Archive: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/28501521/GeneralArchive/BraeburnQuest/Webpages/mlp_12303560.htmlLast time on BraeburnQuest, a stray Diamond Dog named Jester had just come into town and is seemingly at the center of a case involving local burglaries, as well as drawing the attention of his former employer, Red Eye Industries, who have sent in one of their guys to deal with the kleptomaniac canine on their own terms. And to top it off, Braeburn, a young deputy Royal Marshal from Appleloosa, wants to talk to both of them.Maybe you can get to the bottom of this before lunch break.
>>12469999 (OP)One thing before we begin:I'm changing dice rolls. Dice must equal or exceed 7 to count towards success. The number of dice given in pools will generally be reduced to 4 (+4 for skills). This should help reduce time spent rolling.
>>12469999 (OP)Escort the doges to the sheriff. Let's see if we can get to the bottom of this.
>>12469999 (OP)>>12470194This for now, we still have to drop off all those gems and can talk with Braeburn on the way.
Also a quick review of what skills you currently have.Deputy skills: Arms, Badge, WantedCombat skills: CoverIn your Inventory:BadgeWristmasher (6 shots, gold)Gold Potato - basic ammoRed Potato - high accuracy, slow ROFSweet Potato - trick shotsBig bag of gems
>>12470194>>12470230With Jester in restraints and the Stranger seemingly all too eager to cooperate, and Braeburn also in tow, you get to the station without incident. Needless to say, Sheriff Saddles is very surprised. You relay everything you know to him, including the peculiar corporate interest the Stranger represents.To review, Red Eye Industries appears to operate in the Frontier under license granted by the Crystal Empire to the far north of Equestria. The Frontier are formally Equestrian territories, but so far out from the kingdom proper that it's up to the Wild West's denizens to take care of business themselves. Even so, the Stranger refuses to give up much information regarding Red Eye."Once this is all sorted out, I'll have questions for you, mister." Braeburn gives a disapproving scowl to the Stranger. "What's your name, anyhow?""That's on a need to know basis, chum." The Stranger is a big dog and certainly acts the part.
>>12470508That said, the local case with Jester is befuddling at best. The Stranger claims Jester is a former employee of Red Eye, and that he swallowed a large red jade, making him a thief. In addition, during Jester's night here in Dodge Junction, he apparently perpetrated a series of burglaries and swallowed further gems (as the Stranger "proved" using a vomit-inducing syrup to produce the gems you now possess).Saddles has formed his own opinion on the matter—you can tell by the way he wiggles his mustache—and is probably waiting for you to present your own theories as to how to move this case forward.
>>12470614Do we even really have some solid theories on this? Do to the timeframes it shouldn't even be physically possible that he did such a thing unless he's both faking the delusion and somehow managed to escape, yet go back into his cell.
>>12470673due* Also, we never did investigate those other burglaries. They may not give anything fruitful but without further evidence it's kinda grasping at straws.
>>12470614Maybe we should try asking Jester where he got the gems? I don't think he would be able to perpetrate the robberies while being locked up all night.
>>12470956You ask Jester where he got the gems, on the offchance his madness has subsided and he'll be honest about anything in his current state."The big red eye in the sky has all of the shinies!"The Stranger shakes his head. "Look, ma'am, I already told you, this guy's your culprit. You saw the gems he coughed up.""Even if they are gems he swallowed, we don't know if they belong to anyone else." Sheriff Saddles cuts in and gestures for you to give him the bag of gems. "We'll need to identify these first to ascertain their owners, and that'll take at least another day. I'm afraid we can't hand Jester over just yet."
>>12471233Try getting Jester's pawprint on a piece of paper, then comparing it to the tracks left outside the pawn shop.If they don't match, he's not our guy....Getting the Stranger's print too wouldn't be a bad idea either.
>>12471411You already had Jester printed when he was first tossed into the slammer, so you get a copy of his records.The Stranger doesn't look at all happy with you asking for his prints, though. "I don't like what you're insinuating. You can't make me give you some paw prints without a warrant, anyhow.""You sure love to hide behind your paperwork, don't you?" The Sheriff digs around for a form almost immediately. "Go ahead and book him as a... person of interest, would you deputy?"You can force the Stranger to comply, either physically or verbally, or just let him go...
>>12471233Big red eye in the sky? Is he talking about the sun?
