Brand examines the Angalorian blade and the other one more closely [[ I assume the Angalorian is also Iron ?? ]].

[[ If he can see any good reason to pick Angalorian over the second hand one (seriously superior grip, much better balance etc [[something that refects an in-game advantage, perhaps]] ), then: ]]

Brand nods, "All right, against my better judgement, you have persuaded me". He takes 3 cons from his satchel and hands them over.

[[ Else (ie. the 2c blade looks serviceable and a valid replacement for his lost blade) ]]

He sighs, "I'm afraid I need weapons, not trophies. Though I admit...the shine on those others does draw my attention...I may came back for one of these 'steel' weapons some time, to compare properly with a good bronze one. But today is not the day."

He takes 2 cons from his satchel and hands them over.

[[ End if]]

[[ So you understand where I'm coming from (you probably already do): these are disposable daggers that Brand does not want to be special or unique for the obvious reasons. The steel dagger he might buy as a collectible or to satisfy curiosity, but not as disposable kit. Part.of the reason he wants a new coat is to appear less unusual.

My comment re rules is meant to reflect that it would have to be pretty special to attract him, which is why he may come back for the steel, perhaps.

My, and I suspect Brands, opinion of the market at this point is that it's more like a deeply overpriced tourist market, than a useful place to buy stuff. Tho perhaps that's just the weapon seller]]

[[Sorry. Busy day, which only just ended.

The Angolorian dagger is a nice weapon, but is unusual and therefore recognisable. Given the criterion stated above, the 2 Constantine nondescript dagger is the better choice. As to whether there are any in-game advantages to the Angolorian dagger, I can't answer that because it is information Brand doesn't know. As far as he is concerned—without further investigation, something he is not likely to be given the opportunity to do without purchasing the dagger—it is just a fancy looking dagger. However, he is aware that it is unlikely to be magical because it is made of iron.

And, for future reference, are Brand's weapons bronze, or iron, or a mixture of both. It would be helpful for me to know this in the future.

]]

Brand takes the nondescript dagger and hands over 2 Constantines to the man who invites him to come back any time [[Please deduct the coins]]. He also tells Brand that he might be interested in buying any unusual daggers or knives that Brand might come across.

[[ No worries. First week back is not fun]]

"Thank you, I will think of you if I do". He places the dagger in his satchel then heads of toward Lamane's shop.

Brand continues on through the various streets and markets of the Mercantile District heading in the direction of the bridge that crosses to the Scholar's Ward. When he reaches the bridge, he heads east looking for the lane that Tymon the armourer said led down to the river's edge. This is not a part of Constantine he is familiar with and it seems more residential than business-like, but soon enough he finds Lemane's, which is conspicuous due to its signage: a large rust-coloured iron box which hangs suspended from a strong beam extending from the from the front of the house. Cut into the iron plates of the longer sides of the box are the Sorendenese runes for the name "Lemane" with the runes themselves appearing to burn because of a fire contained inside the box.

Rolling his eyes at the theatricalness of it all, Brand approaches the front door of the house, which is up a short flight of stairs. The door itself has a large ornate door knocker whose heavy ring appears to be held in the jaws of a bas-relief demon's head. As he reaches the the top of the stairs, a voice says in a deep voice, "The master is at lunch, come back later." It appears to be the head of the demon speaking.

[[ Just checking....by my reckoning it's not yet mid day, correct? If it's close, he would have gone to SoOS, either way he goes to SoOS now.

How long was walk from merchants to Lemane? That.probably accounts for it. It was 1hr before Lunch when he finished at tailor.]]

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[[ Just checking....by my reckoning it's not yet mid day, correct? If it's close, he would have gone to SoOS, either way he goes to SoOS now.

How long was walk from merchants to Lemane? That.probably accounts for it. It was 1hr before Lunch when he finished at tailor.]]

[[It is a little early for lunch; Brand should still be able to make his way to the School of Occult Studies to reach there by midday.]]

Brand leaves Lemane's and makes his way back to the bridge where he joins the foot traffic on the side of the bridge making its way north across this branch of the Lyr River to the Scholar's Ward. While crossing the bridge—which lies on the main road north out of the city—he once more sees a number of family groups either on foot and carrying large loads or with carts piled high with their belongings. To a person, they all appear to be Stemians.

Having crossed the river, he turns to the east and makes his way to the walled School of Occult Studies where once again he notices a poorly hidden hand of temple guards watching the approach to the School. The armour of these guards has been stained sea-green, which indicates they are from the Temple of Oannes: the Sea God. Like the last such group he saw, only one guard appears to be on watch at the moment; the others seem to be further back in the alley playing some sort of game involving throwing coins at a wall.

[[I presume Brand is meeting Minton for lunch, but I thought I'd stop here in case you want to ask questions or do anything different.]]

[[I presume Brand is meeting Minton for lunch, but I thought I'd stop here in case you want to ask questions or do anything different.]]

