>Get cigarette

>>1106815
a,c. Can you see who's talking?

Centerfield 2025/04/24(Thu)04:34 No. 1106820 ID: 144bf4
File 174549447516.png - (151.13KB , 650x427 , karllooking.png )

>>1106816
>>1106819
You reach out for the half a cigarette. Still smouldering. This carpet, despite its obvious age, seems to either been flat enough or dampened by the night air. There isn't so much as a burn hole.

You roll over onto your back.

"Could have been a blackjack, I suppose. Maybe a sock full of marbles. A small chair leg."



You take a drag on it. Menthol. Familiar an soothing. So it's one of your cigarettes, you suppose. You're glad you didn't waste it.

"What were they after. That's the real question."

The deep voice takes on a muffled tone like it has a cigarette in its mouth and you realize it's your voice. You're talking to yourself trying to figure out how, why, and for how long some one seems to have knocked you unconscious.

You make an attempt to stand. An icy whirlpool climbs up from your stomach and hits the back of your teeth. You clench your teeth and manage to keep it down.Standing is in the foreseeable future. For now, you've gotten to your knees. You look around.

Ugly carpet. Desk with a typewriter and a few drawers. Nifty swivel chair. Bookcases. One with a safe. A door to the right, behind you and one in front that reads:

ARUKAGAN LRAKAH
rotagitsevnI etavirP

Oh. Hakarl Nagakura: Private Investigator.

That's you. You're Karl. This is your office.

Huh. You've never noticed how much the carpet sucks. It was cheap, though.


You wince, and find it in yourself to stand.


>> Enter actions

>>1106820
>check pockets
First things first, do we still have everything we remember having, or have we been mugged?

>Find mirror, check damage

Clearly we’ve been assaulted. Time to find out how badly and if everything is working the way it should.

Getting decked is never fun, can we see anything out of place from where we are? Has our unfriendly guest rummaged through our things?

Wash face.

Centerfield 2025/04/24(Thu)08:31 No. 1106827 ID: 144bf4
File 174550871346.png - (147.68KB , 800x600 , 002.png )

>>1106822
You walk through the door behind you and into the wash area. You run the cold tap and check your reflection. Not bad. The damage seems to be on the back of your head. Its a small cut, less than half an inch.

>>1106824
You splash some cold water on your face, dash some into your eyes and even have a quick gargle and spit once you finish your cigarette. You feel very slightly better. There remains an odd tightness in your head. It's not as simple as an ache in the back of your head. it's a little distracting if you're honest.

>>1106821
You check through your POCKETS. You are carrying:

A hair clip
27 gold in coins and equivalent notes
Your keys (front door, desk drawer, post office box)
Your notepad and pen
Your revolver. 5 regular bullets. 1 explosive round, a troll stopper
Some business cards
An engraved lighter
Most of a soft pack of menthol cigarettes

You have other possessions, but this is what you were carrying down to the gold.

Whoever koshed you was after something else.

>>1106827
Check your business cards and notepad. Knowing what you were doing is a good start to finding out what just happened. If your head is cut the chair leg theory seems correct. Blunt force trauma with an edge, but not enough of an edge that really cut you. Open the mirror and check for medical supplies. You got socialized healthcare around there? If not, can you afford a doctor's visit?

>check office space

If what they were after wasn’t on us they must have lifted it from elsewhere. Run a quick inventory of our space

>>1106827
Check your files. They might've been looking for info on a client or a target.

Examine office, see what's missing and take inventory. Any open cabinets, files, etc.

Check your safe. And your closet. They might want to whack you again.

>>1106820
>>1106827
We appear to be concussed, given the confusion, disorientation, and pinching sensation. Can't tell how compromised our decision making is, but it almost certainly IS compromised. Can we call someone we trust to help?

check business card and then see if you can remember what drawer that key goes too. If someone attacked you to steal something best check the places locked up first as that's the most likely spot of whatever they were looking for would be... unless it was a mistress that got jealous and knocked you out before storming away.

It doesn't feel like uh, something's been left in your skull, does it? Like a shard of the Orb of Infinite Psyche?

Maybe tell the cops you got assaulted? Does a detective report crimes against himself? Seems like he SHOULD, at least, but it might be inconvenient or embarrassing or st.

>>1106827
Check your most recent notes.
Build a chain of events, the reason you were sparkoed on the floor will present itself.
May jog a memory back into place checkin out what you were doing.

Centerfield 2025/04/24(Thu)23:27 No. 1106876 ID: 144bf4
File 174556242811.png - (175.00KB , 800x600 , 003.png )

>>1106828
>Check Business Card.

"Hakarl Nagakura. Private Investigator.
Suite 47
Galia Plaza
8-16 Shoulder Street
Kronjaeger
ATONAK"

That is definitely where you currently are.


>Open the mirror and check for medical supplies.

You open the bathroom cabinet and find 2 small cans of healing potion. You crack one and gulp it down. You feel a tight ball of pain leave your head. You blink as it gets easier to think. Putting a hand to you chest, you realize you're wearing your goblin tags and your SAT badge, along with your license. It's not like you ever go anywhere without those.

You pat the back of your head. Good old head. You feel like you can get a few more years use out of it.

>>1106851
> Tell the cops

You have some associates on the local force but - in addition to being a goblin you did kinda sorta maybe get one of the previous captains put away for a long time on corruption charges about two years ago. With no more evidence to go on than you have, they're unlikely to be compelled.

>>1106828
> Check notepad

You finish the drink and flip open your notepad.

Kerry , Jacob.

Absolutely cheating on his wife and lying about financial situation.

Copies of evidence collated and notarized by legal authority.

Include with statement to client Kerry, Ludmilla

Recommend divorce.

Total fee: 350 gold (maybe give her a discount?)


You flip the notepad closed and nod. You were on a divorce case, right. Sad business.


=========================

GM: I am keeping the other responses in mind. I'm just making sure people are doing everything they want to in each room. This is really nice so far! Thanks for turning up.

Snooping on creeps? That doesn't usually get you whacked in your own office. What gives?
Use comb to spiff up a bit.

>>1106876
Alright, check your office for evidence of a search. Is anything out of place? If nothing's missing, then maybe something was planted instead. You'd want to check for bugs and hidden cameras in that case.

Maybe look around your apartment/office to see how your assailant got it. Did they brake in while you were gone, pick the lock, seemed to have entered without force meaning it could be someone with access to here?

Hmm.
Check your meds. Dont wanna be missing any dose.
Then maybe see if you can rustle up a drink and think over what weve turfed up. While lookin out the window. Watchin the streets settles a gumshoes mind and that is surely what you are.

Say.
Has your safe been tampered with?

Centerfield 2025/04/25(Fri)02:50 No. 1106881 ID: 144bf4
File 174557462628.png - (119.01KB , 800x600 , 004.png )

>>1106877
>Use comb.

You smooth your hair back. It's not a bad look and with the goblin racism in this town it's practically a disguise. Regardless, it feels good for a bit.


>>1106832
>>1106833
>Check office and files
You walk back into your office. You notice right away an open manila folder on the ground. A folder that you had previously amassed evidence in. You had to use your position and get pretty litigious to access to the bordellos customer records but you got clearance for carbon copies of five pages, along with banking records. All of which implicated Jacob Kerry in cheating and deceiving his wife. These copies had even been sighted and signed. The sort of thing that's admissible in court.

You cock an eyebrow.

The case was never going to go to court. You only got official copies signed by a legal representative to make the evidence more compelling and professional. There is an even chance your client would just take your word for it if you said her husband was a liar and a cheater. Someone lock picking their way into your office and walloping you to steal it doesn't really make sense in a case like this.

You shift your weight from one foot to the other.

You reason it *could* be Jacob Kerry trying to slow his inevitable divorce proceedings but that doesn't quite fit. He seemed like kind of a desk jockey.

It occurs to you
"Could have been someone else on the bordello's client list. Another name on one of the same pages Kerry was on. It might mean something more than just a divorce for their name to be on there."


>>1106847
>Check closet

Spare suits and other clothes.

"I'm not sure I need any of this right now."

>Check safe

"42...damn!"

Blows to the head notwithstanding, it's been a while since you used the safe. It's not like you keep money in there. For that to be worth it, you'd need to have a large amount all at once. Ha ha. That'll be the day.

Centerfield 2025/04/25(Fri)03:23 No. 1106882 ID: 144bf4
File 174557663856.png - (91.51KB , 800x600 , 005.png )

>>1106880
> Check your meds

The orange vial contains your sterilization pills. Mandated by the government but paid for by you. A registered goblin is allowed to fuck but they aren't allowed to breed. Dosage is once a week. You took it yesterday.

Mandatory if you want to keep your license and rental deed but you still have to pay for them. Quite a racket the government has going. Honestly, a goblin should be impressed.

