So the above text would imply Makin is searching and you'd make a Perception check in private, or do I say I'm using Perception because I'm taking the action, rather than you requiring a roll?
I will roll when you need to see something coming like a sandstorm but if you want to search for clues/treasure/etc or use diplomacy etc then you can roll. My point was that in this case there may be clues in the wagon and in the future that unless you roll you may never know
Your search reveals that there seemed to be no struggle inside the wagon before the fire and the Eloais either died from the fire or smoke inhalation.
For Makin:
Spoiler:
you find 55 blackened gold pieces strewn through the wreckage. You also notice a dirty human male dressed in a dark vest lurking behind the corner of a nearby wagon watching the investigation.
Makin gathers up and pockets the gold pieces, planning to add them to the already discovered treasure from the ankhegs victim, then notes the watching man's face.
Makin strolls back from the burnt wagon.
'Who has that sack we found, can I have it for a moment?'
'And gold, as we say back in Katapesh, glints brightest in your hand,' Makin placed 55 blackened gold pieces into the sack with the existing gold and gems.
Oh, by the way I'm keeping track of the treasure we've found, for myself because I'd forget otherwise. Who took the wand? Who took the armor? Who took the everburning torch? Given that Long has the sack with the valueables.
Since VAdoma can also use the wand, I'd say let her have it. I can rely on channeling for now, and then hopefully a kind DM will let another wand or similar object drop :)
"So then young Makin, what di you see in that mess?"
'He seemed to have died without a struggle, no combat, obviously he tried to get out, I'd surmrise that he was caught unaware by the flames, or maybe he was sleeping. Though it was burnt down so comletely that flames must have caught quickly. I think it may have been set with intention.'
there is no magic to be sensed in the wagon. I assume that Makin has the armor since he is the only one who would use it?
After you investigation Garavel returns and says, "Come, we will begin the interviews with Almah, your employer."
With that he leads you into the large tent near the center of the camp. Inside Almah lounges on a chair. She is an attractive young woman that seems to not be native to Katapesh. As you enter she sits more upright and says, "So what questions to you have of me?"
Almah turns toward Garavel and asks him sarcastically, "This is what your bring me? Did you not tell them why they are here?" She looks back your way and says to Garavel again, "Tell them."
Garavel gives her an empty look and then breathes in a deep breath and starts to speak, "My princess Alamh comes from a line of wealthy agents of the pactmasters of Katapesh. She and her family have been down on there luck for since before she was born. She is striving to rebuild her family and its fortune by reclaiming the toen once lost by her ancestors. The pactmasters have given her this chance, to reclaim the battle market of Kelmarane. That is where you come in, you are hired hands in the cleansing and rebuilding of that once great town."
"Now what questions do you have about this fire or about Kelmarane that have not been answered.", she asks politely.
Long Shou bows deeply to Almah before addressing her. "Your Highness, whose beauty rival the sun, we honored to make acquaintance. I agree with Faysal, who would want kill the seer? Also risk setting all caravan on fire? If all caravan on fire, then survival is short in desert. Either someone in caravan with death wish, or an enemy from outside."
“Long ago, the village was one of several in the Uwaga Highlands of the Brazen Peaks situated around a battle market, a huge arcade that attracted merchants, gladiators, actors, musicians, and customers from throughout Katapesh and neighboring Osirion. Then, about 20 years ago… it fell, and the Pactmasters abandoned it to ruin. Rumors of plagues and evil curses abound, but in truth no one really seems to know why the village died. About 2 years ago, a pack of gnolls called the Kulldis tribe inhabited the battle market and claimed Kelmarane as its own. The Pactmasters want the village back, and it’s up to us to deliver it to them.”, she says.
When asked about Eloais and who would want him dead, she seems to get somewhat distraught. She goes on the say, "I don't know of anyone who disliked my friend. I only hired him about a month ago in Solku. He read cards for me, and not going home to my homeland in a long time, having a harrower felt right. That is all I want to talk right now. Garavel take them to their next interview."
Gravavel nods and walks you out to meet with the four red armored bodyguards.
