Zilean's Revenge (Part 5)

"It's rather unfortunate that such a vital piece of equipment didn't have enough security. Unless we go rouse up the other guard or get some other leads, we're a bit sunk. I'll see if I can think of a substitute we can use." Rolf tried to think back on his studies regarding magical energy sources and setting up magic mirrors.

Rolling Arcana for magic mirror usage and alternate power sources...19 (1d20) + 14 = 33

The guard explains that the bathroom mirror is the largest in the manor, which is important because of magic reasons and the Archmage's insistence/advisal, is firmly attached to the wall of the bathroom, and is in a room where an 'accident' is least likely to cause everything to be on fire, explode, or both.

Rolf does not know of any immediately accessible substitutes for the crystal, barring manually channeling magic of his own, which whilst relatively simple is only helpful for him and limited.

A working substitute would likely be found in the magic shop he went 'grocery shopping' in earlier, and if the original crystal is found undamaged, it should be trivial to put it back in it's place.

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Rolf needs to use up a Magic Point or x/day abilities to use the mirror. 'What you pay is what you get' as far as specifics go.

Deciding that his abilities would be more useful serving somewhere else.  However Zthulan gives the crime-scene a once-over in the case he might provide some insight.

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Perception: 10 (Training) + 13 = 23

"Well, I can get it working for short periods by channeling some of my own magical energy into it, but that's less than optimal. So, we either have to procure a crystal from a magic shop while patrolling, or we figure out who stole the original crystal." He turned to the nearby guard. "I have a few questions, if you don't mind."

"1. Was access to this bathroom limited to staff members, or was anyone allowed to use it?
2. Do you know what time the mirror was discovered to be non-functional?
3. Can you tell us where the other guard guarding the bathroom is now? We may need to question him."

"Well that's good. I think we should track down whoever took the crystal, rather than go find a new one." Horizon says, his usual dryness notable absent- nor does he sound characteristically bored. "That kind of stuff has a purpose- nobody took it thinking he'd get a few coins for it. It's either deliberate sabotage, or someone's planning on using it for something a little worse than a magic mirror." Horizon turns toward the door, about to head out, before stopping. "Two questions before I go. Are there any windows in the bathroom?" He asks the guard, and then turns to Zthulan. "And Jimmy, was that the name of the guy you ultra-spirit-healed? Sounds familiar..."

"I think investigating this theft is a good idea as well. If someone's willing to disable a vital function of our operations, either for profit or from collaboration with the enemy, it's better to find them sooner rather than later." Rolf thought a moment. "I believe Zthulan's patient was named Johnny, I spoke with him a bit in the mess hall. Jimmy's probably some other guard." He turned to the nearby guard. "What does Jimmy look like? I'd hate to wake up every guard in the courtyard if we have to go looking for him."

"Yes his name was Jimmy Johnny if I recall.  I was more focused on healing his body at that moment.  If you're going to investigate another guard, perhaps I should join?  We can pretend that the reason we are looking for him is a check-up. Surely what the spirits did with Johnny has spread so perhaps they would assume I will do another attemp? That could prevent the panic that our communications would bring if announced."

[[OCC: Edited because I can't seem to remember names at all.]]

Jeraylia's eyebrows lift in surprise at Horizon's attitude. Was that possibly... positivity? Surely not. Regarding the matter of Jimmy, "Yes, let us converse with the peoples. With utmost secrecy, we shall extract their knowledge for the betterment of others. Also, maybe a quick pitstop would be worth taking. Preferably in a room without a wizard's view."

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Just for info, how hard would it be to find a crystal that size? Streetwise check?
Window Shopping Knowledge: 25 ( 16 + 9streetwise )

"Just look for the half-elf with a mustache and goatee. Can't miss him."

A quick glance lets Horizon confirm the bathroom has no windows, giving it more privacy and explosion-safety than most.

Jeraylia's innate womanly expertise in appraising shiny & valuable things lets her know that a crystal of any size larger than one's thumb would be difficult to find outside of a specialty jewel/magic shop or within a mine-shaft, excluding fakes and ornaments made of glass. Availability and price further vary if it was cut/polished, is magical/used for magic, or a rare/precious kind of mineral.

---

Jimmy is not Johhny.

Horizon makes his way out of the room in search of the mysterious Jimmy. Once he has the others out of earshot of the office, he asks aloud. "Do we think Jimmy might be involved, or no?"

Rolf decided to start looking for Jimmy in the courtyard where the guards were sleeping. Hopefully a half-elf with a mustache and goatee would be easy to spot.

Rolling Perception... 11 (1d20) + 7 = 18.