You aren't, if you're being honest.

> Grab a drink

You pour yourself a barley tea. Nice and cool. Feels good.

>Look out window

You glance out the fourth story window at the streets below as one of the famous Atonak rainfalls rolls through. Fifteen minutes of absolutely thunderous saturation that switches off like a tap the moment you buy an umbrella.

The rain is soothing and the street looks better at night. When the business power their fancy new signs up. There's an honesty to it. The bordellos, gambling dens, ale houses and arcades may have the reputation of vice and debauchery but at the end of the day they have an unpretentious sleaze to them. They are what they are. A glossy, cheap pizza where the pepperoni forms little cups of grease. Bad for you and aware of it.

The day time part of town? It's a fast food salad. Overpriced, unsatisfying and pretending its something its not. Pretending for a moment it has your best interests in mind. Banana oil.


You feel a little better.


Still can't remember how your safe combination goes.

>>1106881
Let's take a look at that purple thing on the floor near the safe. Even if it's not important right now, it'll save us tripping over it or something.

what does the husband and wife do for a living, where do they work? Think it could be a third party looking for blackmail material? Who was the dame the husband was cheating on his wife with? Is she someone important? Could she be protecting the husband to save her own image?

Just spitballing ideas here really though if it is the lady the husband is fooling around with and she had enough gal and connections to send someone after you to steal your evidence she might be willing to do something to the husband as well to make sure no one finds out about them so it could be worth it to keep an eye on the husband just to make sure he doesn't just disappear one day.

>>1106884
That's assuming it was Jacob Kerry's jilted wife that bludgeoned us up. What do we recall about that case? If the files for the Kerry case have been compromised someone was looking for information on something regarding it.

>>1106884
>>1106909
The picture I'm getting is that, rather than someone directly connected to the case, we may have accidentally gotten evidence of someone else's wrongdoing who deemed it significant enough to warrant concussing a PI to get it back.

42, 06, 90. Just spitballing.
It’s embarrassing, but you’ll have to go back to the bordello to check the original pages for funny names. Maybe you owe someone an apology.

>>1106882
Good storm like that clears the streets and the mind.
Enjoy it pal.

Hm.
The purple thing is a worthwhile suggestion.

As is potentially recovering the original of that list if y'didnt burn too many bridges in the gettin of it.

Oh yeah.
Frogurt is also a scam.
Youre better off steering clear.

>>1106881
Hmm. Yeah, a second name on the papers is quite possible. The bordello's legal, right? If it's not, the madam might have been pissed about you getting them signed.

There's something else on the floor there. Make sure you're not missing anything else.

>>1106882
Is the combination your birthday? Something else significant?
Next step is asking people who could've seen whoever it was entering the building.

Might want to bring that health potion with you in case you get assaulted during your continuing investigation. Hmm. It might be a bad idea to go after those records again; whoever's responsible for assaulting you decided not to kill you but might wind up doing so if you don't drop it. You could try asking whoever signed the papers to tell you whose names were on them, and get a signed statement that the husband's name was there. Alternatively, you could try getting *redacted* copies of the bordello papers again, listing only the husband, which won't aggro your aggressor again.

I imagine you're interested in getting to the bottom of this new mystery? Or do you prefer to leave things alone if you're not getting paid for it?

Centerfield 2025/04/26(Sat)00:30 No. 1106988 ID: 144bf4
File 174565260436.png - (102.56KB , 800x600 , 006.png )

>>1106884
> What do the husband and wife do for a living?

Ludmilla works out of a cadavercab stand. A rank and file thanomagus. Not an adventurous bone in her body. Most necromancers are like that. Safe, reliable workers.

Jacob is the manager of a supermarket. I can't figure that there would be ground to blackmail either of them. They have no real clout and not particularly deep pockets.

He was spending money that she earned as well as his own wages. It's one of the reasons she was getting sick of him. She just wanted proof.

>>1106912
>Whoever hit you is likely nothing to do with the divorce case but another name on the bordello list.

That makes a lot of sense. I mean, whoever it was grabbed EVERYTHING not just the bordello papers but it figures that they were probably in a hurry.

>>1106932
>The bordello is legal right?

Legal as milk. Keeps things safe, organized and unionized. It just means they have to operate AS a business. Hence having customer records verifying identity and signature. Ordinarily the records aren't for anyone else to see. But you dig deep and you flashed badge and eventually got what you wanted.

You don't NEED them for the divorce case, probably. But whatever this new thing is troubles you. Also, someone wollockied you.

>Is the combination your birthday?

No, that's February 10th.

You have a feeling it's the 3 sizes of your rather shapely trollblooded legal council. You were able to tell what they were just by looking. You thought you wouldn't forget but you did. Maybe out of embarrassment.


>>1106938
>Do you want to pursue a mystery even if not getting paid.

You do. The divorce case isn't going anywhere tonight. This is downright weird.

>Grab a second health potion.

Eh, sure.

>>1106883
Something on the floor by your safe catches your eye.

It's a half used book of paper matches from some sort of bar.

It's definitely not yours. You always use a lighter. You tend to equate paper matches with pipe smoking. Well well.

"It's not much but it's a start."

Definitely not ours, we only use Impregnated Goblin matches.
Where would you find your legal counsel if you needed to remember the safe code?

>>1106988
Alright we have one or two leads. The bar, and the address. Which might be the address of the bar, I can't tell if that's handwritten or not.
Time to do some research on the bar, see what kinds of folks frequent it. We don't have a general description of the perp though, go ask anyone who could have seen people entering/leaving the building. Maybe if there's a security camera watching the street you can get some footage.

>>1106990
>These aren't ours.

Nope we use a lighter for our smokes and wooden matches for our stove. LONG ones. That thing can't be trusted.

>>1106990
>Where would we find your legal council?
You wrote down Sala's new address in your [blue]Address Book[/blue]. Doesn't seem like you've memorized it yet. You think the book is in the desk drawer though.


>>1106991
>The address might be for the bar

It is. These are the sort of matches business leave in a glass bowl at the bar. Most people wont just take a business card but everyone needs a little fire now and then.

You've been there once before. You needed a bite to eat and it wasn't busy. You grabbed a club sandwich and ginger ale, you think. They let in goblins and blooches (trollkin, some say) without too many rough looks from the rest of the customers. Despite being called DICE MAIDEN the bar didn't have any gambling nor girls on display. Maybe they're future proofing their business while they organize a license.

You're mind is wandering. You have a smoke.
Tastes better without the stale carpet shampoo.

>>1106991
> We don't have a description of the perp

True. But the Ostiarius of this building will have seen them. There's no way they got in through the window. They keep note of anyone unusual coming through the front door. So we can definitely get a description of any unusual visitors from her when we leave.

Centerfield 2025/04/26(Sat)03:01 No. 1106994 ID: 144bf4
File 174566171686.png - (158.12KB , 800x600 , 007.png )

[forgot pic]

>>1106993
Alright, that's enough of a lead to make a start on. Let's quickly check the address book for the lawyer's new place, then head down to talk to the Ostiarius.

Alright then, let's get that info from the desk. And any other info from the desk that'd be useful.

Check typewriter, then exit office.

Centerfield 2025/04/26(Sat)19:38 No. 1107049 ID: 144bf4
File 174572152458.png - (142.69KB , 800x600 , 008.png )

>>1106997
>>1106995
You briefly sit at your desk and use you [color=0000cc] desk key [/color] to open the thin top drawer. Yo flip open your address book and take note.

You wince a little at your artistic attempt to render Sala. There's more than one reason you had that page folded over.

>>1107015
Well, theres a candidate for our safe combination. 42 28 46.

Regardin the typewriter.
If you cant remember what you last wrote and got the feelin it was something important, you can take the ribbon out, hold it up to the light and see the imprints of what was typed.
Old gumshoe trick.
Well, more nosey old secretary trick but you get it.

Oh hey try the combo for the safe now.

Centerfield 2025/04/26(Sat)23:39 No. 1107084 ID: 144bf4
File 174573596377.png - (88.04KB , 800x600 , 009.png )

>>1107063
>>1107066

>There's the combination for the safe

You put the address book back in the drawer with a small nod. You've memorized the addresses and other uh..important information.

You wander over to your safe and spin the the lock open.

The safe contains an unopened bottle of strong rye whiskey. That's for guests or if you forget someones birthday. You...prefer not to drink.

There are also some spare regular bullets.

Lastly your eyes drift over to a signal flare. It's activated by pulling a ripcord (ideally when outside) to signal for help from an individual or posse. This particularly flare has goblin writing on it that reads simply "Mister Halligan"

"All of these items have a use...if it comes to that. I was hoping for a more peaceful evening than this but I guess that went up like a teabag rocket once someone used the back of my head to practice their tennis serve."


