The Turning Wheel - a Zeitgeist PbP

Game Master karlprosek

"A crystal that does paperwork? Where can I requisition a thing like that?" Aziel grinned at Ralf, then made a face. "I suppose it would take a mountain of paperwork to get one. A girl can dream!" Idly folding a paper airplane, she sent it swooping at the back of Jae's head, no doubt to suffer a similar fate to the last missile.

Unless our boss walks in and it hits him instead. Can tieflings look innocent, or does the hellspawn-look give them away? ;P

"Am thinking is not possible." There was clearly a note of disappointment in the vitalist's tone. "This one, I am making by imbuing part of own life essence and personality, to make useful."

He paused to give the crystal a look of distaste. "So far is being only annoying."

Can't live with yourself, eh? Take the hint! Be a better person!

Ralf pointed at the crystal again. "Fair warning Meff, am having hammer at apartment plenty big enough to be smashing impertinent crystals."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Shane sat at his desk, back straight, patiently dipping pen into ink and writing neatly on the form. He could not say that he liked doing paperwork, but he decided the best approach was to do as his kata master had taught him, to focus on each moment as if in a fight for his life. Knowing what to write did not take much of his mind, leaving it free to appreciate the dry sound of pen moving across the course paper, noting the way the ink gleamed as flowed out of the pen nib but quickly spread and turned reflectionless on the paper.

When he wrote about events on the island, the memories evoked the thrill of the challenge, brought pangs of emotion as he remembered the fallen constables who had gone ahead of them, and taught him things he had failed to notice or appreciate at first glance.

When his shoulders began to get stiff, he excused himself and spent some time limbering up in the exercise gym before returning to find more blank forms in his in box.

Then there were the antics of his comrades to absorb, their comments back and forth, the discussions entered into as an excuse to avoid doing more paperwork. If he found himself flagging, he recalled the fate of his parents and why he entered the service, which inspired him to redouble his efforts to complete the work efficiently and well, in hopes it would contribute in some small way to the effort to defeat the terrorists.

He also noticed his fellow constables regarding him suspiciously for not complaining about their piles of requisitions, reports, and service briefs of ongoing investigations by other units. So he made an obligatory disgruntled remark from time to time. Next thing he knew, it was close to quitting time and he left humming a docker melody.

I'm just going to ignore that last sentence, if that's alright with you, Shane.

ADI Delft thumped out of his cramped office, cane thumping as he walked into the middle of the bullpen, whacking chairs and desks as he went. "Time for some field work, constables! If you don't mind taking a break from your paperwork, of course." He spit a stream of tobacco into his ever-present spittoon.

"We just received a delightful report about the perfect lead for you. Young woman, identity unknown, jumped out of the fourth floor window at the Danoran consulate, impaled herself on the spires of the compound fence, and died. Technically half of her is in Risur, which is good for you because the fence she landed on was forty feet from the window. Seems like our young victim thought she could fly.”

"Let's see if any of you remember how to do basic police work. Canvas the neighborhood, interview witnesses, identify clues, that sort of thing. Try not to blow anything up or start a revolution." Delft chuckled, not unkindly, and nodded his head at the door. "Carriage is waiting for you downstairs. Better get moving if you hope to catch any of the consulate personnel before lunch." The consulate was in North Shore, which meant that even in a badged carriage it would take a good hour to get there.

Aziel brightened as Delft spoke, abandoning her last wad of paper destined for a fiery death on the way to Jae's head. Scooping up her guns, she called back, "Don't leave without me, mes amis!"

She ran to the locker room, where she kept her armor when she wasn't home (just in case the paperwork grew teeth), and geared up while whistling a jaunty tune. Belting on her guns, she whirled around, slamming the locker shut with her tail, and sped off in pursuit of non-paperwork.

***

On the way to the consulate, she studied the faces of her colleagues in the carriage. "I would normally think they might speak to a tiefling more freely than to a Risuran constable, but I do not think they will be so forthcoming with me. A pity Tarvak was reassigned." She nudged Ralf with her elbow. "You are certain you cannot read minds? How useful it would be now!"

"Bibaxt! What horrible fate, is being torn from favorite pursuit," Ralf groused sarcastically as he shoved the crystal back in his pocket and strode off before Delft could change his mind.

***

"I would normally think they might speak to a tiefling more freely than to a Risuran constable, but I do not think they will be so forthcoming with me. A pity Tarvak was reassigned."

Ralf grunted. "Tarvak is having much potential, but young still and too nervous; is needing more experience. Few years under sash, will be making good constable. Maybe we are having chance to team with him again someday."

