City of Cresthall

OHOHOHOHO!!! 

GIVE THAT MAN INSPIRATION!!!

@Quarry

After a short while, a large guard comes out from the gate in the wall. His armor is a bit beaten and dirty, smudges of blood can be seen on his gauntlets, and has a rather puzzled look on his face as he approaches. "Henry said some folks were calling out for me, you two them?"

@Tower

Sargt shrugs, "Well he never did try to push me away, more like he's trying bare it all himself. I trust my brother and I just worry that he burdening himself too much. He's stubborn like our Pa was so I don't think he'll admit it."

@Office

Opsola shakes his head, "No, I just assumed since Connor would be more compliant. Nobles are a finicky lot, some concerned with the city's welfare or their own. And I haven't been getting much leads, especially with someone breaking into the tower's safe room last night as well...And Myra, you are sure you don't know anyone like the person I just described to you?" Myra shakes her head, "This is my first time hearing of the cult, Opsola. I've met no one talking of or is associated with that cult." 

Ashley stops casting the red dot and pretends she has no idea what Crispy is talking about.

Sir Conner I presume? Ashkey responds to the armored gentleman.

Your father, says Hatt, curious.  He must have been most impressive, if his sons are royal adviser and captain of the guard.  I'd be interested to hear about him - if you have time, of course, I know you are very busy.

Gasp, of course, lets Bennett do all the talking. In the mean time, the Kenku looks around the study. Eventually his gaze fixes on Myra again. He could feel the pull of the curse trying to draw him in. It tugged at him. Willed him to move closer, but he resists. He felt pity for her, yet one part of him held only contempt. Contempt at being manipulated. Contempt at being enslaved AGAIN! The black bird person was at war with himself internally. 

Crispy spins the pickaxe in her hand before dropping it roughly on the ground. She nods and waits for a response.

Bennett cocks his head, "Cult? What kind of cult? Your brother met us at the front of your tower and told us about the break-in. Did they take anything?"

@Quarry

The man nods, "Yes, I'm Conner, is my brother alright? Did he get into another fight?" Conner asks.

@Tower

A guard hails Sargt and quietly tells him of something. Sargt nods, "Send a squad down there and have them sweep them area for clues. Have them report back once they find anything, do not engage the suspects but have one of the scouts tail them." The guard gives a salute and runs off. Sargt looks back to you, "Ah, our old man isn't that interesting. He was tough on us but never told us to quit at something. Work hard on the fields or study your books, you can guess which one I was good at. Still he drilled it in our heads to keep going and I'm thankful for that. Made what I'm good at the best at here in Savasst, made sense to join the guard and see how far I could go."

@Office

Opsola sighs, "A supposedly dead one. The cult of Cevisas, dedicated to the tyrant. I suspect them due to the relic significance to them but don't understand why just that. They could have taken the other dangerous magical items down there but just grabbed the cursed sword." Opsola heads over to his desk and takes out the small box from yesterday. He opens them to show the rings, a slight magical hum over them. "That's the good side to it, the sword will kill them all. On the other hand, they figure out how to use it then that'll be a problem...But that isn't your problem, the attendant I spoke with says it was a normal confession. Only thing that stood out is a person that stayed behind at the cathedral. She couldn't remember who it was, just that they were there before and after she left." 

Bennett walks over with Opsola and carefully picks up a ring and inspects it. "Beautiful craftsmanship!" He gives one to Gasp and puts on the other one. "Let's hope these work." He chuckles.

"I'm fairly new to these parts as you know. Who is Cevisas? Are they some sort of god? As for cursed sword, I wish them the best. I'm dealing with an odd sword of my own." He chuckles again.

History: 14 if Bennett would actually know who/what Cevisas is since he has trained here in Savasst before.

So how are investigations carried out in this city? asks Hatt.  Your brother has asked my friends to look into certain things, but with this crime today, I'm concerned that we may accidentally interfere with an official investigation.  I would feel much more comfortable if we could work in support of the guard's official efforts.  Is there a system where you might contract us, or at least give official permission or approval for any investigation we carry out?

He looks directly at Sargt, and speaks from the heart.  I can't pretend that I would be wholly happy working with the guard, to be completely honest, though you yourself seem very honourable.  But the fact that slavery is tolerated in this city is most distressing.  Most distressing.  Nevertheless, we are guests here, and will do our best not to offend local customs.

Quote from Superbad >>

Bennett walks over with Opsola and carefully picks up a ring and inspects it. "Beautiful craftsmanship!" He gives one to Gasp and puts on the other one. "Let's hope these work." He chuckles.

"I'm fairly new to these parts as you know. Who is Cevisas? Are they some sort of god? As for cursed sword, I wish them the best. I'm dealing with an odd sword of my own." He chuckles again.

