ID intro

01[21:28] <@SpaceThor> The train slows to a halt in Malifaux Station. The news of your father's passing was sudden, but you almost jumped at the chance to come to this land and take the reigns. The attendants take up your plates from your table, and you're moving forward.
01[21:29] <@SpaceThor> Getting off the train into Downtown opens the glittering skyline of this part of Malifaux. Everything's so clean and well-kept, a testament to the Guild's strength in this land. You've got a carriage waiting to go to the Industrial Zone.
01[21:31] <@SpaceThor> Your baggage is already en route to your father's mansion. It's not in downtown, the frugal bastard, but it's just across the river. You can see it from downtown, apparently.
06[21:32] * Dolores_de_la_Cruz steps aboard with a smile; she's a slim, dainty-looking girl with black hair and green eyes and a mediterranean cast to her skin, but pale enough that she's obviously lead a life of leisure. She's got quite some amount of baggage with her (including that bow she simply adores practicing with, though she'd rarely admit it she does it more out of a sense of noble duty to the arts of war...)
[21:32] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> (as befits her heritage from a long line of crusaders and knights and etc). This is simply a wonderful trip so far; the well-dressed woman is sure that Malifaux is going to be a new paradise for her indeed.
01[21:33] <@SpaceThor> Soon you're standing in front of Cruz Brick & Metallurgy, and led inside to the boardroom. A number of men in fine suits are waiting. "Welcome, Miss de la Cruz. I trust your trip was enjoyable?"
[21:35] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> She smiles and offers a proper curtsy to them. "Oh, quite so! The train ride was simply delightful; and I must say that the actual trip through the breach was not nearly as dreadful as rumor would have me believe. It was really quiet pleasent." She glances to each of them, looking at suits, looking at faces.
01[21:37] <@SpaceThor> "Well, I'm Reese Hall, head of the Board. This is Jack Holmes, Edward Allen, Patrick Williams, Jackson Stewart, Blake Gray, Brayden Ellis, and Kyle Ward."
[21:39] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "Misters Hall, Holmes, Allen, Williams, Stewart, Gray, Ellis, Ward. A pleasure to finally meet you all; I heard only good things from my Father about each of you," she says, and that's mostly true. "Tell me, how does the business go about here? I simply can't wait to get started. I understand my fahter left large shoes to fill, but I believe you will find me more than prepared!"
01[21:39] <@SpaceThor> "Started?" Mister Hall looks to the others. "Surely you don't expect..."
[21:40] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "To involve myself in what is now my business?" She quirks an eyebrow. "Why, do you expect me to just sit back and enjoy the profits? I might be a woman of leisure, but I'm not one to sit idly like that!"
01[21:41] <@SpaceThor> "Miss de la Cruz. The factory is in...let's say flux right now. There's a number of complex political aspects we must attend to carefully, and simply it would be damaging to your father's legacy to change hands right now."
01[21:42] <@SpaceThor> "The M&SU has been seeking concessions, in the form of Unionization of the Factory, and the Guild has been turning up the heat on our deadlines."
[21:43] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "... So..." She frowns softly. "There's trouble, and you don't believe me able to help with it?"
01[21:44] <@SpaceThor> "I think the best thing for everyone is if we keep things as they are. For now, of course." He smile that tells you he's lying to your face...but in a way that would make you look the wrong party should you argue.
[21:45] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> The woman--not girl, woman, she thinks of herself, despite her young age and lack of experience--smiles. There's little joy in it; she's not unfamiliar with politics. "Well, then perhaps a bit of a vacation before I take the reigns. I do insist on a tour of the facilities at least."
01[21:46] <@SpaceThor> "Of course. Mister Ward, if you'd be so kind..." He stands, the fake smile on his face as well, and he leads you through the factory.
01[21:48] <@SpaceThor> You get to the line. "And this is the line. We've been working to install new state-of-the-art constructs to reduce the manpower need on this factory. Unfortunately, this has only amplified Union pressure on us, as they insist on unionizing those that maintain these constructs, and are quite upset that we reduced the number of necessary jobs for line men."
01[21:50] <@SpaceThor> "Here's one now. It's designed to move the heavy slabs with the raw clay on them between the kilns."
01[21:52] <@SpaceThor> The construct walks by...and the hydraulic in its right leg pop with a loud HISS, and it starts toppling slowly towards you two. Ward reacts quickly, but you can only stare as it careens towards you...
01[21:52] <@SpaceThor> And you're shoved out of the way by a lineman, his rough, gloved hands knocking you clear of the construct.
06[21:53] * Dolores_de_la_Cruz stares up for a moment as it falls, and is quite undignified as *she* does, gasping as she tumbles out of hte way. "My word!"
