The Flayed Man part 6

Getting an official visit with an official member of the Guild is not terribly difficult for members in good standing and within a little under a week of the meeting with the Vardamans, you received word of an opening and were asked, politely, to arrive at the Guild early the next morning. So there you are, meeting with a tired looking Khazadi bureaucrat who is eating an apple. "So," he begins after you sit down, "what's this all about?"

As is his normal custom in the Guildhall directly, Seldan is not wearing armor, and in his current, more wizardly attire, is perfectly recognizable. "You will recall the job near the village of (name _OOC forgot_), where a man with no skin was reported, I am certain." The Myrrish-tinted tone is one of explanation, if a touch sad. "The ghost was once one of the Frostmantles, who we understand liaise with the Guild when they do work in Alexandria, do they not? This one met a cruel fate indeed, at the hands of his own compatriots. I was hoping that you might know what purpose brought them to the area on 25 Quintoos of 1018."

Malik, as most know, is not a diplomatic. Not even a little bit. The man has a direct and cutting way with words that tends to get him into more trouble than it gets him out of. Which probably explains why he's just leaning quietly against a wall, letting others do the talking. It's probably the best thing he can do in this situation.

Iskandar has had his share of dealings with the Guild just like most Alexandrian adventurers. But to get an audience with a representative, for his own purposes? That is a first for him. Luckily Seldan takes the lead, leaving Iskandar free to nod knowingly as if that's exactly what he had planned to say.

Olek just sort of loiters. He's not one for making friends, so he just hangs back and looks unpleasant. Seldan is a much better frontman for this group and Olek is fine with letting him do that thing.

Ezil stands quietly, having come with Seldan but does little to add to the conversation at hand. He has dealt with the guild several time, but he doesn't try to take point like usual, leaving it to the others here, and seeming relieved when the one he came with does so.

The guildsman lets out a heavy sigh at the story told so far, giving a nod. "I see, I see." One gets the impression that none of this is news for him at this point.

"We'd heard reports through the Watch of a skinless man. Their investigation brought you to our attention, as the Vardamans shares some of what they knew with us and your names. We can only keep a lid on this for so long before the rumors get rolling once too many others have seen it. So, the Frostmantles, huh?" He takes a bite from his apple, chews thoughtfully. "They typically operate further afield but they do have some people working in Alexandria. In the field at the moment, chasing down some Dragonier related artifacts. Assuming they return alive, we can arrange a chat."

"That is correct. The man in question was held down and flayed alive by at least three of his companions, and it seems that the best way to lay the spirit to rest and end this is to seek justice for his killers." A thing Seldan is well-known to be likely to do in any event. "Too, I would know the purpose in such an act. Are some tied to a greater and more hidden evil? I cannot say, but I take it as my duty to learn the truth. But, if I might ... does the Guild have any reason to suspect such dealings of the Frostmantles?"

Malik mutters something in that flowing language that he speaks, mostly under his breath, but loud enough to be heard by those who are familiar with the tsuran tongue as he crosses his arms, face stoic as his eyes flick to Seldan, and then the others gathered in the room, before turning back to watch the Guild representative.

Ezil looks from Seldan to the others gathered here. Another tsuran catches his notice, but as this talk continues he is dragged back to the discussion with a nod of his head. He seems to agree with this line of questioning, letting Seldan continue uninterrupted. The only thing he does is shift on his feet, and cross his arms before his chest.

Iskandar's expression alternates between interested and slightly bemused at the Khazad's words. "Chasing down artifacts...?" he repeats. "Do you happen to know, on whose request? The Guild?" He asks in a nuetral tone. "Or someone else?"

Olek glowers thoughtfully, and looks around to the others. "Why can't we just find out where they are now, or where they're supposed to be, and go after them?"

"They're in the field hunting down some ossuaries belonging to old Dragonieri knights. The hope is for lore regarding Heth but that seems unlikely. Still, the hope remains."

The Khazadi leans back in his chair, not yet having granted a name. "The Guild keeps records of contracts and anyone slain on them, though the records are less complete when operating with larger organizations like the Mantles. What I can do is give you authorization to visit our archives, see if we can locate the mission you mentioned, and that ought to at least tell you the nature of the contract, presumably anyway. Paperwork sometimes is... an incomplete beast and outsourced work, rather than direct contracting with folks like you, can sometimes be even more so, sad to say, so I would not get my hopes up TOO high there." He sets his apple aside, appetite perhaps lost. "City authorities were insistent we see this to a conclusion as quickly as possible. I can alert you when the Frostmantles return from the field, in the meantime, as well."

