Topic: Missing Persons : The 27th Division of the Watch

Brian Ravenlock · Date: 2013-08-12 11:30 EST

This is part of the Curing the Sickness Story Line.

Inside the Watch House of the 27th Division of the Rhy'Din Watch & Localized Militia

?How many so far??

?Three as best as we can tell, maybe more actually. It?s hard to tell with the streets, an what not. Those folk like to keep to themselves, y?know.?

?Still, that makes it more than enough for others to take notice... I?ve seen the posters around the Inn, they weren?t ours and I didn?t see anything listed as to which division they came from, either. It?s good that someone took notice, not many tend to. Any other missing person reports from outside the area of the Inn??

?No Captain, no reports as of yet.?

?Good, maybe this is just a case of some vagrants setting up camp elsewhere, or something? Still, it?s best we look into this--- even if the area of the Inn, is a bit out of our back yard. Let?s have Kerri break off her ?demon cat? case, and have her check in with some of our ?CIs? and see what the word is street wise. She?s got a far better network than we do, and let?s reach out to Mister Raven here in the Marketplace and put him to work too. Between the both of them, maybe we can turn up something solid.?

?Got it, Captain. Anything else on this??

?Let?s bump up patrols of the alleyways, and what not. Abandoned buildings, warehouses, you know the drill. Anywhere that we know them to set up in, or around. Also let?s keep the direct contact to a minimum, we don?t want to spook them?just keep an eye on them, just in case.?

?All this trouble for a few vagra----?

?Don?t even go there??

?But I---?

?They?re part of this city, and mind you a good amount of them actually do in fact work, and do a lot of the jobs that many people in this city feel they?re too good to do. A lot of them are working towards housing, or are sending money back to someone else while they live wherever they have to, do get by. Not everyone can instantly pop into this city fresh from another realm, and pull a cash cow outta their @ss, not to mention a new business to boot. So let?s not make this an 'all this trouble' deal, got it? They are people in this city, and we look out for them same as anyone else across the board.?

?Sorry, Sir.?

?It?s done, so let?s get back to work here. Along with what we talked about let?s reach out to Toby and Nikia, see if they may have heard something through their work with the church. Can?t hurt to reach out, and see what there is to see.?

?Understood, Sir. An who?ll be the primary on this case?

?Leave it with me for now, and we?ll assign it as we progress.?

?Sir!?

The young watchman walked out of the office, leaving Brian to look over the file and its reports once more. A hand lifted to rub his temple, as his eyes scanned the documents back and forth, looking for some common denominator in regards to the three reportedly missing people. As best as he could see, they were in fact what many would consider vagrants, and they did reside in the alleys near the Inn, and sometimes the ?camps? others had set up around the city, normally an old warehouse or what not. One did some dock work, the other two cleaned up behind some restaurants. Still, it seemed that the missing parties did not seem to know one another, but were well enough known by the reporters?

?There?s gotta be something else here.?

Brian continued to look over the reports once more, as a hand reached for a small map of the city he had nearby on his desk. Notes were penciled on said map, as he continued his review of the documents and then?.

?The hell??

A brow raised slightly, as a picture was pulled from one of the reports. Opening his desk, he fished out a magnifying glass and began to take a closer look at the picture in question and then quickly snagged a second photo that belonged to another report, and soon after the third?

?This--- Simms! Get in here!?

The young man returned with a short stop just shy of the desk, and a look of somewhat confusion, ?Sir!??

Looking up to the young man Brian asked, ?Who took these photos??

?We don?t know Sir, they came in with the field reports.?

?Simms, find out who took these photos and get back to me ASAP.?

The Captain?s tone was more than enough for the watchman as he saluted and took his leave in a rather hurried state, leaving Brian to look at the photos once more--- and the common denominator within each one...

((This post is a response to the following playable : http://rdi.dragonsmark.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=182916#182916))

Brian Ravenlock · Date: 2013-08-14 10:37 EST

It was an early morning for Brian Ravenlock, as he found himself taking an early patrol with a pair of ?reserve? members of the Watch program.

The route was a simple run of the alley ways that stretched from the area of the Red Dragon Inn towards the Marketplace proper, and truth be told it was a rather routine run with very little that seemed out of the norm. For Brian that was a relief indeed and it also made for a good way to ?break in? some of these new reserve members, who had just begun their service with the Watch via this newly formed program, that had been established by Brian over the course of the last few months.

The program itself was a response to the growing amount of citizens who wanted to assist in whatever way they could, in the way of patrols and intervention. Many of those citizens were former military or law enforcement at some time, while others were just concerned citizens with specialized talents. So a way was found to let them serve without any huge commitment to anything in relation to terms of service. They would be given time slots to sign up for, and would work alongside an active Watch member during said time slot. It was a volunteer program, with benefits for both sides of the fence. The Watch would get extra man (or woman) power, and the reserve members would get training and certifications that would allow them to pursue other lines of work within the organization, if they chose to and even more so?they were able to help and give back in a positive manner.

And it was working.

So that aside, we return to the end of the patrol where we find Brian heading back to the 27th Division Watch House. As they arrived his reserves went to assist in the warehouse, while Brian made for the main desk inside the lobby.

