Magnimar Special Investigations Unit One (Inactive)

Game Master Nazard

A serial police drama set in Magnimar - unit One.


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Awgin looks over to the portly mage. "Don't worry. If you go crazy, I'll put you down easy."


Laya has only divine spells, so she's "safe". Not sure what's become of Navior. Must be busy. Whichever of Laya and Khismia speaks first can decide which group to join, and I'll put the other person in the other group. Garidan agrees that it makes sense to not have two arcane casters in one group.


Female Human (Keleshite) Rogue (investigator) 2

Khismia's not going with either group.

"Ah, Most Excellent Watchman, May You Live Forever," Khismia replies, lowering her head and spreading her hands in a mock bow, "while you can imagine how eager I am to go and mingle in crowds of wizards, any one of which could begin killing everyone in sight at any moment, sadly the same duties which prevent you from walking into danger yourself preclude me. I must report this information to the Princess so that she can protect her people."

Liberty's Edge

Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)

"When I find out more, Khismia," said Calatin, "Would you like me to send word to your Princess directly, or will you be back later to share notes?"


Female Human (Keleshite) Rogue (investigator) 2

"I am sure the Princess will send me back," Khismia replies grudgingly, as if not terribly enthralled by the prospect. "Unless those responsible are within the Bazaar itself, her court cannot pursue them throughout the city. The Princess," she goes on deliberately, her eye on Heward, "respects the the jurisdiction of the Watch, even when the courtesty is not returned. While I am in the Bazaar, I will ask if any more information was extracted from the witnesses and inquire among the merchants to see if this woman in gray robes has been seen by anyone else."


"Very well, Khismia. There is always someone here if you need us. How can we reach you if we need to?"


Female Human (Keleshite) Rogue (investigator) 2

She shrugs. "Send a runner to the Bazaar of Sails. Any of the Princess' court should be able to find me. I will let them know that the Watch is in need of the Princess' assistance and your entreaties should be given the highest priority."


Smack!

"Thank you, Lady."


Female Human (Keleshite) Rogue (investigator) 2

If no one else has anything to say to Khismia (we can retcon if they do), she heads back to the Bazaar on foot. Still a little on edge in other areas of the city, she tries to blend in with the crowd Stealth 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 while simultaneously making sure she is not being followed Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21; she is especially on watch for anyone of Garundi descent or wearing Osirian clothing, but she keeps an eye out for a woman in gray robes anyway -- and keeps her distance from anyone whose dress indicates they might be a wizard, just in case.

If she makes it to the Bazaar unaccosted and without seeing anything suspicious, she requests an audience with the Princess, emphasizing that she carries important information about the earlier attack.


Khismia's return to the Bazaar is uneventful, and she has little trouble gaining an immediate audience.

Walking into the Princess' parlour, she finds her in her customary position, sitting at her elegant oak desk, a crystal chalice of fine wine near to hand, reading reports while her musicians play in the background - Ustalvan music, unless Khismia misses her guess. The Princess must be in a sombre mood today. The Princess looks up at Khismia's entrance, smiles faintly, motions towards the wine on the side table for Khismia to help herself and waits patiently for the young woman to come sit and give her report.


Female Human (Keleshite) Rogue (investigator) 2

"Princess." Khismia bows in the southern style, but with none of the mocking air she employed toward Heward. She pours herself a tiny serving of wine, not wanting to insult the Princess by refusing her hospitality but knowing she will not be here long; the Princess is a busy woman at the best of times. She gets straight to the point. "The arcanist at the Watch was able to determine that the aggressor mage was under the influence of a hallucinatory poison which made him imagine he was under immediate attack and to cast his most potent spell to defend himself. It is as you feared, Princess: this was not a singular encounter, ended by your court's swift action; those behind this plot remain at large. The poison was applied via a shallow cut, as with a dagger; we presume the gray-robed woman the merchant reported delivered it. Her loyalties and motivations, as well as her identity, remain unknown."

"There is one fact that may be of use to the Princess: the Watch believes that only arcanists are susceptible to the poison. Unless this gray-robed woman is researching her targets, those who are obviously vulnerable -- those wearing wizard robes -- are most likely to be her tools. It is not my place to instruct the Princess, but I would suggest that her court be instructed to shadow any Bazaar visitors in wizards' robes most closely, to protect both them from contamination and the public from their deranged attacks. If these outbreaks continue, there is likely to be widespread fear in the city. In such a case, it might be worth considering banning wizards from the Bazaar of Sails. The lost revenue from their visits ought to be more than repaid by increased traffic from citizens grateful for a safe place to do their shopping -- and for a security force willing and able to do what the Watch will not to protect the innocent populace. If those behind this plot intend it to hurt the Bazaar, we can turn it to our benefit, despite today's losses."


