GM Captain Trips |
Kurst obviously is still taking everything in, but he is showing remarkable composure in the face of such loss. He steels himself once more shakes his head and says to Johan, "I asked the same thing, suggested we request a favor from Tyari at the Sanctuary, but father forbade it. He said Rodrik deserved peace and we'd not be probing the spirit world for answers."
Turning to Coretin he nods and says, "I think that might be a good start, surely there is some clue to what happened there. We have went through the room but, as I said, the militia are stout defenders, not detectives. I will let Cham know you have our permission to examine the room. She might know something as well, hopefully."
Answering Hannah's questions he adds, "Well, he had been rather aloof lately. He was keeping a journal, but he wouldn't share what was going on, not even with me. I honestly don't think my brother had any enemies in town, he was well loved by all."
Considering the questions raised by Iacobus he says, "My father has closed himself off, very distraught by the whole thing as you can imagine. I haven't yet spoken to Brinya but I am sure she is beyond remorse as well. Perhaps speaking to her might help uncover something, or at the very least it may offer her some bit of comfort."
Kurst thinks for a moment, then hastily adds, "I almost forgot." He reaches to his belt and retrieves a hopeknife attached to a sheath and chain, "This was his hopeknife. I do not know if it will aid you at all, but please take care of it. Father will want that back for the ceremony."
Kurst pauses, and a look of complete sadness crosses his temporarily stony demeanor, "Thank you all so much for offering your aid. I know none of you owe us anything, but know that I truly appreciate anything you can do to help my family get to the bottom of this. I refuse to believe Rodrik would do something like this to himself, and none of us will know peace until we have the truth."
Corentin the Younger |
Corentin nods silently at the mans words and clasps his shoulder for a moment before leaving the alley and reentering the Ramblehouse. As they walk he voices thoughts to his companions, "Rodrik was a good man and a good soldier. No one could have done this to him to him quietly while he was able to defend himself. Even taken unaware it would have been impossible to kill him with cuts to the wrist without him fighting back. So if he did not kill himself then he must have been incapacitated in some way...magic or poison perhaps. We were all with him into the late evening before he excused himself and drank and ate as he did. Whatever happened it couldn't have been all that long ago. Sasha, perhaps it might be worth having Galor sniff around once we've looked about. We must find the journal Kurst mentioned. It may well be that Rodriks own voice will be the best guide forward."
He pauses a moment taking in the faces around him. Each echos his own obvious sorrow. "This won't be easy for any of us. For my part Rodrik and Kurst were two of the first to accept me into this town and we've been close companions ever since. If I am wrong and Rodrik did do this to himself then I mourn all the more that I couldn't help him. I don't think that's the case though and so we need to put our grief aside and do this one more service for our friend and his family....our family."
Sasha the Mouse |
"I agree," Sasha says, looking to the wolf that is by her side. "If someone else was involved, it is possible that Galor will be able to determine such and maybe even follow the trail."
Finch of the Breeze |
Finch remains stone-faced before the tragedy, but it is obvious that he is merely putting on a brave face for the benefit of others.
"I'll take a look about as well. I'm no hound, but I've tracked animals before. Intruders shouldn't be that different," he suggests. "Hopefully, we should be able to uncover some tracks."
Finch ponders other avenues of investigation for a moment, studying the Ramblehouse and Galor in turn, until he is struck with an idea.
"Were there other animals in and around the Ramblehouse during the night? Pets? Mounts, perhaps? Some of them may have heard, seen, or smelled something out of place."
Corentin the Younger |
"Resolute is stabled outside." Corentin remarks. "You are welcome to...err..talk with him."
When they get inside the Ramblehouse he breaks off from those heading to Rodriks room and seeks out Cham.
The cavalier takes a deep breath before approaching to settle his own emotions. Cham and Rodrik had known each other far longer than he had. The loss and pain of discovering the body must be devastating to the kind halfling. "Cham..." is all he gets out before he gives up on words and kneels down to embrace the woman. After a moment he pulls back, staying on one knee to avoid looming over her, and says, "I'm sorry you had to find him like that. Are you holding up ok? Is there anything I can do?" he pauses. "If you're up for it I'd like to ask you a few things. Kurst has asked us to look into what happened here. Do you recall anything odd during the overnight or when you entered Rodriks room this morning? Had you noticed anything different about him of late?"
