Unrest in the City (An open mystery investigation RP)

[Rhapture]

Rumors of bands of night prowlers terrorizing the city are spreading from Subura up onto the seven hills where the more prominent citizens live. There have been break-ins and looting of stores. Reports of murder and rape have gone unheard by the local magistrates. Some stores are not even opening now, which will hurt Rome's taxes. It would not be good if Rome's common man or the poor rose up against the government in any kind of revolt. Most of the citizens do own weapons and have been trained, and they number in the thousands. The senators and magistrates of Rome need to find out what is causing this unrest and what they can do to stop it.

What is Happening.

Please feel free to join this RP to uncover the mysteries of what it going on among the common citizens of Rome. Go into the local pubs, a merchant, the cross-road colleges, check a local shrine, maybe visit a prostitute(they have access to many people), or somewhere else you think of. You may try to go it alone, or work together. Spoiler: Expect a Senator to die. I will mod, but if needed my character will help out. Rewards will be given out.

[Mary The Quene]

Tiberius walked along the Tiber river with some friends. Many of the people down the streets looked angered to Tiberius for reasons unknown to Tiberius. After a good walk in the streets of Rome Tiberius wanted to visit his favorite prostitute which he visits quite frequently.

He had barely entered the house where she works and saw the common people watching him with eyes fixed on him. The prostitute entered the room and gave Tiberius favorite wine to him. Messaline who's renown for her work tried to kiss him but Tiberius interested in the people's unfriendly behaviour refused her advances for this time.

'Tell me Messalina'' Tiberius got interrupted

'Tell you what my dear?'

'Tell me why those people there are constantly watching us, they seem not to be in a friendly mood'

'Please stay off me, i asked you something'

'You mean those poor mobs beneath us?

'Yes those mobs, i don't know what's wrong with them, not only here but also outside these walls the people seem to be unfriendly to the high standing men of Rome'

Tiberius relaxed within the sweet arms of Messalina, calming from the stressing tense withing the walls of the senate.

[Rhapture]

Tiberius walked along the Tiber river with some friends. Many of the people down the streets looked angered to Tiberius for reasons unknown to Tiberius. After a good walk in the streets of Rome Tiberius wanted to visit his favorite prostitute which he visits quite frequently.

He had barely entered the house where she works and saw the common people watching him with eyes fixed on him. The prostitute entered the room and gave Tiberius favorite wine to him. Messaline who's renown for her work tried to kiss him but Tiberius interested in the people's unfriendly behaviour refused her advances for this time.

'Tell me Messalina'' Tiberius got interrupted

'Tell you what my dear?'

'Tell me why those people there are constantly watching us, they seem not to be in a friendly mood'

'Please stay off me, i asked you something'

'You mean those poor mobs beneath us?

'Yes those mobs, i don't know what's wrong with them, not only here but also outside these walls the people seem to be unfriendly to the high standing men of Rome'

Tiberius relaxed within the sweet arms of Messalina, calming from the stressing tense withing the walls of the senate.

"Because the people do not think the Senators and those of high standing are doing anything for them. There have been no games, no festivals, no religious feasts. Even us girls benefit from those as men are more willing to drop a few more coins when they are happy and drunk. But mostly they are worried about all the crime and death that has been happening around us, while the people on the Hills to little to rectify it, even they even know or care about it"

She replies

[Iron Aquilifer]

Gnaeus walked with Sextus at his side, strolling down a street in silence. Every so often they noticed a store which had not opened, former customers edging around the building as if it had caught a disease. It was these shops which Gnaeus and his son took interest in.

"This one was struck last night," Octavus informed the two men.

He was a plebeian blacksmith, having forged the weapons which slew many of the Samnites who face Rome in the recent war. At almost fifty, he was aging well, far better than the younger Gnaeus. He was broad-shouldered, with powerful arms and clean face.

Approaching the store, Gnaeus noticed the damage done to the door. There were clear gouges taken out of the wood, and small splatters of blood.

"Was it one of ours who worked here?"

