Examine the ceiling of the Saloon. Any sign something fell from the ceiling onto Neil or was set off or anything else suspicious?

Examine the ceiling of the Saloon. Any sign something fell from the ceiling onto Neil or was set off or anything else suspicious?

You investigate the ceiling of the Saloon. There's a bunch of cute purple construction paper lanterns, and there's some streamers hanging around as well.

There's also a piece of thread tied to the ceiling right above the Neil zone.

Compare the ashes found at the crime scene to whatever horrendous ash-tasting ingredient is in Derek/Hifumi's sandwiches.

Compare the ashes found at the crime scene to whatever horrendous ash-tasting ingredient is in Derek/Hifumi's sandwiches.

You compare this. They are clearly different kinds of ash. One looks like regular burnt ash (the one from the scene) while the other is some kind of fine brown-gray powder (sandwiches).

[11:05 PM]M. Zalsarona: is the brown powder tobacco from the tobacco place

You compare this to the tobacco available in the Tobacconist. It seems similar, but it definitely doesn't match fully.

Examine the thread discovered on the ceiling -- is it hemp like rope, silk, cotton? What's its color? How long is it? Source a magnifying glass from somewhere (medbay or up my ass or idc where) to do so if need be.

Check if that thread looks like it came from the tailor. If not, check if it was pulled from a bedsheet or something.

Something explosive or flammable, huh?

Let's check the Army Post, give it a good look. Anything in there that smells like this stuff?

This post was last modified: Mar 1, 2025 at 7:32 AM by Roland.

Hah... hell of a night, huh? Guess I can add... taking two bullets to my... bucket list.

Might surprise you to hear... but bullets ain't so common back in the City. Guns? Easy enough to get your hands on, but ammo's taxed to hell and back. Can cost you a whole month's paycheck to get a bullet or two from a high-end Workshop, and that's if you're one of the lucky ones who knows a guy. The unspoken rule is one shot, one kill - and here I am, with two in my chest.

Heh... it'd almost be a badge of honor - if it didn't hurt like all hell.




Just... gimme a sec... I'll testify, alright? I just gotta... ergh... get myself up for a bit.




Yeah... okay, I think I'm... good now. ...Let's just say I'm not complaining about the amount of painkillers they keep upstairs. I'll admit, that last part of the night is kind of a blur, but... I've got a good handle on the first half, I think. At least that guy who figured he'd break the rules and gun me down at the dueling contest waited until around the end, yeah?

Before the event though... can't say I got up to a whole lot. I took my horse over to the Army Post for later, tied him up and went inside to the General Store. Wasn't really after anything weird like the hatch in the floor, just wanted to grab a couple snacks for the event - and a gift for Kogami. The way I see it, couldn't hurt to have a couple of beers and some stuff to munch on while you wait around for your turn. It's 1v1 after all, y'know?




Dunno what he was after, but I saw the Ranger in here while I was loadin' up. Took something with him when he left, but I wasn't paying attention.

I still needed to put together a couple of things for the event though, I said I'd be helping out people who can't stand up for themselves, after all. I went down to the Blacksmith to make a couple things, but I waited around outside because Strong Bad was working in there. Checked out the Graveyard while I waited... and I noticed that one of the graves looked like it was messed with. Checked it out, and it was empty. Thought that was weird.

Anyway, the train horn went off - loud as hell. I was gettin' sick of waiting though, so I muscled in on Strong Bad's territory and headed into the Blacksmith to get to work. Anyone who lost a duel with me knows what I was doing in here, so I'll leave what I made for them to talk about... if they want to. No skin off my back either way.




Well, with that outta the way... I wanted to give the birthday girl her gift, so I headed over to the Saloon real quick. Kogami was in there alright, making some kinda paper lanterns or something. Jessica was hangin' around in there too, but I couldn't tell you what she was doing. Looked pretty awkward either way, but I know how it is. I only ever go to these things for a couple free beers before I hit the road myself.

Shame I missed the party in the end, guess I was too early - but I handed off my gift either way. Grabbed a couple drinks, watched Derek head upstairs, and it was back to the Century Agave for the contest - and wouldn't you know it - Kroos, Ranger, Bud, and McJango are already in the target range waiting. Well, can't complain about the enthusiasm at least.