Bellanie Bursk |
Bellanie follows closely behind Cor, not minding letting him take the lead, but staying close enough to give Cham a nod of confidence in hopes it helps to bolster her spirits. While Rodrik's loss was sad, in a town such as this Bellanie, and she thought, likely most of the others always half expected some tragedy or another. Even so, she was concerned for Cham. Having taken her in and given her a home after her own rough patch Bellanie felt Cham was the closest thing she had to a mother.
GM Captain Trips |
Going to try and break this up as best as possible. If I've misunderstood any of your actions please let me know.
The group makes for the Ramblehouse, where they are greeted by Cham, who is still quite shook up over the events of the morning. Kurst speaks with the militia members at the site before heading off to the Longhouse to handle the current affairs of his brother's passing. As the party ascends the stairs towards Rodrik's room, Corentin steps aside for a moment, speaking with Cham.
"Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, it was a regular evening of closing the inn as far as I can recall. There was a bit more cleanup than usual, but nothing strikes me as odd." She ponders his second question for a moment and adds, "You know, he was keeping odd hours these past few weeks. He'd leave his room late in the night, sometimes not returning until nearly sunrise. I cannot say what he was doing, as I tend to let the folk keep to their own business without me nosing in on it." She sighs heavily and asks, "Do you think those trips had something to do with this? Should I have said something? I don't want this to be my fault!" and begins sobbing into a handkerchief.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
You feel like Cham might be hiding something...
Breaking to the room searching group
Once you reach the top of the stairs a pair of militia members escort you to the room, where they station themselves outside the door. The sparse room contains only a single cot and a writing desk. The cot is a cheap affair with a straw-stuffed mattress, now stained red with blood and stripped of its linens, while the desk is a slightly nicer piece of furniture that has nonetheless been chipped and worn by time. A cracked window in the southern wall is the only exit other than the room’s door.
Assuming the party does a through search of the room, as planned.
Perception Check, taking 20, using Finch's bonus = 30
The party discovers two possible clues in the room. First, the writing desk seems plain enough, but the top drawer contains a false bottom. When the secret compartment is opened the group finds it empty, but it could have been used to store something at some point. Second, when searching the bed, Finch finds a scrap of paper that had fallen behind it and lodged itself between the mattress and the wall.
Sasha directs Galor to sniff around the room for anything out of the ordinary.
Survival Check, Scent Based: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Galor indeed does pick up several other scents in the room.
Corentin the Younger |
"They may but regardless Rodrik was a grown man. We watch out for each other here but we allow each other our freedom as well. If he'd needed help anyone in town would have provided it if asked." A small smile twists his lips and he leans in conspiratorially, "Let's be honest though Cham, you may let us do as we will but you know the name of every woman who's seen the inside of my room. There's nothing that happens in the Ramblehouse...or probably in the whole town...that you don't know about. Is there anything else you know about Rodrik's late night enterprises?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Hannah Little-Rabbit |
While they search the room, Hannah will try to discover if the townspeople know something even if they don't know it's relevant. She is gathering information
GM Captain Trips |
"No, thats all I know, which is nothing, honest! He never spoke of where he was going to me and I didn't ask." the halfling woman insists. "I may know the comings and goings of my guests, but I wouldn't consider prying into their personal business.
Knowledge, Local (Max DC 10): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Sounds about right to Corentin.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Making her way through the crowds outside, Hannah sees what information she might be able to gain from the other townsfolk gathered around the inn.
“When he found Rodrik’s body, Patrol Sergeant Omast Frum fell off the wagon—hard. I don’t know what kind of guilt is weighing the sergeant down so much, but he’s been drinking and talking to himself nonstop all morning." she overhears one woman saying to another.
Questioning the speaking woman, Hannah asks if she might know anything about why Rodrik would ever do such a thing as take his own life, to which the woman responds, “Sorry lass, I do not. However, I do know that Rodrik always had a soft spot for half-orcs, anyone who’s read The Other Side of Contempt could tell you that." The woman pauses for a moment, continuing her gossip soon after, "But I never would have guessed that he and that Brinya Kelver character were together. I wonder what she knows about what happened? And what about that odd friendship of his with that invalid in the sanctuary, Katrezra?”
Corentin the Younger |
Corentin nods in acceptance of Cham's statement. "Thank you Cham I'm sure that will help. I should see to his room." he says and rises. Still unable to shake the feeling that there might be something more he says, "Bella perhaps you could stay with Cham for a few minutes and keep her company? It's been a tragic morning."
With that he heads upstairs to join the rest of the party.
"What have you found so far?"
