[PFS] GM Lithrac's Scars of the Third Crusade (#5-22) (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

"Ah, good sir, I charge only once for both! Provided you like listening to local gossip, of course. You certainly look like you could use both... or all three, ha ha!"

During the haircut, Orug repeats his piece about being witness to the second murder, and despite his love for exaggeration, his story seems quite consistant with the account he made yesterday.

"Some people in town aren't sure the prisoners are guilty" he whispers to Fissa's ear, "but it's hard to get anybody to speak his mind with that inquisitor throwing accusations and the whole crowd screaming to see their necks get stretched, you know what I mean?"

That concludes phase #2! I'll let you gather, share information and plan what you intend to do for phase #3. Fissa, I still need two rolls for your undercover investigation, please.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

A button made of Obsidian...interesting.

Here ya go!

Versatile bluffing while singing: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 How does that even work?
Versatile bluffing while singing: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

While plans are being made, Orug meets Fissa at the inn counter while ordering his lunch. He just has the time to whisper to the bard's ear the following words before vanishing into the crowd: "Looks like someone's been asking about you, friend. A tall man, with black hair. You should be careful, your group has drawn all kind of attention."

After we all share our information with one another....

"Well, Pathfinders, it seems that we now know: 1) Erika the Inquisitor has it in for the Pathfinders and pushed for their conviction. 2) The first and second murders were committed by tall men with black hair, who was missing a patch in the back in the case of the first murder. 3) A tall man with black hair is after us. 4) We have attracted much attention."

"I am at a bit of a loss to suggest how we proceed. Do we divide up and look for Erika and the tall man with dark hair? Do we set a trap? Do we check the Pathfinders to see what they look like and what they may know? Do we stick together in case the murderer and/or Erika attacks us? Should we check on the witch/undead story?"

Did I not find Erika when I went looking for trouble?

"Let us check on the witch story, but do so TOGETHER.

"The sheriff does seem like a fair man, getting his help would be a great help, but I was not up to the task. Maybe someone more persuasive could see him later. I would love to work on something I could be more productive at... I may just wander the town still."

"But I think Erika is more important, we know she exists, Luin in particular has talked about her. The witch we have only heard about from one source, and we don't want to waste time tracking rumors..."

"I could try speaking to the sheriff. He might be more receptive if we have something concrete to offer him. What if we look for Erika the Inquisitor now, together, then depending on what we learn, or if the tall, dark-haired man assaults us, I speak with the sheriff this evening?"

The town is small, but it is having a festival. Is it possible to find a scroll of a 2nd level spell here? If so, Bramelane would like to pick up a scroll of raiment of command in preparation for meeting with the sheriff.

The spell you mention is a lost Thassilonian spell, so I can't imagine it would be possible to find a scroll of it here.

Bane: I believe I've answered that question in this post.

What are your plans for the afternoon, then?

What are your plans for the afternoon, then?

Bramelane will set out to see if he can find the inquisitor, Erika, and see whether he can draw out the tall, dark-haired man in the process.

Before setting out, Bramelane casts mage armor on himself in case he is jumped.

I gather from their posts that Hiko probably goes to find Erika, too, that Mareq wants to stick together, and that Bane is still interested in finding Erika, so I imagine most, if not all of us, go together as a group in this phase.

Hiko shall hunt for Erica as well.

Phase 3 - Toilsday afternoon

As you all wander together around town looking for the inquisitor you've been told so much about, you eventually meet a stern-looking woman clad in crusader armor and bearing a holy medallion.

Strangely enough, it's as if she had been looking for you as well. She gazes at you, her piercing blue eyes attempting to decipher your intentions, then speaks plainly.

"I heard you have been asking a lot of questions about those murders lately, which I find highly suspicious. I am Ekira Corum, Sword of the Inheritor and seeker of justice. Who are you? Are you part of the Pathfinder Society? Speak true, or suffer the consequences."

