Page 2 of 6

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 8:14 am
by Alexjh
Lissandra rummages through her notebooks to see if she can find anything reminiscent of this strange card she had been handed.

As she does so, so also thanks Sarah and Mr Winthorpe, and heads on out after the other two - Damocles at her side.

This sounds kind of puzzling, but she suspect she needs more clues before she has enough to start researching...

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 1:18 pm
by Cha0sFerret
A search through her notes reveals to Lissandra that this card is indeed documented, but very little is known about it. What is known is that it's part of a set of five cards, the whole set together seems to be some sort of number puzzle, and that all of the cards are written with an unorthodox technique in which it appears that every character is stamped on. She finds in a footnote that they have some sort of latent magical properties as well.

<hr />
A short ride later, you find yourselves at the center of the town of Clarkson. The inn lies in view, as well as the town's library, smithy, and of course, town hall. Some townsfolk are carrying food, farming equipment, and miscellaneous other items to and from a spot obscured by some houses. Most people around look happy, but you all notice that there's one nervous-looking man just outside of town hall looking back and forth between you and the smithy.

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 1:46 pm
by Alexjh
A library&#33; Lissandra is pleased with this development - she decides to do two things:

1) Investigate the library for texts on the arcane she hasn't seen before, and copy down any stuff she doesn't already have into her notes.
2) Consult the librarian on the history of demons in this town - looking for what is missing might give some clues.

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 2:31 pm
by Cha0sFerret
Lissandra's search through the library's texts reveals very little she hasn't yet seen: the selection of books on the topic is quite limited. She does, however, find a book detailing the theoretical applications of temporal magic and some high-level arcane theory on how timelines work, along with a warning to never, ever, use magic, especially not to mess with time - this was scribbled in red over the text. According to this book, time magic is directly tied to a high demon known as Korag, and practitioners are to be severely punished. As she puts the book back on the shelf, something falls out from between the pages: another card? This one has the numbers three, four, eleven, and twelve printed in sequence, with the three underlined and the number six on the second line inside a square. The back has five circles, like the first card, but this one has the third circle filled in.

The librarian tells Lissandra that the past year has seen a new high in demon problems around town. Most recently was an imp that disturbed horses in the stables at night, about two months ago. Before that, a number of more threatening demons had achieved physical form and made a mess of town square before a DSIB team came through and banished them. She tells you about a specific corner in the town center where the ground still has claw marks from the last of these demons.

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 4:22 pm
by Alexjh
Lissandra thanks the librarian and goes to tell the others - perhaps one would be willing to accompied her to investigate these claw marks? She also makes a copy of the card to hand to the others.

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 5:36 pm
by BrianTheAmerican
Floyd goes over to the Smithy, asking Riley if he wants to accompany him in case he needs someone to talk him out of a pickle

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 2:19 pm
by Cha0sFerret
Floyd (and possibly Riley/Pavel)
A rather muscular man greets Floyd as he enters the smithy. The roar of the forge and the clanging of metal are audible from the work area behind the shop.

"Oy, a visitor from out of town&#33; Name's Barnabas Smith. I'm the head smith 'round here. How can I help ya? And if ya don't mind me askin', whereabouts are ya here from?"

<hr />
Lissandra (and possibly Riley/Pavel)
The claw marks don't take long to find. They're two sets of three ruts in the stone ground, several inches deep and indicating a stance at least four feet wide. Some of the ruts are partially filled in with cracked stone and dirt, almost as if a repair was attempted a long time ago but didn't hold. As Lissandra continues looking, she feels a sudden tap on her shoulder and turns around. It's the nervous man who was outside of town hall earlier.

"Hello... are you, possibly, from DSIB?"

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 5:20 pm
by Venice Queen
"Sure," Riley said to Floyd. He smiled at Lissandra, "how about if you take Mr. "human" over there" he said, cocking his head in the direction of Pavel; "he has muscle for two, and, by the looks of things, you've got brains for two."

..