Finch of the Breeze |
"Well... this is certainly odd." Finch says, holding up the note and passing it around for everyone to read. "Why would Rodrik order a knife engraved to his own name?"
Are hopeknives normally from Morninghawk's? Does Finch know where his own was forged?
When he has a moment, Finch will seek out Cham as well, with a question of his own. "Pray tell, Cham, do you know if any of your pensioners had pets? I know this may sound silly, but I may very well be able to ask them about what happened last night. An extra few witnesses would certainly help solving the case."
Finch's intention is to gather as many of the animals present last night in one place, (ideally with their owners to get them to cooperate better), and then use Speak With Animals and Wild Empathy to ask about what they've seen, heard, and smelled last night.
GM Captain Trips |
Finch would know that all hopeknives are made at the Clamor, which is the town's only real blacksmithy. His would have been from there as well. One thing else he would know is that the town has a tradition of exchanging hopeknives during a marriage, usually with them being specially engraved for the exchanging ceremony.
At his question Cham responds, "You should know better than that Finch! I don't let critters in my establishment under any but the most extreme circumstances. With the exception of that wolf that follows Sasha around we had no animals in the inn that I was aware of."
Sasha the Mouse |
Sasha listens to the others, then announces, "Galor has found other scents beyond just Rodrik's. Someone else was here; several others, in fact."
Bellanie Bursk |
Bellanie nods to Cor and watches as he departs. Once out of sight Bellanie turns to Cham "Sorry about him. They are all just concerned about this whole situation. Is there anything I can do?"
She moves in a little closer to make sure no one else can hear "Not that I think you had any part in this, but if you did or you know anything that might come back on you, let me figure out a way to keep you out of it and the reputation of this place clean. You know I would do anything for you!"
GM Captain Trips |
It would be obvious to you that there have been several people inside the room this morning. Militia members, likely at least one priest of Iomadae, Cham, and who knows how many others. Tracking by scent in a room that has seen so many recent occupants would be nearly impossible. You pick up the confusion from Galor that tells you as much.
GM Captain Trips |
Knowledge, Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Smooth Talking Halfling: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19
Cham pulls the halfling woman aside and whispers, "Bell, I am in so much trouble! You know that normally all guests must sign my register, those are the rules. But there was a man last night, he refused to give me his name,” she manages between gulps of air, “and he paid me a fistful of gold. He said he’d be gone before sunrise. I didn’t ask any more questions. I had no idea that something like this would happen!” She continues keeping her voice low and pleads, "You can't tell anyone about this Bell! It's all my fault! Kurst and his family will never forgive me, they will shut me down!"
Johan Fletcher |
Johan spends his time searching the room with extreme thoroughness. It's the only way he knows to contribute. If interrupted he shushes the Person interrupting saying he is working. Take 20 for a 26 for every 5' square in the room.
Bellanie Bursk |
She thinks a moment "Also, the money, you need to hide it! Don't spend it, don't account for it. Keep it out of sight until this is all over. I'll figure out a way to fix this." she gives Cham a reasurring smile, half to ease Cham's nerves and half to reassure herself that she can clean up this mess
GM Captain Trips |
Cham, calmed a bit by Bellanie's words, says, "He was a half-orc, a rather gangly one. He was about six and a half feet in height, dressed as any normal folk would. I've never seen him in town before, and he claimed to be passing through. He had blonde hair, kinda reminded me of one of those folks up north a bit, as it's so uncommon around these parts." Listening to Bellanie she adds, "I'll hide it, keep it hidden. It's tainted coin anyway, I want it not!"
Finch of the Breeze |
So much for Speak with Animals in this case, heh.
"I'm afraid my 'animal witnesses' plan is coming up empty." He observes. "On the other hand, we may want to investigate this blacksmith. Having a source of fraudulent hopeknives about makes me rather uneasy."
Corentin the Younger |
Corentin gets to the room just in time to hear Sasha's statement. "Hopefully that will help if he smells them in the future. I know Cham was in here and would imagine some guards and Kurst as well at least. I spoke with Cham. She's in a bit of shock but said she didn't see anything odd last night. She did mention that Rodrik had been keeping strange hours of late, setting out late at night and often not returning until near dawn. If that's the case either he was meeting with someone or was working on something he didn't want anyone to know about." He pauses and continues almost talking to himself, "I had the sense she might know something more but she insisted not. Bella is with her now, perhaps she'll be able to get more."