She nudged Ralf with her elbow. "You are certain you cannot read minds? How useful it would be now!"

"Aiwa, dhon certain. Practice with Cat still is frustration. But," he said, pulling out the crystal again, "am having breakthrough last week." He waggled the translucent stone -- which somehow seemed a bit larger than before -- at her. "Am working on this shesti, putting there essence of self, aiwa? And am being able to think at Meff and it at me also, because is part of me."

He leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, suddenly seeming eager. "From that, am learning how can be sent across link also thought." He reached up and gently tapped Aziel on the temple. "To reach into mind, see what is there? No. But think at Ralfael, is possible now to hear you here," he said as he pulled his hand back and touched his own temple.

Like this, she heard in her head, in Ralf's "voice."

Show-off, Meff thought at Ralf alone.

The vitalist cut an annoyed glance at the crystal in his other hand, then looked around at the others. "Am still learning this, aiwa? But am being able to turn off and on at least. Also have found is being possible each for talking to another or all at once."

He sat back in the seat again. "Jek thing more. Thought is thought; language is not mattering. Am thinking now with smaller squad and empty space in Collective, is maybe possible we are using this when not having translator. Is long shot, but when no other options..." He ended with a shrug, letting his thought trail off.

Shane finished the line he was writing and dabbed his pen in an absorbent cloth to clean out the excess ink, capped his in well, set the pen in its case, set the paperwork under a paperweight. He was the picture of calm focus. He then stood, put on his constable jacket, secured his temple sword and nunchaku at his belt along with shurikens and sling bullets, and walked gracefully to the door to wait for the others.

Hearing Ralf discuss his new abilities, he thought to the group "My Kata Master awarded me another dan, for what it's worth. And I've been working on my technique for moving around a melee while avoiding attacks that such movement sometimes leaves one open to."

Geez, Ralf simply bailed with all possible speed... he'll have a well and pen caked with hard, dried ink by the time we get back...

An hour later the RHC carriage clattered to a stop in front of the Danoran consulate. The constables had had two options during the trip- swelter in the muggy closed air of the carriage with the windows closed or open the windows to let in the foul smelling smog drifting over the usually clear-skied North Shore streets. Either way it hadn't been the most pleasant trip, and as the disgruntled looking Flint policeman put away his pocketwatch on seeing the constables climb out of the carriage they could tell their trials were not yet over.

The stout policeman walked over to the constables. "Took you long enough." He shook his head. "Alfred Bellastair. This was my crime scene until five seconds ago, for all the good it did me. The Danorans don't want to talk to mere policemen."

He gestured at the consulate's fence. “Witnesses say the incident occurred about two hours ago now. We responded but by the time the first of our men got here the Danorans had taken the victim off the fence and carried her inside. But everyone had pretty much the same story. They heard gun retorts, saw the woman jump out the window, and she landed on the fence. One scoundrel apparently stole stuff off her body and ran away as she was bleeding out."

"The Danorans wouldn’t let us inside, but I yelled at them that you’d be showing up, and they said they wouldn’t get rid of the body. The guy you want to talk to is the security chief, Julian LeBrix."

"You can handle the investigation from here without my men, right? We’ve got better things to do than sit around for another hour while you drink up the hospitality of the Danorans.”

Ralf grunted at the officer. "You are wanting to complain about time, be talking to driver. Soon as unit dispatched, we are leaving for here."

He squinted up at the building. "Which window? And you are saying 'retorts'; how many? How much time is being between shots and woman jumping? And anyone is having description of thief?"

Ralf declined to comment on the dismissal of the officers, as he felt it wasn't his place.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Officer Bellastair pulled out a notebook and flipped to his notes. He gestured at a broken window as he read. "We don't have an accurate measure but it looks to be about 40 feet from that window to the fence."

"Witnesses agree there were 2 shots, a couple of seconds apart. Sounds like she jumped, then the shots. The thief..." he ruffled past a few pages "dark hair, goatee, well dressed. Stole a necklace off the body, took some papers."

"You can talk to the witnesses yourselves if you'd like." He gestured at a small crowd of people standing near another officer, some clearly waiting impatiently to be told they could leave. A quick glance showed there were another 2 policemen, one at each corner of the block, directing traffic away from the crime scene.

Aziel put on her most charming smile as she addressed (Captain?) Bellastair. "We are very sorry it took so long to arrive - traffic, you know. Surely you can spare your men just a bit longer for a death such as this one? It would be, how you say, a feather in your hat to have participated in solving a mystery such as this?"

