Can I just say how this gives me such fuzzy feelings? Really wish there were more chances to just spend time with Wizard-Dad and that he was an available social action. It feels bittersweet to see them Regimand's details on the Dramatis Personae relegated to the "Former, Fallen, Distant Characters" section...
E:
Also, low-key conflicted about the lost opportunity to involve Heidi on this matter now that Regimand is sticking around to help. Really wanted to see potential shenanigans ensue with Heidi flexing luck manipulation and her considerable intrigue skills.
Honestly, same, all the way through. Very warm and fuzzy, but I
really wanted to work with Heidi on this and now involving her would be awkward.
Okay, I want to do a quick breakdown of all our options here.
[ ] Bring in the Empress
She will bring with her a lot of influence, a lot of skill, a lot of attention, and a lot of questions. But she has quite the vested interest in seeing this wrapped up quietly.
[ ] Bring in Lord Magister Egrimm
[ ] Bring in Lady Magister Elrisse
[ ] Bring in Egrimm and Elrisse
What better way to counter a Light Wizard than with one or two of your own? But they do know what you actually promised to Mira, and things could get awkward if they mention it to Regimand.
[ ] Bring in someone else: specify who
You have all sorts of allies, contacts, and favours that you might call upon.
I'm against all of these at this time (reluctantly, in the case of Heidi). We don't need more eyes on this right now, and we don't currently have any indication of a clear need for alternate specialized skillsets.
[ ] Approach Alric directly
Working with him means splitting the credit, which would partly fulfil your implied objective and let you be on hand to perform your actual objective. But while refusing your assistance would put him in an uncomfortable position should he fail, it does mean he'd know you're involved, and he may work against you.
Hell no. This gloryhound will emphatically not want to split credit, and the last thing we need is him deliberately throwing a spoke in our wheels. Or stumbling onto the full truth himself and deciding that having leverage on the Empress counts as a win.
[ ] Interrogate the spa Unfahigers
Break in, interrogate, Mindhole, leave. Risky and difficult under Alric's nose, but they'd have the most information.
[ ] Approach the hunting lodge Unfahigers
They've been left to dry by Alric and the head of the family. If you offer help, they're all but certain to take it.
[ ] Interrogate the hunting lodge Unfahigers
Break in, interrogate, Mindhole, leave. They have no protection against the likes of you, and may know something useful.
Out of all of these, I'm strongly opposed to the first one (too much risk for too uncertain of gain), and prefer the last one. I prefer interrogation over approaching them forthrightly because a) if we do wind up looting their manor I'd just as soon not introduce ourselves as the friendly neighborhood Grey Wizard who's taking an interest in their case first, and b) that way we don't have to worry about them blabbing about working with us. The descendants of Dieter IV get zero benefit of the doubt from me as to their assumed level of discretion.
[ ] Investigate Krieglitz Manor
Investigate the sites of the five brutal murders of members of the Unfähiger dynasty.
Worth doing, possibly not right away. The trail's already pretty cold at this point so that's not so much of a consideration.
[ ] Plunder Krieglitz Manor
It's unstaffed and unguarded, protected only by locked doors, boarded windows, and a sinister reputation. Who knows what riches the Unfähigers squirreled away during their time in power?
Tempting, but we've got 8 weeks to work with and only a very general idea of what we're up against. Right now we're just planning the first 3 weeks - let's stay focused on the work for now and reevaluate this once we know more about the situation overall.
[ ] Research: Alberich's life
For all the time you spent cleaning up the mess he made, you never learned much about Alberich as a person. Find out what sort of ruler he was, and that might give you insight into whatever he is now.
[ ] Research: Alberich's fate
Abelhelm would have had what happened to the last Haupt-Anderssen looked into. Someone has that report. Maybe Roswita, maybe the Witch Hunters, maybe the Cult of Sigmar. Find it.
Background info that may or may not pertain directly to anything happening now. Not worth making a priority IMO.
[ ] Research: Alberich's form
Alberich would not have been unchanged from a trip to and return from the Chaos realm. Research what changes may have occurred to him that may help you locate him.
Possibly quite valuable, but I'd like to get a sense of where we should be looking before trying to research what we should be looking for, as that seems like the most reasonable order of operations to me.
[ ] Research: Chaotic Vengeance
This would be far from the first time someone's sold themselves to the Dark Gods for vengeance, and the Dark Gods tend to act in patterns. Research earlier examples of the same phenomenon.
This is a good idea IMO. If we can get an idea of the pattern the killer is following, it opens up the possibility of getting a step ahead of him, which is where we want to be to catch him.
[ ] Research: Murder Rituals
Eight quiet murders in one family forty years. Eight brutal murders in one family in forty months. This smacks of some sort of ritual. Go digging through every resource you can find for what this might be about, and what might happen if it goes uninterrupted.
Same as above, plus this could also give us a sense of the stakes overall.
[ ] Research: Underworld Turbulence
'A fair bit of activity from that lot lately' is not really actionable. See if anyone knows exactly what's got the Chaos cults of the Empire in a tizzy lately.
Pure gacha pull. Might be closely related and super-helpful, or totally unrelated and useless to us right now.
In light of the above, my draft proposal would be:
[] Plan Laying Groundwork, Not Leaving Traces
-[ ] Interrogate the hunting lodge Unfahigers
-[ ] Research: Chaotic Vengeance
-[ ] Research: Murder Rituals
