Aup, orcs first if any and then finger-painting.
waiting for Rodrik to finish signing the latest wave of autographs; Boram, ever the conspiracy theorist, especially after a couple of ale's, asks the dwarves, slurring his words a little more than usual.
"What if tha graffiti is some secret Orc writing they be putting in place for tha next wave of attacks? Tha' must be the reason it doesn't wash off, nothin' cleans off orc gue"
I bet they never thought of that! Wow I have the best ideas when I'm drinking!
proud of his epiphany, Boram orders another ale as he waits to have a conversation with Rodrik about his dad.
Rodrik nods:"We should check out the graffiti tomorrow. I'll meet you at the Ramblinghouse tomorrow."
You retire to an inn mostly for smaller creatures and other demihumans, the Ranblinghouse. The hobbit goodwife smiles and hugs Rock as she has other hobbits get your double rooms ready.
Augier once again vainly attempts to curb his body oder with a bath and plans on visiting the cologne section of the store in the morning.
Yarask gives Adrian a baleful stare and slams his keg hard on the table making it tremble with the force of the blow:"Giants have no decency. Orcs are a nuisance, giants are a plague upon the land! Both need cleansing"
Then the dwarf turns his head towards Rodrik and Boram:"I doubt orcs are intelligent enough to learn how to write. And even if so would they know how to read? But if you feel it's important we could waste some time and try to learn about these writings on the walls... as long as once your earth is content we start doing something serious. Like making sure Trunau is safe"
Ogden listens, making notes as he does so in his book. He nods to Rodrik and departs for the inn, preparing for the morning.
Adrian holds up his hands in a gesture of surrender to Yarask, squeezing the small knife he was using to trim his nails between his fingers. "Never said giants were good, now. Just that orcs might be the more immediate threat, here and now, eh?"
Rodrik is going to come ssearch with us? Well he must be more than just a dandy with a pen.
turning to Yarask Boram smiles and says
"Just a thought mate. I do ma best thinking once I've got a couple of Ale's in me."
Impressed that Rodrik has offered to go with them in the morning, Boram decides its time for bed. Placing five silvers on the table for the first round and the couple more he ordered. He then climbs off of the crate, he was using as a booster chair, and heads to the Rambling house.
Following the quite Ogden to the Rambling house he meets the hobbit Halfling good wife, and hearing they have double rooms says to Obgen, smiling, feeling the effects of the ale.
"well, I guess its you's and Me's, I hopes ya doe not, donut, doesn't, ain't a gonna snore."
he smiles and toddles off to bed, quickly falling asleep and snoring like a banshee.
In the morning he wakes early with a minor head ache. Following the safest Halfling cure that exists for hangovers, he orders as big a breakfast as he can. After breakfast he waits in the dining area for Rodrik and any of the dwarves who decided last night to go inspect the graffiti.
"Till the morning it is. It's been a pleasure," Tegnar says as he finishes his mug and excuses himself. He makes his way to the inn for the night excited about the beginning of his adventure.
Augier will get up early for some wizardly studying and then breakfast of eggs and bacon before joining the others.
After a nice celebration of the coming-of-age, and plenty of talk and drink, more and more of the company retreat to their chambers.
Dvalin, on the other hand, decides to go for a walk before sleeping. Seeing how Trunau is not a very large hold, he attempts to walk a full circle along the walls(made more difficult by heights and internal walls), familiarizing himself with the basic layout of the city.
While the cold night air is enjoyable and the stars shining bright, eventually the image of a warm bed in a roofed room becomes more tempting, and after about an hour Dvalin heads back to the Inn, and goes to sleep too, so he could raise early enough to take part in tomorrows graffiti inspection.
Yarask finishes his second and then third keg before raising from his seat and, without any more words, going to sleep
The group retires to the Ramblinghouse after many shared ales with the personable humans.
You awake to a meeting called by Rock after a bucket of cold water is poured on your head by the stoic dwarf. The meeting is with Kurst Grath--the brother of Rodrik Grath. You find out that Rodrik has been murdered last night at the Ramblinghouse!!! Furthermore, suspicion has fallen on Cham Larringfass, the proprietor and good friend of Rock.
A tearful Kurst, Rodrik's brother, is on the verge of crying as he speaks to your group with his lips quavering.
“I’m sure you’ve heard by now that my brother, Rodrik—you met
him last night—was found dead this morning, and I’ve had my
hands full since. Right now, the official cause of death is suicide,
but I just can’t believe that. Something else has to be going on.