>>1107063
>Check typewriter

The last thing you typed was a report to a client on an unrelated case. You were gonna type one for Ludmilla Kerry this evening but hey, things have gotten a little sidetracked.

So, who's mister Halligan?

Maybe Halligan's flare should be a concealed carry while there's someone out there who thinks bopping you on the noggin is okay.
Close safe, close up shop, and approach the Ostiarius.

Centerfield 2025/04/27(Sun)02:59 No. 1107090 ID: 144bf4
File 174574798890.png - (288.07KB , 800x600 , 010.png )

>>1107088
Shiokara Halligan is a goblin with whom you have a...
complicated relationship with. As goblets through to your mid twenties you two were inseparable. But the goblin lifestyle - the business, the hustle, the competitiveness and the coldness of it all. You had to get away from it. You wanted to make the world a better place. Protect the weak. Solve problems.

So he stayed with your den and rose through the ranks and you went to the big city with the humans, elves and orks and went on to become a respectable member of society. An auxiliary cop and private detective. You both feel the other made the wrong decision. He was once even tasked with dragging you back to the den but he refused. At the end of the day, he's sweet on you and as much as he can be, he's there for you. It goes both ways, you suppose.

He's a son of a bitch, but you're glad he's on your side.

He's not half the detective you are, but he's handy for when you need some help outside the law.

A sort of homme fatale of sorts.


>>1107089

You pocket the ripflare and at long last leave your office. You jiggle the handle as you lock up. Let's make sure this time.

You take the elevator to the first floor.

Seeing as how our unknown assailant has already proven to be violent, taking the flare with us seems prudent. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Centerfield 2025/04/27(Sun)03:52 No. 1107092 ID: 144bf4
File 174575115623.png - (179.32KB , 800x600 , 011.png )

You step out of the elevator and onto the first floor. The night Ostiarius, an ork named Balter, is leaning on the front of her desk and stretching her legs out in front of her. She is humming a little tune to herself and seems grateful to have any company.

She acknowledges you, cordially.

>Choose actions and questions

Ask about suspicious fellas. Was anyone smoking a pipe?

>greet her kindly

That blow to the head hasn't made us forget our manners now, has it?

>inquire as to anyone asking about us or the whereabouts of our office in the building

Centerfield 2025/04/27(Sun)04:51 No. 1107095 ID: 144bf4
File 174575469079.png - (177.02KB , 800x600 , 012.png )

>>1107094
> You greet her kindly

She stands up straight and does a little hand dust of her sleeves, she straightens her white gloves. She looks sleepy sometimes, but you get the impression Balter takes her job pretty seriously. Orks have an odd instinct for defense work.

>>1107093
> Ask about suspicious fellas.

Balter flicks open a small notepad

"Three of 'em actually. We got a human female. No sign in, carrying no gifts. Said nothin. 175cm tall. Pale skin. Hair worn in a side parted bob. One piece silver dress and matching boots. Black lipstick. Two small moles under right eye. Yellow eyes."

"We got a grel male, doorknocker beard about 30 years old, medium build about 182cm tall small scar on his left eyebrow. Green eyes. Zip up hooded sweatshirt, denim trousers and porkpie hat. Staring at a business card"

"Lastly we got a goblin. Lady goblin barefoot and wearing a big trenchcoat. CHipped white hair with black streaks. Said 'Hi' but was obviously here to do some sorta business. Assured me she was expected. You could tell she was pretty stacked even with the trenchcoat on."

She flicks the notepad closed and cocks her hips

"Is trouble following you again, Karl? Following you into my building. Do one of these jokers need to get put on my 'Suplex On Sight' list?"

"Unsure yet. Seeing as I just woke up from being unconscious with a massive bump on my head, it gives me a lead."

Educated guess says grel male. Practicality says we can't narrow it down to one yet...
How would he get our business card? Who did we leave one with recently?

>>1107095
>"Lastly we got a goblin. Lady goblin barefoot and wearing a big trenchcoat. CHipped white hair with black streaks. Said 'Hi' but was obviously here to do some sorta business. Assured me she was expected. You could tell she was pretty stacked even with the trenchcoat on."
what did her voice sound like?

>>1107095
Do you have business cards? Actually kindof weird that your assailant would have one of yours and be using it to find you.
Do you remember any of these people?

Ask her who the goblin was there to see. She said she was expected, but by whom?
Ask if the human could have hidden a blackjack or something like that in her dress. I suspect not and we can eliminate her from the suspects.

Centerfield 2025/04/27(Sun)15:25 No. 1107102 ID: cc16dd
File 174579275768.png - (1.18MB , 2200x2000 , dosakeng.png )

>>1107097
>How would someone get your business card?

Honestly, you do leave them around. In legal offices, there's some at the Security Arbitration & Troubleshooting station you work at occasionally. Restaurants sometimes have that thing where you put you business card in a glass bowl and if it's drawn at the end of the month you get a free meal. You've put them around.

>>1107100
>The female goblin...
Was apparently here to do a product demonstration for Grimaldi on the seventh floor. She had a very slight west elvish accent.She seemed to be grumbling about no longer having her shoes.

>The Human...
Balter fans herself slightly and assures you that unless she was getting creative with hiding places, that the human was unarmed. The dress was very tight, apparently.

[Pic is only slightly related. Posting from work and using what I have. Just wanted to clear up these questions.]

A well-dressed lady, eh? Takes one to know one.
Well that settles it. Thank her for the watchful eye and hit the mean streets back.

>>1107102
hmm. Well, there's always a leg strap if the dress was long enough, but yeah, seems like it was likely the grel.
Oh well, we'll know once we ask around at the bar. All three suspects have distinguishing characteristics we can ask about.

Oh, we can ask Grimaldi if he received the goblin. THAT would eliminate her from our list; there's no way a hired thug would pull double duty.

>>1107108
Are you seeking to go up to briefly talk to Grimaldi or head out into the street? I need a small show of hands, sorry.

Either way, I won't penalize you on time or anything. I want you to have options.

>>1107095
Good work balter.
Gotta feel safe with sharp eyes like these watchin out.
Pick her up a coffee later if funds can stand it. She does good work.

Say...
Any of those still here?
Could pare down the list some as a suspect would have beat it already.
And any still here may have something to spill.

>>1107109
My hand would say check grimaldi.
One, potentially two witnesses for our prime concern.

>>1107127
Balter hasn't seen any of them leave but she acknowledges that doesn't mean much. They could have taken the fire stairs and muffled the bell before they opened the door. The doors are one way, though so at least no one could get in through them.

>>1107109
Well, we're already here, might as well check Grimaldi.

Centerfield 2025/04/28(Mon)01:30 No. 1107159 ID: 144bf4
File 174582902183.png - (225.46KB , 800x600 , 013.png )

>>1107129
>>1107136
You take the elevator cat back up to level 7. Fortunately, he seems to have paid the same extra rent as you to get a custom door display as he too works out of his living quarters. You have no trouble finding his apartment.

You knock at a door labelled
"Casper Grimaldi -bespoke potables"

The door is briskly answered by a swarthy, scarred elf that you can tell from his upright, alert manner, nevermind the roadmap that he wears as a skin that he used to be an adventurer. He's on the rougher side of what looks like his 70s but could be his 60s and you realize you have actually shared the elevator with him a few times.

He opens the door wide and speaks in a nasal, foggy but generally congenial tone.

"Oh, hello there fella. We're neighbors or something, right?"

He makes no secret of the fact that he has company. The goblin gives you an otherwise neutral glance but a small nod of acknowledgement. A goblin is glad to see another goblin doing work.

"What can Grimaldi do for you today?"

Hmm. I guess tell them minimal info. Erm, was this the same floor you were on? Guess you could ask if either of them saw anyone go to your office.
But also yes say hello and be neighborly.

>>1107159
Dammit.
Three floors above.
No chance of noise being overheard less it was a real rough fight.

Agreed.
Minimal details.
Some mook jumped us whenvwe got back to our digs. they got away before we could get a good look at them.
They seen anyone shifty lurking on four tonight?

We seem to have our suspicions, so asking them about the man seen at the front desk feels like our best play.

Centerfield 2025/04/28(Mon)03:28 No. 1107165 ID: 144bf4
File 174583611625.png - (225.92KB , 800x600 , 014.png )

>>1107160
> You say hello

They both greet you.

>>1107160
>>1107162
>>1107163

>Mention that you were attacked in your office.

The goblin lets out a small gasp and Grimaldi rests a hand on your shoulder.

"Ay, that is terrible. Are you still hurt? Did you need something?"

>Ask if they've seen anyone suspicious.

Grimaldi shakes his head. He's been at his chem station all day. Has barely left his room as usual.

The goblin does a small laugh
"You mean MORE suspicious looking than a goblin that - thanks to someone buying her shoes - now looks like a flasher? Because no."

