Grisht - Misc Legwork Notes

Grisht's plot has been handled through Legwork and a series of connected scenes and ongrid RP. Responses to legwork were often sent individually, via @mail. Others were shared to the queue. More has been sent out; this is just what I had in notes. Tribune postings at bottom.

Arubesh:

The report from the Progressives does eventually, come in. Its detail is unusual, as are the faint tear-stains on its papers. The scribe must have been chopping onions while writing. That's it.

The report suggests traces of the arcane, with elements of necromancy and transmutation left behind. TIn response to his inquiries, there is an alchemist willing to speak with him. She's expensive, but the Progressives are willing to help with the bill. However, her introductory letter specifies a contract: poison is a dangerous business, it says. He's not to discuss who the subject is or was in her presence. The reasoning for that could be taken a number of ways. Anyhow! Gather who in your party is interested, and we will set this up as a small RP. You might use the Legwork Queue to set up a time, or just work with them. This Friday and Sat will be pretty full for me.

Silmeria & Arisha:

As you get into the circuit, what strikes you is that it's a sort of brotherhood. ...sisterhood? Members we well-known, at least members like Grisht. At some point, an older woman sits down with you, and says, "I remember going to see him, sure! Took my youngest granddaughter out for her 16th birthday..." After hearing about his glowing pectorals for an hour, Silmeria and Arisha are left wondering who, exactly, the birthday party was FOR.

While not garnering the excitement say, a member of the Myrrish nobility might, he certainly had local fans. So did his opponent, and after the conversation with the grandmother, she's pointed towards a few Writers' Salons which...

Undaunted, the brave duo are able to forge on. He had other fans as well. In fact...they're given a hand-drawn poster by a small boy who 'wanted to be just like him.' The poster shows a large, muscled man with a frowning face. He holds an axe in one hand, and there's a large ring on a finger. "He won that, last match against uhm...Gresher! Gresher the Thresher! It was really cool, and had a mountain on it. The axe's name was 'Hans Off.' I wouldn't give MY axe a goofy name like that, but it was popular with the crowds," he says matter-of-factly. Then, has to sniff, because he's wiping at his nose. There are onions somewhere.

Other fans and conversations can be found in taverns if they wish to keep looking. Von IronBrew's is holding a toast in a few days.

Boshter & Heinrich:

The jousting community aren't 'fans' per se, but Grisht was good and even though he wasn't 'a jouster,' as the term goes, he was still a local hero. So, many of them really ARE fans, and had had some money riding on the match--either one side or the other--despite protestations to the contrary. Boshter is able to tell that much. Grisht was a hard fighter, to hear tell of it. Just not the best.

Simon LeDours suggests, "I hope you find whomever did this. He helped my daughter, back in the day. She wasn't into riding," there are a few headshakes around the table, "but she liked to swing an axe. Gresht helped her out."

"He was getting a bit old, wasn't he?"

"He was twenty-three!"

"...why was he wanting to retire, then?"

"He was?" this seems news to everyone, and they fall in, discussing it, despite earlier protestations. No one agrees with anyone. There is, nonetheless, a rumor that he'd...considered it? Or at least that he'd 'said he might retire here in Alexandria, soon.'" The suggestion doesn't make a lot of sense, and in the end, they aren't sure if he really was talking about that, or if he'd fancied a girl he was after, and was looking to settle down.

Dear compatriots,

To keep you apprised of what we have discovered so far. There have been seeded rumors of Grisht planning on retiring. Side commentary has suggested that he wished to settle down in Alexandria, possibly due to a love interest.

A different part of the investigation has marked the presence of both transmutive and necormantic influence left behind. As an interesting side note, there were tear stains present on the report, which leads me to believe that the one that wrote it may be familiar with the deceased, and had reason to mourn his passing. This may be why the Progressives have agreed to foot a portion of the bill in the next part of our investigation.

I have procured the services of an alchemist to aid us in dissecting the origin and type of our modus operandi. There is a requirement for us to obtain her services. We are not to discuss to her, or in front of her, the particulars of the person. We must not speak of who our patient is or was. Those interested may join me in meeting our alchemical friend.

Acolyte Mourner Arubesh

Posted in the Tribune in: Ceriday, Bernfleur 29, 1019 as "Grisht Letters Uncovered"

We at the Tribune have been receipt of a remarkable set of letters--remarkable! How they were delivered, their mysterious source, remains unknown. They arrived to us recently through means of a courier, its only mark a setting sun. We have spent the previous week verifying their authenticity, as much as possible.

Though private, we believe these may offer a "last look" into the life of one of Alexandria's fallen heroes, and perhaps the end of an unsettling mystery that has bedeviled family and friends alike.

We therefore publish them in their entirety.

Dear Grisht,

I'm so glad you wrote me. There have been so many things said of the District of late. They talk up the fights as--well, I am sure you know. They've painted your opponent as a dangerous, half-maddened troll. And here you are sending me letters of sitting down for a drink!

How much can a troll drink, I wonder? Or is he a troll at all? Oh, it's all a mystery to me--you and your world. It's like peeking into a fairytale sometimes, one I'm just beginning to learn about. ...though I admit sometimes to being a little afraid of it. Were you not at its center, so strong and so steady, I would be frightened, indeed.

I know you tell me not to worry, but you know I will.

Missing you.

Dear Grisht,

It was good to read your letter. We shared it over the table, mum and I. We're making a lamb for tomorrow night--won't that be wonderful! We both look forward to your stories, as always. You lend them a warmth we just don't see in the papers.

I'm not supposed to tell you this, but we watched the match from the stands. I suppose your opponent wasn't a half-troll, but he sure was frightening, as he swing his axe. Never fear that I missed my studies to do it; well. I suppose you should, but we all take a little risk now and then, I suppose.

Dear Grisht,

I was so glad to see you at dinner the other day. We didn't get the time we wanted--but that's always true, isn't it? Between your practice and my studies...but, you'll be that carpenter one day, and ...well, I've a few more years, until we get there.

I'll see what I can find about that ring of yours. If you won it from a nobleman, well--that could be a story, couldn't it! It's gorgeous, in its own way. Gaudy, a bit--but considering its origins, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Either way, I'm excited.

...please stay safe. I know it's all show, but. ...well, you know I always worry, but I'm always so glad to see you, too.

Dear Grisht,

I found something on that ring of yours. From what I can tell, it's tied to the Temple of Althea. ...well, not directly to them, but it carries their magic. It was made years ago, for a young nobleman, then passed on to his daughter, and then to her son. The original noble was Fifshen, and he was of Alexandria. He...his house died with the passing of his granddaughter.

According to my notes, it possessed a strong curative effect.

Grisht, are you in trouble?

Regretfully, the letters end here. Grisht's letters--to whomever they may have been--we may never know. As to a "mysterious ring," it remains a mystery to us! If you have any information on this object, please supply it to the Tribune.

As you know, Grisht's death was eventually ruled a murder, by causes unknown. Any information may help both his family, and fans.

The Tribune Staff