Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/24(Fri)02:59 No. 559228 ID: 7e38be
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"very well." I growl, "I suppose that means 'no'?"

"I see why you're an inquisitor now, miss Tuzcanti." she leaves a small opening in the circle, then lights the incense. the smell of heavy perfume and charcoal fills the divinery quickly, "I would hazard a guess that you know Senders are forbidden to contact others physically, under pain of death."

"you would be right." I nod.

"would you care to guess why?"

"I would not." I glare, "play your mindgames some time else, Telepath."

"fine," she shrugs, "go ahead with your message, Inquisitor."

"I want this message broadcasted to every town within a day's travel, along with Tozotl." I clear my throat, "Sanguine hex outbreak at Red Wood, quarantine is impossible, symptoms are hidden, daemon is hidden, extermination hunt in progress. any individuals arriving in town must be detained for a minimum of one week, or until word arrives of the Daemon's slaying."

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/24(Fri)03:00 No. 559229 ID: 7e38be
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"very well." she whispers into the circle, then closes it. I feel my ears pop and my breath is stolen away from me. I feel my thoughts slip away and my very soulstuff is touched by the sorcery. Camaxtli seems thoroughly unfazed, likely having to partake in such rituals daily.

"done." she says smugly. "I went ahead and sent your bill to the boys in Tozotl, as well. anything else I can help you with today, Miss Tuzcanti?"

I can not be sure if she is innocent or uninvolved in this business. I feel my best option for now is to detain her in the church with the others. at least then I will have most of my persons of interest in one room.

how shall I go about obtaining her?

She doesn't like you, and you don't like her. But, let's not get carried...
Question. How EXACTLY do you resist a hex? Passively, or does it require something like keeping your cool? Might not be a bad idea try and make sure you don't get overly flustered.

just explain that shit is getting bad and ask if she could stop someone that has gone crazy without touching them. if she can't the she has to come with us if simply for her own protection.

>>559229
I dunno, having a telepath around during the investigation seems like cheating, and there's no way she's hexed. Just tell her not to go anywhere.

We are going to be the sword-point of an extermination operation here, I doubt that the telepath coming with us would be present for her protection.
A better question is what her protections are like and what her involvement in the town is: Would she be ready, able and willing to organize a defense for uninfected people we find?

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/26(Sun)09:12 No. 559562 ID: 7e38be
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>>559235

to resist the influence of magic one must cut themselves off from the source of magic, that being emotion. Humours cause both emotion and sorcery and indeed the two are interchangeable in most forms of magical theory. as an inquisitor I have gained control over my emotions to better protect myself from the weapons of my prey. I would think that Camaxtli, being a savant is in perfect control of her feelings, otherwise she'd be bleeding magic, constantly bombarding those nearby with telepathic feedback.

I stand and clear my throat, "miss Camaxtli, I feel I may need to detain you in the church, for your own protection. this hex bends the minds of others into a twisted and violent cacophony. I fear you may be attacked."

"you're wrong, Inquisitor." she says, rubbing her eyes.

"I believe it is in you best intere-"

"not that." she interrupts, "I don't dislike you. and you don't dislike me."

"are you still probing my thoughts?"

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/26(Sun)09:13 No. 559563 ID: 7e38be
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"and I would contest that you're really in control of your emotions."

"you would?" my teeth clench, "then speak your peace."

"for one thing, miss Inquisitor, you are shivering right now." she grimaces, "and why is that?"

"I am not." I growl.

"you're... afraid?" she looks honestly surprised, "of what?"

realization spreads across her face, "the magic."

"what?!" I roar, "are you accusing me of-"

"how is a witch hunter scared of witches?" she smiles genuinely, a smile I will hate forever, "that's actually kind of cute, Tuzcanti."

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/26(Sun)09:13 No. 559564 ID: 7e38be
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I lean in closely, "if you are so intent to steal my memories then why not find out why I shake? perhaps then you can stop smirking like a child."

her face remains neutral for a scant few seconds, then she finds what she is looking for.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/26(Sun)09:13 No. 559565 ID: 7e38be
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[animated]

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/26(Sun)09:14 No. 559566 ID: 7e38be
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"so will you be staying or coming along, Telepath?"

she rubs her cheek, "lead the way..."

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/26(Sun)09:14 No. 559567 ID: 7e38be
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I enter the church with the Sender in tow. the pews are filled with familiar and unfamiliar faces.

I see an ashamed looking Acalan flanked by Erindira and a Jurista Captain. across from them Xochtitl shifts nervously in her seat next to the head Ordita and Atl the groundskeeper, who has seemed to dress up for the occasion. I look for the head scribe and growl in frustration.