01[21:53] <@SpaceThor> "Are you alright?" Genuine panic is on Ward's face.
06[22:01] * Dolores_de_la_Cruz stands up, grimacing and wiping her dress off. "I, I'm fine! I'm fine... what about..." She turns to look towards the constrcut... and the man that saved her.
01[22:02] <@SpaceThor> "What about who?" There's nobody else in this room, just other constructs.
[22:03] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> She blinks a few times. "There... I swear, there was a man there, he pushed me out of hte way...?"
01[22:04] <@SpaceThor> "We're the only two here, this is one of the areas we replaced the workers with constructs entirely."
06[22:04] * Dolores_de_la_Cruz pauses. "Well then, perhaps it was just... some travel fatigue. Yes. It has been a long day, you know!" She smiles a bit worridly. "P-please, do continue the tour."
01[22:06] <@SpaceThor> "It certainly has. I think we're nearly done here, then we'll get you to your home."
01[22:07] <@SpaceThor> Poor bastard's nerves are shot from that near miss.
06[22:08] * Dolores_de_la_Cruz smiles softly. Brave face, girl, brave face, always the brave face... "Sounds lovely, then. I can't wait to see it!"
01[22:11] <@SpaceThor> You get sent on your way after a cursory inspection of your health. They all seem rattled by the near miss, and back into the carriage and over the bridge.
06[22:12] * Dolores_de_la_Cruz sits primly, biting her lip and thinking. There was no one there... but she's SURE of what she saw.
01[22:12] <@SpaceThor> Someone looks like they're following you from a respectable distance. Nobody familiar.
01[22:18] <@SpaceThor> Soon you arrive. The mansion looms in front of you, and you're soon inside. You're assured by the driver that the servants will be arriving sometime tomorrow to resume their duties.
[22:19] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "Tomorrow, I see. So I'm on my own tonight?"
01[22:19] <@SpaceThor> "Yes, unfortunately. Terribly sorry, but we were not sure if the house would be occupied until just yesterday."
[22:21] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "Ah, well..." She nods slowly, frowning. "I'll survive, I'm sure."
01[22:26] <@SpaceThor> "Again, terribly sorry. Have a good night, young lady."
06[22:26] * Dolores_de_la_Cruz turns to the mansion... might as well poke around.
[22:30] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "I'll try, I'll try," she says, grimacing softly; though not where he can see. And 'young lady!' She's an adult, hmph. She doesn't need to be coddled...
01[22:30] <@SpaceThor> Inside and locking the door, the place lies before you, empty and dark, though sunlight bathes the rooms in a dim orange glow.
[22:31] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "Well," she murmurs, slipping into her native Spanish. "Hogar dulce hogar, eh, amigos?" She starts wandering, just randomly about.
01[22:34] <@SpaceThor> Downstairs or upstairs first?
06[22:34] * Dolores_de_la_Cruz goes to check the upstairs!
01[22:35] <@SpaceThor> It looks like an impromptu museum up here. Armor, swords, medallions, rings. You recognize most of this stuff from back home, your dad had it shipped here. Some of it you don't recognize.
[22:36] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "Oooh..." She starts going through it, careful not to touch. "Some of this... I wonder if he found it here? Did great-grandfather leave it?" She's letting a bit of wonder into her voice at the idea.
01[22:38] <@SpaceThor> "Of course I did. Does she think that it sprouted legs and walked through the breach?"
[22:39] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "... What?" She turns around rapidly, taking a step away from anything and looking around wildly.
01[22:40] <@SpaceThor> There's a man in a suit leaning against the wall. He freezes as you turn to look at him.
01[22:40] <@SpaceThor> "You can hear me?"
01[22:41] <@SpaceThor> "I told you, mijo, she saw me in the factory. Did you think I was joking?"
01[22:41] <@SpaceThor> Another person comes into the room. Walking would be a stretch, especially since it was through the wall.
[22:44] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> She stares for a moment, mouth open wide. "... Madre di dios. Who... what? How?"
01[22:50] <@SpaceThor> A woman, this time. "Lorenzo, you're going to give the girl a heart attack."
01[22:50] <@SpaceThor> Soon, the room is filled with people. Some you recognize from pictures or paintings.
06[22:51] * Dolores_de_la_Cruz stares, mouth open wide. "... some of you are... family. What in... what in god's name?"
01[22:53] <@SpaceThor> One walks forward to you. You recognize him as Gabriel Jose Cortez de la Cruz. The duke who fought in the Reconquista. "Rest easy, my child. I will explain."
06[22:54] * Dolores_de_la_Cruz takes a deep breath, trying to calm down, and nods slowly. "Please... please do?"