The Princess continues her reading, though Khismia knows from experience that she has heard every word. When Khismia finishes, she carefully places her current paper into its neat pile.

"I appreciate your cander and suggestions, Khismia, but I fear it is premature to bar wizards from entrance at this time. The epidemic, if it is one, has not yet grown to sufficient size to warrant such a move. If things do not escalate further, then we will be seen as over-reacting and unnecessarily hostile. Besides, the Stone of Seers is one of the Bazaar's largest clients, what with the rare components our merchants are able to procure for them. I would not wish to anger them heedlessly. But if things should escalate, we may do as you suggest."

"Continue your excellent work. Co-operate with them. This is an excellent opportunity to build good relations with the Watch, so long as they know whose assistance it is that they needed."


Female Human (Keleshite) Rogue (investigator) 2

"I defer to the Princess' wise judgment," Khismia inclines her head. "I informed the Watch that if a message were sent for me to the Bazaar, it would be delivered at the highest priority by the Princess' men. If they are instructed to seek me out to help the Watch quite ... ostentatiously? ... it will do much for the Princess' well-earned reputation to have it openly known that the Watch come to her domain as supplicants. May I ask if the witnesses yielded any further information? And might I have the Princess' permission to question her subjects and guests throughout the Bazaar regarding this woman in gray robes and her pawn the mage? Perhaps they has been seen at some other time than at the moment of the incident."


The Princess purses he lips.

"You are one of my favourites, Khismia, but do not presume too much to counsel me in the affairs off the Bazaar. You have yet to learn of the complex currents of pow that are woven through this city. But! I know you mean well, so no harm is done. Perhaps, however, you should focus your current efforts on observing those currents of which I speak, and on investigating the current matter. As for questioning people, if that is where your investigation takes you, then of course."


Female Human (Keleshite) Rogue (investigator) 2

Khismia absorbs the rebuke impassively. "Princess." With a quick sip, she finishes her wine and rises to her feet, bowing once again before leaving the parlor. With her own memory of the dead mage's appearance still fresh in her mind and the best description the witness was able to provide of the woman, she begins to roam the aisles of the Bazaar, questioning the merchants and regulars as to whether either the dead man or the woman in gray had been seen in the Bazaar before. Diplomacy to Gather Information 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 = 19 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12 1d4 ⇒ 4 hours spent. Since she's looking for specific information, that's a 24 to gather any information about their previous visits to the Bazaar and a 14 to serendipitously pick up any random suspicious information she's not asking specifically about. Her investigation is methodical and painstaking and takes up most of the afternoon.

There's 4 hours accounted for for Khismia. Now I just have to wait for everyone else to catch up. ;)


Khismia finds several merchants who remember the mage, from his previous trips to the merchants buying exotic components, much as the Princess stated. She doesn't find anybody who saw the woman in grey, though many ask if she's looking for a priestess of Pharasma, who often dress in grey.


For those questioning the prisoner, you arrive at the Pediment Building and make your way to the cells. Myelin Veers is a sorry sight, several bruises in his face are beginning to fade, but his eyes are swollen and red and his face is moist. He stands, trembling, and faces you as you enter.


Heward hurries to Captain Percival's office. He wants to report and then get to Veer's interrogation before Calatin and Awgin are done with him. Outside the captain's office, he doffs his helm and smooths his hair before putting the helm back on. He straightens his tabard and posture. He counts to twenty while his breathing settles down. Glancing back at Garidan (and Laya if she came too), he knocks and enters the (outer?) office and asks for an audience with the captain.

Not sure if Percival rates a secretary. Where is his office? The Pediment building? The Arvensoar? Somewhere else?


Percival has Timmons, remember? The outer office is that litttle room with the painting of the harbour that Laya was looking at. His office is in the Pediment Building.

Timmons, seeing you there, smiles pleasantly and goes to fetch the captain, who emerges a moment later.

"Heward Wallas. Again. Sgt. Wallas, why is it that Everytime you come to see me, you look like you're expecting an execution?"


Thanks for the reminder. Of course I remember Timmons now. Heward thanks him for fetching Percival.

"I do?" Heward thinks guiltily about the wayward report. "No reason, sir. I just wanted to report on the scene at the Bazaar, sir. I'll try to keep this brief. I know you are busy.

