1. GM Edwin's Zeitgeist Campaign

Game Master Insnare

When the people and King of Risur have internal or external enemies but won't or can't call in the military... They Call in the RHC(Royal Homeland Constabulary)

Act 1: The Investigation Begins!
Chapter 1: The Island at the Axis of the World
Chapter 2: The Dying Skyseer
Chapter 3: Digging for Lies
Chapter 4: Always on Time
Chapter 5: Cauldron Born
RHC HQ
FLINT CITY
Zeigeist World Map
Avery Coast Train
Lantern

Act 2: The Grand Design

Chapter 6: Revelations From the Mouth of a Mad Man

Ber


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DAY 2, RHC HQ 8am

Your group all went back to your apartments for the evening and come in bright and early either for excitement or from despair about possibly meeting the Viscount and having your meeting.

Delft calls you into his office and has enough chairs for the group of you and says, "Fellas, this should be interesting, shouldn't it?"

He then spits out a wad of chaw into the spitton behind his desk making that all too famous ching sound as he hit the lip of it.

He then continues, "Don't worry about the Viscount, he is a good man and I have worked with him in the past. Just be honest with him and his people and everything will alright. I hope you didn't cut any corners."

He then turns around and says, "I do know what he is going to find and that is that our chief has been undermining our investigation into the mayor's contacts by taking you guys off of the case. Asher, I know these problems aren't yours but I hope I can trust you not to run your mouth to Saxby. Any questions so far?"


"Yes.... I mean... Why are they investigating you, and not the events? Don't you think you've been chosen as the scapegoat?"


He smiles at Falko and says, "Your group has been the key to taking down two traitors, but what this audit tells me is that other folks higher up in the government are doing the dirt and are worried about their own prosperity. I have run clean investigations my entire career so I am not worried about this audit. As long as you have been dotting your Is and crossing your Ts we should be fine."

Delft then spits his chaw into the spittoon once again and says, "Good work yesterday taking down those crazy alien creatures and saving a whole lot of people. I have read the statements about how these things were summoned from the staff, inadvertently, and then after they were defeated these beasts didn't disappear. The staff from yesterday and the odd looking sword and the amulet from last night's failed apprehension have turned up items that are from ancient times and I have set up an appointment with Professor Hans Weber from Pardwright University's department of Archaeology for this afternoon. What I want you to do is continue to monitor the expo but still keep investigating these artifacts."


Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13

"Excellent."


HP: 17/34, |AC: 20; T: 15, FF: 15(+2 against non-magic ranged)| Fort: 4, Ref: 8, Will: 3| Resist 5 elec| Init: +6*| Perc: +9 (DV 60), Se Mo: +3| Grit 3/4

Asher listen's to Delft's briefing, and responds to the bit about running his mouth. He gives a tight lipped smile. "Don't worry. I shall try to be... Inoffensive." He says this in the kind of manner that implies he has been giving this assurance frequently, recently.

"That Rackus, has he been released yet?" he asks Delft after receiving the new orders.


Shot Putter Funkmeister

Delft smiles and says, "No not yet, his murder beef is local... he should be released within the next day or so. Just a side note, the alien corpses will be sent to the Battalion for further study. Hopefully, we will learn a more efficient way to combat those beasts were they to show up again."

He then continues, "I am thankful for your loyalty and concern. Dismissed"

As you leave Delft's office, one of your colleagues on one of the other teams named Carlao walks up to you and says, "Look fellas, we have been given the crap end of the stick and were given the cleanup of the Macbannin case by Saxby, we didn't want it but it was dumped on our desks, anyway, my team were wondering if you can give our new crime scene a second set of eyes for us this morning."


Stephan DeWir (Black Market Arms Dealer) Hp 53/53 AC 25 (+7 Perc; +1 Init; Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +4)

Maybe he answers Carlao We still have our mission to monitor the expo until it ends and now and audit too

he looks at the others

Should we split up ? Cretien and falko to the new crime scene and this afternoon's appointment while we patrol the expo ?


Shot Putter Funkmeister

Carlao says, "We also have to be audited too, shoot I will send half of my team to the expo to cover for you if a couple of you guys can check it out. I really shouldn't be asking you for help because of the old lady but there was some Whisky-Oscar at the scene." he says in a whisper.

