[ CLOSED ] WAR TABLE: INVESTIGATE COMTESSE DE VELONEY

[comtessedevelony]

WHO: Herian, Anders, Issana, Velanna, Pam, Malcolm
WHAT: A series of disappearances in the Orlesian countryside has culminated in the vanishment of some of the Inquisition's own scouts. A team has been sent to investigate the estate of one Comtesse Eléonore Vaillant de Veloney.
WHEN: Over the span of 4 days in the 2nd week of Harvestmere.
WHERE: Estate of Comtesse Eléonore Vaillant de Veloney
NOTES: Trauma, gore, dark themes, homicide, pretentious wine usage, other things not labeled as to avoid spoilers.

Welcome to the Estate

It is a terrible misfortune, all these disappearances- but with a civil war on and all this strange Venatori and Red Templar activity- with the rifts in the countryside? People simply not appearing where they ought is a sad reality. Nothing to be done for it. That such an esteemed noblewoman has found herself unjustly accused simply due to her wealth and prosperity? Cannot stand. Comtesse de Veloney invited the Inquisition herself to investigate her manor and put the matter to rest- they are to be afforded all the cooperation and respect imaginable.

Even the mages. Even the elves.

They are met at the gate by a veritable delegation of footmen led by the Gardener and Tanner to see them inside and out of the stormy, dreary weather. Packs are secreted off to rooms (a lovely set of suites in the east wing if the Steward does say so herself), baths drawn (The Comtesse insists, it's been just dreadful and they've come all this way), and a lavish banquet prepared.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

Anders follows her, grinning for a moment as her dog whines and pretending like his cat hadn't just been absolutely stubborn. She's a cat. It's more fitting. Somehow. But the amusement fades completely when she pulls out the bone and he takes it in hand. It looks rather clear, and casting unfortunately confirms his first suspicion.

"That's human." His voice is very quiet. "Arm bone. Humerus. The bone pit?" Because it had to come from there.

[circleprodigy]

Inessa nods as Garahel whines softly. "He had to dig for it, but it was there. I wanted to say something earlier, but you're right. Alerting the butcher would have been a mistake. What should we do now?"

[justice_is_blond]

He takes a breath before glancing around the room and frowning.

"I'll take it back to my room and tuck it between the mattresses. When we gather to compare notes this evening, we mention it to them, have it for comparison if they want to inspect it as well." Not like he thinks they'll doubt his word, he's a healer and they know it, but it's best to have the evidence gathered up.

"If you see anyone, pass on a verbal warning to be wary around the butcher. I'll do the same."

[circleprodigy]

"Of course." Inessa nods, frowning as she recalls her previous meeting. "When I spoke to the kitchen staff, the cook was genuinely annoyed with the butcher for not telling her about the source for various cuts of meat. So, it might be that there are plenty who are not culpable. We have no way of knowing, not without further investigation."

[justice_is_blond]

"And the butcher was implying that the cook is a mage from Tevinter with an axe to grind, so to speak. I'll talk with the cook later as well." Mostly based on the mage angle. Anders really, really hopes the culprit here isn't a blood mage. There's enough of that running around the world.

"I'll see you there tonight?" In his room, he means, and this might be the first time he's invited someone back to his rooms when it wasn't a proposition.

[circleprodigy]

"Indeed. I hope to have more information to share then. Be careful in the meantime, Anders." Inessa gestures to Garahel so he will come along instead of sniffing around at everything. It's time to gather what they can in the way of further evidence.