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"I don't remember smelling anything back then," Dylara replies in a whispered voice. "Perfume... probably female... you and Branson mentioned umberberries when dancing... the woman that hates me for no reason? No, wait, she wasn't there..."
Dylara sniffs the air, and smells a slight scent of cinnamon, jasmine, and umberberries. "Hmm... who else was there... Ah! You mean it's Azuretta's perfume?"
After quickly closing the door when everyone but the pathfinders has left the room, Dylara beckons her fellow pathfinders to come closer. Once they're close enough Dylara will tell them, in a whispered voice, about the smell which resembles Azuretta's perfume. "We have to find out if she did it, or perhaps someone tries to put the blame on her."
"I suggest we talk to everybody on the ship, and see what we can learn. Let's not approach Azuretta first. If we approach Azuretta right away, she might feel like we suspect her. Though if she sees us approach others first, Azuretta will realize she's no exception."
"I suggest we talk to everybody on the ship, and see what we can learn. Let's not approach Azuretta first. If we approach Azuretta right away, she might feel like we suspect her. Though if she sees us approach others first, Azuretta will realize she's no exception."
Satisfied they have answered every question possible here, the party begins discussing the next course of action.
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My friends, before this week, I had met none of you, and the tie that bound is together was our mutual allegiance to the Society. We are now bound together by an urgency we could not have foreseen. Forensics and interrogation are not my most profound skills, so I am hoping one of you are more accomplished in that area than I. I have some spells which can provide a certain glibness to your tongue, and will gladly use it to support you as you interrogate the crew.
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"I think it's best of we work in pairs?" Considering her below average social skills Dylara will accompany Beads, and will try to aid her where possible. Dylara focuses mostly on sensing the motives of those Beads asks questions.
Whenever it's possible Dylara will casts guidance on Beads and herself. Before parting with the others, Dylara will also cast guidance on them.
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Traceni brings Malleck with her as she heads down to Killik's hold, and regards him with worry.
"Um, Killik? I hate to bother you, but the ship may be in need of your services. Have you heard about Sephriel?"
With his answer, she adds, "He appears to be dead. I haven't been able to find his life anywhere... Would you be able to come take a look? Help out? I'm worried that someone who killed the dignitary would still be aboard. Who knows who next they'd target?"
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Lizzy heads for the exotic smuggler Velagon first.
"Where is he?", she looks right and left. Seeing the man she heads up to him, alongside Dylara.
"Hello mister Velagon, may we have a moment of your time please?
Something awful happened. Surely you've heard the noise a little while back? We were boarded by sea-elves. After that we disovered mr. Sephriel is dead, we need your help."
*Cue his initial response*..followed by these questions.
"Have you heard anything unusual aside from the noise on the deck?"
"Have you seen any1 walk below deck in a very cautious way?"
"Has any1 of the crew shown disgust for mr. Sephriel?"
"Do you know of any1 who'd not be bothered if harm came to mr. Sephriel?"
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Feeling like the slow kid, chosen last in games of Elves and Trolls in his childhood, Branson looks a bit forelorn as he watches the two groups head off. With a quick decision, he turns to follow Traceni and Malleck, ummm, guys? Wait up!
Malleck waits for him
Thanks for the back up with those pirates earlier Branson. I appreciate it
The three pathfinders enter the crew's cabin to find Killick still sitting on his bed. He listens to Traceni for a moment and gestures for his usual fee for his 'valuable' time.
The bribe* paid, he address the oracle. "Yeah, I know. I checked the body but he was already dead. Dead don't pay so I left."
Down in the ships hold Beads & Dylara address the handler. Velegon sighs at being woken up and greets them with groggy hello. He answers Beads questions as she asks them. "Several people were walking around up there. They woke me up a lot to going to and from the forward hold." He points to a small space the Pathfinders have not been to and yawns, "But that is normal. I never really saw who it was." He thinks for a moment walking over the crates. "Except for Marzack and the shaman. They whispered something, then bent down by the male. They left right after and I went back to sleep." He yawns again and apologizes for not having more to tell, being half asleep.
"Let's go ask Marzack and the shaman dude if they know more?" Dylara whispers to Beads.
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Traceni giggled.
"Dead don't pay?" she replied, a touch of familiarity in her voice. "You haven't been reading the right wills, then. Or writing them..."