Did any of you take Detect Planar Energy as a first level spell?


"I'd love to go..." replies Falko, working very hard not to roll his eyes at Carlao.

Do we know what WO stands for?


HP: 17/34, |AC: 20; T: 15, FF: 15(+2 against non-magic ranged)| Fort: 4, Ref: 8, Will: 3| Resist 5 elec| Init: +6*| Perc: +9 (DV 60), Se Mo: +3| Grit 3/4

"From the little I've picked up on..." Asher starts with a cautious tone of voice, like a military instructor who is considering letting the recruits learn just how bad firepowder can be on their own or not. "... this is exactly the the situation you have been told to avoid by Saxby."

He gives each member of his team a warning look. "However, these weren't directed at me." Asher leaves the rest unsaid.


Shot Putter Funkmeister

Falko, you should be able to guess.


Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13

"Honestly, I am better suited to the expo affair. Weapons, machines, the exact thing I was contracted to RHC to consult for..."


Shot Putter Funkmeister

Carlao walks with you outside where he feels he can speak a bit more freely. "Look, you want machines, there is gods' damned golem at the scene there is a murdered man and witchoil. No one on my team knows machines at all and your team has the most experience with witchoil in the service. If any of you want to help jump in my carriage to Parity Lake."


Claude Waithe M Human Sorcerer (6) AC 15+2/14t/13+2ff, HP 53/53, Fort+6, Ref+5, Will+6, Init+7, Perc+4

Are we picking between a) following orders b) helping these guys out?


Shot Putter Funkmeister

sort of but not really, you're being asked to help out on a crime scene. Your appointment with the professor is in the afternoon. Its up to you.


Claude Waithe M Human Sorcerer (6) AC 15+2/14t/13+2ff, HP 53/53, Fort+6, Ref+5, Will+6, Init+7, Perc+4

Ah I see, ok. Johnathan will make the appointment w professor. Cretien's better with machinery and all that


Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13

"Alright, Alright, no need to get hostile. I'll go if one of the beefier sorts from my team is going."


HP: 17/34, |AC: 20; T: 15, FF: 15(+2 against non-magic ranged)| Fort: 4, Ref: 8, Will: 3| Resist 5 elec| Init: +6*| Perc: +9 (DV 60), Se Mo: +3| Grit 3/4

"If Constable Dufrene is going to the crime scene, I should probably attend the expo. Unless, you were referring to me as one of the beefier ones, Constable?"


Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13

"No, not at all. You made better headway at the expo than I, and with your contact there it is the best place for you."


Shot Putter Funkmeister

Chretien, Falko and maybe Angus with Carlao and the rest to the expo?


"Fine. Count me in Carlao." says Falko, wondering whether they're being set up...

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6


HP: 17/34, |AC: 20; T: 15, FF: 15(+2 against non-magic ranged)| Fort: 4, Ref: 8, Will: 3| Resist 5 elec| Init: +6*| Perc: +9 (DV 60), Se Mo: +3| Grit 3/4

Works for me.

Asher turns to the group of constables going to the crime scene. "You boys be careful. There are politics at play with you lot, and aren't they always a f@$#ing load of wet powder?"


Stephan DeWir (Black Market Arms Dealer) Hp 53/53 AC 25 (+7 Perc; +1 Init; Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +4)

Well if Carlao is sending his team to cover for us at the expo then we can all go to this crime scene. Both assignment will then be covered. We need you also Cretien me thinks he says gently to his friends


Shot Putter Funkmeister

Asher and John feel free to tell me which part of the expo you want to see and so on.

Chretien, Angus, Falko

Spoiler:
On the carriage ride Carlao starts to give you a little background of the scene, "The body was discovered in the basement of a steel mill in the thickest factory cluster of Parity Lake. The burning steel and firegems concealed
the stench of decomposition, because that s~%& can be most foul smelling, but some workers found him just yesterday. The
man had to have been dead for a few weeks at least."

He takes a quick drag of a nicodemian cigar and continues, "Normally, local PD would handle a standard murder but
what got the case kicked over to us at the RHC was the presence of two
strange things: a ring of rusted iron, and a slender golem which had been torn to pieces. The golem made me think of the Professor and I thought I saw some witchoil residue, we are good at charisma game but not as much at the detective work, I honestly thought our group would be spying on Drakr or something."


Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13

Carlao's way:

The Professor waxes contemplative for a moment, then asks a few questions. "Any signs of struggle? Witchoil on the man's hands? Cuts on his hands suggesting he ripped the golem? Did the man look abnormally strong? Has the blood been analyzed? Does the ring have any notable symbols?" He pauses to give the man a chance to respond, assuming he had figured out at least a few of these things.


Claude Waithe M Human Sorcerer (6) AC 15+2/14t/13+2ff, HP 53/53, Fort+6, Ref+5, Will+6, Init+7, Perc+4

Did the beasties already get sent away, or are they still there? Wouldn't mind poking one


HP: 17/34, |AC: 20; T: 15, FF: 15(+2 against non-magic ranged)| Fort: 4, Ref: 8, Will: 3| Resist 5 elec| Init: +6*| Perc: +9 (DV 60), Se Mo: +3| Grit 3/4

And who from the other team is joining us?

"Let's stick together... Constable." Asher says to Johnathan after reaching the expo, the last word delayed with the strangeness of using it on someone so young.

"My contact didn't have much useful to share, so let us look under different rocks, maybe? Somewhere a bit further from the staging area. Where did you explore before?"


Stephan DeWir (Black Market Arms Dealer) Hp 53/53 AC 25 (+7 Perc; +1 Init; Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +4)

Carlao's way:
Ok lets see if there is something,g else. Can you show us the new evidence ? Angus will take a very long look at the golem / the ring and even harder for witch oil

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8


Shot Putter Funkmeister

What do you want to poke?

AFC

Spoiler:
Carlao says, "We have left everything the way it was when we first saw it, I don't want to taint your fresh eyes with any supposition on my part."

LJ

Spoiler:
Two other member of the RHC who Johnathan recognizes a dwarf named Dima and a woman named Serena come along with you and they ask where they can be of most use to you.


Claude Waithe M Human Sorcerer (6) AC 15+2/14t/13+2ff, HP 53/53, Fort+6, Ref+5, Will+6, Init+7, Perc+4

Lya Jierre :D

for realz though, the alien monster things. If they're still there, Johnathan will run over to them.


Shot Putter Funkmeister

The king's fiance... The alien monster things have already been shipped to the battalion for anatomical research :)


Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13

AFC:

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
engineering: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32
arcana: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
planes: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Cretien studies the scene when they arrive.


Carlao's Way:

Falko shadows Cretien, careful not to stand in his way, but looks over his shoulder to get a sense of the scene. When appropriate, he asks his colleague some clarifying questions, and tests hypotheses with him.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Know arcane: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Know engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Know history: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Know planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13


Shot Putter Funkmeister

AFC

Spoiler:
After an hour in the carriage you finally arrive in Parity Lake district and Carlao takes you into the basement of the steelmill past the ropes delineating a crime scene, you then climb down the ladder and make your way to the scene. It is dark and there are candles being used to illuminate the scene, therein you see a destroyed golem which looks like it destroyed a human's skull.

Victim
The victim’s wrists were bound together by a twisted steel bar, as were
his ankles. It would take either magic or great strength to bend the steel, and this was done very precisely. He had some sort of necklace, because links remain near his body, but most of it is missing.

Golem
The golem is in a hundred pieces. Its chest is torn into four components, while its face cracked apart into countless tiny pieces. The main bulk of the golem’s head looks intact. The body is unimposing. Before it was smashed to bits it probably
stood about 5½ feet tall, slender, and mostly bronze. But its internalstructure is of the finest quality, with miniscule gears in the hands that would have allowed nuanced movements. The face, shattered though it is now, could once have displayed fantastic expressions.
There are a few chain links amid its wreckage, just like the necklace the victim was wearing.

