COMPLETED: Something's rotten in Scotland...

[GM Nick]

"My name is Dragesh."

A strong note of Oxford English accents his words.

"This message is for Tyrosthenes, whom I gather is an employee here. Tyros--I know that we never fond of one another and that we both chose different paths, but this is a matter that you deserve to be a part of. Darius McLeod--our beloved mentor--is dead."

Dragesh's face blanches as emotion overtakes him.

"He was murdered."

[John]

Max looks up from his cigarette and toward the projection. A stillness immediately falls over the room for all but Doc, whom Max has to tap on the shoulder to break from his immersion,

"Wake up, sawbones."

The elf studies the projected form with slitted eyes but says nothing. Given all that's transpired between them, Max feels a swell of protective solidarity with the Fomori standing a few meters away from him. Max remains intent on the information presented to Tyros.

[Elliott]

Tyros cringes at the familiar voice and despised accent, about to give a curt reply when the meaning of the message sinks in. The big troll is visibly shaken, suddenly unstable and fortunate to be already sitting.

Speaking mostly to himself, in shocked tones, "Darius is dead? Murdered? How? Damn it Dragesh, you bastard, this is your fault, I know it."

Standing slowly, Tyros checks the Message to see if there is anymore. Keying a quick response that conveys the none too polite message that he is on his way and not to frag anything up, Tyros turns to the rest of the team, "Gentlemen, I have a bit of a personal emergency. It seems the great man that taught me my craft, was really almost a father to me, has been killed. That incompetent, arrogant fool in the message is incapable of carrying out justice. He was probably responsible in same way for my master's death. I'm going to need to take a leave of absence to return to Scotland until this is sorted out."

By the end, Tyros is choking on his words, and quickly turns to head out of the bar.

[John]

Max takes in the tremor in Tyros's voice and responds without hesitation,

"Frag 'leave of absence.' I'm coming with you."

Max's eyes are steeled and his tone is insistent.

[Drew Buddy]

Adams looks up from the medical and 'ware diagnostic suite.

"Hey, I've got nothing better going on. I hear Scotland is lovely this time of year."

[Elliott]

Tyros nods appreciatively, glad to have some company on this trip. "It's a long flight, and we are going to be on the next one out of SEA-TAC."

The revelation that his mentor is dead has caused the world to seem a bit surreal to the troll. Darius was as tough as the highland mountains he came from, and the idea of him being gone is almost inconcievable. That someone killed him feels just as unreal. The old man was the type that choose their own end, and something nefarius indeed must have happened to have taken that decision from him.

[GM Nick]

[ New Edinburgh, Scotland ]

The train station where Dragesh agreed to meet Tyros and company is an obsidian slab of plasteel jammed into a mountain of concrete. The team stands under a translucent plastic canopy near the mono-rail tracks, watching the persistent drizzle wash away the grime of the capital city. A rotor-drone buzzes past, stopping long enough that you get a good look at yourselves in a fish-eye reflection from the drone's optical sensors. The on-board computer must have decided that Firestarter doesn't resemble a rebel contingent as the little drone continues on its way, pausing every so often to snap pictures of groups of people.

A lone figure trudges over from the opposite side of the station. His features are even more distinct in person, though his hair is slick with oily acid rain and there are bags under his eyes.

Dragesh's gaze sweeps lethargically to Tyros, where it rests. He regards the troll with a familiarity that startles the other team members, but doesn't make a move to be warm or welcoming.

"Tyros. It's been a while. Darius always said you'd come back one day--although I don't think he anticipated under these circumstances."

[John]

Max instantly dislikes Dragesh (due in large part to cues taken from Tyros), but does nothing. Instead, the elf stands on the platform behind Tyros and defers to his experience and investment in the situation.

[Elliott]

Tyros looms over the little man in a dominant, yet familiar manner as if the pose is something that became natural over a long stretch of close proximity.

"Your humor has always been terrible, Dragash, and now it is as inappropriate as ever. These are my associates and they will be assisting me with the resolution of our master's death. Now please take us somewhere we can talk so you can tell me what happened."

