ticklefarte

@goldfinch hey there. If you're looking for a story to join, there's currently a quest with a few other newbies that you're free to participate in. Same to you @Intelli Gent . Just let me know if you're interested. @Humble Blood it looks like your time is up in the Tavern, so Daemon can no longer continue in Cartrose. It's been really fun writing with you. If you're looking for other stories to write in, I'd head over to the Water Cooler and join a thread there. There are plenty of ideas just starting up, and it's a great way to interact with other members. @Linixy @Aliara Mizuki Blackrose It's your turn in the Artifact Hunt. @500bees as always, join when you can. Sorry for the radio silence. Midterm week is a bitch, but things are winding down. Keep writing!

This thread is for you guys, so I'll let that be your decision. I'm not against it.

"Hi, could you answer a question-" "Buzz off." Gabriel's face fell, his raised hand faltering slightly as he experienced the...first class hospitality that Cartrose had to offer. The city was coming alive as the citizens woke up to go to work, shop, or just enjoy the day. To each other, there was a familiarity in the way they spoke. An understanding and loose trust. To newcomers? Gods they couldn't be less interested. And so Gabriel tried, to no avail, his best to gather more information. Rejection after rejection could only sour his mood, but he swallowed the feeling. Out of the corner of his eye he was keeping track of Selena's movement. It was odd, certainly inspired by some internal strife instead of anything he could see. At some point, Gabriel realized that he should follow her. She was headed deeper into the city, and the top of her head was starting to blend in with the crowds that were forming on the streets. With a frustrated growl, the poet abandoned his futile efforts and pursued. He kept her in his line of sight, weaving through the masses with a practiced air. He had a slight figure and an eye for the passage of people. He could navigate with such ease, that he caught up to Selena just as she bumped into a bearded man. The man turned around with a scowl. "Oi," he spat, "mind your path. We're all making our way through here." Gabriel's eyes widened and he rushed forward, less because he feared what the stranger would do and more because he realized that Linixy was also there. Two hotheads could only start a fire. He plastered a smile on his face and wove himself between Selena and the man. "Apologies, sir," he said cheerily. "My sister is afflicted with some ailment affecting her stride. It's out of her hands, you see." The man's face softened, He glanced at Selena, then back at Gabriel. "You accent," the stranger replied, "is faint but I can pick it out. Genasari, huh?" Gabriel blinked in surprise. "Yes, actually. I don't hear Genesari in your voice, however. How'd you know?" "The wife. She came to Cartrose from there. Now we're on our way back. Can't stand this city." With that, he turned around, clearly uninterested in more discussion. Gabriel frowned deeply and looked toward Linixy and Selena. "Found you! Well? What have you two learned?" He paused and gestured. "Let's get out of the street. Bad place for such conversations."

@500bees we're making it up as we go. Currently, Linixy's character has gotten Intel that it's a male. Gabriel received information that implies that a changeling, or group of people have the knife. Daemon was told by a dying victim that the killer was a woman. So we don't know a thing. Haha

@500bees if you want to join now is a great time btw

For my Bloody Dagger hunters, I'll be posting tomorrow night. Assignments piled up. Sorry about the delay. Feel free to skip me if you really want to keep writing.

@Humble Blood really interesting way of progressing the plot. If the killer just killed then it's possible they're roaming with the morning crowd. That's useful information for the group. @Linixy you did a great job of establishing the scene. It really sets the tone for later posts now that we know the citizens are waking up and walking around. Great stuff guys. The tavern that Linixy was told about might have customers soon. Working class people would be reasonable, and they should have a lot to say. Great contributions. Everyone else did great too, but I figured I'd highlight these ones right now. So, I want to wait to give @500bees a chance to post, but obviously not too long. I'll post either tomorrow night or the day after. Good stuff

@Linixy lol Gabriel doesn't know what the guard said to Linixy, as he isn't there for the conversation. All he knows is that Linixy climbed a carriage, asked a question, and someone shouted back. In my post I think I made it clear that Gabriel was aware that Linixy was shouting, and opted to take a quieter approach.

all right the post is out. It looks like @Linixy got a lead, but Gabriel is unaware of that so he'll just wait for whoever finds him. Once again, take this in any direction you'd like. I figured I'd toss in the possibility that the killer isn't just some man, but could be more than one person, or even someone supernatural. Things like that can spice things up. @500bees the group is now in the city if you'd like to have Vivia approach Gabriel, or any of the other members.

Gabriel spoke to many people as the line slowly processed forward. He could be quite sociable when he wanted to, and was able to relate to each person in some capacity that allowed them to open up to him. Linixy had made himself known. Gabriel preferred to be a bit more discrete. Such was the unexpected role reversal of the poet and the thief. Very ironic. And so, as Gabriel crossed the city gates, he reflected on the information he'd gathered. The killer in Cartrose? I heard that she's a vicious woman. We'll be here for day and move on, quickly, said an older man, holding his two children tightly. Useful. She was a woman. Aye, we know what you're talking about. The one who's got everyone spooked, right? I don't believe a word of it, but if he and I meet, I'll survive. This from a sellsword, big and burly. Strange discrepancy there. Was the killer a man or woman? Some lad, from what I've been told. A rich boy who's parents hold power in the city. A little girl, cursed by the devil. A vengeful ghost. A beast. A rumor. Gabriel cursed. Nothing concrete, as expected, but he'd hoped for more. Whoever the killer was, they wore a lot of faces. Part of him understood that this was the nature of folktales, but as he walked he whispered another idea to himself. "A changeling could do the same thing." What were the odds of a changeling finding the Bloody Dagger? They were rare, but...it'd explain the anonymity. The only alternative was that the Dagger had multiple wielders. Did Cartrose have a murder guild in its walls? He squirmed at the thought, looking around for his group. The city was a quiet place at dawn. He stood in an empty square, boots planted firmly on damp flagstones. He guessed that most of the residents would awaken around noon. Less people to talk to, then. A shame. His best bet was to wait here for the group to find him. They could pool information together and go from there. Even now, he thought he saw Luna speaking to someone at the gates. Maybe she'd found something. @Witch Trials

got busy so I'll post tomorrow. Feel free to keep going though. This is your thread, I'm just guiding it along.

good posts everyone. Make sure you actually strike a conversation with your NPC, but so far things are looking good! I'll be posting today, as I'm not sure when @Aliara Mizuki Blackrose will be posting again.

@Witch Trials no worries. For future reference, just use the @ symbol and type the name of the person you're mentioning. but welcome back!

Will was surprised by the efficacy of the assault. The three groups acted independently, yet their efforts seamlessly blended together to result in a victory. He didn't even shoot a bolt, as the Shadow Guard and Anywhere rushed in and didn't miss a single strike. "Heh," Will chuckled to Shishi, "it feels like they didn't really need us." Part of him felt a bit slighted, but he shook it off. The journey was over, and he hadn't lost any bolts. Objectively, this was a bonus. As the group mounted the domesticated Saevion, he sighed to himself. Off to Blairville then, and away with Yh'mi. Whatever the Order did with the Vines was out of his hands. The Broken Plains soared past them as they traveled back to Inn'sth, the bleak landscape blurring due to the speedy travel. He didn't know if he'd be back here in the future. Yh'mi was mysterious and unnerving, but there were so many factions at play. He'd seen what happened when he asked questions. They can have this place. I need to move on. Blairville was far. But he was ready.