Chretien

Spoiler:
Perception: The party can find several inches of torn fabric by the rusted ring. It’s several layers stitched together of cotton and dyed silk.
Engineering: The head suggests a finely-crafted internal structure appropriate for containing an advanced intelligence.
Oddly it looks like the golem wasn’t hit by an object; it was torn apart,almost like it exploded along every major seam and joint

So now tell me what you want to look at and give a roll


HP: 17/34, |AC: 20; T: 15, FF: 15(+2 against non-magic ranged)| Fort: 4, Ref: 8, Will: 3| Resist 5 elec| Init: +6*| Perc: +9 (DV 60), Se Mo: +3| Grit 3/4

JL:

"First things first, let's check in with Lockhart. See if she has had any disturbances since we were here last. Afterward, if I remember correctly she mentioned feeling confident that the main pavilions were already well looked over and our time would be better spent at the periphery tents. Liontamer Mechanical Orchestra, Apex Tower Construction, and so on."

He is quiet for a thoughtful moment, before continuing with the same unemotional quality to his voice as normal. "I think I'd like to see that orchestra."

1d20 ⇒ 17 Perception? +9 to that.


Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13

AFC:

"Hmm, look at this ring. It has some shreds of cloth. Cotton and dyed silk. A little nice for a factory worker, maybe came from the perp?" i don't say this if it matches the deceased's clothing

"We should check the golem for blood. I am thinking maybe the golem here didn't do this. First, the head looks like it contained the necessary structure to house advanced intelligence. Second, the victim and the golem have links that suggest having worn a necklace, with no pendant on-scene. Looks like whatever was on the chain was torn."

Turning to the other detectives, he asks "Has this man been identified?"

not sure what to roll that i haven't already rolled, besides maybe Heal.

heal: 1d20 ⇒ 2

looking to see what sort of wounds killed our victim, if there is blood on this golem that would suggest it attacked the man. Do the deceased's clothes and the fabric on the ring match? Is this ring a hand-sized ring, or like a large hoop? Does the ring have a symbol on it of some sort, or anything denoting it as having been something other than a nondescript band?


Claude Waithe M Human Sorcerer (6) AC 15+2/14t/13+2ff, HP 53/53, Fort+6, Ref+5, Will+6, Init+7, Perc+4

JL:

Johnathan smiles cheerily when Asher calls him Constable, not seeming to notice or be bothered by the tone. "Two of us is three, we're only one alone."

He thinks for moment, trying to remember where he checked previously, then speaks softly. "I'm sorry, it's all a bit of a blur. I checked all the tents I could, searching for anything stolen during the commotion, like a weapon or artifact, but nothing was missing that I saw. I was in a bit of a rush."

"A marvel, that orchestra. We should check the..." Johnathan trails off. "T-The peripheral tents, like you suggested."


HP: 17/34, |AC: 20; T: 15, FF: 15(+2 against non-magic ranged)| Fort: 4, Ref: 8, Will: 3| Resist 5 elec| Init: +6*| Perc: +9 (DV 60), Se Mo: +3| Grit 3/4

JL:

"Alright. Let's check in with Lockhart."

He makes his way to do that, and asks how the day has gone so far and if anything has been amiss.


Shot Putter Funkmeister

Falko

Spoiler:
The chain matches the amulets used at Macbannin’s
manor to slip partially into the Bleak Gate.
Falko probes the throat reveals nearly a pint of witchoil, some of which was swallowed.

AFC

Spoiler:
I am going to need some Healing Skill rolls and descriptions what you want to look at with the victim and the golem as well as the room. Then include a roll be it perception or otherwise Carlao says, "We haven't been able to id the body as of yet."

JL

Spoiler:
The three of you go over to Sergeant Lockheart and she says, [b]"Exciting first day? I heard of your dust up last night, what was that about?"


HP: 17/34, |AC: 20; T: 15, FF: 15(+2 against non-magic ranged)| Fort: 4, Ref: 8, Will: 3| Resist 5 elec| Init: +6*| Perc: +9 (DV 60), Se Mo: +3| Grit 3/4

JL:

"Just following a lead on that strange, appearing monster incident. How have things been so far today? Anything worrying any of your men that you think the RHC should take a look at? You'll notice we have these constables on loan to us from another team, Constables Dima and Serena. They'll be helping us keep an eye on things today."

Asher is pleasant enough in word, but his mannerisms are cold and professional. His eyes are in a constant state of scanning the crowd instead of paying any attention to Lockhart's face.