>>12471835Judging by his aversion to it earlier, possibly. >>12471822We should definitely get him marked down, he is a suspect here. He's a little...big so maybe trying to play the law card is better.Maybe threaten to hold him for a while if he doesn't comply.
>>12471916"Alright, big boy, we can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way." You give the Stranger a stern look. Even if he amounts to two and a half of you, he's outnumbered three-to-one. "Extraterritoriality nothing, we've got a case that needs solving on our hands.""And hooves." Braeburn coughs."Whatever."Roll 8 Dice (4 + 4 Badge) to determine success. This test requires an unusually high number of successes.Man, where is everyone.
>>12472155I don't rightfully know. I'm also kinda waiting for more people since it feels weird if it's just me making stupid decisions.Rollin'
>>12472155Rolling>questing on weekdays
>>12472155Rollin'
>>12472155Rolling
>>1247222010s earn a reroll. I'll take care of that one for you.
>>12472479Sheesh, lots of high rolls already.inb4 it only happens on inconsequential rolls and important ones we flubone more
>>12472155rolling
>>12472155Again
You've already earned 4 hits so what say we just move right long, then?The Stranger gives you a venomous look but doesn't resist otherwise, stepping up to the desk to get his paws inked. "My employer will not be happy to hear about your behavior.""Save it for the judge. You're not even a suspect... yet." Saddles signs the form. "Now, as I understand it, there was another big jewel that Jester had stolen. Do you mind showing me that big jewel?""Sure thing." The Stranger produces the carved red jade. It seems to glow faintly. "I can only show it to you, though. This is Red Eye Industries property, and I'm not at a pay grade to know anything else about it, let alone be at liberty to decribe it or what it does.""And why would this royal marshal have any business with you and yours?""I don't know, why does he?" The Stranger turns to Braeburn, who has to take a step back to look the tall Diamond Dog in the eye. "He's only a DEPUTY royal marshal anyways. Can't be that important. Where's your boss, huh?"(cont)
>>12472688"Have you seen this pony?" Braeburn produces a scroll with the image and description of a young filly."Never heard of her.""This is Darcy Spice. She was last known to be traveling to Appleloosa by train through Clayton Gorge. As I understand it, Red Eye Industries has prospectors working in that area, so if—""The pretty horse! Yes!" Jester says something mildly intelligible for once, but the Stranger just gives him a mean look and a tilt of the head and he shuts up."If this circus sideshow is done with, I need to grab a drink at the saloon. I have some paperwork to do, myself.">Added to inventory: Dog Prints>Lost item: big bag of gemsJust getting the prints was enough of a problem, but the Stranger seems especially bothered by Braeburn's prying. Keeping him around could be pushing it.
>>12472854We probably won't get anything useful without burning some bridges, he can goJester definitely knows something for Braeburn though
>>12472854Prying can wait for now. We have a set of hoofprints to compare.To the pawn shop!
>>12472854Don't think we need anything else from him right now, but is there any way we could confine him to town so he doesn't leave in the middle of the investigation?
>>12472919>>12472926>>12472932"You can go for now, but we may need you to come in for further questioning if anything comes up.""Good day, then. I hope to see Jester released into our custody soon." Looks like the Stranger will be waiting around for Jester's case to wrap up before he leaves town. He shoves Braeburn on the way out."Friendly feller, ain't he?" Braeburn dusts off his... duster. "Was there something you were trying to say back there, Jester?""Pony, wears, the sad-dle! Pony, pulls, the wa-gon!" Jester claps his paws together like a child learning a nursery rhyme. Sheriff Saddle shakes his head and hauls him off to the cells in the back."You best get back on that case, deputy!"
>>12473086>pony wears the saddleAnywho, let's get back to those two other crime scenes.
>>12473086"On it, boss."To the pawn shop?
"I've got to get back to this investigation. You mind lending your expertise, deputy marshal?" You casually offer to Braeburn."I was going to head on over to Cherry Hill, myself... Uh, for business. I mean, royal marshal business. Not, you know, business business... of the business kind." Braeburn readjusts his hat. "But hey! If there's justice to be done, count me in. It's what we law-types do, yeah? Yeah."You could certainly take the detour to bring Braeburn back to Cherry Hill as you originally had to, or let him tag along for this.
>>12473421we could certainly use his help for this. And what's a royal marshal doing looking for a filly? Seems a little below him
>>12473421We should hit the crime scenes first. If we dally at Cherry Hill there's a chance the Stranger could tamper with the evidence in our absence.We can visit Ms. Jubilee once we're done.