So... I set up my snacks, drew my weapon... and we got this party started.

---

Heh, I'd like to say it was an easy time... but that wasn't entirely true. Not by a long shot.

First up was Kroos. Haah... I must've gotten rusty, because she put up a hell of a fight. She's fast, had to get in real close - falling back on my fists to do the work for me. Close shave, but I managed to come out on top by the skin of my teeth. McJango though... that guy fights real dirty. Just walked up, begging to have his head pet and stuff. I give him a little pat, and the little guy goes for my leg with his claws. Nothing a firm kick won't handle though, and I booted him across the room without too much trouble.

Reginald... Guy comes in with Kogami, and he's wearing this real dumb hat. Tries to take a swing at me, but I flatten him out in a couple seconds, if that. He'll never survive out here with a performance like that. Cascabela makes her grand entrance around here too, fireworks and all. 'Course, even she takes a minute to laugh at what just took place.

Dunno when she came in, but Lynne was up next. Eh... A more earnest attempt than Fikwerther, but she left herself wide open with a forward charge right off the bat. Took her down, gave her some advice. Kogami followed suit, just a buncha punches and yells. Must not've liked my gift. Well, seeing as she's the birthday girl, I made it all flashy-like. Took her down with a suplex.



Now Bud... There's a guy who knows what he's doing. Can't imagine the training this guy's gone through - his body's solid as a rock, and he's got the offense to back it up, Was hard to get a hit in edgewise with that hammer of his swingin' around. He had me on the ropes, I've gotta admit, but I managed to get a couple lucky hits in when we were both winded.

...Took a break after that to chat with Hollywood Bowl, who came in to take a couple cinematic shots with Not Shane. Thought I'd ask if he was feeling the heat after what happened with Deathborn, but he's pretty confident, seems like. North Star came in too around this point, all clad in black and calling himself Vengeful Virgil.




I told him to wait his turn and get to the back of the line... This is serious, what's with all the stupid costumes? First Reginald's hat, now this guy...

Nico was next, and go figure... she broke the rules. Brought a gun, but all she did was swing it around like a club, so I guess I can't really complain. Wasn't much of a fight either way though. She's good on her feet, but she's got no stamina. Knocked her out easy, and gave her a real melee weapon... which she used to try and attack Jessica, who was next in line...

Well, it didn't matter, she cut it out soon enough. Sort of felt bad for Jessica though. There was supposed to be some kinda doctor fight between her and Derek, but he never showed up. Didn't seem to bother her though, she came out swinging at me with a katana. Don't ask me where she got that 'round here, but an attempt was made on her part. Managed to sock her in the gut though, and seein' as she's gone tomorrow... no prize for her.




After that was... the Ranger.

I took a few swings at him, here and there. Thought I had him with a slice down the middle... but he just stopped what he was doing and pulled out a banjo. I mean, he wasn't half bad with the thing but... I couldn't even process what was going on. Before I knew it, he lunged forward and swiped my feet out from under me. I hit the floor, and I admitted defeat. With a strategy like that... I don't think he's got anything to worry about.

Speaking of unconventional tactics... Not Shane came at me next, swinging a door around. Might sound crazy, but there's some Fixers out there who swing around bigger, I've came face-to-face with a couple of them before, so I know how to handle a guy like this. I went on the defense, dodging around 'til he wore himself out before I used the door's weight against him and decked him in the face, sending him to the floor - with the weight of the door right on top of him.




Ha! That's when Agent Evangeline decided to challenge me. The Bureau of Paranormal Investigation... I wasn't exactly sure what their martial training was like. I almost underestimated her though - she can work that sword of hers like magic, and she's all kinds of resilient. Hit after hit after hit... and she just wouldn't go town. The girl's tough as nails. I figured I'd adapt though, took a page outta the Ranger's book and swept her legs out from under her, grabbing her head and slamming her into the wall as she fell.

...Thankfully, Cascabela didn't put up as much of a fight, so I was able to use that timeframe to recuperate a bit. Couldn't really judge her on an even playing field though, by that point she'd downed almost all the booze I brought and hacked together some kind of "fighting style" based around wavin' those big sleeves of her around and hissing. Wasn't really in the mood, so I flipped her through a table and called it a day.




