's belongings – maybe there's a clue somewhere?

>>46630614
>Examine Jain's belongings – maybe there's a clue somewhere?
We should use one of our detect magic spells on his belongings, along with the knife to see if something was manipulating Jain's rage.

>>46630614
>>Examine Jain's belongings – maybe there's a clue somewhere?
Start with the knife.

>>46630614
>>Examine Jain's belongings – maybe there's a clue somewhere?
I spy

You could do worse than studying Jain's belongings and seeing if there is anything out of place. You're not sure what that might be, but... you'd probably know it when you see it. That's what it means to have instincts.

“You're checking his room?” Koa asks, “It's pretty far from here, actually, pretty much at the far end of the whole wing. A stroke of luck, if I'm being honest – it means we didn't have to pass each other by very often. Ah, anyway, I'll let you... do your thing. Um, whatever that is.” Shaking his head again – he looks like an old dog trying to stay awake when he does that – Koa shoots a longing glance over to his messy bed.

Go ahead, you tell him, you were just leaving. Taking Howa's hand, you lead her out into the quiet corridor. There, you pause and take Jain's knife from inside your coat. Is it not possible, you think aloud, that something might have been encouraging Jain's fury? A curse laid upon this knife might do just that, and it would leave some trace behind – something for you to follow, if only your senses could detect the trail.

So, holding the knife close, you close your eyes and focus on the world around you – directing as much of your attention as possible towards the weapon in your grasp. As the magic takes hold, you feel as though you have been dropped into an ocean of rioting colour and sensation, buffeted on all sides by conflicting pulses of power. Wanderers, you realise, and their perfected souls, all crying out like beacons of magical light. Brightest of all, almost painful to behold, is a burning white light that could only the the Mentor himself.

But from the dagger, nothing. A bar of honed steel, and nothing more. It's almost... disappointing.

[1/2]

>>46630919
Was kinda hoping we'd use the spell when all of his belongings were together, including the knife so we wouldn't waste more than one cast.

>>46630919

“Well, we still know something new,” Howa stresses, reaching for the optimistic answer, “We know that Jain's weapon wasn't cursed – we don't need to worry about magic. Ruling out a possibility is just as useful as finding an answer.”

Maybe, you sigh as you walk towards Jain's end of the corridor, but it's less exciting. Your mood lowers as you pace, returning to a more normal level of sensation. The world seems so much greyer now, from the dirt ground into the temple floor to the weary, stooped cleaner that brushes past you. It's strange to see one of the temple's diligent servants around at this hour – or to see them at all. Discretion is a valuable attribute in a servant.

When you reach Jain's room, you're surprised at how tidy everything is. The bed is made, and not a single book is out of place. You were expecting mess, you mention to Howa, mess and clutter.

“I'll say!” Howa's voice is incredulous, “I had to stop by once, you know, to drop off a book. The place was a disaster area, barely an inch of empty floor.”

Strange. Very strange.

“Maybe he decided to clean up his act,” Howa suggests, “Or maybe Shiki's death gave him motivation to change. Either way...”

>It's time to search the place
>Something isn't right here... (Write in)
>Other

>>46630995
>>It's time to search the place
Be wary of traps though.

>>46630995
>Something isn't right here... (Write in)
Go back to that cleaner. Ask if he cleaned Jain's room. Tell him to keep up the good work and pat him on the shoulder, the use:

>[Zulathoon] Eyes on the Inside
>By touching a person, you can take a glimpse at some of their most significant memories. The target will feel a groping sensation in their mind, but cannot automatically trace it back to you.

>>46631058
Or use Howa's Water Spell. That one seems a tad more subtle.

>>46630995
>>46631058
We need to speak with that clearer either way. If they don't know what's going on they might have taken some evidence from the room.

>>46631088
Better begin with simple questioning augmented by the Water spell. Then, if something is suspicious, we can use Eyes on the Inside.

The cleaner, you realise suddenly, they could have taken something from the room. Even if they just thought it was trash – a scrap of paper, even – they could have found something valuable. If they didn't realise what the situation was, although the gossip has been flying thick and fast lately, they wouldn't have any reason to be careful.

You need to speak with them, right now.

“You go,” Howa gives you a sharp nod, “You need to hurry, but I'll just slow you down. Go on, go!”

You don't wait for her to tell you twice. Hurrying out into the corridor, you rush back the way you came until you spy the servant's retreating back. At least, you think it's the same servant – beneath that grey and shapeless garb, they might as well be anonymous. You call out to them, your voice pleasant enough, but they don't seem to hear you – keeping up their steady pace. Or, perhaps they do hear you, because they start to speed up a little, a creeping trace of anxiety entering their shuffling walk.

With alarm bells screaming out in your mind, you pick up the pace and begin to close the distance between you and the retreating servant. As soon as they turn a corner, however, they explode into a desperate flight, running down the length of the empty corridor. Barking out a hard curse, you start to chase them, only for the servant to twist back your way, their hand outstretched. In in, all cold metal and menace, is one of the cultist's peculiar guns.

>Please roll 1D100, aiming to beat 60 or 80. I'll take the highest of the first three results.
>In addition, state any spells you want to use, or any particular course of action.

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>46631264
Vines.

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>46631264

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>46631264
Yeah Vine him.

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>46631264
Rolling

>>46631281
Good job anon!

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Maybe he can outrun an old man like you, but this guy can't outrun nature.

Picturing Hyacinth in your mind, her vitriolic voice rising high in your ears, you call upon the nature spirit's magic. Vines, thorny and groping, burst from the floor to ensnare the fake servant's feet and wrists, dragging his gun down towards the floor. He fires once, the sound flat and terribly hard in the enclosed corridor, before the clawing vines dig tighter still into his exposed flesh and force the pistol from his hand. Wailing in pain, the servant is dragged low by the grasping tendrils, held pinned and helpless.

