A Rise With A Difference
Game Master Dabbler

"I agree, Gornak. How about we check out Bradley's barn on Cougar Creek after we talk to Grayst Sevilla? Maybe he can give us a hint as to what we should look for."

Gob follows silently, but feels haunted by the events. He searches every nook and cranny and avoids the bodies as much as he can.

"I guess we've seen everything here. I'd like to go back to the Cathedral and talk to Father Zantus and Hollis and collect my gear if we are going out of town."

Cougar Creek is a stream that flows just south of the Devils' Platter, the limestone escarpment that rises to the south-east of Sandpoint. Just beyond it lie the farmlands that feed the rich country between Sandpoint and the Whisperwood. It's less than two miles from Sandpoint to the mouth of the stream, and another two if you follow the path upstream to Habe's Sanatorium.

Map of the Sandpoint Hinterlands

"Vaclav, as far as I can tell from the footprints and bloodstains, the killer entered while the two lovers were...trysting...and suprised them. Both were hurt in this initial attak, but the killer focused his attacks on Harker. It seems Katrine tried to attack the killer with the axe but he threw her below to her gruesome fate and continued to maim Harker. The killer enteted and left by the same door we did, and seems to have been wet when he did so." Gob hopes his observations can be of some use but he is anxious to leave this place.

"And the creek runs all the way to Habe's Sanatorium. Good job Gob. I say that we check the Sanatorium out as soon as possible."

Thanadros will take a look upstairs before he leaves, just in case he can help.

Survival 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Perception 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
Knowledge Local 1d20 ⇒ 10

Thanadros quickly confirms Gob's analysis of the situation from the various tracks on the floor.

"Well, the day is young, gentlemen. Let's go check out that sanatorium."

"You don't want to talk to Ven and Ibor then?" Sheriff Hemlock asks, slightly surprised. You have time, as Vaclav needs to do some things before you leave anyway.

"Can you take us to the Sheriff?" Thanadros asks, ready to leave the dusty sawmill.

"Let's go talk to Ven and Ibor while Vaclav notifies Father Zantus. Then we can all meet up and head to the sanatorium," Aylmora suggests.

"Can you take us to them, Sheriff?" Thanadros asks, ready to leave the dusty sawmill.

Fixed ;P

"Naturally, if you are done here." Hemlock leads you back through the crowds outside and up to the Sandpoint garrison. The building is large, blocky and built like a small keep. The jail is located in one wing of the basement, both Ibor and Ven are in widely separated holding cells.

"Go easy on Ibor, he's had quite a shock this morning," Hemlock advises you as he takes you to the younger man's cell first. Ibor is a young, thin-faced but not unhandsome man. He is currently looking pale and worried, but his cell door is unlocked.

Gornak gingerly moves over to Ibor's cell, hunching over so as not to intimidate the young man too much.

"Hello there, fella. Can we talk to you a bit?"

"What?" he looks up startled. "Oh, it's you, Gorvi's lad," he looks relieved but a little tense. "Sorry, my nerves aren't what they normally are."

"...So, what can you tell us off the sawmill incident?"

"Look I've already been over that with Hemlock, do I have to repeat the same story again?" he looks stressed and clearly isn't comfortable talking about it.

"Ibor? Do you remember me? I'm Aylmora - I've served you a few times at the Rusty Dragon," Aylmora says, stepping into the cell and sitting next to the man. "I'm really sorry you've had to go through all of this. I just can't believe what happened to Banny and poor Katrine." She pauses and then takes Ibor's hand in a comforting grip. "Ibor, whoever did that to them broke into my room at the Rusty Dragon this morning. I... I'm afraid he may be coming for me next. So anything you could tell us about what you saw - anything that could help us catch this madman before he strikes again - well, I would really appreciate it."

Thanadros just stands back and watches as Aylmora speaks with Ibor.

"I'm sure you want us to catch the guy who done it, right Ibor?"