Unfortunately, Rodrik was the best investigator in Trunau; if he
were on the case, solving the mystery of his death wouldn’t take
long, but with just me left, we might never know what really
happened.” Kurst sighs heavily.
“I simply can’t handle the investigation and tend to my family
duties at the same time. I may be a patrol captain, but right
now, I feel my responsibilities as a brother outweigh my other
duties. Still, I can’t just let this lie. I’m afraid I’ve exhausted all
my other options—the members of Trunau’s militia are competent
defenders during siege times, but they’re not sleuths by any
means. I need your help. Will you investigate my brother’s death?”
"You have my sympathies and my respect Kurst. Your duty to family is admirable. I will gladly lend a hand in looking into this. I've some skill in tracking and though hard floors aren't the best for it, I may find some out of place boot prints if the room hasn't been too messed up."
Not what this town needed. Perfect time for an attack.
I'll be more than willing to help. Mighty odd that he would commit suicide after such a happy event of yesterday.
"Aye, things don't add up. I only chatted briefly with da fellow yesterday, and it ain't make sense. Where and how did he die?"
"Do you know of any who would stand to gain from his death?"
"For what reason is the proprietor of this Inn a suspect?"
"And who found your brother? If we are to investigate, I guess there will be some questions we will be asking- I suspect as long as those are asked in a reasonable manner, we have the backing of the Militia on this?"
"My condolences" mutters Yarask briefly before adding:"When we saw him last night, Rodrick didn't seem upset or depressed. On the contrary, he asked us to join his investigation about some grafities that puzzled him. Not the mood or actions of someone who was planning suicide. I was skeptical at first but it seems that maybe there's more about those wall-writings than I initially thought. Worth checking out I'd say"
that Rodrick fella was going to meet us here this morning to look at the graffiti, I wonder if there is a connection.
Watching and listening Boram finally adds
"My condolences Kurst, did ya say tha Rodrick was the sleuth? Truly a man of many talents, tha must be tha reason he seemed so eager ta help us look into the graffiti. So's I guess we have two mysteries ta solve, especially if it helps ol' Cham. may we see the room where he died? I trust it has been undisturbed.
turning to the dwarves Boram interjects
"do we want to split up? Those tha can read people doin' tha interviewing, and those of us with other skills looking at tha room? I think we still need ta look inta tha graffiti, there may be some conection."
Kurst responds to Dvalin's inquiry:
"I know my brother, and I know he wouldn’t kill himself. By his
own account, he was in love with Brinya and was planning
to marry her, even if our father disapproved. There’s
something fishy about all of this, and I won’t dishonor
Rodrik’s memory by accepting his ‘suicide’ without ruling
out that something else happened.”
"Let's look at his room." say Rock.
Kurst has Cham open his room, which is much like the others....
This 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.
"My condolences too, Kurst. I agree that Rodrick didn't seem like one who would commit suicide after such a celebration. And it does seem odd that this happened just as he was about to investigate the graffiti," Tegnar says as they walk to the room.
Seeing the room, he asks "Given the amount of blood, was he killed with his hopeknife? Did anyone see anyone else enter his room last night? What about that window, could someone have entered through there?"
Augier scans the room after muttering under his breath.
Ogden wakes early, fastidious in arranging his room, making his bed, packing his belongings, and studying his notes and praying loudly (much to the hung over halfling's dismay).
When he hears of the news, he frowns, squinting at the human, unsure whether to trust him, perhaps he is responsible, outing a brother who competed for a position of power.
He then goes to assist Tegnar, pointing out anything he notices, and giving him tips for how to best locate clues.
Ogden does little more than get in the way of the investigation, but does add, "The last thing th' human discussed was ta look into the graffiti. Anyone overhearin' that and wantin' to keep it secret may well 'ave murdered the boy. I say we look into it."
He turns to Kurst, "Think, boy! Was anyone around las' night at the celebration that coulda heard your brother's plans for tha mornin'? Maybe someone shouldn'a been hangin' about so close-like?"
Dvalin checks the room for anything out of place that could be a clue(forcibly opened window, something written that has gone missing, signs of a struggle, etc...that sort of thing)
"One of you guys must be good with words. I reckon someone should go visit that Brinya, be nice, and ask her for a hunch in this. Not me though, that much is certain!"
interesting observation, I would like to check the room before we leave, hhmmmm, how would I break in here?