Well. That worked even better than you had expected.

Kicking the gun away as you approach, you stoop down next to the false servant, meeting his wide and panicked eyes. This wasn't part of the plan, you ask pleasantly, was it?

“I don't know what you mean!” he yelps, “What plan? I'm just... just a servant. A humble servant, sir, that's all!”

A humble servant with a particularly rare pistol, you remark as you pick up the weapon, is that what he's trying to say? When he realises how badly he has messed up, the cultist – for what else could he be? - falls into a sullen silence. So, you add as you rest the barrel of the gun on the bridge of his nose, is that the story he's going to stick with?

“I'm a cleaner, that's all. I never hurt anyone,” the man mutters darkly, “I was just told to clean up the room. Hide everything, or destroy it. I don't know what I was supposed to get rid of, and I don't know why.”

>And who told you this?
>So what did you find?
>Are there any other cultists here, among the servants?
>Other

>>46631536
>>So what did you find?
>>And who told you this?
>>Are there any other cultists here, among the servants?
Why is that I feel that Shiki was part of the cult and her getting killed was part of the plan?

>>46631536
>I never hurt anyone
Yet you just pulled a gun on me. Not doing yourself any favors.

>And who told you this?
>So what did you find?
>Are there any other cultists here, among the servants?

And tell the truth. I have very painful ways of fact checking if I need to.

>>46631536
>And who told you this?
>So what did you find?
>Are there any other cultists here, among the servants?
>Other
And just something you should know, If I think you're lying I'll just rip the truth out from your mind. Wont be a pleasant experience. I advise you to tell the truth the first time I ask.

>>46631536
>And who told you this?
>So what did you find?
>Are there any other cultists here, among the servants?

You really do not want to give me any indication you're lying. I will get this out of you, one way or another.

He was told to clean the room, you repeat softly, but who told him? He had to get his orders from someone, and you want to know who.

“I...” the fake servant's voice is dry and brittle, “Listen, there's no need to be...”

And tell the truth, you add as an afterthought, or you'll be forced to take the information by force. You can tear it from his mind if you need to, and it will not be pleasant for him. Those words, and the eerie calm with which you deliver them, seems to convince the cultist more than the pistol you have pointed in his face.

“I got passed a note,” the cultist begins to shake his head and then thinks better of it, “It wasn't signed or nothing, just a note telling me what to do. I didn't see who wrote it either, I just had it slipped under my door this morning.”

Fine, you'll buy that for now. So he cleaned out the room – what did he find?

“Nothing, just some trash!” he whines, “A bottle, the damn kid was drinking wine – what kind of kid can afford wine?”

Just a bottle of wine, you repeat as you reach into his robes and withdraw a glass bottle. You have to admit, you share his surprise – this is not cheap wine, far out of the reach of a normal apprentice. You give it a shake, hearing the remains sloshing around the bottom, and slip it into your deep pockets. Better remember not to drink the evidence, you think to yourself, the thought bringing a cold smile to your face. It's a smile that your captive doesn't share – if anything, he pales at the sight of it.

[1/2]

>>46631838
Ask for his name?
Ask if he realise that what he did is just fanning the flame of hatred the temple had for the cult, someone wanted him to piss the temple and get caught; someone who, not unlike the Seer, wants to see the world aflame

>>46631926
We don't really know that yet. This might be just what it looks like, the cultists using Jain to kill Koa and this cleaner getting caught was not part of the plan.

>>46631838

So, you ask, are there any other cultists among the servants? There has to be, if someone passed a note along. He should probably make this easy, you add, and just give you their names.

“I don't know any names,” he insists, “I mean, there must be others, but how should I know who they are? It's not like I tell everyone that I'm...”

That he's what, you ask, a spy? A cultist?

“A revolutionary,” he insists, his voice finally growing firm, “A patriot. I'm not like you, someone willing to bow down and take whatever shit the Emperor pushes. I'm not alone, you know – we're everywhere, and our numbers are only growing.”

Sighing, you ask for the man's name. It might be a little late now, but it only seems proper to speak as equals.

“Coates,” he says with that same flicker of defiance, “You gonna remember that name?”

Doubtful, you tell him, you've forgotten more significant things than him.

“You bastard,” Coates spits, “I'll be glad when this place burns, along with all you damn cowards!”

It would be so easy to blow his brains out right now, or to strangle the life out of him. With the vines holding him tight, he couldn't stop you. But... would more blood really help anyone right now? Probably not, but you can't deny a part of you that cries out for revenge – he SHOT at you, damn it!

>Kill the cultist. He's only a risk to keep alive
>Lock him up and pass the word along – you've captured an enemy spy
>Plunder his mind. You need to be sure
>Other

>>46631926
Not sure if I am following your logic there anon. Maybe before making claims of even grander conspiracies we look at the facts.

>>46631985
>Lock him up and pass the word along – you've captured an enemy spy
And use him as bait for other cultists that want to rescue him/silence him.

>>46631985
>>Lock him up and pass the word along – you've captured an enemy spy
"If we Burn, you all burn with us. Your leader wants the Gods to dominate and devour mankind, to go back to the times of bloody sacrifice and annihilation. To make mankind nothing but chattel for the gods to eat kill and devour at their whim, tainted by blood and madness. You think you're pushing for a better world? You're pushing for mankind's doom."


Call all the apprentices and Wanderers in the temple. We have something to show them.

>>46632065
Explain what you are showing them all first.