Ibor's eyes widen and he warms to Aylmora's approach rather more than that of the two hulking men in armour.

"There's really not much to tell," he sighs. "I didn't see who - or what - did it, I'm afraid. When I went in there was this awful smell and as soon as went into the cutting room to start work the first thing I saw was Harker. He had a lot of, er, meetings with Katrine late at night, so after I was sick the first thing I did was look for anyone else. I wondered if she might have done it - silly I know - or if she might have been hurt. I found her dress and remains, and fled for the Sheriff."

He looks green and shivers.

"It was horrible, and the first guard to arrive found the note for you, Aylmora. Desna help you if this madman is after you as well," he glances at Thanadros and Gornak. "If they're after her, you will have your work cut out keeping her safe!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

"Thank you, Ibor," Aylmora smiles, giving his hand another comforting squeeze. "Can you think of anything else you might've noticed? No matter how innocuous it might've seemed at the time? Or anything about Banny's dealings? Anyone who might've been angry with him - other than the neighbors who were being kept up at night because he was running the sawmill at all hours?"

Realizing he can do little to aid the investigation, Gob talks with Vaclav, Thanadros, and Sheriff Hemlock and asks if he'd be better able to help by sending word to Shelazu to keep an eye on the region around the asylum. Gob could then meet up with everyone later in the day. He's happy to stay if everyone thinks he can help, but Gob is aware how his presemce may disturb some people.

He looks nervous for a moment, then adds in a low tone:

"The Scarnetis own the mill. Harker's been skimming money off the top for years - I swear, I was never involved - but he must have made a small fortune off them. They could have found out, and in that case...well this is extreme, even for them!"

"Thanks, Ibor. Don't worry, we won't tell anyone what you told us, but we'll definitely check out the Scarnetis if it looks like they're involved. Though like you said, that would be pretty extreme even for them," Aylmora says reassuringly.

"They would have to cut me down before I let some butcher have at Aylmora. I'm sure Gornak feels the same." Thanadros says, giving Gornak's elbow a firm pat.

Once out of Ibor's cell Thanadros turns to the others. "Ven is the female victim's father. I think you should be the one to talk to him Aylmora."

Ven Vinder is in a cell at the opposite end of the block, and this cell is locked. The man is slumped on a bed, his face a mask of grief and rage. His knuckles are bloody and there are marks on the wall where he has clearly punched it repeatedly. He does not respond as you peer through the bars of the door.

Ven Vinder is in a cell at the opposite end of the block, and this cell is locked. The man is slumped on a bed, his face a mask of grief and rage. His knuckles are bloody and there are marks on the wall where he has clearly punched it repeatedly. He does not respond as you peer through the bars of the door.

"...Or maybe not." Thanadros says as he sees the violent state that Ven is in. "Hold on a second. I will go in." Assuming he is able/allowed to, Thanadros enters the room. "Mr. Ven? Can I speak with you?"

"Hmm?" Ven stares vacantly at you. "She's gone," he mumbles. "So beautiful, my Katrine, I tried so hard. What did I do wrong?"

"...You did nothing wrong Mr. Ven. Your daughter was the victim of a madman. A madman who now has his sights set on Aylmora. We are not related, but she is one of the few I regard as close to family as I can. We are going to bring this man to justice, and avenge your daughter's wrongful death, but we need info. Anything, even something that does not seem important could be useful."

Something sparks in the eyes of the big man.

"I'll kill that Harker!" he roars, clenching his fists. "Just let me get my hands on him and I'll wring his bloody neck, that'll solve your problems!"

I forget, who was Harker again? Was he the one that was killed along with the girl?

"What can you tell me about Harker?"

Yes, Banny Harker was killed along with Katrine. He had the sihedron rune carved on his chest.