***

Aziel looked over the crowd of witnesses, and selected one she thought looked as though they had kept their head despite seeing the gruesome scene. "Alors. Thank you for cooperating with us. Come, speak with us a bit, and then you may go about your business. What exactly did you see?"

1d20 ⇒ 16

Officer Bellastair looked over at Aziel and did a double take. It was the sort Aziel was used to- men often noticed her figure first before their brains got around to telling them this beautiful woman also had goat legs, horns, and a tail. It looked like that stout policeman was the kind of man who was a sucker for a pretty face.

He cleared his throat and bobbed his head. "Well, ma'am, I can probably hang around for another half hour before I have to start justifying what we were doing this whole time. If you need us for longer we can talk about it then."

1d6 ⇒ 4
1d20 ⇒ 20

-----
Aziel had picked out young woman in the uniform of a messenger agency. They tended to have their heads on straight and had to keep their eyes out for trouble, just in case their package was of a sensitive or valuable nature. The young woman nodded at Aziel and came over to the constables.

"Yes, ma'am. I was passing by on the other side of the street and saw the woman- uh, victim- fall out the window. She hit the fence and then somebody shot her. I, um, couldn't really see the shooter? It was dark in the window, real dark. I mean, I would've thought I shoulda been able to see someone standing in the window, but it was black as night." She shook her head and went on.

"Anyway, two shots." The messenger girl made a gun of her fingers and acted out two shots, "Pop!" "Pop!" a few seconds apart. "Then this guy went up to the, uh, victim and started talking to her. She gave him a bundle of papers and he yanked off her necklace and ran away." She gestured down the street toward an alley. "He went that way."

"So I went up to see if she was alright, but she was dead. Her face was all covered in blood. The security people were coming out by then and they took her inside. A couple of them started arguing as they took her in. I couldn't quite hear what they were talking about, but those three were definitely disagreeing about something."

She shrugged. "Then that's it. One of the security people told everyone out here to stay put, the police were coming, then they showed up a few minutes later."

Am going in to see body, Ralf thought at the others. Is better for me, dead people than living.

Ralf's less than eloquent way of acknowledging his lack of people skills, and leaving the diplomacy to those better suited.

"Am wanting to examine body," he said to the officer. "This LeBrix you are mentioning, he is person to see, aiwa?"

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and strode up to the door.

Ralf will flash his badge as necessary and indicate he wishes to examine the body, or Julian LeBrix if the underlings balk.

ALL: Keep in mind that -- barring GM objections -- we can stay in touch and compare notes mentally, while spread out.

Aziel smiled at Officer Bellastair sweetly, without showing her sharp teeth. "You are a generous man, Officer. Thank you. Your goodwill will be remembered, I assure you."

Aziel doesn't have goat legs, actually, just the teeth, tail and horns. ;)

***

Aziel nodded to the messenger, asked a few control questions for good measure, and then allowed her to leave.

*This is strange, is it not, my friends? That someone should shoot this woman after she jumped? One would think that landing on the fence was enough to stop her. The man who took things from her - an accomplice? Surely it is very bold for a thief to steal from someone drawing so much attention - too bold, no? If one of you has great skill at tracking in the city, I think we will find quite a few answers if we find the man who ran away.* Aziel couldn't help but turn to stare intensely at her closest companion in an effort to make herself "heard." Then she stared a bit more, to make sure that she actually had been heard, and this wasn't some kind of Drakran joke.

Does interviewing more people turn up pretty much the same story? Do they all describe the guy who ran away the same way? Does anyone recognize him, or did they recognize the woman who jumped?

GM, what time is it? Bellastair placed the time of death about two hours ago. Delft urged us to leave quickly if we wanted to catch people before lunch. And the carriage ride was "at least" an hour. No matter how I shuffle that, it seems the incident occurred somewhen around mid-morning. So that window "black as night" comment implies to me one of: A) someone is mistaken or lying about the timing, B) the witness is mistaken or lying about the blackness and what she saw, or C) there's some magicky nefariousness involved here... which given the victim's 40 foot "flight," seems to fit.

Shane made a follow-up question to the witness, "Did the victim give the papers to the man willingly or did he take them by force? Was he armed? What race was he? And which way did he go when he left? "

Once he had the answers, Shane said, "I will run in the direction of the man with the goatee. I'll see if anyone saw him and then report back." Then he thinks, "I will keep in touch this way," projecting his thoughts to the group, to see if it still worked. "How far apart can we be and still make myself heard?"

Shane began to jog in the direction indicated by the witness. He was quicker than most and covered ground quickly speed = 40. When he came across people loitering about, he approached them, saying, "Oy! Looking for a gentleman with a goatee, would have passed this way in a hurry about an hour ago."