Sextus seemed to have a political mind to Gnaeus, always searching for the effects events had on his family. Coupling that with his swordsmanship, the Tribune sometimes dreamed that his firstborn would go far.

"They werr never very vocal in support of you Gnaeus," Octavus answered hesitantly, as if the Tribune would care if the man was a friend or not.

"Is there anyone inside?" Gnaeus asked.

A shrug of the shoulders was all he got.

Announcing his presence, the Senator opened the door, surprised that it gave way without resistance.

Once inside, the three men checked quickly if anyone was within.

The shop floor was small, though it looted bigger due to its emptiness. Shelves no longer held anything of value, chests were devote of the objects they had once contained, and the tables were clear of any clutter.

"You had best make sure nobody comes in looking for trouble," Gnaeus informed the blacksmith. "And see if you can't get someone to find the family. I want to speak with them."

They had disappeared, supposedly, but Gnaeus had faith that they would appear soon enough.

"Alright Sextus, lets look around."

His son nodded solemnly, taken back by a puddle of blood which was congealing at the base of the entrance in to the back room.

"What are we looking for?"

That was a good question.

"Anything. Maybe one of them dropped something. Maybe a message was left. Maybe there is something concealed in here."

He had no idea who "they" were. All he had to go on was muffled noises and half-seen figures. Yet he believed that it was getting worse, and could see open violence break out.

[Rhapture]

Wedged under a door to a small closet was a torn piece of a black woolen tunic or robe. It had dried grey clay on it.

[Iron Aquilifer]

Wedged under a door to a small closet was a torn piece of a black woolen tunic or robe. It had dried grey clay on it.

Opening the closet, Gnaeus was disappointed to find no more clues. While Sextus carefully secreted the piece of dirty fabric in to a pocket, the Senator gave the shop one last check, eyes straining to find anything out of the ordinary.

Nothing.

"We will speak with the family, if they are found."

Rejoining Octavus, the three men made their way back towards the unaffected areas.

"I woll pay well for whoever finds me that family, understood?"

The blacksmith nodded, a smile almost breaking free. He had lost people to the attacks, and seemed to be pleased to assist the Tribune.

"Me and Sextus will retire for a short duration. We found something, and it will be better to think on it in the peace of our own home."

With that, Gnaeus and Octavus parted ways.

[Okmin]

Consul Aquila, though he expected to be off at war soon, had decided that this criminal activity warranted his attention. He could at least get the local magistrates off their lazy rears. If nothing else came of it, at least he would not be idle while the legions mustered. He had brought Titus along too; the boy was nearer manhood every day, and so he needed to understand the duties of a magistrate and senator. And, of course, there were the twelve lictors, clearly identifying the consul - if the striped toga wasn't enough.

He had decided to start at the top, since Tribune Rutilianus was reportedly investigating the shops. To that end, Aquila approached the nearest government office; one of his lictors knocked on the door.

Gaius Marius desires to speak with Subura's magistrates.

[Rhapture]

Marcus Domitus, the local magistrate of Subura, welcomes the consul Gauis Marius into his small office he rented from an insula owner. Off of the Vicus Patrcii, one of the major streets of the Subura, the insula was centrally located in this crowded area of Rome.
"Greetings, Consul, what a pleasant surprise to see a man of such gravitas in our humble corner of Rome." He puts his hand on his chest and bows to the great man then orders a slave to bring wine and cheese and bread for the guest. "What business brings you down from the forum?"

[Okmin]

Aquila selected some wine. It was not of the quality he was used to - not a surprise. Still, he sipped at it.
Thank you, Domitus. And frankly I am not here for a particularly pleasant reason. Are you aware of the recent crime spree in your district?

[Rhapture]

Aquila selected some wine. It was not of the quality he was used to - not a surprise. Still, he sipped at it.
Thank you, Domitus. And frankly I am not here for a particularly pleasant reason. Are you aware of the recent crime spree in your district?