[GM Nick]

Dragesh follows the tracks and slides down a rubble embankment, stopping only when they've reached a large archway underneath the mono-rail train. He pauses a moment, his eyes fixated on a point that's neither close nor far.

"We can talk freely here, I don't sense any other awakened. Tyros--the first thing you should know is that Darius had resigned from the brotherhood a few days before his death. As much as I hate to cast suspicion on our own, the facts make it pretty clear that someone on the inside was involved. Our master was found at his retreat. The autopsy points to poisoning, but the lab results have yet to specify which or what the delivery method was. I assume you're here because, like me, you want to open your line of inquiry into what really happened. I think we should work together. I think, also, we shouldn't trust anyone from the brotherhood."


(( I should add--for RP purposes--that members of the brotherhood are strictly forbidden from using magic on one another. I'm not saying Tyros can't, just that he'd be highly unlikely to. It's a matter of honor. ))

[John]

Max turns to Doc and says in a somewhat hushed tone,

"Might be helpful for you to examine that body to get a lead on the poison."

[Drew Buddy]

Adams nods, and looks from Tyros to Dragesh.

"If it wouldn't be too disrespectful, I'd like a chance to perform an examination on the body," he says.

[Elliott]

Tyros looks at Dragesh like he is trying to see into the man's soul. It's a glare that does not waver and does not compromise. Tyros nods once, slowly.

"I agree with you, we should trust no one in the brotherhood, and I see no reason to make an exception for you. My friends and I will get to the bottom of Darius' murder. I hope we don't find your grasping little fingers there when we do. If you are truly interested in justice for our master as I am, you will provide as access and answer our questions. Now, we would like to visit the body straight away. First so I can pay my respects and second so the good doctor here can see what he can tell about the way Darius was killed."

[GM Nick]

Dragesh smiles joylessly.

"Ah, Tyros. The consummate skeptic. I knew that you'd never trust me. Just as I know that we'll never avenge our mentor unless we work together. That's why..."

He produces a small glass orb. Inside is a perfectly preserved highland meadow blossom. He pushes it into Tyros' hands, which dwarf his own thin, bony fingers.

"I hereby renounce the ties of the Highland brotherhood and ex-communicate myself from its service. There--I've done it. Now that I'm no longer a member, you are not forbidden from plumbing the depths of my mind in order to verify everything I've told you. We won't make any progress unless we can trust one another."

[John]

Max cocks an eyebrow and looks inquisitively at Tyros. Dragesh's gesture here is unexpected even to an outsider, and the elf is curious how his troll companion will react to it.

[Elliott]

Tyros looks down at the glass token with some disbelief. Peering back at Dragesh, is expression changes to one of incredulity. This is not a move the Dragesh he knew would make, unless there was some more subtle game at foot.

"I don't know what game you are playing, Dragesh, but don't think I trust you, even with this...gesture. You could be playing any number of tricks, but I'll play along for the moment. And since we are at liberty now, you and I, I've been wanting to do this for quite some time."

Tyros takes a half step forward, arm rising and hand outstretched towards Dragesh as if trying to grasp his tiny head within the troll's massive mitt, but never quite getting there (centering, mind probe, f4; looking primarily for his memories regarding Darius' death/investigation, but also with some random side tracking to areas of Tyros' personal curiousity in Dragesh's past).

[GM Nick]

Mind Probe Test (Tyros)

[Spellcasting (6) + MAG (6) + Power Focus (2) = 6]
6 4 6 2 1 1 3 2 5 6 4 5 6 1

Tyros closes his eyes and reaches out with his mind. A feeling of weightlessness grips him and suddenly he's soaring through imagery and sensation as he's swimming through the mage's mind. It's more familiar to him than any other mind he has been in. There is--despite the divide between the two personalities--a kinship, forged in the crucible that is the Highland brotherhood. He seeks out relevant thoughts and drifts towards them.

It's strange seeing himself through another's eyes. A very young Tyros is standing next to Darius McLeod--a gray-haired, full-bearded Scotsman with a quiet demeanor. Darius looks very pleased with something Tyros has done.

