J'ngo Mordrak |
Since I suspect we're past the 50-60 minute window...
Mordrak will graciously nod politely to the gentleman as he draws out his scroll of tongues and uses it. There, my friend! Now we can understandinate each other much more readily. Can you please start again, from the beginning, now that I can much better appreciate what you mean to say?
EndlessForms |
Sorry, it's a woman. Slip of the typing-finger.
"Ah yes! I was introducing myself. I am Nabeeka, the worker of the shop here. People have been avoiding this area since the incident but you seemed to be looking about just where poor Vitusa was found. She was the owner of this place and my boss."
Hearing that you are investigating the crime, she invites you into her shop. The shop itself shows signs of a struggle: jars of ingredients lie smashed ont he floor and a large quantity of blood remains uncleaned and splattered about. "I didn't want to disturb anything until more was discovered. The city guard investigated and removed the body but haven't found anything."
"Vitusa was a kind and generous employer, she truly was. We are all deeply saddened by this, although we should have perhaps seen it coming. Vitusa was forthright in her negative opinion of Dhalevei and openly told customers that she thought banning the worship of Dhalevei was the best thing the thakur ever did."
Omrax the Bold |
Unable to understand the conversation, Omrax will look around and also detect for evil aura's in the shop while J'ngo speaks with the woman.
perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
"There is much blood here. Are any of you skilled in tracking? This was too deliberate to be a robbery.
But what dark purpose whould they have for the decapitations and the heads only?"
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Perception DC25: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Kaâb listen to the woman, but unable to understand a word she smiled.
J'ngo Mordrak |
Can't make the Perception check. Also, as before, Mordrak will translate diligently.
Clearly we are witness to retaliatory measurings here, the sorcerer notes. Turning to his companions, he continues. There is little doubt we must put a stop to this. Ideas?
Omrax the Bold |
Assuming J'ngo translates, Omrax asks if the woman needs any help without a job.
"Did she have any specific enemies or customers that acted unusual? "
EndlessForms |
Nabeeka shakes her head. "There was no one I know of who openly disagreed with her. Many of the people are also happy about the law, although they do not say it for fear of the dangerous worshipers. But Vitusa was never afraid. I wish now that she had been, at least a little."
Arnthoth Koortuskson |
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
While the rest of the party speaks with the woman, Arnthoth paces through the store. Pausing, he gets down on his hands and knees, reaching under a cabinet. Pulling out a tiny object, he holds it up to peer at it. "An earring covered in blood and incense." He says, holding it out to the shopkeep. "Did Virtua wear earrings such as this?"
He then motions to Volfie and inspects the area for tracks and spoor.
Survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Volfie Scent: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Oh! Good catch Arnthoth !
Kaâb tried to remember if she see something equivalent on Niswan's markets.
Know. Local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
EndlessForms |
"Ah yes!" Nabeeka says. "That is certainly hers. But where is the other? It is a pity we only have the one, they would have made a nice memento as a pair, a way to remember her. As it is, I don't think we'll be finding the other soon."
Hint, hint!
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Oh ! You're right, what a shame... but after a short blank as if she tried to remember something important Kaâb continued but doesn't she had the other one on her when she was murdered ?!
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Kaâb responded I don't know. but seeing the confused face of Arnoth shed added Oh? you want that I check if it's magical ? Yes, of course, I can !
She turned to J'ngo and said Can you tell our friend I will cast a simple spell that she don't have to worried about ? Thanks.
She smiled at Nabeeka and after having her blessing began casting detect magic
Omrax the Bold |
If Omrax does not detect any evil auras in the immediate area, he will try his best to comfort Nabeeka, suggesting she take some time away from the shop.
"Perhaps it would be a good time to visit family for a few days until we clear this situation...which, rest assured, we shall."
Turning to J'ngo and Kaâb.
"Alas, I am not well versed in divination magicks, so forgive my ignorance,
but are there any spells that could locate the other earing or discover more details on the events of the murder here?
It is a long shot, but we could check the markets.