"Of course consul, I am aware of what seems almost now nightly break-ins and muggings in this district. It is very troubling. I heard that a couple years ago a young praetor tried to pass a bill for a neighborhood watch or patrol but that is went no where in the Senate. The local crossroad college I guess sends men out at night to protect the local businesses, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were part of the crime spree." Marcus answers. His face was getting a little warm, and he hoped his nervousness wasn't showing too badly. It was not every day that a Consul came down to Subura.
"I have heard that they extort merchants to pay for protection, but I do try to stay out of it, the less agitated the crossroad boys are, the easier my job is."

[Okmin]

Tell me more about this college. How they are organized, where they can be found, who leads them... And, Domitus, if you could give me your advice on the establishment of a watch, it would be most welcome. I believe your closeness to the issue gives you a perspective we on the Capitoline cannot have.

[Rhapture]

Tell me more about this college. How they are organized, where they can be found, who leads them... And, Domitus, if you could give me your advice on the establishment of a watch, it would be most welcome. I believe your closeness to the issue gives you a perspective we on the Capitoline cannot have.

"Head down the road until you come to the Subura Minor, the college uses that pub as its headquarters. There is a small shrine outside of it. You can't miss he. You must know about the crossroads college, Consul, there are many throughout the city." Marcus wondered how much the consul knew about the common man as he lived up on his hilltop mansion. He could almost tell him anything.... A drip of sweat rolled down his forehead. " You know, there's a "president" of the college and all its members, some it seem are always working, while the others seem to be drinking, and then they switch shifts, haha" He laughed dumbly. "The leader, or president is the old man, Quintus Lividius. He is almost down at the pub there."

[Okmin]

And what about creating a town watch? Do you think this could work, or would it simply cause more conflict with the colleges ?

[Rhapture]

"Ah, well, I am sure an understanding would be made among them. If you get my meaning, Consul." Marcus replied with a slight smile. Jupiter, this man was intimidating.

[Okmin]

The Pontifex Maximus raised an eyebrow.

Then I will ask the Senate to create this watch, and leave the colleges to you and your colleagues.

[Rhapture]

"As you must Consul Aquila." He smiled meekly again. "I am sorry if the wine is not up to your normal expectations. I am afraid we poor men of Subura do not get the first presses you are accustomed to." Maybe small talk would calm him down, he thought. "It truly is impressive that you yourself have come down to look into this unfortunate mess."

[Okmin]

You understand, of course, that I cannot allow such banditry in the city I am charged to protect. It is especially my responsibility, as Pontifex Maximus as well as Consul, to ensure no weapons are being used within the pomerium - that would be sacrilege of the highest order. I will ensure justice in your district, Domitus, do not worry.

The consul clapped a hand on the magistrate's shoulder.

I will take my leave now. Let me know if you learn anything of interest.

[Rhapture]

Marcus slightly jumped in his seat as the man touched him. More sweat fell from his brow. "Yes, Consul I definitely will inform you of anything I come across. I don't know about swords sir, but knives and clubs are available easily enough, and simple enough to hide." He tried to think of something else that would put him in the consul's graces. "Besides a pack of men, hardly needs a weapon when they outnumber a victim ten to one."

[Okmin]

The consul nodded, adjusted his purple-striped toga, and gestured for the lictors to exit.

Thank you for your help, Domitus.

The group left, with Titus being sent home. The magistrate's office in Subura was one thing, but the taverns? The boy was yet too young.

The consular party made for the Subura Minor pub, lictors in double file, brandishing their fasces at anyone blocking the way.

[Iron Aquilifer]

Octavus looked pleased with himself as Gnaeus approached him, waving his arm to a group huddled behind them.

"I found them, eventually."

They looked terrified, six shivering figures surrounded by four burly men wielding clubs.

"What are those for?" Gnaeus asked, pointing towards the thugs at Octavus' back.

"Protection. They did not wish to speak with you alone."

Accepting the comment at face value, the Tribune approached the family.

"I am looking for the men who have committed these horrendous crimes against you and your neighbours. If there is anything you could tell me, now is the time."