"Master Vinder?" Aylmora interjects in a calm, soothing voice. "Do you remember me? I'm Aylmora Mvashti, Madame Niska's niece. I'm so sorry about Katrine. She was truly one of the brightest souls in Sandpoint, and that's because you were a good father. But you should know that the person who killed her also killed Banny in most... gruesome... manner. This same madman broke into my room at the Rusty Dragon this morning, and I'm worried he may be targeting me next. But let me assure you, I intend to see that he suffers and burns for a long time before we finally kill him - for Katrine, for you, and for anyone else he may seek to harm!" she says this last statement with icy rage evident in her voice.

Ven checks himself, sits down again, and nods sadly.

"Yes, of course he was. The Sheriff said...I dunno what to say Miss. I didn't even know my Katrine was sneaking out to see him, and there hadn't been nuthin' unusual goin' on. I wish my Aggie was still with us, it's hard for a girl growing up without her Mam, but I did my best, Desna help me. To find out she was goin' behind my back with that skinflint is bad enough...how did she die? What did he do to her?" he begs, suddenly.

Gornak keeps out of the way, but his heart melts at Ven's sad story.

"...You do have the right to know the circumstances of your daughter's death. You may want to sit down for this." Thanadros says, giving the man a minute to steel himself.

"...We think that the murderer was after Harker, and your daughter tried to protect him. The murderer pushed her into the sawmill's woodcutting saws."

Thanadros is ready to step in-front of Aylmora encase Ven does something violent at hearing this news.

Ven trembles, throws up and then sinks to his knees, crying.

Vaclav finishes his discussion with Father Zantus by informing the priest that he may be gone for a day or two. "I don't expect visiting the madman to take too long, but we may go hunting the killer without coming back here."

He returns to his room and equips himself with armor, weapons, and his field kit with a couple days of food. On the way out of the Cathedral he tells Hollis that he may be back tonight or gone a few days.

Then he marches toward the jail to meet the rest of the party.

Aylmora steps into the cell and kneels down next to Ven, hugging the man as he grieves. "Master Vinder, I'm so sorry," she says softly, tears streaming down her face.

It's pretty clear Ven has nothing else to offer, no information to give.

So...moving on to the journey to the asylum?

Yes, please! :)

Thanadros leaves Ven to his grief. "Everyone ready to head to the Asylum?"

Ready to head off to the asylum.

Vaclav pulls the Sheriff and party aside to explain his suspicion that undead, maybe ghouls could be involved. He tells the Sheriff that Zantus and Hollis will be able to supply his deputies with holy water. He stresses the risk of paralysis and that no one should be patrolling alone.

If anyone in the party asks about holy water for us, Vaclav shakes his head. "The town guards need it more than we do. We will have to make do with our own skill at arms and the blessing of Erastil."

Ready to move out, Dabbler.

Sheriff Hemlock furnishes you with a letter of introduction for Dr Erin Habe at the sanatorium. The journey is one of a few hours mounted or on foot (are you riding or walking?) down the coast road to Cougar Creek, and then following a track up the creek. After only a few miles you see two buildings: A small cottage in the distance, and closer to a larger, squat stone building three stories high. The latter is surrounded by plain but well tended grounds and is clearly the sanatorium you seek.

I assume that we are walking as Thanadros doesn't have a horse.

"We we are here. Should we knock or just enter."

Walking.

"We knock." Vaclav drives the fat outer part of his hand three times into the door.

There is a long wait before a small hatch in the door opens an a pair of eyes peer out.

"Who is it? What do you want?" The eyes widen as the speaker takes in the small company of armed and armoured men and women outside the door. "The patients here need peace and quiet, not stress and threats!"

"Please forgive our intrusion. We're sorry to disturb you or your patients, but we've been sent by Sheriff Hemlock in Sandpoint. We need to speak to one of your patients - Grayst Sevilla," Aylmora says to the pair of eyes behind the small hatch.

Gob meanders up to Gornak and gives him a friendly pat on the calf.

He says quietly to Thanadros, "Do you think we should search the grounds for similar tracks first?"