A Herald of Murder

**A Herald of Murder** was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.

## Dialogue

After her conversation with Hippokrates, Kassandra departed the Cave of Pan to search out her next source of information, Dolops, about the whereabouts of her mother, Myrrine.

* **Dolops:** *Go away!*
* **Kassandra:** *Calm down. Hippokrates sent me.*
* **Dolops:** *The great doctor is concerned for my health?*
* **Kassandra:** *Yes. And we need some information.*
* **Dolops:** *Tell him someone tried to kill me.*
* **Kassandra:** *Kill you? He said you worked with orphans. That's why I'm here.*
* **Dolops:** *That was long ago. Now I'm just a farmer.*
* **Kassandra:** *And I'm a misthios. If I stop this killer, will you speak with me?*
* **Dolops:** *I will.*

(If players choose "What happened?")

* **Kassandra:** *Tell me what happened.*
* **Dolops:** *I was on my way home when a man dressed in black attacked me. I ran as fast as I could. Once I reached safety, I thought I heard wolves. Maybe they scared him away.*
* **Kassandra:** *Are you hurt?*
* **Dolops:** *No, thank Hera.*

(If players choose "Who would try to kill you?")

* **Kassandra:** *Why would someone attack you?*
* **Dolops:** *My neighbor thinks I'm bad luck. He may be right.*
* **Kassandra:** *There's a difference between insulting someone and attacking them. What else?*
* **Dolops:** *I'm behind on my rent. I think my landlord wants to get rid of me and find a new tenant.*

(If players choose "I'll find out who attacked you.")

* **Kassandra:** *I'll find out who wants you dead.*
* **Dolops:** *It was either my neighbor or my landlord who attacked me. But you can't punish someone unless you know they're guilty.*
* **Kassandra:** *I'll be back when I've figured it out. Then we're talking about your past.*

Kassandra began her investigation by checking the crime scene.

* **Kassandra:** *This armor is broken, but it was valuable. If it belonged to the attacker, he's either wealthy, or very lucky.*

She talked to a potential witness.

* **Kassandra:** *Did you see someone attack Dolops?*
* **Civilian:** *Yes! It was terrible.*
* **Kassandra:** *Who did it?*
* **Civilian:** *I couldn't see clearly, but I think it was that bull-headed neighbor of his. He must have finally snapped.*
* **Kassandra:** *Thanks for letting me know.*

She located a knife on the road.

* **Kassandra:** *This knife has seen better days...like something a poor farmer would use.*

Black cloth was found on the road ahead.

* **Kassandra:** *This black cloth is fine enough for a king. Would do well as a mask, too.*

Another potential witness was located nearby.

* **Kassandra:** *I'm looking for the person who attacked Dolops.*
* **Civilian:** *I saw it happen! His face was covered, but I'm sure it was our landlord. He lives all alone, and hires soldiers to protect them. He has to be hiding something.*
* **Kassandra:** *Thanks for letting me know.*

Kassandra returned to Dolops with the conflicting information.

* **Dolops:** *Misthios! You scared me.*

* **Kassandra:** *I know who did it.*
* **Dolops:** *What do you think? Who tried to kill me?*

(If players choose "Your neighbor wants you dead.")

* **Kassandra:** *Your neighbor tried to kill you.*
* **Dolops:** *I knew it!*
* **Kassandra:** *I'll take care of him.*
* **Dolops:** *Good luck.*

Kassandra confronted the neighbor.

* **Kassandra:** *I heard someone tried to kill your neighbor.*
* **Farmer:** *Dolops? That mouse turd? Who'd give him trouble?*
* **Kassandra:** *People say it's you.*
* **Farmer:** *He's a fool. I like to give him a hard time - but I wouldn't try to kill him.*

(If players choose "What proof do you have of your innocence?")

* **Kassandra:** *If you want me to believe you're innocent, prove it.*
* **Farmer:** *I heard he was attacked with a knife. I only ever had one knife, and it was stolen moons ago.*

(If players choose "I don't think you did it.")

* **Kassandra:** *I don't think you did it, but you're going to have to clear your name.*

She returned to Dolops to inform him of the outcome, only to find him murdered.

* **Kassandra:** *By Hades! The killer must have been waiting for me to leave. I hope Dolops left some sign of his days as a priest, or this has all been for nothing. What's this? A letter. "Chrysis, you cannot keep taking children to the Alter of Apollo Malaetas. It is not the gods who condemn them, but you. I will take this to the authorities if you don't stop. Your son, Dolops." So Chrysis is the key to finding my mater. I must find this Altar of Apollo Maleatas.*