Wallas watches Captain Percival closely during the next sentence. "When we arrived Sargeant Wizzo was trying to take control of the scene and was arguing with agents of the Princess of the Bazaar. It looked to be getting out of control and there were more bazaar guards than Watchmen in the area. I was able to negotiate a truce of sorts with the Bazaar agents, Khismia and a Captain who did not give me his name. Calatin and Laya had leave to examine the bodies. A Bazaarite on the scene indicated Denebhy was cut down in response to attacking the five victims."

He pauses wondering how to broach the subject of the witnesses. He decides vagaries would serve him best.

"The Bazaarites had secured the witnesses in a nearby shop prior to our arrival. The witnesses would not speak to us at all. They were likely intimidated into not cooperating with us. One did agree to speak with Khismia alone. Her information was minimal."

He pauses. Then he asks an offhand question, "Sir, do you know anything about Sargeant Wizzo? He behaved very strangely. Halfway through Khismia's interrogation of the witness he left suddenly."

After the Captain's reply Heward continues his report.

"There were five victims plus the wizard. The Bazaarites carted off 'their people' and left us the wizard. His body is in Calatin's morgue.

"The Bazaarite Captain assigned Khismia as the Princess' personal representative on the case.

His report finished, Heward waits for any questions the Captain may have. He holds his own questions in reserve.

Heward's further questions spoliered here so i don't forget.

Spoiler:
Sargeant Wizzo mentioned another wizard attack. Have you heard anything? I was planning on checking the files.

Captain, you told us the dead wizard's name when you assinged us the case. How did you know it?


M Human Wizard (Divination School Specialist)/2

"Ah, you must be Myelin Veers," says Calatin. "I am Calatin ab'Halla, a mage attached to the Watch. Do sit down and stop looking so nervous. Tell me what you remember, if you please."


Veers peers at Calatin for a moment, then shakes a memory loose. "Hey, I've heard of you. You're the Sphe..." he cuts off before Calatin's school days nickname of the Sphere of Food Annihialation can come out. "I mean, you were a student at the Stone, too, from, like, a long time ago."

Remembering back on his own recent incident, Myelin's shoulders slump and a few tears trickle down again. "I don't remember much, just that I was heading out of the city for a walk in the countryside and all of a sudden, the cutler picked a couple knives up off his tray and came at me. At least, that's what I thought happened. I don't remember where I got this cut, though I'd guess it was when the City Watchman were beating me with their clubs, and I don't remember a woman in a grey robe. Look, I'm really, really sorry about what happened, and I don't know why I did it. It's not like me at all, honest." A few more tears trickle down.


Captain Percival listens to Heward's report. "That was probably Captain Eldusstas. He and Wizzo have a history, I don't know what, but I think they've tried to kill each other on more than one occasion."

"So, you've picked up a stray dog from the Bazaar? Interesting. Obviously, you keep a watch on her when she's inside the MSI building, but you know that. You're wading in Diplomatic waters once again, my friend. Try not to drown this time, okay?" Percival's chuckle takes some of the sting out of his words, but not all.

When Heward asks his other questions, Percival nods. "I had heard of the other attack. Castlegate, wasn't it? One attack by a wizard doesn't count as too out of the ordinary to involve MSI, but two seemed odd enough to send it your way, and a good thing I did, too, or Eldusstas and Wizzo might have come to blows over a few dead bodies. As for the wizard's name, Wizzo didn't tell you? Probably trying to keep you out of the loop as much as possible to make sure he closes the case himself. He's a hothead, but smart and a good investigator when he keeps it cool. The runner that brought the report of the attack here had managed to swipe Mr. Datedy's library card, of all things, for the library in the Stone of Seers, and it had his name on it. He used to be a student at the Stone, did you know that?"


Female Halfling Bard (Archivist) 1
Nazard wrote:

Veers peers at Calatin for a moment, then shakes a memory loose. "Hey, I've heard of you. You're the Sphe..." he cuts off before Calatin's school days nickname of the Sphere of Food Annihialation can come out. "I mean, you were a student at the Stone, too, from, like, a long time ago."

Remembering back on his own recent incident, Myelin's shoulders slump and a few tears trickle down again. "I don't remember much, just that I was heading out of the city for a walk in the countryside and all of a sudden, the cutler picked a couple knives up off his tray and came at me. At least, that's what I thought happened. I don't remember where I got this cut, though I'd guess it was when the City Watchman were beating me with their clubs, and I don't remember a woman in a grey robe. Look, I'm really, really sorry about what happened, and I don't know why I did it. It's not like me at all, honest." A few more tears trickle down.

