[Element Hall] An Inquiry

[Balthazar Black]

19 Ymiden 721

It felt strange to walk through the streets of Almund and draw relatively few eyes but it was one of the much smaller changes that Balthazar was still adjusting to. He drew far fewer eyes without his mutations and witch marks but he was still getting used to the feeling like he was moving unseen. He'd spent so long under watch, he felt like he still was. He hadn't felt this paranoid in a while but he couldn't help it and ignoring the feeling felt dangerous. What if he really was being watched? He stopped by the Witchwood Graveyard in the middle of the trial and told himself it was 'on the way' to the Element Hall but he knew it wasn't. He actually he to walk a good distance out of his way to stop by the graveyard but he'd heard strange things about it from drunks in taverns since he'd been back and curiosity inevitably followed. He didn't enter the graveyard but he stood outside for a few bits, looking in and thinking back to a darker time he'd visited.

He put those thoughts aside a little more easily now than he would have a few seasons before and it made him a little hopeful that with time the rest of the things he was bitter about would fade. Rather than focus on that, he focused on the headstones he could see from where he was standing. It was strange to think of how people treated death differently from one city to the next. In Yaralon death had been a strange thing to say the least. Most Yari would never say Vri's name aloud but that had never been a tradition that stuck with Balthazar. Melrath and Rharne had similar traditions, if Balthazar understood them correctly. He knew that he remembered what he'd heard correctly, but he wasn't sure that he interpreted it exactly as it was meant.

Both places used funeral pyres to dispose of the dead but in Rharne it was more of a celebration. Balthazar hadn't been to any funerals but he'd been careful to ensure he knew what he needed to do should the worst happen. He thought it ironic that he only now realized he'd been looking into the death rites for the wrong reasons. He found it oddly fascinating now that... well now that he'd died. There was a feeling of indestructibility that was pulled out from under him and left him wondering what would be left of him when his life was taken for the last time. Would he be on a pyre or would he be one of the nameless gaves in the Witchwood with little more than a symbol to indicate who he'd been?

I don't like it here. Fuego's voice chimed to Balthazar, prompting the trooper to look down at the little flaming rock standing beside him. He took a deep breath and nodded.

Then we will leave. Balthazar replied through their connection before departing the graveyard. He made his way through Almund towards the Element Hall to request information about the pirate attacks. He'd been back at work long enough for word to reach him about them and someone had even suggested there were kidnappings.

Kidnappings were the one crime he was still uniquely equip to solve and even if his go-to failed, he had a backup plan. The walk to the Element Hall was more pleasant than the walk through the Element Hall. He wasn't sure that he had any friends left among his coworkers with the rampant rumors about him. No one had reached out. He didn't need friends but it was easier to work with people you got along with than people you didn't. He was far too familiar now with three other Flame Troopers but he did not see their faces among those watching him as he walked through the Hall towards the desk where an unfamiliar woman sat. He'd seen her before in passing and when he came to receive information but they never really spoke. She had the most cheery disposition but she was always to the point, probably because she was a busy woman.

Her smile did not waver when she saw Balthazar approaching but he thought it might be because she did not recognize him. "Hello! How may I help you?" She said.

"Hello, I'm Trooper Black, I saw a notice posted about ongoing pirate attacks and was wondering if I could get any information we have related to it. I believe I could help us narrow down the location of the pirate's lair or at least find their victims." Balthazar said plainly as he presented his badge to the woman so she could verify he was who he claimed and not some bold loon. She looked at the badge and then back up at Balthazar, then back down at the badge, and then back up at Balthazar.

"One moment, I'll be right back." She said before rising from her chair and going off to retrieve something. Balthazar waited in place for what felt like a long time but he knew it would be. The Elements were busy by nature of what they did. So he waited... and waited... and when the woman returned, she did not return alone

[Balthazar Black]

19 Ymiden 721

The woman from the desk was flanked on both sides by individuals in orange cloaks like Balthazar's own. A woman with red eyes and a man with a well trimmed goatee and wrinkles beyond his age on his face. As they came closer Balthazar noticed other things that set his curiosity alight. The woman with red eyes only had one pointed ear, the other looked more rounded but at the top there seemed to be a scar. She had other scars on her cheek on the same side of her face but, based on her decision to wear her hair up in a bun, didn't make an effort to conceal any of it. The man was human, bald, and goateed with dark eyes. He walked with a slight limp but it was almost unnoticeable- perhaps an old wound? An arrow to the knee? That would do it.

"Trooper Black, this is Trooper Bean and Trooper Nij'Ufnaj. They are Flame Troopers in charge of the investigation into the pirate attacks." The woman from behind the desk said before returning to it. Balthazar looked at the two and waited for a moment, unsure of what was going on.