[[ Good call, indeed; I started reading thinking "please stop before I get there" ]]

Brand pauses in his purposeful walk to the school entrance, considers for a moment and apparently comes to some conclusion, then moves off again purposefully, this time toward the guards. He glances at and nods to the lookout as he passes them, and approaches the group playing the game, looking to identify a leader if possible.

[[ Whether they approach him, or he interrupts them, he says: ]]

"Good morning, Citizens [[?? collective multi-gender honorific?? ]]. I could not help but notice a contingent of guards here yesterday and again today. Is there perhaps something happening -- or some risk --- that law-abiding citizens should be aware of?"

Brand looks closely at each guard. [[ Checking specifically if any are the same as yesterday (just different clothes) ]]

As Brand approaches the group of Oannes guards he notices that the one on watch is not only a woman, but is also the hand leader.

The woman has the shorter and stockier stature of a Stemian but her skin is well tanned, unlike the normal pallid complexion of most of that race. Her brown hair is tied back in a tight plait, which disappears down the back of her sea-green, studded leather armour and she is wearing a finger ring and a single earring of what looks like copper covered with a fine patina of verdergris.

Brand also sees her deliberately close her eyes and open them when she realises that he is approaching them.

[[If you don't know what she has just done, make an Arcana check for Brand.]]

"Good morning, citizen," she says to Brand. "How can I help you?"

"Good morning, to you]. I could not help but notice a contingent of guards here yesterday and again today. Is there perhaps something happening -- or some risk --- that law-abiding citizens should be aware of?"

[[ Brand and I know the meaning.]]

The woman looks over her shoulders at her fellow guards, who are still engrossed in their game, and then says, "There is nothing to be concerned about. We are wasting our time looking for a wanted person who has no doubt well and truly left the city by now."

She then asks, "Are you a local to the area? Do you know the merchant Negress Black, and have you seen him recently?"

Brand follows her gaze down the road, "Yes, guard duty: 99% boredom, 1% terror. It's not an easy job."

He turns back to her and smiles, "But, to your questions: I live back in the ??? Quarter; but I do come here fairly regularly...as to Mr Black, I've met him once I think, and not lately. I have only recently returned to the city myself. Is he the victim or the criminal? And...what crime, might I ask?"

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Brand follows her gaze down the road, "Yes, guard duty: 99% boredom, 1% terror. It's not an easy job."

He turns back to her, "But, to your questions: I live back in the ??? Quarter; but come here fairly regularly...as to Mr Black, I've met him once I think, but not lately. I have only recently returned to the city myself. Is he the victim or the criminal? And...what crime, might I ask?"

[[The Brand residence doesn't exist in a particular district of the city, or more correctly, it borders on several. Brand has heard the row of expensive houses (which include the Brand city residence) that line the banks of the river opposite the palace sometimes called 'Palace View Row', though that is not its official title. As to what Brand would call it, he would probably say it was near to either the Temple Ward or the Government District.]]

"He is the criminal," she says casually, flicking a quick look at the entrance to the School. "He is wanted for suspected murder, arson and crimes against the Temple."

[[ "near Temple Ward" sounds good; there's two residential areas there. ]]

"I would not want to be in his shoes! Is there a reward...and was he acting alone? Though he's probably a dangerous man to corner."

"One of the worst," she replies. "He's an Arion worshipper and clearly desperate. He burned one of his confederates to death trying to hide his guilt."

Brand nods, "Well that explains why more than one temple is involved, I suppose. I thought that perhaps it was about the alleged miraculous appearance, but what do it know!"

"Miraculous appearance?" says the woman, suddenly very interested.

She gestures for Brand to step into the alley so they are out of sight of the entrance to the School and then asks, "What do you know about that?"

Brand pauses, "I apologise, but I may have already unwittingly said too much if you do not know of it. I am sure it's unrelated to your search for this Black fellow."

"Oh, I have heard of it," says the woman. "I'm wondering how you heard of it. As you say, it is not public knowledge."

Then, after a pause, she asks, "Can I have your name sir, and could you tell me your involvement with the School of Occult Studies; clearly you are no magus."

"My name? Alaric Brand. And I think it may be more public than you believe, not all guards are as circumspect as you. I've just come from the market, where there is a lot of idle chatter as usual. From what I have been able to gather, just listening to idle chatter on the street, the odds at temple are strongly in favour of it being a hoax. Though I doubt most people at the market know what 'it' is, yet."

Brand looks pointedly at her armour and the guards down the street, "The temples interest in the school is hardly secret. Gossip is inevitable."

Brand shakes his head, remembering his manners, "How rude of me!". He smiles again, and holds out his hand to shake, "and you are?"

"I am Handleader Blume from the Temple of Oannes," she replies taking Brand's proffered hand. "And what is your involvement with the School of Occult Studies? I find it surprising that a man of weapons has an interest in such a place."