"Quite impressive, Tyrosthenes. It took the other disciples several months to master levitation."

Tyros feels resentment swell within Dragesh.

So that's where the animosity started! Dragesh worked just as hard as Tyros, but lacked his natural talent. Tyros proceeds to the next memory.

Dragesh's fist strikes Tyros, just below the cheekbone. The big troll looks more startled than injured.

"Just try it. I dare you. One spell. I'll have you kicked out of the order so fast that your head will spin." Dragesh is shaking with rage.

Tyros glares at the thin young man. "I know you're upset that Darius choose me to become his apprentice, but that doesn't condone--"

Dragesh walks from the room, his pride injured and his face flush. "It's just not right."

The memory dissipates and a new one takes its place.

Dragesh is standing over the frail, lifeless body of Darius McLeod. He is weeping openly. The police force around him are performing forensics and deliberately avoiding him--though whether out of fear or respect for his grief it's difficult to say.

"It should have been me, master. I would have stayed here, unlike Tyros. I could have protected you. I could have..."

Tyros scans backwards through Dragesh's memories. It becomes clear that at no point could his former foil have been involved in the death of his master.

[Elliott]

Tyros comes back into himself with a snap. His gaze on Dragesh softens slightly, but still holds a fair bit of animosity. Tyros looks at the glass flower thoughtfully, the symbol of his order, and slowly hands it back to the frail man.

"Here. The Highland Brotherhood welcomes you back into it's fold, holding you to all the laws and privilages that entails. I still don't fully trust you Dragesh; there are ways to alter memories afterall, but we will work together to avenge our master for the time being. Let's visit his body and gather what information we can so we can begin our investigation."

[GM Nick]

[ Highland Brotherhood Compound, New Edinburgh ]

The team files into a small, dimly lit room with flagstone walls and a worn carpet floor. Darius McLeod has been laid carefully on a blanket. His arms are crossed above his chest and two gold coins have been placed on his eyelids. He looks serene.

[Drew Buddy]

Adams retrieves his medical toolkit, but stands back to allow Tyros to first pay his respects. He looks over the body, to see if he can spot any signs of trauma, or anything out of place from where he stands.

[Elliott]

Tyros motions for the team to hold back. Approaching the body, Tyros kneels before it, as if at an alter. Head bowed, he sits a moment in prayer before reaching out and laying a hand lightly on his master's chest, "See you in the next life, dear friend, you will not be forgotten. I will be sending your enemies to join you shortly so that you may have your vengeance on them as I will be taking mine now." Tyros runs small rivulets of mana around the body, cleaning it and removing any surface traces of decay, preserving the corpse for a time in a near perfect visage of his living master (although being careful not to touch any of the internal organs so as not to remove any clues as to the poison). Then, switching into astral vision, Tyros begins a minute examination of the body for any signs or clues left by Darius or his murderer as to any magical affects that might still linger. While the brotherhood almoster certainly performed the same examination, just maybe Tyros' familiarity both with his master and with killing will allow him to pick up something they missed (roll assensing as necessary).

Standing, Tyros turns back to the group. Nodding to Doc, "Can you take a look at him, friend? See if there are any toxins in his blood or indications as to how he was poisoned. Max, perhaps you can look at him as well, see if you private eye days catch anything others may have missed. We should look at the place he was killed next to search for other clues before beginning examinations of members of the brotherhood who may have wanted him dead. Dragesh, did Darius have any rivals in the brotherhood? Who do you suspect would want our old master dead?"

[Drew Buddy]

Adams nods, and silently moves next to the body.

He begins by performing a superficial examination, looking for signs of bruising, needle marks, or other blemishes. The man's limbs are locked into place, and his skin has the consistency armor gel packs.

Choosing a spot toward the man's back where the blood has pooled, Doc uses an empty syringe to draw a small amount of the nearly gelatinous fluid from the corpse. Using the tip of the syringe, he breaks the seal on the intake port of the single-use ChemIdent package from his toolkit ( "Not sure if your coworker has poisoned your coffee so he can get that promotion instead of you? Want to find out if little Johnny has been hitting the deepweed when you're not home? Has the arcology's water tasted a little strange lately? Get ChemIdent today!" ). He shakes the kit, and holds it up to the light.