>>12473499>>12473619"Alright, I could certainly use your expert forensic skills in tracking our mystery culprit.""What the hay's you insinuating?""Nothing." You shrug as you continue down the street with Braeburn. "What brings you all the way out to the edge of the Frontier looking for a lost filly, anyway? I thought royal marshals dealt with... royal level stuff.""Sheriffs work local cases, town-by-town and county-by-county. Marshals have a jurisdiction across the whole Frontier, and Clayton Gorge is a non-incorporated region. It's anybody's game out there, a real no pony's land.""Gone to the dogs, apparently?""Hmm..." Braeburn lowers his hat and focuses on the pawn shop just ahead....You can check out the pawn shop first or investigate the other homes that were burgled.
>>12473739I think we should get a handle on the homes first.
>>12473739Check out the pawn shop to just compare the prints, should be in and out fairly quick since I'm assuming all we're looking for is size and maybe distance between the pads. After that check out the homes. Investigate first then ask any witnesses.
>>12473739Check the track-marks in the pawn shop first. I don't trust the Stranger not to try something funny now that we have his prints.
>>12473890>>12473978You check out the pawn shop first to compare the prints you got.The results are... inconclusive. The Stranger's huge footpads completely outsize the dust tracks left at the scene, and Jester's are actually too small. You've got kind of a Goldilocks situation, as it were.Good news is, you have some dirt on the Stranger. Bad news is, you still don't know much about the real burglar.
>>12474034So the real thief is still at large...Alright, on to the other two crime houses. Braeburn can canvass the area for possible witnesses while we check out the scenes of the crime.
>>12474034Hm, kind of expected another accomplice. Let's keep on our way
>>12474142>>12474152"Me? Ask questions?" Braeburn looks a little surprised to see you order him around. "I mean, sure! Gladly!"With Braeburn doing something marginally useful, you investigate the next house over.This is a family's home, and apart from the mare of the househould there's no one else here."Was wondering when someone'd come around to have a look. Just woke up and some of my jewelry was missing. Nothing else, though. We don't even have all that much and that thief had to go and take what little we had."None of her family had seen the culprit nor noticed any signs of a break-in apart from the missing jewels. You're welcome to look around, though.
>>12474381Check the areas around where the jewelry had been, and all the doors and windows for possible signs of entry.
>>12474381They were in the house when it was burglarized? How close were they to the stolen jewelry?
>>12474489>>12474586The jewelry was kept in a lockbox inside the master bedroom, which makes this break-in particularly troublesome.On second thought, the mare recalls she saw her husband sleepwalking, but he claims he never sleepwalks. She swear she could see his wings, though.If you think you can find any more evidence, you could search the bedroom.
>>12474647Go ahead and search the bedroom for anything.Particularly, check how the lockbox was accessed. Was it by key or forced?
>>12474647Pawprints and wings?Could be a griffon
>>12474647Search that bedroom.And don't forget to check under the bed. You never know when you'll find something under the bed.
>>12474695The bedroom is fairly easy to scan, not too many nooks and crannies. The mare brings out the lockbox for you to see. The lock seems to have been picked; breaking it would have made too much noise, naturally.You could do a more detailed search rolling 3 dice.>>12474824You find spiders.
>>12474906welp, I guess it's not mind control thenRoll for initiative on spiders but really for searching
>>12474906we're here so might as well
>>12474906Do a more detailed search.
>>12474950Oh and for the final roll
>>12474950Out of 3 dice, you got 1 success.At first you don't see anything out of the ordinary, but you do notice a strange feather caught in one of the spider webs. You quickly snatch it out of the arachnid's reach."That doesn't look like my husband's. The color is wrong! If he's been seeing that Cats floozy...""It's not her color, either, ma'am.""...Well, then."
>>12475182Feathers? Paw prints that don't belong to either of the diamond dogs?Mare says she saw wings?Maybe we're looking for a griffon here. Inspect the feather a little closer. What kind of species does it belong to?
>>12475182check the windows for scratches or anything of the sort. Both inside and outside.
>>12475253You can't yet tell the difference between a griffon and a pegasus feather. Maybe if you had one available for a side-by-side comparison..."My husband isn't moulting this week, if that's what you're wondering.">>12475272True enough, there are some claw marks on the outside wall around the window. The thief dug in deep to get it open; probably a lucky guess that the jewels would be in the bedroom.You've built up a good profile on the culprit, and with this feather you should have everything you need.
