@everyone, end of week 2 (after solvunn visits)

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor’s hurried script is maybe familiar to some, but what’s different now (beyond the fact that it’s slightly more hurried) is that it appears on its own. Whatever this is about, it’s apparently important enough for him to make a rare solo appearance, a departure from his joint broadcast with Jayce. Right now, it's just him, relaying information as quickly and expediently as possible.

If you’re not necessarily familiar with Viktor himself, the words match those soliciting location information not too long ago. It seems this is the culmination of those efforts.]

We know where the captives are being held. It’s an island directly north of the Singularity crater, roughly three hours off the coast of Thorne’s border, where I am now. I’ve created a map in my Horizon to show the location, as well as the data from the trackers that allowed me to pinpoint it. The explanation is slightly technical, but suffice to say the system is improved to the point where I am confident in its accuracy. Jayce and I can answer any questions about it, though you may need to direct inquiries regarding the magical component to Stephen.

[Who is here, also.]

Thank you to those who offered to collect additional data with the receivers. We would not have been able to locate this place otherwise.

The island itself is not large, though we suspect it’s heavily warded, with the exact holding area magically concealed. We weren’t able to detect anyone coming or going, so it’s likely the captors are using portals to access it directly from various abduction sites. I imagine this aligns with other investigations.

What happens now will require cooperation. Sam has done what reconnaissance he can, but we're not sure of what awaits us on the island itself, nor do we know who is responsible. Accessing the island will require us to eliminate its magical defenses or otherwise dispel its enchantments—any additional information that anyone has gathered is, at this point, vital to share.

[ooc: full receipts are here for the curious! responses may come from any of the four characters currently investigating the island, and please thread jack away. pit people…feel free to receive snippets of this message as appropriate. for additional plotting/convergence of plots, hit me up on plurk at whitticus or discord at whitticus#8139.]

Comments

[hextechhead]

My concern is that if everyone congregates right here, they might get tipped off that we're coming. It's better for people to meet in Nocwich or Luna and get our plans in order. They moved everyone there easily, it might be just as easy for them to move them somewhere new.

[funbreaker]

Oh, I agree that we should not plan to congregate at the opposite shore until we are ready to storm the island. Any planning that needs to come before that should happen elsewhere, as you said.
We will still need a means of transporting everyone to the point from which we'll make way, once we're ready.

[hextechhead]

If we can get strong mages to hide the ship, illusion magic maybe, then we may be able to get there from either direction. Time is of the essence, I want to do this smart, but the longer we wait, the more potential it is for one of their spies to find out we've figured it out. And I assume there are spies, for something on a level like this, throughout the factions.

[funbreaker]

I would assume the same. I suspect they also hired mercenaries to help with the tracking and abduction, so it is entirely possible they'll be keeping an eye out for us as well.
We'll need to take care with where we discuss any of this outside of our own mental messages, or the Horizon.

[hextechhead]

I doubt they are unaware that we've been investigating every possible lead, but my guess is they don't think we're close. They didn't find the trackers.

Who knows how many people in higher positions could be involved, if it does turn out that the Creeds knew?

[funbreaker]

That is quite the relief. Those trackers were essential to locating them, but if we had tipped off the people behind this at the same time it would make our jobs that much harder.

My understanding is that there were rumors floating about regarding Josselyn for some time. There will certainly have to be some deeper investigating in Solvunn after all this.

[hextechhead]

Ciri and Blake, the two people who took the trackers, really deserve all the credit for keeping them hidden during this time.

I met Josselyn in Luna, I wouldn't have imagined the woman she presented herself as being the type. She must have fooled many there.

[funbreaker]

[ Ah. Geralt's daughter? The other name he doesn't know. ]

Then we will have to give them due thanks when they are back safely.

What was your impression of her at that time? I haven't had the pleasure.

[hextechhead]

They definitely deserve it, it was incredibly brave of them to volunteer for it.

[ Or incredibly stupid. Both? Both. But they were all desperate at the time. He can only hope they don't regret it.]

She seemed enthusiastic and genuinely interested in helping. I asked if she would consider providing more supplies for the rebuilding of Libertas, as a peaceful offering. Her family runs supply routes through all the factions. I thought she was kind and genuine when she said she was excited to offer that type of help.

Now in retrospect it is possible they used that to get closer. Alucard and I investigated the delivered supplies, some of them were rotted through and he said smelled of flesh. I don't know what that means but it's extremely disturbing.

[ Jayce, of course, feels incredibly guilty. ]

[funbreaker]

[ Definitely both, but Thancred might have done the same in their position, so he is not about to judge. ]

Alucard told me about the decay he detected in the supplies. The fact that Josselyn has involvement in that area certainly would explain it, though what her exact intentions had been are still something of a mystery, it seems.

It would be for the best if we could recover her alive in order to question her.

[hextechhead]

I think everyone involved would agree on that. She has a lot to answer for. She also has several family members in the different factions, they should be questioned too.

[funbreaker]

Does she? Where are they located?

[hextechhead]

I believe there is at least one in Thorne and in Free Cities, although we may have to go looking. It seems like one of those families who works everywhere so has point people in them.

[ Natasha and Lucifer did actually find the one in Thorne in another investigation. ]

We can't assume all of them were a part of this, but they may have information all the same. Religious fervor like this does tend to run through families but she could be an exception.

[funbreaker]

I agree that we should not assume they were all involved, but they should certainly be questioned and their affairs investigated nonetheless. I can look into matters in Thorne once this is all over with and our friends have been reclaimed.

[hextechhead]

If they have nothing to hide and hear what Josselyn has done, I would like to think most people would want to do what they can to help in this situation.

[funbreaker]

A tad optimistic of you, but I suppose we shall have our answer soon enough.

[hextechhead]

A hopeless optimist sometimes, that's me. But I assume there will be some pressure toward them too, that the realist would think more likely to help jog the memory.

[funbreaker]

Now you're speaking my language.