Stalkers RPG Main Action and Team Status [SEASON 4]

[Suicune's Fire]

Alright, I want to chase a few hunches underwater, but a couple of higher-priority leads are driving me nuts...

So first I want to talk to 35. Kaskin the Croagunk. I'm going to chat about the murder-surgeon Stalkers, but be very careful to convey I consider Kaskin an expert reference, not a potential suspect.

"...Because I think you probably already get a lot of unwarranted suspicion and scrutiny, just because of your typing and your profession."

I want to ask him about other potential hobbyist-surgeons, or any ties he think resident Pokemon might have to specific Stalkers' murder methods. Who has access to the clinic? Does he have an apprentice?

I want to ask him about Yssillee. Does he know her, what does he think of her?

I want him to talk to me about Sway, and if he's ever treated any Pokemon for being dosed up on it, what the effects/symptoms are.

"There's been a rash of thieves taking advantage of the commotion, so if you notice your things going missing, uh... well I guess let me know.

"Oh, and, lastly -- do you think I could get a writing sample? Yeah, I'm thinking there's some gang activity, so I just want proof enough to rule you out to the... lesser minds among us."

(Of-- of course! I'll see if he has anything I can do to make his job easier... aiming for that side mission... If there's a natural way to slip that in during these talking points, I'll definitely do that!)

Interview Rapport: POSITIVE
+1 Shared evolution stage

It's easy enough to find Kaskin, who is working late at Black Dart Apothecary. You use the back of one of your pincers to knock on the door, and you hear shuffling from the other side for a bit before the door creaks open just slightly, and a small, dark blue form appears in front of you.

"Yes?" he asks, and you can immediately tell by his voice that he is not young.

You begin by introducing yourself and asking if you would be able to speak with him. The dual type looks you up and down, then asks why you would like to speak. You tell him that you're trying to gather information on the Stalkers and, given that they are known for violence and possible injuries, you believe he may have some crucial information for you. He considers this and closes the door. You then hear some rattling as a small chain is undone, and the door reopens wide enough for you this time. He asks that you come in, so you do, making your way through the waiting room and into his office, where you can see a single candle upon the desk.

He offers you tea or a snack, but you decline, and he sits down on his chair and asks you what exactly you are researching, and why. You begin to carefully explain your mission, mentioning that you are not the only one, and he watches you carefully as you speak. You explain that his advice would be invaluable, and that any patterns he has seen or any inklings he has regarding suspects would be helpful. You also mention the surgeon-like method that one of the Stalkers uses. You watch to see if his expression changes at all, but he remains relatively hard to read. You follow up with the fact that he is not a suspect, and that you merely wish to discuss medical practices with him. "...Because I think you probably already get a lot of unwarranted suspicion and scrutiny, just because of your typing and your profession."

He makes a sound of acknowledgement, then leaves the room for a moment. You're unsure what's happening until he returns with a clay cup releasing a line of steam, and you imagine he had made himself a tea shortly before you arrived. He sits back down. "Indeed, I do," he begins, taking a sip. "There are many who do not trust me solely because I possess two types commonly perceived as only useful for harming others. They are simpletons, but it is not their fault that they have been brainwashed with stereotypes. They are only at fault if they persist with their views upon gaining exposure and knowledge that combats them." The way he speaks on this topic makes you think that he has said this many times, and the response comes naturally to him now. "However, everyone here in Salvage Keep knows me, and, I hope, trusts me and my knowledge. It's mostly the...individuals passing through who hesitate to put their life in my hands." He holds up his left hand, and it's only then that you notice his middle finger is almost completely missing. "Nevertheless, you strike me as an intelligent pokémon. Noble, too, given that you are obviously from another land and yet you wish to put your life on the line for the pokémon here." He narrows his eyes a little, watching you as if you are a subject. "Are you sure you do not require any tea?"

You decline again, trying to steer the conversation back to the reason you came. You ask him about injuries from Stalkers, and if anybody has access to the clinic besides himself, or if he has an apprentice. You ask him of Yssillee as well.

"In all my time here working as a healer, not once have I seen another practice medicine or healing. Nor have I had an apprentice. Except..." He pauses. "Imeida. She had a son, Suvu. Suvu was not her biological son, but a teddiursa she had adopted a number of years ago. A few months ago, there was an attack on the town, and Suvu was killed by the mercenaries. Imeida avenged him, but since then, she has been...different. She used to help out around Salvage Keep, and she would frequently help me here, as well. She had an unbreakable bond with the town blacksmith, Kannari, but ever since the incident with Suvu...it's as if she is another pokémon entirely. Her friendships have dissolved, her memory is failing, and she is rarely even seen around town anymore. I cannot speak for her, but my conclusion is that her trauma is severe, or something else plagues her." He takes another sip. "As for injuries...Stalkers do not normally injure. They destroy. The only instance of injury that I have seen since their appearance has been Dee'mang. He was the first reported case of a Stalker attack, yet he was not killed. He was targeted by the Stalker Payload, whose obsession with explosives resulted in Dee'mang's injuries. A demolition burned his left side, took his eye, and destroyed one of his toes. Curiously, the Stalker did not attack again for at least a week. Dee'mang has only recently recovered enough to go back to living with Samba." He stops, addressing the final topic. "As for Yssillee...nice girl. She is a ranger, so she likely has superior knowledge about the various locations around town compared to anyone else."

The next subject on your list is about sway, the drug you and your companions have heard talk about. Kaskin's brow relaxes slightly at the mention.

"Sway is a narcotic. It is addictive after only a few doses and can be taken in a variety of ways; the most common form is in incorporated into food or drink as a powder, or consumed in a capsule. Dirty red in colour. It has been known to relieve pain, although it is not the most effective method. It is used to relieve stress and give the user a sense of euphoria. Withdrawal symptoms are generally universal--sweating, anxiety, cravings, and irrational behaviour. There are sway dealers in town--that much is certain. Who they are remains to be seen." The croagunk gets up and retrieves a thick ledger from his desk, and sits back down. "I cannot breach patient-doctor confidentiality, so it is out of my ability to reveal to you anyone I know who uses sway, and I do not believe it relates to your investigation." He holds eye contact with you. "What I can tell you is that I have patients who require my assistance, and you, I believe, are offering yours."

Kaskin opens the ledger on his lap, flicks through a few pages, then sets it back on the desk. He rummages through various cupboards and drawers, assembling some supplies in individual bags. By the time he is done, he has five bags wrapped neatly with attached labels. He steps away from the desk and return to his tea.

"I have much to deal with at the moment, so I would appreciate help delivering these packages to various patients on this page. You may keep any payment that is due upon delivery; I am well-stocked this month, and the elimination of Stalkers is going to require resources. So, the splinters are best given to you." He then hands you a copy of what is written in his ledger.



=Care Package List= was noted in the Team Records.

SIDE MISSION STARTED: Care Packages

Spoiler:

Kaskin is a little bogged down with work and he asks the Emissaries to deliver five medication/supply packages.

Rewards: Payment of each package ($SP$ and misc. items).

[Care Packages] x5 were added to the Team Inventory.

"Do not hesitate to come to me should you require medical assistance, either. I believe what you and your companions are doing is imperative, and not something that most pokémon would be willing to do."

Kaskin has been identified as possessing the Medicine Perk.

"If that is all the questions you have, I must ask for solitude, as I have much to get through before the sun rises."

He sees you out, ensuring you have the packages, and locks the door behind you.


Truly the Clauncher (S: Water)

Health: 8/8| Sanity: 8/8 | Purity: 12/12
Battle Stance: Flee
Perk: Technical