[missing image!]
Let's see where we left off last time. We've completed the day quest, and there's really not much left to worry about this day. It's still very early in the morning, and we're in an okay shape.
There's one optional task left that as far as I can tell doesn't actually have a reward, but it sheds a bit of light on some minor events late in the Haruspicus scenario as well as what's left of the Bachelor scenario.
[missing image]
Before I could exit the Cathedral, I was asked by one of the attendants to visit Mark Immortal in his Theater. It seems he asked for me specifically. I guess I should be proud of being known as a reliable man in this town, and at least Mark is more or less crazy to begin with and won't give me any unpleasant surprises like everyone else has lately.
[missing images]
The streets are as dangerous as ever. If you're not being chased by clouds of infection it's the robber's knives that kills you. How many criminals are there in this town, anyway? I feel like I've seen hundreds of them dead by now, with no end in sight.
[a huge pile of missing images]
Mark Immortal: I thank you for finding the time to visit a poor actor. I have a favor to ask of you, but first of all, tell me your impression of these recent events. What have you seen during those brief hours since we last met?
Bachelor: To be blunt, it's all foolishness.
Mark: I absolutely agree with you. It's turning into a madhouse, right? Even in this very theater, I cannot get used to the strangeness of the situation. For some time I thought about leaving this place of the dead, but I feel that it is only here that I can play my role to the fullest...
Bachelor: So what did you need help with?
Mark: You see, I have competitors of a sort. I act out my comedies with pride, but here we have a most grotesque and wild parody. And I was overplayed!
Bachelor: Why would anyone set up another theater at this time?
Mark: It is more like a troupe of street performers. At the bone wastes the crowd decided to arrange... I don't know what to call it, it's hardly a proper pantomime. Let's just say they wanted to paint a living picture. If you can even use the word alive here, because the center of their performance is a dying being.
Bachelor: They are out lynching someone again?
Mark: I am not sure. At present I only have the rather lacking reports from the Executors. However, I would not disturb you if I didn't think there was something more serious behind this farce. I have heard whispers that it is a heavenly sign that has been revealed.
Bachelor: I shall check up on it as soon as I have the chance.
[missing images]
"I asked the drunks I came across on my walk if they had any more handy bandages, but none of them could help me. All they had were filthy rags."
[missing image]
"The flame thrower soldiers didn't seem to run out of their fuel, however, no matter how many poor plague victims they burned."
[four missing images]
Finally! Why would any hold a performance in a place like this? There are only tired workers and Worms around.
 |
| Uhm. |
"It's still alive! The chest rises and sinks as it tries to draw breath. It must have taken a dozen men or more to impale it on the bone."
[some douchebag]
Troublemaker: Here! Listen, people. Give heed to this vision of the heavens! This is the form of all our misfortunes. See who is guilty of our plight.
Bachelor: Who?
Troublemaker: Gather, everyone! Call your neighbors and families. This bull here is our settlement. The stake, sharp and shameful, is the creation of the dreadful Kain's!
Bachelor: What has gotten into you?
Troublemaker: Wipe them out, the monsters! Simon was a monster, and for his sins the pestilence has fallen upon us. Maria, his granddaughter, will soon reach the stars and start to bend us, to corrupt us with her dark magic. Just like her mother Nina did in former times! We shall kill her and tear her to pieces.
[missing image]
"This is no good. Of course, it's not the first lynching, but with the Kains in such a troublesome situation they probably will let their guard down. Mark might have an idea on how to calm the crowd down."
[missing images]
Mark Immortal: There is no destiny for us, Bachelor. We are no longer worthy of one.
Bachelor: I went to the waste ground.
Mark: You saw it? Was it impressive?
Bachelor: Both the acting and the scenery was bad. I'm convinced the poor bull was real, however. I think we are up for trouble.
Mark: Hmm, you must believe me when I say this is not my work. On the contrary, it is a direct attack on my interests. I was not expecting it to make such an impression on you, except possibly one of disgust. But tell me, it certainly must have gotten quite a reaction from the crowd, yes?
Bachelor: I'm afraid you're right.
Mark: Well, you see, the time is just right for the excitable townspeople. Probably, someone wanted to gather a crowd for a purpose. And it's usually to set them upon someone. Where has this crowd been aimed?
Bachelor: The Kains.
Mark: I actually do not care about where they go. But you probably should, if the Kains are involved. With only a day and a half left, you have no choice. But the whole play is a cruel insult to me.
Bachelor: Yes, I can't just ignore it. This could be dangerous.
Mark: But how do we, ehm, remove them?
Bachelor: The most direct tool for resolving any problem right now is the army.
Mark: Really! I guess my profession comes with a fair amount of prejudice. I, the virtuoso of intrigues, never considered that mass of armed people as a tool! Tell them it is unsanitary, and they will burn down the 'installation'. Only, I am afraid the story will not quite end with that...
Bachelor: Let us see.
[missing images]
General Block: I was hoping that in the Inquisitor I would find a friend instead of an eternal enemy, but no... She has already given each of us a role in her intrigues. And a dark role it will be, so my heart tells me.
Bachelor: Tell me, Commander... If there's trouble, can I rely on your help?
Block: I certainly hope so. But I have to admit to you, I am furious. The orders I received from the headquarters provides me with large powers over strategic decisions. Not a word was said about being bossed around by the Inquisitor, and now...
Bachelor: What has happened now?
Block: There are some internal issues that are still not settled. One unspoken rule in the military is that a command from an Inquisitor is as good as law. Not even a high ranking officer escapes their grasp.
Bachelor: I believe it's in the law book that not even a General can lie to them.
Block: But now it's all changed! I am ready to cooperate with her, but she refuses to even grant me a meeting. She has collected the information she needs - not without your help, I think - and now the wheels are rolling. And she carelessly order me to simply sit down and wait, even though I am capable of doing so much.
Bachelor: Doing what, General?
Block: I am responsible for making sure the epidemic can't spread further under any circumstances. I also have the lives of my soldiers to think of. Sitting idle will only endanger the town even further.
Bachelor: Your flame thrower units are certainly active. Are they not trained to burn out all infection?
Block: Certainly.
Bachelor: At the place called the Bone wastes some rabble has performed some sort of animal sacrifice. Blood everywhere, and that can't be very sanitary if people gather there. If I were you I would direct their attention toward it.
Block: Hmm, I shall make it so. I will inform Longin, he is a valorous officer, if somewhat hot headed. He has command over the flame throwers. He joined my army just before this whole affair started. I'll let him execute his duties.
Bachelor: Thank you, General.
Summary: Maria Kain has been accused of being a sort of witch or something. Some crazy person put up a show and thinks the Kain family has used some evil magic and brought the plague on the town. Of course, these crazy townspeople will accuse lots of people, but Maria isn't really the kind of person who can defend herself. And since we just spread the information that the Kains have gone crazy, we can't really argue with the troublemakers either.
Still, this will have to wait until day 11.
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