>>46632013
Seconding this.
Plant a rumor that he is due to be interrogated to make others fear he can rat them out.

>>46632079
proof that the cult is not only willing to try and recruit wanderers and apprentices, but that when that fails push them to their ends as best they can. Including manipulating one boy to try and kill another just because he was in the way.

>>46631985
>Lock him up and pass the word along – you've captured an enemy spy
It'd be less trouble if we kill him but eh, all I;m worried about is keeping the little bastard secure

>>46632065
All that's gonna do is make people paranoid.
"Look! It's one of the many faces you see throughout the day that you barely notice, he's a spy and a traitor." I don't think that's the best idea.

>>46632013
This might be a better idea, Ra could help.

>>46632144
>All that's gonna do is make people paranoid.
Honestly I think that's a drawback we need to take.

We need to get all the Nameless Temple aware of the cult. Educate them on what Seer's endgame is and what atrocities they've committed while claiming they are the good guys.

People have been left in the dark about the cultists true nature for too long. All they need to do is say some nice words and they can get ignorant people to join them. It's time we make people less ignorant about them, starting with the Temple.

>>46632204
>>46632130
That all said though, we should make sure we have more proof before talking to the Temple. Starting with Howa testing the wine sample with her spell.

>Something to note. I'm going to move deciding the long term fate of the prisoner to a later decision. For now, we'll be locking him up.
>Writing the next post now, in either case. Sorry for the delay.

>>46632204
You make a good case. And I do think you're right. I don't see doing this as anything but good in the longrun. Though it'll probably be rough going at first.

>>46632245
I gotta second this too. Need hard evidence when doing something like this.

>>46632296
Hey Moloch, cameras don't exist yet right?

>>46632346

>No, not yet. Sketches are generally used for anything that might need a picture. As you can imagine, the quality and reliability of these can vary immensely.

Killing him might be easier, but you don't want his blood on your hands. In open combat, you wouldn't hesitate before killing him, but when he is tied down and helpless like this? No, that's a line that you're unwilling to cross. As long as he's locked up and secure, you can worry about him later.

“I heard a gunshot,” Howa, her voice breathless and buckling under barely controlled panic, says as she lurches around the corner, “I came as quickly as I could, but-” The sight of you, kneeling over a bound servant with a pistol, causes her to fall silent. “Ira?” she asks, “What in the name of all the gods are you doing?”

You've caught yourself a spy, you tell her with a wolfish grin, and you found some evidence while you're at it. He needs to be locked up before he can do any more damage – and he might be useful for drawing out any of his fellow cultists. That's a decision for later though, you add, when he's got a locked door between him and you.

“He doesn't look very dangerous,” Howa says doubtfully, scrutinising the bound man.

It's not him you're worried about, you reply bleakly, you're worried FOR him. He's the only one in any danger here.

“I... see,” a nervous light flashes through Howa's eyes, “Then... I suppose we've got to find room for another prisoner. This had better not become a regular thing, you know, I don't think we've got too many of those meditation chambers left now.”

“You don't have enough,” Coates mutters, “There aren't enough jail cells in the land.”

Quite the charmer, you remark as you dismiss the vines and drag Coates to his feet, isn't he? She should go and pass this information on to the Mentor, while you'll take your new friend to a more secure location.

“They aren't secure, either,” the cultist whispers to himself, “You don't understand what you're dealing with.”

On the contrary, you remark as you start to haul him away, you know better than him. Better than anyone, perhaps.

[1/2]

>>46632559

Howa was right – there aren't many meditation chambers left, not many that are suitable for use as jail cells at least. There's enough to keep Coates a fair distance away from Jain, though, and that's good enough for now. If the gods are kind, the problem needn't get any worse than this.

From what you've seen, though, you doubt that the gods are that generous – or that concerned about men and their affairs.

You take a look in on Jain while you're in the area, noting that the boy has finally lapsed into sleep. Not a peaceful rest, though – he tosses and turns, murmuring nonsense words in his sleep. Still, it gives you a faint trace of confidence that perhaps he might be ready to talk later, once he's woken up. It might get the last of his lunatic fury out of his system, his nightmares draining away the last of the shadow that has passed over him.

Maybe. You hope.

“The Mentor didn't seem very surprised that we had a spy amongst us,” Howa remarks when you've met up once more, “He said... he said he'd have been more concerned if they didn't. I don't understand how he can be so detached about all this, I really don't!”

Never mind the Mentor now, you tell her, you'd rather not talk about him.

“Right, of course,” Howa nods, “Are you okay? When I heard that shot...”

Totally unharmed, you assure her, and ready to get to work. You know exactly where to start...

>You need Howa to analyse the sample of wine
>You're going to wake Jain. You need to speak with him now
>You'll try plundering Coates' mind – he might still be keeping something from you
>Other

>>46632697
>>>You need Howa to analyse the sample of wine
>>You're going to wake Jain. You need to speak with him now

>>46632697
>You need Howa to analyse the sample of wine
Let Jain sleep a little more. Like Ira said, it might get whatever he had out of his system.

>>46632697
>You need Howa to analyse the sample of wine

>>46632697
>>You need Howa to analyse the sample of wine
We need to talk to Jain but he probably needs as much rest as he can get.

>>46632697
>You need Howa to analyse the sample of wine

First, there's something you'd like Howa to take a look at – something that her talents might be perfectly suited towards analysing. With that, you take the bottle of wine out and place it in front of her, smiling at the sight of her raised eyebrow.

“Ira, dear,” Howa asks sweetly, “Are you suggesting that I might know a little TOO much about wine?”

