Gameplay 1b - Rats in the Woodwork

You quickly find the guard post and the officer in charge of the area. Unfortunately, they have little to go on and seem stumped as to how to proceed, other than sending a few extra patrols at night.

Cecily will ask to see any evidence or clues they have managed to scrounge up.

Gathering evidence is not their forte, per se. The officer will only tell you that they were all killed in the same manner and "You shouldn't worry your pretty head too much about it. We'll catch the murderer, and you will be safe. Now, run along, I have important work to do."

You're shoo-shooed out of the post.

"One last thing the woman found guilty when you're not good at finding evidence, what did she allegedly do?" Ataan asks after the flippant remarks.

You are forcefully shooed, potentially violently from the guard post. You can roll Notice if you think this is suspicious.

You find the magistrate, and make an appointment. After an hour long wait, you find yourself in his presence.

"The witch? Well, unusual to ask that. There were witnesses and she confessed. Mind telling me your purpose?"

You feel the hairs on the back of your neck rise. Witchcraft is a crime that often is attributed to mere impropriety and hearsay.

"From what we've heard maybe it's hearsay and forgive me for being rather blunt but your guards aren't known for having thorough evidence and I think technically she stated 'by my blood will I have revenge', after killing herself for the ritual she's been strung up I guess due to your local process which makes little sense to me. If you're genuinely calling her a witch out of actual belief I'm curious on how you catch and punish a dead woman's accomplice after she's killed herself and you've hung her 'dead body' which still hangs around. If she did something supernatural I hate to say it but normal procedures won't do much to catch her ghost or whatever she's summoned to act out her revenge." Ataan admits shaking his head a look of sympathy and pity in he's eyes for the magistrate.

Atuan recalls that the guard officer started to give you the same look the magistrate is giving you, which is a growing suspicion that you are collaborators and probably witches yourselves. His fingers itch to write the arrest warrant.

Let's be clear. You're all suddenly in grave peril. Whether to cover sloppy investigating or in just a general mistrust of strangers who defend witches, it doesn't matter. A set of gibbets may be in your future. A de-tonguing would also keep your blasphemy from spreading.

"Let me be clear Sir, trying to call witchcraft on people that point light on this doesn't solve the problem only hides it till the next murder. I've seen first hand ghost kill people. Do you want us to help you find the truth and a resolution or should I point out you specifically are likely to be on her list of people to get revenge on and if enough people die the papers might bring to light your inept results currently. It is your choice, your town, and your people dying regardless." Ataan states realizing the look. He frowns his hand on his belt.

He looks at you incredulously. "You admit to consorting with demons and devilry?"

It appears that Ataan has chosen the hard way, to pursue this investigating by following the witches path to the gibbet. What are the rest of you doing?

Gerald steps forward, maybe a little too closely to the magistrate, and in a loud voice responds to the magistrates threat. With all due respect sir, as my friend here has stated, we seek only the truth.

"This man isn't very learned... If you mean stopping ghosts from killing living people or madman who are very human from doing abomination to the dead bodies of women yes, I'm a man of Science and don't mean to boost but I'm on a righteous path. I do think it's disappointing your mind jumps to certain misunderstandings and skipping facts. Do you admit you have no idea on what to actually do besides wait for someone to be killed and catch whatever it is hopefully in the act while lying to yourself and being blind to the truth? How many bodies will that be Magistrate, how many people are you willing to sacrifice in this needlessly? It's five now, do you think you'll catch them next time? When there's 10 deaths? 20? Will you bar the people that leave in mass or are you the Magistrate, going to serve and protect your people while you still have them all? You can't tax the dead."

"Seize them!"

The magistrate has you arrested and two guards come in wheelocks and rapiers drawn. They first escort you out of the room and then toward the back. One of them says, "Hans, why are we--" (CRACK)

The talker crumples to the ground. Hans with his friend-conking wheelock reversed, opens the back door. He hisses quietly, "My cousin was one of those killed. If you can get to the bottom of this, I owe you everything. Go! But don't be seen in the day time, we'll have to be looking for you." He closes the door behind you.

That's a relief! For a minute there I thought we were done for. Looks like we've gained an ally. Now lets get out of here while we can!

"Unfortunately I think things are graver than I'd like to believe, official is blind to the facts, or has a darker plan using the witch's death and her actions. We'll need to hide our identities, us heresy on the streets to resolve this and possibly incite a revolt to get him out of office and changed as well since this may happen again with a not curse driven witch young lady." Ataan states darkly as he moves to exit the place.

"Ataan, stop talking." Cecily does not waste this opportunity to flee.

I didn't even say anything and still get arrested. Ridiculous.

What's the plan? Where are you off to?

"We should've asked where his cousin lived." Cecily says with definite regret.

"Lets ask about on the streets then can't really ask guards now, is there a paperTown Cryer in town? Yes I know stop talking, my apologies... blindness or incompetencies leads to unneeded death that can be saved, present self included unfortunately." Ataan states as he looks around.