(( Get perception and biology rolls up in this ))

[GM Nick]

(( Not much to assense here since the dead don't have an aura. ))

First Aid Test (Doc)

[First Aid (5) + LOG (7) + PuShed (1) = 3]
4 4 6 6 4 4 5 2 4 1 4 3 3

Doc stares at the kit, which refuses to change. If Darius McLeod was indeed poisoned, it wasn't by a common toxin. Further inspection would require intensive scrutiny.

[Drew Buddy]

Adams sets the kit aside, and moves the man's arms out of the way as best he can. He unbuttons the front of the corpse's shirt, and begins a more thorough examination.

He periodically looks up to give Tyros a questioning glance. To Adams, this is just a corpse like any other he's examined. To Tyros, this was a man to whom he was very close, and Adams finds himself uncertain as to what procedures the mage would find offensive.

He lifts the edge of each coin, and pulls each eyelid back. He presses down on the skin of the torso, neck, arms, and legs, feeling for breaks in the bone, or implants under the skin.

[GM Nick]

Perception Test (Doc)

[Perception (4) + INT (5) = 3]
5 2 3 1 4 2 5 6 1

Doc locates a small, almost imperceptible puncture wound on the bottom of Darius' foot.

[Drew Buddy]

"What do we have here?" Adams mutters to himself, examining the wound.

[Elliott]

((I realize Darius wouldn't have an aura anymore. I was looking for spell residue or permanent spells attached to him, anything like that...))

Tyros eyes Dragesh, "So, who do you think is behind this?"

[John]

Max moves toward Doc as he examines the wound on the body's foot. There's likely nothing Max will catch here that Doc won't, as the human body is not the elf's specialty, but he is eager to lend his perceptions to the proceedings as he can. "Got something," Max asks of Doc.

[GM Nick]

Dragesh rubs his chin.

"Darius had no enemies to speak of, which makes this all the more perplexing. My theories stem from an event that transpired just a few days before his death. Our master approached me and asked to speak in private. He was always a very calm person, but--Tyros, I'd never seen him so at peace. He said that if he were to die suddenly in the next week that it would, without a doubt, be murder and the method would be poison. I pressed him for details, but he told me that it wasn't my place to interfere and that this is what his ancestors had foretold. I was baffled. I sat outside of his room for hours at a time, keeping guard, just in case. Any attempt to question him about who the perpetrator might be or why he suspected he may be murdered was met with calm evasion."

[John]

Max looks up from McLeod's cold foot and asks,

"Was there any access to his chambers aside from the main door? Windows? Ducting? When we're done here, I'd like to see it. Who prepared your master's meals?"

The elf feels a pang of guilt as a wave of nostalgic pleasure washes over him. As bad as it is to take joy from a friend's personal loss, it feels great to be investigating foul play again.

[Elliott]

Tyros frowns, perplexed.

"So he knew it was coming and was somehow resigned to his fate. And his ancestor foretold this? Are there any other Mcleods in the brotherhood? Did our master keep a journal or some family record that might give us insight into this prophecy? We should definitely get Max here in to search his quarters."

[GM Nick]

"I don't know if Darius had any relatives--let alone family in the brotherhood. I thought it pertinent to wait until you arrived to search his chambers--let's do that now. Doc--is it? Why don't you stay here and finish carrying out your post-mortem?"

[Drew Buddy]

Doc grunts in assent, only paying partial attention to the others as he inspects the wound.

[Stephen]

Val rubs his hand together impatiently, feeling a bit useless and more than a bit out of place.

"Guess I'll help search his chambers, unless Doc here is in need of an extra pair of hands."

[Drew Buddy]

Doc waves a hand.

"Thanks, Val, I think I've got this. You'll probably want more eyes in the chambers, anyway. I'll probably be done here soon enough," He says.