Come on, you press, you wouldn't joke about something like that. In either case, you'd definitely suggest she doesn't drink this wine – you've got a feeling that it had something to do with Jain's abnormal fury.

“Oh, is that so?” seriousness returns to Howa's voice as she turns the bottle over in her hands, “Only the good stuff uses glass bottles – clay jugs is far cheaper, as we both know – so I can't see how Jain would afford something like this. Ah... a gift, perhaps, but not from one of the other apprentices. I wonder if Jain was even aware of what he was drinking, or whether he just threw it down his neck...”

Focus, you tell her, you're not here to get a lesson on savouring the damn stuff.

“Of course,” Howa nods graciously, popping the cork out and letting a few drops of the deep red wine fall into her open palm. Like before, when he studied the Makai dust, she rubs it between her fingertips and closes her eyes. A soft glow warms her features, cast from behind the delicacy of her eyelids as the magic takes effect. “Oh,” she murmurs, “Oh no, that's not right. That's not right at all...”

[1/2]

>>46633066

What, you ask quickly, what is it?

“It's... bad,” Howa opens her eyes, sticking her tongue out as if she had just tasted the offending liquid, “Tainted. Unclean. Not a poison so much as a drug, definitely one that might explain Jain's more abnormal behaviour. He would have suffered hallucinations, he'd feel paranoid... and angry. It would have amplified whatever he was feeling at the time. Quite frankly, I'm surprised he was able to keep himself from going in for the kill straight away.”

A drug, one that tampered with Jain's thoughts – this complicates things. Under the influence of this substance, you ask slowly, would he have been in control of his actions?

“Barely,” Howa shakes her head, “If you're asking me if he's guilty... he still tried to kill Koa. Was that his plan from the start? I really can't say that – but he wouldn't have been thinking clearly. It doesn't change what he did, of course, but...”

But he was nothing more than a pawn, you finish for her, a weapon set up to take Koa out of the game. The real guilt lies with whoever gave Jain that bottle of wine – that poisoned gift. They are the real culprit here, and Jain might be the only one who can point you in their direction.

“You want to talk to him, then?” Howa asks, “I hope we can get the answers out of him without hurting him, but... how far are you prepared to go?”

>We're just going to talk, that's all
>I need these answers – I'll do whatever it takes
>Jain can rest a while longer, I have something else to try first... (Write in)
>Other

>>46633204
>We're just going to talk, that's all
Honestly I can sympathize a little, having anger like that when I was younger.

>>46633204
>Other
I think we need to let Jain sleep to get the drug out of his system. But I fear the cultist will try to assasinate him. The only person Ira can trust to guard Jain is himself, which means we gotta sit outside his cell (or better yet, inside, to try and lure in the would be assassin).

>>46633271
It's not really a cell, more of a room. We can just go inside and sit down for a little bit if we need to.

>>46633204
>We're just going to talk, that's all

>>46633204
>>We're just going to talk, that's all

You're just going to talk to him, you assure Howa, that's all. You'll listen to whatever he has to say, and then you'll ask him any questions you have. It doesn't have to be anything difficult or painful.

“Ira, are you feeling sorry for him?” Howa raises an eyebrow, “I suppose there's plenty to pity, but I wasn't expecting, well...”

You know what it's like to be young, you remind Howa, young and angry. When Jain first pulled the knife on Koa, you could have killed him – you'll admit that – but you were able to disarm him and nobody got hurt. Now you know that Jain wasn't solely to blame... it's hard not to feel some sympathy for him. Besides, you add with a shrug, you've made plenty of mistakes in your time – you'd be a hypocrite for judging the apprentice too harshly for indulging his anger.

“You're right there,” Howa smiles fondly, “I remember, you bit that boy's-”

Yes, you interrupt, you've been through this with Koa already. You bit his ear off, big deal.

“I'm sure he thought it was a big deal,” Howa chuckles, “But you're right, never mind that now. You're going to wake him?”

You'll give him a little longer, but you're going to sit with him while he sleeps. You want to be there to guard him, for one thing, and he might let something slip in his sleep. If he wakes up naturally, that's ideal, if not... well, he might be happier awake. His dreams looked far from comforting.

“Okay then,” Howa nods, “If you need me, give a call – I might be able to “help” with speaking with him.”

Resorting to trickery, skimming the thoughts and feelings from the surface of his mind, is something you'd rather avoid. Still, you nod at Howa's suggestion – she's there if you need her.

[1/2]

>>46633570

Jain looks like a child held tightly in the grip of a terrible fever, his skin shiny with sweat as his body purges itself of all toxins. Making sure that the door is sealed – although you can't see him making daring escape attempt, not in the condition he's in – you sit by his bed and watch.

Time passes slowly as you study him, listening for any words that might emerge intact from his parched lips. When was the last time he drank any water, you wonder, or ate any food? Too long, in either case. As you keep up your vigil, his thrashing finally come to a halt and a long, slow sigh escapes him. Fluttering, struggling against an immense weight, one eye opens. It wanders the room, lazy and uncertain, before landing upon you. Then his other eye opens, and some sense finally enters them.

“I'm in trouble,” he rasps, “Aren't I?”

>You're not the one who's in trouble. Tell me about the wine, Jain
>Perhaps. Tell me about the duel, everything you can remember
>Very much so. Are you prepared to face Imperial law?
>Other

>>46633697
>Perhaps. Tell me about the duel, everything you can remember.

>>46633697
>Perhaps. Tell me about the duel, everything you can remember

>>46633697
>>You're not the one who's in trouble. Tell me about the wine, Jain
>>Perhaps. Tell me about the duel, everything you can remember
While some blame falls on him, much of it will fall on the person who drugged him. Still, he needs to explain himself, since this is a very tricky situation.

