Low Estate/Turns/Turn 11

← Turn 10 • Turn 12 →

• Aernoud van Nevel (josh_g): forest wanderer — FATE ▣▢▢▢▢ • Stress ▢▢ • Consequences unused (2), unused (4), unused (6)
• Antheunis Opgieten (lpsmith): slippery urchin — FATE ▢▢▢▢▢ • Stress ▢▢ • Consequences unused (2), unused (4), unused (6)
• Boudin Verdonk (maga): bravo and expeditor — FATE ▢▢▢▢▢ • Stress ▢▢▢▢ • Consequences unused (2), unused (4), unused (6)
• Mattius Rothmann (Fang): brutish warmage — FATE ▢▢▢▢▢ • Stress ▢▢▢▢ • Consequences unused (2), unused (4), unused (6)
• Willem de Vos (Jota): student magician — FATE ▣▢▢▢▢ • Stress ▢▢ • Consequences unused (2), unused (4), unused (6)
• Lazer Dennis (Rob): manic-depressive man out of time — FATE ▣▢▢▢▢ • Stress ▢▢▢ • Consequences unused (2), unused (4), unused (6)

Deductions

"Aha," Lazer says, and then hands the paper back to Aernoud. "Let's go," he says, starting to walk out, before he realizes everyone's staring at him. "Is it still stuck in my teeth?" he says self-consciously, digging around with his toothpick.

"What did you mean by 'Aha'?" asks Willem.

"When? Oh that, just now," says Lazer. "Hmm."

He pauses for a moment, and then his eyes light up. "I see it all now! Obviously it is of utmost importance that I buy a new doublet. Quickly, to the costumier!"

"Er, what?"

Lazer comes to a halt as he is heading for the door again, and then raises his finger. "Consider: Maldeghem has started a bloody gang war. Why? Maldeghem has been attempting to seize control of the orphanage, the very same land which was owned by a magician and scientist interested in magical ley lines and developing a magical apparatus for the exploitation thereof. Why? Maldeghem is very interested in the nobility yet is seemingly completely disconnected from them. Why? Maldeghem is preparing for a massive digging operation near the university. Why? Maldeghem possesses a piece of brass inscribed with magical runes. Why? Maldeghem wants to go to the masquerade party next week. Why???" He stops here mostly because he is out of breath, but eventually manages to recover himself. "Clearly we must go to the party ourselves! And that means I need a new doublet. There's no time to waste!"

This time he makes it all the way out the door before halting for a third time and sticking his head back in the room. "Oh, and I haven't figured out what you guys should wear, but I'm sure it's only a matter of deduction from first principles."

[I am (with Lazer's buy-in) charging him a fate point for this based on his academics roll; meanwhile, Willem can ask one question about the brass piece. Fate point unlocks: 'Crazy inspiration!' (logged on Lazer Dennis char page).]

• What sorts of magical effects would a brass ruler with markings like these be used for?

On inspection (or I guess on description) it's not actually a ruler, but a component of a larger piece of machinery. The runes suggest this part is used for moderation of a flow of energy.

[Based on what we've seen so far of Lady Bellaire's work, does it look like it might be related? --Jota]

University

After the enlightening discussion with Lazer, everyone heads to the University, the University catacombs, and the address Antheunis pilfered. Antheunis keeps his eye out for iron keyholes.

The address turns out to be a warehouse, not actually on the university grounds but nearby. It appears to be abandoned, with boards over the few windows, but there's a large -- and new -- metal padlock chaining the doors shut. The chance is too good to miss, and there seems to be no one around, so Antheunis tries his key -- it works! Inside the warehouse is mostly empty with cobwebs in the rafters, but there are a few cryptic marks on the dirt floor: circles and long lines that don't seem to mean anything. A few candle stubs and lengths of string complete the tableau.

Meanwhile, the University crypts are off-limits to outsiders (except during funerals) and technically also off-limits to students, but for them it's possible to get in with a good reason. Do you want to try to sneak in? Or does Willem want to ask a professor to get him access?

← Turn 10 • Turn 12 →