?Morning All, anything new last night??

?Not much Cap?n. That girl o? yours gave someone a good fright though, last night. Leapin? around, and usin? them shadows an all. Personally I thought it was funny as ?ell.?

?Gir?ah, Katt! That?s right, I?m sorry for the lack of heads up on that. She took my patrol late last night, it was a last minute thing. My apologies.?

?No worries, Sir! Like I said, it was funny. Sides we all know her from the bakery an her street work. Also she?s one o? yours, so?yeah. Anyways, t?was a quiet one last night. Few picks here, and a shop lifter there. Waterman had that robbery, but that ended up well enough. One in custody, and he didn?t put up any fight. Was a purse snatcher.?

?The victim was alright??

?Hmm? Oh yeah, Sir! The dumb bastard cut her purse, an somehow got tangled a bit when he ran off. She was jus?fine.?

Brian nodded with a chuckle, ?Good stuff. Alright, thanks for the update. New Crew will be in shortly, so you guys have a good day off. Thanks again for your work, all of you.?

A salute from the Watch Captain was given, as he then headed down the hall to his office. The desk report in reference to the nights events made Brian feel somewhat better?somewhat.

It meant that so far there was no follow up to the missing person cases--- well no follow up in the form of any more people missing. Then again it also meant no follow up to the actual investigation as well, which prompted Brian to recall bits of his previous conversation with the Private Investigator he tapped for assistance, Mister Raven.

"The photos? Why do they interest your mind so Mister Ravenlock?"

"Because they were not part of the original report, they were discovered after the initial reports. They were handed in by denizens of the alleys, under orders to get them to us... No one had any idea, who took these photos and all efforts to discover anything by analyzation have come up with nothing at all... Also, look closely when you get a chance at the background... There are items seen in each of these scenes, and the locations are exactly the same."

"Originally we were told of three seperate scene and we were lead to such as well... These objects were not seen when our men looked into this originally. So if we have three scenes, and no relation to these people... Why are these objects present, and who in the hell took the photos.."

"Is there...No way to see any reflections in the background, like a piece of mirror to spot the photo-taker?" he peered curiously at the dossier, raising his brow, crinkling his forehead, "All very interesting, and you may not be wrong Mister Ravenlock, well done, I'll look into it."

"We've stepped up patrols, and are working with other entities as well in order to at least keep an eye out.. We do not want to spread this early and cause any additional concern. Lord knows we have enough sh*t going on, and the last thing we need is another Temple issue like the mages had."

"The locations are different Raven, well different stretches of the Alleys, but the items--- I've a note in there as to which. They are in each of the photos. Also, no physical evidence as well. Yet, the reporters and other witnesses are sure they were taken."

Nodding, he chewed anxiously at his lip, until..."There's a knife here...Not the common street thug type as well...It seems...Surgical and small, hard to see though..." squinting hard at the photos, tongue clicking his upper jaw, "And an upside cross, possibly Christian by my eyes, against that crate?..And that wall."

"I shall Mister Ravenlock, expect it soon, we don't have much to work on here..."

Snapping back to the here and now, Brian looked at each of the folders on his desk a moment? One by one each were opened, along with a stack of ?Field Interview Reports? that the Watch had conducted over the course of the previous day and night. Something had to give here, and in all honesty he hoped it would give in the manner that these people were simply found safe and sound. And yet, something still tugged at the Captain, as he lifted from his desk and moved over to a map of the city he had placed on a wall. Markers were noted for the 3 cases, along with patrol routes and interview? A glance to some of the interviews he had in hand, as he began to read over them carefully.

Something had to give?

Brian Ravenlock · Date: 2013-08-20 14:39 EST

Mister Ravenlock,

After some long, agonising moments of studying your truly fascinating photography, I, Raven, have found the water to cleanse this fire of intrigue. Each photograph displays the upside-down cross and the same surgical knife however there is another deep-rooted message that you have failed to discover. Simply, use ultra-violet light to see what I mean Mister Ravenlock.

The three photos were almost untouched despite a creased edge, yet the message would still be fresh under the light if shone on.

The first photo on top of the trio bore: Think on your sins.

The next photo would reveal: Your Gods are false.

And the final message, one of a pale-blue eyed, young male, the message significantly longer and smaller yet clearly visible: I am your cure, I am Retribution for your sins.

Brian had been told of the rather suspicious man that had made his way into the Watch House, and more so-- the fact that he somehow made it to Brian?s office. It had taken a bit of re-assuring to the other members of the 27th that Mister Raven, that rather suspicious man, had indeed been contracted by the Captain himself and was given access to the Watch House in the interest of said contracted work.

That being said and done, Brian went back to the matter at hand?the letter.

Per the Private Investigator?s instructions, Brian used the ultra-violet on the pictures in question. The revelation in response to said action was instantaneous.

?Son of a B*tch.?

The words were jotted down quickly in the order they had been revealed. As Brian recalled the conversation he shared with Raven weeks before in reference to the rumors the Private Investigator had come across, and with that one word continued to come to mind. The very last word Raven had shared with Brian in regards to said rumor.

