Gameplay 1b - Rats in the Woodwork

You take to the streets, wandering, trying to avoid the soldiers, and listening for signs of violence.

The streets are no mean place, and after a few hours, you run into a pair of common thugs. "Your purses or you get the blade," one says through broken teeth. The gleam of worn iron in his hand makes his threat more believable.

"Ah locals with some possible knowledge on things going about at night! I know you might be insulted but if you're a respectable criminal you can at least sharpen the blades can't you. You wouldn't by chance have been out when some of the massacres happen would you? The attacks were by someone of large stature and/or great strength, used a hatchet or ax. Bit macbre but if it was livestock they'd have been a very rapidly successful butcher I imagine... Oh this is related to the hanging of the woman that killed herself, city magistrate stated she was a 'witch' I believe." Ataan states with a smile pulling out his dagger and main gauche, "Now lets have a decent talk maybe I can look at those teeth. Looks a bit painful."

Gerald stands at the ready with a confident smirk, his dagger on display.

Ataan should make a Streetwise roll to attempt to alter their muggerous intentions.

The two thugs are rethinking their night but seem somewhat committed to violence. "Give us a (£1) and we's's tell ya."

"10 shilling 15 if you show us the best places to hide from the patrols or to murder people... or we can hold you up... Don't worry any broken bones or lacerations can be mended but we'll charge. Fortunately with the killing serialized dumping bodies in the water seems like a convenient alternative if we get too violent, then my hands are tied." Ataan states back with a smile.

They agree to your proposal. They shrewdly demand half up front. They're probably just waiting until your guard is down for a good shivving, but for now you have tour guides to the slummier side of the city.

"So there's the known killings, are there any in the slums and outer areas where they just haven't been reported? My apologies I've no idea what your names are, should I call you two Stabby and Noddy?"

"Yeah, Stabby and Noddy is good, huh." They seem pleased by the nom de guerres you have suggested, with all of the unintentional menace of thugs working on a good piece of tbuggery that is going their way.

Stabby offers "Mostly, yes, all of them been in dark dirty places. Not us, whoever is what is doing it wouldn't mess with us, we's's bad news."

"Yeah," evil chuckle from Noddy, "Bad news."

"The attacker seemed to have the strength to cleave through bodies with a rather blunt ax mind you so if you do see someone like that I highly recommend you don't attempt a robbery unless you'd like your name added to the list of the deceased and mauled. You don't seem that bad to me possibly if your lives had different opportunities you might have ended up in transport or security... Besides there are things worse then being stabbed to death Gentlemen... Much worse."

Gerald got an idea. Would you thugs fellows like to help us catch the killer?

"One can be bad but still get the respect of the local people... if you care about a reputation my associate makes a good point."

They seem to be growing confused, but a few words must have penetrated. "Who gets reward?"

"Depends on what we all do and if we survive and keep our wits about us honestly. We've a watering hole to return to, if you find out more about the murders and you'd like an easier life then just the pence you get from mugging people look us up, especially if you find anything about the murderer in the area." Ataan states a bit vague.

Ataan is driving a hard bargain considering these brigands have already made an attempt on our finances... Cecily chuckles at some unknown sight.