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Your squad is gathered outside of an interrogation chamber in Rhottington’s massive courthouse. Chief Gylel, head of the city guard, stands in her shining armor, across which is draped regalia identifying her position. “Thank you all for coming,” she says, “and congratulations on your promotion. The Rhottington city guard chooses its investigators carefully, and the fact that you were selected should give you all the confidence you need that you are fit to proceed.
“Still, for the sake of easing you in, I have chosen to put you on what I think will be a relatively simple case. Keli Tamdig, an artisan of enormous talent, has been murdered in her home in the middle district. The weapon appears to have been a common dagger.
“What makes this case so simple is an uncommon fortune. We have a direct eyewitness. As it happens, a merchant was taking his usual route from the lower markets to his home elsewhere in the middle district, and witnessed the murder right as it occurred, around 10:00, according to him.
“This merchant got a clear look at the killer, and even saw him deal what we believe to have been the fatal wound. However, the killer spotted him, and he fled to get the city guard. His description of the killer matched the victim’s husband, who was later found skulking around elsewhere, unable to account for why he was where he was. He was taken into custody. All of that was last night. The body is in the morgue downstairs, and bears multiple stab wounds. It is being magically preserved, so you are free to examine it at any time. The crime scene is also being left alone. It’s marked on this map.” Gylel hands you a map. “Now, that’s about everything I know, but are any questions bothering you?”
On an unrelated note, you are aware that this entire courthouse is effected by hallow, with all creatures therein being affected by Zone of Truth.
I will disclose any further information only after once someone succeeds on an appropriate check.
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[dice=Knowledge (Local) Check]1d20+6
With no higher a role, you do not recognize the victim's name and are not specifically familiar with her work.
"No questions sir! Thank you sir!"
Axton's mustache gets extra bristly as he purses the lips beneath it while considering the information Chief Gylel has given them.
"What sort of things did Ms. Tamdig craft? And what's the husband's name?"
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Axton's mustache gets extra bristly as he purses the lips beneath it while considering the information Chief Gylel has given them.
"What sort of things did Ms. Tamdig craft? And what's the husband's name?"
[dice=Know. (local) on either the victim or her husband]1d20+8
"His name is Ralish Tamdig. I don't know anything else about him. He is downstairs if you wish to speak to him, though it'd be rude to force our witness to wait too long on you."
Farasha tilts her head to the side, regarding the play of light on the shiny armor of the Chief.
Right you are Chief, appreciate both the promotion and the gentle start
Turning to the others she ponders for a moment
Don't recall the victim's name, but we should gather as much evidence as we can as quickly as we can from the scene itself. Witness testimony is by no means the be and end all of evidence, and with magic to either befuddle the mind of a victim or fool the senses of an onlooker, we should take nothing for granted...
She turns to go and then remembers herself
...erm that is, I think we should go to the scene as quickly as we can and see if we can find anything out of the ordinary... but I suppose a quick interview of the witness to gather initial facts would be good, we can always question them again later on if we need to...
She waits for the others to voice their opinions, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
Stand stiffly and keeping silent while the others speak. Seeing that there is a lull he speaks up, Likewise, thank you Chief. Was he checked to see if he had been enchanted? Do we have a list of any of their known associates or enemies?
Glancing over at the others, I do agree that we should check the scene first.
Twisting his gaze back to the Chief, I assume will be able to speak to the husband and the witness as well?
At the end of the line, Vinca steps forward nodding toward her fellow officers. In her soft polite voice, Yes, Yes. Witness and accused stories will be good before we form our own. If magics are in play as Consti-...Inspector Farasha suggests, understanding what the witness saw, might help us identify the magic used and be that much closer to identifying the magician....if the husband didn't do it of course.
She then turns to the Captain, "Sir, I would like a look at the murder weapon as well. You see enough common daggers and the mind can't help but start seeing what makes each unique."
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[dice=Local]1d20+5
Stand stiffly and keeping silent while the others speak. Seeing that there is a lull he speaks up, Likewise, thank you Chief. Was he checked to see if he had been enchanted? Do we have a list of any of their known associates or enemies?
Glancing over at the others, I do agree that we should check the scene first.
Twisting his gaze back to the Chief, I assume will be able to speak to the husband and the witness as well?
"Yes," the chief says. "The witness is in this room right here waiting to speak with you." She gestures to the door outside of which you are gathered. "As for him being enchanted, it's hard to say. There's no good magic to scan for that. I've spoken with him and I didn't think so, but you are encouraged to trust your gut as you interact with him."
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[dice=Know. Local]1d20 + 8
At the end of the line, Vinca steps forward nodding toward her fellow officers. In her soft polite voice, Yes, Yes. Witness and accused stories will be good before we form our own. If magics are in play as Consti-...Inspector Farasha suggests, understanding what the witness saw, might help us identify the magic used and be that much closer to identifying the magician....if the husband didn't do it of course.
She then turns to the Captain, "Sir, I would like a look at the murder weapon as well. You see enough common daggers and the mind can't help but start seeing what makes each unique."