>>46633781
It's better to scare him a bit first, then show a way out if he tells everything about the person who gave him the wine.

>>46633697
>>Perhaps. Tell me about the duel, everything you can remember
Have him give a recount.

Then
>Tell me about the wine, Jain
"I think you were being used Jain. The wine you had was drugged and we caught a cultist, one of those people trying to get you guys to join their army a while back, trying to get rid of the evidence red handed."

In a way, you had almost been hoping for defiance, for some spark of anger to remain in Jain's eyes. Now, all you can see is a deep and saddened confusion. Even so, for all his weary dismay, he deserves to be treated like an adult – he needs the truth, and to be held accountable for his actions.

To answer his question, then – is he in trouble? Perhaps he is, you nod, but you need to hear his version of events. The duel, you state plainly, you want him to tell you about it – everything he can remember.

“That's a short list, sir,” he groans, lying flat and wiping the sweat from his fevered brow, “All the while, I felt like I was watching someone else swinging that sword. It was like I was there, in the crowd with everyone else, and something else had taken control of my body. But... all the while, I was urging it on, that other force. I was urging it on because I... I wanted to see him beaten. I was so desperate to see Koa lose. But then the knife came out – I never wanted that!”

So why, you ask, did he have it with him? That speaks of premeditation, of an intent to kill.

“It was for luck,” Jain insists, “Luck, and... and so Shiki could see us. I wanted her looking down on me, that's all.”

His story is troubling, blending guilt and innocence in equal measure. His intent was there, but only for the duel itself. If Jain is telling the truth, he never wished any real harm upon Koa – IF he is telling the truth.

“So what will become of me?” he asks quietly, “Are you going to turn me over to the Emperor's men?”

Perhaps not, you begin, it all depends on how much he can tell you. As the words leave your lips, Jain opens his eyes once more – and a faint hope flickers into life, there. The wine, you offer, you want to know about the wine.

“The... wine?” Jain sounds confused, “That? I know drinking in our dorms is forbidden, but...”

[1/2]

>>46634019

Pay attention, you tell him coolly, because this is very important. You have good reason to suspect that he was being used, manipulated into killing Koa. The wine he drank was tainted, poisoned with something that had muddled his senses and encouraged his wild rage. In the aftermath of the duel, you found someone trying to hide the evidence – a cultist, a member of this “army” that was trying to turn the apprentices to their side.

“Then, I was...” Jain's voice is hopeful, almost pitifully so, “It wasn't my fault?”

That's not what you said, you scold, he still has to shoulder his share of the blame. However, that burden might be significantly lighter than you first thought – but only if he can tell you where he got that wine.

“When Shiki died, I was... I needed comfort,” Jain admits slowly, as if showing weakness was committing some cardinal sin, “I didn't want to think, and so I wanted wine. I got one of the older guys to buy me some – just jug shit, the only stuff I could afford. Then, on the day of the duel, he gave me this bottle of the good stuff – for luck, he said.”

What “older guy”, you press, who was it? One of the other apprentices, or one of the teachers? A Wanderer, even?

“It was Saku,” Jain states simply, the name falling loud and clear from his lips, “He's got kind of a collection, you know? He drinks plenty to relax, that's what I heard at least.”

Saku. One of your fellow Wanderers.

You helped the bastard – you covered one of his damn classes.

>Find Saku. Confront him
>Share this information with Howa. You need a plan
>Ask a few more questions while you're here... (Write in)
>Other

>>46634219
>Share this information with Howa. You need a plan
>Ask a few more questions while you're here... (Any other wanderers getting things for apprentices? Any of them talk to Shiki more often than normal before the shitstorm with the soldiers? Since it seems the cult is actively trying to get us killed off now.

>>46634219
>Share this information with Howa. You need a plan

>>46634356
They just went for Koa anon. Shiki shoving a soldier, the soldier hitting her, and the fall killing her seem pretty natural to me.

>>46634398
They could have encouraged her to and other to lash out. What better way to remove a major obstacle and turn the survivors to their side by making a fight break out? They're clearly will to paly dirty to achieve their goals.

>>46634219
>Share this information with Howa. You need a plan
>Ask a few more questions while you're here... (Write in)
Did Saku ever wear a steel ring?

You take the rage building inside you – good, natural rage, born from neither drugs nor sorcery – and shove it deep down. You need be cold and focussed right now, and storming off to start a fight will only make things worse. Taking a deep breath, you glance back to Jain. Has he heard about any other Wanderers getting things for the apprentices, you ask, anything at all?

“I only asked Saku because of what I'd heard about him,” Jain smiles faintly, “I thought maybe if I asked him while he was drinking, he'd be happy to share. If I'd heard about someone else willing to get me some wine...”

You heard he was close with Shiki, you ask next, and for that you wanted to offer him your sympathies. It might be a bad time to ask, you continue, but did he notice anyone else speaking with Shiki more than normal? Perhaps trying to convince her to fight with the soldiers?

“No, she... she had been very distant before it all... happened,” Jain shakes his head slowly, “Distant to everyone, even me. She was reading a lot, some book she had been taking everywhere. No title or anything, just a little book, but she seemed obsessed with it. She wouldn't let anyone talk with her.”

Interesting, you think to yourself. Something to look for, perhaps – if it survived the careful attention of your cleaner friend. You're thanking Jain and preparing to leave when a thought strike you. Did he ever see Saku wearing a ring, you ask, a steel ring?

“Huh?” Jain looks sharply round at you, “How did you know about that?”

