Session 15

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Investigating Magrete Steel & Strange Encounters (2024-11-23)

Gathering Samples & Avoiding Experiments

• Siz efficiently takes samples from Det, including blood, cheek, and sinus swabs.
• Det firmly declines a stool sample, drawing the line on what she will allow.
• Mia, watching uncomfortably, resolves to avoid any sample-taking from herself.

Planning the Next Steps

• Mia reviews Charles' documents and suggests their next destinations:

 - The Bar as their first stop.
 - Magrete’s farm afterward.

• The group debates whether to involve local law enforcement:

 - Mia strongly advises against it, fearing mistrust and lack of cooperation.
 - Instead, they decide to use a cover story:
   - They are looking for Magrete on behalf of a concerned friend.
   - The friend is off-world, which explains why they were hired.

• Siz jokes about becoming a traveling food critic, and the group prepares to head out.

Arrival at The Bar

Weather Conditions:

• Temperature: 36°C / 97°F
• Light rain (spitting rain), unusual for this region.
• Strong breeze, making small trees sway.

As they arrive at The Bar, Mia spots the strange elf again.

• He appears shocked to see them.
• He finger-guns, smiles, and retreats into an alley.
• Mia notes this was a chance encounter, not a planned tail.

Interrogating The Barman

Inside The Bar, a blond bartender in an oversized shirt labeled "BAR BARIAN" serves them:

• Siz orders hot cocoa but is unimpressed.
• Mia and Det also get drinks and observe the environment.

Det initiates a conversation with the bartender, asking about Magrete Steel.

• The bartender is wary of strangers asking questions.
• Det claims they are associates from Magrete’s alma mater, seeking her input on a research project.
• The barman hesitates but offers a trade: If Mia explains tieflings, he will share what he knows.
• Mia and Siz explain tiefling origins, planar influences, and societal stigma. The bartender seems genuinely interested in learning.

Key Information Revealed

• The bartender provides an address for Magrete Steel and his personal number in case they need help.
• He warns that others have been asking about her:

 - A man and a woman, both armed and armored, possibly bounty hunters.
 - A suspicious elf, likely the same one following them.

• He also rants about a fake food critic, who:

 - Complained about the lack of "real food."
 - Wore a gelled-back hairstyle, glasses, and an older suit.
 - Might have been a fraud trying to get free meals.

Current Status & Next Steps

Next Investigations:

• Visit Magrete’s address given by the bartender.
• Continue watching for the elf, as he remains a wild card in the situation.
• Be wary of bounty hunters, as their presence suggests Magrete might be in serious trouble.
• Possibly investigate the fake food critic if he resurfaces.

Team Dynamic

• Mia is uneasy about her past but willing to answer questions for intel.
• Siz is excited about scientific discovery, but her enthusiasm unnerves Det.
• Det is curious but cautious, especially regarding the elf’s involvement.