A Crow Left of the Murder [D1, EM, Rhaunades's Library Remains] (Closed)

[Flession]

((Closed, except for Harmonium PCs, Mercykiller PCs, or if you have a legal reason to be here))

In the late antipeak hours, what passed for a sun began to rise over the bustling streets of Clerk's Ward, casting a gentle glow on the charred remains of Rhaunades's library. The once-quiet sanctum of knowledge now stood as a haunting monument to destruction. Harmonium officers, led by Mover Lyra Stonehammer, stood in a tight formation, their expressions a mix of concern and determination. The Clerk's Ward was known for its legal pursuits and bureaucratic affairs, not for such scenes of devastation. Yet here it was—a symbol of chaos amidst the order. The library's exterior walls were scorched and blackened, its windows shattered, and the scent of smoke still hung heavily in the air.

Captain Stonehammer's stern voice broke the uneasy silence as she addressed her squad. "Keep your wits sharp, and search for any clue that might shed light on the berk. We won't rest until we find the responsible party and bring them to justice." The officers dispersed, carefully sifting through the debris, their Harmonium badges glinting in the early light. Their footsteps echoed through the desolate ruins, a stark contrast to the typically bustling activity of the ward.

As the morning sun climbed higher, the investigators meticulously examined the scene. Among the charred remains, they found scorched books and fragments of scrolls, once repositories of knowledge now reduced to ashes. Captain Stonehammer's jaw tightened as she surveyed the destruction. Rhaunades's library was not just a place of learning; it was a part of the community, a sanctuary for scholars, students, and inquisitive minds alike.

The smog from the Lower Ward began to creep up into the sky, and it would soon envelope this ward too, making their work all the more difficult. Time was a factor now; they had to move fast, but not fast to be careless.

Bringing whomever did this to justice was important, but a sloppy job would only aid the criminal in their escape.

[Naila Drooten]

Murder? Bad, very bad.

Treason? Also terrible.

Burning down a library? Unacceptable.

This anarchist of arson must be located, caught and then punished.

And who better to pore through the the debris to find the trail than Naila, an investigator who if pressed could bring her own debris with her?
Doubtless the law would stick her with a minder again, but that was a small price to pay for truth, justice and the Drooten way.

Detective Drooten arrives at the remains of the library ready to crack the case!

((Have spoken to the GMs, Naila may need another appropriately accredited PC from the Harmonium or Mercykillers to keep some sort of eye on her)).

[Amelie Crane]

To destroy a place of learning and community is a tragic act of cowardice in direct opposition to the morals of this city.

The one responsible will be found, brought to the authorities, tried, and punished within full accordance of the law.

The darkness never sleeps, so neither does the light.

Inquisitor Amelie Crane arrives at the smoldering frame of the library to lend her keen eye to the investigation.

[Gabriel Morningstar]

Murder? Bad, very bad.

Treason? Also terrible.

Burning down a library? Unacceptable.

This anarchist of arson must be located, caught and then punished.

And who better to pore through the the debris to find the trail than Naila, an investigator who if pressed could bring her own debris with her?
Doubtless the law would stick her with a minder again, but that was a small price to pay for truth, justice and the Drooten way.

Detective Drooten arrives at the remains of the library ready to crack the case!

((Have spoken to the GMs, Naila may need another appropriately accredited PC from the Harmonium or Mercykillers to keep some sort of eye on her)).

"Ms Drooten, glad to see you here."He nodded briefly to her as he walked up, Rufus, the adorable scamper, growling loudly at anything and anyone nearby. Injustice was afoot!

"What a waste." His frown deepend. "Have you found anything interesting yet?"

[Naila Drooten]

Snip

"Mr Morningstar, Rufus. I thought you two might be here somewhere." She extends a gloved hand for a shake before kneeling down to scratch Rufus, the hound of justice!

"I haven't made a start yet. I know how your people are about the uninvited poking through crime scenes. But if there is something to find here I'll bring it into the light of day. Don't suppose you have any leads?"

[Gabriel Morningstar]

"Mr Morningstar, Rufus. I thought you two might be here somewhere." She extends a gloved hand for a shake before kneeling down to scratch Rufus, the hound of justice!

"I haven't made a start yet. I know how your people are about the uninvited poking through crime scenes. But if there is something to find here I'll bring it into the light of day. Don't suppose you have any leads?"

"Never a dull moment in this city, eh?" Rufus started walking and sniffing around. "Good boy." He let out a sigh. "Good call. Don't want to start with unauthorized poking. You wouldn't know how much paperwork for there it is." He sighed again, then dropped down to start shifting through rubble. "Not my area of expertise, unfortunately. But all hands on decks, you know how it is." He glanced up at her. "Any ideas from you?"