Describe the person who hit you.

Grimaldi looks like he wishes he could help but between the takeout in his trash and the slightly acrid smell in his apartment you get the impression he's one of those lock-in potion brewers who doesn't get out much.

The goblin, however muses on your description of the perp.
"Oh, I think I know the guy you mean. He does all sorts around town. Seen him run messages, distract cops, that sort of thing. Rumor has it, he started the fire up at Old Town. If it's who I'm think of - which I admit is a big if- then I've seen him poking through the trash around here on occasion"

The goblin leans back and runs her hands through her hair, her coat falls open a little and you manage to subtly confirm that she is not in fact naked under her coat, but wear spats and a bikini top. Also, her customized coat seems to have dozens of pockets on the inside.

She lurches forward and folds her arms in deep thought.

"I wanna say his name is Fisk or Husk or...something like that. Never had him as a customer."

>write down what she told you, thank her for her help

Alright, this is something to go on, but from the sounds of it, he's just hired help, whoever orchestrated this either didn't wanna get their hands dirty, or knew well enough not to.

>>1107165
Sounds like enough to crack on with. Is it worth asking about the lady in the dress? Probably not our person but it might be worth covering all bases just in case.

>>1107167
>Is it worth asking about the lady in the dress?

I would say no.

Centerfield 2025/04/28(Mon)05:59 No. 1107169 ID: 144bf4
File 174584515185.png - (159.59KB , 800x600 , 015.png )

>>1107166
>>1107167
> This is something to go on.

You thank them both and head back down to the first floor. Balter wishes you a good evening as you depart.

You step out onto the freshly slick city streets of the Kronjaeger district of Atonak. Time was, it was thought of as a containment zone fore undesirables and the overly rowdy. Post war it was a place for the shell shocked and shaken to recover and try to re-integrate with society. These days it's sold as a reform district. A place on the up and up. Affordable housing for aberrant species or retirees looking to down size. Not the sleaziest, safest or most dangerous. The most business like, artistic or intellectual. Kronjaeger just is. Wholly unremarkable. But it's your home.

You breathe in the cool night air and the last remnants of your crumbs of pain and fog in your brain are swept away by the spunky maid that is the changeable weather Atonak is famous for. The fall is always like this.

As civilised folks come home from their jobs, carrying their shopping and blowing on their take-home coffee you feel your night is just beginning. There is a free across town express streetcar rolling up to a stop and a line of yellow Cadavercabs lined up if you want a more specific location.

There's also your feet, you suppose.

>Choose action

Dice Maidens first. Now that you know the who, the why can wait.

>>1107170
Sounds like a plan. It's a nice enough night, let's walk it.

>hail a cab

Time could be of the essence. Beating the street with our feet might not cut it. Time to catch a ride

>>1107174
Agreed.
Fell the street neath you heels.
Check the pulse of the city as she wakes up for the night.
Save the wheels for when you need to book it somewhere sharp like.

Centerfield 2025/04/29(Tue)05:33 No. 1107211 ID: 144bf4
File 174593003527.png - (256.87KB , 800x600 , 016.png )

>>1107170
>>1107174
>>1107194

You opt to walk. It's not that long and you need to save the money.

You light another cigarette and put your hands in your pockets as you walk. These shoes sound good on the sidewalk. If someone was telling a story and they needed the sound of purposeful, smart wingtips on wet concrete - they should get a sample from you.

You have more time to think. This isn't a foot chase. The guy who tee-balled you got such a head start that speed isn't so much a factor. This is a case of out smarting him. Cornering him. Getting some answers.

It's not a risk of the evidence they stole being destroyed, either. If it was a matter of destroying it, that's long since past but that doesn't strike you as likely. The paperwork was collected wholesale and run off with quickly. They could have thrown it out the window and let the rain deal with it. They could have put it in your sink or toilet straight away but they ran off with it. Somebody wants that paper work. Intact. You're sure of it.

The questions, though. They fall like the next 15 minute Atonak rainstorm. You don't have the umbrella of motive and identity but you have the old newspaper of a solid lead.

Metaphorically speaking. The actual rain drips about you a little between shop shelters. It's not matter. It helps you think and it doesn't put out your smoke, so it's fine.

The district fully emerges from its practical concrete chrysalis and emerges one, staticy hum at a time into its smokey, neon true form. A bottle breaks somewhere. Two stray goblins run off with a line of hotdogs. Two student wizards get a drunk on and yell at each other before one starts to crackle with green lightning and a familiar siren wails and it gets broken up.

Kronjaeger? A reform district? Give it time.

You stare up at one of the almost identical concrete blocks with a business on each floor that make up so much of Main Street. The sign out front lists each floor and business.

1F. Main Street Births, Deaths and Marriages
2f. Vames Ridgehaven Consulting Thanomagus
3f. Dice Maiden - Music Bar
4f. Kronjaeger second hand books and scrolls

3F it is.


The Bar is more or less what you remembered. Blacked out windows and low, moody light to hide the fact the place is about 1/8th as classy as it hopes to be. A cordoned off section by the right wall that implies the bar is smaller than the space it rents to make it look more full. Booths near the windows, round, two person tables and lit up bar. A three piece drum, horn and bass band do what is probably meant to be "Whiplash" but can probably be downgraded to "Sleeping Funny".


There might be 25 people in here. Plus staff. All this place has is it mediocrity. No cop would case this joint even if they got to drink on the job and put it on their taxes. If bad people discuss bad things in a shitty bar, did they even make any noise.

Ah well.

>choose action

>speak with the bartender

If we make a bit of a show of it, we might smoke out our target or at least someone who can lead us to him.

>>1107213
>Make a show of it

Like, raise your voice, flash your badge?

Easy there tiger, they know this place isn’t worth the trouble of law enforcement. Scan the crowd, grab a drink, settle in. Flash money, not a badge, for the barkeep.

>>1107215
Seconded. Eyes and ears open. It'd be too lucky if our guy was here, but someone might have seen him.

Centerfield 2025/04/29(Tue)19:57 No. 1107250 ID: cc16dd
File 174598184993.jpg - (1.48MB , 2753x2962 , IMG_20250430_121901864 (1).jpg )

>>1107215
>>1107217
You catch very little attention as you weave through the sparsely populated tables. One ork wolf whistles and there is some drunken giggling but that might not even be about you. On the surface, the Grel who hit you doesn't seem to be here, but it's dark, and you're being subtle.

You pull up a stool at the bar. The human bartender looks attentive and even a lot nervous. You buy a 2 gold Lemon Lime and Bitters with a 5 gold coin and tell them not to sweat it.

They look relieved and do a sort of quiet nod at you. They stay close in case you need something else.

The drink needs more lime syrup but hey. Any time you glance at the bartender they just keep nodding slightly and purse their lips a little.

Ask if he's seen someone matching our grel's description?

>>1107250
>Any time you glance at the bartender they just keep nodding slightly and purse their lips a little.
Huh. Perhaps politely enquire if there's something on their mind?

Centerfield 2025/04/30(Wed)05:19 No. 1107290 ID: 144bf4
File 174601555087.png - (146.18KB , 800x525 , 017.png )

>>1107289
> Ask the bartender if there's anything on their mind.

They wave their hands and go back to wiping the bar

"Ah, no sir. Just making sure you didn't need anything else."

>>1107257
>Ask them if they've seen anyone matching the perps description.

You get as far as 'porkpie hat' when the bartender winces and runs a hand through their hair.

"Ah, hell and fireflies! I knew it."

They loudly facepalm and leave their hand there. They peek through their fingers and look you up and down briefly.

"Den Hennessey, right?"

That freezes you a moment.

Den Hennessey was your Den back when you had one but you haven't rolled with them in any official capacity in over a decade.

>roll with it, we can use his assumption to our advantage

If this guy is expecting someone from Hennessey, we might be on a stricter timetable than we thought.

>>1107290
>What's it to you?
Best play it down the middle, we don't know the implications in this case yet.

>>1107293
Agreed. Hell, worst case scenario we do know how to contact at least two Hennessey gobs. Depending on what we find here we might wanna keep Ro's address in mind.

The first rule of improv: always answer ‘yes, and?’

Centerfield 2025/04/30(Wed)22:03 No. 1107345 ID: 3d3c86
File 174607580956.jpg - (1.28MB , 3796x2745 , IMG_20250501_131100809 (1).jpg )

>>1107293
>>1107300
> Roll with it.

The bartender blanches a bit and then smiles nervously.

"Listen, I'm not tough. Just cautious. Honestly, of all the jokers that idiot Hisk owes money to I'm glad it was you guys that came looking for him first. Y-you understand we're just a business right? You don't hurt business..."

>Free action or speech

(Sorry for crummy art. At work)

>ask for his whereabouts

"If you just tell me where he is, nobody's business needs to be disrupted and we can all get along"

Yeah, let him know you don't blame him. You're just looking for Hisk.