If he can find some angle to make the people more willing to share information, he'll work that into his questions. For example, if they are poor, he'll suggest he was a rich person who was up to no good. If Danorians, he indicate the man was wanted in connection to a crime against a Danorian woman, leaving them to speculate on the nature of the crime and perhaps fill in the blanks with their own prejudices. In short, he will use tactics he learned working the streets of Slate as an undercover agent.

Streetwise/Cha/Lvl: 1d20 + 3 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 3 + 3 = 19 For getting people to trust him enough to share information.

Edit: as he moves, he'll keep an eye out for physical evidence on the ground that might be relevant.

Espionage School/Wis/Lvl: 1d20 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 29 As Perception.

Then he thinks, "I will keep in touch this way," projecting his thoughts to the group, to see if it still worked. "How far apart can we be and still make myself heard?"

Is working while still being in Collective, Ralf thought back at Shane.

Collective is Medium range (100' + 10'/Lvl) from Ralf, so presently 130'. If he's stationed in the middle between two of you, we can theoretically get 260'.

It's around noon. The PCs left the RHC HQ a little before 11, so the crime happened around 9.

The witnesses is a consolidation of all the witnesses in the mod, so everybody else says the same thing if you talk to other people. No one outside recognizes the description of the man with the goatee.

"Am wanting to examine body," he said to the officer. "This LeBrix you are mentioning, he is person to see, aiwa?"

Bellatrix managed to stammer out "I what?" before Ralf walked away.

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and strode up to the gate.

-----

He started to examine the scene. It takes Shane half an hour to find clues.

Shane found signs of a brief scuffle and a fallen piece of paper in the mud, which looked like a copy of a deed of ownership for a canal barge marked with the seal of the Danoran consulate. He also noted a tiny spurt of oddly coagulated blood in a smear of mud.

Jaelynn had been silent for the majority of the trip (though she had shown quite a bit of interest when Ralf had introduced his crystal and the communication that came with it), and she remained silent now. She merely scanned the scene, judging distances, and trying to spot clues in the corwd.

Active Perception (BoE/KiP): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Unfortunately, she couldn't see much of use, what with all of the clumsy work of the local police and the crowd, and (likely) the Danorans who had come to collect the body.

Frowning, she moved to examining the fence and the ground below where the body had been claimed, looking for blood or other clues.

Investigation (BoE/KiP): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Eventually, she stood up and shook her head. "I need to see the body," she said, and moved to follow Ralf.

Sorry, I thought I had responded to Ralf but clearly I hadn't. I'm going to blame it on Ctrl-X.

Ralf had marched to the closed gates leading into the consulate compound, where the Danoran soldiers had firmly but politely refused to let him enter in spite of his badge. They sent a message, though, and after a few minutes an old, balding human came out of the consulate's main doors. He nodded at the constables from his side of the still-closed gates.

"Constable security chief Julian LeBrix." His accent was similar to Aziel's in spite of him being human. "You're the special constables the officer was talking about?"

Ralf grumbled when he was denied entry, but managed to hold his tongue and wait -- if one were to be extremely generous with the term -- "patiently."

"Aiwa," he replied when LeBrix arrived and queried him, flipping his badge into view. "Ralfael Tergsvor, RHC Unit 11, Flint Directorate." He looked over his shoulder to acknowledge the others and, seeing Jaelynn coming up the walk, gestured at her and added, "Jaelynn Vance-Saerpheni. We are needing to examine body now."

A heartbeat later -- and as an obvious afterthought -- he added, "Please."

Jaelynn came up behind Ralf, and, after a moment, consciously decided to smile at the man on the other side of the gate.

"We appreciate your cooperation."

If enough time has passed for Aziel to have gathered the info from the witness(es), Jae will think to her that it might be helpful for Aziel to join them at the gate.

Shane will make written notes about the evidence of a scuffle and it's location. He'll sketch the mud and blood spatter and then scoop it carefully into a leather coin purse (coins removed), figuring there might be some magical ways of gaining information from it. Then he'll return to report what he's found. If he's in range of the mental communication link, he'll report the find to the others before returning.

After having spoken to the witnesses (and relayed her thoughts on their statements to her compatriots), Aziel joined Jae and Ralf, smiling at LeBrix (though Jae may have noticed that it seemed a bit forced compared to her usual gusto).

"Alors. I am Constable Charbonneau, with Unit 11. What can you tell us about the little bird who failed to fly? I am sure you wish to solve this mysterious death as much as the Risurans, no?" She rapped her knuckles lightly on the bars of the gate. "Let us go inside and discuss this, oui? My fellow constables must examine the body, if you would be so kind."