Any attempt to lie (either an outright lie or by omission) will need to make a Bluff check, of course. It doesn't mean that using other social skills is out of the question, of course, but please make that bluff check first if you choose to lie.

Knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
"We beg your pardon, dear lady. We have been asked to look into the murders, and are unfortunately not at liberty to share our affiliations with you. We attempted to find and speak to you earlier, but were unsuccessful."

"Like you, we seek justice for the murder victims, and to ensure that the perpetrators are punished. The two eye-witnesses each say that a tall man with black hair committed each of the murders. The corpse from the first murder was in such a state, that the crime must have occurred before the Pathfinders arrived. Therefore, it seems that a grave injustice may be about to be perpetrated. Worse, it seems the murderer is still at large and is free to strike again. We would prevent that."

"Let us work together to ensure that truth and justice prevail here and that the good people of Dawnton remain safe. You have argued quite strongly, vehemently even, that the Pathfinders committed the crimes. Please share your reasons for believing that they did these heinous deeds, so that we can aid the cause of justice. Mayhap we have overlooked something in our investigation."

Anyone who would like, please chime in here and give me some aid for a Diplomacy check or start your own, so we can win her over!

Ekira's eyes narrow like slits on a siege wall. "You haven't answered my question, which leads me to think you indeed are Pathfinders, and hide behind a veil of lies."

"No one has lied to you here. We have merely declined to discuss the matter of our affiliation with you. We have told you much, and yet you return our courtesy and information with only accusations and anger. Can you blame us for not wanting to discuss our affiliation with you? If we were to admit to being Pathfinders, you would hate us. If we were to deny it, you would not believe us. What is the point then of even discussing the matter? If you are merely going to prejudge us, then you have no real interest in justice. Get on with it, attack or accuse us. You are wasting our time and, knowingly or unconsciously, aiding and abetting a murderer who may be killing as we speak."

Bramelane folds his arms across his chest and looks at Erika with disgust. He comments to Mareq, in a quieter voice, but by no means trying to hide his words from the inquisitor.

"The poor woman is blind with rage. Something had addled her wits and lead her astray from the ways of Iomedae. We need to help her as much as we need to find the real murderer."

Diplomacy Check: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 = 22

Here is the start of the Diplomacy check, awaiting assists.

Didn't check back soon enough

Hiko queitly chants under her breath while clutching her holy symbol and touches everyone who is willing.
Guidance for everyone. Including you Bramelane.
After this she then just silently stands behind the wizard and nods.
Diplomacy aid w/guidance: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Nodding is very effective, so sayeth the RNG

Bramelane, I specifically asked for a Bluff check, not a Diplomacy check. Also, as a divine caster, she's well aware of what you're doing Hiko. Remember that guidance usually doesn't apply for a diplomacy check since a check requires at least one full minute of interaction... which is the maximum duration of the spell.

"So you admit to being Pathfinders. Another slew of corrupted souls invades our beautiful town. I'm not going to listen to your lies, Pathfinder." she spits this word as if it were a curse, something utterly vile. "The Voice of Iomedae has warned me against you and your evil ways - you are but mere villains. Now leave town before anything dire happens."

Rhydderch steps forward. "The Inheritor and I are well acquainted ma'am...may The Light of the Sword forever guide you. No one here has lied to you, and being a member of the Pathfinder Society is neither a crime nor a sin. As one who speaks for the goddess of justice I refuse to believe that you would deny that very ideal to the departed by preventing us from conducting our investigation."

Detect Evil
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Bramelane, I specifically asked for a Bluff check, not a Diplomacy check. Also, as a divine caster, she's well aware of what you're doing Hiko. Remember that guidance usually doesn't apply for a diplomacy check since a check requires at least one full minute of interaction... which is the maximum duration of the spell.

