# Solo: Beyond the Pale (8)

=> ../../../static/solo-byt-licence.gmi Licence info

> Recap: Berek and Griya are confronted by a Shtekn folk at the site of a grisly murder. It has referred to the Nation when speaking.

"The Nation?" I say.

> Does Griya understand the hive mind nature of the Shtekn? I usually use a d100 for oracle questions but I'm in a bar and only have a d20 and d6 with me. 15 or under and he knows. He does. 

"They think as one," Griya says. He smiles up at the large creature. It ambles towards us.

> I have just taken a break to read through the module. I was concerned that I might misunderstand what the Shtetl knows. The module is nonlinear and quite intricate, so hard to step through it as I had been without reading ahead. Anyway, I have a better idea of things now.

I walk towards the Shtekn, the torn body on the ground between us. I lean down and turn the body face up. It is Karl, his face twisted in agony. I met him not long after he married Cousin Ella, before they moved to Kest. This will hit her hard. I make a fist.

"What did you see?" I look up at the Shtekn, its strangeness seeming so unimportant now.

《This one was working the dead wood of the home of Frank Bronfman.》

"You know Frank Bronfman?" I ask.

《The Nation makes trade with Frank Bronfman. Brandy for good fish.》

"Where is Frank? Is he hurt?" Griya asks.

《Frank Bronfman did this. He went inside and remains there. The Nation has stayed to watch Frank Bronfman.》

Griya and I are silent. I look back at the house. It tracks that the Shtekn could watch the back of the house, and see someway inside. Could he have slipped out? But why would Bronfman not flee after doing this? Or try to hide the body?

"When was this?"

《Yesterday.》

Griya exclaims, louder than I'd like. Who can blaim him?

"He's been waiting inside after this!? For a whole day?"

The Shtekn gestures with shoulders and head. A yes, I guess.

I lift my hammer.

"I'm not as patient." Even as I stride back to the house I know I'm being hasty. There's more to uncover. More to know. More to prepare. But I'm thinking of Ella and I'm mad as hell.

> Does Griya follow? I'll make a willpower save for him. He fails. 

"Berek! Look what he did."

I don't break my pace. 

> Does the Shtekn follow? I'll say it's 50/50. It does.

As I enter I have the hammer ready to strike. I walk slow. The floorboards creak heavily as the Shtekn bends to crouch into the house. 

The only place Frank could be is upstairs. I nod at the creature and continue.
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