Her voice switching to all business, she adds, "But I'm sure you've heard about the penalties for landing without a known murderer. We all know it wasn't the sea elves. What will the Mordant Spire say? They might just want to take the ship and all its gold in recompense. That would be most unfortunate, being stuck on the Spire with people who might not see business the way you or I do."
Was that the sound of a child's laughter just then?
"My dear Killick, we've spoken a few times already, and you know by now how I respect the importance of continued commerce. I am indeed quite interested in your continued services. Services that have, quite honestly, been quite poor. But I'm willing to overlook that. I do have this tendency to forget things, to lose things. It's the fairies, see."
That was definitely a child whispering in the corner.
"I think your services in finding the killer would be quite valuable. I'm willing to pay you a cut of what we manage to ship through Magnimar. If we ever learn how to..."
Traceni's eyes glaze over, and a fanciful smile crosses her vacant expression.
Suddenly grasping Killick's red bandanna, she whistles with an odd falsetto, "What's this?"
Successfully cowed Killick demands his 'tithing' returned to him. "What more can I do? I can't give the dead life! What? What do you want me to do?" His concern for the gold drops his voice nearly into a whimper.
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Eyes wild and dancing about, a childish grin plays across Traceni's face as she pulls a single coin from the bandanna.
"First, I'd like your contact in Magnimar. Second, I want you to keep your eyes and ears open for anything about the murder. So, just to make sure we understand each other, let's start with the thing you can tell me, now. Magnimar."
If he hesitates, Traceni drops the coin. Oh, no! Haunted curse! Where does that coin disappear to?
Killick gasps and watches the coin fall and then roll away. It continues rolling even when the ship's movement means it is rolling uphill and doesn't stop until it under another bed-roll. He looks at Traceni with a look of horror. "I was in bed at the time. I heard someone get up several times in the middle of the night! That isn’t unusual! That's all I know." He scampers under the bed to retrieve his coin.
Beads & Dylara approach Marzack as he cleans up after the sea-elves attack. "Again, cleaning up the captain's mess. He does not like being interrupted but gives curt answers to Beads questions.
"Have you heard anything unusual aside from the noise on the deck?"
"No." he says curtly.
"Have you seen any1 walk below deck in a very cautious way?"
"On a ship?" Marzack rolls his eyes. "OK: No."
"Has any1 of the crew shown disgust for mr. Sephriel?"
"Now that you mention it, Thanzeril 'n his master fought a lot. The two argued constantly on the way to Magnimar. Something about politics of the Mordant Spire.
Anera has made no secret of her hatred of the elves. Does that count as disgust? I am sure she'd not be bothered if harm came to any elf.' He looks at Dylara as if to say 'go accuse her if you dare'.
"Do you know of any1 who'd not be bothered if harm came to mr. Sephriel?" Killik wasn't bothered. He was first on the scene took a look and went back to his bunk. Why the captain puts up with the lazy lout is beyond me."
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Traceni pulls another coin from the bandanna. She hums a little tune, and she starts spinning it on her fingertips, rolling it along her knuckles, and giving it just a bit more life than mere sleight of hand can manage. Her voice still in that odd falsetto, she replies, "Thank you, but you're stalling. Smuggling. Magnimar. Now."
Traceni open her mouth wide, sticks out her tongue, and lets the coin spin on its tip.
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She spits the coin into the air, and with a hop, sits on the bed with Killik under it. To Branson and Malleck, she states, "You two might need to leave for a moment. I think Killik's a little uncomfortable with all the attention."
She catches the falling coin on her tongue again, where it resumes its spinning.
"I'm not stalling!" he whines from under the bed. "I. I... just forgot the question. He sees his next piece of gold spinning when he stands back up. Killik's hesitancy to reveal trade secrets that not only incriminate him, but also give him a financial advantage over other smugglers, dies under the crazy woman's antics. He snatches his gold back from the Varisian woman. "Crazy Pathfinders. No respect for an honest man and his precious time," he mutters.
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Traceni's antics die down instantly, and her voice returns to its normal sound.
"Pleasure doing business with you, good sir. You needn't worry, you will not be implicated."
She leaves with Branson and Malleck. As she passes back out through the doorway, her expression goes back to its confused, blank slate.
