Session 15

← Previous Session — All Sessions — Next Session →

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.