"Ichtaca." I glare at the Pen ordita, who tries as best as she can to become invisible, "where is Ichtaca?"

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/26(Sun)09:15 No. 559568 ID: 7e38be
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"um." I hear a squeak to my left, and follow it to a very young, very jittery, and seemingly malnourished Cuetzpali, sitting by herself. she wears not a Scribe's tunic, but the vestments of an Inquisitor, colored deep black with brilliant crimson buttons. her seal is a simple black circle.

"here I am." mutters Ichtaca, the Black Moon Daemon Hunter.

...Are you outranked?... I suppose now is the time to question Ichtaca, and very carefully.

>>559565
What was THAT about?

>>559568
Well that explains why people spoke of her having dealings with the occult and acting strangely. I think our lead just hit a brick wall.

Tell her there has been an outbreak of a sanguine hex, and Acalan was the origin point. She should know exactly why that concerns her.

>>559565
That...

Didn't seem to be a very cheerful memory, did it?
For what it's worth, I'm sorry you had to go through such a seemingly tragic event.

>>559568
what's with that red thing? a rash? a CURSE??

>Black Moon Daemon Hunter.
Does that mean a deep cover agent, a very high rank, or both?

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/26(Sun)21:32 No. 559658 ID: 7e38be
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>>559570

there are no ranks in the Inquisition. it keeps the corrupt and sinful from gaining political power in the organization meant to hunt them. Ichtaca is simply a coworker.

>>559587
>>559598

a ghost from the past. one that I have buried long ago.

>>559600

her skin pigmentation is altering itself to camouflage. it seems her undershirt's color is causing her neck to look inflamed.

>>559652

Black Moons are Red Orditas Inquisitors tasked with infiltrating possible heretical communities under cover as low to mid ranking Red or Golden Orditas and gathering information. it seems someone has interest enough in the goings on in Red Wood to send a Daemon Hunter.

I would not mark Ichtaca off the list of suspects yet. I have dealt with more than one Daemon Hunter witch, though I am quite interested in what she has to say.

"Ichtaca." I approach, "I have some questions for you."

I turn to the congregation. I have questions for everyone, I suspect. now would be a good time to ask, I think.

"are you aware of the reasons for my visit, Daemon Hunter?"

she nods, "I was hoping to talk in... um... private... about it."

it's a little late for that, this has gone past a simple hexing to a full epidemic, unless this is something other than that.

>>559658
Everyone seems to think she's the head scribe, though. Why send a demon hunter who isn't allowed to tell anyone who she really is? Did a demon straight-up infiltrate the town and church? Yet despite that here she is dressed in her uniform, not hiding her role anymore. It's as if what she was sent here to do ended in failure, resulting in you being called forth and her no longer needing a disguise.

Accept her offer of privacy for her questioning. Let's speak to the others first however. Ask what happened with Erindira while you two were separated, and who the Captain is.

let's get the big one. the rampant sexual harassment, why has no one stopped it?

When we talk to Ichtaca privately, ask her if the hex is legit-smart money says it, and the call, was there to get us down here, to secretly get Ichtaca's informaiton to Matlal under the guise of an inquisition...
But there still could be strangness going on-how good of a shot is Ichtaca?

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/28(Tue)06:03 No. 559837 ID: 7e38be
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yes I suppose I should make a note of Ichtaca's atler stance, though I can't be sure how to do so without alerting her to my intention.

"very well, we will speak in private momentarily. it had better be worth my time." I turn from the Inquisitor. "Erin. you have retrieved the scribe."

she nods, grinning, "yeah it wasn't easy. we-"

"I had to get a manhunt going for the little dirtbag." the Jurista captain rises. he stands taller than even Camaxtli, and wears a heavy overcoat which serves to further emphasis his mass. his plumage is dyed an unnatural purple, I understand it is something of a fashion trend for men in the southern parts of the empire.

"tenoch, I presume?" I nod to the captain, but direct a glare to the scribe.

"Inquisitor Tuzcanti. it's a pleasure." he bows, then pulls Acalan up by the nape of his neck, "it seems Ichtaca's boytoy is also quite experienced at eluding law enforcement."

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/28(Tue)06:03 No. 559838 ID: 7e38be
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"wait..." Ichtaca perks a brow, "what?"

"wait! wait! no! I didn't say that!" Acalan gasps.

"Acalan." I grind my teeth slightly as I approach the scribe, "you said you came in contact with Ichtaca."

"I did not! I mean I might have! I-" Tenoch squeezes, choking the rest of his sentence away.

"you will not yell in the house of Quetzal again." he snarls.

wait, he was infected the longest, correct? this could be the curse making him erratic. but still, i feel he should be cuffed to something.