Technically it takes half an hour for the canvas but I'm going to glom everybody together to get things moving again. For RP's sake we can say LeBrix kept the constables waiting for 15 minutes or so, long enough to annoy but (hopefully) not long enough for them to decide to leave.

LeBrix gestured at the guards and one of them opened half of the gate wide enough to allow the constables into the compound one by one. "I'll take you to the body." He shook his head as he led them through the gardens to the consulate's front doors.

“This is a mess. I took a diplomatic post to avoid having to see blood and death anymore. It has our people shaken up, so I hope you can take the woman’s body and go quickly. Better for everyone I think if the consular doesn’t have to be bothered. He has more important things on his mind than a burglary."

The guards at the front of the consulate opened the ornate doors for LeBrix and the constables then closed them behind the party. “The woman was Nilasa Hume. She’s been in a few times these past few months. Seemed nice enough. She brought us breakfast this morning. One of our security personnel, Braden, was dating her."

Inside, there was a grand foyer with polished parquet floor, a sweeping double staircase, and a huge chandelier dangling from the ceiling- no expense had been spared outfitting this place. Tucked discreetly off to one side of the foyer was small but elegantly appointed office and waiting area for those not important enough to be whisked past. A woman sat behind the desk, watching the group curiously until LeBrix glanced at her and she looked back down at the papers on her desk.

"She must have used him to case the building. I noticed she slipped out while everyone else was eating the food she’d brought. A hunch led me upstairs, and I found her slipping gold forks and spoons into her pockets.”

LeBrix pulled out a small padded bag, taking out a tiny ceramic egg, beautifully decorated with gems and gold. “She also had this. It’s worth thousands, and we had it sitting out on display. I saw her and drew my pistol. She ran. I realized she was about to jump out the window. I thought she was trying to kill herself, so I fired and hit her in the leg. Then she jumped."

"Flew straight through the glass. Now I’m thinking she’s about to escape, so I reload and shoot her in the back. That’s when she fell. This is all within the consulate grounds. I’m within my rights to have taken these actions, though I wish I hadn’t had to.”

The security chief led the constables past the small office to a discreet door and through it into a long service hallway running along the side of the grand foyer. The hallway was clearly built for employees, as there were no architectural frills here. LeBrix led them down a side passage to a storage room. There was a large sink on the other end of the room, and various cleaning supplies were stacked on shelves and leaned against the walls, but of primary interest to the constables was the large, sturdy table in the middle of the room.

On the table was a motionless figure covered with a tablecloth that had once been a crisp, pristine white. Now it was soaked through with blood.

LeBrix nodded at the body. "Nilasa Hume. You'd be doing me a favor if you just took her and went."

Aziel found LeBrix's explanation a bit fishy - why would Nilasa rob the place her boyfriend worked? It would be easy for them to find her, after. Unless seeing him was one long setup? But then why waste time on forks and knives with such a prize as the egg already in her pocket?

She was not going to question LeBrix if she could avoid it. Better less Danoran constables do that. Instead, she went to the table and pulled the sheet from the body, fully intending to examine it as far as decency permitted then and there.

I can't recall if Ralf's mindlink works this way, but if she can she'll share her concerns with the rest of the unit. For now, she'll just try some Percepting. So, who wants to talk to Braden?

PS as Perception: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 + 3 = 13

So... she seems dead. Anyone else?

Let me know if/when Shane returns from his evidence gathering excursion.

All party members are present in the storeroom with the body. If you need a timeframe, Shane arrived just in time to be let through the gates (i.e.- he showed up right at the beginning of my post above).

LeBrix nodded at the body. "Nilasa Hume. You'd be doing me a favor if you just took her and went."

Ralf grunted. "Am not doubting this." His tone implied there were other things he most definitely did doubt. "Tuggonso, investigation is not allowing 'favors.' " He moved over to the body alongside Aziel.

Slippery Sort (as Perception): 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 2 + 4 + 2 = 25

Ralf's mind link does indeed work that way. Feel free to thought-chat amongst yourselves. From my (player) point of view, LeBrix just admitted to being a murderer. "Thief" or not -- and I suspect "not" -- you don't shoot someone in the back because they're running away... and consider that "within your rights." Translation: You don't want Ralf talking to this guy. It was all I could do to type "investigation" instead of "murder."

Once Shane was in range of Ralf's mind sharing effect, he communicated, "No one claimed to witness our thief with the goatee, but I did find evidence of a scuffle, some blood, and a deed to a ship, well, a canal barge anyway, with a seal of the Danoran consulate on it."

