[@KatherinWinter] Well maybe. But I think it's just that there's a misunderstanding of player knowledge vs character knowledge and how stories unfold often against the odds. People don't call the cops in horror movies, because it's interesting. People will face obvious danger and near impossible odds, for the same deal.

Okay, so the collars are magical. And different looking based on crime committed. Got it. When Bastian bought her though, what did he do? Does he not own her? Is this a temporary thing? You think that would be brought up when purchasing right? Does she have an amount of debt needed to pay off before allowing to no longer be a slave? If so, Bastian couldn't realistically promise to free her. (unless he had a lot of money. And although he does, while unaware of it, for reasons I haven't gone into yet.) Shouldn't he reasonably be allowed to take the collar off? Even if he needs to get it officially done (or illegally done.) By some powerful mage...

But, a slave could still benefit from an appearance change. Changing their face and details, yes you'd still be labeled a murder. But could the owner still recognize her? Could someone be an abusive terrible slave owner, have one of their bought slaves escape find this person. Who themselves uses magic, to alter physical appearance. Alter their face and go under a new owner, who promises to pay and treat them better. Getting more loyality and harder work in the process? And people can still pay in ways that don't need currency.

And on the seemingly impossible task of tracking down the bladed beauty. Again, you wouldn't need to ask, every single person. You'd just need to ask the right questions and say the right things. Who knows, maybe you'd get lucky and they'd come to you in a dramatic irony/twist of fate. If you don't want Elizabeth to find her, because you don't think she'd reasonably could do so. Even though he hopes that she can. You can still go there...you wanted to help find the kids. He's desperate and you guys have hours to kill. So unless she's a character who'd give up such an important task. I'd assume it would be given the most effort. 

So okay, since you seem to require clarification. I'll give you the reason, Bastian would know. (Just not yet. But would instantly upon meeting her.) She is currently wearing his daughter jewelry, which he hand crafted himself and reeks of her distinct scent which can't be smelled by humans. She was given this as payment, for the kidnappers in question and she also knows their names and even their location. Because she keeps tracks of clients, that she suspects will do more crimes. For safety purposes. But...once Bastian sees this...He's not going to get all the information, because...well...anger will happen.

My intention was, if he went in that area. People -would- fight him and if he sees his daughters items on someone else. His curse feeding on his impulsivity and anger. He will not let them live...

Actually to further, just explain my intention and ideas. She ends up crossing paths with you, she finds you, because she knows everyone in this town and sympathizes with your plight, because she was once a slave pursued by someone forever until she learned to hide away from them. And I wanted her to seem at least like an empathetic gray character. I wanted to come up with the details later, but obviously planned on cutting her out of the story, in quite a literal fashion. <.< But it also was going to be the first time he has ever had concrete objectives. (while the negative, being that his curse is actively getting worse.)