Gilda
Griffons
Acolyte Griffon
I'm half-eagle, half-lion and all awesome!
Posts: 213
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Post by Gilda on Oct 13, 2012 9:10:35 GMT -5
Gilda followed after, admiring the high ceilings and works of art the lined, but growing increasingly turned around as she was lead through the winding halls and sudden shortcuts leading to a cellar. Though distracted by the sights of the mansion, Rainlock’s description of ‘Grey Shadow’ kept racing through her head and she wondered if perhaps she was getting in over her head – if what she said was true. Not that the griffon would admit her apprehension in even the slightest, not after talking herself up as she had done but an inkling of resignation crept through her.
When they arrived at that vault, Gilda stepped forward, giving the vault a quick look over before turning to the guard. ”So, they only took the Eye? How well known is it that she owned the thing?” She inquired, ”And any idea how long it was between them entering the place and their fleeing?” Her eyes drifted back to the vault, first to the seam of the vault’s door, the locks, the floor before the metal door and the ceiling above. She glanced back to the rest of the cellar, checking the area within eye-shot. ”So I’m not backtracking like some dweeb, what have you suits already found?”
((Assume you’ll tell me what I’m seeing, LA Noire style?))
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Post by Red Charge on Oct 20, 2012 10:22:02 GMT -5
Gilda was in a large vault room, apparently specifically designed for the "eye", there were several broken suits of what appeared to be diamond-dog esque suits of armor. The guard indicated that they were Equiterian War Golems, a few others were piled in a row at the exit, the guard explained they were taking phalanx positions to block the exit. In addition Gilda could feel the traces of powerful magic, probably numerous defensive spells protecting the room. In addition she could the prickles of offensive magic as well.
The Eye, the guard explained, is a relatively unknown artifact. It holds within it great power, but only in the hands of someone who knew what it does and how to use it. Apparently an eye of a powerful dragon deity now locked within Tartarus. The guard wasn't sure of the function of the eye, but he did explain that even Lady Rainlock didn't know how to use it. Only that using it could be catastrophic.
The room itself did not seem to be broken into from the outside, the only way the culprit could have entered was probably the same way he left. Gilda didn't notice any more damage in the rest of the mansion, but the guard explained that there was extensive damage all along the way. This was pretty straightforward, it was a quick in and out, the shadow came in, dispelled the defensive spells, took the eye, blew up the golems and left. Not much for finesse, but then it didn't seem to be what he was going for in this particular heist. It's possible that he was already detected prior to breaking the vault. A good question to ask the guard.
There wasn't much more to discern from the vault. Would be better to retrace the Shadow's steps throughout the mansion to determine the entry and exit points.
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Gilda
Griffons
Acolyte Griffon
I'm half-eagle, half-lion and all awesome!
Posts: 213
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Post by Gilda on Oct 20, 2012 12:57:12 GMT -5
My Gilda noted the presence of the magic in the air through it’s that electric ting that tickled her feathers and fur, like a creeping chill the slid up her back and through her wings. It made her hackles stand on end. It wasn’t a bad feeling, but in magic’s presence too long made her feel unsettled and anxious. She stepped forward, towards the golems, giving them a keen once over. She pondered what had been used to take them out. Did the Shadow use only magic and if so, what type was it or did they use some sort of weapon or device in conjunction?
“Don’t know what it does, does she?” Gilda inquired with a curiously cocked brow as she glanced back to the guard. “Interesting – wonder who would know.” She formulated a theory, the Grey Shadow didn’t want it for himself; they got it for someone else. But who was this mysterious buyer? She gave the vault one last look over, focused heavily on the seal of the vault’s door. Without any sign of forced entry, did they come in from underneath, teleport… or did they get regular access into it? Certainly seemed they went in through the front.
“Sooo, were you alerted before or after they entered the vault?” She asked, “And did these spells trigger at all before being knocked out?” Whatever the answer was, Gilda thought she was seeing something piece together. The griffon hung around enough seedy ponies and griffons to take a stab at what may have happened here, having heard plenty of stories of botched or near botched robberies. She had a few close class in her time too. She figured the thief snuck in, was able to get to the vault undetected, entered by somehow getting around using force and tried to make it look like a smash and grab when something triggered for the guards. At that point they bolted as quickly they could, blasting their way out. Made it confusing and hectic as possible so it would be harder for the guards to remember how the job went down.
“Not seeing much here, show me the path they cut through the mansion.” She requested.
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Post by Red Charge on Oct 22, 2012 19:51:03 GMT -5
The guard took her out of the vault, explaining that they're not sure where he entered the mansion from, only that they became alerted of his presence when he wandering it. It wasn't likely he entered from the green house, or the zoo. So they believe he must have either entered from a balcony or a side door. He took her to the earliest point where he was discovered, not far away from the vault, where she could see a suit of pony armor knocked over, and singes on the carpet leading towards the vault. There's nothing before that.