Centerfield 2025/05/01(Thu)06:26 No. 1107355 ID: 144bf4
File 174610599147.png - (79.01KB , 800x600 , 018.png )

>>1107347

>"If you just tell me where he is, nobody's business needs to be disrupted and we can all get along"

The bartender smiles broadly and writes an address on an old bar coaster.

"Ohh...my gar.. I am SO glad to hear you say that. I had heard stories, you know- good and less good. But this is ve-ry reassuring. You're just gonna talk to him, yeah? Make sure he knows you know where he lives? Maybe dial back the gambling until he's sorted things out with you? I'm talking too much, sorry."

They hand you the coaster.


>Yeah, let him know you don't blame him. You're just looking for Hisk.

"Yea. I mean, yeah! Thanks, green brother. Respect the hustle."

>enter action

>thank him and take your leave

We better get moving, since we're not the only one looking for this guy.

>>1107356
Eyup. Dunno how far it is, but maybe we can take a cab?

Finish your drink, then leave.

>>1107357
it's still in Kronjaeger and we're not in any more of a hurry than last time, why would we need a cab?

>>1107363
GM: The Kronjaeger Ward is about 26 to 27000 people, on account of the cities themselves being mega cities.

I wanna confirm, though, in this instance that no form of transport will advantage or disadvantage you to any real degree at this juncture.

Well however we get there, we better move now, the longer we wait, the more our lead goes cold, maybe literally.

Centerfield 2025/05/03(Sat)22:42 No. 1107496 ID: 144bf4
File 174633737487.png - (211.48KB , 800x600 , 019.png )

>>1107428
>>1107359
>Finish your drink, then head out

The drink is one of the last pleasant things your senses get to enjoy for a few minutes. You have no misconceptions about the Kronjaeger district but you do keep forgetting, maybe for your own sake just how dreary a few parts of it are. If there's a reform happening in this district it must be ignoring Foster Boulevard and it must actively HATE Sommerton Plaza. Dreams go to die here.

A man sits on the steps openly drinking an illegal cola. Two sets of legs protrude from a bush, moving in a way that gives little doubt to what the ladies the legs are attached to are doing. A group of well dressed humans and grels sing an acapella rendition of an old elvish song about making better life choices.

The cops still go there, you see quite a few the closer you get. It must be an easy place to make quota. Cats in a small box of unusually large and lazy mice. No one stops you. No one asks to see you ID. You're just another aberrant in this part of town.

You trudge up the steps of Sommerton Plaza. A blooch drinking from a large swingtop beer bottle stops leaning against the entrance way for a few seconds to look at you, then goes back to leaning on the wall. Must be this places version of a doorperson.

>double-check the apartment number, maybe try listening for anyone inside

Debating whether of not to approach armed, getting walloped again isn't ideal.

1-4 is on the first floor, right? Head on in.

Centerfield 2025/05/03(Sat)23:57 No. 1107501 ID: 144bf4
File 174634183579.png - (80.11KB , 800x600 , 020.png )

>>1107498
>Listen for ambush

It is completely silent through that door. It's so quiet you can practically hear the neighbors in room 3 and 2 cooking a meal and listening to loud music respectively. Despite the volume, you can still pick out the sounds with your clean goblin ears. No sound is coming from room 4. This guy, did get you once but you weren't ready. This time you are.


>>1107500
>Head on in

Readying your faithful hairpin in your teeth, you try the knob, which simply turns. The door is unlocked. No one inside reacts to the knob turning.

Check behind the door. Maybe the closet. I suppose the dinette and washroom are suspect too.

Walk on in like you own the place.

>draw your sidearm

Better to have it in hand than having to reach for it in a hurry.

>>1107501
Head in carefully, something feels weird. Who leaves their front door unlocked in a neighborhood like this?

Centerfield 2025/05/04(Sun)07:04 No. 1107508 ID: 144bf4
File 174636745461.png - (211.37KB , 800x600 , 021.png )

>>1107506
>Draw your gun
You unbutton your jacket and pull your 38 out of a shoulder holster. You spin the chamber and make sure its on a normal round. Even if the talk gets philosophical and you end up needing your gun, a troll stopper round will just about blow the wall out of this place. Makes non-lethal shots a real bucket of syrup.

>>1107507
>Be cautious and check around.
You move through the house walking toe-to-heel and distributing your weight. A falling thread would make more noise than you. You got caught off guard in your own home but this is you when you're locked in.

You check each room systematically, making sure you never have your back fully turned. The closet, the dinette. Behind each door and under each table and behind the curtains. You spook a half dozen silverfish and medium sized rat but find no people. A lot of the cupboards and drawers are already open. One or two are even on the floor. Like someone was looking for something. You need to make sure you're alone before you investigate further.

As you approach the washroom, an acrid smell fills your nose and you almost pull your tie across you face. It's like a malfunctioning food processor or that weird potion made from ants. Ozone.

The bathroom would be disgusting at the best of times but gracing it this particular evening is a roughly 6 foot tall bundle of tinfoil like someone was making a mummy on a severe budget.

A thin smoke wisps from between the almost non existent gaps in the glittering metal cocoon. This is the last room you checked and a cold thing happens to your stomach. Someone has died here. The wrong way.

Crap, we're too late, guess we better look for the files, since our friend probably isn't feeling very chatty.

>>1107508
Shit, you're gonna have to report this to the police. Good thing you've got witnesses seeing you arrive too late to have done it.
What is "the wrong way"? Is there something special about the method used here? What even was the method used here...?

While you're waiting for the police to arrive I suppose you can look around a bit more, trying not to get your fingerprints on anything.

Look out the window. Which way would someone have gone upon making their retreat from the bathroom?

Centerfield 2025/05/04(Sun)19:38 No. 1107529 ID: 144bf4
File 174641269429.png - (144.98KB , 800x600 , 022.png )

>>1107511
>Get some Police
You step out into the hallway and get the doorman's attention.

"Hey, better get some law here. Maybe a necro. There's been a murder in room 4"

The doorman groans
"Ah hell. And it was a nice night..."

>>1107511
>What was the method of murder?
If you had to guess, it looks like they were cooked in tinfoil that was wrapped so tight and layered as to hold in the smoke and much of the smell. The ceramic bath tub would endure any heat didn't ignite the rest of the house. There's a certain intelligence to something this brutal.

>>1107512
>Check window
It leads to the street just fine, but it's small. Only a goblin could really make an escape through here. Either they live in this building, or they walked out the front.

>>1107511
>Check the place for our documents.
You get pretty free an easy, knowing you dont leave fingerprints. Your documents are nowhere in this apartment. You curse to yourself through gritted teeth. You try to search without ruining any clues. What you DO find is a notebook. It seems to be debt tracking...

>>1107529
A gambler. Poor soul, that almost never works out.
Well, Den Henessey certainly had the most debt on this guy, but The Midnight Specials had a lot of sway with him too. Who are they? I don't think he was killed over his debt. Loan sharks can't collect from a corpse after all, so they're far more likely to break fingers and that sort of thing. Honestly we can probably eliminate Den Henessey since according to the barman they're the least dangerous.
...why did he prioritize paying off Crispin? Was that a friend, maybe? Same with The Blue Toes, though to a lesser extent. Maybe The Blue Toes threatened him first?

It's hard to follow up on the debt book, since the debts themselves aren't the motive and as far as we know he could have been hired by someone completely different out of desperation due to the debt. ...maybe he met the killer at the dog fighting ring? Yeah. I think that's our next real lead- we need to talk to people at the dog fighting ring and see if we can get someone to tell us who Hisk was talking to.

Copy down the relevant information but leave the book behind for the cops.

Well you don't kill a guy before he's cleared his debts, following through with the threat is counterproductive. Ask the doorman which one of these gangs is closest, maybe if we ask one of them they'll know more about his activities.

Centerfield 2025/05/05(Mon)03:02 No. 1107553 ID: 144bf4
File 174643936525.png - (269.70KB , 800x600 , 023.png )

>>1107538
>Ask the doorman about which gang is closest

The doorman finishes his beer and puts the bottle in a bin.

"Look...buddy be reasonable. I don't mind putting in a word for you with the cops that you couldn't have done this but maybe some dangerous people are counting on me not to say that I saw them here. Maybe they were very nice to me. And maybe they won't remember to be nice if I talk too much. You get me?"

"So long as the head is intact, I don't imagine we'll need anything from you, Redmond."

You turn to see two familiar lumps of uniform in the form of Constable Lang, a scarred ork and the more verbose of the two and Constable Pilger a human with such a languid approach to his job it takes him 17 minutes to buy a donut and coffee. Between them is a petite, well dressed and obviously tired woman.