History: 14 if Bennett would actually know who/what Cevisas is since he has trained here in Savasst before.

 Gasp is snapped out of his fugue when Bennett hands him the ring. He looks it over, turning it from one side to the other. He lets the light play off it to see how it shines. 

@Tower

"Oh, you could've have asked about that, it's really only slavery for the criminals here. Attendants are volunteers, there's training, compensation, and even how long you'd work for people. The crown and church both provide homes and pay for the volunteers' family. While the criminals don't have that, they get a place to sleep and are shackled with a criminal collar. It's to ensure the safety of civilians and to enforce that they serve their time. Although most of the criminals are sent to work at the quarry, some nobles or mercenary companies buy or rent them for manual labor, their expertise or any other duties they want." Sargt shrugs as he steps aside to let a group of initiates through, "And for investigations, well...we're going to look for the culprit, get back the relic, and send them off to the quarry. The church will decide how long they'll have to serve for. And I can't really give you all authority unless I know what it is...your friend said it was just a task my brother had, is it something more?"

@Office

"Hmm, I'm surprised you don't know. Considering Cresthall was the one in most danger. He's the one that conquered the southern clans and threatened the world. As for being a god, I don't think so. It was before I was born but most stories described his as just a tyrant, villain, and overall a problem for the world. Until he was killed and sealed away by two paladins. That's the most I remember of Cevisas."

(I will say this, I did say his name before.)

I'll be honest, Crispy doesn't know what to say, or what's going on. And by Crispy, I mean me.

"Huh?" she says, "Uh. No? I don't know. I think we're here for a ring. Can we have it?"

@Quarry

"A...ring? I'm sorry, I don't have a ring. And who are you two and how do you know me?" Conner asks

(I don't think Bennett told you guys, I mean, I'm fine if you guys want to just say that you discussed it between your breakfast and food fight in the chat.)

That works. I just don't know what Crispy would say because I literally forgot why we're here LOL

"We're from Publishers Clearing House. You've won a million dollars. Yay." Crispy says, deadpan, realizing that's not what she should have said.

((Lord Niyra and Sir Conner are two individuals we need to seek out to help with Opsola's friend who is cursed, if I remember correctly. I have said it before but it was probably pages ago.))

((Also, I found the post you're talking about, Virst. You have mentioned Cevisas before. You sly dog.))

Bennett will nod a long with Opsola, "Interesting... back in Cresthall we did a job ridding a cave of goblins. There were members of the cult at the mine. If I remember correctly, they wanted some kind of statue in the likeness of their 'diety'. As a matter of fact," Bennett looks at Gasp, "Your sword was in the statue's hand according to Karra. Has the sword had any effect on your mind, Gasp? Yes. No." He waits patiently for Gasp's response.

Crispy looks at Ashley and gives her a look of pleading help.

Ashley places her palm on her face and sighs. We were told you could help us with undoing a curse. Opsala wished us to find you.

Hatt listens as Sargt attempts to explain the practice of slavery in the city.  Of course he thinks, unlike everywhere else in the world where slavery is a grotesque abuse, in this one city it's all lovely and civilised.  I wonder how closely the number of 'criminals' in the city matches the number of workers needed in the quarry.  Hatt thinks back to the scared attendant who had been taken away to the quarry, collared and afraid, and looks up at Sargt.  I'm not going to change anyone's mind here.  And this is a decent man, I think.  Time to refocus.

It is a task, of course, to find information that may or may not relate to a crime.  Honestly, I don't know what it will turn out to be.  But if we discover something illegal that endangers the city or its people, we will inform you of course; you have my word on that.

Quote from Superbad >>

((Lord Niyra and Sir Conner are two individuals we need to seek out to help with Opsola's friend who is cursed, if I remember correctly. I have said it before but it was probably pages ago.))

((Also, I found the post you're talking about, Virst. You have mentioned Cevisas before. You sly dog.))

Bennett will nod a long with Opsola, "Interesting... back in Cresthall we did a job ridding a cave of goblins. There were members of the cult at the mine. If I remember correctly, they wanted some kind of statue in the likeness of their 'diety'. As a matter of fact," Bennett looks at Gasp, "Your sword was in the statue's hand according to Karra. Has the sword had any effect on your mind, Gasp? Yes. No." He waits patiently for Gasp's response.

Gasp snaps a look to Bennett, holding the ring up to his eye. At the mention of the sword, Gasp slips the ring onto a finger and draws the blade. He ignites it! For a moment, the bird person just stares at the flickering flames licking up and down the blade. But then he shakes his head "..effect on your mind, Gasp?" He mimics "No"