BTC

The Hotelier Clara took a little longer than was necessary deciding which of the two satin head wraps, red or black, she wanted to wear. It was going to be a long day setting up for the dance she held every Halloween at the cabaret, and she didn’t have time to fix her hair this morning. That would have to wait until she put on her Inspector costume later on for the festival. But it wasn’t the party preparations that she was avoiding by dragging out this decision over which wrap she wanted to wear. No, it was the meeting she had this morning. She knew she shouldn’t be nervous. She’d done all the preparations, checked and triple checked that everything was in place for tonight. Still, she couldn’t help it. The weight sitting in the bottom of her stomach had been there since she woke up this morning, and she knew it would be there when she went to bed too. She made a decision, grabbing and putting on the red one. It would complement her pink blouse more, after all. It took her only a few more moments to finish getting ready before she left her penthouse suite and took the elevator to the ground floor. There were a couple stops to pick up a few merchants and other businesspeople hoping to get some work done before the evening festivities, and Clara greeted them all and ensured they were having a pleasant stay. The elevator made the soft dinging sound and she stepped off on the second floor, where her soon-to-be-retired head of security, William Rodgers, was waiting. He was tall and thick around the belly, with a neat silver goatee and sharp but weary looking eyes. “Morning Clara,” he said in his soothing voice. She’d once asked him if he sang at all, but he’d just laughed it off. It wouldn’t have surprised her if he had a good singing voice, though. “Good morning Rodge. Are you ready for your last Halloween soiree?” Clara asked as they walked the short way to her office. “Here’s hoping I’ve finally learned how dance. It’ll only have taken me a few decades working here,” he said with a self-effacing smile. Clara smiled and gave him a hug. “I’ll miss having you around. Are you absolutely sure you’re ready to go?” “Barbara would kill me if we didn’t join the kids in Chicago. Don’t worry, though, I’m sure we’ll stay in touch. I’ll always be available when duty calls.” He gave her a knowing wink, and the weight in her stomach lifted just a little. It was good having people around you could trust, and there were few people she trusted as much as Rodge. They’d built so much of this place together, and he’d truly sacrificed to stay in Wellstone as long as he had. “I know you will be,” Clara said. She unlocked her office and they went in and sat down. There was a pot of tea being kept warm on a hotplate, as well as four cups, courtesy of her hotel manager George. She poured one each for her and Rodge. “But you don’t get to retire yet. We’ve still got a lot to do today. How are the preparations for tonight coming?” Rodge took a seat and grabbed his teacup, which looked very small in his hands. “Since we got your new hires acquainted with the place yesterday, when they arrive I’ll put them straight to work. Probably assign a couple to the cabaret and one to the casino with Sawyer. But besides that, I think we’re all set.” “Everything’s prepared upstairs?” Clara asked. He took a sip and nodded. “Just waiting for our guests to arrive.” “Good, good.” Clara knew the caffeine probably wouldn’t help her nerves, but drinking the tea helped anyway. “Oh, make sure George sends Lawrence up when he and the others arrive. I need to speak to him about a job.” Rodge arched his eyebrows. “If I wasn’t retiring I’d be worried you were replacing me.” Clara smiled and shook her head. “A different sort of job. Detective work for a friend. Though, if tonight goes well, who knows, I might keep them around. Keep a close eye on them, if you would, and let me know what you think.” “Will do. Do you want me in here for…?” “Thank you, but I’ll be fine. You keep an eye on everything else, and I can handle this,” Clara said. He set his teacup back on her desk and stood. “I’ll let you know if anything needs your attention.” Clara thanked him, and Rodge left. Once the door shut, she pried loose the false panel beneath her desk and pressed one of the hidden buttons, which locked the door. Then she pressed in the keypad code, and a section of the wall next to the door pushed out slightly and swung open. A light inside clicked on, illuminating the hidden staircase and elevator landing. She didn't have to wait