"That would be appreciated, if we may be informed when the Frostmantles return," Seldan agrees. "I, too, would see a swift end to this matter, that both he and Alexandria might sleep in peace. "I am also willing to search your archives, incomplete though they may be. I fear that I have some experience in finding answers on minimal or missing details, and I would at the least try." The comment would appear to be entirely serious, and he turns to look at the others. "What say you?"

Malik's looks turns a bit darker as the khazad goes on, leaning back against the wall as he gives the other tsuran a look, the slightest of raised eyebrows in it. "That would be an excellent place to start, I think," Malik agrees. Though at the question of tracking the Mantles down, he answers, easily, "for the same reason you tell a child lost in the woods to stay put. Two moving parties are far less likely to actually encounter one another. You have one stay put and wait for the inevitable arrival of the other."

GAME: Ezil rolls sense motive: (2)+2: 4

Olek huhs and will just shrug and nod to Seldan. "Sounds good to me. I'm good with whatever plan we come up with. I'll help out however I can."

Iskandar nods, although he doesn't exactly seem thrilled at the prospect. "I suppose the more pairs of eyes looking over the records, the better the chances we'll find something."

Ezil smirks as Malik looks his way, offering a raised hand in a silent greeting. Though, that is short-lived as the questioning seems to take a turn south. "Always red-tape. It's not something we have time or luxury to look at if the paperwork isn't as good as it should be." noting the Frostmantles outsourcing. "Can we not expedite this process somehow?" looking from the representative to Seldan. "We would like this matter settled, but the longer we wait, the more details that will be covered up or lost. I don't want to be complicate in this mystery not being solved." he says, looking then to Seldan. "Do we have any other leads?"

"I'm open to suggestions," says the Khazadi, looking towards Ezil. "Right now, that's the best I've got for you, but if you have an idea, I'm willing to listen," he offers. "We're already talking about paperwork that's several years old."

"That seems an excellent place to begin, and I am grateful for your help. I would not take up more of your time than is needful...." Seldan trails off, looking back at the others. "Have you aught else you wish to learn, or shall we seek the archives?"

"Perhaps," Malik suggests, voice rising a bit this time as he attempts to make himself heard, "we could divide our efforts." He glances at the others. "Surely it doesn't take all of us to review a single contract? For those that have a way with words, you may be able to find something that didn't make its way into the paperwork in other areas. But I would suggest you go in pairs," he adds. "The most danger to those going to this archive likely consists of papercuts and the lingering smell of storage."

Ezil offers the Khazdi a short wave of is hand. "No, It seems we are off, thank you for your time." turning to the group and motioning to Malik with a thumb. "I would take this one's advice. I know a bit of words, and diplomacy... but I will go where needed and told." looking again to Seldan for a bit of direction. "I only witnessed this ghost, you and the others have been doing most the work till now."

"Right. I'll have our archivist notified to grant you access. IS there any other way I can help or questions I can answer? Because, I must stress, we'd like to see this resolved as swiftly as possible." He leans forward in his chair, studying each of you carefully in turn.

"Understood." Seldan frowns at this, but bears the scrutiny well enough. "Indeed, swift resolution of this matter is best for all concerned. I have nothing, further."

Iskandar looks at the Khazad evenly. "If you'd like it resolved swiftly," he rumbles, "You could perhaps send a clerk or two along to help us search." He glances around at the others and then adds, "Otherwise we'll muddle along as fast as we are able."

Malik gives a shrug, seemingly content on this matter. "We appreciate your assistance."

"As nice as that would be," he says, "the archives are already overtaxed as it is keeping up with current demand. You'll make do." He does seem sympathetic to Iskandar's request, though, obviously knowing hte logic in it.

"Best of luck to you."

GAME: Malik rolls Perception: (11)+19: 30

GAME: Ezil rolls perception: (10)+2: 12

GAME: Olek rolls perception: (4)+15: 19

GAME: Malik rolls Knowledge/Local: (14)+6: 20

GAME: Seldan rolls perception: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Iskandar rolls knowledge/local+2: (20)+5+2: 27

GAME: Iskandar rolls perception: (19)+12: 31

The Guild Archives are... voluminous. It does a lot of work, after all, and these cotnracts go back... decades.