Boram follows along listening to the conversations, when they get to the room he slowly begins to look around as he searches he responds backe to Dvalin
"Your right Dvalin I would like ta go and speak ta her, but I want ta finish checking tha room first."
Ogden, being ever mindful of details, helps Boram as well in his search of the room.
Not really knowing what to do Yarask looks around trying to help the others make sense of the crime scene.
Dolgrym helps the others look through the room.
Boram spends two minutes looking at the window, and finds nothing of interest there. Boram spends another two minutes looking around the desk, aided by others, and finds a false bottom in one of the drawers in the desk. Opening up the false bottom reveals a compartment, but, disappointingly, the compartment is empty. There is no sign of anything having been placed in it recently.
Watching Kurst, nothing is amiss. He is rather despondent and upset over the loss of his brother.
Kurst asks: "In addition to the crime scene at the Ramblehouse, you can also question the inn’s proprietor, Cham Larringfass; Brinya Kelver, a half-orc weaver whom Kurst recently learned had been conducting a clandestine love affair with Rodrik for some time; and Omast Frum, a patrol sergeant in the militia, long-time friend of the Graths and one of Rodrik’s frequent patrol partners. Perhaps these people might be able to shed some light on the events leading up to Rodrik’s death."
Looking into the graffiti, you meet Omast Frum, the patrol leader. He is questioned about where this graffiti has been discovered, and tells you where it is (see the Trunau Map for the referenced areas).
Barterstones (area N): A large white sword has been
painted on the eastern face of the largest rock in this area,
visible above the roofs of the market stalls set up in the
stones’ shadow.
Commons (area A): Someone has used a broad brush to
paint a wide white cross or sword on the stone floor of the
Commons amphitheater. There are no other clues to be
found here.
Hopespring (area O): Even the continual shower of mist
from the Hopespring’s waterfall doesn’t erase the marker
dye forming a white sword on the rock wall behind the
town reservoir.
Sanctuary (area F): Besides the sizeable white sword
representing Iomedae’s own holy sword that juts from the
roof of the temple, a thick white cross or sword has been
painted on the rock face behind the Sanctuary.
South Tower (area E): The large white sword dominating
the side of this guard tower is much larger than any of
the other graffiti marks in town, and is visible from
even beyond Trunau’s walls. It’s a mystery how somebody
managed to paint a mark 30 feet tall and 10 feet wide on a
garrisoned tower.
to create the markings, and can recognize it if you see it.
Augier has no idea about what the marks might be. Let us check with the innkeeper here, she might have heard something.
Adrian nods to the wizard. "I'll ask around, see if I can find anything out." Putting on his smiling face, Adrian begins to mingle with the taller customers.
Dvalin will attempt to talk to Cham Larringfass, specifically finding out when he closed the common hall for the night, when Rodrik went to his room, who was still around at that time, and why he is considered a suspect.
Dvalin then attempts to put the answers into perspective...does anything sound odd considering what he knows of this place?
crud, not a gall darn thing ta find of interest, I was hoping tha secret drawer would 'ave something. Now we gotta do it tha hard way
Boram followed along after the dwarves, when Dvalin stopped to talk to Cham, Boram stayed near by and translated any dwarven words that he let slip in and elbowed him every now and then to remind him to smile.
keep smiling, they like it when ya smile at em."
Wmen Dvalin finishes speaking Boram adds
"And we knows ya really cared about Rodric an wants ta help."
Examining the grafiti Yarask wonders about the crude images:"Someone seems to have an hard on for crosses... or swords!"
When he realizes the symbols are likely swords he adds:"Swords most likely... and I once saw a group of Iomedean priestess walk around parading their white swords... I wonder if there's a connection somehow... If I remember correctly Trunau has some Iomedean temple or shrine... maybe we could pay it a visit..."
Augier just munches some bacon, leaving the people chatting to those with the talent for it.
Ogden squints at the symbols.
"Aye, appears ta be the symbol of Iomedae. Maybe we should ask in the sanctuary 'bout it."
He mutters a short prayer, then gazes at the symbol (Detect Magic) as he surveys the area, looking for signs of magic in it's creation.
After researching the symbols, he goes with Dvalin to question Cham.
[i]This village... were I to have some hooligan drawing sigils all over me walls, I'da posted a guard to keep watch for them before someone got killed over it...[i] He looks to Cham, "Tell us what you know, and be quick about it, a man be dead here." As they listen to Cham, Ogden pipes up with any questions that may have been overlooked, and talks over any missteps in conversation that the other two might have made.