very long. Within a few minutes, the elevator started to hum, then dinged again as the doors opened to allow in Julie Gillard, a woman whose influence Clara still did not know the full extent of. Her father had been one of the big shots who owned a sizable chunk of the Industrial District, but when he died most of it was divided up and bequeathed to the dozens of friends and contacts who presumably helped get him so rich in the first place. Julie was well-known and active in that part of the city, but there was some confusion as to what actually belonged to her. Whatever the case, the woman presented herself more humbly than most of her class. She wore plain jeans tucked down into her boots, and a brown coat that had no holes or tears. Her orange-red hair was tied back into a ponytail, and her blue eyes seemed very alert and focused. Julie smiled as she stepped out of the elevator "Clara! It's good to see you." “It’s good to see you too. It’s been too long,” Clara said with a smile of her own. She motioned for Julie to take a seat and went about pouring her a cup of tea. “How have you been?” "Busy." Julie graciously accepted the tea as she sat. "With all the craziness lately, I've hardly caught a break. Been to every corner of the city this week alone. What about you? Anything new?" “Rodge is retiring, so I’ve taken on some new hires. Not into the fold, though I’m optimistic. One of them kicked off whatever it was that led to Robert Devereux killing himself. I’m keeping my ear to the ground to find out what exactly that whole business was. So far, I’ve only found that it was connected to the Brotherhood.” "I like the sound of that, but please be careful. There have been a lot of pretenders, lately." Her expression became somber. "The last one cost us bad." “I’m sorry to hear that. Was it something we should be concerned about for tonight?” "I sure hope not." Julie sighed, betraying how tired she was. "This group's got nothing to do with the last one, and if they are who they say they are, then they could be the best friends we've ever made. If not, well I don't plan on meeting them alone. Is everything ready?" “The thirteenth floor will be cleared by then and the room is sound proof. No one should know the meeting is taking place. Is there anything else you will need?” "You've done plenty already. Thank you for this, Clara, I mean it." “It’s the least I can do. Whatever you and your new friends need, please let me know. Money, a place to stay, information, I want to help. Truly.” "I know. And you have helped, and you will help more soon, I'm sure. We'll need all those things in the coming months." She chuckled and shook her head. "If only everyone in this city had your commitment. We'd be unstoppable." A small, modest smile spread across Clara’s face. It made her feel much younger than she was. “Thank you, Julie. If we were all as brave as you, we might’ve won already.” "We will, though. It could take months or years, but we will." Julie's mood seemed to lighten. "May I see the room?" “Of course! If you’ll follow me.” Clara rose and together with Julie they entered the hidden elevator. It only had four floors as options on the inside: the basement, Clara’s second floor office, the hidden thirteenth floor rooms, and Clara’s fourteenth floor penthouse, though none of the buttons were labeled, instead arranged in ascending order. Clara pressed the button for the hidden rooms and the elevator lurched into motion. “I haven’t got to show it off to very many people, for obvious reason, but I’m quite proud of it. George even more so. He designed it, and to hide the existence of these rooms, hired and fired several construction crews so only he ever knew what the final design would be.” It pleased her to see that Julie was visibly impressed. "Can't be too careful," the rebel replied. "This man George, is he available to do similar work for me? I'd pay him well, of course." “I’m sure he’d gladly help.” The elevator dinged and came to a stop. Clara pulled aside the scissor gate elevator door, revealing a long, narrow hallway stretching to the right and left. Motioning to the right, she said, “There are three small rooms down there, for anyone needing to lay low.” She led Julie to the left, to a heavy metal door. With the press of a button on the wall, it silently swung open, revealing a windowless room. It wasn’t decorated, and its only furniture was a metal table in the middle surrounded by eight chairs. There wasn’t room for anything else. The only other notable feature