North Star, or "Vengeful Virgil" as he was calling himself now... He was my next opponent, and I guess he woke up feeling like a real wise guy... Dual-wielding a whip and hammer, I could barely manage to block a blow from the hammer before I started taking hits from the whip - and vice-versa. As much as I hate to admit it... I didn't come prepared for some guy dual-wielding two weapons with such a huge difference in range and function.

I won't call him a cheater, but he's sure as hell not invited to the next one.

Hifumi was some much needed reprieve, an easy win. Barely needed to bust out a weapon - think I would've felt bad if I did. She was on the floor in under a minute tops, and I tried not to beat her too bad. I let her get up and gave her her consolation prize.




Madame Zalsarona spent a big chunk of the contest doing catering, and naturally... she was my last opponent. She tried some slick move, ambushing me with a box of baked goods - but it didn't take long at all before... she just dropped everything and surrendered. Considering she's killed someone already, I would've thought she'd had a fighting chance if she followed up... but I guess I can't complain about a free win.

I looked around for a bit after that... I'd already fought everyone here, so people started shuffling out. Not Shane and "Vengeful Virgil" headed to the west, but I didn't really keep tabs on the rest. Sat down at one of the tables for a sandwich, but it tasted like cigar ash, so I dropped that pretty quick.




It was at that point... that he came in.

Ragged black cloak and hat, torn bandana... not too different from North Star's getup, but at the same time.. This guy didn't feel the same. I stood up, headed back to the dueling floor, and asked him if he was looking to fight. Heh... I must be an idiot, right? Here I was, thinking he just wanted the same as everyone else...




Two gunshots to the chest, wordlessly and silently..

I... don't know what happened after that. I lost a lot of blood, blacked out there on the floor and only came to when Jessica and Zalsarona shook me awake. Ha... I have no idea how long I was out for, or what I missed after that point. Ah, well though. This is this, and that's that. I'm just... glad to be alive. Won't lie... I kinda regret executing the doctor so early now... Ha... ha....




...Ugh... Sorry... painkillers are starting to run their course now. I'll try to... cap this off while I can. After that... Well, Zalsarona and I were gonna head out to the desert, which is why I left my horse by the Army Post... for... supplies... But that wasn't happening now. I just headed over there myself and... brought him back to the dorms for the night. Only person I saw outside along the way... was Reginald...

Now, if you guys'll give me a bit... I'm gonna go lie down...

Well, I wanted to show Derek Stiles that he couldn't handle MY style, but unfortunately, I failed..I might as well give a crapful recounting of what I did do...

I started off by heading to the Army Post to prepare a devious plot. On my way there, I saw Roland leaving and Jessica getting some gear herself, and decided to wait for them to move on. I make my way to the Blacksmith, and I see Evangeline entering the Sheriff's Office as I leave, as well as Reginald wheeling a cart towards the Water Tower.

I spend some hours in the Blacksmith finely crafting an Australium Sniper Rifle. Roland is sharing the maker space with me working on...freakin' somethin', I dunno.

With my Sniper acquired, I get to an advantageous position to try and stake out Derek. I line up a clear shot on this freakin' bozo, I fire..and blam! It hits him...in the shoulder...because Hifumi tackles him and then blends his hand like some kind of low-budget horror film. Disappointedly, I head back to the Blacksmith to melt down my rifle for scraps. While I'm there working, North Star works on a project, and a mysterious figure in a black mask and black cloak enters the Blacksmith and heads to Carpentry. I return the wooden parts of the rifle back to the Army Post. On my way there, I see Akira Kogami, the Ranger, and Hollywood Bowl.

At this point I got pretty sleepy, so I made my way back to the worms...worms? Dorms... I see a few different craps-for-brains hanging around the new outhouses...I'm sure if you need someone more specific than that, I can try really hard to remember.

This post was last modified: Mar 1, 2025 at 12:28 PM by Elster.

