Elys' Investigation

This Character Focused Quest is about Elys and her Investigation into her parents. Each Day, Elys can progress this quest by 1 Stage. This Quest is mostly comprised of Puzzles, RP and one Combat Encounter. This Quest also has 2 Routes for Elys to travel down, both end at the same place. Paragraphs in bold are to be read aloud.

The Pale Watcher & Rust Breaker

The other 2 party members will be playing as: The Pale Watcher and The Rust Breaker. These entities are non-cannon embodiments of Pure Lawfull Alignment and Pure Chaotic Alignment, including the Good & the Bad. They have no abiliy to interact with the world but can weigh in with advice, suggestions and the occasional action.

Stage 1

Elys follows her Letter from "M" and finds the Dead-Drop. She must make a roll to notice an out of place, hidden compartment in a mailbox. Inside is a letter containing the adress: 23rd Street, Apartment Block C, Floor 2, Room 14 and a note saying that this is the first step to finding what she wants.

The Adress is home to Daniel Collins an Old Ex-Thief turned Fence (Easily over 60). He answers the door with a Shotgun but, recognises & is shocked by Elys' Appearance, mistakenly calling her "Nightingale? No, you're too young." He then invites her in.

Daniel Collins in a Elderly Human Man. He is easily over 60 and walks with a cane.

His apartment is a small thing. At first glance one might assume him to be poor, however a knowledgable eye can spot the quality of the furniture and decorations. Both are simple & humble, lacking ornimentation, but obviously well crafted and expensive.

The two begin to Chat, he introduces himself as Daniel Collins & goes to shake Elys' hand. A piece of VVulf's advice tumbles into her mind, "Never shake the hand of anouther Criminal", give her the choice to shake or no. Daniel asks why she's here ("Business or Pleasure?" he says with a smile & a spark in his eye), any responce involving a letter, being guided or mail: He says that he recieved one too, and gets up, opening a drawer and placing an envelop on the table. "It says: Tell The Girl about Chester Luck. I assume you're The Girl?". Allow Elys to ask Questions.

His Knowledge is the following.

1. About 35 years ago I was a Thief, or as they call it nowadays, "A Rogue". I used to join Gangs to steal & rob. One Group, I quite liked. They had 6 other members. Their Leader was a fellow, Industry professional named "Chester Luck".

2. Chester Luck. Is obviously a fake name.

3. You look primarily like Nightingale, one of the groups members but, you also look a bit like Chester himself. I Presume that he's your Pa?

4. Chester and I had disagreements on Methidology for our trade. We split mutually and on good terms with each other, but did not meet again. I kept performing my trade until, as usually happens, I landed in Hot Water. I got hurt and was too old to heal right. Now, I work as a liason for newer, younger Professionals. I establish deals and facilitate trades.

5. That Saber, it used to be Chester's he brought it everywhere. I'm not sure if he thought it was good luck or something, maybe it was. I recomend you look into it at the Archives.

6. You should meet with Cassady, she was also in the group. She stuck with them for some time, came back to Wholstad eventualy though. I can give you her address, I visit her from time to time.

Daniel and Elys chat, they have their farewells and she leaves. On the way out, she gets ambushed by her first Bounty Hunter, The Woodsman.

Stage 2

Route 1

Following Daniel's recomendation to visit Cassady, She follows the adress given. The realisation that she has already met Cassady hits.

Her house of the First Floor of 132 Elk Street is a cosy thing. The Front garden is filled with many a wide variety of Plants, Exotic and Common. The Flowers release a nigh toxic cloud of sweet pollen. The front porch has a circular stone table with 3 chairs around it. Cassady greets Elys at the Front door. She invites her to have some Tea. Cassady sends her assistant, Mogul to fetch some Tea (that good, red stuff we've been saving) and some busicuits.

Cassady notes that "I thought you looked familiar". She sits Elys across from Her. To your left is the house but to your right, you can see past the porch's railing to see Cassady's beautiful Garden. Mogul arrives with a Tea Set and a Tray of Pink Busicuits. Cassady pours out a serving of this Red Tea into your Cup, it's almost like green tea but is instead red in colour. Let Elys ask some questions. Cassady cannot answer all the questions due to a Secret Marking on her wrist, an old practice that was common in the underground to prevent snitching.

Cassady knows the following
1. Chester is not really his name Can't say this directly.
2. I worked with him for 4 Years as his Apprentice.
3. In Herbology, whatever else dear?
4. I rather Fancied him. He was quite strapping. Alas, I was a few years too young for him. Turns out a 17, nearly 18 year old is much too young for a 23 year old. I think I ended up making him feel uncomfortable.
5. I tried for very long time into his pants. One time I showed up practically naked for one of our lessons, I was only wearing an Apron and Gloves. I was what, 19 then? It didn't work though. He was Stiff the whole lesson, and not in the way I wanted.
6. When I look back on my time with him, I regret doing those things. I don't regret much else though, I wouldn't touch a thing. I used to have girlish fanasies of having him fall for me and us running away to start a potion shop.
7. When I'd been with him for about a Year he met your Mother. Her name was Marigold. I hated her innitailly. I was Jealous. Elys, your Mother was Beautiful and Chester, he fell for her quick. He didn't even realise for a few years, but I knew it and I got desparate.
8. Your Mother was a tall Dark Elf Woman native to the Wastes. We had ventured there with Sir *choke*. Ah seems the sigil protects the rest. To get some unique samples. Thats when he met her. She was a Gaurd Captain of the City's wall.
9. I don't know where either of them are now.
10. I got and Box and a Letter in the Mail. The Letter Spoke of you and insisted that the Box was for you when you came. I used to get letters from the both of them for a few years. They stopped just shy of 2 decades ago though. 18 years to be specific. I do hope nothing happened to them, they were, admittedly, good people.
11. Oh look at me, I've been blabbing so long that the tea's gone cold. Oh well, we'll just have to get rid of it won't we?
12. I suppose that box is your next clue for your Hunt? I suggest looking into it as soon as you can.