" Thank you, Omast, for showing us the graffiti. How long have the symbols been here and did they all show up at the same time? And you say that no one saw who did this, even the one that covers the tower?" Tegnar questions Omast. "If that is the case, then there must be magic involved. Who in town might be capable of such an act, especially someone new or someone would have something to gain from an attack?"
"These look to be strategically placed. Maybe to guide invaders to certain points?"
One could move through town following these markers.
Or point over the ones we can.
After speaking with Cham, Ogden and Yarask realize she is hiding something. When she is confronted, she breaks down and confesses:
"I didn't want to get in any trouble!!"
She shows you the inn log.......................
The only entry of note in the register is a single human
man who rented the Ramblehouse’s last room after Rodrik
had reserved his room, but before the patrol captain had
checked in for the night. This entry stands out because the
guest’s name has not been recorded in the register.
Cham breaks down into fearful sobs and quickly explains herself.
“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!” Cham gives a general description of the man, but she doesn’t
remember any specific features that would help identify him.
Meanwhile, as Dolgrym, Dvalin and Aggghhh venture to talk to Omast,
they find him at the South Tower of Trunau’s inner wall (area E),
dangling from the tower’s battlements
by a rope tied to his belt. His futile
attempts to wash away the graffiti
that recently appeared there are
creating quite the spectacle.
Omast tells you he was the first guard on the scene when Rodrik’s
body was found. He also speaks to you as he works:
"More and more half-orcs
have been showing up in town recently, threatening the
livelihoods and well-being of “worthy Trunauans.”
"Rodrik was friends with a half-orc
Katrezra, --a crippled oaf who lounges in the Sanctuary’s
beds spouting curses and lies of prophetic dreams!”
You sense his jealousy of Katrezra was great, and he did not trust the half orc.
A visit to the Sanctuary with the entire party is met at the door by the high priest Tyari Vavatos, a very young woman to hold such a position, and she entertains and any questions you have.
Huh, seems to be far to many orcs in this town fer my liking.
Edit
Auiger suggests to Omast that he try to rustle up some paint. Somethin that matches the rock. If ya can't scrub it off, just cover it up.
Rock smiles as you seem to getting somewhere. He gives Cham a comforting hug.
"Cham is from Moldune, as I am. I am sure her heart was in the right place. And what person wouldn't take some extra gold to afford a guest more privacy."
Rock speaks to you all.
"You seem to be doing well. I will stay out of your way and do some business getting provisions in town. You can find me here at the Ramblinghouse."
AS Ogden and Yarask do most of the speaking, Boram says little, except for the occasional translation of dwarven slang. When the group hears that she had an unusual guest that stayed in the last room and left before sunrise Boram asks
”If it be ok Ms Cham can we search tha room tha stranger was in, it might hold something interesting fer us.”
Then looking at the two dwarves he asks,
”Will you two chaps be helping me”
Going to the room he looks over it carefully, like he did the room that Rodrik had stayed in.
Yarask considers his words carefully before speaking:"This man... what was the time he left the ramblehouse? What way did he go? Tell us, maybe his trail isn't cold yet..."
Tegnar sighs and nods slightly when he hears Cham's story. "The power of gold can cause many to do things they may not normally do. Did anyone else see this human? Is it someone you have seen before?"
After the revelation of the stranger, Ogden nods, helping Boram to search the room.
"Poor lass, tricked in'a some wrongdoing by a bit o' coin. Can't say it hasn't happened to others wiser'n her."
Boram is shown to the stranger's room. With a thorough search of the WINDOW and DESK, Boram finds the secret compartment, but this one holds a letter --->>>> Link to letter found
No one saw the stranger depart. although Yarask asks Cham and the other workers at the inn.
Dvalin lets Aggghhhh and Dolgrym talk to Omask, listening as they do, and takes time out to search through the area of the marking for any clues as to where they came from or who they were, perhaps paint upon the ground below, or something similar.
He suggests to Omask that it would be wise to put some extra false graffiti up, in case this is a signal for invaders, to confuse them.
You also find from Cham....
The rooms rented to a party of foreign
half-orcs have been seriously vandalized. While most of
the damage is reparable, the walls of some of the rooms are
marked with graffiti that won’t come clean even after hours
of scrubbing.