They have little to say about what happened as they were guarding Almah and her tent, though one did notice something. "I saw him standing behind a tree, it was clear that he was trying to get a look into Almah’s tent. That boy is obsessed with her."
Garavel responds to Faysal, "Been to Kelmarane? I don't think so. It has been abandoned for years. I am sure people have ventured there but I know not who they may be or what their fate was. As for the gnolls, they are dumb animals that need to be exterminated, I doubt they can understand our plans. You will need to talk to Dashki or gnoll expert to get those questions answered."
"Gnolls." mutters Long Shou, his face grim during the conversation. He seems lost in dark thoughts as he leaves Almah's tent with the rest of the party, but becomes interested in the exchange with the guards.
"Did you see anything, anyone? Someone who went into card reader caravan?"
'Okay Garavel, do you have some sort of order you'd like us to do these interviews, or should we just head over to those guys next?' Makin indicates the mercenaries who were pulling the caravan out of the way.
'Okay Garavel, do you have some sort of order you'd like us to do these interviews, or should we just head over to those guys next?' Makin indicates the mercenaries who were pulling the caravan out of the way.
You are welcome to follow the path that the investigation leads. The order is not important just the outcome. He motions toward the mercenaries at the campfire and says after you.
Faysal approaches the armored men with a look of compassion
"Is anyone hurt? Do you need healing at all?"
He spends the next several minutes asking each man his name, age, home town, lenth of employment, favorite sport, etc, basically making chit chat, but always gathering a little more info.
Diplomacy: 18+1= 19
"Yes, Kallien and Trevvis are still in some pain." says one of them as he points at a male and female next to the fire that you recognize from earlier.
After some conversation you find out their names: three men- Trevvis (their leader), Utarchus, and Dullen and three women - Kallien, Brotis, and Yesper. They are a disreputable lot, soiled armor, greasy hair. A far cry from the well mannered, meticulously attired soldiers that guard Almah. They laud from all over Katapesh and the surrounding nations with one from as far as Cheliax. They were all hired last month in Solku as muscle to protect Almah and clean out Kelmarane. They seem to be a very confident lot and talk about how they are going to kill all the gnolls. They laugh as one of them says to that party that you can teach you how to fight the gnolls when they weren't busy.
"He was a weakling, there is no need around here for fortune tellers. I don't imagine he could defend himself against a strong breeze." Several answers from different mercenaries, the last comment drawing a bellowing laugh from around the fire. "All we really know is that we were here at our feast-fire finishing up our dinner." At this another of the mercs shouts out, "Not to mention drinking our fill!" With a smile, no a smirk, and a glance the speaker finishes his comment, "Next thing we know there is a burst of flames. Trevvis and Kallien rushed in to try to pull out any victims but you see where that go them."
Seeing Faysal and Makin go towards the mercenaries, Long Shou decides to try and catch a moment of inner peace. He goes to the badly burned caravan and searches around it, taking his time.
Take 20 perception check (27) all around the burned caravan, searching for tracks, unusual signs etc, continuing out to a 20 ft radius.
The charred wagon is nothing more than a charred wood skeleton covered in soot. A few broken bottles and potion vials litter the wreck as well as a cracked crystal ball. Along some of the flatter surface are pools of wax were candles once stood. In the center of the debris is the charred skeletal remains of what must be Eloais.
"He seemed likable enough, well the princess seemed to like him a lot more than I would, if you know what i mean." This comments brings several lewd comments and cat calls from the fire. "I am not saying they were involved but they sure spent hours alone in that wagon with the curtains drawn. I bet Dashki lit the fire to take out the competition."
The two animal handlers Hadrod and his wife Hadrah seem excited to have someone new to talk to. "I was the first to notice the fire but we were distracted by trying to get our animals under control." says Hadrah as she is cut off by her husband starting to tear up. "We lost my favorite goat, Rombard, have you seen it? I am afraid he may be gone for good."
'That's a crying shame, mayhap if we wrap up this investigation quickly we could have a look for it,' he smiles at Vadoma, then turns back to the pair.
'In interest of doing so, could you tell me what you saw, being the premier witnesses?'