"So you admit to being Pathfinders. Another slew of corrupted souls invades our beautiful town. I'm not going to listen to your lies, Pathfinder." she spits this word as if it were a curse, something utterly vile. "The Voice of Iomedae has warned me against you and your evil ways - you are but mere villains. Now leave town before anything dire happens."

"Good woman, yes, we are Pathfinders, and we have not denied it. Some of our brethren are accused of murder, so we came to see if there is truth behind the accusations. So far as we can tell, there is not."

"If you have some other proof, please furnish us with it. We will not suffer murderers in our ranks and will witness the execution if the Pathfinders committed these heinous acts. However, we will also not allow the innocent to be executed for the crimes of others. If someone else is behind the murders, we mean to apprehend that person and bring him or her to justice, preferably in time to clear the names of the condemned Pathfinders."

"I swear upon my honor and all of the gods that we will not interfere with true justice. Our inquiries so far have shown that justice has been thwarted here. As a servant of Iomedae, surely you cannot abide that. Why do you think the Pathfinders committed these crimes?"

Ekira seethes with righteous anger at your words. "Those men are guilty, and they will hang for their heinous crimes. Iomedae will see to it. There's ample proof of that, which cannot be refuted. On that, I will take my leave with the certitude that my fight is just and fair, but also that your minds are twisted by abyssal taint. One only need to have a look at your companion." she sneers while looking at Bane. The woman then turns and moves away from you. As you see her move throughout the crowd that gathered to overhear your conversation in the street, you see reverence in many of the townfolks' eyes, though it is hard to say if that feeling comes out of faith or out of fear.

End of phase! What do you plan on doing next?

"Another example of the "righteous" a thin veil to hide their racism behind. I dedicate my life to self perfection and balance, but of course the Inheritor has warned her of my demonic affiliations. I find pathfinders are usually quite more adept individuals than townsfolk, perhaps we just demand the right to try our own, and take them from here? Or at least prevent these fools from executing possibly innocent people while we search. Guilty until proven innocent is to be Erika's cry, but she must not have real power here, perhaps we can sway the minds of the people."

When Erika stalks away, Bramelane casts detect thoughts and then catches up with her to follow her for a few minutes and to see whether he can determine what she is thinking about her encounter with the PCs.

Will save DC 18

"I'd like to find out if that woman truly is what she says she is. The goddess with whom I'm acquainted does not rush to justice; nor while there may be those within the Society who have questionable motives she most assuredly would not make a blanket judgement on the whole."

Fissa raises an eyebrow after the encounter with the inquisitor. I suppose that is the reality around here, these days. It may be all that keeps this community from falling apart.

I'm worried about this other man inquiring after us.

It seems you had a hard time with farmer Otto? Should I go over there, and see if I can interest him in the tunes of ol' Riddleport? Awaiting further reaction from the group, he pretends to march off with a misplaced sea shanty:

A way down South where the cocks do crow,
Way down in Magnimar.
Them gals all dance to the old banjo.
And we'll roll the woodpile down!

Bramelane: You aren't 100% sure since she made her save, but you think that she spoke her exact mind, and wasn't lying - she's probably fully convinced that all Pathfinders are corrupt. Given the Society's history, one can hardly blame her for that belief, though she is clearly extreme and short-sighted about it.

Having confronted Erika and gotten nowhere, Bramelane heads for the sheriff's office. Once there, he attempts to talk the sheriff, or whomever is guarding the Pathfinders, into allowing him to speak with the prisoners.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 2 = 17

Okay! What about the others? What are your plans for phase 4?

"I'm wondering if I should head back to the inn and try to learn some more information about this inquisitor. I get the feeling she is more feared than respected. Someone that angry typically has something to hide."

The inn sounds like an interesting place to visit. I shall join you Dawnbringer, if you don't mind.

Not sure what skill to roll for farmer Otto, but I'll start off by sneaking around.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Apologies for being MIA and not supporting with Diplomacy.