[Naila Drooten]

"Never a dull moment in this city, eh?" Rufus started walking and sniffing around. "Good boy." He let out a sigh. "Good call. Don't want to start with unauthorized poking. You wouldn't know how much paperwork for there it is." He sighed again, then dropped down to start shifting through rubble. "Not my area of expertise, unfortunately. But all hands on decks, you know how it is." He glanced up at her. "Any ideas from you?"

"From the sounds of it there was a powerful magic user present who slew Rhaunade. Whether their duel also set fire to the library well...possible, maybe. Provable? Probably. But I won't jump to any conclusions quite yet."

She scans the ruins with a curious gaze.
"There are any other number of reasons someone could burn down a library. Theft, concealment...and then even if this mysterious magic user is responsible we need some clues as to their identity. 'Destructive wielders of the powers arcane' describes roughly a 3rd of the factotums and innumerable independents."

Nail can't resist rubbing her hands together with glee.

"I certainly do hope there are some hidden depths to this case. I have been feeling a significant lack of stimulation lately."

[Gabriel Morningstar]

"From the sounds of it there was a powerful magic user present who slew Rhaunade. Whether their duel also set fire to the library well...possible, maybe. Provable? Probably. But I won't jump to any conclusions quite yet."

She scans the ruins with a curious gaze.
"There are any other number of reasons someone could burn down a library. Theft, concealment...and then even if this mysterious magic user is responsible we need some clues as to their identity. 'Destructive wielders of the powers arcane' describes roughly a 3rd of the factotums and innumerable independents."

Nail can't resist rubbing her hands together with glee.

"I certainly do hope there are some hidden depths to this case. I have been feeling a significant lack of stimulation lately."

Gabriel chuckled. "I wouldn't want you to be bored." He let out a small shudder. "Nothing good ever happens if you're bored." He let out a small sigh. "Anyway, are you aware of any witnesses?"

[Amelie Crane]

The woman’s eyes peer out over the charred and destroyed structure, noting the investigators and how they move as they search. Spotting the Captain, Amelie moves to meet her. She clears her throat politely before extended a gloved hand and speaking.
“Captain Stonehammer. Justice Amelie Crane. How may I be of service to this investigation?”
The silver-haired woman ended her inquiry with a polite bow of her head. This would be her first real foray into faction business since she arrived in the city, and she eagerly anticipates an opportunity to prove herself—to her self, if nothing else.

[Mysti]

Mysti arrived on the scene - a bit late to the party - but no less intrigued. Arson was not her forte. She knew very little about how fires behaved, how they moved across floors and up walls and through the ceiling. Most evidence was devoured in the flames -- which was the reason why fire was so often used to cover up crimes. No surprise there. Plus there were all of those investigators traipsing through the ashes perhaps kicking around clues and trampling important pieces of evidence -- well -- she supposed it really didn't matter much. After all, she had no specific orders regarding this library. If not for dumb luck and (bad?) timing, she wouldn't even be there.

She stood off to the side, just within earshot of everyone else, but far enough away as to appear detached from the clumps of people already on the scene. She pinched her bottom lip in thought, her dark eyes scanning the contours of the wreckage. The amount of burned books and scrolls must have been -- astronomical. The ashes were probably shin-high.

Well, she had been on her way to the Golden Bariaur to check her messages, maybe see if there were any groups heading out to some exotic locale. Perhaps she should continue on her way...

Wait ... what? Had she heard the words "magic user" and "duel"? Well if that didn't figure. Stupid mages. Weren't they supposed to be the geniuses of society?

Admittedly, Mysti was a bit partial to libraries. They were always so quiet and clean, the only sounds being the creak of chairs, the occasional cough, and the strangely comforting sound of turning pages. What one was NOT supposed to hear in libraries were the crackles and pops of fire. Because -- did it even have to be said? Paper and fire. No, not even her mind would permit her to say it. Because it was so obvious. So stupidly obvious.

And if there had been some bit of knowledge this library contained that someone wanted to destroy -- would it not have been more efficient to target that knowledge specifically? A few books and scrolls? Only a thug, an intellectual brute would even THINK about burning down a library. And yet, here lay a smouldering ruin of a once grand library. All she could do was shake her head in disgust and disbelief.

Well, regular, mundane fires were bad enough. Magical fires -- forget it. There was virtually no way to understand magical fire. Only the casting mage would know what the intent of the fire was -- and magical fires often have intent. Something mundane fires do not have.

"Idiots," Mysti growled under her breath. She then quickly looked around to make sure no one had heard her. She expected a little more from a mage. "Can't learn all of those spells if one is a dullard. However, seeing this, I might have to change my mind."

She then watched as tendrils of blue-grey smoke rose from the disaster that was once a library. "Idiots," she said again, and just as angrily as before.