A series played using Dark Ages: Inquisitor. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.
Nigelle von Murnau arrives in the isolated town of Clertou, having ventured here at the cryptic request of his late wife's family. All he knows is that the Church have requested the Murnau's aid in uncovering potential nightkin in the region. He is accompanied by his loyal manservant, Favian. He seeks out the church where he has been told to meet Amelina, the Church's observer for the town. He wants to make a good impression, so he presents himself as best he can [Charisma + Etiquette, 6 dice, 3 successes]. He makes a decent impression as he arrives in Clertou and by the time he reaches the church the town is aflutter with news of the visiting nobleman.
Amelina has been attending to her daily chores, some of which have taken her into the town [Perception + Alertness, 8 dice, 2 successes]. She hears word of Nigelle's arrival and hurries back to the church to prepare for his arrival. Another member of the Shadow Inquisition, Sister Anna, has already arrived but will need assistance due to her infirmity. After helping Anna to the vestry sitting room, she crosses into the church to greet Nigelle. She's impressed wit his commitment to his craft at least, Amelina puts little stock in titles but he carries his authority well.
Nigelle's first impression of Amelina is that she has an air of humility and quiet piety [Perception + Empathy, 5 dice, 5 successes]. He also detects an underlying current of guile that, to one less devout, might be mistaken for untrustworthiness. He follows her through the small church into the vestry, a far humbler environment than he's used to. It takes a moment before he realises there is a third person in the room - a venerable and frail nun sits in a chair in the corner.
Sister Anna appraises the pair of lay-inquisitors; they are young and inexperienced, which will limit their usefulness but also make them easier to manipulate. Confident in her ability to guide them toward her goals, she tries to make an impression by leading them in a ritual prayer [Charisma + Theology, 7 dice, 0 successes]. Amelina and Nigelle give her the benefit of the doubt but fail to truly appreciate (or be cowed by) the high ritual experience. Instead, Sister Anna sticks to the facts of her current lead, her manipulations will have to be a more long-term activity.
Amelina does her best to follow along with Sister Anna's prayer [Intelligence + Theology, 3 dice, 2 successes]. She manages to keep up and even discerns a potential motive for using such a complex rite, but acts as befuddled as Nigelle. Sometimes it's best not to let the mark know you're aware that you've been made. She busies herself preparing tea for the group, using the busywork to focus on Anna's briefing.
Nigelle sat through the prayer, nodding politely, but otherwise failing to grasp any of it [Intelligence + Theology, 4 dice, 0 successes]. Instead he focuses on the subsequent briefing, which is much more comfortable ground for him. He doesn't recognise the names of Rogahn and Zelligor Quasqueton, assuming them to be of a minor noble house. Their story, two noble sons trying to establish their own holding, does however. It's deeply frowned upon as it ruins a house's reputation if it fails.
Anna explains how the brothers, Roghan with his military background and Zelligor the reclusive scholar, took over an old estate and rebuilt it with resources that can only be partially accounted for. She chooses her words carefully to entice the pair while concealing certain facts of the story [Manipulation + Expression, 5 dice, 3 successes]. She feels confident her hook is properly baited and presents the mission. Both brothers have failed to return missives from their family and the local priest's visits have been rebuffed. The Church suspects foul play and has requested that operatives visit to ascertain what has happened.
Amelina pauses to consider what she's heard about the Quasqueton brothers, they're local enough that some of the locals might have shared rumours with her [Intelligence + Investigation, 4 dice, 3 successes]. She recalls three possible leads; the brothers used slave labour in the restoration of the estate, the renovations included laying a curse on the grounds to repel intruders, and that the brothers are still in residence. She doubts the curse is real but sees no reason to doubt the rest. She shares the details with Nigelle and Sister Anna, while she'd normally guard information closely, she sees no reason not to share with her fellow inquisitors.
With the evening drawing in the trio decide to rest and set out for the estate in the morning...