Silence. Scowling hard – hard enough that Jain pales slightly – you try to picture Saku in your mind. His hair was thinning, you can remember that much, but his face? You can't picture a single defining feature.

Well then. Interesting.

[1/2]

>>46634710
Had a feeling. I'm not sure whether the real Saku is dead or the real Saku was almost framed by Faceless Saku.

>>46634710

With a cold fury boiling through your veins, you return to Howa and sit with her. She takes one look at your eye, no doubt harsh with anger, and remains silent until you speak up. Fully aware of your fists, clenched tight at your side, you give Howa the details.

“No, that can't be right,” she shakes her head, “Saku... he's been a Wanderer for some time now. I mean, I have no idea how – the man was a fool – but he was definitely one of us. Are you saying that he's been an imposter all this time?”

Maybe not, you muse, maybe he replaced the real Saku at some point. If Saku – the real Wanderer – went out into the field, only to be slain and replaced by a man wearing his face...

“How could we tell?” Howa asks bleakly, “If the imitation was good enough? Honestly, he was a good choice – Saku didn't mix much with the others, and he was so... so bland and forgettable. I never could remember his face, you know? I never thought...”

What would she do, you ask with a calm you don't feel, in your position?

“Me? I wonder...” Howa leans forwards, a few loose curls of hair falling across her cheeks. You reach across and brush them away, the motion already easy and natural. “I think I would wait and see, wait for him to make a move. Perhaps he'd come and... oh gods,” she shudders, “Saku could have walked right up to Jain, and done whatever he liked. Why would we have any good reason to stop him? All he'd need to do is slip the boy a poisoned meal, and...”

The perils of having a snake in your midst. You could kill Saku – or whatever his name is. It might even be for the best, like cutting out a cancer before it could spread further.

>Confront Saku. He needs to die
>Speak with Saku – you need to be absolutely certain
>Wait and see what Saku will do, as Howa suggests
>Other

>>46634969
>>Speak with Saku – you need to be absolutely certain

>>46634969
>Speak with Saku – you need to be absolutely certain
If we can take down Faceless then Seer loses one of his best assets which is a huge win for us. But we need to be certain about this.

>>46634969
>Speak with Saku – you need to be absolutely certain
Act natural, make small chat, see if he has the ring on. If he does tell him to take it off. If I remember right, the Faceless can't take off the ring.

>>46634969
>Speak with Saku – you need to be absolutely certain
>>46635142
But for the love of god be subtle, like this anon suggests. Talk about plans to do more of what we talked about with the apprentices. Then make a trap for the faceless rat.

>>46635194
Even better - let slip that you know Jain was drunk during the duel and that you intend to question him about it once he's awake. Then hide Jain elsewere and prepare an ambush in his cell.

“Ira?” Howa asks, reaching across to touch your hand, “Are you okay?”

Perfectly calm, you lie, you're just deciding how to play this. Why, exactly, does she ask?

“Because you don't look calm,” Howa offers a nervous smile, “In fact, you look like you'd be happy with tearing Saku's head off his shoulders.”

That's probably because right about now, you'd be happy with tearing Saku's head off his shoulders. That said, you need to be certain – absolutely certain – that your theory is correct. Maybe Saku just has a perfectly forgettable face, combined with a strange taste in jewellery. Moving straight to violence is understandable, given the circumstances, but too much of a risk. You're going to have a word with Saku, you tell Howa quietly, and see what he has to say for himself.

“Be careful,” Howa insists, her light touch growing firmer as she holds your hand tightly, “Promise me that you'll be careful.”

You can promise that you'll try your best, you tell her as you free your hand, that's all you can do. That's all any Wanderer can do – you can keep the risks as low as possible, but there will always be risks. With sadness in her eyes, Howa draws her hands back and gives a single, decisive nod. Do what you need to, her eyes seem to say. As you stand to leave, you put a hand on her shoulder, letting it linger there for a moment before you finally stride away.

Play this carefully, you think to yourself as you walk, and act natural. A little subtlety will help here, even if it was never your strong point. Small talk to start with – and you've even got a convenient topic to discuss.

Easy. No problems at all.

[1/2]

>>46635194
if we ever get a hold of that ring we either need to destroy it or seal that thing up. Maybe imbed it in a sphere of clay, metal, or glass and put it at the bottom of a cestpool? Might not work, what with magic curse items, but hey. Possibility.

>>46635333
If we see the steel ring, we should just cut it off with his finger.

>>46635337
I think an identity-hiding ring would make a good sacrifice to the goddess of secrets.

>>46635388
I'd rather no one have the damned thing. It's the sort of thing that makes sneaky bastards sneakier and manipulators that much harder to get. It's pretty much designed solely for the purpose of causing trouble and manipulating others. Seal up the ring hole with lead, throw it down a volcano, do whatever is needed to not make it somehow come back and go on another bugger's hand.

Hell, Steel Ring himself may just be a spy for someone else who is pulling the strings.

>>46635333

You take as long as you need to find Saku's quarters, making a quick stop at your own room along the way. With a jug of wine dangling from one hand – you've got better stuff, but you'll be damned if you'll waste good wine on a bastard like Saku – you knock firmly at his door.

“Hello?” he asks, when the door eventually opens a crack. Already, you can smell the wine on his breath – Jain was telling the truth as far as that was concerned, at least. “Oh, hello Ira,” he adds a moment later with a weak smile, “Can I help you with something?”

You were in the area, you tell him with an idiot grin, and you thought about sharing a drink with him. After all, you know what he has to deal with now, being a teacher and all. Not something you've got much experience with, you'll admit.

You're rambling like an idiot. Is that what having a social life is like?

