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

[flamekthunder]

[The one would be embarrassed would be him, okay. Let's just hope Mordred didn't use any weird smelling soaps or something.

Stepping up to the slips of paper, Eustace closes his eyes and takes a good whiff. ...Hm.]

...The scent on the ink is still strong, so they weren't printed that long ago. There's also something strange...

[He moves over to the plain slips of paper, and once the scent of ink fades, his brows furrow, nose crinkles a bit, and his ears twitch slightly.]

Animals? [.....Hm.] A farm, maybe?

[arrogator]

[Mordred is more likely to be like "what is soap" than use weird soaps. Which isn't to say she doesn't use it, it's just not something she puts too much thought into.]

A farm? Are you saying I got tricked by a bunch of farmers?

[Probably not what Eustace is saying, but it's the first conclusion Mordred jumped to.]

[flamekthunder]

[Even as a wolf he is giving her the driest, "Are you stupid?" look manageable.]

No. [The word comes out as a low growl before he turns his head, catching a faint trail. As he slowly pads through the kitchen and towards the back, his ears swivel every now and then, catching the odd noise here and there.]

But they may have a hideout or a production line out there. An abandoned farmhouse, a relative's cellar. Could even be just outside of a farm or any place that is housing animals.

[His nose eventually leads him to what at first appears as a pantry, but after Eustace stares at it, he turns to Mordred.]

Open it.

[Yep, just dishing orders like it's no big deal.]

[arrogator]

[She might be grumbling about that dry look even as she goes to open the pantry. She knows when someone thinks she's stupid! ...mostly because she occasionally got looks like that in Camelot from a certain wizard she can't stand.

But she'll stop griping to check out the pantry door he's led her to, giving it a curious look.]

There's something in here too?

[She'll just reach out and pull the thing open to find...?]

[flamekthunder]

[Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

However, Mordred may feel a small breeze of cold air filter in from somewhere in the back of the pantry, and when Eustace steps to the side to allow more light, she'll see a small rope hanging from the top. It's up to her if she wants to pull it or not to reveal the secret panel at the bottom that will open to a ladder going down. But in the meantime, Eustace transforms back to his normal self and thank God his clothes stay on.]

A hidden passage. Up to you if you want to follow along.

[Meaning, he's going in.]

[arrogator]

[Yeah thanks for keeping your clothes on Eustace.]

Of course I'm following along! No way am I backing out now.

[She's not the type to do something like that, so she will absolutely be following him down the ladder.]

[flamekthunder]

[Those were dark days.]

Just don't get in the way.

[That's all he'll say before he heads on down the latter. It'll be a long, dark descent, but when they reach the bottom a rusty sconce will automatically illuminate, revealing an old tunnel.]

[arrogator]

I'm not gonna get in the damn way.

[Though that might be said as much to herself as it is to him, she's new to this whole investigating stuff, taking a look around once they get to the bottom.]

Didn't think there was something like this here.

[The Index is weird, but she hadn't really seen any spooky tunnels or things like that, so this is new to her.]

[flamekthunder]

The building we were in was already pre-established, but it looked old. It's possible this was used either as a way to get to other buildings, an underground cellar, or the sewage system. Many old commercial buildings likely have something similar.

[Eustace studies the sconce in idle wonder before he walks forward, more of the sconces lighting the way. For the most part, it looks like any old passageway, but it's not a long tunnel. Not half a block ahead they can see a door.]

I doubt they would be that determined to build their own given that they are more likely to abandon locations, and the lighting looks old and not maintained... [Midway through, there is writing on the wall with arrows pointing back where they came and towards the door, the paint old and flaking off.] My guess these merely connect between the buildings or some other system.

[arrogator]

Yeah? Makes sense to me.

[There's no real reason for her to argue or think otherwise as she'll stop to take a look at the arrows, before following along towards that door.]

No way could I see that guy putting together something like this. Hey, you do this often though? You sound like you know what you're talking about.

[She's not going to say she's impressed or anything, but she hasn't really met too many detective types, so this is new!]

[flamekthunder]

It's suspected there is a group, but this gives further credence to our suspicions.