>>559838
He is definitely having problems. Tell him to calm down and explain clearly what happened.

If he hasn't been in contact with ANYONE then haha there is no outbreak how silly of us to make a fuss

How resistant is this captain? Would seeing the inquisitor privately be just a setup to a demonic attack, or is she privy to knowledge that would start a panic here if the others would hear? I don't like any of this.

>>559838

You guys aren't very bright.

He was lying and called you for some reason, only to discover person he set up for the fall was actually very dangerous.

So what is this little man really? Why did he have that hex? Why did he lie?

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/29(Wed)06:56 No. 559983 ID: 7e38be
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I nod to the two Juristas. they know when to restrain the scribe. I can not be sure how well Tenoch is able to resist the curse. as a Jurista, especially one as experienced as he, it is likely he has dealt with witches and Daemons before, but I can't be sure he has experience enough to withstand the hex.

I can't be sure why the Daemon Hunter would wish to speak alone. perhaps she has information that will panic the others, or perhaps she does not wish to let the Golden Orditas in attendance to know what she says, or perhaps she wishes to attack me face to face.

"Acalan." I try to sound sincerely reassuring. Erin's face tells me I have failed, "you need to calm down. tell me the whole story, and speak the truth."

"she... um... we..." he looks to Ichtaca with a look of fear, "Ichtaca help me out here."

Ichtaca furrows her brow, "I don't know what you're talking about, Acalan."

"Ichtaca please!" he speaks quietly but in a panicked tone, "they think I'm a witch! if you don't tell the truth they'll kill me!"

"I don't know what you're talking about." she repeats, more firmly.

"Ichtaca took me in the library." he turns to me with a betrayed look plastered across his face.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/29(Wed)06:57 No. 559984 ID: 7e38be
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"WHAT?"

"a month ago." he ignores the Inquisitor, "every other day or so. she'd take me into her office or her room, or... against a bookshelf."

"He's lying!" Ichtaca growls, as the smell of brimstone fills the air and her skin radiates inhuman heat. she stands and approaches the group of Juristas, sweating liquid fire.

>>559984
is that.. normal..?

don't let her get to him, she'll kill him. be ready for an attack if you have to restrain her physically. also, don't touch her, obviously.

also that is one hot lady

Ichtaca, that talk in private?
Let's defuse the situation. We don't need to worry about Acalan- if crap goes down he's suspicious enough right now that he'll be caught again if he's actually behind it.
But if Ichtaca fries him that will complicate things.

It that sort of thing normal savant magic or crazy demon magic?

>>559984
We DO have a Sender here with us. Can't she tell who's lying?

It's worth noting that I think Acalan is the one lying here. Ichtaca is not reacting in any way like a passionate lover exposed, and Acalan is describing a scenario that would have them EASILY discovered.

Well, it's that or he got fucked by a shapeshifter or illusionist who knew when nobody else would be in the library for a while. Or perhaps these are fake memories.

On the other hand, is it possible that Ichtaca got possessed by a demon to do these things? Her journal seemed to imply some sort of mental instability, and possession might fit.

I, too, would like to point out that we have a mind-reader present. However, it may or may not be wise to ask her directly and openly, at the moment. (Do, uh, do they KNOW there's a mind reader there? You'd think they'd act differently.)

I might recommend bringing the situation around to speaking with Ichtaca privately - however, to avoid some of the potential funny business, perhaps you can have everyone at one end of the hall, while you speak quietly with Ichtaca (avoiding physical contact, and with everyone aware that you are doing so) at the other end of the hall. Further pedantry: try to avoid acoustically inconvenient spots - avoid areas that have lots of stone curving around you towards the other group, and aim for areas with heavy cloth on nearby surfaces, which will help absorb sound.

At this point I'm tempted to sit back and watch it all collapse, entertainingly. My intuition is telling me that if she's this far out of control that this either isn't Ichtaca, she's faking Inquisitor status, or she's influenced by the demon as well. Seeing her reveal which is the case on her own terms could be very instructive.
Unfortunately we have a responsibility to try and clean up the mess, don't we? Therefore we have a split-second choice between attempting to use words on Ichtaca or deeds. You're the expert in which is more appropriate, but if you're going to use words maybe try these:

"Ichtaca, control yourself. Surely it is no surprised that someone addled by a demon could fabulate a story, plausible or not, when an investigation is getting close to revealing their schemes. It's more concerning that you may be having difficulty with self control in the face of pathetic provocation. Are you alright?"

>they think i'm a witch

he's getting everything mixed up. we sad we think he's hexed. to his face. i think he's losing it.