was a clock on one wall and red light bulb sticking out of the one opposite that. “I know it doesn’t look like much, but I thought safety was more important than comfort. Both George and I have access to a button that will turn the light on if there’s any hint of danger, though I suspect staying put would be the best bet in that situation. The only way in is through the elevator, and all of those entrances are well hidden.” "It's perfect," Julie said at once. "And the others, they'll be led in through the basement like I was?" “Yes. Preferably without knowing what building they’re entering. For my safety, I’d like them to be unaware of my affiliations until you’re certain they’re friends.” "I can arrange that." “Thank you.” Clara glanced up at the clock and saw it was nearly time for her other meeting of the morning. She expected Lawrence was a punctual individual. “Unfortunately, I have to head back down. I have a meeting with one of those new hires. You can stay here as long as you’d like and check everything out. I know the peace of mind that can come from inspecting things yourself.” "I'd like that. Thanks again, Clara." “It’s my pleasure, Julie.” With that Clara went back to the elevator, closed the door, and made it back to her office. She had left Julie and the hidden rooms behind for only five minutes when Lawrence arrived. Her hotel manager George, a short, thick man with a neat black mustache and noticeable limp, showed Lawrence to her office. She thanked George and told Lawrence to take a seat, which he did, placing his black cowboy hat upside down in the chair next to him. Clara looked the man over. He was in his early forties, and had seen a lot of sun in those years. His dark brown eyes were sad and his mustache followed the downward curve of the frown he wore. He sat up straight in the chair, though, and his eyes were sharp and with an unwavering focus, taking everything in. He had the melancholy air of someone who’d suffered in his time, but that it wouldn’t impede upon him accomplishing whatever needed doing. As she usually did, she’d noticed that upon meeting him for the first time two nights ago. There would not be much missed between the two of them, that she knew for certain. “Would you like some tea?” she asked. Lawrence said yes in a voice gruff in sound though not tone. She could tell he took the drink more out of courtesy than anything else. “Has George helped you and your friends find a place in the city? I know Guillermo mentioned wanting to get out of South Union as soon as possible.” “Mr. Parker was very gracious. I doubt we would’ve gotten a rate as cheap as we did without his help.” “I would expect nothing less from him.” Clara cleared her throat and set her tea down. “If things go well today, I’d like to hire you all full time. My head of security is retiring, and with the direction Wellstone is going, I could use with more guards. That would come with lodging here as well.” Lawrence looked surprised, though she could tell it was at more than simply her offer. “I thought your mention of long term jobs the other night was just you being nice.” “It was a real offer. I’ve heard only good things about you and your friends. But first I need you to help me with something. Or really, help a friend with something.” Lawrence watched her, and she watched him watching her. It was a moment before he spoke, when the lingering surprise on his face faded to a blank look that spoke vaguely of skepticism. “I appreciate all your kindness, Miss Teasley, and you offering us these jobs. But, if I’m being honest-“ “I expect you usually are.” He tilted his chin down in a small, almost noncommittal nod. “I usually am. And if I’m being honest, I don’t know why it is that you’re looking to hire us long term, and now asking me to help your friend. You hardly know us.” “You came highly recommended.” “You must trust Mrs. Devereux and her recommendations a great deal, then.” “In truth, not a bit.” She could see some of the skepticism fade as he could tell she wasn’t lying. He clearly hadn’t trusted Patricia, and it allayed his concern that she didn’t either. “You must trust me a great deal to tell me that.” “We’re both good at reading people, Mr. Harding. I trust what I learned about you from Patricia, not her recommendation. And I trust what I’ve seen myself.” “And what have you seen?” “A man with a conscience, who is honest and who doesn’t miss much. Guillermo loves you, the others respect you, and they all trust you. Five people, only one of whom, according to