>>12475410Pffft, typical. taste the feather. Just to be sure. Maybe we there's some kind of distinct taste. I've seen it work in movies.
>>12475410Ask the mare if she can identify the feather. She is married to a pegasus after all.
>>12475410I think we can move on. See if Brae has gotten any good info.
>>12475410Can't think of anything else we need to do here. Take the feather and let's check back on Braeburn, I'm sure he's missing usAnyway, how would we find a gryphon in this town? Can we exactly call an APB on every gryphon around?
>>12475509She just gives you the oddest, most confused look."That's racist.">>12475541>>12475546Welp, not much else for you to do here... You excuse yourself, feather in hand, to meet up with Braeburn in the street.>Added to inventory: Strange FeatherThere's a loud crash and a bang, followed by the sound of a dozen or so constantly rattling pots and pans... what passes for an alarm at Cats' place. Rushing over to see what the commotion is, you find Braeburn ensnared in a net trap, suspended from the ceiling. Cats is smacking him with a broomstick despite already having ascertained he's not really an intruder."What fool thing you doin' coming around the back door?""I was on this side of the building, it was closer!""Just take the front door like a sensible pony! I don't believe they made you a deputy marshal outta pony ain't got no common sense!"
>>12475713Geez, leave Braeburn alone for a minute and he's already going after cute maresLet's try to get him back in one piece, we still have lots to do. Oh, and while we're here might as well ask Cats if she can identify the feather either not because she's a pegasus I swear
>>12475713Wait a sec, they know each other? Or else how did Cats know he was a deputy marshall?And ask about the feather.
>>12475713Ahem to get their attention and then adjust your badge in a professional manner. There is serious business to attend to.Ask about the feather.
>>12475713There's another house we haven't checked yet. Should we do that now?
>>12475853Just missed that part of the conversation. Plus he has his badge. My error in writing.>>12475825>>12475896"Relax, Cats, he's with me. And on the bright side, your alarm works, right?" You flash your badge all professional-like, though only Braeburn seems to be at all allured by its authoritative luster. Cats spits out a potato eye she'd been chewing on and hits a switch on the wall, unceremoniously dumping Braeburn on the floor in a tangled mess of ropes.You show Cats the feather, and she quickly clicks one of her eyepieces into place to examine it. "Yup, that's a griffon feather. Can't say who from, though."Once he's free, you ask Braeburn if he found out anything."Not much. A real cat burglar, this one, folks never saw or heard 'em coming or going."
It's already nearing midnight, so I'll have to start winding this down with the next update. Sorry we didn't get much done today.
>>12476115>griffon>cat burglarOh god, the puns"Yeah, it's a real catastrophy we have on our hands."Cats already said she doesn't know who the feather could be from, but perhaps she's seen any griffons recently? Or maybe she knows someone who does? If she doesn't I assume we're wasting our time here.
>>12476191Goodnight
>>12476115There can't be too many griffons are there? I'm not sure if it's even worth it to search the last settlement. >>12476191That's fine, I just don't know what to do that would end this session nicely. But I suppose that's also your job
>>12476211All kinds of folks come through Dodge Junction, including nonponies. There's enough Diamond Dogs and griffons to keep you guessing.>>12476258"Well, I can't tell you for sure who it's from, but you might be able to narrow it down by the color and patterning if you got a good look at them. I'd suggest you check out the local salt lick to see if anyone there's a match. Just be careful you don't start a fight, even if you are the deputy.""Maybe I could ask a few questions of my own, there, too..." Braeburn tries to make a hard-boiled, determined look in his eyes."Yeah, and keep your handsome friend out of trouble, could you?" Cats rolls her eyes as she goes to work resetting the whole trap system.
>>12476350Braeburn can't look menacing for the life of him.But let's take him bust in on this tavern, nonviolently if possible but we're not beyond rounding them up if things don't go well.
Looks like you and Braeburn will have to get your feet dirty in the saloon, where the Stranger will be waiting, and possibly whoever made all these burglaries. Could get ugly...End Session #2(Alright, calling it here. See you next week at the same time: 7PM PDT)
>>12476721Thanks, though bit of a lazy session
>>12476762I have no one to blame but myself.