By chance someone could have found the other earing and tried to sell it."
EndlessForms |
Oh ! You're right, what a shame... but after a short blank as if she tried to remember something important Kaâb continued but doesn't she had the other one on her when she was murdered ?!
Nabeeka thinks for a moment. "Well, I suppose she would have. I mean, if it's not here it must still be on her body. But of course we don't know where that is."
It is not magical but Omrax has the right idea.
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Kaâb face brighten at Arnthoth suggestion Yes ! I didn't thought of that !
She turned to J'ngo and said Could you asked Nabeeka if there is such a shop in the city ?
She also tried to remember is she had seen a magical scroll shop in town.
Know. Local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
EndlessForms |
"There are several magical wares shops nearby." Nabeeka gives you directions to some nearby shops.
Scroll purchases?
Omrax the Bold |
Omrax nods in concurrence with Arnthoth.
"Agreed. I shall contribute as well. Then are we settled on this action or any task left here in the shop?
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Thank you Nabeeka said Kaâb to the woman.
I will contribue too ! I think our business here is finished, I hope will be able to avenge the death of this poor woman
J'ngo Mordrak |
Mordrak will buy three scrolls of tongues, communal, one scroll of locate object...and one scroll of endure elements to make the math come out even, LOL. 2500 gp, done. :-)
Perhaps we could utilizify this scroll tomorrow, to find the other earring, if it is nearby? Mordrak says, holding up the locate object spell. By waiting until tomorrow I can use my robe here (mnemonic vestment) and make the spell more effective.
Kaâb Al-Burda |
In this case, we could go see the last men Lord Raheem suggest us to see. asked Kaâb
Omrax the Bold |
"Agreed. We shall visit the other two before the day ends."
EndlessForms |
There you go!
You have two people left: Varunasi (the authority on politics) and Prince Kanvar (the student of history).
To finish out the day, you go to speak with Prince Kanvar. He is a noble of the scholar caste who lives near the Grand Chronicler's Circle in an ancient crumbling mansion filled with scrolls. He is a chubby, dark-skinned man wearing an inordinately large turban.
Presented with the letter of introduction, he invites you right in and agrees to help you in any way you can. As an intellectual, Prince Kanvar has taught himself the Common tongue (albeit with a strong accent). When asked about the cult, he explains, "The Ebon Destroyers have existed since ancient times and are far more prevalent in Vudra than elsewhere on Golarion. Unless the cult wants to leave a message, its victims’ bodies are rarely found. There have been many attempts to eradicate the cult, but the cultists inevitably go into hiding, sometimes for years at a time, and no effort has ever been truly successful at eliminating them. At several points in Vudrani history, they have taken over entire kingdoms, ruling through fear and forcing the populace to worship their foul goddess. The cult often recruits from the lower castes, as their goddess’s aspect of destruction appeals to those who are dissatisfied with their role in society and wish revenge against those of higher status. However, Jalmeray’s caste structure is not as formal as Vudra’s, with far fewer low-caste people, meaning that the cult may work differently here."
Omrax the Bold |
"This cult sounds like it has managed to hide within the communities it preys upon like a parasite. I understand the 'destruction' but is there any significance to the 'Ebon' beyond their dark motives? We shall seek out signs of the cult recruitng in the repressed neighborhoods of the city. If anyone has been approached, we could get a description of the cultist or location of their recruiting base. You have our deepest thanks, Prince Kanvar."
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Did this cult has a way to recognize their members ? A tattoo or something ? asked Kaâb.
EndlessForms |
"I believe Ebon is a reference to the skin of their evil goddess." Prince Kanvar explains. "If you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to visit."