GM Lithrac: From reading the above it appears that nobody lied, so nobody needed to roll a Bluff check. Correct?

Mareq thinks for a bit... and then raises his finger in a magnificent "Ahh-HA!" gesture.

"Friends, I have it, I believe. Definitive evidence that Erika is, in fact, evil." He raises his voices as he says this, so all nearby, including villagers, can hear him.

Mareq turns to Rydderch and says,"Good Dawnbringer, your goddess, Iomedae, allows you to detect evil, in return for your holy vows, correct? And you attempted to detect Erika's evil intent, correct? I believe I saw you brandishing Iomedae's holy symbol there."

He points at the hoyly symbol and awaits Rydderch's affirmative, before continuing, "IMMEDIATELY AFTER you attempted that, she huffed and puffed and then SCURRIED away, like a rat, before Iomedae's holy vision could reveal whether she was evil."

"WHHHHYYYY would she not want her aura detected by your goddess' granted powers of discernment? If she is truly an inquisitor of Iomedae, [bless the Lady and may she protect this village and all who dwell here], WHY WOULD ERIKA FLEE TO PREVENT HER AURA FROM BEING SEEN?"

Mareq spins about and looks at each of the team, and while doing so looking at the crowd of any villagers nearby (or watching/listening).

"IT IS CLEAR. ERIKA IS IN LEAGUE WITH THIS BLACK-HAIRED MURDERER THAT OTTO AND OTHERS HAVE TOLD US ABOUT! SHE IS ATTEMPTING TO THWART GOOD AND JUSTICE, HIDING BEHIND THE SOMETIMES WARRANTED SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES OF PATHFINDERS. SHE IS DECEIVING THIS VILLAGE, AND ATTEMPTING TO COVER UP HER CRIMES, HER EVIL!, WITH MORE EVIL, MORE UNJUST KILLING, MORE MURDER! WILL IOMEDAE STAND FOR THIS? WILL ANYBODY OF GOODNESS AND RIGHT COUNTENANCE ERIKA'S EVIL?"

Mareq slumps a bit and, in a smaller voice (but still audible to all), "I fear, fellows, that Erika must be either brought to justice or battled unto the death, whatever Iomedae demands. Let us speak to Sheriff Luin and see if he will protect this village, if he is intelligent enough to see the light of the good gods, the justice of the evidence before us and all who can see. I fear for this village friends."

I suggest we go to Sheriff Luin's.

And be ready to roll with some combat tactics and inquisitor-killing verve!

"Ambassador, it is high time that we speak to the Pathfinders themselves. I am afraid my meager talents may not be up to the task. If they are not, would you try to convince the sheriff to let us speak to them?"

Bramelane already rolled the Diplomacy check, above.

When seeking to convince the sheriff, Bramelane will mention the two eyewitness descriptions, which he wants to check against the Pathfinders, and the fact that the corpse from the first murder was in such a state that it appears to have predated the Pathfinders' arrival in Dawnton.

GM Lithrac: From reading the above it appears that nobody lied, so nobody needed to roll a Bluff check. Correct?

Any attempt to lie (either an outright lie or by omission) will need to make a Bluff check, of course. It doesn't mean that using other social skills is out of the question, of course, but please make that bluff check first if you choose to lie.

Mareq, I did specifically ask for it, including for a lie by omission (such as an attempt to hide that fact when directly asked). It doesn't matter anyway since you admitted to being pathfinders.

Rhydderch, her aura wasn't evil, you had ample time to check that if you wished.

Mareq's vivid intervention gathers a crowd, but most villagers shake their heads in denial. Some even take a small stone or lump of mud and throw them clumsily at Mareq. Some townsfolk even shove Mareq, showing their resentment towards the ifrit. "You are the devil!" an anonymous voice from the crowd exclamates. "Ekira follows Holy Iomedae, don't you dare speak ill of her!" says another. However, you feel that some other people in the crowd remain silent, their thoughts undecipherable.

