Second voyage

On the island
Talin arrives at the splattercrash site. Here is the dead body of a young man, face down into the dirt.

Good quality shirt, bloody and ruined, but top of the market. The boots look soft, like the kind that costs a month's pay for a pair.
This was clearly a wealthy person.

On the Independence - in air
Captain Freeman, grunts when he sees Talin had left the ship.
All right. Ligth the lanterns, it will get dark soon.
Reap the sails, we will stay over the island until first light

Cook hands out lanterns
We’ll ne’er spend the nicht ower the sea. There’s great beasts doon there, bigger’n castles, an’ ye cannae spot ’em in the dark. But the lanterns - aye - the lanterns’ll keep the ship sichtable tae the lad when he comes back.

Talin takes a moment to concentrate and the shadows coalesce at the opposite edge of the 'landing' site, taking on vaguely humanoid form. Talin himself initially keeps to the shade of the trees as his spirit gently turns over the body, Talin closely observing how it moves for any sign that life still remains within.

Occasionally he glances up to see if anyone is descending from the other airship. Wouldn't want to be accused of looting the body.

After a few moments, or immediately upon sensing any life in the young man, Talin glides down and lands beside the body to examine it more closely or render aid if there's any hope.

Guess we're going to end up on the wrong side of the Syndicate, but hopefully we can do right by this man and his family.

Talin moves in and takes a close look at (what remains of) the young man's face, so that he might recognize a close relative later or be able to accurately describe him. He will gently massage the ring off, if possible, and do a quick search of any pockets the man may have. He continues to check the sky above him as he does so.

While he does, he sets his shadow to digging a grave in whatever soft earth is nearby.

Talin and his shadow bury the man after memorising his unique traits.
Human male
Early 20'es
Shoulder-length blond hair
Good physical condition

Falka watches as the others deal with the man. how odd

He racks his head the whole time on the ring of the individual

Talin identifies the nearest landmark that would be identifiable from the air, then uses the dagger to make a series of trail marks leading from it to the grave, then flies back up to the airship where he gathers the captain and crew.

"It seems highly unlikely that the young man left that airship voluntarily. If he jumped it was to escape something. He bears the signet of a noble house, though I didn't immediately recognize it. He had a few valuables that I would be inclined to return to his family along with direction to where I buried their scion."

Vethalia makes a face before looking in the direction of her home, "You don't suppose this means trouble for Angelholm?"

"People with money do not typically jump from great heights. Could it be a mutiny or piracy?"

"It could be either or any of a number of other things." Talin looks around at the others, "What do we know about the Stormspire Syndicate? Other than their ungainly choice of airships."

Vethalia knows that: Stormspire Syndicate negotiate trade rights with institutions like Angelholm Monastery, where arcane knowledge meets practical magic.

They visited the Monastery when she was there. She remembers that the leader of the Syndicate is Hanov Von Himden. He is old and there was talks about giving his oldest son a more active role. His name is Lucien Von Himden

Talin knows a lot of their reputation.
They are known for being ruthless, ambitious, and politically savvy.
They jealously guard the secrets of airship construction and binding crystals.
Other factions tolerate them because their ships are vital for trade, warfare, and prestige.

"What did this man look like?" Vethalia asks looking at the signet ring. "Tall? Blonde? Very attractive before his unfortunate fall?"

Of course to Vethalia everyone is tall, except Guesclinbert.

"Young, blonde, might have been attractive, but was kind of a bloody mess. I don't know about the Syndicate, but signets aren't something everyone has, right? And this one was almost certainly his, unless he forced it onto his finger in an attempt to steal it."

"That might have been Lucien Von Himden, eldest of Hanov and heir to the Syndicate." Vethalia frowns, "This could complicate things."

"Almost makes me think we should make haste to arrive at Angleholm before their ship does. I don't know what's going on over there, but if there is something sinister and they saw me investigate, we could have a nasty surprise waiting for us. If we get there first, they have less chance to poison the well, as it were."