---
You can find Varunasi, a high-caste merchant, at her clothing shop in the Commerce District. She's a mature woman of conservative but stylish dress, and gladly chats over tea and a meal once she reads Raheem's letter. She explains briefly how the Jalmeri government functions and its relevance to the case. "The tahkur is a figurehead with little real power. The true influence rests with the temple mystics, the monastic masters, and the nobles of the highest castes who make up the Maurya-Rahm. Yet even as a figurehead, when the thakur cried out against his cousin's murder, the Maurya-Rahm and those with influence agreed that attacking the thakur equates to attacking Jalmeray itself. The common people are scared for the thakur, and killing him would greatly destabilize the nation despite the true administration of Jalmeray falling to the Maurya-Rahm."
Omrax the Bold |
Omrax bows in respect to Varunasi.
"We are honored you have shared this information with us. We shall not allow any harm to come to the Thakur.
All the more reason to quickly find the source of this cult and end it."
Thinking further.
"Raheem suspected there could be members of the government already involved with the cult.
Are there any of the Maurya-Rahm that would benefit by the destabilization of the government and would support such a vile cult?"
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Do you have knowledge of someone do the entourage of the Thakur who's behaving strangely in the recent past ?
Asked Kaâb
EndlessForms |
Varunasi shakes her head. "I know of no one in the government or the Maurya-Rahm who has an open ill-will against the Thakur, although to be true the whole Maurya-Rahm would become more powerful if the Thakur were gone. The Thakur is only the figurehead and they already hold most of the power though so it would be a risky move for such little gain, in my opinion."
EndlessForms |
All right, what's the game plan? Resting for the night and then using your scroll of locate object in the morning?
Omrax the Bold |
"Thank you Lady Varunasi. You have been most helpful.
Omrax bows and exits the shop.
"We should head back to plan the strategy for tomorrow. The townsfolk will be less likely to be out at night, especially with rumors of murders.
We can try to locate them in the morning unless there are any other ideas?
Assuming it is late, he will head towards...well wherever we are staying. Does the palace have a guest suite or are we in an Inn someplace?
J'ngo Mordrak |
All right, what's the game plan? Resting for the night and then using your scroll of locate object in the morning?
Yep. But first, as Omrax rightly points out, we need a place to stay for the night...
EndlessForms |
You are offered a guest house on the palace grounds during your investigations.
Kaâb Al-Burda |
So to the Palace then asked Kaâb As for tomorrow, I agree. We will need the earring and the parchment, may be the assassin kept the ... head somewhere near their hiding place.
It must be somewhere not far from the store where the murder took place, some of their member must have heard her complaint about the cult.
then as she remembered something she added Oh! I also have my Shining Wayfinder a personal gift from Lady Zadrian ! It is like a normal wayfinder but he point the biggest source of evil rather than Absalom ! It could be of help to find these evil men !
Omrax the Bold |
So we rest up in the guest house and then proceed in the morning, back to the crime scene and the site for the cultist recruiters.
"An excellent plan, Lady Kaâb."
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Kaâb blushed at Omrax's compliment. Than... thank you Omrax. I hope we will be able to catch these killers !
EndlessForms |
After a rest, you use your new scroll and the single earring you found. The divination leads you to an abandoned cesspit under a derelict warehouse in the Surakport Quarter. You find Vitusa's head wearing the other earring, its soft tissues burned out by acid.
There are pieces of other partially eaten humanoid remains here, but not enough to identify them.
After the Perception:
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Seeing the head, a tear appeared at Kaâb's eye corne. Poor Vitusa. We will ensure that her death will be not in vain.
She began to make a short prayer to Sarenrae, in hope that her soul will find the right Path to her god.
Perception (take 10): 10 + 10 = 20
Appraise DC20: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16
Omrax the Bold |
Omrax will scan the area for any evil auras while the other more skilled check for tracks and the like.
perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
"So they discarded her head here and did not use it in some evil ritual. What else can we tell. Any tracks Sir Koortuskson? I am not a skilled woodsman.
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Oh ! Looked at this scimitar ! said Kaâb seeing a weapon looking like the one of her deity.
J'ngo Mordrak |
Survival (hopefully EF lets this be an aid another?): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Mordrak hums quietly to himself, rather oblivious to the grisly scene around them. He does cast detect magic on the damaged blade Kaâb finds.