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019. Hard Evidence at the End of a Hard Day

Yolo has convinced Commissioner Ayla that something dire is afoot. Ayla sees an opportunity to lay Lee Rensler low with evidence of his involvement in a crime. They've summoned a court recorder to the site: a mage with the power of law who is bound to observe, record, and tell truth via magical means.


Property Value
Start Date & Time 2024-09-02 18:30
Previous Scene [[018. A Commissioned Officer]]
Current Chaos Factor 4
Scene Type Expected

Relevant Entities

  • [[Yolo]]
  • [[Lindiwie Kimura|Lindy]]
  • [[Irvin Albrecht]]
  • [[Commissioner Ayla]]
  • [[ttrpgs/adventures_of_yolo/Characters/Magistrates Recorder]]

Scene

Yolo

Gods what a day. I need to sleep for a month.

Lindy

It'll be over soon Yolo, and then we can get some rest.

Irvin

Processing a crime scene takes hours. Can I get us some coffee?

Ayla

Please... and thanks.

Lindy

Ayla, you're pretty convinced this will be enough to get Lee?

Ayla

A recorder observing the last words of one of the assailants, specifically talking about harming Irvin?

she pauses
Yes, but only just. We're lucky they had to coordinate in the last moment, and that they said so much. That's all admissible though.

Lindy

Sounds like we'll have the last laugh for Dax then. Thanks Yolo.

Yolo

smiling a bit
I'll share that sentiment when there's a meaningful conviction, but yeah, it looks like we may set Dax's affairs to rest before long.

Irvin

Where will you two stay during the trial?

Lindy

Lindy starts to answer, but then is cut off by Ayla.

Ayla

The three of you will be under strict guard in a safehouse if I have anything to say about it.

Yolo

What?

Ayla

You're material witnesses in a crime that affects the largest, most powerful syndicate in the city. For your own safety, we'll keep you somewhere until the trial.

Lindy

And how long will that be?

Irvin

A week, maybe two. It'll be a big trial. Finding a prosecutor will be hard, and a straight judge...

Yolo

This keeps getting better. You remember we're being hunted not just by Lee's men, but by a cult as well, who are also after the artifact.

Ayla

All the more reason to keep you under protection and hidden away from prying eyes.

Lindy

At least you'll get that rest you were wanting?

Yolo

Silver linings...

Irvin

handing out mugs Coffee's ready.

Ayla

glancing from Lindy to Yolo
Come on Irvin, let's get started. There are two of us, we can start recording their possessions. Go get your pad.
She walks to Irvin and both move to the entry way.

Lindy

turns to face Yolo
How do you take it? Cream? Sugar?

Yolo nods and holds up two fingers
Lindy prepares Yolo's mug

Here... that spell really flattened you, huh?

Yolo

There were a bunch of spells, but channeling the dead is the worst. It's hard not to take on some of their exhaustion.

Lindy

How does that work anyway?

Yolo

I let the dead spirit ride on my frame for a little while. You make the connection weak enough so that they can't take over. They do it because the dead are desperate to be alive again, and they see a chance to get some of their essence back, but then the connection severs because the power runs out.

Lindy

So, for a few seconds, you were that guy?

Yolo

Yeah... more or less.

Lindy

That's horrifying! No wonder you're exhausted.

Yolo:

Yeah...

Lindy

Isn't it jarring, suddenly being another person?

Yolo

At first, but you learn to get used to it. The easier it is to bear the change, the less it takes out of you. Some folks are harder to channel for others...

Lindy

That makes sense.

She points to the mug of coffee
Drink it, or it'll get cold. It's no good cold.

Yolo

I appreciate it, but you don't have to worry yourself over me.

Lindy

Sorry, I just... I feel like I owe you, ya know?

What, don't look surprised. You fought to save my friend and me, you put yourself in a dangerous and profoundly upsetting position to honor the memory of my dead friend, and you did well for him when he was alive.

Yolo:

He was my friend too Lindy.
she take- a pull of her coffee, then stares into it

Lindy

Yeah, I know Yolo.

She takes a sip of her coffee
Look... before you tell me they were here for all of us today, you put your neck out there because you thought it was right to do so. Same as saving Dax from his stupid decisions in [[Places/The Bangers and Mash]], right?

Yolo

Yolo nods

Lindy

You're good people Yolo, and I don't meet many good people.

Yolo:

You're not so bad yourself.

Finishing the cup
What're you gonna do when we get through this? You'll be unemployed.

Lindy

I'll find something, I'm sure. That's too far out anyway. We gotta get through the trial, then talk some sense into the mages guild.

Yolo

We?

Lindy

You'd rather go it alone?

Yolo

No, but... it's not your fight.

Lindy

But it's my friend's fight, and I feel like I should help if I can.

Yolo

Yolo looks a little surprised, but then her expression softens and she nods.
I'm sure it'll go smoother with you here.


Game

  • GME
    • There's a knock, and then Ayla opens the door to an old, wizened figure wearing the red and gold embroidered robes that mark a [[The Mages Guild |mages guild]] official.
    • Does the recorder recognize Yolo,
      • Nearly Certain, yes, random event
        • 10, 72 - Conditional Promise
      • Is the recorder working for multiple groups?
        • Likely, yes, the Watchers
    • The Recorder's conditional promise is that he'll inform the few watchers in the city that Yolo is here, but he can't directly harm her or capture her without ruining his cover in the guild, which is too useful.