"Good to meet you Barnabus, I'm Riley, this is Floyd. Can't speak for him, but I've been, well, around quite a few places - don't really call anywhere but the road home these days. Came in on the last carriage, currently in the employ of the DSIB. We were told to investigate the... 'hrm... lack of demons in the area. Seems like y'all used to have quite a lot of problems 'till recent?"

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 6:24 pm
by Alexjh
Lissandra thinks how you are supposed to act as a new agent, and makes an attempt at following through...

"Who is asking?"

She's not entirely convinced she carried it off... Meanwhile she racks her brains for probably suspects for these claw marks. She doesn't want to consult her notes in front of this person though until she is sure she can trust him.

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 3:46 am
by MadBull
<blockquote class='quote_blockquote'><dl><dt>Cha0sFerret</dt><dd>May 27 2018, 06:58 PM</dd></dl><div>All we ask is that you not make a scene on the job. [/quote]... well...

Pavel had gone with Lissandra to look at the claw marks. Not making a scene is hard when you love the theater like Pavel does. And now this quirky man has come to ask us a question. What is this emotion he is showing? Arousal? No, no, arousal looks different. Anger? Noooo, nervous&#33; This man is nervous&#33; And, hmmm, and he wants to know if we are these top secret demon hunters. Pavel is not stupid, giving this information to random strangers is not wise. Lissandra responds with a question of her own, but Pavel knows better, people do not want new questions, people want stories&#33;

"Why good sir, we are random passers by with a keen eye for aesthetics&#33; Observe this beautiful stone floor below is, and by all means, observe how these marks have damaged it&#33; Or is it damage? Maybe one would find it enriches the floor&#33; That is the beauty of beauty sir, it is in the eye of the beholder&#33; What do you think of it?

And yes, like Jessica here asked, with whom do I have the pleasure?"

There, gave him a fake name, I am brilliant.

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 12:42 pm
by Cha0sFerret
Floyd/Riley
"Oooh ho ho, problems a' plenty&#33; We used to have DSIB here every other week&#33;" Barnabas explains. "But you're here because there ain't a demon, ya say? Why would- aah, was it Sam that called ya here? Paranoid bastard's been on edge for ages&#33;"

<hr />
Lissandra/Pavel
Pavel's explanation and questioning leaves the man thoroughly baffled.

"Well, uh, I think... I think the origin of those marks makes them significantly less beautiful. That damned hellspawn took a dozen innocent souls down with it. I pray every night that it not happen again, but I fear the worst yet is right under our noses. Reverend Samuel Clarkson, by the way."

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 12:56 pm
by Venice Queen
"Bossman said that it was 'an upstanding man of the lord' who brought us 'ere, didn't say who it was though. I mean, I don't really get why he'd want to bring us here when there isn't a problem, either," Riley said with some mirth, "but hey, they pay us the same whether there is or isn't a problem..." He shrugs, and trails off for a few moments, then starts again, as if just remembering what Barnabus had said - "you said he's been on edge?"

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 1:16 pm
by Cha0sFerret
Floyd/Riley
"Sure has&#33; He's got this obsession with proving that poor Lily ain't what she seem. I reckon he's just upset she don't fit `the Lord's vision` of what a woman oughtta be, but he claims we haven't had any demons for so long because one's been here the whole time&#33; Don't help that she moved here right after the last incident, too. Sam's been harassing her about it almost as long as she's lived here, been threatening to bring in DSIB if she don't repent. Poor girl."

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 6:49 pm
by BrianTheAmerican
"Doesn't fit the lords vision?" Floyd says inquisitively, "what exactly do you mean by that? Is it only Sam that has a problem with this woman?"

Demonic and Supernatural Investigation Bureau

Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 11:13 pm
by Venice Queen
Riley raises an eyebrow in surprise. This seems rather cut and dried then...even if she is demonic...people don't believe it...which means we can get out of here with money and without effort...maybe even double the money?

Riley makes a note to stop by their inn before they head off to meet the woman, as he's hoping they will. He doesn't need all of these weapons in town, it's just going to scare people. plus his bag does get heavy after a while...