"Trooper Black." Trooper Nij'Ufanj said sternly. Red eyes? A pointed ear and a pointed greeting? It was coming together slowly. Biqaj. Trooper Bean beside Trooper Nij'Ufanj cleared his throat and the red in the woman's eyes shifted for a moment to an orangish yellow hue before shifting back to red when she looked at Balthazar.

"We were told you were interested in the pirate attacks, what do you think you can contribute to the investigation?" It seemed Bean was a little more friendly than Nij'Ufanj, or at least more willing to humor Balthazar if it would help solve the case.

"I saw the notice mentioned kidnappings and I have a unique ability that, with more information about the attacks, might allow me to help you track down the location of our victims." Balthazar said. He was careful not to mention that the ability was granted to him by a ring he had. He was unsure if the ring would work for them but regardless, he did not want to hand it over for fear he would not get it back. "I used the ability to find Anton Callipo a while ago and believe it could be implemented in a similar way now."

Bean looked at Nij'Ufanj who didn't seem entirely content letting Balthazar into the investigation. "Give us a moment." Bean said to Balthazar before taking Nij'Ufanj off to the side to have a more private conversation. Balthazar folded his hands behind his back while he stood waiting and after a few trills he found his ears and curiosity getting the better of him. He could hear little portions of the conversation between the two of them but never full sentences. They were keeping quiet to the best of their ability but the woman seemed a little bit louder each time.

Of the bits he thought he heard, Balthazar could make out, "...he'll get in the way...." and "...protect our hard work..." He heard enough to get the idea that Nij'Ufanj was not thrilled with his inclusion but he couldn't hear anything Bean said to her. He could, however, see her eye color changing from red to purple and eventually to blue. She nodded and the duo returned to Balthazar with their decision.

[Balthazar Black]

19 Ymiden 721

"Trooper Black, would you accompany Skal and I to Port Diablo?" Trooper Bean asked upon returning to Balthazar with his partner who's first name was apparently Skal. It was certainly easier to pronounce that than to pronounce Nij'Ufanj- though remembering them posed the same difficulty, none. Balthazar nodded to Trooper Bean and turned with him to leave the Element Hall. "We're open to working together but we've been working hard to keep the details of this investigation from getting out." Bean explained while they walked. Balthazar felt Skal's eyes on him while they walked but he kept his focus on his conversation with Trooper Bean.

"I've made mistakes in the past regarding discretion but I've learned from them." Balthazar admit, addressing the rumors about him without really addressing them. "I'll follow your lead on this."

"Thank you, we've already had some security issues and would prefer to avoid more. If you don't mind me asking, how did you hear about the case?" Bean asked, opening the door out of the Element Hall and holding it for Balthazar and Skal to pass through. Was that suspicion in his voice? It was difficult to tell but maybe it was just Balthazar who was suspicious when people wanted information.

"Little bits here and there but I saw a notice on a bounty board." Balthazar said, "I didn't know there was an active investigation already so this is... surprising."

"So you thought the Elements were ignoring the consistent pirate attacks?" Nij'Ufanj asked.

"No." Balthazar said without providing any other insight into what he had thought. "I saw the bounty and I knew I could help, so here I am."

"You'll have to pardon Skal, we've been working this case for a while now and the lack of progress is frustrating." Bean said, "It's hard to trust new faces when the pirates dodge our patrols so aptly."

"Do you have any theories on how they're doing that?"

"We do, but we will discuss them at the port."

[Pig Boy]

Player Name: Balthazar

Points awarded: 10
Magic xp: none

Knowledge: None requested.

Renown: 5 Back in Black. Or orange, in this case.
Loot: none
Injuries/Overstepping: none
Wealth Points: none
Consequences: A younger Element recruit looks for Balthazar, and decides that he is the most impressive example of a Element that ever walked the Element Hall. Having heard of his exploits at Faldrass, his investigative prowess, and indeed even his foundation of the village of Haven, the starry-eyed recruit can see no wrong in Balthazar. It's possible he now has a sidekick, as he simply can't shake the recruit's attempts to get into his good graces and teach him 'his secrets'.

Skill Review: All Skills used appropriately to PC's level

Notes: It's good to see Balthazar back in form. It made sense that he wasn't instantly recognizeable to the lady at the Element Hall, given the lack of white hair and yellow eyes. It's cool when players delve into such minutiae, but always refreshing.

I think Balthazar getting back to doing what he does best will be good for him. Although the senior Elements seemed apprehensive toward his joining the investigation, I think they'll warm up soon enough to his way of doing things, and getting shit done (Pardon the french).

Great work and enjoy the points.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this review, feel free to PM. Enjoy your rewards!