Last night I returned to my duties as Location Scout/Set Technician and began my inspections of the buildings on this set, beginning from my own Dorm.
As has proven useful the last few days, I also noted the identities of people I passed and events of note, I hope this helps us identify our culprit.

Report:
General Store - n/a
Sheriff's Office - Ranger busy working, n/a
Army Post - n/a

Officer's Club - Nico came upstairs and passed by, n/a
Schoolhouse - n/a
Hallway - n/a
Courthouse - Cascabela passed by going downstairs, Neil Marshall also investigating here, n/a
Mayor's Office - Loud Train Whistle sounded, Nico passed by into the Courthouse, n/a

Executive's Office - n/a
Lobby - North Star and Hollwood Bowl were talking, Cascabela and Evangeline were talking, then Neil and Hollywood Bowl were talking, n/a
Movie Theatre - [Discrepency noted] Movie screen stands a distance forward from the outer wall, there is definitely a gap behind it but it is unclear if this area is accessible or spacious enough for a person.
Breakroom - n/a
Recording - Hollywood Bowl passed through, n/a
Film Equipment - n/a
Soundstage - Ranger and Hollywood Bowl were here before me and left as I entered, n/a

Newspaper - Kroos was leaving, n/a
Tailor - n/a
Barber Shop - n/a
Law Office - n/a
Tobacconist - n/a
Laundry - n/a
Bank - n/a
Chapel - [Discrepency noted] Large hole in the middle of the floor
Prickly Pear Dorm - Akira was entering as I left, n/a

Examine the thread discovered on the ceiling -- is it hemp like rope, silk, cotton? What's its color? How long is it? Source a magnifying glass from somewhere (medbay or up my ass or idc where) to do so if need be.

Check if that thread looks like it came from the tailor. If not, check if it was pulled from a bedsheet or something.

Giving it some look-overs, it's sturdy white thread, of a surprisingly short length. You compare it to the thread available in the Tailor, and confirm it matches Tailor thread.

Something explosive or flammable, huh?

Let's check the Army Post, give it a good look. Anything in there that smells like this stuff?

You give this a comparison sniff test. No luck here.

Neil… I… I shoulda been more alert. You had my back, I shoulda been stuck to yours… Marisa? Well, I reckon she had her heart set on settin' her trap since she rolled into town. Momoyo? She was always gonna take some convincin'. But you were full o' grit, Neil, a real stallion among lawmen, with the determination and the strength to match.

…this ain't the end of our trail, pardner. This investigation's gonna get seen through, you count on it.

Time for talkin', I s'pose. Same as anyone would've done with the earth so damp, I went to the Tailor to strap on a pair o' boots. I'm gonna stop you right there 'fore you go sayin' that'd've been my opportunity to grab some thread. Neil and I, we worked out a whole system to recognize each other in the dark. Don't you go insinuatin' I'd put him in harm's way now.

Stomped my way to the Bank from there. Silver Junction's chock full of mysteries, but not even the most mysterious of men can get away without frettin' about cash. Thought I might find some answers in the ledgers. I spent most of the night searchin' for answers… buuuut you wanna talk findings, we can have ourselves a chat later.

I wrapped up my business and left out through the Chapel, seein' Zalsarona headin' out o' the bank herself and makin' tracks west. Our fraud of a doc Derek Stiles still had his hands screwed on at this point, came out the same, walkin' with me for a spell til he went off to Mining Equipment. As I remember it, a train whistle sounded off not so long after. Hard for me to ever forget the whistle of a locomotive. It takes me back…

…whoops, sorry 'bout that. Didn't have much time to reminisce, y'see. I was busy as a beetle after the cacti bloom, so I made my way to the Sheriff's Office to carry on investigatin'. Don't you worry, Not Shane. This was official business on Neil's authority. Just… don't go askin' for a written warrant. I was kinda countin' on him corroboratin' that verbally…

Now, for all the investigatin' I had set to last night, I didn't go forgettin' about our new community garden. When the sky's givin' out a gulp o' water for free, only a fool's not gonna take it up on its offer. I paid stop to the General Store to grab a barrel, and drug it over to the Plot.