Laya raises an eyebrow. "Woman in a grey robe?" she says. "Who said anything about a woman in a grey robe? Why don't you tell us about her?" She reaches into her pack and pulls out a muffin. "Here have a muffin. It will help calm you down. My name's Laya, by the way. Honestly, we're here to help you, so please try to tell us everything you can."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Sigh. As Laya holds the muffin out to him, she stumbles forward and ends up squashing it across his face. "Oh, so sorry," he mutters and hastily reaches into her pouch, pulling out some parchment, which she attempts to use to wipe his face with.

Sorry about the extended absence, everyone.


Yea! Navior returns!

Nazard, not sure how to interpret "The runner that brought the report of the attack here had managed to swipe Mr. Datedy's library card". Would the runner be one of Wizzo's squad or a freelance theif who thought Pericval would like to know about this?"


Sorry, the order of events isn't really a secret. Incident happens, some City Watchmen arrive on the scene, confront Bazaar security, get enough cooperation to get the ID card, Watchman runs to Pediment Building to report, Wizzo and Percival get wind of the attack at the same time, Wizzo arrives in scene and things deteriorate quickly as Wizzo tries to bully the Bazaarans, while Percival briefs the MSI team. "Swipes" is more Percival's embellishment than anything. That help? Percival can easily clear this matter up.


Poor Laya. Fortunately, the Diplomacy DC for this guy is only 5, as he's too terrified to do anything but cooperate.

Veers gasps as he's assaulted by Laya's muffin (oh dear, now the Jade Regent game is bleeding into this one...). Coughing out bits of muffin, he says, "Um, thanks?"

"The other Watchman. He was here about half an hour ago, asking me about a woman in a grey robe that walked by me, but I don't remember any robed woman. Then he saw this cut on my arm and was asking me about it too. I figured I got it when the guards beat me up, or from the cutler. I just don't understand any if this."

He slumps down onto the edge of his cot and buries his face in his hands.


Female Halfling Bard (Archivist) 1

"Other watchman? How strange. There shouldn't have been anyone here before us. I wonder who..." Laya appears distant for a moment, then snaps out of it suddenly. "Let's take a look at this cut of yours."

She shoves the crumpled and muffin-covered parchment back in her pack and moves up to look at the cut on Veers's arm.

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18


It's a small cut, probably made with a dagger or other small bladed weapon.


Female Halfling Bard (Archivist) 1

She casts detect poison.

Wisdom check to identify poison if there is one, DC 20: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23


She doesn't detect any poison.


Got it. I think that's everything.

Heward thanks the captain and hurries to Veer's cell to participate in that interrogation.


What weapons do the Watch carry? What about the Prinecesses, what weapons did they have on them?
In with Calatin and Laya, Awgin does not look at all helpful or empathetic for the forlorn mage. If he is willing, Awgin will have Veers stand up while Awgin walks a circle around him, trying to figure the angles of attack for that cut. Awgin will simulate the guards attacking Veers as well to see if the cut is in the right place.

I'm going to go with a Profession: Thug roll for this one
P:Thug 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
If you don't like that, here's an Int roll
Int 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14


Veers isn't terribly thrilled with the reinactment, but cooperates. Unfrotunately, not knowing Veers' exact arm position makes it a bit difficult to pinpoint the direction of attack for the cut. The bruises on his face and stomach are easier to pin down. There are no bruises on his arms, so he clearly was knocked out before he had a chance to defend himself against the guards.


M Human Wizard (Divination School Specialist)/2

Does it look similar to the cut Calatin found on the corpse?

Enquiring if any attempts have been made to clean Veers up, Calatin asks if he may take a swab from the cut.


It does look similar in size and depth. Nobody has cleaned Veers since his arrest, and he doesn't mind a swab ("whatever that is", he says).

Unfortunately, if there was a poison, it seems that it has run its course, and been too worn away to register with detect poison.


Female Human (Keleshite) Rogue (investigator) 2
Awgin wrote:
What weapons do the Watch carry? What about the Prinecesses, what weapons did they have on them?

Awgin asked about the weapons used by the authorities after the fact, Nazard. I'd guess the Watch used clubs, perhaps nonlethally; from the description of the body in the Bazaar as "hacked and slashed," they're using something bladed. That ought to be something our characters know from background or simple observation. Btw, if we don't get an answer to a question, like Khismia's about the further questioning of the witnesses, I'm assuming it's because the answer's not important to the case, and not because you've just missed the question....


