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InTrails: The Backbone Preludes, there are tons of branching paths to take the four player characters down. In most cases, these involve making the right dialogue choices during each chapter, and are usually pretty simple decisions that you may make, altering the characters' fates ever so slightly.
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Sometimes, however, the tasks in front of you are a little more complex. In Renee’s first chapter, it’s up to you to examine all the details about a grisly fire in the West End and convince your partner, Lukas, that something is up with the reports. Renee is suspicious and the ensuing conversation is quite the puzzle for those who want to convince Lukas.
The Events Of The Fire
UsingRenee’s terminal, you’re able to examine detailed reports about the case she’s working on: a police visit that escalated with the death of a suspect, and then a fire in that same building just after the incident. There are four important documents to read: the crime scene report, the officer reports from the two officers who attended the crime scene, and the fire department’s report from the fire.
Below you’ll find all of the information that the four reports establish in time order.
A careful reading of the information above reveals a few inconsistencies:
How To Convince Lukas
To convince Lukas, you’ll have to be very sure about the details of the case and where things don’t add up. It is important not to make assumptions and only to use the evidence before you. For example, while it may seem obvious that the police reports mention the smell of gas, that fact is redacted and therefore is not on record, so you can’t use it in your arguments.
The table below contains the correct responses to each question Lukas poses to you about the case.
Where did the fire start?
Not sure. Somewhere below the third floor.
How do you know that?
The first call came from someone on the third floor and mentioned smoke from a downstairs apartment.
When did the fire start?
Before the second call, at 1:45 PM.
How do we know that?
The building wasn’t on fire when the cops showed up, Lukas.
Anything else that comes to mind about it?
Was there reason for the cops to be suspicious?
Sounds pretty clear-cut, right?
And how did they enter?
What was his reaction once people were inside?
In what way?
Did the reports state how?
Sort of. But the reports make no sense.
What do you mean? Didn’t he attack them?
So how? One report states he had a blunt instrument, and another that it was a sharp object.
So, what happened next?
One of the officers left the room.
Do we know precisely what happened in the hall during that time?
What are the discrepancies? What is this about?
It’s got to do with Stone attacking the other cop.
Does the report specify how?
Like I said, he insulted and threatened the cop. And then attacked.
Oh, right. And with what?
Again, like I said, the testimonies don’t add up.
The reason youshouldn’t pursue ‘anything else that comes to mind’in the first part of the conversation is that everything you can bring up, such as the weird way every report signs off about the lack of any fire hazards and the fact that no firefighters were called to the scene despite the smell of smoke being reported, can all be explained away by Lukas, who is not convinced. It is better to skip this section altogether to make your case stronger.
With these answers, you should be able to convince Lukas that something is up and he’ll start looking into it for you.