After hearing LeBrix' account of the incident, Shane poked around the window and mentally asked someone to go out to the fence and look up to see if Shane could be seen. "An eyewitness reported the inside of the building as so dark nothing could be seen, which seemed unusual enough to comment on. Also, the same witness said the second shot came after the fall. Did not LeBrix just claim he fired a second time and then she fell? Also a thief outside stole a necklace and some papers, but did not take that valuable egg. Seems like a lot of things not lining up. How do we want to handle it? Anyone know if he is right about having the right to shot people in the back within the consulate?" As he does this, he makes a note of any sources of light in the room, and looks over the broken glass. "Jaelynn, might be good to see if you can detect any lingering magical auras in here that might account for that darkness report."

Looking around for clues in the room with the broken window. No special training in this, just defauts: wisdom, level: 1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 3 = 16

I'm struggling to get a clear notion of the location of the fence and the window. I thought the wall was forty feet from the building and that the victim landed on the wall. That's not consistent with a fall. Have I got something wrong. It's been a while.

The body is in a first-floor storeroom. The broken window is on the fourth floor. To search the area near the window, the constables either need to get LeBrix to take them upstairs or someone needs to try to slip away from LeBrix to do it alone.

The fence is too far from the window for her to have fallen out and hit it. It's too far from the window for any normal person to think they could jump out a window and clear it, too, short of some kind of magic to fly or help with jumping. Note that LeBrix said she 'flew straight through the glass.' He might have meant that literally.

Also remember that this is the Danoran consulate, legally Danoran soil. And this guy is the head of security- if he says he was within his legal rights to shoot somebody, as far as the grounds of this place are concerned he's right.

LeBrix nodded at Ralf. "Of course not. I wasn't asking for a 'favor' like that." He grunted. "Just try to hurry this up." The head of security watched the constables closely as they inspected Nilasa Hume's body but stayed out of the way and did not try to interfere.

Aziel checked Hume's body and quickly found a bail certificate in her pocket. The document was from the Parity Lake police station, and revealed that she was picked up in a contraband raid recently but released on bail, paid by one “Heward Sechim.” Law required her to carry the certificate until her trial.

There was glass embedded in her forearms, consistent with running herself through a window, two fence punctures in her abdomen, and gunshot wounds to her back left thigh and shoulder.

Ralf noted that the placement of the wounds were not consistent with being shot at a relatively level angle- they had both come from above.

Shane noticed an unusual wound on her scalp and an empty potion vial tucked into the top of her dress. Jaelynn was able to identify that it had once carried a potion of invisibility; with some research and enough footwork they might even be able to locate the person who had mixed it up for Hume.

Once the scalp wound was pointed out, Ralf was able to determine that it was caused by necrotic energy (aka, negative energy damage).

By examining lingering magical auras, Jaelynn was able to determine that the dead woman's face was recently healed, that she had drunk the invisibility elixir, and used flight magic. She didn't seem to be able to personally wield magic, and unlike the lingering traces of invisibility potion she had no traces of a flight potion. That all suggests she had used some other magic item that is currently missing.

When Jaelynn pointed out the facial healing, Ralf discovered that the facial wounds were healed after death.

Just for clarity, when it's turned on -- which it normally will be -- if you're in the Collective, telepathy is available. A Collective is Medium range, currently 130' for Ralf. (Which means if two of you go in opposite directions with Ralf in the middle, you can manage 260' between you with Ralf as a relay.)

Shane looked over his notes a moment while the others examined the body. "We will need to ask this security guard of yours, Braden, a few questions. After that we should have a look at the window she flew through." Shane figured LeBrix would likely refuse, but it was worth a try and it would prevent Delft from chewing them out for not being thorough.

LeBrix nodded. "Of course. Are you finished with her? Where first, the window or Braden?"

"I can talk to Braden while they continue their inspection. I'm sure they will be done soon. Then a quick look at the window and we'll be out of your way." Shane did his best to be polite and to take LeBrix attention off the body that he so desperately wanted moved.

On the way to talk to Braden, Shane asked in a tone he hoped would be sufficiently nonchalant, "That egg, does it hold any historical or political significance or is it just a finely crafted work of art? Is there any reason other than its monetary value for someone to want it?"

Assuming LeBrix actually goes with Shane, and that we've all been sharing what we found mentally:

Aziel relaxed perceptibly as LeBrix left the room. She stuffed the certificate that had been on the body into her pocket. *When we leave, let us pay this 'Heward Sechim' a visit. He posted bail, so the precinct must have his address. A compatriot waiting for her outside, perhaps this mysterious thief? Alors. Shane, do you hear me? This is very strange.* She shook her head, half in wonder, half in wry amusement.

