"She cannot understand you, Montesquieu. She does not speak Taldane." Daxter sighs as he realizes that he has to get more information from this street urchin.
Diplomacy check 1d20 + 14
Tears begin to well up in the girl's eyes, "I'm sorry, masters, but I can't think of anything else. He was a Vudrani man dressed like many of the merchants we stea ... I mean, we see every day in this part of the city. He didn't have on a hat or anything and I remember he wasn't covered in dye like most people this week. He gave me a silver for delivering the message and he was balding and he was middle-aged with a mustache."
Montesquieu quietly wonders why someone would not speak his language since it is clearly the only proper way to communicate, and makes a mental note to file a complaint... somewhere.
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Tears begin to well up in the girl's eyes, "I'm sorry, masters, but I can't think of anything else. He was a Vudrani man dressed like many of the merchants we stea ... I mean, we see every day in this part of the city. He didn't have on a hat or anything and I remember he wasn't covered in dye like most people this week. He gave me a silver for delivering the message and he was balding and he was middle-aged with a mustache.""She cannot understand you, Montesquieu. She does not speak Taldane." Daxter sighs as he realizes that he has to get more information from this street urchin.
Diplomacy check 1d20 + 14
Clearly unsure of how to deal with a crying child, not to mention uncomfortable, Daxter nevertheless tries to get her to stop crying.
another diplomacy check
Clearly unsure of how to deal with a crying child, not to mention uncomfortable, Daxter nevertheless tries to get her to stop crying.another diplomacy check 1d20 + 14
Seeing the silver, the child's tears stop as if a switch had been thrown. Frantically she brushes her cheeks dry, her face brightening immediately. Smiling, she holds out her hand for the coin.
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Frustrated at the failed lead and the wizard's naivety Ursus turns to his companions.
"This is a waste of time Dax. The kid can't help us", he chides. "You'd think you never finished your Confirmation", the Ulfen mocks with a grin.
The warrior kneels down with the distraught (and crafty) child.
"Dax, translate for me".
"My friend is only going to let you keep that shiny coin, even though you couldn't help us, because you are going to make us two promises: you cannot tell anyone who gave it to you and you must tell all your friends about the man we are looking for. The moment any of them see him you come find us again. There's more coin for you and whichever of your friends can help us with this", the warrior offers, his deep voice suddenly becoming very stern.
"Money, a language known by all and the most persuasive." Daxter says with a smile.
The little girl shakes her head, "No, sir, I have told you all I know. I will tell all my friends to look out for him though. We will tell you if we see him. But where do I find you?"
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"My friend is only going to let you keep that shiny coin, even though you couldn't help us, because you are going to make us two promises: you cannot tell anyone who gave it to you and you must tell all your friends about the man we are looking for. The moment any of them see him you come find us again. There's more coin for you and whichever of your friends can help us with this", the warrior offers, his deep voice suddenly becoming very stern.
Montesquieu smiles at this. "Ursus, that is brilliant." He then adds wryly, "We're well on our way to starting our own cult it would seem."
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"So, I guess this leaves us knowing that we are alredy being watched. How easy did that go round? Probably the whole cult is already aware that we are looking for it. Nothing with a quiet contact. Any ideas, where the information got out to the cult?" Farouq asks, wondering about the speed things are developing now. He then looks to the ground, trying to figure out any possible footprints, which might give him an indication. Casting guidance he will try to make out any obviuos marks.
Farouq takes another good look around, but can't seem to find any tracks that catch is attention. There is simply too much traffic during the day here.
The little girl runs off with a small fortune in silver and gold (at least for a street urchin), leaving you alone in the darkened street. Sounds of festivities can be heard in distant parts of the city, but otherwise all is quiet.
Once you've decided that nothing more can be gained here, you head off toward the Happy Ox. Young Master Pandisar had made a good choice when selecting this inn. It seems to cater to the needs and tastes of foreigners, serving food and drink that would not seem out of place at a similar establishment in Absalom. You are given individual rooms which are tastefully (if modestly) decorated, and offered fresh water for making your evening ablutions if you so wish.
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"As the cult seems to know who we are and what we're doing it might be best to all stay in one room. No nights of pleasure until we've done our mission I'm afraid! I'll keep first watch."
"Well little guy, if you'd prefer I can bring her (or hers) to the room with us", the big Ulfen offers with a grin. "I'm sure with everything you've seen in the animal world there's nothing I can do that will surprise you".
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"As the cult seems to know who we are and what we're doing it might be best to all stay in one room. No nights of pleasure until we've done our mission I'm afraid! I'll keep first watch."
Montesquieu is obviously appalled by this idea. "Sorry short-stack, but I'm tired and not nearly concerned enough about this right now to go along with your plan. Gentlemen, I'll be in my room, alone and asleep. Shout very very loudly if you need anything."
Aquila stays up for a bit on watch, but even he gets tired and heads to bed just past midnight. Ursus gets some sleep as well ... eventually. The rest of the night passes without incident at the Happy Ox.