Route 2

Elys researches in the Archives.

Elys finds the following
Riverstone is an Imbued Weapon.
A Greatly Influencial/Powerful Person (Good/Evil) has used Riverstone for so long that it has become imbued with their spirit and becomes enchanted.
Due to being an Imbued Weapon, It has a very basic sentience.
It will grow with it's user.
A note details someone pondering if their weapon is becoming Imbued falls out. On the back is an adress for a hideaway in "Merchant's Alley" in the Flooded District.

The Box

The Box Contains: A Key with the Adress "Plot 9 Milton's Fork". A worn Gold Coin with "CL" scratched into it. A Small Blunt Dagger.

Stage 3

Route 1:

Elys follows the Address on the Key to Milton Fork, a (very desolate) Cemetary in Anklegator Park that no one goes to because it's probably Haunted.
She must make a Roll to find Plot #9. (PERC DC = 18), (INV DC = 14), (INS DC = 12), (SUR DC = 16), Do not accept other rolls.

When the Plot is found, Elys finds it to be an Angel Statue holding a book in one hand and pointing back the way she came. A Perception Check (any result) reveals that Written into the Statue's Book is a riddle, "Rich Men want me, Poor Men need me. Both want more of me. I am niether Joy nor Contentment, but I am often confused for them. I can disapear in the blink of an eye but I may shine Yours too."
Where the Statue's Heart should be is a small round hole. An INV roll of 14+ or PERC roll of 8+, will reveal a that the finger can be freely detatched with the aid of a thin item or a nose.
Solution:

The Descent beneath Miltons Fork begins with a long and dark, and damp stairwell. The Musty Air wafts about lazily, draging tracts of dust with it when it moves. The Soil that comprises the wall is Wet, with the Fog from outside. Eventually the Wooden Supports of the dirt tunnel give way to Stone walls as you enter an old, and empty, crypt.
At the end of the now Stone Hallways you see a large hole in a stone wall, the entrance to the Crypt beyond it. Upon entry through the Hole into Hideout, you nearly trip as your feet collide with a Welcome mat. The presumably, Hideout is comprised of a Large Room split into 3 with waist-high stone dividers and with 2 more rooms sealed behind doorways. The Old, dry air of the Tomb mixes with the damp and foggy air of the Cemetary above, rustling your hair like a fond gesture.
(PERC Check of 14 or Higher):

Wilkins
Wilkins is found behind the locked door in Hideout #5.
The room has had it's walls covered in Holy Symbols of various Faiths. Several Holy texts lay open upon the floor in a circle around a circle of salt. Within the Circle stands a Stone Statue of a Clown, snarling with sharp teeth and claws, seemingly caught in the middle of a lunge towards the entrance of the room. Intricate spell work pulsing with Potential line the walls and floor, keeping the room clean. In the left corner of the room, closest the door, is a slab of silver, with 3 Messages in 3 Languages enscribed upon it. This place is still, very still.
Chracterisation of Wilkins: -Can Speak. -Is a Demon Clown. -People Think the Cemetary is Haunted because of Him. -Wants to break free. -Wanted to end the world but swears that he's chill now. -Was imprisoned by Chester Luck & Co. -Will tell stories of how he fucked up people's lives when he was free. -Offers to aid the party in exchange for his freedom. -Will give a freebie (telling Elys to "Go to a place where I cannot!"). -Can see through the eyes of Statues. -Has several Sad Clown Backstories (For example, he was a Clowchahollic). -Free him, remove part of the salt circle and a few holy items from the room. -Enjoys the Suffering of Others.

Route 2:

Deep within The Flooded District, resides what was once called "The Merchant's Alley". Once, it was a thriving Street of Mercantile Business, lined with wealthy vendors before ending at the McKormic Bank. Now, the street is flooded with stagnant Water and Silt.
After a considerable search within the rotted ruins of the Alley, you find a hatch leading down to a damp and no-doubt rotten hideaway.
Below the silt and stagnant water lies a decaying room, of which you have just entered. The rooms has been partially flooded with foul water and some variety of mould grows on one wall. A Taxidermied Wolf that is actively falling apart, sits in one corner. In another corner a small workbench and some tools sit patiently wait to be used again. In the center of the room is a large metal table, it's legs gone rusty upon it's top is an architectural building map titled "Rubefords Bank", it's a miracle that it hasn't rotted away with age.
Upon investigating The Taxidermied Wolf: There appears to be some kind of puzzle built into the spine of the Decaying Beast. Cue Beetle Puzzle. Upon solving the puzzle, get an old Music Box.

Beetle Puzzle Rules:
Beetle Starts on the left-hand side. THe Lock paths must be re-arranged so that the beetle can reach the end. The Beetle will always turn right if it can. If the Beetle rungs off the lock, it will reset to the start. The Beetle must reach the terminus at the right most side.

Stage 4

Route 1

Father Bismark awaits within the Wholstad Church of Light. When Elys visits and Father Bismark will ask what she is here for.
Father Bismark knew little of her Father but knew more about his Companion 'Cousin Artemy', a Dragonborn Paladin of The Spine of The World.
He can retell several stories from Cousin Artemy.
He also gifts her a small wooden box. The top of the box has a Clock frozen at 1:34am imbedded in it. The bottom of the box has many small holes in it. All 4 sides have a Large, Red Droplet symbol carved & painted onto them. The bottom half of the box is covered in twisting vine-like patterns, leading towards those small holes.

Route 2

Stage 5

A Night in 1899.

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