"So does that mean Sephriel's dead? It has been confirmed. Who are we talking to next?"
She then looks down at her night clothes. "Perhaps I should get dressed and equipped. I'll be right back." She heads back to her quarters.
D&B continue talking to Marzack. M&B wait for D to get dressed, then the three continue their investigation.
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Returning with all her gear, Traceni rejoins Branson and Malleck. Clad in her armor and weaponry, she looks around and wonders, "We're still looking for a dagger. Where would we find one? I don't have one..."
She looks up at the sky, barely seeming to focus on anything. "Who shall we talk to next? Thanzeril? Ulamon? That cook lady? Azuretta? Anera?"
She bites her lip and looks around the deck conspiratorially. "I like Ulamon. Let's go!"
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Lizzy and Dylara end up at Azuretta's.
"Hey there Azuretta!", she says as her head pops around the door's post. "I hope you don't mind, but i'd like to ask you some questions."
"No doubt you've heard of the attack on deck, with the sea-elves and all. But turns out mr. Zephriel was killed while we were fighting and we need your help."
Questions & rolls
*When you heard the sound of fighting, did you leave your room to have a look what was going on? Exploring the ship and all.
*Did you see any1 walking from or to mr Zephriel's room while the fighting was going on?
*Do you know of anybody who would wish harm onto mr. Zephriel?
*Any idea of who among the crew might benefit from mr. Zephriel not arriving at his destination "alive"?
*Have there been arguements between people that included mr. Zephriel?
Upon entering the Captain's quarters Dylara and Beads find him busy at work at his desk, writing in a thick, leather–bound logbook. Veane is not alone, as the ship’s resident harlot Azuretta lazes on his bed, reading an illustrated chapbook.
The captain holds up a hand when the gnome starts her questions. "I'll not have you start accusing my crew without some proof." He relents a little when the two explain they are in the process of collecting proof & that no one is being accused as of yet.
"I don't mind talking with this delightful creature," Azuretta says as she sits up. Though her answers carry some colorful remarks, she answers the questions directly.
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*When you heard the sound of fighting, did you leave your room to have a look what was going on? Exploring the ship and all. "I wasn't in my room when the noise started & didn't leave until the cry about Sephriel's murder went out."
*Did you see any1 walking from or to mr Zephriel's room while the fighting was going on? "No. At the time of the attack I was engaged elsewhere and was nowhere near the place."
*Do you know of anybody who would wish harm onto mr. Zephriel?
"I don't. Anera hates elves though I doubt that means she would kill him. The cook hates everybody, but sailors have a hard lot and that is not unusual. That is why I am here."
*Any idea of who among the crew might benefit from mr. Zephriel not arriving at his destination "alive"? "None that I can think of. I have seen plenty of variations on a theme if you will, though the dead is not among them."
*Have there been arguements between people that included mr. Zephriel?"This is a small ship, with tight quarters, but nothing sticks out particularly to me." She adds a knowing wink "I DO do my best to keep everyone's moral on course."
Do you have any follow up questions for Azuretta? If not: posing the same questions to the captain.
"You well know I was in here during the attack." He points to the blood of an elf that has barely been cleaned. "No I have not seen any hint of fighting with the emissary, he mostly keeps to his room. Though I have often invited him to the captians table he has not joined me since leaving Caer Magna. But I need proof and a few arguements over the course of weeks is not proof. I cannot risk a mutiny.
Traceni and company trek to the aft deck, just over the captain's cabin. This is the territory of navigator Ulamon and he is at work steering the ship.
When you get to Ulamon's door you realize this where you just left.
Except for the Captain and first mate all the crew share the same cabin. Currently the Marzack is also sharing this cabin as the mate's cabin has been lent to Sephriel.
After the attack the Captain has called all hands on deck so everyone is currently at their day post.
Ulamon stares at the wind and the sky and adjusts the ship's wheel as necessary. The vessel responds and it seems the wind does as well. It fills the sails moving the ship faster than most. The connection with the weather has made the navigator invaluable to the Throaty Mermaid who often has to evade pirates.
"Oh laudy, more Pathfinders. What can I do for you lot?"
Azuretta smiles demurely, "I was in the forward hold. Dylara feels no subterfuge from the woman. "I take professional pride never to 'kiss and tell'. So please do not even ask."