The Blackstone Files

*Cigar ash burns litter the papers edges, the smell of brandy, clean, is dotted across the pages and erased, redrawn sketches of lines connecting at various points reflect years of investigation, long nights and the indulgence of one or two vices to keep focused during tough times*

THE BLACKSTONE FILES

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"It was approximately two years ago when I first saw his name" recalled Sgt. Thunderfoot, "It was in a report by Professor Anton BrightShadow, you know, of the Cordor University? He's the kinda man thats asked to be everywhere and still finds a way to get to your side when ya need him."

As such, it was normal to see Anton providing reports to help the Cordor Guard be aware of any incidents. Little did they know that this simple report would be but the first step down the path of harassment of the free Cordor Press, assassination of Cordor University Professors and a multi-year long manhunt by the Cordor Guard for the infamous...Sarek Blackstone.

"Sarek Blackstone is causing trouble around Cordor...a known Banite" said by Anton BrightShadow in this first report. Words enough to warrant keeping an eye on someone yes, but how could it be known then that this simple trouble causer would in fact be sinking deeper into his sin. Deep enough to then assassinate BrightShadow and pick up habitually harassing one Jericho Fel, owner of the free Cordor Press.

It was after multiple, aggressive attempts to have the renowned journalist Mr. Fel publish false stories through his Press that Blackstone fully committed to evil. He struck down Mr Fel with multiple arrows and left him for dead. The truth of who committed this act was only revealed by chance when none other than Anton BrightShadow himself happened to be stopping by to check in on Mr Fel on behalf of the Guard and the University, due to Blackstones previous harassment.

Before losing conciousness, Fel was able to name Blackstone and with that confirmation of evidence, the Cordor Guard assigned a Peacekeeper, Barbara Thunderfoot full time to the case.

Having since been promoted to Sergeant a short time after the Blackstone Files were closed, Thunderfoot was an eager Peacekeepr looking to prove her units capabilities and, as a 4 year veteran of the Guard, was ready to take a larger step in her career by leading this case. Little did she know how the next two years would test her faith in the Red Knight.

With Mr Fel recovered enough to provide a full account of the event and Mr BrightShadow continuing to be attacked, the Cordor Press, University and Guard all banded together to track down as much about Blackstone as they could as the cowardly assassin would only attack or reveal himself at night and attack when people slept.

Months passed, and it was not without many more stalkings and murders by Blackstone. The exact count of those he had slain or effected is still to this day a mystery. But it was one hot, blistering day that hope was found.

"In the sands of Sibyad we tracked him." recalls Sergeant Thunderfoot, "After confirming where he conducted business under a stall fronted as a Celebration Sale stand we were able to follow tracks that lead to a hole in the wall apartment in the Sibyad Respite Garden where one Sarek Blackstone was confirmed in their records to live.".

Anton was at the time, a head figure in the now defunct Ministry of Trade (a ministry daftly needing more hands, funding and the continuing efforts of BrightShadow to make successful again), during inspection of Blackstones shop front, multiple acidic bombs were found, no doubt backshelf goods sold to the highest bidder.

Was there a link to these bombs and the attacks on the Nomad and the Guard Barracks? Was Blackstone at least involved as a consultant, seeking revenge vicariously since he knew the guard was tailing him? We did not wait to find out, an official Pariah pending Exile was issued and Blackstone was banned from our lands.

With multiple murders confirmed to be by Blackstone it came as a shock to the team to then receive letters confirmed to be written by Blackstone himself claiming a request for trial and that this whole case was fabricated by the victims and was being used to slander his name and cover up internal corruption.

If it were not for so many different individuals all penning Blackstone as their murderer it could be reasoned that since Blackstone had never been caught in the act by more than one person, his current victim, then how can any say it was in fact Blackstone? Lucky for us, those in this land blessed with a second chance at life do in fact retain their memory after a visit to the fuegue and not all the victims lost their life during one of his attacks so with so many lives effected it was only a matter of time before they all pointed back ...to Blackstone!

Still, the problem remained, Blackstone was clever enough to never be seen at his shop or home, or anywhere in fact except at the crime scenes reported once he attacked. It is only by the continued efforts of the Cordor Press, the Cordor University and the Cordor Guard that Blackstone finally met justice.

After years of work, tears shed and blood spilled, a solemn gathering took place inside the Cordor University between Sgt. Thunderfoot and Professor BrightShadow.

"It is after much sacrifice and with great honor, that I present to you, Sir Anton BrightShadow, the head of the Assassin Sarek Blackstone, fashioned and prepared as a trophy onto this pike by one Jericho Fel"

The head serves as memory to these events, located in the wine cellar of the Cordor University for all to see for themselves that they no longer have to live in fear of the serial assassin and murderer Sarek Blackstone.

*Loosely ordered copies of evidence, sketches and other investigative work providing evidence are mixed between the entire case file copy that would clearly show who Sarek Blackstone was, proving the crimes and how three major factions of the city worked together and over years managed to solve the case*

*A big and thick red stamp in all caps covers the last page of the case file saying CASE CLOSED* and has official marks and sign off to end the file*