You find yourself there /with/ the clerks, yes, who are overseeing your efforts to make sure you don't doddle or read details you're not supposed to, crates and folders that are /full/ of paper that you're going to have to sort through, from around the time in question. You quickly find some are misfiled, mismatched, or missing all together. Not in any particular pattern, it would appear, because you evnetually find several of the missing files simply returned in the wrong spot.

It's not chaotic, or badly done, it's just there's a /lot/ and the volume means there will be mistakes, like it or not, despite all the best efforts in the world.

This is going to take a while. Many details in these are simply covered up for reasons of 'sensitivity', which does not help, and you get the feeling that these are simply the most publically accessible /level/ meant for exactly this reason.

And no doubt incomplete, too. Mercenary companies are not extremely well known for their transparency, and their brokers probably *less* so. That they keep this level of documentation at all is probably because they're required to by the State.

... it's going to take a while. You're all kthe victim of papercuts.

At some point in this search, Seldan became the unfortunate victim of a dust bunny attack while sorting through one of the older crates, and spent a good bit of time clearing watering eyes and navigating sneezing fits. When he finally manages to stop sneezing, he picks up a sheaf of papers, and promptly puts it back down, sucking on a bleeding finger without comment. Shallow to be sure, but paper cuts -hurt-.

Malik takes to the archives like a fish takes to water, eyes quickly scanning over the records contained therein, making as quick work of it as he can manage. Which, for a wizard, happens to be fairly quickly indeed, the man used to poring over papers and skimming for relevant details, knowing which papers are too new to even be worth looking at, or too old in some cases, narrowing the search. He smiles over at Seldan, shaking his head a bit. "Even when the mission is -reading-," he laughs, "you manage to come back battered and bloody." The tone of voice, however, speaks to a level of affection, like an adored personality quirk. Still, he keeps focused on the task at hand, mostly ignoring the clerks as much as the clerks ignore them.

Ezil is going cross-eyed at this task, looking up from the papers and rubbing his eyes. It's that repetitive nature of his work that is getting to him as he sorts and tries to find answers, but finds nothing. "I thought the documents would be more.. exciting. These are just dull. This one here!" pointing to one he just examined. "It detailed the use of rope for an expedition. All two-hundred coils... accounted for. All of them. Why? I don't know. But they were accounted for!"

Olek is limited to fetching and carrying books. He doesn't read, so he'll help out where he can, for what that's worth. Carrying one pile of books to examine, carrying another back. Up. Back. Waiting for the volumes to be examined. He yawns once.

Iskandar finds himself much better at reading through contracts and documents than he'd ever have imagined. Flashbacks of some of the endless droning he's been subjected to by a few select elderly members of the Society help him sort a few contracts to the 'not applicable' pile with the quickest of glances. His sharp eyes pick through details on the others, and soon the section of documents he's reviewed would if stacked rise even higher than Iskandar.

Malik smiles over at Ezil. "There are details in them, if you know what to look for," he tells the man. "I suspect," he adds more quietly, "that our clerks here are not as versed in the ways of the world as some of the rest of us." He hands one of the documents over, nodding to the page. "The 'nourishment' listed on this page gives no details. Just the market where it was spent. Which also happens to support one of the lower-end brothels." He gets a bit of a smile. "I can't say for sure what the accompanying herbs and salves a few days later are for, sadly. But I can take a guess that it wasn't to treat battle wounds. Not all of it, at least. Minor details in a chain of events that are easy to miss, if you don't know to strike them from the records." Still, it gets them no closer to their target, no matter how entertaining, and he continues rifling through pages. "You rarely find a flaming dragonspitter in these papers. But what you do with the tidbits you glean can be far more damaging." He nods subtley to the clerks. "These could be some of the most dangerous, influential men in the nation. If they ever left these stacks and found out what they were truly sitting on." Just loud enough for the others to hear him without drawing too much attention.

Ezil falls silent to those words, his lip bitten to stifle a laugh at Malik's words. He can only nod, and go back to task after that explanation. It's a renewed vigor in his work, that or he is just hoping to find his own juicy tidbits to smirk over.

Eventually, you find a single piece of paper. The township's name, Esswitz, is mentioned in it. It takes actualy /days/ of searching to locate it. It mentions that the Frostmantles have sub-contracted the job and a single name: Clarvon. That's apparently the name of an officer.

Seems you at least have a plce to start, now...

... once you get over the papercuts.