The crowd disperses after a while, and you all go wherever it seems best for you to do so. Mareq and Bramelane head towards the Sheriff's house, where they have no trouble asking for the Sheriff. The halfling invites them inside his homely "office", the living room that Mareq has seen the day before.

"So you are Pathfinders, and you ask to see the prisoners. Well, I don't see any problem with that. It would have been much simpler if you had been more straightforward on your first visit, Mareq. Unlike Ekira, I have no bias or hatred against your Society. Come, I shall take you to their cell, though on condition that I'll be present for the whole interview. No funny business, or you're out. Sounds fair enough?"

Provided the two agree to the Sheriff's terms, he takes them to the basement, where simple cells have been set up, though they obviously don't see much use. The three condemned Pathfinders are Corwin Burke, a male halfling with well-traveled feet, Torum Grunsch, a male dwarf that you find praying as you arrive, and Dakota Spire a sturdy-looking female dwarf. They are frightened but unharmed, and they look to any hope of rescue with abject optimism. Burke is a short, thin, quick redhead with a wry wit even in these dire straits. Grunch and Spire could be fraternal twins, though they’re not related. Both are taciturn, thicker than they are tall, and wear their black hair in long braids. Spire has a wide scar along the top of his right forearm.

"Thank Torag!" whispers Torum as you arrive. "Our prayers have been answered. Have you come to free us?"

********

Meanwhile, Fissa manages to slip unseen in Otto's farm, and is able to explore most of it without the farmer noticing his presence.
Anything you'd like to do?

********

Rhydderch and Hiko visit the inn again, where gazs automatically turn upon them, and a feeling that they're not welcome in this place instantly arises.
If you wish to gather information, you can make a Bluff, Diplomacy, Perform, or Fortitude check (if you attempt to beat some of the crowd at a drinking game).

Bane, what are you doing for this phase?

Rhydderch, her aura wasn't evil, you had ample time to check that if you wished.

I did attempt to Detect Evil...I also made a Sense Motive roll. Since you didn't comment on them I assumed no relevant information came of them.

Just an oversight I'm afraid. Sorry!

Yeah, about that. I completely missed that Rydderch made the diplo check and actually got a tour of the crime site. It doesn't make a lot of sense now to go there, but Fissa is going to try and see if he can find something the others overlooked (I don't think they made all the checks, did they?

Survival (untrained): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2 Well that's disappointing

Perception vs 18: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

K(Local) if the DM is kind and lets me take Rydderch's success to allow me to try this roll: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Fissa is looking around the farm, but the hangover from last night is kicking in, and he's not particularly effective.

GM Lithrac wrote:

Any attempt to lie (either an outright lie or by omission) will need to make a Bluff check, of course.

Mareq, I did specifically ask for it, including for a lie by omission (such as an attempt to hide that fact when directly asked). It doesn't matter anyway since you admitted to being pathfinders.

Ahhh! Gotcha.

Rhydderch, her aura wasn't evil, you had ample time to check that if you wished.

I did attempt to Detect Evil...I also made a Sense Motive roll. Since you didn't comment on them I assumed no relevant information came of them.

Just an oversight I'm afraid. Sorry!

Ah. OK. Mareq's whole speechifying doesn't make any sense now. And he certainly doesn't want to appear anti-Iomedae by accusing, falsely, an inquisitor-in-good-standing of Her. If I had a chance to retcon that, I'd say that Mareq would not have accused her in such a way knowing that she wasn't evil.

"So you are Pathfinders, and you ask to see the prisoners. Well, I don't see any problem with that. It would have been much simpler if you had been more straightforward on your first visit, Mareq. Unlike Ekira, I have no bias or hatred against your Society. Come, I shall take you to their cell, though on condition that I'll be present for the whole interview. No funny business, or...