Shot Putter Funkmeister

JL

Spoiler:
She responds, [b]"Well, the RHC has confiscated the majority of the deadliest most dangerous gear after the alien fiasco yesterday. So I think it should remain fairly calm. But who knows something else could spring up."


Carlao's Way:

Falko winces: "There's a lot of witchoil down that throat. He didn't die easy... Payback? This looks like an execution. Someone wants to send a message?"

He moves down the body, then realizes: "Doesn't that chain look like the one the good Mayor dropped on us when we went hiking up the mountain? These allow to be on the other side I think..."

As Cretien draws his attention to the golem, he wonders out loud: "That lady we've just met... She did have some sort of retainer, reminiscent of this one as well, no? May be it's just a coincidence. Two humans with a pet humanoid construct?"

"I wonder..." says Falko looking back at the body, then turning to Carlao: "What's the TOD?"


Shot Putter Funkmeister

AFC HEAL DC11

Spoiler:
The apparent
cause of death is a shattered skull, and the size of the wound matches the fist of the damaged golem in the corner.

AFC Spellcraft DC 11

Spoiler:
Strangely, their is no soul energy within the witchoil considering the man was killed here.

AFC

Spoiler:
Carlao responds to Falko and says, "I have no ideas but getting the body back to the lab would help us out finding the TOD or DOD, we guess at least two weeks."
Searching the body and clothes you find the victim had 5 platinum pieces and twenty gold pieces in his pocket,
as well as a bundle of papers with ship schedules, berth numbers, and
mentions that passengers were welcome, all of which were set to depart
between the 5th and 15th of Summer. All of them were bound for Elfaivar.


Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13

AFC:
ah, i didnt roll perception because i had already rolled it for the crime scene
heal: 1d20 ⇒ 3
untrained in spellcraft is a no no

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Do the deceased's clothes and the fabric on the ring match? Is this ring a hand-sized ring, or like a large hoop? Does the ring have a symbol on it of some sort, or anything denoting it as having been something other than a nondescript band?


Claude Waithe M Human Sorcerer (6) AC 15+2/14t/13+2ff, HP 53/53, Fort+6, Ref+5, Will+6, Init+7, Perc+4

JL:
I don't know what to do :D we're looking for something amiss? or just patrolling?


Shot Putter Funkmeister

One clue leads to another. Perception doesn't work unless you unlock the one clue first. The iron ring is about three foot in diameter. The torn clothing on the ring is definitely for a woman's clothes and are different.

Chretien

Spoiler:
Searching the man's clothes you find personally embroidered socks with the letters A.G.


Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13

AFC:

"Hmm, I wonder if this ring was a portal of some sort. The clothes on it definitely belonged to a woman." did we see something similar to this ring in the mayor's bi-dimensional basement?

"Also, this man's socks bear the initials A.G.... That should narrow down possible identities. We need a roster of who works here."

I think i am out of ideas here aside from an autopsy, list of workers from the warehouse... anything else?


Shot Putter Funkmeister

I am surprised that no one has the healing skill. Just a reminder, there were iron circles at the warehouse with the big golem, the mayor's shed, and the skeletons laid down one before Nevard died.

AFC

Spoiler:
Carlao Heal 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 he then says, [b]"It looks like the golem crushed the man's head." If i can get some spellcraft rolls from either Angus or Falko

Chretien

Spoiler:
The ingots from the shelf were shaken
free, probably during the earthquake in the summertime,
but there’s no sign of ash on top of them, which suggests the victim died very soon after the quake.

@Johnathan, you guys are just patrolling seeing if there is anything else to find.


Stephan DeWir (Black Market Arms Dealer) Hp 53/53 AC 25 (+7 Perc; +1 Init; Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +4)

When ask Angus will cast a detect magic and look for further clues Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

AFC:
Could the victim was the master of the construct using a neckless of command, and when exposed to the witch oil i made her creazy enough to actually start a fight with her construct ?.


Shot Putter Funkmeister

Angus

Spoiler:
There is no soul energy in the witchoil, which doesn't make any sense if the man was killed near the oil. and the head of the golem still possesses an aura of magic suggesting the thing might still be conscious, just blind and mute, needing to be fixed in order to get information from it. 3rd, The threads
have residual magic on the woman's garment which, given how long
they’ve been removed from the garment, suggests the enchantment was
very powerful to begin with.

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