“Ah, well, you spend much of your time in the field, don't you?” Saku tilts his head slightly to the side, “That's more dangerous than a load of students, I'd say.”

Maybe so, but out in the field you can shoot whatever is causing the problem. You smile to make sure Saku gets the joke, and raise the jug of wine. So, you ask, how about it?

“Why not?” Saku decides after a long, tense moment. He opens the door a little wider, and steps back out of sight. As you enter, you try to picture his face in your mind. He had two eyes and a nose, you're certain of that, and you're pretty sure he had a mouth. Beyond that... nothing. A perfectly blank and generic canvas. “Take a seat, and I'll get us some cups.”

“So,” Saku remarks, his back to you, “I hear there was a little disturbance. Some apprentices causing trouble, wasn't it?”

>One of them, Jain, was drunk. I'm trying to figure out where he got the wine
>They're restless. We should plan an outing for some of them
>I think you know what the problem was
>Other

>>46635614
Look at his hand Ira. Does he have the ring on?

>>46635614
>They're restless. We should plan an outing for some of them
Keep talking until he turns around so we can see his hands. Keep our hand close to our holster just in case.

>>46635614
>They're restless. We should plan an outing for some of them

>>46635614
Also Pro tip: DO NOT drink the wine he gives us.

>>46635740
Sorry I forgot that we brought the wine.

Still don't drink out of his cup.

I remember DS London Quest Moloch!

>>46635614
>One of them, Jain, was drunk. I'm trying to figure out where he got the wine
>Once he wakes up, I'm gonna have a stern talk with him. Apprentices don't get to drink in the Temple!

>>46635740
Aye, maybe try to make him toast to see his hands. If one has the ring, we splash that bugger in the face with his own wine, tackle him, then mind read him. No waste at all.

They're kids, you reply vaguely, they get restless sometimes. What you should do, you add as Saku rattles cups and cutlery together, is plan an outing for some of them. You mentioned as much earlier, a little trip out to the local shrines. As you talk, you keep a close eye on Saku's hands, watching out for any glint of metal. The room is gloomy, the lantern turned down to a low glow, and his fingers rarely stray into your line of sight for long.

How long does it take, you wonder, to prepare a few cups? You've heard of assassins rubbing poisonous gel into cups for a discrete kill – no poison in the wine, nothing to alarm anyone. Whatever he offers you, you decide, you won't drink. You can't take that chance.

“So, how are they?” Saku asks as he finally returns with a pair of cups – both full of dark wine, “Better than the swill you brought,” he explains vaguely, “The apprentices, I mean. How are they?”

One of them was drunk, you offer, and you want to know where he got the wine. It's troublesome work, and no mistake – when Jain wakes up, you're going to have a stern word with him.

“Discipline must be enforced,” Saku agrees, taking the seat opposite you, “The gods give us laws for a reason, wouldn't you say, Ira?”

Absolutely, you agree as you pick up your cup and offer it as a toast. A small smile passes across Saku's face as he matches your gesture. Then you see it, a thin band of metal coiled around his finger – metal that shines with the unmistakable glint of steel.

>Play it cool, keep talking
>Go loud, capture him now
>Kill him now, while you've got the advantage
>Other

>>46635933
>Go loud, capture him now
Splash the wine in his 'face' and pacify him.

>>46635933
>Play it cool, keep talking

>>46635933
>Go loud, capture him now
Finally getting the bastard.

>>46635933
>Go loud, capture him now
Wine to the face, vines, cut off the finger with the ring.

>>46636098
Vines are on cooldown.

As for cutting off the ring. The Faceless gives up his identity when he puts it on. I'm not sure what will happen if we take if we take it off. Will he be a husk of a man? Or die? Or get his identity back?

Maybe we should plunder his mind first before we take it off.

>>46636098
I dont think we should remove the ring

As>>46636151says. Taking it off may have unforeseen consequences.

We can however, examine the hell out it with Ira and Howa's appropriate spellcards once the bastard is captured and restrained.

>>46636253
I'd say we also get Mentor on this as well. This is an ancient artifact, he'd be the closest thing to an expert on the ring and how to dispose of it.

There's just one thing, you say quietly as you tap your cup against his, one thing he needs to know.

“Really?” Saku gives you a curious look, the expression fading from your memory as soon as it has passed, “You're not about to tell me you don't like this wine, are you?”

It's not that, you shakes your head slightly, but he needs to stop giving wine to the apprentices. That's the kind of stunt that gets a Wanderer in trouble. You have the briefest of moments to savour the look of wide-eyed shock that enters Saku's face before you throw the cup of wine in his face. He yelps, gasping and reeling back as you stand, hurling the table aside. As the air fills with the crashing of breaking glass and clay, you barge into Saku and knock his frail frame backwards into the wall. Pressing one arm against his windpipe, you grab the hand bearing the ring and twist it up, up until he cries out in pain.

And no, you hiss, you don't much care for his kind of wine. Jain didn't like it much either.

“I don't know what-” Saku croaks, his loose hand flailing helplessly against your body. His voice dies as you tighten your grip, cutting off his supply of air. His struggles grow weaker and his eyes roll up until they show nothing but two white crescents. Then, when he is finally still, you let his unconscious body slide down to the ground and step back. As Saku twitches slightly, a line of clear spittle slipping from one corner of his slack mouth, you take the unopened wine you brought and pull the cork out with your teeth.

Cheers, you sneer as you take a deep drink of the cheap wine, the rough alcohol burning a path down to your gut.

>I think I'll leave things here for tonight. Next thread on Friday, and I can stick around for a little while in case anyone has any questions

>>46636386
Ira is turning into a noir detective!