"Well, good Sheriff, I'm sure you understand how it is. A village roused against Pathfinders and against outsiders (rightly so, I might add) might not be the best place for a genie-binder to just pop up and say, 'Hello, I'm a Pathfinder!' "

Mareq smiles his winning-est smile and bows deeply as he speaks to the sheriff.

"And, not to be a judicar, but... I did try not to outright lie to you. I was planning on performing some card tricks and having Husarq dance for the festival. I find it distasteful to lie directly to an officer of law and justice. My own upbringing...<sigh> was fraught with the lies of efreet left and right, up and down, day in, day out. So, I much prefer, in my own life, not to offend the multiverse (and you) by putting more lies out there. My apologies for having offended you, nonetheless."

After her time to prepare for the day, she spends the rest of her watch chatting, or at least trying to, with Husarq.

"So how did you meet Mareck?.... I bet you have some amazing stories..."

Too good an RP opp not to follow up, even though this was several posts ago and we've moved on.

Husarq looks at Hiko. Then at Mareq sleeping nearby. Then back at Hiko. Then Mareq again.

"I, mmmm, know my master from long ago. From the City of Brass upon the Great Fire Sea. He and I both... lived... in Bayt al-Shamiri, one of the Great Noble Houses of Fommok Mahdinat."

Husarq's words stumble, as if he has trouble forming them. Hiko gets the sense that he is not incredibly sophisticated, nor intelligent.

"I have many stories. Darkness and then light, fire and the molten lava of creation. Confinement and battle, freezing death, gleaming brass severance. Stories that stoke the raging inferno in the breast."

Husarq looks about, taking in his surroundings, refocusing on his watch.

"Sooo many stories..."

He drifts off, failing to engage Hiko in the social niceties of conversation, his mind elsewhere confined, a single lonely flower amidst the flowing lava of a volcanic holocaust.

"Pathfinders, we are here to look into the matter. Rest assured, if you did not commit these crimes, and the evidence we have found suggests you did not, we will do our best to convince the Sheriff here of your innocence and to bring the true culprit or culprits to justice."

"Sheriff, thank you very much for allowing us to see our brethren. Before we ask them questions, can we discuss the evidence with you in private?"

Assuming that the Sheriff agrees and that he takes Mareq and Bramelane somewhere out of earshot of the Pathfinders, Bramelane continues.

"We have asked around a bit and are quite concerned with what we have learned. Otto, the owner of the farm on which the first corpse was found, reported seeing a tall, dark-haired person. The corpse, as I'm sure you know, had been defiled, and in a way that would be quite bloody. However, there was no blood at the scene. That suggests the crime was committed earlier and elsewhere and that the corpse was transported to the farm. The timing is very problematic, since the Pathfinders arrived later. Moreover, as you clearly see, none of the Pathfinders you have incarcerated could be described as tall, dark-haired individuals, at least not in relation to humans."

"The barber and proprietor of the general store, though he revels in spinning out his tale, consistently tells of a tall dark-haired man assaulting him and fleeing the scene of the second murder."

"I'm sure that as a seasoned professional, you took all of this information into account. The other evidence against these three must have been quite overwhelming? The Ambassador says you have some written statement and a dagger, is that correct? May we examine them? Was there anything else that lead to the conviction of these men? Who is the tall, dark-haired man is? What did he have to say when you questioned him about his involvement or what he saw?"

"Finally, I am given to understand that sentences here are imposed by a vote of the citizens after a conviction. Is that what happened here?"

Bramelane goes out of his way to give the sheriff the benefit of the doubt and treat him like a seasoned professional and an esteemed colleague.

Diplomacy Check (in case one is needed): 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 = 22

Mareq chimes in, as well, suggesting tactfully that perhaps Erika, being the good inquisitor of Iomedae, has swayed the populace of the village with her own malice against Pathfinders in general to vote to convict them against all logic.