The guard explained that here he was discovered, whether on purpose on not he wasn't sure. Apparently he knocked over one of the suits of armor. Perhaps better inspection of the armor would help determine what happened.
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Gilda
Griffons
Acolyte Griffon
I'm half-eagle, half-lion and all awesome!
Posts: 213
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Post by Gilda on Oct 24, 2012 22:48:46 GMT -5
Gilda followed suit, still gawking in awe at the grand scope of this mansion. In her younger days – that is to say just prior to deciding to take on this job, she would have thought this place a challenge. Like a dragons treasure waiting to be pilfered, but now such notions were but wish-full thinking. She was above all a griffon and even for her, there was a sense honor. For a fleeting moment, she thought back on Rainbow Dash and how wicked it would be for the both of them work this out like some sort girls only Hardy Colts duo. She shook the brief thought away when the guard lead her to the sight of the Grey Shadow’s discovery.
Gilda leaned close to the scorch marks upon the carpet runner, shuffling up to the fallen armor. Her eyes scanned over the armor, searching through it for any clues. Her attention then shifted the area around the armor’s stand, the wall from which it had rested against, with her eyes finally shifting to the ceiling above. ” From here where did he scamper off to?” she inquired.
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Post by Red Charge on Oct 25, 2012 0:00:03 GMT -5
The guard indicated that the suit of armor was an inactive golem. To be activated in the case of an alarm only. He wasn't at all sure how the Grey Shadow managed to knock it over, there were no guards patroling that corridor at the time either, as it was the shift change and the starting points for the patrol routes were still rather far off. He assumes something must have startled the Grey Shadow and caused him to crash into the suit of armor.
Gilda could see that the scorch marks began from after the collision point, meaning that up to that point, there was no magic being used at all. Probably because it would be detected by the many spells covering the mansion. The armor pieces themselves were fully intact and in remarkable condition, polished unscratched metal that was as though the armor had only just been made. Even the collapse did not generate any dents or scratches. But unfortunately, there was nothing out of place there.
Though it was a plausible assumption that the thief came from down that corridor, the unusual circumstances regarding the suit of armor implied that perhaps he was using the armor as to cover his real entry point to the mansion. The carpets were also rather clean, no dust or hoofprints on them. Must be magical, naturally. But if they were indeed magical, Gilda knew, a path could be traced should they come in contact with more magic. The only question was, was the fire gliding the result of magical shoes or of some innate magic of the thief. Perhaps it would be prudent to ask what species of pony the thief was.
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Gilda
Griffons
Acolyte Griffon
I'm half-eagle, half-lion and all awesome!
Posts: 213
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Post by Gilda on Oct 30, 2012 20:34:06 GMT -5
Gilda couldn't help but feel that whoever did this was beyond her scope - again, however, it wouldn't stop her from at least attempting to piece what happened here together. Takes a thief to catch a thief, or so least she kept telling herself. The peculiar fact that magic was so far vacant from the equation was even more troubling, who or what did this was skilled - epically skilled. She was impressed and she wasn't easily impressed, so she told herself.
"Was this a Pegasus that did all this?" She hadn't a clue how this could have been, a unicorn would have made sense, but their inherent reliance on magic would have left a residue - a lingering tinge, there was nothing. Could it have been an earth-pony perhaps? They may have worn the armor to scuttle about the estate - if that were the case, they may have been here for awhile before they were detected. If it wasn't a unicorn, then whoever did this may be using some strange relic which circumvented the security - so she figured. "The magic things ya got around here, how sensitive are they? We talking like a sneeze will set them off or does it take significant magic?"
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Post by Red Charge on Nov 3, 2012 8:37:05 GMT -5
The guard seemed completely uncertain to both questions, he said that they suspected the Grey Shadow to not be a unicorn, but with the hood and the cloak they couldn't tell for sure. He was very certain that there were no wings involved, however he was not sure whether there was a horn or not. He did point out that he was literally gliding a feet or so above the ground on flames, but stressed once more that there were no wings spread or any indication of such beneath his cloak.
As for the security measures, he was unsure. They always worked, so none of them really bothered to learn the details. They were specially ordered by Lady Rainlock, but he couldn't tell her by who. He just knew that any unauthorised magic was instantly detected. He pointed out that Lady Rainlock's authorization was needed for anything, a verbal command or the such was enough for her to activate all of the house's systems. Golems and the such included. However, he pointed out that as far as any of them knew, she was the only one apart from Prof. Rainlock himself the magic would abide to.
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Gilda
Griffons
Acolyte Griffon
I'm half-eagle, half-lion and all awesome!
Posts: 213
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Post by Gilda on Nov 6, 2012 20:50:59 GMT -5
“Order huh?” Gilda’s brain was ticking away at that notion. “Can we find out who it was order from?” She requested – it was one avenue to explore. Perhaps there was an unknown fault with it, or some skeleton key to bypass the system. Even if custom made for the Rainlocks, there always were exploits. No security system was foalproof, none – not even magical systems. Tenacity, craftiness, and a little know-how could circumvent them. Just most weren’t that committed or foalish – Gilda included. So no wings, maybe no horn and definitely something that bypassed the magic detectors. This had to have been an artifact or relic, something of immense power.
