Prologue - Bradon Malthos [Heaven's Descent into Darkness]

[Preus Kai]

To: Bradon Malthos


From: Office of Wayang, Division of Endings, Sub-Directorate of Wrongful Deaths


You are directed to slay Jack o' Bones before the first day of Calibration (see Case Number 8347-D-9383-098)


Mission Profile:


22 Descending Fire, Nexus. The ghost of an infamous child murderer executed last year has risen from the Underworld and has begun a new campaign of fear and slaughter. Detailed information gleaned from the Loom of Fate before his execution revealed a number of startling facts that may explain his recent reappearance, though we are unable to verify any of it. Anything less then the ghost's utter annihilation before Calibration is unacceptable, the mission's failure boding most inauspicious.


Estimated probability of hidden undead presence: 91.37%


Estimated probability of hidden Guild presence: 63.94%

 

[Thanos1]

Now this sounds like a real mission. The time limit is going to be hard to meet if I have to search the whole city though. Better come up with a plan on the way there.


Quickly heading to his home Bradon walked quickly and steered clear of the places he could get into trouble by upsetting some tea party or another. Once in his residence he gave instructions to his steward concerning his absence and procured his weapons and other equipment. His disguise was going to be that of a traveling merchant. Leaving he went to nearest river, only a short distance, and made use of the nearest unoccupied and unassigned boat.


Given the orders, he requested the fastest lane they would make available to him. The boat was asked to take him to the portal corresponding to Nexus. On the boat ride he planned.


Get to the gate, into the city, and start making inquiries in the right places. If all else fails I could just summon the ghost on his own burial site?

 

[Preus Kai]

The lone passenger of the dragon boat saw his destination on the horizon approaching them very quickly as the vessel glided along the golden lane of the canal. The gate was large enough to allow the passage of two mounted travelers to enter side-by-side and it was crafted of orichalcum, moonsilver, jade, and starmetal. The watercraft slowed considerably as it neared the wall of Yu-Shan.


"Gate 17, Nexus. We have arrived at your destination, Exalted one," said the ferryman as he pulled the boat up to the dock that led to the ornately-wrought gate to Creation. "Be wary, though. Calibration is nearing, and the spirits of Nexus are becoming agitated."

 

[Thanos1]

"Most gracious thanks for the warning and smooth journey."


Bradon leaves a tip for the operator of the vessel and exits without further comment. Without delay he makes his way to the gate and the Celestial Lions that can be found there. He is careful to not bring offense to anyone, but does not slow down much either as his graceful strides bring him quickly to the gate.


Giving greetings and salutations to the Celestial Lions there he maintains a friendly demeanor as he continues on. The Lions guard against entry after all. Once across the gate and into the warehouse he will do his best to find some one from whom he can inquire about things in the city. As the warehouse is a front for goods and services passing through Nexus and Yu-Shan he easily works his way through the bureaucracy till he finds somebody with enough knowledge to direct him to a Thaumaturge that should be able to help him track down or summon a ghost. All of this facilitated through his unaccented and fluent use of his native tongue and the dealings in his mortal lifetime with businesses in the threshold.


After offering a finders fee, as a small gratuity, to the aging middle manager he heads off to find one of the supposed masters of the spiritual arts. While not intimately familiar with Nexus, Bradon has been here before and he makes sure he gets on the correct cable car to take him into the general area of town he needs to go.


______________


OOC


(14:38)"Wits+Buro"6xD10: 9 9 9 4 6 5 = 3 successes to find correct person quickly.


(14:42) "Man+Buro"8xD10: 3 10 5 6 1 1 7 7 = 4 Successes to get information that is accurate and useful on who specifically within the vast city could be of help.

 

[Preus Kai]

The aging middle manager offers a number of names that can be found in both of Nexus' fabled Markets that could summon a ghost, but his recommendation is to do so with great caution. Rumor has it that a powerful ghost has been responsible for a number of brutal child slayings in recent nights that have all the denizens of Nexus suspicious of anyone asking for the services pertaining to ghost summoning. The most recent murders happened just last night at an orphanage near the Small Market, four children were found mutilated in some manner of fell ritual and another child is unaccounted for.


There are only minutes left until the sun dips below the horizon as Bradon Malthos exits the cable car that runs into the Small Market, and with it the changing of the Market's dealings. Bradon overhears a number of hushed conversations as he passes by, some about the ghostly murders, some about why the Council and the Emissary have done nothing to stop it, and some even speculating the identity of the killer.

 

[Thanos1]

Doing his best to seem like he is just about normal business Bradon makes his way towards his destination. Along the way he will stop by stalls and pick up a trinket here or there and catch up on the gossip. Once his hosts are graciously in his debt he will let slip that he is new in town and not looking forward to any encounters with ghosts. In this way he finds out which practitioner is where and whom is perceived to be better than the others. Perhaps even if certain of the theumaturges in town might be responsible...or if any have had encounters.


Finally, after a good 30 minutes he will find his way into the shop of one of the suggestions his bureaucratic friend gave him.