Ishmael Mk III

[planswalker]

"I do not personally. That is why I have a spymistress. All I can tell you is that he's small-time enough to not be brought to my attention."

[Monodominant]

"In any case... I shall return with someone to be used for the anti-magic effect. May I also ask if you will indeed use the kobolds to our benefit in general?" he says and after getting his response he once more returns to the spymistress.

[planswalker]

"I likely will. Their usefulness hasn't yet expired."

[Monodominant]

Assured that the Spider will take the necessary precautions, Ishmael heads back to the woman.

"Hello again... things are slowly being arranged with your uncle. I do have a question though..." he says and proceeds to ask about the strange man living near the docks.

[planswalker]

"Hm? That would be the one who likes promising his pay in numbers and conveniently forgets to say exactly what currency. If he paid you in silver, consider yourself lucky. He normally pays in half-coppers."

[Monodominant]

"Precisely. He scammed me as well... he is terribly interested in the Sad Flint by the way. So whats his deal? Who or what is he? He had seemed kind of un-natural when we first met!"

[planswalker]

"He used to be an employer for the Flint, then he was convinced that they sent one of the hires to kill him. Since then, he's become more and more deranged in his quest for vengeance."

[Monodominant]

"But do you know anything specific about him?" he presses on not really satisfied with this information from a spy-master-.

[planswalker]

"He is a small-time one-man operation who never gets repeat clients. He spends most of his time stealing scraps from garbage and amassing piles of low-value coins. Your job for him was one of the few successful hits against the Flint. Most of his 'jobs' he gives out consist of spying on the Flint."

[Monodominant]

"Hmmm... he doesnt seem like too much of a threat and probably not deserving a soul suction... I will address him eventually though..." he tells her.

"Hmmm... who else then! Ah I have an idea... you know everything about everything that needs to be known. Since the needle mines are closed, what happens to the more ruthless criminals? Rapists and murderers for example... and are there any such convicts that have not been executed yet?"

[planswalker]

"Most of the people who would have been needle mine workers are now being used as cannon fodder to fight the beaver infestation."

[Monodominant]

"Splendid. Is there a separation between people who have just broken contracts and those that have done serious crimes? I hear that even smaller contracts included terms for the needle mines..."

[planswalker]

"Of course. Serious crimes can earn life sentences. Smaller crimes have considerably smaller durations. Most breaches of contracts last a week or two."

[Monodominant]

Ishmael thanks her and departs. A suitable victim would be easy to find now...

He takes his usual precautions and heads towards the river. Halfway there he uses his hat to assume the apperance and fancy clothing of none other than Detective Perry. He still stays invisible and hidden as he tries to approach any guardposts that are placed near the boats sending the cleaning crews up river.

[planswalker]

Each raft of workers is overseen by a pair of guards. Beyond that, there's no extra security.

[Monodominant]

Perry will walk next to the guard, drop the invisibility and look the man in the eye.

"Hello there. Prisoner inspection!"

[planswalker]

"Ha, very funny, ex-detective. Now get on the boat with all the others."

[Monodominant]

Hiding his surprise but figuring out this just might be interesting he does indeed get on the boat.

"Cant take a joke can we?"

[planswalker]

"Listen you smug bastard, your sentence ends in a week and then your slap-on-the wrist political punishment for establishing infernal contracts will be over. Don't antagonize me."

[Monodominant]

The disguised Ishmael stops talking and looks at the other prisoners on the boat. If possible he tries to get a glimpse at the manifest in order to learn their names.

[planswalker]

There's a list of a half-dozen names. You think you've heard one for a minor crime somewhere, but none of the names stand out. The six of you are each given a pole and told to head down to the dams.

[Monodominant]

Ishmael will go along for a while not minding the exercise. At some point he will turn around and ask the others.

"So gentlemen. What are you in for? I stopped the Jacks, dealt a blow to the Skulks and saved the city... which as we all know is a crime when you dont have a fancy title!" he says with humor.

[planswalker]

"Oh yeah, left off the demonic contract. You still whining about how you did it in service of the city?" one tiefling says.

[Monodominant]

Spoiler

Show

What would Perry do...

Perry laughs it off.

"Yes, caught on a technicality. How about you then? What did you ever do and what was your excuse?"

[planswalker]

"You eat a bowl of forget for breakfast? Like I said last week, unpaid debts."

[Monodominant]

"Just preoccupied. Cant pay attention to every sob story when I have grand plans for the future to think about..." he says ironically.

For a long while he continues in silence before turning to the guard.

"Which reminds me. Do we still have any of the more serious criminals on detail in the other boats? Would like to be prepared if one of them tries to drown us or escape... I feel naked without my armor and weapons..." he pauses and laughs "... though these babies can do everything that needs doing" he says pointing at his battle-foot.

[planswalker]

"Look, I know you're used to being the watch captain's pet detective, but that man's gone. Stop playing cop and get to work."

Spoiler

Show

btw, you did know that Perry's now a convicted felon, right?

[Monodominant]

Spoiler

Show

Nop, not really. Not IC and not OOC either. Last I heard he had NOT been found guilty and was pursuing a quest to save some noble that was wrongly imprisoned...

"Its just a question but whatever..." he replies annoyed and returns to work.

"But you know, if you are not gonna satisfy my questions then be warned I will work as much these poor fools do and not utilise all my Pet Detective talents when we come up to some dire beavers..."

[planswalker]

"Yeah, yeah, like you'd pass up a chance to pass up show off fighting with your feet."

[Monodominant]

"Remains to be seen I guess... if its something not worth kicking then I wont kick it..." he responds wondering if the real Perry is wondering where the heck the boat he works on usually went.