When he sees the note he raises the same question Finch did earlier, "Why would Rodrik engrave a hopeknife to himself? It must be whomever ordered it didn't want him to know...but I would think the engraving would make it obvious to him. Besides why would someone order him a hopeknife at all?" Looking at the those born in town he asks, "My understanding is that they are given upon coming of age and kept for a lifetime. I know some trade them when they get married but why would there be a need for a new one. Perhaps the person who had it made didn't have one? Someone from outside the town or new to it?"
He shakes his head. "Regardless it seems a trip to the Clamor is in order. Did you find the journal?"
Bellanie Bursk |
Bellanie gives Cham a brief hug and then heads off to find the others turning before she leaves "I've got this." she runs out of the room and goes to the others investigating the incident.
Pulling Cor aside shes says "You know I think I actually remember something from last night. After having drank so much, I needed to get some air to try and keep everything down. I was just leaving my room when I passed by this half-orc I'd never seen before. I didn't think much of it at the time, but with everything that's happened maybe it would be worth tracking him down. He was a gangly one. About six and a half feet in height, dressed as any normal folk would. But he had blonde hair, which I thought was a little strange."
Iacobus |
As the others investigate Roderic's room, Iacobus seeks out the dead man's love.
Hannah Little-Rabbit |
Hannah thanks the woman. She had never read The Other Side of Contempt and goes to track down a copy. She also goes to visit Katrezra.
Who is he or she.
Hannah Little-Rabbit |
Thinking better of running about town by herself when she believed there was a murderer who was making deaths look like suicides, Hannah waits outside for the other erstwhile investigators to tell them about the The Other Side of Contempt and the priest, Katrezra.
Sasha the Mouse |
"Alright, we have a blonde half-orc and the Clamor to investigate, and we should also check out the smith that made the hopeknife," Sasha observes.
Corentin the Younger |
Looking at the gathered faces it becomes obvious that the book is missing. "So whoever was involved also knew of his journal and didn't want it found. Let's find Rabbit and Iacobus and see what they've discovered."
To Bella he replies, "I've never seen anyone matching that description either. It may very well be important, nice work." Cor refrains from ruffling the halflings hair remembering the bruise on his shin the last time he gave into the impulse.
Walking back out of the Ramblehouse Cor sees Hannah almost immediately. "Our search provided a few clues and more questions. Cham told us that Rodrik had been out late at night frequently of late, often only returning just before dawn. His room seemed as we expected but we didn't find his journal. There was this though." he begins to hand the note to Hannah then hesitates a moment as it occurs to him how it might effect the girl. "Hannah, I know you had feelings for Rodrik. It may be that this investigation will bring up aspects of his life that we'd not known about. As your friend and his I hope you'll find your way to remember that even good men are just men with their own faults and failings." With that said he hands over the note they found.
"Bella also recalls seeing a half-orc with blond hair last night. She didn't recognize him but I thought perhaps you might know who he is. Have you had any luck with the crowd?"
Hannah Little-Rabbit |
Hannah turns a bright red at Coretin's forthright declaration concerning her crush. The normally witty woman is tongue-tied.
"Uh . . . feelings? I . . . I don't know what you are talking about Coretin. I wouldn't try to steal him away from Brinya."
She pauses -- clearly flustered -- before changing the subject. "Has anyone read The Other Side of Contempt? Rodrick wrote it, I guess. I thought that it might maybe help us understand his recent disposition better. Also, I . . . I was going to go see his friend Katrezra, an older priest at Sanctuary."
After saying this, Hannah glances down out the note, " . . . and talk to the smith . . ."
Johan Fletcher |
Responding to Sasha Johan comments A blond half orc did you say? He holds up his find to the light for the first time examining the colors of the hair he found…
These were stuck in a floorboard under the bed. Like someone was under there hiding.
Johan Fletcher |
Holding the hairs up like a torch of truth Johan proclaims Blond! As I somehow knew they would be. Our mysterious half orc was in this room, hiding under the bed. I wonder if anyone else saw him. This alone adds great suspicion on the idea that this was a suicide. Perhaps now the family will allow clerical magic?
Sorry, but a Speak with Dead spell is just to reasonable in these cases. :) Of douse if it was assassin's work the killer may never have been seen.
Finch of the Breeze |
Finch is the first to speak up when Johan proposes requesting the aid of the church again.