>>46636386
Shoulda go with breaking his knee to prevent him an escape chance.

Good read, can't wait for the old man to say something when we slap the fact that the Seer had someone stirring up trouble even after we made contact with him.

>>46636386
Today has been a productive day hasn't it? And we still got more to do.

We should plunder this dude's mind after we bring him to Howa and the Mentor. He could provide a list of turned agents within the Temple and Imperial Military.

Then we should also organize a meeting of all Temple personnel and tell the facts about Seer's cult like we were discussing earlier.

Thanks for running.

>>46636386
Talk about taking a minor failed plot for the Seer and making it a win for us.

>>46636529

It's certainly not looking good for the Seer - I wonder if he's getting desperate?

>>46636491

I get the feeling that Ira tends to be productive, mainly because trouble tends to follow him about! We'll definitely get the chance to plunder his mind next time - that should yield some interesting results!

>>46636485

Oh, you shouldn't mistreat prisoners!

>>46636446
I am sure in time, his story will grow along with his legacy. Maybe he'll have a kid who's helped by the gods while he does detective work. Though the fashion would be different and he'd probably have a cool hate and pointy sideburns.

>>46636616
If we missed that cleaner we would have been SOL huh?

>>46636628
I'm not sure wether to want a Drebin-like detective or the nearly naked buff guy entering the interrogation room only to slap the shit out of the guy and exiting without a word one.

>>46636628
>a cool hate
So it's hereditary!

>>46636719
crap, I meant hat. A very cool hat.

>>46636661

It wouldn't have led us to a complete dead end - a sample of Jain's blood would have revealed that drugs were involved. We would have missed a pretty big clue though!

>>46636628
And Aya is going to have a daughter that looks just like her, wielding a device called a camera?

>>46636628
>>46636716
As long as he gets an Ice-T partner

>>46636833
Yes! Though, the road would be quite lonely. Maybe he should get a cat to keep him company?

>>46636628
>>46636833
>>46636877
>tfw not getting all these references

>>46636877
All jokes aside, my working theory is that the Mentor and Seer are both under some Gotou-like curse or punishment where they have to live to train people who they will also outlive.

>>46636911
SMT Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha series. The quest definitely has some inspiration from it.

>>46636772
Hey when Ra sent the soldiers away, was he repaying a favor (Southeast information)? Or do we owe him one?

>>46637232

In part, it was repaying us for the information we gave him. It was also due to the fact that he recognizes the Nameless Temple as a valuable ally - although that's also largely down to us!

>>46637274
So say we get a list of hidden cultists in the Military for him from plundering Faceless's mind. He'd owe us another one huh? Clear up a headache for him.

And then give him a new one by outing Sparna's massacre to the public.

>>46637316

Assuming we can get that knowledge from our faceless friend, that would certainly give us a lot of bartering power. We probably shouldn't take anything for granted, though - who knows what that ring has done to his mind?

>>46637407
>We probably shouldn't take anything for granted, though - who knows what that ring has done to his mind?

Good point, one of the things I was worried about actually. Hopefully mentor can advise.

>>46637407
Is the military tribunal open to the public?

>>46637576

And risk giving people the chance to make objections or witness what actually goes on in those things? Not even slightly open - the final verdict is announced, but that's about the only part that the public gets to know about.

>>46637633
Is there way to force it to be public? Could Ra or Sho do it?

Would outing Sparna and Takino's involvement via newspaper during the Tribunal shake things up? It wouldn't be good to have one of the main commanders and voters of the tribunal under scrutiny as well no?

>>46636386
.....So. Am I getting this right?

Either Saku and that military guy teamed up to spin that Melancholia incident as big as possible, or they were the ones who manufactured the orders in the first place.

It's the difference between framing the Empire entirely for an atrocity, or simply spicing it up by defiling the temple while a Wanderer witnesses due to purposely leaked information.

We should totally ask about that.

>>46637750
How it went down was

>Nameless Temple receives Solitude Writ
>Faceless under the guise of Secret Police removes Writ
>He then tells Murasi to go burn Solitude down because it was 'plagued' which would have cause a serious incident that looked like military just massacred people, stirring up more anti-Imperial movement.

The question I am wondering is whether Murasi was a cultist yet or not.

>>46637715

Sho could change the process however he likes, including opening the process to the public. Ra, on the other hand, has much less influence. The best he could hope to achieve is leaking information out, and even that's a risk.

Making Sparna public would certainly shake things up, but it might not change the outcome. However, it would cast a lot of doubt on the validity of it - the public would be a lot less accepting about what they are told, and certainly less pleased about the situation.

>>46637750
>>46637823

Faceless and Musari both had roles in nearly turning the Melancholia incident into a massacre.
At that point, Musari wasn't a full cultist. He was in their sights, though, and he was being groomed. His "orders" to purge Solitude swayed him over to the cult's side.

>>46637868
It's a balancing act. We need to stir up some unrest about the bullshit of the Tribunal and the corruption in the military, but we don't want people going to Seer's side as well.

If we do out Sparna using Aya's newspaper we also need to smear Seer's actions as well in the same paper. Solitude, Dragon's Head, Seer's endgame.

I imagine if we play our cards right that paper might be the most bought edition Aya has had in a long time.

>>46637868
...."Tearing his head off his shoulders" is starting to feel appropriate.

>>46638009

When the times comes, we'll have the choice of deciding what, if anything, we'll tell Aya. It'll be a pretty significant decision in the long run!

>>46638017

I can't really blame Ira, given the circumstances.

Well, I need to head offline for for now. The next thread will be on Friday, and I'd like to thank everyone who contributed today. Things are heating up!