Sorry, Awgin, Khismia is correct, although the CityWatch also uses spears, halberds, or ranseurs, in addition to saps. The Bazaar guards use scimitars.

As for answering about the extra questioning, I did, right after your post. Yes to other sightings of Datedy, not to woman in grey robe.


Female Halfling Bard (Archivist) 1

Figures. Natural 20 on the Wis check and nothing to use it on. :)

Laya steps back as Awgin and Calatin also examine Veers. She looks deep in thought while they do so. "Thank you," she tells Veers when they've finished. "We appreciate your cooperation." To Awgin and Calatin she says, "I don't think we can learn much more from him. We should see that he's let go. He wasn't responsible for his actions."


"I...I wasn't?" Veers asks, hope blooming across his face.


Female Human (Keleshite) Rogue (investigator) 2
Khismia wrote:
"May I ask if the witnesses yielded any further information?"

This is the question I was referring to, specifically about the witnesses the Princess took away. Seemed odd that only one of the "witnesses" actually witnessed anything ... or was willing to admit to it. I wondered if the Princess' methods had yielded anything more than Khismia had. As I said, if I don't get an answer, like asking the one who did talk what the mage was shopping for, I assume it's not important to the case and you're preventing us from following red herrings. Apparently, the one piece of information available at the Bazaar was 'gray-robed woman' and we have to trigger another cut scene to get another clue. :)


Ah, I did miss that. Sorry. If I don't respond to a question, chances are actually that I missed it, as I'm usually juggling two or three threads. Just give me a poke, and if I was not responding on purpose, I'll give you the [cryptic eyebrow] cryptic eyebrow. [/cryptic eyebrow]

Despite whatever the Princess' methods may be, they learned nothing else. The marketplace is usually quite crowded, and despite a merchant's best efforts, it's impossible to remember every face that doesn't buy from you. The only reason the one merchant remembered the grey-robed woman is because he had called out to her to sample his wares, and she completely ignored him, not even turning her head to acknowledge the man. That singular purpose was what stuck in his mind, moreso even than the description.

Edit: and I would never prevent you from following red herrings. That's where all my fun comes from. Well, not really, but some of it...


Heward hustles down to the cells. He arrives just in time to hear Laya.

"There might be more to learn, Laya. We just don't know the questions yet. Like this one, Mr. Veers did you train at the Seer's Stone?"

Heward follows up with, "Did you know Zhaul Datedy?"


"I want to know the name of the watchman that was in here before and why the cutler? I know you said you thought he was coming at you, but of all the people around you at the time, why the cutler?"


M Human Wizard (Divination School Specialist)/2

"Yes, Veers... it appears that you were under the influence of a noxious substance that caused you both to hallucinate that you were under attack and to react violently to that attack," explained Calatin, hoping to set the poor fellow's mind at rest.

"Yes, Heward, he did study at the Stone... bit more recently than I."


Awgin wrote:
"I want to know the name of the watchman that was in here before and why the cutler? I know you said you thought he was coming at you, but of all the people around you at the time, why the cutler?"

"The watchman has to be Wizzo. I doubt anyone else is interested."

Calatin ab'Halla wrote:
"Yes, Heward, he did study at the Stone... bit more recently than I."

Heward nods and waits for Veers to answer the questions put to him.


"I know Zhaul, sure, we were in the same year together. Wait, why did you say 'did'?"

"The Watchman didn't give me his name, but he had the same stripes as those," he says, pointing to Heward's sleeves.

"I don't know why the cutler came at me, or why I thought he was. I was walking past him when he pulled the knives...I mean, I thought he pulled the knives."

His eyes go distant as he remembers the incident.


Nazard wrote:

"I know Zhaul, sure, we were in the same year together. Wait, why did you say 'did'?"

"The Watchman didn't give me his name, but he had the same stripes as those," he says, pointing to Heward's sleeves.

"I don't know why the cutler came at me, or why I thought he was. I was walking past him when he pulled the knives...I mean, I thought he pulled the knives."

His eyes go distant as he remembers the incident.

"Datedy's dead. Cut up by Bazaarite Guards after burning some citizens."

To confirm the sergeant's identity: "Did the sergeant have a big moustache?"


"Did he attack a cutler, too?"

"Yeah, big old mustache. Grumpy guy, too."


"This is quite a long shot, but can you give us the names of everyone in your class?"

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