[WFRP] The Hour After Midnight

[Exeson]

Ithelus, Raffy, Illiiya

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'Any idea where we could find this man?'

[LCP]

Ithelus, Raffy & Illiiya

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“Mr Helstrum handles such customers personally,” said the clerk. “I’m afraid I’ve never seen this Lenkster character before.”

As the man finished speaking, the front door slammed, the tin bell making an entirely superfluous tinkling to announce a new arrival – looking round, the intrepid trio saw a tall, broad-shouldered man in a black coat and hat staring forcefully back at them. Well-dressed without any attempt at show, he carried a heavy cane in one hand, his face partially obscured by a bushy, black beard.

“A – and this is is Mr Helstrum,” said the clerk, his air of indefatigable calm wavering a little. “Excellent timing, sir,” he oozed, slipping into an obsequious grovel as easily as breathing.

The black-bearded man frowned.

"I think I'll be the judge of that, Nomes," he snapped. His beetling brows furrowed, dark eyes turning to the three investigators. "Who are you people, and why are you here?"

[-Sentinel-]

Pieter

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"Johann." With a flick of his thumb, he tossed the gold coin at the man. "And, um... I came here to know who the man is. I was hoping the answer was in your ledger."

[LCP]

Pieter

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"Well, maybe it would be. If you knew what it was he'd hocked. But since you don't, I don't think we can help you, can we?"

Shaking his head, he gestured to his accomplice, nonetheless pocketing Pieter's coin.

"Move this gentleman along, Yuri. We got honest customers to see to."

Yuri motioned for Pieter to step out of the queue, his body language clearly indicating it was not a request.

[-Sentinel-]

Pieter

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"Keep the change," said Pieter dryly.

F.L. is probably not his kind of client, anyway.

He walked away, hoping the others had had more luck.

OOC: Going back to the meeting point.

[goblinpaladin]

Lothar

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Lothar blinked, clearly struck by the twin ideas. "That's- Aye. I'll get right on that." He smiled at the doctor, nodding. "Right. Thanks very much."

[OOC: If I have time, dredging comes before meeting, otherwise I'm off to the meeting.]

[Another_Poet]

Raffy the Sparrowhawk

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Who are you people, and why are you here?

Raffy smiles. "We're here investigating the murders. We need to know where to find Felix Lenkster."

His hand is still on his 'buss and his eyes have taken in a steely determination.

[LCP]

Raffy, Ithelus & Illiiya

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There was a short silence, Helstrum looking Raffy up and down.

"Guns, elves, and nosey buggers," he barked. "Three things I can't stand. Good day to you, sir," he said, heading for a staircase at the back of the offices.

[Exeson]

Ithelus, Raffy, Illiiya

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Ithelus clears his throat, ''scuz sir, but you see the thing is we have the Captains writ, and well I don't want to waste your time hauling you all the way down to the guardhouse just for you to give us one address and then come back.' He also moves over to Raffy and slowly but firmly tries to push his hand away from the weapon.

[Another_Poet]

Raffy complies with Ithelus' unspoken command suggestion.

[LCP]

Raffy, Ithelus & Illiiya

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Helstrum stopped in his tracks, looking round at Ithelus as if the elf had grievously insulted his mother.

"Von Brucker?" he snapped. Not waiting for an answer, he stepped forwards, taking the writ from Ithelus' hands and scanning it with an impatient eye. Ithelus was impressed with the man's sheer size - dressed differently, he might not have looked out of place guarding a tavern door.

"I see," he growled, reluctantly handing the writ back. "Well, I have no love for the Baron's whelp, or the fact that our safety is placed in that stripling's hands, but I suppose I am bound to assist you. Felix Lenkster, you said?"

Taking the red ledger from Nomes' hands, he flicked through it to the correct page, placing a large finger on the name.

"Lenkster. Yes, I recall." He snapped the ledger shut with one hand. "An old Nuln name. Young man, shifty-looking - in rather pressing need, or so he claimed."

Walking over to the table, he drew up a scrap of paper, scribbling a line or two of script onto it.

"This was the address he gave, and this below it is his parents' address in Nuln. He seemed to me the type who might renege on his debts, so I thought it best to trace a link back to the family."

He proferred the paper to Ithelus with a curt, sharp motion.

"There. That is all?"

The address:

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Felix Lenkster
Lodger of Samuel Stantz
16 Baron's Walk

[Exeson]

Ithelus, Raffy and Illiiya

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Ithelus takes the piece of paper, 'Thank you sir, and I apologize for Raffy here, he has been a little edgy since a mutant nearly ripped his throat out a few days ago.' he turns to leave, 'oh and sir, Von Bucker is much better than that Witch Hunter, I think you'll find'

[LCP]

Raffy, Ithelus & Illiiya

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"I don't believe I'm obliged to care for either one of them," bit back Helstrum. "The door is that way."

Turning, he made for the stairs he had first headed for.

OOC: If you guys are done, you should feel free to reconvene without any further posts from me.

[Another_Poet]

Raffy

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Once Helstrum is out of the room and the information has been obtained, Raffy softens his look. He gives Nomes what might pass for a sympathetic glance. "Thank you," he says, and exits.