The ork steps forward and eye balls the doorman
"Just so we're crystal, though, if you ever clam up or get scared at a time when it DOES matter. I will get you for obstruction."

Pilger switches his pipe to the other side of his mouth. He almost speaks to itself. His voice has to struggle and take a break to get past his mustache.
"Nagakura called it in. Of course its Nagakura. No one can assassinate a quiet, easy night like him."

Lang sees the upside.
"Well, he's also...basically as good as an actual cop. Means we're not waiting on plain clothes. We can get an investigation and statement right now."

Pilger lets out a non committal noise.

Eventually the girl talks
"Room 4?"

"That's right, honey, room 4. You comin' Nags?"

>choose action

>>1107553
Yeah, we'll come along. No doubt it'll be worth seeing what the stiff has to say.

>give the place a once-over while sharing your findings

Keep and eye on their reactions, whoever barbecued our lead probably has the resources to have a few cops on their payroll.

Do you trust them? Because I wouldn't trust cops as far as I could throw them. Especially not under your circumstances.
I guess you know better how they operate. Just consider that you're currently in a great place to be framed for murder to bring a possibly complicated case to a swift conclusion.

>>1107594
well, Karl's an auxiliary and it looks like they did bring a thanomagus to question the body. I'm not saying blindly trust them, but it doesn't seem like a dangerous situation

Centerfield 2025/05/06(Tue)05:25 No. 1107606 ID: 144bf4
File 174653430036.png - (187.91KB , 800x600 , 024.png )

>>1107554
> Go along.

"Yeah, sure."
You put your hands in your pockets and follow the trio into apartment 4.

The woman in the suit walks directly to the bathroom, catching the cops a little off guard. You've heard thanomagus, or necromancers you've heard them called can detect the dead. You briefly wonder if that ever gets depressing as hell.

"Unwrap him, please."

Taking the initiative, Lang hunches by the bath tub to peel back the foil. A waft of smoke and strange, terrible smell of sizzling flesh fills the room before Pilger fans it out the window. It's gonna be a week before you can eat pulled pork again.

The grel in the foil at least superficially matches the description of the guy you've been looking for. Just charred and rigid with many of his mage capillaries ruptured. You can't think of anyone off the top of your head who deserves to go out like that. Not the end you'd wish for.

Lang stands up and makes a face.
"Okay, Ridgehaven, he's all yours."

The well dressed woman who in context must be Ridgehaven kneels besides the bath tub. You can't tell if she's sad or just kinda always looks like that. she props up Hisk with one hand behind his back and stabilizes him from the front. Her hand glows purple and sinks into his body.

Hisks eyes begin to look around. Ridgehaven's lips move a little when he begins to talk, but no sound comes out.

"Turn your life right around. Better think of your future. That's what they were singing."

Hisk looks around

"I guess no one heard me? When it happened, I mean."

Ridgehaven does a sympathetic smile.
"Folks up the hall have their music up loud. Who did this to you?"

"Joey Trom, Rick Kristi and Jess Benedetto. All from the Midnight Specials. Wrapped me in foil and blasted me with lightning magic. Part cooked part heart stoppage I guess."

Lang frowns.
"Good Grice, Hisky how much debt were you in to them THIS time."

"Actually, not that much. But I did...kinda sorta maybe say that they weren't shit and they were a wannabe gang."

"What the FUCK Hisk?"

"I was trying to impress a dame! You know how it is...so can you get these guys? I've told you who did it."

Ridgehaven tries to look comforting
"The cops can't arrest someone based purely on necrotalk but it will let them know who to focus on, so that's good."

Lang cracks his knuckles
"We'll drag them in for SOMETHING. Bounce em hard enough to confess to the Akubeska slaughterhouse if we gotta."

Ridgehaven winces
"I didn't just hear that, Constable."

Pilger shrugs
"Every pinch is a good pinch. Anything you wanna ask, Nagakura?"

>ask about the incident in your office and what happened to the files

It sounds like our problem and Hisk's death might not be related, but I suppose we'll find out

>>1107607
Agreed, might as well be direct. This probably isn't a chance we're gonna get again.

Woah woah, ask about the girl. Did he do anything else to impress her..?

>>1107606
Ask if he's the one that assaulted you in your office. If so, who hired him to do it? Why's his place been searched?

>>1107553
Yeah go with them and be cooperative there's currently no reason to hide stuff from the police and in your line of work it's always helpful to be on at least working terms with the authoraties

>>1107606
This dame he was tryin to impress...
She anything to do with him slugging you from behind?
That something else he thoughtd impress her?

Centerfield 2025/05/07(Wed)03:20 No. 1107649 ID: 144bf4
File 174661322169.png - (187.17KB , 800x600 , 025.png )

>>1107623
>You have some questions

"Are you the guy who hit me in my office?"

Hisk's eyes squeak towards your direction with hideous, wet, rubbery sound.

He gets a small smile.

"Yeah, that's me. You went down like a sack of spuds. Thought I'd killed you for a moment."

"Who hired you?"

"Corley Bailey. He's an ork I met at The Chop. He's always there. He's a connected guy, I think."

"Why has your place been searched?"

Hisk does a limited shrug
"I don't know for certain, but if it's been turned out I would expect The Midnight Specials were looking for money or anything they could sell."

"So my documents aren't here?"

"Hell no. I handed them off to Corley less than a minute after I left your place. We parted ways at that point."

"This dame. You do anything to impress her?"

"Tried to. Don't think it worked. Lotta talk. You can see where that got me."


Hisk does a hideous rueful laugh.

Well we have a new lead, that name doesn't happen to ring a bell, does it?

>>1107650
>Does that name ring a bell?

It doesn't. But it does sound like a fun name to yell before you punch someone in the forehead.

I don’t think we can just politely ask that guy for the documents back. We can’t get him arrested based on necro talk, but is there any physical evidence in the apartment he was hired to do this?

>>1107649
What connections does Corey have? Where's The Chop(if you don't know)?
Honestly I think we have enough to go on, but maybe we can dig up a bit of dirt on Corey to make it easier to confront him?

Centerfield 2025/05/08(Thu)01:49 No. 1107707 ID: 144bf4
File 174669417196.png - (188.95KB , 800x600 , 026.png )

>>1107665
>Is there any evidence in the apartment that Corley hired Hisk?

You think back over what you found. Old socks. Tins of spam. Nudie mags. Betting stubs. No. Nothing of use.

>>1107676
>You have some more questions...

"What connections did Corley have?"

Hisk makes a version of a thinking face.

"Everyone at The Chop seemed to know him. Saw him high five some of the local swarmers. If he's to be believed he even had a pocket cop."

Lang frowns
"WHo the fuck are they?"

Hisk smirks
"He never named names."

"Where is 'The Chop'?"

"Corner of ninth and pine. There's a set of concrete steps going down. It's a basement business."

"What can you tell me about Corley Bailey?"

"He's about 5'9", thicker build. Has that orkish thing where his eyes are completely black. Combs his hair straight back. Black hair. Mostly. he uses a special potion that gives him facial hair. He's always styling it differently. Wears crisp, coffee coloured suits. His game is roulette. His drink is a shaken martini."

Your inner goblin winces
You're supposed to stir those.

>write down the details about Corley, no more questions come to mind

I'd say thank him, but he did hit us over the head, I think we're allowed to be bitter.

Darn, we'll just have to sleuth up this character the old fashioned way. Well, don't let us keep you from your eternal reward.

>>1107707
So it's sounding like someone asked Corley to get the file, and Corley hired this chump to do it.

What's the plan from here on? Keep following the trail until we find whoever wanted the file? What then? Blackmail them? Report them to the police? Expose them? Give them a stern talking to?

>>1107707
>You're supposed to stir those.
For reference, this is for two reasons:
1: It doesn't water it down as much
2: Shaking aerates a drink, and for a drink that's supposed to be clear like a martini, that makes it cloudy

>>1107747
Yeah, the thing about 007's drink order is that it's supposed to be unusual and thus memorable which feels counterproductive for a spy, but that's besides the point

>>1107762
That and he orders vodka instead of gin, which is not really a martini.

Centerfield 2025/05/11(Sun)01:14 No. 1107836 ID: 144bf4
File 174695124682.png - (196.41KB , 800x600 , 027.png )

>>1107709
>You have no more questions for Hisk

You put your hands in your pockets and nod to Vames. She leans down to Hisk and closes out her necromantic ritual.

"S'Okay?"
"S'Okay."
"S'alright?"
"S'alright."

Her hands phase back out of Hisk's body and she lays him back down into the tub.

>>1107721
>Seems like someone asked Corley to get the file, and Corley hired this chump to do it.