The courtyard is, as expected, bustling with activity, though things are much less grim and chaotic. Before, people were packed for lack of space, and there were lots of wounded and panic and fear, but it seems the morning sun, extra 'space' that came with the garrison being 'extended', and lack of immediate medical emergencies/invading armies brought some reprieve on the whole mess. It's still, in essence, an awful mess, but a smaller one.

Rolf sees a few people similar to Jimmy, but the stand-out description and knowledge of what a guard is supposed to look like lets him find a sleeping Jimmy fairly easily. He, along with a few other guards, is sleeping in a bedroll within a makeshift 'barracks' of a tent.

---

If your characters are moving places, say so and assume they did.

Horizon had little else to do today, so he followed Rolf to the courtyard to find Jimmy, though splits from him as soon as they arrive- meaning that he does not enter the tent, and therefor does not find the right guy. Instead, he sets about collecting everyone who looks like they might fit the description. "You, come with me.... hey you, come with me... you too... all of you guys come with me..."

Rolf tried to quietly move up next to Jimmy's bedroll and started gently shaking his shoulder. "Jimmy? I'm sorry to disturb you, but there's been a major theft last night, and we need to ask you a few questions."

Rolling Persuasion to get Jimmy to wake up...10 (1d20) + 10 = 20.

Unsure of how he can still be of help, Zthulan awkwardly trails behind the others. Taking note of Horizon splitting off he follows Rolf to Jimmy.

Horizon looks at the assembled group- and quickly realizes none of them are who he was looking for. Rather than admit any mistake, he thinks about it briefly, and then addresses them. "Alright, now all of you are aware of the dire situation we're in. Correct? We, as a town, are fighting for our collective lives, not to mention our property. We are fighting against a collective evil force. Outsiders. Not of us. Which means we have to stand together, right?" He allows a brief moment- approximately 2 seconds- of discussion, and then continues. "Which means, we have to stand together. We have to trust our neighbors as though they're family, we have to trust that we are all working together to survive, to win, and to go on with our lives. But, as some recent events have shown, sometimes we can't. Whether its deliberate sabotage, or simple ignorant greed, someone has betrayed the trust of this entire host, and put everyone's lives in jeopardy." Another pause, a little longer this time. "I'm not saying it was any of you- though, I'm not saying it wasn't, I suppose. Rest assured, we will find out who did it. But, I gathered this little group, because I don't believe our guards, hassled as they are with putting their lives on the line to defend the rest of us, need more simple troubles to worry about. So, in that case, I'm going to commission you all as deputies. I want you to find yourselves directly responsible for the well being of our people, our warfighting capability, and our personal properties and luxuries. Watch. Listen. I want you to report on anyone and everyone who seeks, whether through malevolence or ignorance, to weaken our cause. Is that understood?"

"Oh, and so you're aware, this is non-negotiable. If you refuse I'm bringing you in to be interrogated for your potential involvement in the earlier theft. So, I would just go with it."

Most of the assembled were a bit dubiously expressed when Horizon started his speech. A few seemed worried as it continued. All of them were certainly worried when the last sentence was said. A few seem to silently-if-reluctantly agree, but as one would expect, a few still pipe up their concerns:
"But I'm just a baker!", one of the 'assembled' men replies meekly.
"I already have other orders and duties from the captain!", answers one of the actual guards, to which a few other guards mumble and agree with. "Is this coming directly from him or what?"
"Are we getting paid anything to do this?", a rather disheveled and unshaven raggedy man asks.

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Horizon can do a streetwise or perception roll. Also, rest of you can probably assume you can witness Horizon do this stuff since he's not being subtle.

"Well, that limits the number of suspects...with the Captain being the one to discover that the mirror wasn't working, it's probably one of those four. I don't suppose you can recall any further details of any of them?" Rolf knew that it was unlikely that Jimmy had paid too much attention at the time, or that his sleep-deprived mind could recall anything now, but every bit would help.

"Hmm..." Horizon thinks for a moment on their questions. "Apologies, I think I've misconstrued what it is I'm asking you all to do. We're not asking you to take on any additional duties, short of watching each other- er, watching out for each other, I should say, and keeping an eye out for any aforementioned subversive acts, as well as coming forward with any information. You can," he says, addressing the specific persons who spoke up, "consider this to be coming down directly from the highest authority, and we will look into reward or reimbursement for any viable, helpful information. Of course, preventing any sabotage directly is also to be commended."

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Streetwise: 12+10=22
Persuasion (If that's separate): 7+12=19

Zthulan's face scrunches up in confusion on the lady's approach before his whole demeanor lightens up. Finally a way he can help! "Of course I'll be happy to help. Though I can't guarantee what I accomplished last time will happen again."