But while I'm not a detective or an investigator...you could say I have experience in tracking.

[Kind of vague, but that's on purpose.

Reaching the door and...! Unsurprisingly, it's locked. Hm.]

[arrogator]

Did a little of that when I was a knight, nothing like this though. Criminals usually didn't get very far and going hunting was...well, it was different.

[No weird subterranean tunnels and things like that!]

Huh? Can't get in? Want me to break it?

[Because of course she thinks of that one first while looking at the door.]

[flamekthunder]

[Just.

Going to stare at her.]

And how would you plan on doing that?

[arrogator]

Be easier if I had my sword, but I figure it shouldn't be too hard.

[What kind of handle is there on the door? And is it wood, metal, etc.?

Not that Mordred's worried about any of that, she's got this or at least thinks she does.]

I got into my father's vault once and there's no way this'll be tougher than that.

[flamekthunder]

[Standard metal handle on a wooden door, but the door sounds thick as Eustace taps on it.]

...Would you have really tried to cut down the door?

[But she's free to try, he's kind of curious.]

[arrogator]

[Mordred seems confused by the question, why would she have said if it she wasn't thinking about it?]

Of course I would, we need to get past it, right? And I don't know how to pick locks, I'm not a freakin' burglar or anything like that.

[She'll take a closer look too, thinking this one over.]

Might be able to do it with the chains and stuff from my essence, I don't know, haven't tried before.

[Which she should've thought about before volunteering to deal with it, but she apparently didn't.]

[flamekthunder]

[SO MANY DOTS THAT COULD FILL THE ENTIRE CORRIDOR.]

Forget it, I'll handle it.

[And from one of his side packs he's pulling a pick locking kit and proceeds to pick the lock.

It'll be done in like 5 seconds.]

[arrogator]

Hey, I said I could've fucking done it!

[She's definitely pissed about this, given the sharp spike in her language (and the angry expression on her face, but she's not going to stop him from doing that.]

Why the hell do you have those anyway? Are you some kind of burglar?

[She's starting to worry about her nonexistent reputation! Knights don't hang around burglars, not even garbage knights like her.]

[flamekthunder]

I'm not letting you destroy property.

[Just a flat, deadpan tone as he completely ignores her fury.]

As for why I have these, it's for situations like this.

[After an audible click, he straightens up and places the picks back in his pack before testing the door. It opens easily and walks right on through down the next dimly lit corridor, this one more trashed up and with more clear signs of recent use.]

my bad, I never got a notif for this one!

[arrogator]

[Wow, take away all her fun. But the door's open so that removes a lot of her anger.]

The hell happened in here?

[She wasn't expecting things to look trashed, so that's a little surprising.]

how dare

[flamekthunder]

[That's what he is, Mr. Fun Remover.]

If I had to guess, I'd say a hasty getaway.

[He kicks over an empty can in some disgust, a foul odor wafting through the air. Not a great time to have heightened canine senses.]

Look around and see if there's anything that can give us clues on who these people were.

[arrogator]

Looks like they're all a bunch of slobs.

[She'll start looking around, not really wanting to touch much, but she's making an attempt at least. She's pretty disgusted about this too, definitely not going near that can.]

Thought my Master's hideouts were gross, but at least those were clean. Didn't have a bunch of crap thrown around or whatever the hell's making that smell.

[flamekthunder]

[Give him a second.]

...Week old cheese, rotten fruit, stale bread, crushed eggs...and whatever you initially suspected.

[Again. Heightened sense of smell blessing and curse.]

[arrogator]

You didn't have to answer that!

[Her expression is just why. That's the best way to sum it up. All the world's why compressed into one baffled expression. That's Mordred right now.]

So they were down here for a while and then took off.

[She's at least trying to think about what that means while still being grossed out. Thanks Eustace.]

[flamekthunder]

[And who said Eustace didn't have some sense of humor. Humor in the way of deliberately answering questions that didn't actually need them knowing it would bother her.]

That appears to the case. And they left... [Again, give him a few moments.] I would guess a few days ago. When did you say you got the offer again?