"We do not have the weapon," the chief says. "The suspect didn't have it when we found him, and it was neither in the victim's body nor, as far as the initial investigators saw, at the scene of the crime. We know it was a dagger by the wounds it left, but we do not know what has become of it."
She gives a polite bow. "I apologize. I should have mentioned that."
Is there a list of associates?
Farasha walks in to the room with the witness
Good afternoon, I am Investigator Aeval. I'm sorry our paths had to cross like this
She smiles reassuringly
We just have a few questions for you if that's ok?
Moving quickly one she asks
So I understand that being in that part of town at that time is a regular part of your schedule correct? Now can you think back over the last few days, did anyone ask you about your usual route home?
She leans in conspiratorially
I'd also like to add that we're interested in only the murder at this stage, so please don't be concerned if you have anything else to report you might think would get you in trouble, we always appreciate those citizens that go out of their way to help our investigations!
She finally pauses to let him reply, feeling the presence of the city in the room with her
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Farasha walks in to the room with the witness
Good afternoon, I am Investigator Aeval. I'm sorry our paths had to cross like this
She smiles reassuringly
We just have a few questions for you if that's ok?
Moving quickly one she asks
So I understand that being in that part of town at that time is a regular part of your schedule correct? Now can you think back over the last few days, did anyone ask you about your usual route home?
She leans in conspiratorially
I'd also like to add that we're interested in only the murder at this stage, so please don't be concerned if you have anything else to report you might think would get you in trouble, we always appreciate those citizens that go out of their way to help our investigations!
She finally pauses to let him reply, feeling the presence of the city in the room with her
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+9+2
The man smiles at you, charmed by your charisma. “Oh, do not worry. There is nothing like that,” he says. He takes a deep breath, his face growing grim.
“I was on my way home from the markets last night when I heard a woman’s scream from behind one of the houses. ‘What are you doing?’ she began to cry, but was cut off as her murderer grasped her throat. I crossed the road, leaving my empty cart behind. Just after I reached the other side, I saw the man, the one the guards later arrested, holding the woman by the throat as he stabbed her in the stomach over and over again. She struggled weakly to escape his grasp, but to no avail.
“I stood, horrified by the sight, for what felt like forever, but must have only been five seconds or so, until the woman finally went limp, at which point the man’s glance snapped toward me. In fear of my life, I ran straight to the guardhouse and told them what I had seen.”
He looks down at the floor. “Perhaps, had I intervened, I could have saved her… but it all happened so fast…”
Stand up and offering the Chief and quick salute then following Farasha. Entering the room and smiling at the man but giving Farasha the first words, that is polite after all. The blond man takes up his place leaning against the wall.
I am Investigator Conri Warin. And we want to thank you for your patience and willingness to co-operate with us in this. Sighing before continuing, It is best not to think of what could have happened. That is an unknown and you could have been gravely injured or killed as well had you intervened.
Did you hear him say anything before, during, or after the attack?
Conri gives him a chance to reply before asking his next questions, always giving him a chance to speak before asking the next one.
Did anything seem off about him? Like he was reluctant or overjoyed to be doing that.
This was common place for you to be, correct?
Assuming he answers in the positive.Had you noticed any hostilities between the two before this?
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I am Investigator Conri Warin. And we want to thank you for your patience and willingness to co-operate with us in this. Sighing before continuing, It is best not to think of what could have happened. That is an unknown and you could have been gravely injured or killed as well had you intervened.
The man takes a deep breath. "Of course. That's why I stayed back, of course."
Did you hear him say anything before, during, or after the attack?
"No. Not a word."
Did anything seem off about him? Like he was reluctant or overjoyed to be doing that.
"Oh, he reveled in it. It was dark, but I thought I saw a cruel smile across his face." The witness shudders. "Indeed, when he looked at me after dropping her body, he let out a sickening laugh. It shook me to my core."
This was common place for you to be, correct?
"I take that road home from the market almost every day, though I do not usually linger near any one house."
Had you noticed any hostilities between the two before this?
"No. I hadn't really noticed them at all, any more so than dozens of others whose homes I pass by. Looking back, I can recall walking by both of them before, but I never noticed what they were doing or anything about them."
Flos starts writing down the information.
"You are so kind providing us with this information. Can I ask some general data in case we need to contact you again?
What is your Name and age?
Where do you live?
What do you sell in the market?
And about the crime...
At what time this happened?
How was the woman dressed?
How was the killer dressed?"
Barnibus listens to Flos question the witness. She asks all the questions he, himself would have though to ask, so he stands by and listens to the man's answers.
Sense Motive:
He seems truthful, and Barnibus nods to Flos.
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You are so kind providing us with this information. Can I ask some general data in case we need to contact you again?
The merchant gives you his address.
What is your Name and age?
"Orboth Yenos, 42."
What do you sell in the market?
"My shop is a typical one, selling adventuring gear of various sorts. Caltrops, ropes, grappling hooks, and the like."
At what time this happened?
"Around 10:00 PM I think."