That does seem to fit with what you've picked up so far. Hisk does anything for money. Corley knows more about the goings on in this town than most people but has no clear motivation. At least you have a decent chance of finding him at The Chop. If not there, then someone who IS there can probably tell you. Whether they WILL remains to be seen. You've heard of The Chop. Its a mutton grill turned gambling den. The scuttlebutt is that there's the gambling you see, but a lot more that you don't. As such, they are NOT big on law. The name of the place is a double meaning. They serve chops, but it's also what you get if you don't honor your debt or get caught cheating. The fact that Hisk still had all of his fingers suggests he was there for the yiros.


>Say we find the person who actually wants the file, what then?

That's kind of the thing with this whole case. If we want to call it that. Technically, you could probably still finish your divorce case without the paperwork that was stolen. You have a good thing going with them. Even if they wanted to see the evidence you COULD go through the hassle and call in favors to get it again. Even notarized. Thing is, you're also just sort of compelled to get to the bottom of WHY someone else wanted the same data. Enough to hire someone through someone else to wallop you. It's a mystery.

Deep down you want it solved and also think you can get it back. You can act tough. You're armed. You have tough friends and maybe...just maybe you can even talk to this guy. Find out why they did what they did. Maybe you can even find some common ground and put them on a better path.

Some people have told you that the two things that are going to get your number called is you inability to ignore a mystery and your optimism regarding human nature. But at the same time, that's kind of what makes you you.


>Choose action
====================

QM:
A lot of cocktails were subject to variations in the base liquor while keeping the same name. You would just say "Rum Old Fashioned" or "Vodka Martini" now the Vodka Martini is the default if you just say "Martini". This doesn't really trouble me specifically because I always liked my gin martinis with onions which makes it a "Gibson" at that point.

In all honesty, I'm not even going to lay down the law regarding shaking or stirring of a martini. There's a famous painting called "the perfect martini" or something and it's ALL ABOUT the drink being shaken. A martini being shaken bothers Karl, even as a non drinker specifically because he is a goblin. It's like asking for salsa with your communion wafer to them.

Bond's particular variation on the martini the "Vesper" actually uses Vodka, Vermouth(the sort he uses I dont know if it still exists. I cant get it) AND Gin. All shaken together with lots of ice. It is a bracing, thuggish, unsubtle drink in my opinion. I actually quite like it but it brings two things to mind.

1. Bond has been told he's allowed one drink before his mission. So he's cramming as many standard drinks as he can into a cocktail goblet.

2. Bond is a very heavy smoker.

In the original novel the bartender is meant to really like the sound of what Bond is inventing which to me, implies either the bartender is sucking up to Bond or smokes just as much. I like them well enough but they ain't no Perfect Manhattan.

Sorry for getting off topic. Back at it.

Time to take our leave, we've got a lead to follow up on.

How long has it been since we ate something? Can't solve mysteries on an empty stomach.

Now we're starting to ask the dangerous people the really dangerous questions.
You need backup before you go. Could Ro help you walk out of the Chop with all your fingers? Could Sala remind you how not to fuck up building your case?

If we're talking to someone in a public den then you probably won't get attacked, and outside you can pull out your gun if need be... Dunno if you'd need backup just for that task. Who else could you bring in if you needed to?

Getting some food on the way seems like a good idea.

Centerfield 2025/05/11(Sun)02:37 No. 1107845 ID: 144bf4
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>>1107837
>>1107844
>Karl needs to eat.

That's a pretty good idea! What'd you have in mind? I'll make it so. You have 22 gold to spend. That covers some variety. And it may help you think.

>find a burger joint along the way and maybe a coffee

Something quick and simple seems like the best choice right now, we can treat ourselves to a nice meal after everything is dealt with.

And a coffee wouldn't go astray, it's been a long day.

Hot diggity dog!

>>1107845
Hot dogs, getcha hot dogs!!

>>1107845
get a Hot Dog. Carts are easy to find, and its simple. Can be eaten while walking. Enough 'meat' to sit solidly well, not so much to make someone sluggish with food coma.

>>1107858
>>1107865
>>1107879
glizzy time? glizzy time

Centerfield 2025/05/12(Mon)04:58 No. 1107902 ID: 144bf4
File 174705108959.png - (231.03KB , 800x600 , 029.png )

>>1107858
>>1107880
>>1107879
>>1107865
>GET DAT GOB A GLIZZY

It occurs to you that you could absolutely destroy a link about now.

The siren song of the Kronjaeger Ward calls out to you:

"Get hungry, folks! Get Hungry! Hot Dogs! Getcher Hot Dogs here! Get Hungry, Folks!"

The good news is you are absolutely in the right part of town. The street vendors here absolutely understand the sort of clients they're going to get.

Starving washouts who have been glued to the green felt for 28 hours. Forgetting to eat or sleep but selling their goddamned shirt for one more round of a game they suck at. Poor saps who end up back on the pavement at the soul's midnight with nothing in their belly and maybe two gold to rub together. For that reason, cheap food is everywhere.

Two gold gets you a hotdog and small cold coffee.

The bun is a little stale allowing it to really drink the excess grease on the sausage itself, which contains at LEAST 3 different mechanically separated animals squeezed into a tight skin with just the right pop to the bites. The vendor is generous with two types of onions. The green ones are basically fresh and the white ones clearly started cooking around the time of your first cigarette. There's a selection of sauces and you get honey dijon.

It is just *perfectly* mediocre.

As a goblin living among humans you have been teaching yourself to eat more complicated foods that require utensils to eat, which is not common in goblin society - but even so you have to admit that the right hand held food just hits different. There is something wonderfully hard boiled about eating a hotdog in the city at night.

Also, in your search for a hot dog, you've gotten to the corner of Ninth and Pine.

The Chop is nearby. Nice.

Nothing like a mediocre hotdog to really hit the spot, now we're ready to tackle anything.

I suppose we should hit this guy's local haunt first.

Dare we case the joint? Well, we do if we don’t want to waste the trip.

Centerfield 2025/05/12(Mon)17:10 No. 1107939 ID: 419b73
File 174709500209.jpg - (1.40MB , 2368x2129 , IMG_20250513_091453977_HDR (1).jpg )

>>1107908
>>1107917

You give the place a once over.
The stairs leading down to the front door of The Chop are actually outside.

From the sidewalk there are concrete steps leading down to a sort of hearth that surrounds the south and east edges of the building.

The entrance, with a bouncer of course is on the south.
The east side has no stairs at street level but a hoppable fence. There is alleyway there with trash cans, a small window and a vent blowing steam. This is likely the kitchen vent of The Chop.

There is also admires escape ladder that leads to the second floor.

(Sorry for the rough description and map)

A FIRE escape ladder. Fucking auto correct

Hmm, lot of ways he could scurry if he's in there, debating whether or not we need backup for this one.

>>1107943
He's on home turf and there's only one of us. I can't see him running.

>>1107944
Who's worried about running? I'm more worried that we walk in and don't walk back out. The bouncer's not gonna let us in just for sightseeing.

Centerfield 2025/05/13(Tue)22:10 No. 1107978 ID: 0a19dd
File 174719944175.png - (139.21KB , 600x600 , templarw.png )

Essentially, your options are

The front door and dealing with the bouncer.
The window and relying on stealth and whatever you encounter that way.
Entering the first floor business then trying to use the air vents or internal stairs to find another way in.

I promise no deaths. I work on Lucas Arts rules not Sierra rules.

Sod it, whichever way we go in, we're gonna need backup, I vote to use our flare first.

>>1107978
I vote we try the front door.

Centerfield 2025/05/14(Wed)04:13 No. 1107994 ID: ecd028
File 174722119296.png - (3.68MB , 3881x3553 , 1674962988012116.png )

We may need some more votes, sorry. We gots one for going it alone and one for ripping our flare first.

>>1107992
Bit early for that. I don't think we're in that much danger, yet.

>>1107993
Sounds good, so far we're just another customer.

Front door. It's just a dive.

Sierra rules are funny though.

Sod it, just walk in.

Centerfield 2025/05/14(Wed)20:41 No. 1108047 ID: 442730
File 174728047423.jpg - (2.39MB , 4096x3072 , IMG_20250515_130335521.jpg )

>>1108019
>Fuck it, let's go I. Through the front door.

You strut towards the front door with a wide, confident walk, when a hand almost as wide as your chest is held out Infront of you. A large human in a jerkin leans in you way.

"Whoa there, cocktail pickle. Show me some colours, yeah. This is not the place or night for time wasters."

Gold's your color, yeah? You've got twenty of it and at least another thirty in your winning smile.

(Ugh, damn securitron ruining my NV speedrun) submit to the credit check, I suppose, don't know if we have enough, though.

Centerfield 2025/05/15(Thu)02:06 No. 1108064 ID: ecd028
File 174729999697.png - (114.96KB , 800x600 , 030.png )

>>1108053
>>1108050
>submit to a credit check

You hold out your two 10 gold notes like your flicking out laundry.