[-Sentinel-]

(Once we all meet up)


"Nothing," reported Pieter with a resigned sigh. "The money lender was suspicious and wouldn't let me look at his ledger. I don't think he knows our man, anyway. Got any luck?"

[Another_Poet]

Raffy passes on the name of Felix Lenkster, and the address. "Helstrum's not much of a good samaritan," he comments.

[goblinpaladin]

"Not hardly," Lothar harrumphs. "Soddin' git is ready to let the folk o' the Ward die of plague for the coin it'll bring in." He nods to Raffy- "Here, lad, how would you feel about being a hero to some folk in need? I need some strong lads to clean up a tainted well- an' you'll do."

His beard split into a wide grin. "After we go see this Lenkster chap, that is. The doctor said he'd be able to tell if he's a Mandrake Man, too."

[Exeson]

'Well then, let's not waste time.' He pauses, 'Who's taking the lead on this one? and how are we going to play it?'

[Another_Poet]

To Lothar:
Raffy nods, and tips his hat. "Be happy to help."

To Ith:
"Maybe we should case the address first. See what we're dealing with."

[-Sentinel-]

"Fine, I'm coming," said Pieter, "but do we even know what Felix Lenkster has to do with anything? I just hope we're not wasting our time. We mustn't forget to investigate Pilserier's death: his assassination is proof that he was part of something bigger."


OOC: Pieter still doesn't know that you guys have already interrogated the guards.

[Another_Poet]

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What guards? There was only one man watching Pilserier and we didn't really interrogate him so much as watch Marius do it.

[BloodyAngel]

Illiiya Jaelrae

Illiiya stayed quiet for much of the interrogation, ever uncomfortable in talking to strangers. The men seemed irritated at how things had turned out, only giving her further reason to hold her tongue. She seemed considerable happier one the party had regrouped, however.

I... um... I... She began, halting short as if she were uncertain of her own words. I think we should...um... we should t-talk... to some of the society people. I s-still think... this is all working out... really well for them.

She looked downwards, scuffling the ground with her foot idly. Or... we can go to the spot he gave us first... I guess.

[Another_Poet]

Raffy the Sparrowhawk

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Raffy puts a hand on Illiiya's shoulder. He doesn't want to be unkind, but he doesn't agree with her plan. He tries to pick his words carefully.

"We know where the Society meets in the evenings," he says gently. "We could find them easily tonight. Which gives us time to go after Felix first."

He's actually feeling very nervous about seeing them though. Aside from having deceived them last time, he's also likely to see Maria there. Everything went so well last night... surely he's going to mess it up somehow when he sees her again.

[-Sentinel-]

Pieter listened with interest to Raffy's report of the guard's interrogation. By the end, he was fidgeting restlessly.

"And you people saw fit to follow some anonymous advice," the initiate said incredulously, "instead of investigating evidence that clearly points at a conspiracy?"

His mind raced.

"What did they do with the basket? And Pilserier's body? If we can identify the poison they used..."

[Another_Poet]

"As I recall it was all going to Jagrun."

He shakes his head. "We followed our hunch. You might remember we're the ones that solved the case no one else could. Our methods may be unusual to you, but they're worth learning."

He chews his lip. "Still, I'm interested in hearing more about this conspiracy."*

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*Mostly because OOC I have already forgotten what you are talking about :)

Since you're reread the interrogation maybe you can enlighten us.

[-Sentinel-]

"Well I, too, would like to know more about it," said Pieter testily. "All we know is that this conspiracy exists: the only reason to kill Pilserier I can think of is to silence him. He knew too much... but about what? That's what I'm curious about. But now it'll be hard to investigate this angle."

He sighed.

"Whatever. Let's follow your anonymous lead. I'm just hoping this isn't a red herring. And remember that Felix Lenkster is innocent until proven otherwise. Let me handle the questioning, okay?"



OOC: Now I'm ready to move.

[Another_Poet]

Let me handle the questioning, okay?

"Sure, give it a shot."

((Also ready to move. Let's Felix some Lenkster!!!))

[LCP]

Leaving the lower town behind, the party headed south-east, towards Manor Row – avoiding the paths of the liveried footmen who bustled along these cleaner, richer streets, they passed Samtzunge House on their right and the castle on their left, turning eastwards behind the back of the mound and heading towards the river. The houses around them were not mansions in the same sense as the houses on Manor Row, but they spoke of quiet affluence, in distinct contrast to the ramshackle sprawl of the lower town.

The number Helstrum had given them was easily found – a large-ish house, looking like it had been extended over the years in a somewhat haphazard fashion, doing its best to put its neighbours in shadow. Nevertheless, it looked a little shabby by comparison – an old, painted sign outside the door read “Lodgings Available – Enquire Within.”

They knocked – a tall, glum-looking man with thinning hair and a deeply-lined face answered the door. He seemed surprised to see the party – or at least, people of their type, in this part of town.

“Can I… help you?” he tried, uncertainly.

[-Sentinel-]

"Hi," smiled Pieter pleasantly. "Is herr Lenkster here?"

[LCP]

"Felix Lenkster?" asked the man. "He lodges here, but you'd have a hard time catching him in. Always out, and even when he's in it's like he's not here. Out gallivanting about town with his friends," he added, gloomily.

He tilted his head to one side.

"Are you friends of his? He owes me a week's rent."