How was the woman dressed?
"Hmm... I can't say I took note at the time, so I might be wrong, but she was dressed casually I think."
How was the killer dressed?
"Come to think of it, quite nicely, in what must have been his best suit."
"Excuse me for asking all the details, but we need tu be through... What color was the victim dressed? And the killer?"
Barnibus walks around behind the man and off to one side to continue to gauge his reaction to the questions. He also hope to make the man uncomfortable and perhaps, if he is lying, catching him in the act.
Farasha nods as her fellow investigators ask the right questions, she continues to sing soundlessly to the city as it smiles on the room.
Glancing up, out of the man's vision she makes a walking motion with her fingers and raises her eyebrows in a question.
Flos keeps writing, and makes a puzzling look at Farasha gesture.
Vinca stands to the side observing the questioning. Her gaze takes in Orboth's attire, looking for anything out of sorts for a merchant of his type and stature.
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Vinca stands to the side observing the questioning. Her gaze takes in Orboth's attire, looking for anything out of sorts for a merchant of his type and stature.
[dice=Appraise]1d20 + 7
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 6
Rana stays quiet, letting the others question the witness.
Like Vinca she studies the him, but she will just listen, waiting to view the body of the victim.
Vinca nods at each of his answers, storing away the knowledge. When the questions cease she looks about to see if there are anymore coming. Into the silence see pipes up, "You have been most helpful, Mr. Orboth, thank you. I am Inspector Vinca and I have just a few questions for you. You say it was 10 at night. Dark, no? I am used to dark places, but I know many Men are not. How was the lighting on the street? How clear a view did you have of the murderer, to be sure of his face?
Farasha looks between all the faces in the crowded room, then shrugs.
Excuse me, I think I'll ask the Chief if we can get access to the scene whilst its still fresh. You've got this well in hand she whispers with a smile.
Axton? she turns to the wizard
Might you want to stretch your legs and accompany me to see what physical evidence we can find?
Rana stretches, "I'll go and examine the body." Is her remark. "Anyone else coming?"
"I think my skills might be best utilized by looking at the crime scene. Might be able to locate some tracks or other clues!"
Barnibus leaves with Farasha to get the directions to the crime scene.
Flos makes a disgusted face while answering Rana.
"It has to be done. Let's go."
knowing his place Conri nods to the others.
[ooc]TheTurtlePuppy did you mention that we had the disgruntled murderous husband in a different room?[/b]
Farasha looks between all the faces in the crowded room, then shrugs.
Excuse me, I think I'll ask the Chief if we can get access to the scene whilst its still fresh. You've got this well in hand she whispers with a smile.
Axton? she turns to the wizard
Might you want to stretch your legs and accompany me to see what physical evidence we can find?
The wizard shakes his head.
"We'll only get one look at the crime scene uncontested. Let's not all traipse through there at different times of day, re-working what others have already done. Let's finish our business here and then go the crime scene as a group. More eyes on the scene will serve us better the first time we get there.
"We still have the suspect to question and the body to examine. Barnibus, I saw you trying to intimidate the merchant in there. That sort of questioning is more appropriate for a perp, so I think that you and Farasha should join Conri in taking his story. Vinca and I will join Rana and Flos examining the body. When we're all done, let's head to the where the victim was stabbed."
Farasha nods, her hand going up automatically to brush the strands of hair dangling in front of her eyes and tuck them back behind an ear.
She follows the others to the suspect's room and leans against the wall, remaining mute for now but channeling the city again to help her companions get to the truth of the matter.
Nodding to the man and getting up to leave the room. Before entering the room he turns Barnibus and Farasha. Are we going for the good and bad cop thing? I would prefer to know that before we get in there.
"I will observe the subjects reactions to your questions. If one of you wish to play the good/bad cop, that will be fine. Make no indication of me when we enter...I find that this sometimes unnerves the suspect."
Raising an eyebrow at the man, Is there anything you want me to ask him then if you are going to remain silent?
I trust you will ask all the pertinent questions. As I said, I wish to watch his body language as he answers your queries."
Nodding to him. Giving Farasha a chance to chime in if she wants to before heading into the room.
Walking to to the room and smiling at the man,Hello Mr. Tamdig. My name is Conri Warin. Do you mind if I sit down?
[ooc]Assuming that he says yes Conri will take the chair and move it so that he sits across from the man without the table in the way if possible, sitting in a relaxed manner. If not he will remain standing in a relaxed stance.
Keeping his voice calm, What do you do for a living?
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Tamdig sits in his chair, his expression blank yet despairing, yet resolved. He wears a reddish suit, buttoned rather casually. He says nothing as you ask to sit down. His hands are joined by mantacles, which are strung through a metal arch on the table at which you both sit.
"I did not contribute much to my household's income. She earned most of the money for us. What work I have done has been for worship and activism."
Nodding at him, What deity do you follow?
After giving him a chance to answer that question, You said you were an activist? For what cause?
Barnibus is also watching the man for any reactions as he answers the questions Conri is asking.
Sense Motive: