(WIP) Quest 2: Apprehend the Fugitive at the Night Parade

((Warning-- this branch is a work-in-progress! If you go through this route, you may find yourself at a dead end until the rest of the chapters come out. Make sure you've done everything else you want to do first!))

Together with the saintesses, you gathered in your tent around the command table. The room was as crowded as ever, but everyone fell in line a bit better than they had last time. Seats were shared, leaving only those who wanted to stand standing-- a small but adequate sign of the group's increasing comradery.

While everyone had grown more comfortable with your leadership thanks to your work during the false saintess incident, you simply lacked the intel needed to conduct a briefing. Info was still flowing first through your saintesses before reaching your ears. As such, Helmid once again took the lead, rolling out her planning documents across the table and showing off her impeccable penmanship, the handwriting of a noble lady.

“Tonight's task takes us back within the walls of Missionaire. As you are aware, Squire Lavender, our work involves the defense of all parts of the realm, but it is your very hometown that is often most in need of our watchful surveillance-- our mission today is one such. As ground zero for the miracle of the saintesses, Missionaire must remain especially vigilant and stop those who would attempt to do the city harm. Unlike Meridan, we do not have a protective shield. Ms. Liens' golems do a superb job of defending the perimeter, but there are times where we need boots on the ground-- agents both vigilant and capable,” the paladin explained at length. “That said, we aren't expecting combat today. It's more of a recon mission with an element of search and capture.”

“Quite a shame for she, our shining swordswoman,” Amulette taunted from her perch. She seemed incapable of sitting in a chair regularly, instead straddling one of its arms like a perched cat. "Missing the moment to mesmerize our man with her muscles and martial mastery."

“Just because I excel at combat doesn't mean I'm courting it,” Helmid sighed, never one to enjoy Amulette's teasing. “Let's focus, please. Bangaal…”

The genie, who'd been dancing in a melodious but rather distracting gait around the table, ceased dancing, bringing her ring-jingling to an end. “The meeting will be boring without Bangaal's merriment,” she pouted, crossing her arms at her chest.

Belit took the lead away from Helmid, stabbing her dagger down at the western spot where Merridan lay upon the mat. “This briefing'll take forever if we leave it all to Helmid. You know about the Night Parade they started in Merridan? It's basically a kind of pagan ritual they repurposed to suit Geod and his new edicts. Word is, it gets pretty spicy! Dancing, games, costumes, magic… It's like a big, moving festival that starts at sundown and lasts till sunrise, winding all through town! Now the church is looking to expand that into our territory. Ought to be pretty entertaining, if you're into that stuff. Even I'm kinda excited and I'm a happily married woman, heh heh!”

Rosary spoke up next, wearing a troubled expression. “I am… not so comfortable with it.”

“Why? Just a chaste and pure nun thing to object to this sorta debauchery, huh? You do realize it's your own damn church's parade, right?”

“I-It's not the content that bothers me! And, a small correction: we did not come up with the Night Parade originally. It was actually the knights corp in Merridan who began the tradition. I'm concerned because the night parade has historically also been used as a cover for demons to work their way into the city of Merridan. There are many masked individuals, powerful people out in revelry, and all under the cover of darkness. I hear the spies are especially active during this time, using the parade to cast glamors on unsuspecting individuals.”

Amulette snickered once again, showing her fangs in a broad grin. “Keh heh heh! Don't bother your bright blond head over it. The demon sire's spies surely see that the secret's out on the scurrilous soiree. It is less than likely we luck into them.”

“Ooo, say it plainly, you troublesome witch! Bangaal can never tell which end is the head and which is the tail when you speak!” Bangaal protested.

Liens growled. “It's not hard. She's saying spies would have to be stupid. Using a rumored spy gathering just the way they're rumored to? No. Demons might try something. But not that. Too obvious. Guards increased. Everyone alert.” She only seemed to be half listening. Her nose was buried in a book.

You asked: if the guards were already increased and spies are unlikely to attend, then what is the need for the saintesses? Certainly the town guard would be capable of handling something like this.

“It's the timing. Something suspicious is afoot. A powerful illusionist demon named Mympho managed to escape custody in Merridan and fled the town just a few days prior. The church sent an agent who's had some experience handling him, Counselor Ursula Wilmette. I don't doubt her capabilities, but she's still likely to need our help,” Helmid explained. “Given our expertise and authority in Missionaire, that is. Still, we need to be wary. The breadth of Mympho’s magic is unknown, but we know shapeshifting, cloning, and widespread illusions are among them. He's considerably more troublesome than the average spy would be. Of course, this is all assuming he's targeting our city and hasn't just fled off across the war zone or to the royal capitol. Our only reason for suspecting he'll come here is the odd coincidence of his escape aligning with the first Missionaire Night Parade."

“So we're cleaning up the Merridan jail system's mess, basically?” Belit remarked with a snide smirk. “Guess a big Geod-bubble around your town makes you complacent, eh?”

Hemlid tactfully ignored the comment. “For this mission, we will all be in attendance, but we'll split into two parties. The larger party, composed of four, will search the town for any evidence of misdeeds, assuming that the parade may be a distraction. The other party, two along with you, will infiltrate the parade and follow it directly. You have your choice of how to allocate those roles, as usual. If you're clear on the objectives, we can move on to assigning the team members.”

Objectives:

1) Meet up with Counselor Ursula Wilmette.

2) Participate in the Night Parade.

3) Keep an eye out for suspicious activity.

4) Find and apprehend the fugitive, Mympho.

Rewards based on grade:

C: Nothing

B: 100 gold + Dancer's Bell

A: 150 gold + Dancer's Bell + Mympho's Mask