*It is strange she would need the potion to be invisible, is it not? If she was known around this place, surely she could find a way to enter the room unseen without it. Why not use it for her escape? And why would LeBrix have her healed? What is it about those wounds that he did not wish us to see, when he did not heal the bullet wounds that so obviously speak against his story?*

Lighting a cigarette, she leaned against the wall and considered, listening to the others - especially to what Shane chose to tell them.

Mentally, Shane replied, "There's also the canal barge connection, perhaps a get-away plan. Whatever we find, we need to find it now, before anyone has time to do more cover-up. I'll try to keep LeBrix occupied as long as I can. Make good use of the time."

LeBrix isn't going to leave anybody alone in his consulate voluntarily. If the party splits, he'll stay with the majority.

"I can talk to Braden while they continue their inspection. I'm sure they will be done soon. Then a quick look at the window and we'll be out of your way." Shane did his best to be polite and to take LeBrix attention off the body that he so desperately wanted moved.

LeBrix nodded at Shane. "I'll get an escort for you." The security head walked out to the hallway to signal for guards, leaving the constables alone for a few seconds.

Aziel relaxed perceptibly as LeBrix left the room. She stuffed the certificate that had been on the body into her pocket. *When we leave, let us pay this 'Heward Sechim' a visit. He posted bail, so the precinct must have his address. A compatriot waiting for her outside, perhaps this mysterious thief? Alors. Shane, do you hear me? This is very strange.* She shook her head, half in wonder, half in wry amusement.

*It is strange she would need the potion to be invisible, is it not? If she was known around this place, surely she could find a way to enter the room unseen without it. Why not use it for her escape? And why would LeBrix have her healed? What is it about those wounds that he did not wish us to see, when he did not heal the bullet wounds that so obviously speak against his story?*

Lighting a cigarette, she leaned against the wall and considered, listening to the others - especially to what Shane chose to tell them.

LeBrix was back in a few seconds. He flicked at glance at Aziel and her cigarette but didn't say anything. Instead he nodded at Shane again. "Your escort will be here in a minute." Less than a minute later, a pair of uniformed guards appeared at the door.

The security chief gestured at Shane. "Constable Shangster needs to speak to Braden. Come back here when he's done." The guards saluted smartly and moved out of the door to take Shane upstairs.

[Shane, second floor]

One of the guards gestured further down the servants' passageway. "This way, sir." They led Shane to a set of stairs and up to the next floor. Once they were out of sight of LeBrix the two men relaxed somewhat.

On the way to talk to Braden, Shane asked in a tone he hoped would be sufficiently nonchalant, "That egg, does it hold any historical or political significance or is it just a finely crafted work of art? Is there any reason other than its monetary value for someone to want it?"

The guard shrugged. "I know it's expensive, that's it. I never really gave it any mind til now." He chuckled and looked at the other guard. [b]"Could probably buy a nice flat for the cost of that egg, huh, Lonell? A place to meet that girlfriend of yours."

The man called Lonell snorted. "After today I'm betting every local boy and girl we're seeing is going to get looked at real hard."

For two professional soldiers whose consulate had just been invaded by a thief, the men seemed remarkably upbeat.

Just breaking here in case Shane wants to say something.

"LeBrix have the right of it, that Nilasa was Braden's girlfriend?" Shane asked casually.

Assuming they confirm this, he'll ask. "What did you think of her?" Shane tried to get the guards gossiping before they got to Braden. Diplomacy, streetwise, Cha, Level: 1d20 + 3 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12

Is the victim human or Danorian? I assume most everyone working in the consolate is Danorian unless otherwise indicated.

[Shane, second floor]

The talkative guard nodded. "They started seeing each other a couple months ago. She was nice. Pretty, friendly to everyone. Came around a lot."

The other guard nodded enthusiastically. "Brought us brigadieros this morning and made coffee." Named after the brigadier general who invented them, brigadieros were a popular confection consisting of a gooey ball of chocolate covered in granulated chocolate, castor sugar, or grated coconut. "She was a great girl." Kind of an odd thing to say about a woman who had just been outed as a thief.

He nodded at Shane. [b]"I can't believe it. Nilasa was a thief this whole time." Braden shook his head and took another sip of coffee. "Guess I'll have to pay better attention next time I hook up with a local."

1d20 ⇒ 8

Looking around the security office, Shane noticed that it wasn't just his pair of guards and Braden who seemed strangely upbeat. Everyone was in an oddly pleasant mood- there was none of the usual grumbling Shane would have expected from security professionals, especially after what had just happened.