Diplomacy AID ANOTHER: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Fissa, while inspecting the location where the button was found, cannot find anything else. However, his hungover starts clearing as he heads back to town, and a thought strikes him. How can a fashionista like him miss a fact like that? This kind of button is quite atypical for the region. Whoever wore this is most probably not originally from Dawnton, or likes to wear imported clothes.

At the Sheriff's House

Sheriff Luin frowns and scratches his bare feet covered in reddish mud. "My, my, you certainly have done your homework, haven't you? Very well, since you display such professionalism I can only agree to work with you on that, though you will find that there is some evidence pointing at your Pathfinders colleagues."

"Firstly, there's the fact that the murders started the night the Pathfinders came to town, and ceased as soon as they were arrested. Secondly, I found this dagger at the scene of the second murder - it belongs to Dakota Spire, who hasn't bothered denying that the dagger was hers. Thirdly, all three Pathfinders were seen at Otto's farm just hours before someone found the first victim there. The testimonies are in writing, and all come from reliable townsfolk. Finally, Ekira received an anonymous letter from a "frightened but concerned" citizen, identifying the Pathfinders as murderers. You may inspect the letter, if you wish."

Interviewing the accused Pathfinders doesn't reveal much more. The condemned know very little about the murders for which they were framed. They arrived on a mission to investigate a Sarkorian ruin and were arrested in their beds on their second night in town. They didn’t fight and haven’t tried to escape because they don’t want to risk harming Luin or any other innocents. They are well-fed and haven’t been mistreated, though all three are worried about their impending executions. They have no real refutation against the accusations but claim to have been in their rooms at the time of the second murder. Corwin Burke mentions that he thinks they first became suspects after Tobias Luin received a letter identifying them as the culprits, and Dakota confirms that the dagger found at the crime scene was hers, though she has no idea how it managed to get there.

Bramelane uses his wayfinder to cast guidance on himself before examining the letter.

Linguistics Check: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 1 = 21

What does the letter say?

"Interesting. The handwriting on this letter is the same as on the one that summoned us here. That cannot be a coincidence. Someone is trying to frame Pathfinders. I suspect you'll be hearing accusations against the members of our group very soon, Sheriff."

"An anonymous tip? It seems odd that an accusation would come in that way. Who do you believe sent it in? Did the author come forward to testify at the trial or the sentencing?" If the Sheriff says the author has not come forward, Bramelane points out how odd that is, given the fact that the Pathfinders are behind bars and no longer pose a threat to the author.

Do we have that letter with us, or did the Venture-Captain keep it. If we have it with us, we get it and show it to the sheriff.

"Sheriff, I don't doubt that the Pathfinders were at Otto's farm. It is only that the corpse was in such a state that the victim had to have been killed earlier and elsewhere. Did you find the remainder of the corpse anywhere? Was there any blood on the Pathfinders to suggest they killed or transported the victim?"

"Sheriff, if you could indulge us for a few more minutes, you did not answer about the trial, the sentencing, or the tall, dark-haired man. Do you know who he is and where we can find him? What did he say when you interviewed him about what he must have seen? What did he say when he testified at the trial?"

"You did conduct a trial, didn't you? Who ele testified, other than you? What happened at the sentencing? May we see the magistrate's records regarding this matter?"

...an anonymous letter from a "frightened but concerned" citizen, identifying the Pathfinders as murderers.

This is the contents of the letter, not much more. As for the letter sent to the Venture-Captain, you don't have it.

"Look, you clearly have no idea of how we do things here. Your foreign ways are certainly great, but keep in mind that you're strangers here. I am the Sheriff and Mayor, but there's no magistrate - the people of Dawnton vote instead, and have found your friend guilty of all charges."

"I can't help you more than I already have. Your evidence relies mostly on testimonies too, so there's no way to tell if one version is more right than another. Your best bet if you want to save your friend is to find who did it. You already seem to have an idea of who that might be, so I suggest you go and look for this person. Now shoo!"