As a local, how much (rumors, facts, etc) does Arshavir actually know about the Rift Raffers? Things like their usual MO, rumors of a change in leadership that might explain the change of scope, known (or rumored) affiliations, that sort of thing...

First a really basic question - I have frequently seen people post ((OOC)) I assume this means it is "out of the game" or some such. But what exactly does it stand for?

I think some recon is a good idea. Heironymus might know something about these things from the people he works for. If nothing else, they might know about stories of people disappearing.

Two other thoughts:
1. I need to reread the game post, but doesn't it imply that the women come from outside of the city and are brought here for slavery? Thus the comment about the pirate in the harbor not bothering them on their way in. So there might not be local women disappearing. Instead, might women be showing up in brothels or some such places?
2. We need a "big picture" plan. I know info will help us make this, but I don't know what we are tryin to do yet. Yes, stop the slavers. But does that mean stop a shipment and free the ladies? Follow a shipment to the homebase? How exactly does one shut down a slaver operation? (As opposed to free one single shipment.) Do you take out the leadership? Make it too expensive to continue? catch those running it (as opposed to the gang leaders) and make it hard to restart? We need some information obviously first, but after that I am not overly sure about the next step.

ooc = Out Of Character designating that anything ooc is player knowledge as opposed to character knowledge.

And while yes, the post does state the girls are shipped in and pretty much sold into slavery, it does not rule out the fact that the dead ladies may have been in the city long enough that someone could (at the very least) know where they were "working" or who they "belong" to... Just a couple thoughts.

Feypyro old buddy, and everyone else too, I will get a post up by the end of the day but then I will be gone away from all internet for a week and unable to update until I get back. :-/

The Rift Raffers are a relatively new gang in the area. They've been around for less than 5 years so their M.O isn't really set in stone. They kicked out a couple gangs that were trying to take over the region in a fairly bloody takeover. The main thing they seem to be most involved in is drugs like speed and ecstasy. They also are quite well known for extortion schemes like the "protection" they make businesses that exist on the docks pay them. They're not well known for playing well with others, so a slave trade that isn't just ending in prostitution or drug running but might have ties to other affiliations, like the pirates, is new for them.

As to the girls... some prostitutes that work the docks are foreign and may be involved. Occasionally Heironymous will come across a foreign "bum" at his food shelter. And there is one such couple that has been coming in recently.

Two things it would be helpful to know.

1.) Where in the city is Heironymus' shelter? I put "west side" in the post, but that can be changed. I really have no idea. It might be good to know - also to have a name for that section of the city would add color to the posts. I was also assuming it wasn't near the docks, but again, I don't know this.
2.) I'm guessing the cleric will go find this couple at the shelter/kitchen. Could I get a description of them - where are they from, what do they look like, how long have they been there. Whatever might be helpful. Heironymus will want to try to introduce the topic without starting with "Hey, I'm a vigilante and would like to interrogate you a bit."

I'm currently in the middle of a move that is moving much faster than planned. I will be away from internets for a time.

Any chance that this thing is still alive and kicking? Heironymus had some cool potential and so did the city and scenario. Anyone?