Her head snapped to the guard when he mentioned another, ”Professor? Who in Tartarus is ‘Professor Rainlock’? That mare’s husband? Where is he then, got a couple of questions to ask that pony.” She said, shooting the guard daggers for leading her around while a perfectly good resource appeared unexploited. “If you’re not sure, take me to someone who is. Your princess knows I can’t rely on assumptions, want this done right, I need to ask the bosses some more questions.”
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Post by Red Charge on Nov 9, 2012 1:56:16 GMT -5
The guard explained that Proffessor Rainlock, now widely known as Red Charge, former leader of the Cult of Eclipse and current Royal Advisor, could not have been involved with the break in, as he is Gale's father, and owns all of the property in this mansion, with her as the curator.
He also explained that who cast the spells is irrelevant, as there are too many to count and were probably cast by several different uninvolved individuals, with no knowledge of each other.
He also stated that Rainlock has no enemies, and it could not have been an inside, or changeling job. As all guards were accounted for that evening and none of the guards could have opened that vault to begin with, as only Rainlock herself has access.
The guard suggested that examining the Shadow's trail would probably the better option at the moment, as Lady Rainlock had neither the time nor the inclination to answer further questions.
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Gilda
Griffons
Acolyte Griffon
I'm half-eagle, half-lion and all awesome!
Posts: 213
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Post by Gilda on Nov 13, 2012 15:41:58 GMT -5
"Well she obviously isn't the only one with 'access', else I wouldn't be here, dweeb. Seriously, think, hay-brain." Gillda retorted, least it seemed obvious to her. So Mr. Rainlock is Red Charge, she knew the name in passing. Interesting to note - even if irrelevant for the investigation.
So not getting anywhere with talking, to the Guard or the Mare with the root-hoof, Gilda padded to the trail cut by The Shadow. She followed the trail that was cut through, occasionally glancing around for anything out of place. She hoped it would finally lead to something a little more solid than just all this speculating Hay-Brain and the rest of the ponies had been spouting. For something seemingly valuable, they were certainly very passe about the whole thing.
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Post by Red Charge on Nov 14, 2012 0:55:05 GMT -5
The guard seemed apathic at her insults, merely replying, "I forgot Griffons know nothing of magic, I guess it's only natural... No, see if it was someone with access it would be easy to determine who. However the defensive spells were broken, which leaves only the question, how he got the door open."
The guard followed Gilda through the trail, it continue through the mansion, with only as much as scorch marks as evidence of someone being there. No hoofprints anywhere, nothing out of the ordinary other than the chaotic mess. Nothing left behind by him.
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Gilda
Griffons
Acolyte Griffon
I'm half-eagle, half-lion and all awesome!
Posts: 213
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Post by Gilda on Nov 14, 2012 20:51:47 GMT -5
Gilda looked up from her analysis of the scorch marks with a sigh, ”Ok so we can determine that the Shadow was likely hovering over the carpets, gliding on fire I gather. I’m guessing some sort of relic – but that’s just a guess.” She explained, mostly for herself and partially to show that she was paying attention. ”How he got in to the mansion or safe, I’m not sure. They’re good, very good. Obviously not some lame pony amateur – I’m impressed, really.” Gilda scratched her chin with a talon, thinking further on it. ”They must have used something conceived for this very type of robbery. Take a stab at it and say a artifact. Now the question is why… What would they have to gain by stealing this item. A buyer? Or maybe for a personal collection… or was it just a notch on their belt. I mean, look at this place, it’s a fortress. A heist like this would be notorious in thieving circles. Crazy bragging rights.” She explained rhetorically. ”I feel like I’m missing something, but what?”
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Post by Red Charge on Nov 15, 2012 5:32:07 GMT -5
The guard sighed exasperatedly, "So your conclusion is that he was gliding on fire, and is a very good robber. I see Lady Rainlock picked the right Griffon for the job." He shook his head helplessly.
The guard said that if she was done here they could move on to where he was last spotted upon the rooftops of Manehattan. Perhaps there she could find a clue to where he ran off to.
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Gilda
Griffons
Acolyte Griffon
I'm half-eagle, half-lion and all awesome!
Posts: 213
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Post by Gilda on Nov 15, 2012 13:03:03 GMT -5
Gilda stared daggers at the guard, what a jerk. Not like she has had much to work with at the time. The idea behind thieving is not to leave evidence behind, whoever did this wasn't asking to just get caught. "No, I now know he had something to assist him with the robbery and he was well aware about the security in the place. He probably canvassed the joint for awhile, maybe worked here at one time and he obviously came for that one thing. It just wasn't a theft of opportunity. Now lead the way before I smack you." She sighed and sarcastically rolled her eyes.
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