Guillermo, you knew a year ago.” She saw something flinch in his expression, not much, just a twitch of a cheek muscle. A reaction to his friend spilling a little more than he should have. He said, “You read all that in one night?” “It was a long setlist, and our friend does enjoying hamming it up between songs. Plenty of time for it. I’ve no doubt that by the time this meeting is through, you’ll have read just as much off of me.” “I’m not so sure about that. A woman who doesn’t trust her friend’s recommendation and does trust strangers this easily is a hard one to read.” She gave a small shrug of her shoulders and a coy smile. She knew he’d be able to get a read on her. Clara was a good liar. She had to be in her line of work. But she wasn’t lying to Lawrence about not trusting Patricia, about who she thought he was, and about wanting to hire him. She was as open a book as she was likely to get. “I trust the recommendations of certain friends. George, William, Gloria, Vince-“ “It a coincidence all four of them work for you?” “I like having people around me that I can trust. It was part of the reason why I hired Guillermo, and part of the reason why I want to hire you.” She watched him think everything over. He was deliberate, and clearly didn’t worry if he was wasting her time. She suspected that when he was on the job, back in the day as a sheriff, recently as a caravan guard, or now as a detective, he acted much the same way. “What did you learn from Mrs. Devereux that would lead you to trust me?” he finally asked. “I knew beforehand she suspected Robert was cheating on her. She said you were thorough and discrete in proving it. She said you also worked quickly, but I suspect that was more a function of luck than skill. Though it was the fact you went against Robert in the first place that most impressed her. And me.” Lawrence shrugged. “I’m new here. A lot easier to go against someone powerful if you don’t know who they are.” “Don’t play the fool, Mr. Harding. You’re smart enough to figure out who the big fish are,” Clara said. She paused to finish her tea, though she kept her eyes on Lawrence. “But Patricia did not mention precisely what it was you did. You’ve of course heard he killed himself. I’ve also heard he was connected to something illegal, something to do with the Brotherhood. Would you know anything about that?” She didn’t mention that Patricia had let slip she had evidence of the cheating because of pictures Lawrence took. Clara suspected there was more to those images than infidelity. Enough to cause Robert to take his own life, even if Patricia didn’t know what it was either. “I’d heard he died. I found proof he was cheating, but I don’t know anything about those rumors.” Lawrence didn’t flinch as he lied to her. She knew he was lying, he knew she knew, and he didn’t care. He was honest, but not willing to betray secrets to just anyone. That was a level of trust that had to be earned, not something he would just give away. She liked that about him. As much as Clara liked it, though, she would need to learn more. If there were pictures of Robert Devereux, one of the three powerful munitions merchants in the city, that incriminated him in illegal activity and involved the Brotherhood, those pictures would be very useful even with Robert dead. Once Lawrence and his friends were moved in, she might have to look through his things and see what she could turn up. But that would have to wait. There was still the job she needed him to do today, and the meeting tonight. “I suspected not. Now, about the job I mentioned?” “I’d like to know what it is before I decide, if that’s alright,” Lawrence said. “Due diligence is an admirable quality in a detective. My friend Vanessa Van Silver wishes for you to go to her house and meet with her. I gather her daughter is acting like a rebellious teenager, and saying things she shouldn’t. I don’t know the full extent of it, but what I do know is that no one should get into much trouble over teenage indiscretions,” Clara said. “You’re right about that,” Lawrence said. “I’ll head over there as soon as we’re done.” “Thank you, Mr. Harding. Good luck.” Lawrence rose from his seat, grabbed his hat, and gave her a nod before he left. As the door shut and locked, Clara sank down into the softness of her chair, letting the stress of the morning fade away. Her part in these endeavors was done, for now. All that was left was to throw a Halloween party, and that she could do blindfolded and with both hand tied behind her back.

