The Gumshoes

It was a dark and stormy night. The company huddled close around the card table as the night folded in around them. Nobody's apartment filled with the muddling gloom around them. "What do you guys wanna do?" Lord Rumfish asked, casting about beseechingly with his eyes for some hint of clarity or direction.

"I'm boooored," Milian said dejectedly.

"We're all doomed," Nobody sighed.

Leeni merely shrugged.

"Very well! I've an idea... a campaign of mystery and intrigue," Lord Rumfish said. The company, interested and not wanting the odious task of DMing themselves, began once more the weekly (sometimes more) ritual of creating new characters.

And thus began the campaign.

"We're all doomed," Nobody repeated.

THE SETTING

The city of Sharwik in the country Jivynyt, in the year 61 A.S. (Age of Steel, the most modern age). Jivynyt is particularly down on its luck at the moment, facing nasty cold-war trade embargoes and being flummoxed at every turn by their neighbors. The country has turned to black market outlets and slavery, and crime, poverty and corruption are at an all-time high. Sharwik, while not quite as huge and corrupt as the capitol Jivyn's Stand, is the next best thing for most intents and purposes. The privileged few live in luxury, being nobles and quality tradesmen, while most of the rest live in squalor and destitution. Most anything can be had in this city... for the right price.

THE CAST

William Anderson (Milian Tyr) - A wizard working for the Scorched Cowl, William is primarily an alchemical researcher. William is a short eccentric young man who's never more than arm's reach from his research materials. His strange and chaotic nature, coupled with studious curiosity, may land him in trouble someday.

Moriah Tremaine (Nobody) - Far removed from her homelands in Ithikalos, the ellessir bard Moriah has traveled far to see the world, and considers herself to only be "passing through" (famous last words). With pale green skin, black hair and dark green eyes, Moriah stands tall and slender, though not as tall as most ellessir. Particularly beautiful and charming even among ellessir, Moriah can do a little of everything, and convinces others of even more than that.

Oathblood Leathoor (Waffle Boy, a.k.a. Leeni Fabini) - Leathoor is even further removed from her people, who live in the coterminous plane of shadow... the illumions. Appearing mostly human, Leathoor is even taller than Moriah, with green eyes, blond hair and fair skin. Her monk background and her good nature will no doubt come to clash with not only the city of Sharwik, but quite possibly with her group members as well.

Timarus "Tim" Thayden (NPC) - A quite venerable old man, Timarus has made a bit of a name for himself in the "underground, secret, perfectly legal" business of "investigative and preventative" detective work. He is, in fact, the owner of Intrigue Incorporated, his detective business. An eccentric and secretive man (with business cards), Timarus sought out a few new agents in a bit of a rush for his latest case, looking for new faces and clever thinkers.

THE FIRST MISSION - "Mind Your Manors"

Session One:

As two strangers, an illumion and an ellessir, were walking along the same sidewalk, a dark figure was spotted in the alleyway. Hailing them down, the figure seemed impressed by their ability to spot him, and asked them to come talk in the alley. Hesitant and with misgivings, they listened to his proposal. The figure was an old man named Timarus, who offered a job, good pay, and a bit of "mystery and intrigue." Curious and lacking funds, they both hesitantly agreed. About that time, a local wizard named William was coming along in his donkey-pulled cart. Timarus made a quick decision and flagged him down, pulling him into the alley to make the same offer. Too curious to turn down the offer, and the generous pay to boot, William also agreed. Timarus began with the most basic explanation of "20 gold for each life you save, and 50 gold for the mission in general" when asked about payment. He gave them each a business card, told them to find some relatively fancy clothes, and to meet him at his business address in one hour for a briefing.

After buying or dredging up something suitable to wear, the three made their way over to Intrigue Incorporated. There, Timarus began briefing them. Kildranas Manor, on the west outskirts of town, was apparently having a special gathering. A late luncheon, followed by an evening of festivities and treasure hunting, was slated to occur. It has long been rumored that a fortune in jewels is hidden away somewhere in the ancient manor house. However, Kildranas Manor has been abandoned for over 100 years, and is said to be cursed, even haunted. Timarus remembered a time in his youth when a similar event happened there, ending in mass murder, and as the event is by invitation only, Timarus suspects foul play to be among the "festivities" for the evening. Having acquired three invitations through some means, Timarus informed his new recruits that they are to pose as guests at the manor, and attempt to figure out and diffuse the situation before the guests end up dead.

The only guests that Timarus is certain will be there are: Hydria Thallin, youngest daughter of the local Baron Thallin; Amdron Ironhand, a blacksmith of Sharwik; and Warren Pinagar, guildmaster of the Scorched Cowl. The guest list already seems a bit off considering the nature of the event; these guests are not people truly lacking for wealth. Timarus suggested that the group might try to discover some connection between the guests and how they might have wronged the same individual or organization, or at least establish a proper motive. At the same time, he cautioned them that the people responsible for setting up the event would no doubt have a sense of style, even dark humor or poetic justice. The true killer (or killers) might be some of the other guests, might be the hired help, or possibly unseen forces lurking in the shadows of the great manor.

How will the crisis at Kildranas Manor pan out? Perhaps we'll get some idea next session.