Reginald, well, he's earned himself a second chance in my books, 'cause I saw ol' Reginald workin' up a sweat puttin' those outhouses together while I was on my hike. I spotted Akira 'round the Water Tower and called out a happy birthday, but I must've spooked her something fierce judgin' by her yelpin' and dashin' away into the Gun Shop. Sorry if I startled ya!

With the birthday girl gone off, I got that barrel a nice sturdy setting in the earth next to the plot and left it to collect the rain. I suggest usin' the water it collects 'fore you go tappin' the Water Tower for our field!

It felt good gettin' that set up, but the night was still young, so I took my business on down to the Saloon. Figured I'd pop in and join the party for a spell to ensure it stayed lively, seein' as how Akira's been through the wringer. Y'all will hear this many times over, I'm sure, but…

Akira and the Ranger were puttin' on a mighty fine performance. Sounded straight outta a Cropdale festival, if you ask me. Sheriff Not Shane was bedded down at the bar with Nico and Honoka. And Lynne, that McJango feline, and Neil himself squatted in the audience with me.

I figured the Restaurant upstairs might have some old receipts that could shed some light on this town. Whatever sway Spencer Edwards had, he couldn't turn a town full o' empty stomachs, now could he? So I make my way upstairs for a spell. Hoo, next thing I know, there's fireworks downstairs and a scream shriller than a snakebit chihuahua.

I rush back downstairs to find Neil burnin' as Hifumi, Cascabela, Lynne, and McJango stand there gawkin'. If only I had… (Tch… No, he was already a crisp… but…) The trio at the bar kept to their drinkin' while Akira was screamin' her head off.

The birthday girl stomped out in a huff, and I made to follow to make sure she wasn't off to do anything drastic. We passed right by that snake oil salesman Derek Stiles passed out in the mud 'fore Akira broke away to the west.

She made a clean getaway, so I resigned myself to pokin' my head into the Post Office. Some light readin' later, and I went on back to Prickly Pear to catch a wink.

Now, y'all wanna swap info when we catch ourselves a killer, I'm sure we can negotiate a deal.

But first, I've got myself a date. Whoever's gone and done this to Neil… You and I are gonna have ourselves a little chat when we catch ya. I'm a man o' words first and foremost, but I think you'll find I got plenty of other means of gettin' a point across.

Let's run the comparison sniff test for any kerosene lamp oil in the Army Post, sniff test any cooking oils in the Resturaunt, and any tar in the Pharmacy or Doctor's Office.

Let's run the comparison sniff test for any kerosene lamp oil in the Army Post, sniff test any cooking oils in the Resturaunt, and any tar in the Pharmacy or Doctor's Office.

You run these specific sniff tests. While none of them are a clear match, you do find that the kerosene is somewhat similar, whereas the others don't really match up.

Honoka Kosakatua
Well... I didn't want to have to use this in public. But, if it's for the sake of the investigation...

Honoka unlocks the Explosives Storage door, and you step in and sniff check. Man does it smell like cordite and gunpowder in here. Man does that not smell like the scent around where Neil died.

Honoka Kosakatua
The door locks after itself, so don't go getting any ideas.

Do we have any kitchen torches with butane or propane in them? How do they compare to the kerosene-esque smell?

This post was last modified: Mar 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM by Honoka Kosakatua.

Do we have any kitchen torches with butane or propane in them? How do they compare to the kerosene-esque smell?

You give it a check. You do have a couple of these, one butane and one propane.

Butane is a match. Whatever source the substance has, it appears butane was the key component to it.

This post was last modified: Mar 1, 2025 at 4:17 PM by Jessica.

Let me think... d-do the General Store, Blacksmith, Barbershop, or Trading Post have anything with butane?

Um... I was just thinking of aerosols, I guess. Is there camping equipment there, or hairspray, or lighters?

Let me think... d-do the General Store, Blacksmith, Barbershop, or Trading Post have anything with butane?

Um... I was just thinking of aerosols, I guess. Is there camping equipment there, or hairspray, or lighters?

You give these particular rooms a good once-over.

It seems like there's some butane fuel available in the General Store, though it doesn't look like any of the bottles have been taken. The blacksmith and the trading post don't appear to have any butane. There's some aerosols with butane in the Barbershop, though it doesn't look like any are missing.