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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cypherblade" data-source="post: 9678325" data-attributes="member: 7048389">The inspectors falling for the idea of the revolution? I think there's stuff for some news articles in the next gazette. [spoiler]We return from the Thinking Man to RHC headquarters. It’s still early in the evening, and none of the Professors are present yet at the tavern. In the meantime, Staf questions quartermaster Alaric Brasswell about the presence of fey pepper in the pralines.Kane asks Felix a few more questions about his time with the Professors. Staf complains that he spent his entire monthly salary on professional gear – specifically, a potion of invisibility. He asks Sarïa to re-examine the camouflaged head wound on Nilasa. Upon closer inspection, she finds a small fracture in the skull, possibly caused by a fall against the edge of a table.Stover Delft casually remarks that one typically doesn’t receive a receipt when purchasing illegal fey pepper – something we were, of course, already aware of. He adds that the plant from which fey pepper is derived only grows near portals to The Dreaming.We return to the Thinking Man, stopping briefly for a sandwich along the way. The tavern is now packed. We’ve barely stepped inside when the ground starts to shake – an earthquake! Hennet Rinus boldly proclaims to the room, “There hasn’t been an earthquake in a thousand years, and this won’t be one either. See? It’s already over!” The band resumes their performance without missing a beat.Staf spots a familiar face – his former captain Thames Grimsley, accompanied by two comrades. Thames immediately launches into a tirade about the social injustices faced by workers. As a union man, he’s determined to see change: “Workers of the world, unite!” Staf questions Thames about the small oil vials. Apparently, those were also delivered to the factory where Thames’ companions work and have been sitting there for at least a week. Staf points out that his old captain recently appeared in the newspaper, following a police crackdown on their group. Babs quietly warns Staf that his tab at the Thinking Man is climbing, as various patrons seem to be drinking on his account – noblesse oblige!Meanwhile, Kane and Ayleen take a seat near the Professors and discreetly eavesdrop on their conversation about authority in Flint. During a trip to the restroom, Hennet Rinus is pressed up against by “Elly” (Ayleen in disguise), who whispers in his ear that she’s a friend of Nilasa Hume. Hennet invites her to join their corner, where a lively discussion about law and justice ensues. He also mentions that Nilasa had asked him to write a letter in Crisillyirian to a certain Mr. Cippiano.After the band finishes their set, Kane, Ayleen, and Felix approach them. The singer, a halfling named Jerret, writes protest songs critical of the King’s reliance on Danoran technology – a stance that contrasts with his own sister’s views. He predicts a coming revolution, as society is growing increasingly divided. Jerret knew Nilasa from the Cloudwood. If we want to find Hana Gale Soliogn, he suggests we seek out the old skyseer Sechim.We then wrap up the day.[HR][/HR]10 Spring, 500 AOVThe next morning, we first report to Stover. Gaetan offers to cast Speak with Dead on Nilasa’s body – a task Kane has long avoided. Eventually, the reluctant inspector musters the courage and, after preparing our questions, conducts the interrogation with the deceased:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What was your goal in breaking into the consulate? I was sent to find incriminating documents.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Who gave you the order to do this? Gale.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Where can we find her? Somewhere in the Cloudwood, but I don’t know exactly where.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What was in the documents you stole? Gale had said they contained proof supporting the revolution, but it was a report by Lebrix on factory conditions.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What is Dr. Wolfgang von Recklinghausen’s role in all of this? I only met him just before, when he tried to help me, and I gave him everything.</li> </ul>After the interrogation, Kane excuses himself to the bathroom feeling sick of the effort.We head to the factory operated by Thames Grimsley’s two comrades. Staf insists on being let in. When his approach becomes too forceful, Felix casts Suggestion on the factory boss, who then obliges and leads us to the warehouse. There, we find three crates of black oil vials, which have reportedly been sitting there for about three weeks. The staff have no information about the delivery. Kane gets chills from three of the vials, inside which faint ghostly shapes seem to drift. Felix finds it funny to suggest a payed leave for all the factory workers. They all shout in joy when the boss confirms the suggestion. We carefully transport the crates back to RHC headquarters and inform Stover. The lab will examine the contents.We then travel to the Cloudwood, following instructions from Heward Sechim to locate the old skyseer Nevard Sechim. As we drive along a forest path, a gunshot rings out. A panicked horse bolts toward us, followed by a second shot. Ayleen sends her bat familiar ahead as we continue with the carriage. Mist drifts among the trees. The road is blocked by an overturned cart, behind which two gunmen are taking cover. Up the slope, crossbowmen have positioned themselves.Staf climbs the hill and attacks the crossbowmen, who immediately accuse him of being a Kell-gang sympathizer. This leads us to suspect that the gunmen must be the real Kell operatives, so we turn our attacks on them instead. A fiery Chromatic Orb hits both, dealing serious damage. A woman inside the toppled carriage suddenly appears to be screeming. Ayleen casts Sleep, briefly neutralizing both gunmen. One collapses, but is soon kicked awake by the other.Staf ends up skirmishing with some of the forest dwellers. He yells that they are under arrest, seemingly unaware that he’s targeting the wrong group. One would expect better battlefield awareness from a war veteran, but his emotions seem to get the better of him.Meanwhile, the carriage begins to slide down the slope. Felix and Kane rush in to hold it steady. One of the forest dwellers frees a handcuffed, red-haired young woman from the coach – apparently the lover of one of the woodsmen.[/spoiler]</blockquote>

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