Second Shield | The Case of the Dwarven Scammer

[detectiveforhierophant]

Sender: King Arthur/Firebird | Ryotaro Dojima/Eustace

Recipient: Everyone

[If you noticed Dojima’s handwriting before, it could be a bit chicken scratch- not from a lack of penmanship, but simply because his work had him writing up a lot of reports, and you had to do it quickly. This time however, his handwriting is noticeably neater and careful, trying to make sure no one can misread the information.]

Notice to All Aspects.

Within the recent months, a scam artist has been making the rounds in the Index, going after both locals and Aspects alike.

Based on description, the culprit is likely a Dwarf, who’s hair varies in colour, possibly dying it or using magic to change it.

If you or anyone you know has been involved in some sort of scam, please let either me or Eustace know; we’re currently involved in the investigation. Information on what the scam entitled, the date it occurred, the scammer's appearance, and location would be a great benefit.

[The handwriting then switches to something a little cleaner and not necessarily elegant, but neat.]

There are suspicions that there may be multiple individuals, making it a crime ring. If you think you found one, don't do anything stupid. There haven't been reports of any violent exchanges, but we don't need this to become more complicated than necessary.

However, if you do manage to capture one, bring them to the nearest law enforcement.

Feel free to respond to us here, or come to us in person at the Index Guard house where we’re currently stationed.

[Notes: Dojima did most of the talking, Eustace is the colored text. Reminder that all threads are open to everyone, so feel free to respond to each other to swap notes or be reminded of clues. The official "plotting" posting is here and anyone can still sign up if they want to! We can work out follow-up threads if desired and last reminder that players are free to come up with random clues to help flesh out the dwarves and scams.]

Comments

[arrogator]

Got some fake tickets from a fake restaurant. They better help you catch that jerk.

[She's tempted to go after them herself, but then it will get more complicated than necessary and that would be bad.]

[shslliar]

Who sells tickets to go to a resturant anyway? You really shouldn't have fallen for something that dumb.

[arrogator]

I know that! But it was for a special event they sell tickets for that sort of thing!

[Or at least she thinks they do?]

[shslliar]

What, you thought you were going to see your favorite idol group?

[arrogator]

What's an idol group?

[flamekthunder]

Bring them over so we can look into them.

In the meantime, can you give more details about the transaction?

[arrogator]

Guy told me he was selling tickets to an all you can eat buffet at a new restaurant. Bought the ticket and when I came back the place was deserted.

[flamekthunder]

What did he look like? Be as accurate and descriptive as possible.

[arrogator]

Like a dwarf.

[Not helpful.]

He had stupid bright green hair too. And was dressed like a chef.

[Probably to further sell the legit restaurant with a legit buffet thing to gullible people.]

Kokichi Oma | Lampwick

[shslliar]

[At first, it's an address not in his own handwriting. A few minutes later, the address gets circled multiple times and arrows are pointing to it.]

HERE'S THE PLACE ONE OF THEM WANTED ME TO SEND CASH TO

Not that I'm dumb enough to actually do that! Sic 'em, boys! 😈

[flamekthunder]

[There's just going to be slight brow raise at this.]

Noted.

Describe the individual who requested the cash and the circumstances surrounding it. Were you randomly solicited or trying to purchase something?

[shslliar]

Wow, you're gonna be real formal about this, aren't ya?

There was a dwarf with weird hair. He wanted to sell me some kind of hand lotion or something.

I told him this sob story about how "I am a poor little orphan who didn't have enough cash because the horrible factory I worked at won't pay me until next Friday." And the guy fell for it! Gave me a tiny sample and told me to buy more when my imaginary paycheck comes in.

[flamekthunder]

So you scammed the scammer.

[He's not sure if he should be impressed...or suspicious. He'll continue asking questions for now.]

Provide more details on the exact date, the dwarf's appearance, location, and whether you have returned or noticed him still there.

[Yep, definitely formal.]

[shslliar]

[Kokichi is a lying brat, what can he say?]

I just said he had weird pink hair, right? And this just happened a few minutes ago.

Yep just checked. Still trying to sell stuff to the natives.

Magica De Spell | Circe

[lifesa_witch]

THAT JERK SOLD ME FAKE POTIONS AND FAKE SPELLBOOKS AND WHEN I WENT AFTER HIM THE ENTIRE STORE WAS GONE! GONE! GONE!

[detectiveforhierophant]

[Whoo boy. Dojima had lost the coin toss on which one of them was going to reply to Magica...]

I'm sorry, Ms. De Spell. Could you give us some details on his appearance and the location of the store?

Also, maybe some information about the fake potions and spell book? What were they supposed to do?

[lifesa_witch]

[At least the straightforward questions are able to calm her down.]

He was a large male with a big nose and there was a gap in his teeth, like he was missing one. The shop was near the forest, but as I said, it was gone.

As for the potions and spell book, they were supposed to help defend myself.

[She is... not telling the whole truth about that, but not outright lying either.]

Kazuma | Jekyll/Hyde

[chippedsoul]

[...Is this the same dwarf?] Sounds like he's been getting around.

This dwarf nearly swapped out my sword with a poor replica, and my friend bought some hair dye that kept changing his hair color. Both incidents have been in different locations, both times they were gone before any action can be taken.

Let us know where he is so I can take him out myself.

Ignore that.

[detectiveforhierophant]

Shizuo, right? He's the one that's brought this to our attention.

[Along with nearly electrocuting innocent people, but details...]

What was the location where you were directly involved in?

[But, like hell he could ignore that crossed out line. So, in a private message just for Kazuma...]

Is Hyde giving you more trouble lately?

[chippedsoul]

Lower quarter, arms district.

This isn't Hyde's doing. This journal-

Mind your own business, old man.

It has a mind of it's own. [It may as well be Hyde anyway.]

[detectiveforhierophant]

Noted. Do you remember what he looked like?

[Okay, Dojima actually chuckled at the 'old man' comment. He got that a lot while in Inaba... especially when Kanji was pissed at him over being lectured.]

I see... my journal has been a little odd too, since we came back from the Little Mermaid.

[Mostly it just... kept making very specific timetables for him. It was odd, but... sort of useful?]

[chippedsoul]

He was pretending to be a woman. A very ugly one. Twin ponytails, pink hair. The front was a couple's business. No doubt the "husband" is part of the same group.

I'm assuming everyone's journal was affected in some way then afterwards.

Little Girl (Sweet Porridge) | Kotori Iida

[ricebird]

Well... there was this one food stand that appeared for a day. At first all the goods there looks really nice and had good packaging, so I thought it made sense they were priced a little higher.

But then when I sat down to eat them... the sandwich was only filled on the unwrapped side so it looked fuller than it was, the "filled" doughnuts were solid and only had a smear of "filling" on the outside, everything I bought was like that.

[Because yes, Kotori bought a suite of treats in one sitting...]

You can also ask Shizuo-san about the scammer, if you think it will help. (I'll leave the story to him...)

[detectiveforhierophant]

I'm sorry Kotori-chan. Could you give me a description of the Dwarf and the location?

I've already talked to Shizuo about the scammer; he's the one that brought it to our attention.

[ricebird]

[After drawing and labeling a quick diagram of the street, she starts on the description.]

Well, obviously short... Kind of round even for the dwarfs I've seen here, and one of his teeth was missing.