These guys need to show up again

You’ll know I’m serious when I actually buy one of these games and then wait 2 years to play it like I’ve done with Horizon and Prey . But this premise does sound more interesting to me and more up my alley than the other games.

Maybe I’ll just wait for this one instead

Doesn’t Baldur have like five different sets of armor at this point?

Hell yeah! I can’t think of anyone who it’d fit more.

I was thinking the same. The first and the third feel pretty classic Breton, Daggerfall and Wayrest, to me. With the fourth being a mix between that and Jehanna and Northpoint, so like Farrun and Shornhelm. The last image is what inspired Dame LaViolette’s armor. Or I should say I copied it for her armor lol

Well, Theo did have trouble fitting into his armor the last time he wore it...though I imagine with recent events he’s gonna have lost a lot of weight The actual images I have saved are these

I’m working my way through Horizon Zero Dawn at the moment, with God of War and Prey lined up after that. As much as I do like some of the armor and stuff from Dark Souls, and have several pictures of them saved as inspiration for Breton armor, and while I do think the Victorian/Gothic style of Bloodborne, I’m probably most likely to go with Sekiro simply because it’s the most recent. It or Bloodborne, since they’re stand alone things and I wouldn’t feel obligated to finish a series.

On your Origins post Doc

He does talk about Winds in the rest of the post. I think that paragraph was just more about his other commitments.

Yeah it’s out May 31st!

I’m keeping mine until the 31st when the Deadwood movie comes out then I’m done too.

Very interesting post Doc

That was actually the better of the two leaked endings I saw. The other had the dragonpit meeting being Tyrion's trial, where Sansa betrays him (?) and he's executed or something. I mean, I like the endings for Sansa, Brienne, Tyrion, and Davos. Even if they still forgot about his wife. But the way they got to this point has just been really shitty

I've got a good ability for him. Withering Dreams, where he stuns enemies by assailing them with nightmares and it does increasing damage if it continues to hit a creature

Way back when. I played it quite a bit a couple summers ago, but never finished it. Haven't played it in a while though. I never got very far, mostly just played casually

Yes. Every time they camp there's a chance he'll either eat a lot or not need to eat anything.

It's been a while since I played Darkest Dungeon so those who have more recently (and more, since I never finished it either) feel free to suggest any other abilities for my characters

One of Gracchus's abilities is Firestorm, which targets all enemies but with a lower chance to hit. He'd probably also have a very minor healing ability, sorta like the Darkest Dungeon crusader does. Tacitus probably has an ability were he lowers his sanity and/or increases his stress in order to do extra damage. Theo has a similar ability but he lowers another character's sanity and/or increases their stress in order to deal more damage. Morane would have some sort of paralysis (stun) spell. That's great because I really wanted to capture that classic fantasy quest feel, with characters who are definitely not classic fantasy heroes lol. I'm excited for all the fun stuff they're gonna get up to and how the Tynes throw my plans outta whack and how I'll adapt to them

Doc and I gave basically put together an adventuring group right now with Falcon a front line fighter, Asgen a second, Damon a bard with buffs and debuffs, and then Morane and Faida bringing the spells from the back.

This was a fun idea Balrog! You know what we could do? Once everyone who want to does this, we get them all together and stick them at the beginning of the next thread with a poll where people pick who they want for each of the four spots.

Rather than make a party I’ll just go through my characters. Gracchus is second or third row fighter, most at home at the third. Higher offensive than defensive skill, most effective attacks are his fire ones obviously. He’s a great party de-stresser, with a Reassuring Presence ability that lowers stress for everyone but him when in combat. Veteran’s Intuition keeps damage from critical attacks from hurting him as much. Battlemage Commander lets him pair well with other magic users with a small attack buff. Tacitus is a very susceptible to stress but a good frontline fighter. Low defense high offense, with great knockback abilities with his dwarven fist. No stress healing abilities, but he does have an attack called Vengeance. If an enemy hits him and Tacitus uses Vengeance in retaliation, that enemy is marked and Tacitus can’t attack anyone else until that enemy is dead. But he does increased damage against it. Theo is at home in the second row, since he’s got good reach with his greatsword. Got good defense too with his plate armor. He’s most useful since he can stress out enemies using Schemer. It allows him to select a party member, including himself, and any stress gain they get is doubled upon the enemy who did it. He has a similar rest ability, which allows him to redistribute the stress of his compatriots, but not get rid of it. He also has a minor stress buff in combat called Liar’s Speech. Morane’s Shadow Step ability gives lets her attack from the very front or very back and end up at the opposite. So if she starts out at front, and she’s quick so usually acts first, she can Shadow Step attack on an enemy and then she’ll go to the back of the party. Or vice versa, though she’s got low defense (but high dodge) so that’s not recommended. Only has destressing abilities in a party with another shadow mage or dark magic user, called Friendly Rivalry, when she banters with the other mage to lower their collective stress. Her Shadow Drain ability lets her take health from enemies and heal herself. Susceptible to the Loner trait if she adventures too long without another dark mage. She has great range though with her teleport abilities, ability to attack back rows all day long.