1d20 ⇒ 6

A large, open box of chocolate confections was sitting over by the coffee carafes. Virtually everyone had a cup of coffee or a brigadiero in their hands.

Nilasa was human and Risuri. And while Danor is run by tieflings there are still lots of humans and other non-tiefling races present in that country.

I'll try to keep LeBrix occupied as long as I can. Make good use of the time.

You are having suggestions? Ralf thought back as he examined the body further, in the hopes of spotting something he'd missed before.

Maybe a Detect Psionics (which with transparency is a Detect Magic equivalent) to look for anything special that way.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Shane puzzled at the oddly chipper attitudes of security personnel. He strolled over to the plate, trying to match the mood of the place. "I'm sorry for your loss," he said in a way that one does when one is socially obligated to say it. "May I?" he asks, pointing to the sweet treats. If he is allowed to take one, he starts to bite into it but then closes his mouth and pulls out a handerchief and wraps it up and pockets it. "Maybe I better save this for later. It would not do to return with frosting on my mouth. My boss would go all thunder and lighting on me."

Shane pulled out his notebook and pencil and asked Braden, "What can you tell me about the deceased? I'll need to notify her next of kin. Did she have any family? Do you know if she had a job?"

Shane coaxes what information he can out of the guy.

Diplomacy via Streetwise, Charisma, level: 1d20 + 3 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 3 + 3 = 24

After the interview was over, Shane asked his escort, "Mind if we pop up to the room she was in when she fell? I gotta be able to say I checked it out." He tried to sound like this was just pro forma.

[Shane, upstairs]

Shane looked at the open box of confections, noting that they were from the Thinking Man's Tavern. He recognized the name from his time on the street. It was a place for thinkers and artists, watched for possible firebrands who wanted to do more than talk. It wasn't alone in that- dockers loved to spout philosophy and talk revolution. It was, however, famed for the wit and fire of its wait staff, the vast majority of whom were women hired to be cleverer and mouthier than the Thinking Man's patrons.

Braden shook his head. "She was from Mica, it's a mining town down south." 'Down south' meaning the Anthras Mountains, where most of Risur's mining activity took place. "Didn't talk about her family much. I think they're still alive, but I don't know anything about them." He shook his head again. "She works in one of the factories. Sechim's, I think?"

Shane's guards glanced at each other and nodded. "Sure. Of course you should check it out."

Ralf could tell Nilasa had not been a spellcaster in life, but beyond that he didn't find anything Aziel or Jaelynn hadn't already discovered about the body.

If you're done with the body and don't want to go upstairs, there was a secretary in the office by the door.

Shane sent a mental message to the collective that he was going to look at the top floor room with the broken window. He added that the guards were being very helpful, almost to the point of it being suspicious.

Aziel hadn't exactly wilted under the look LeBrix gave her - he might be a Danoran official, but if he'd recognized her he would have said something by now - but she had restrained herself to sips at her cigarette. Casually slipping outside while LeBrix's back was turned, she sidled over to the secretary and smiled, hoping to set her at ease.

"Crazy turn of events today, no? I bet it will turn into a lot of paperwork," she said in Common, with a sympathetic roll of her eyes. "Strange, how it happened." She offered the secretary a cigarette, then fell silent, hoping it would prompt a response from the woman - hopefully something interesting.

Not sure what to roll for this...?

[Aziel, first floor]

Aziel hadn't exactly wilted under the look LeBrix gave her - he might be a Danoran official, but if he'd recognized her he would have said something by now - but she had restrained herself to sips at her cigarette. Casually slipping outside while LeBrix's back was turned, she sidled over to the secretary and smiled, hoping to set her at ease.

"Crazy turn of events today, no? I bet it will turn into a lot of paperwork," she said in Common, with a sympathetic roll of her eyes. "Strange, how it happened." She offered the secretary a cigarette, then fell silent, hoping it would prompt a response from the woman - hopefully something interesting.

Not sure what to roll for this...?

Well, first lets see about 'sidling out while LeBrix's back is turned.'

1d20 ⇒ 9
1d20 ⇒ 4

Well, okay, then.

1d20 ⇒ 16

The secretary looked up at Aziel then glanced behind her at the office door. She looked up at Aziel with a smile on her face. "Oh, yes." Her Danoran accent was pronounced, though she wasn't a tiefling. "A strange day. Busy day, as well. The consul's visitor, all the people in for paperwork, and this on top." She shook her head. "Already, a long day."

Anything else for the guard staff on the second floor, Shane, or up to the scene of the crime?