Recorder

Good evening Commissioner, Constable. I got here as soon as I could

looking over at the bodies, then past them to see Yolo and Lindy at the table
And Miss Yolande. Good to see you again after so long.

addressing Lindy
And you madam? I'm afraid we're unacquainted. Your name for the record?

Lindy

Lindiwie Kimura. Bounty Hunter, formerly under the employ of Lee Rensler.

Recorder

Appreciated.
If the four of you would each go into separate rooms, I'd like to take a statement from each of you.

Yolo

Sir, if I may?

He Nods
The bodies are still fresh, maybe less than an hour, certainly less than two. You might inspect them before it becomes harder.

Recorder

The Recorder looks at the corpses lining the hall, studying the one Yolo worked with the longest.
I assume you already questioned this one?

Yolo

That's correct Sir.

Recorder

Fine. Still, I need you separated.

Pointing at Irvin
Go to your bedroom.

Pointing at Lindy
Go to the living room.

Pointing at Yolo
Stay at the table

Ayla, you weren't a party to this, so you'll be my second for the bodies...

Narrator

The Recorder recreates the ritual that Yolo performed earlier, four different times. Each time, he uses his staff of office to channel energy out of the body and into himself. He still needs to consume a part of the tongue though. None of the spirits reveal new information. It's largely just the henchmen arguing with each other about how best to ambush the crew below and discussing how Lee might reward them. After the final channeling, the Recorder turns to Ayla and begins speaking.

Recorder

Does that reflect the conjuring Yolo performed.

Ayla

The tail end of it. There was some language before it as well.

Recorder

What was the nature of those words?

Ayla

They discussed whether Yolo had cut them out of the deal and delivered an artifact to Lady Eadriel directly. Presumably the decedent said that it was unlikely, as the Lady was upset with Lee's lack of delivery.

Recorder, to Yolo:
Is this true?

Yolo

Yes.

The recorder goes on to question Irvin and Lindy, before coming downstairs and turning his attention to Yolo..

Recorder

Yolinde, you understand that anything you say to me is the same as if you'd said it in court, sworn to an oath?

Yolo

I understand. I would prefer if you called me Yolo.

Recorder

Of course, we need your legal name for the record though you understand. Why did you come to this house today?

Yolo

For aid. Lindy believed her old friend could introduce us to people who could help us.

Recorder

Help you with what?

Yolo

A few things. Destroying a dangerous artifact, learning who was seeking it and why, finding allies in our fight against Lee Rensler.

Recorder

You came here intending to find allies against Lee? Why?

Yolo

He'd sent Lindy to capture me. If we didn't return the artifact, he'd have sent more. We couldn't risk him getting the artifact.

Recorder

Does it belong to him?

Yolo

I don't believe so. He'd contracted Daxter Biggby to recover it. Dax died before he could find it. I recovered it, but had no formal relationship to Dax. I believe by rights it's mine.

Recorder

What makes the artifact dangerous?

Yolo

Powerful soul magic. I believe it to be for making phylacteries.

Recorder

raises an eyebrow
That would be serious. How do you know?

Yolo

Markings on the walls at the site, and sensing the aura of the device.

Narrator

The questioning continues for another hour, covering the particulars of the fight here in Irvin's home, the flight from the ruins to Knathton, and the attack at the inn in Knathton. Once the questions of Yolo finish, the recorder examines the possessions and the bodies of the henchman that attacked them. After this concludes, it's nearly midnight.

Recorder

We are satisfied. As a formality, none of you are allowed to leave the city unless otherwise directed by the law until the inquest is concluded. Given the nature of the charges, I suspect none of you will be leaving police custody until the conclusion of the inquest?

Ayla

That is our intention.

Recorder

Yolo, the guild is pleased to see you still live. If the artifact is yours, and is as dangerous as you say, we will do what is in our power to see that it cannot be misused.

Yolo

I note you didn't say you'd help me destroy it.

Recorder

It's dangerous to destroy something you don't understand Yolinde. The mages' guild always prefers to study things first, as you well know.


Turning to Ayla
Goodnight Commissioner. Expect the courts to reach out in the morning.

Ayla

Goodnight Recorder.

turning to the constable who is outside the door
Is the transport ready?

Constable:
Ready, as are the decoys.

Ayla

Good.

Narrator

Three additional people, all in black robes, walk in. Ayla hands Yolo, Lindy, and Irvin each a black robe.

Ayla

Put these on. Two of you in each wagon.
Yolo and Lindy, in the center wagon.
Irvin and you in front.
The two of you in the back.
We'll be in touch in a few day, enjoy the stay, and stay vigilant.

Ending Summary

Added Threads

  • Romance [[Lindiwie Kimura|Lindy]]
  • Destroy [[The Artifact Dax Died To Get]]
  • Evade or Reconcile with [[The Mages Guild]]

Closed Threads

  1. What did [[Lee Rensler]] know about [[The Artifact Dax Died To Get | the artifact]]
  2. Do Something to Honor [[Characters/Daxter Biggby]]'s memory
  3. Get closer to [[Lindiwie Kimura|Lindy]]

Added Characters

Removed Characters

End of Scene Checklist

  • Update PCs
    • Mark Arc Progress
    • Award XP, Cyphers, Items, etc.
  • Update Factions
    • Objectives if faction objective was touched
    • Random fate roll if not
  • Update Threads & Character Lists
  • Set up next scene template
Property Value
Next Scene [[020. Safe House, In the Middle of No Where]]
Next Expected Scene Rest and Downtime at Safehouse, expected
Ending Chaos Factor 5

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