01[22:54] <@SpaceThor> "When your great-grandfather, young Ramon here, first entered this strange land, we awoke from our stupor on the other side. As he brought items close to us in life, we followed them, and watched over him. He lacked the ability you have though, as does your father."
01[22:54] <@SpaceThor> "This land is strange, the magic of death suffuses the air, gives us the strength to linger."
01[22:55] <@SpaceThor> "A good thing too, given what Lorenzo said about earlier today. It was lucky he was drawn to you, like a moth to a flame, else I shudder to think of the result."
[22:59] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "Presumably it would have been removing the 'near' from the near death experience," she says drily. "... Apologies. A, ah, a coping mechanism of mine." She stands a little straighter. "So... I can see the dead. And speak with them."
01[22:59] <@SpaceThor> "Oh, many see the dead in Malifaux. The souls of the dead, much fewer."
[23:04] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "Right, fair." She pauses. "So... where is my father, if I may ask?"
01[23:04] <@SpaceThor> He looks confused. "Why are you asking us? Did he not bring you?"
[23:05] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "In a way, he did." She frowns. "I recieved a letter a few weeks ago. It spoke of his death, and what he left me in his will. It's what brought me to Malifaux."
[23:06] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "As he left rather strict instructions for me to NOT follow him through the breach. Something about eggs and baskets in case it falls again."
01[23:07] <@SpaceThor> "That is...puzzling. We had not been able to keep up with him, his soul was not so easy to follow as your own. But if he were dead...well, I would expect for him to join us, as full as this house is of his things."
06[23:09] * Dolores_de_la_Cruz nods. "Then I guess I'll be looking for him," she says. "It isn't like his board is going to let me show my face around the factory, treating me like a child." She lets out a soft huff. "But it would be impolite of me to argue... for now."
01[23:10] <@SpaceThor> "Hmph, when did our family get so soft." Gabriel huffs. "Tittering about a factory is not a way for our noble bloodline!"
01[23:11] <@SpaceThor> "Grandfather, times have changed greatly." Ramon sighs, your great-grandfather putting his hand on his brow. "You cannot simply run about cleaving heads from necks. There is order to things."
[23:12] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> She shrugs. "It's the modern way of things. Where once it was kings and knights, now it's govenors and guildsmen. At least the De la Cruz line still exists, unlike many of our once-peers."
01[23:12] <@SpaceThor> The woman sidles up to you while the menfolk are arguing. "If you really want to look for your father, I'd check the basement. He'd go down there frequently, though we couldn't follow."
01[23:12] <@SpaceThor> "Let these puffed up menfolk argue into eternity, you shouldn't waste your youth listening to this nonsense."
06[23:13] * Dolores_de_la_Cruz nods to her and smiles. "It will be a start. Thank you." She glances over to the menfolk... and finds herself smiling more honestly. "I find myself agreeing. Still, it's... a bit of a comfort. It reminds me of the arguements I heard as a small child between my father and my uncle. Some things last through generations, I suppose," she muses, turning to head to the basement.
01[23:15] <@SpaceThor> The basement is a dark structure of rock, and a candle lay near the stairs to light your way down. A few lit lamps down there, and you can see quite clearly. There is a long tunnel heading to the south, pitch black from where you are.
[23:17] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> She blinks, thinking. south, south... there was something there. She holds the candle carefully with one hand, and holding up her dress with hte other, starts to follow the tunnel.
01[23:18] <@SpaceThor> It's tremendously long. You follow it's path for nearly 20 minutes. Never bending, never shifting. Straight forward.
01[23:18] <@SpaceThor> Soon you see dim lighting in a sphere in front of you.
[23:19] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> She peers at it carefully and keeps going, more and more curious.
01[23:19] <@SpaceThor> As you get closer, the image of a grate lies in front of you, and beyond that...emptiness. A section of city, like the one your mansion is in, but there's nothing there. No people, no lights, no life. Dead trees and the occasional bone, then a wall of tenements.
01[23:20] <@SpaceThor> There is a leather pack on your right, hanging from a heavy nail. The grate appears to be locked, a heavy mechanism in the center between the two sections.
[23:20] <Dolores_de_la_Cruz> "Interesting," she murmurs, and goe sto check the pack.
01[23:21] <@SpaceThor> There's a book, and a heavy iron key. Every page in the book has been torn out, save for one.
06[23:22] * Dolores_de_la_Cruz frowns... and reads that page. She has a bad feeling about this...
01[23:23] <@SpaceThor> It's your father's handwriting. "Mijo. This path ahead of you may lead to ruin, and may lead to salvation. I have seen both options, but it cannot be both. Which you find is up to you. But as your father, please heed these words, my last instructions for my daughter."
01[23:23] <@SpaceThor> "Do not follow me."