You smile broadly
"Gold's your color, yeah? You've got twenty of it and at least another thirty in your winning smile."

The man steps forward and taps a finger in the center of your chest.
He manages to dredge up some extra impassive meanness to add to his stare.

"Booger, if you ever try to flirt with me again I will flick you into the garbage."

He takes a few steps back and folds his arms.

"Go home to your mommy and bring back some real money. Twenty gold doesn't get someone like you a seat here. It's a flashy joint, see? For flash people."

Right, instead of gut-shooting this wanker, how about we use our signal and call our rich and much more persuasive friend to help us out.

Wow that came out wrong. Go home and call for backup, like actually call someone. Enough with the emergency flare already, you pyromaniacs.
If you need cash in a flash, turn in the job early. It gives us a chance to question the client, too. Otherwise let’s plan on using the vip entrance with a friend.

Oh, yeah, if you turn in the original job you'll be able to flash the cash to get in the front door.

HOWEVER, we could just go through the window. Can't talk to the guy in public that way but he's probably got some incriminating files in his office we could snoop on.

>>1108086
In fairness to the pyromaniacs, phones don't exist in this setting.

>>1108088
Oh, then I guess we'd have to head directly to one of the addresses in our little black book then. Maybe in the morning after we sleep off our concussion.

Centerfield 2025/05/15(Thu)16:45 No. 1108092 ID: 0bc8ab
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>>1108089
QM: That is also completely fine! If I can get a consensus on going home to sleep and trying again tomorrow from multiple players then that is what we will do.

There will be no time penalty on the end result of the case.

Seems to be the way to go, things aren't as frantic as they were initially, maybe a good night's rest is what we need.

>>1108105
Yeah, not a bad idea. More people should be available to call on in the morning too, it must be getting late to drop in on people.

Centerfield 2025/05/17(Sat)07:11 No. 1108172 ID: 2b4977
File 174749109288.png - (194.39KB , 800x600 , 031.png )

>>1108105
>>1108119
>Sleep on it

The nature of this case means that time is an issue but only so much. Nothing is urgent at this point. You need to step back, step into bed and get a chance at a fresh start with real breakfast and maybe even some help. You don't NEED it, but you may as well percolate on your options.

You drag yourself up the stairs bidding a pleasant good night to Balter and get yourself back to your apartment. You keep all your inventory in your coat before hanging it up. That keeps it simple. You change into your pajamas, drink a little green tea and flop into your oversized bed.

Your mind weighs up your options.

Well we got a lot of information today, so definitely don't feel like we're in a bad spot.

I think the play tomorrow should be on the level as possible, getting into a fight we could have easily avoided will just slow us down. So I think we should hit up our well-to-do friend to help us get in the door, and if things go sideways, having a friend to watch our back will come in handy.

Centerfield 2025/05/17(Sat)08:09 No. 1108175 ID: 2b4977
File 174749458329.png - (181.12KB , 800x600 , 032.png )

Dwight Chemisil
An absolute mountain of an elf and one of the closer things Atonak has to an honest cop. Has the intimidating presence of a small building and has a punch like a beer truck. A little too inclined to thinking that any pinch is a good pinch and not inclined enough to do too much paperwork. But when it comes to the crunch he still believes in doing the right thing. Strong and carries some sway on account of his badge and years of service (which he is feeling) but isn't gonna get in Dutch with other cops or local business as a favour to you. Has access to info on anyone with a criminal record. If not at his home, he'll be at the Rockslide East precinct.

Shiokara Halligan
No one goes back further than you guys. He stuck with the goblin life of hustle, crime and influence but he carries a torch for you that could be seen from space. He once betrayed his den to keep you safe and you once saw him leap across a table and beat someone half to death with cocktail muddler for threatening you. That's kind of the flip side of it. He may be your friend but he's still a liaison, a spy and an enforcer for a large criminal organization. He's currently working undercover at a local LOOTERS restaurant and renting a room above it.

Centerfield 2025/05/17(Sat)19:38 No. 1108201 ID: 2b4977
File 174753588330.png - (273.24KB , 800x600 , 033.png )

Sala Goodlady
As a blooch (blue-child, born with troll blood) Sala is actually immensely strong and durable but generally seems completely unaware of this. She regards herself as a delicate, inner city office worker and while not above a little sneaking around and even theft she has a tendency towards hiding behind you or trying to jump into your arms when things get scary. She is, however, an EXCELLENT and connected jurisprudent. She would probably be a highly in-demand lawyer if she was legally allowed to be. She has a decent record of winning cases and would be in the black more if she focused more on law and less on get-rich-quick schemes or gambling. As is, there is a non zero chance she will ask to borrow some money when she sees you. You and her may or may not be a little sweet on each other and she is the only person to date you've given an uppies pass to.

Ro Dollarhyde
A lower mid tier goblin also from your old den. Entrusted with overseeing small construction jobs and collecting envelopes but not exactly a mover and shaker. He knows you, likes you well enough and knows to be nice to you but isn't about to ride or die just because you and his boss are old friends. Physically, his virtues are that he is a formidable and versatile unarmed opponent and a career hoodlum with the skills and knowledge that come with that. Mentally, one of the best things about him is his realism. You and him have occasionally sympathized with each other when you feel like the only sane people in a room. He is cynical, practical and the easiest to pull around to your way of thinking and simple solutions. Not an emotional guy. Bit of a wiseass. Bit of a punkass.

Get rich quick schemes, hm. So, Sala probably wouldn't be opposed to giving you uppies into the kitchen window to sneak into the Chop. I think she may be more the bouncer's type anyhow!

I think Shiokara is the best choice, he has the charm and money to get us in the door without any trouble, and the skills to get us out if need be.

>>1108207
I think the disadvantage of going with Shio is that once we get him up to speed, he's likely to stay with us until this is over. And may arrange unfortunate incidents for everyone else involved in Karl's head getting bashed even if we don't let him kill them while we're together.
Not that I'm against it, mind you, just weighing our options.

Centerfield 2025/05/17(Sat)20:41 No. 1108211 ID: 2b4977
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You blink awake even before your alarm goes off. The fall sun is a little lazy but it's about half awake too. This time of day is for the bakers and newsies. And I suppose we can add dogged private dicks who can't shake a mystery to that list.

You've had some time to think and have a whole day ahead of you. You're back in your apartment office and your actions are your own.

>enter action

>shower, make some coffee

Despite what complications it may bring I still think Shiokara is our best bet, besides, I'm sure he'd be happy to see us.

Do morning prep, check for mail, go see Sala. Whether she gives us a lift or we go on a 'date', it'll be good to work together again.

Centerfield 2025/05/17(Sat)22:38 No. 1108215 ID: 2b4977
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>>1108212
>Shower and coffee
You set the drip going and step into a nice hot shower. You wish the pressure was higher but it feels as though it's washing away some of the confusion and shortcomings of the previous day. You get a lot of time to think. You get yourself squeaky clean with some coal tar soap. You smell good and hard boiled.

The coffee hits the spot. No milk or sugar. You find another 10 gold bill in the coffee tin. Probably not enough to qualify you as a high roller. But it's good to have.

You give some thought to going to Shiokara for help. He's probably cashed up and connected but once he knows you need help it'll be hard convincing him you no longer need it. He'll be with you. Still, there's not much you can't do when you work together.

>>1108213
>Morning prep and check the mail.

You flick through the mail that came through your slot. Bill. Bill. Advertisement for the local soapland. Junk mail for a correspondence course in becoming a private investigator..."Become a sleuth in 14 easy courses only 50 gold each". Banana oil.

You give some thought to asking Sala for help. It'll cost a bit, but she will probably have some decent info. And if you can convince her there's money to be made she is good to go with a heist mission. She can be relatively sneaky for a 6'3" troll woman.


QM: Tracking IDs I feel like there's a motion (and a half?) for Shio and a motion for Sala. I will see what others think. It's the start of the day so you definitely have time to think.

>>1108215
what the hell, might as well go with the golden combo and get halligan

>>1108215
I'd support Sala over Shio. Shio' a loyal friend, but if he got recognized, that could complicate things. Too big a player to keep this case small. and a gambling hall for 'high rollers' is the kind of place that would recognize him. Then everybody thinks "what's he want from those files?" Too much mess. Sala's got what we need, brains and muscle

>>1108224
It's worth noting that Shiokara is currently working undercover and spends a lot of his time as a spy. So despite his high ranking position in the den, I don't think he throws his weight around in person. His appearance and position might not be common knowledge.

That said, I will have a blast no matter who you work with, and I think your choice of Sala has real merit and potential. Just wanted to make sure you knew what's what.

We need a tie breaker. I'll just roll a D3 if we can't get to one.

Or a come from behind victory for dark horse fan favourite Dwight.

I'll vote Rala

>>1108241
Sorry Sala