The next morning you are awoken by the sounds of the city coming to life. Hawkers set up their stalls, water merchants drag their heavy carts around the city, and farmers bring in their produce and livestock from the surrounding countryside.
The inn provides a small breakfast of rice porridge with bits of last night's meats and vegetables in it, along with a tankard of dark brown ale.
Ursus asks the innkeeper about the festival, and he assures the Northman that sadly the throwing of dye will NOT be happening today.
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Ursus asks the innkeeper about the festival, and he assures the Northman that sadly the throwing of dye will NOT be happening today.
"Good." Montesquieu says, "Fun though the festivities may have been, I think I got some of that stuff in my eye."
He looks back to Daxter while strapping on his armor. "Town guard sounds like a good bet to me. The upper crust here doesn't seem to know much about what's happening among the common folk."
Following Lord Pandisar's instructions, you make your way to the central headquarters of the Niswan town guard. It is a relatively small building, but then again Niswan is a small city. After introducing yourself to the sergeant of the watch, you are asked to wait in the courtyard while the watch captain is found. Twenty minutes later, a tall Vudrani man in white robes joins you. He introduces himself as Naleen and is a bit stand-offish at first, until he realizes that you are working with Lord Pandisar, after which he becomes friendlier.
Naleen informs you that your arrival is quite timely, as a murder occurred yesterday that he thinks may be connected to the cult: an incense maker was found with her head missing.
Captain Naleen (along with three guards) leads you back to the Commerce District, informing you of the details of the case they are still working through. The victim's name was Vitusa, and she was an unmarried woman of the merchant caste who openly agreed with the Thakur's banning of Dhalavei worship. She owned and operated (and lived above) a small, but successful incense shop. She was found yesterday by her employee, Nabeeka, who is currently at the store (although the shop is obviously closed).
"We have left the site of the murder untouched, since we are still conducting our investigation. I would ask you that you please not remove anything from the house," Naleen mentions as you approach a small building with a city guard posted outside. "I'll leave you here," he says, nodding to his man stationed at the door. "Try not to break anything, please."
Once Naleen and his men leave (although the guard stationed outside remains), you are led into the foyer of the shop itself where you are met by Nabeeka. She is a young Vudrani woman dressed all in black who only speaks Vudrani.
"She was a good and generous mistress," Nabeeka explains, "but she was overly honest about her religious and political beliefs. She told customers that banning the worship of ... that goddess was the best thing the Thakur ever did." She then leads you into the shop itself, which is where the murder took place. The small room shows signs of a struggle: jars of ingredients lie smashed on the floor and a large quantity of blood remains uncleaned and splattered about. The city guard investigated and had the body removed and ritually cremated.
Aquila will cast some spells and look for tracks:
Deadeye's lore
Survival (Take 10) 10+20+5+1
Aquila and Ursus search the scene of the crime for any tracks that might give a hint about who perpetrated the crime. They find many tracks left by the town guards and the store's various employees, but nothing that seems out of the ordinary.
While looking around, Ursus does spot an earring that had fallen under a chest of drawers. It seems to be covered in blood and split incense.
"I was just about to ask that, Ursus."
Nabeeka shakes her head, "No, Vitusa was well liked in the community. She gave freely to the poor at the temple and participated in many of the more important local civic institutions."
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While looking around, Ursus does spot an earring that had fallen under a chest of drawers. It seems to be covered in blood and split incense.
Ursus holds the soiled jewelry aloft allowing the light to reflect off its surface.
"I assume this belonged to Vitusa", the Ulfen states.
"Any chance we could use this to track the stolen part of her remains by scent or with some of your magic?", he says motioning to Farouq and the wizard.
Ursus holds the jewelry aloft allowing the light to reflect off it's surface.
"I assume this belonged to Vitusa", the Ulfen states.
Nabeeka gasps quietly when she sees what Ursus is holding up. She nods vigorously in answer to the Ulfen's question. "Yes, she was wearing that the night she was killed ... yesterday, I mean. She had dismissed us for the day and was probably still working here in the shop after hours."
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While looking around, Ursus does spot an earring that had fallen under a chest of drawers. It seems to be covered in blood and split incense.Ursus holds the soiled jewelry aloft allowing the light to reflect off its surface.
"I assume this belonged to Vitusa", the Ulfen states.
"Any chance we could use this to track the stolen part of her remains by scent or with some of your magic?", he says motioning to Farouq and the wizard.
"I currently have no magic for this particular situation. I know what of spell we need, but unless there is a scroll shop, we will have to make do if more mundane means. However, if the investigation goes on long enough, I can prepare it tommorow."
The Ulfen scowls at the ill prepared wizard, "That's... disappointing".
"Do you think Gara or Adjo could track her remains by her scent?"
"I currently have no magic for this particular situation. I know what of spell we need, but unless there is a scroll shop, we will have to make do if more mundane means. However, if the investigation goes on long enough, I can prepare it tommorow."
"Indeed, let us hurry and get it."