"I don't believe we should resort to such things just yet, Jo. Such invocations are not easy to perform, I know firsthand, and would certainly require resources of the church that I feel we should not take lightly. There are many avenues of investigation for us to cover; let us not resort to more magic than is necessary. Beyond that, Kurst has made it clear that they would rather Rodrik's eternal rest be undisturbed. I would rather we give them what little peace of mind we can at this point. Instead, let us regroup and see what we've learned, shall we? I don't think there is anything more for us to find here."
Bellanie Bursk |
Bellanie chimes in "We have a lead anyway, let's find this half-orc. It appears he was in the room and he was an odd sort to begin with." Not waiting for a response, she starts asking people in the crowd if they had seen anyone matching the half-orcs description.
Diplomacy to gather info: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Corentin the Younger |
Corentin allows Hannah's protest to go unchallenged, allowing her space to process what they'd learned so far.
"Well the temple is just across the way and the Clamor isn't much further. Let's go and see Katrezra first, I'm curious as to this writing of Rodrik's. From there we can move to the Clamor and see about the knife."
"As for the magic it may help but I to would leave our friends soul at peace if we can. In either case I think we would want to know more before going to the family or questioning Rodrik."
GM Captain Trips |
@Johan - The AP specifically says the family does not consent to raise dead, so let's leave that one be. :)
After taking a close look at the Ramblehouse room where Rodrik was found, the group meets outside and spends a few minutes consulting with each other and sharing the information they found. After some discussion they decide to make their way to the Sanctuary.
Standing as an impressive white structure just a stone's throw from the Ramblehouse, the Sanctuary is home to several priests and paladins of the Inheritor, led by Tyari Varvatos, the younger sister of the Second Sword Knight of the Sancta Iomedae in Vigil.
Upon arrival you are greeted by several priests of the order and welcomed inside. After a few moments Tyari appears from a room in the back of the building and approaches you, a rather sorrowful look on her face. "Greetings, and welcome to you all. I understand you are looking into the death of Rodrik Grath, and I would be happy to offer any assistance that I can."
Spending a few minutes to question several of the people you encounter and describe the man that Cham rented the room to, but no one recalls seeing him in town.
Corentin the Younger |
Thank you High Priestess." Corentin says with a bow. "You have heard correctly, we have been ask to investigate the circumstances of his death. As part of that investigation we'd like your leave to speak with Father Katrezra. It is our understanding that he and Rodrik were friends and we hope he can bring some insight into our friends last days."
Finch of the Breeze |
Finch murmurs a short prayer in respect to the Iomedean faith as he crosses the threshold to the temple.
"The temple's help is much appreciated. We hope to have the mystery solved as soon as we can, so Rodrik's loved one can have peace of mind, but it seems that we will have much investigating to do before we know the whole truth," Finch explains.
Johan Fletcher |
Being a follower of the Open Road does not prevent Johan from showing proper respect in this place. We have already uncovered clues that lead us to believe that a blond haired half orc was hiding under Rodriks bed when his death occurred. Perhaps the Inheritor could point us in the right direction to solve this mystery.
Augury or Divination maybe?
GM Captain Trips |
Tyari turns to regard Corentin, "Katrezra, yes. Rodrik and he had grown close over the past few weeks. I'd occasionally overhear them muttering about ghosts, half-orcs, hopeknives, and white swords, but I really could make no sense of it." She pauses for a moment and says, "However, I have some unfortunate news. Katrezra has been missing from the Sanctuary since some time earlier this morning. We've tried tracking him down, but to no avail. He has simply vanished."
Tyari thinks for a moment and adds, "He can’t have gone far, since his crippling condition causes him considerable physical pain and drastically limits his mobility. And he would be unlikely to leave Trunau, since he sought sanctuary in the church long ago, and has become a devout follower of the Inheritor. I cannot explain it, it is very unlike him."
Corentin the Younger |
"That is unfortunate news indeed and the timing is quite odd. You say they became close recently. Do you know anything of why thier friendship may have grown so? I'm afraid I am not to familiar with Katrezra, could you perhaps tell us a bit about the man? Would it be possible to inspect his quarters? If it as you say then he to may be in danger or involved."
Bellanie Bursk |
Having had no luck obatining any leads from the crowd Bellanie followed the others into the Sanctuary, standing in the back listening to the others talk she leans over to Sasha "This is starting to sound like some big ol' conspiracy. Someone dead, a mysterious intruder, run away citizens..." she trails off and shrugs "As if there wasn't enough to worry about in this town."
Hannah Little-Rabbit |
Hannah gasps when the priestess says the older priest was missing.
May I make a knowledge local or arcana check to see if "white swords" is from a local legend or magic item?