?Retribution??

A glance was taken at the jotted notes once more, ?Think on your Sins, your gods are false, I am your cure?I am retribution for your sins??

Three missing men? No family ties? All homeless, and yet working? No real witnesses, yet people swore they were taken? Pictures delivered via 3rd party, depicting the same items despite three different crime scenes, and now--- this message.

?This was intentional? Who?s sins though and who?s retribution??

Brian felt a pang in that stomach of his and it was hardly a good kind. The words, the mannerisms? They rang ever so familiar to the man. ?No.. It can?t be you? I ended you?we ended you. You?re dead, and I buried you myself. Myllyanna has the rest, there?s no---?

?No, it isn?t you--- This is someone else, but?why??

Deeply inside Brian wanted something to give in regards to this case, but this--- this left him with a rather poor feeling in regards to the victims, and whether they would be recovered alive.

If at all?

Brian Ravenlock · Date: 2013-09-08 10:25 EST

27th Division Watch House : Sept 8th : 0741 Hours

1st Floor Lounge :

?How long has the Captain been locked up in there??

?I dunno, I guess since last night. He?s had a few others in and out, the Medical Examiner and the two watchmen that found the stiffs last night. I think Kerri was in there too, if I?m not mistaken.?

?So the two from last night, same as the briefing from last month??

?No idea, really. They locked it down fast cause it was close to the Red Dragon Inn. Luckily traffic wasn?t heavy due to the shindig in the Old Temple District. Dunno why he felt he had to stay, we had the staff on hand to take care of it.?

?Who knows. I?m sure there?s something there, otherwise he wouldn?t have stayed all night.?

?Yeah, that?s a good point. Well let? get over to Roll Call, they?re gonna start soon.?

Office of Captain Brian Ravenlock:

?It?s not him??

?Bri, ya sure it?s not him? I mean, it?s the alleys and we got two bods. A picture left on scene too, right? So ya sure it ain?t him again??

?Ker? Look at the picture again, we?re missing the blade and the cross. These two were--- according to Doc?s report here, were bludgeoned upside the head before the stabbing. Not to mention, we got pieces of jewelry on scene and we did find one of their wallets emptied down the block. This isn?t him? This isn?t the one that??

?That laid the smack down on your candy @ss? Hmm??

?I was going to phrase it a bit differently, but yeah.?

?Listen man, we need to get past this mess and try to get a foothold on this sh*t and ?PDQ?, baby.?

?Kinda hard to do that, when we don?t really have a set pattern or profile yet, Kerri. We?re working the religion angle, an even that?s a wide stretch. Truth be told, we only have the one body from back on the 22nd of last month that I can peg to our ?Retribution? or ?Cure?. We?ve still yet to find the first 3 that went missing, but we know they?re his thanks to what Raven uncovered. Still even with a zealot angle, that still leaves us with literally dozens of factions that could contain the dogma for such actions. From there, hundreds of possible subjects, not to mention the normal day to day ?left fielders? we already have here in the city.?

?Well you did get an up close and personal with him, didn?t ya? I mean he spoke with you and attacked you, and you?re still here.?

?I wasn?t prepared for what he had. Same as I told Raven, that?s a mistake I won?t make again.?

?Dude, no one?s holding it against ya man, ?cept you. I mean come on, he attacked you with Psionics of all things. Who?da thunk it, right? Listen, you?re patched up an all that junk. I know you?re still dealin? with Rafe too, and the---listen Bri, just make sure you take care o? yourself on this one, alright? Keep Jen in the loop and trust that we got yer back muchacho. Somethin?ll give, man. I know it will.?

?You?re right, I know you are. It?s just?I hate being a step behind like this, but I know there?s nothing else that can be done, save what we?ve already done? Alright, let?s keep to the pavement on this one. Keep all of the alley patrols, and assign a few extra details as well. Plain Clothes and Uniform patrol. Let?s get Waterman in as well, I?m sure he has a group of uniforms he trusts, so let?s put em to work. Again, NO media on this, and let?s see what else we can dig up on the religion side of things and I?ll have a talk with Raven as well, and see what he?s got.?

?Game on!?

Brian lifted from his desk and headed to the door, ?I?ll be back soon. I?m gonna meet Jen and the girls for breakfast at Yotsuba?s. Hold it down for me.?

?Got it, links on the crisp at Suba?s and keep a tight @ss, check!?

Kerri watched the Captain take his leave, and then looked to the older woman seated near her. ?Well Doc, whatcha think? Honest like??

The woman looked to the Mithra as a hand lifted to adjust her glasses a bit, ?Well Lt. it seems he?s vested in this rather intently, and I do believe that his encounter with your subject last month has affected him more than he cares to admit. Still, his direction and aggression aside--- I believe he can do the job. I'd just keep a close eye on him, in any event.?

Kerri listened intently, and nodded in return. ?Thanks for coming down Doc, this means a lot to us. I?ll keep ya in the loop. Now let?s talk bodies here??

From there the pair went back and forth, speaking in the office as the morning went by.