Instructions for Abductions

## **Synopsis**

In Chapter 85: Instructions for Abductions, Graven was pleased to find his private investigator waiting outside as he exited the home of Palomer Franco.  Villepont Willoughby had once again tracked us down – and this time with a plethora of news that spanned several important topics.

First we learned that in the verbal altercation between Hatchet and Mr. Two, Mr. Two had inquired about where he could purchase a live Carrion Crawler – something that Hatchet took as possible infringement on his Mycrawl business, though we had our suspicions that this was not the reason for the request.

Regarding the recent string of murders, some sleuthing had revealed that Percy Oland had faked a neck injury before his death – and though we weren't sure what to make of that, we were about to learn that both cases may very well be intertwined.  Graven presented the list of suspects he got from Thorsten Ramaker and Villepont pointed out that two of the names – Elijah Vat and Luca Duun – had last names that translated to "one" and "two" in the Primordial language.

It was some much-needed momentum in our sprawling investigation across Navika-Pura, but Villepont saved the best news for last: he'd gotten a line on Pockets, who was serving aboard the Samincha – a ship with a volunteer crew for those who needed favors or amnesty from the Gentle Void.  Villepont didn't know Pockets' reasons for being there, but he did reveal the man's occupation to be an Operative Emissary – someone who would line up jobs for trained Operatives that worked out of the Shade Assembly in Finlock Forest.

As Graven rushed to make arrangements for a visit aboard the Samincha, a pair of other reunions were happening in other townships.  On the road to Na-Qhusi, Safira crossed paths with the same pack of bounty hunters we'd met in Tuktu and the Acqly Grove – and outside of Butez's tattoo parlor, Beezaura had a long-awaited conversation with the assassin Saraswati.  After refusing to pass on the information he'd requested, things took a violent turn – and Saraswati rode away threatening that her arrest warrant with the Gentle Void would soon resurface.

Orba, finally carving out some time in an otherwise busy schedule, returned to get her tattoo started – and as it was a lengthy process, also began copying a new bit of illusion magic into her spellbook… courtesy of Jillian Kosivo.  About halfway through, a visitor arrived that was a new recruit of Mr. McKenna's and wasn't keen to wait his turn – but luckily, through the use of Charm Person, we deescalated the situation before it got ugly… and a grateful Butez rewarded us with another specialty of his: tattoos that could double up as an arcane focus.

Elsewhere, Safira paid a highly-anticipated visit to Hwolod ess Afeeod – scoping the area for the best way to apply a good bit of stink that might sour their reputation.  It was a noble pursuit, but perhaps her talents were better served south of Wampurani-Na – where Erland had located the crabber's village in his efforts to speak with Marvyn Bishop.

Having followed the captors' instructions to a T, we were shocked to find the supposed safehouse booby-trapped – and with a bang Erland was knocked from his feet and surrounded by cloaked figures whose intent was clearly to capture and not to kill.  Neither reason nor intimidation could dissuade these men – and several thwacks from heavy clubs sent Erland drifting into darkness… all alone beside the shore.

The closest ally was Graven – who had retrieved the vial from the scene of Carlotta's murder and found a note pointing him to the abandoned Broken Crown outpost in Fangull – but even he was far from a position to make a rescue attempt.  Erland woke without knowing how much time had passed – and as he tried to get his bearings he heard a long-awaited voice.

## Trivia

* Natural one count: one natural one was rolled in this Chapter, by Riley.
* This is the final chapter with Beezaura Quipler