>>560046
Or maybe he IS a witch and he thinks we suspect it so he said what he was thinking, and these claims of being a boytoy are to provoke Ichtaca and create a distraction so he can escape again.

After all, he has experience with evading authority.

You know what, I think that's what's going on! We don't need the Sender's help here.

>>560052
Wow! A random headvoice has an idea! It must be 100% true and we don't need to get proof with the telepath's help!

Get the Sender.

>>560074
>I can not be sure if she is innocent or uninvolved in this business.

Maybe we shouldn't rely on the telepath.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/30(Thu)00:09 No. 560079 ID: 7e38be
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>>559985
>>559995

this is textbook discharge of elemental magic. Ichtaca is angry and so she's bleeding magic. it is quite normal for Savants to have involuntary magical discharge in times of stress.

in any case, I can't have Ichtaca charring my prime suspect. I step in front of the Daemon hunter. there is a deafening hiss as her flesh vents and cools down to mortal levels. she averts her gaze.

"about that talk in private, Daemon Hunter."

"O-of course, Miss Tuzcanti."

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/30(Thu)00:10 No. 560080 ID: 7e38be
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there they go. one loyal Ordita keeping an other Loyal Ordita from boiling the flesh off of a third. I wonder what that conversation will entail. all I can really do is wonder right now. the thoughtcloud here is too thick to concentrate on a single voice.

my name is Camaxtli. I have no last name, as is custom for Savants. I hear a violent cacophony of thought and emotion. everyone in this chapel is stained and angry and hurt and lying somehow. this is making me uncomfortable. I feel cramped.

nevertheless, any child with any understanding of Tezcata psychology can see through this fabrication. the Witch is certainly in this room, grinning like a child, thinking they're home free so long as they can pin blame on someone else. of course the only question now is if I should share this information with the Inquisitor.

yes, yes, it is my duty as a citizen of the Holy Tezcatan empire founded under Quetzal and Tezca hallowed be thy names as the greatest civilization on Tyson to inform the Inquisition of possible heresy, but on the other hand, this Inquisitor has no reason to trust me, and she certainly dislikes Savants. I can't blame her, but it still complicates the situation.

no I feel perhaps this information is best kept for myself. if and when I feel the need to share it Miss Tuzcanti will be the first to know.

"if I had known there was gonna be a show I'd have brought some popcorn."

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/01/30(Thu)00:10 No. 560081 ID: 7e38be
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"hi Camaxtli." the Dameon smiles widely, "my name's Quig. I was hoping you had a minute to talk."

End of Chapter 1

Hahahaha... your doomed.

DU DUUUUUUUU
IT'S GUTSMAN

Alright, let's sum up. We were summoned by a scribe who then gave us a weird book, pointed out Ichtaca, and delivered an expertly timed note that told us to duck right as we were being attacked. The scribe disappeared but was eventually recaptured. I don't think he was supposed to be recaptured! I think the scribe was told to show us the hex symbol, note and book to make it look like something very serious was going on that required the full attention of an Inquisitor, who would then follow the lead to Ichtaca after the distraction allowed the scribe to escape. Note that Ichtaca is a Demon Hunter who wanted to speak in private, but we were never told in public that she was a Demon Hunter.

So, in other words, Acalan lured an Inquisitor here to speak with Ichtaca while keeping it secret that Ichtaca was working as a demon hunter. Now, are they working together to oust this demon, or was Acalan ordered to do this by another demon, like the note implied?

Is Squig the enemy, or is she just trying to protect the scribe, her pawn in the battle against the other demon? I'm thinking the latter. Squig will most likely try to convince Camaxtli not to spill the beans about Acalan working with her.

I bet there isn't even a hex outbreak. That's a smokescreen to hide the true purpose of the Inquisitor's visit.

I thought further on why such a deception is necessary, and a thought occurred to me- Acalan isn't trying to pin it on anyone. He's trying to buy time for something- that something being Quig. That doesn't match Camaxtli's analysis. Acalan isn't the witch grinning to themselves like a child, despite him definitely being involved with a demon. The OTHER witch is in the room, planning to use Acalan as a scapegoat. I mean, once a witch hunt finds a witch, isn't that the end of things?

I think we can eliminate the Groundskeeper, Erin, and Xochtitl straight away. That leaves the Jurista captain and the head Ordita.

Don't you think if we were brought here to expose the other witch, the area of focus would be where the witch is? We would never expose the Jurista captain if we were stuck in the church all the time. It's the head Ordita.

>>560081
...agree, cautiously and reluctantly.

I mean, it's not as if you want to speak with a demon, but if all the demon wants is to talk, that sure as hell beats a lot of the possible alternatives.