Kikiri watches the cloaked half-elf speak, tolerating the babble with rigid motionless and quiet staring, before finally speaking up once more. "Animals do not kill with purpose like this." he spoke, looking down again at the body. "And unless it has a specific taste for elven features, they do not kill with recurring traits."
"The plump chief stated that a series of elf and half-elf deaths have been occurring, yes?" Kikiri asked, raising both claws to the ceiling again and moving more directly over the elf female's head... or what was left of it. "This is intentional. Your slayer wishes to send a message to those of elven lineage: they are not safe in this city. Our tribe uses tactics like this against the more intelligent creatures from time to time. It's a warning. 'If you do not wish to suffer the same, you will leave.' Crude, but effective."
Kikiri looked down and pointed at the crushed head. "They are also well versed in magic. Notice the crushing of the head and face. Intentional. Some of our tribe elders have mentioned that some magics permit communication with the deceased. None that we know, but they have spoken of it. You can no longer do so with this elf." Kikiri stared back at the half-elf, expression somewhat annoyed, but still neutral. "Your slayer... or, more than likely, slayers... are choosing specific targets and being careful to cover their tracks. But even so, they leave clues."
After getting a response from Kikiri. I turn and acknowledge Tariel, shaking her hand. Then I move to the side and let those more versed in dead bodies have their way.
La'vriel raised his eyebrow at being interrupted by the strange small dragon creature clinging to the ceiling. He had known about exotic familiars due to his studies, but still wondered to whom in this room that pet belonged to. Or maybe it was the familiar of the mayor himself? It would fit for a mayor of such a dubious town like Magnimar to tame abominations like that... they even let half elfs freely roam the streets here!
Shaking his head La'vriel focused back on the topic at hand. Whoever talked through the strange familiar named Kikiri had a point, it might well be a message, 'sent to the more intelligent creatures' as he had said, meaning elves of course.
One day I hope I'll be as intelligent as elves are La'vriel mumbled, unconscious to the fact that he was talking loud again.
'being careful to cover their tracks', he repeated Kikiri's words, nodding. Yes, that was right, exactly that was what might had happened. He took another close look at the cloth. There had to be something hidden there, a tiny clue was all that was needed.
No covering attempt is successful if you know where to look.
A young, heavily tanned woman stands over the body, examining it closely. Her cloths are mostly brown, with a few red accents, under a open cloak of deep crimson, and she looks chipper and excited, despite her rather gruesome work. She looks up as you enter and says, "Ah, greetings. I'll be with you in a moment."
Cause of Death 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20Her examination finished, she wipes her hands on her cloak and approaches the gathered group. "My name is Tariel." she says, and extends a hand briefly before thinking better of it. "I would shake, but my hands are all dead persony. Anybody know any cleaning spells?"
Kn. History, other 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
The cause of death is pretty hard to determine to a the untrained eye. She was attacked by a large axe that cut into her chest, taking her down, but what killed her was a savagely bite to the neck. Fang marks caused by some kind of canine like a Dog or Wolf.
La'vriel looked at the odd bunch of people surrounding the dead elf who looked as if he had been mauled by an animal, his own skin almost as pale as the body before him. He adjusted the grey veil covering his face once more, uncomfortable with it and the rest of his grey clothings still being somewhat damp. He also was uncomfortable by the strange lot of people in the room, having read about some of the races he now for the first time seeing them for real. Though a small dragonlike creature clinging to the ceiling was unknown for him.
Finally La'vriel removed his veil for it seemed to be the right thing to do for an envoy on official business in the home of a thassilonian magistrate, and took a decisive step out of the shadows of the corner. About to speak his well thought of string of words, out of the corners of his eyes La'vriel noticed one of the strangers, a certain 'Jaidoh' by the informations he got from the mayor, stepping into another dark corner of the windowless room - and simply vanishing.
I'm La'vriel, Mordant Spire envoy, eh... where did she just...?
Great... La'vriel thought. What a botched introduction. Great first day in the job just getting better... At least he had remembered speaking common, not Azlanti as had been usual on the Spire for adressing strangers.
If I may have a closer look at the body? La'vriel asked, stepping toward the dead elf, trying not to touch anyone. He then adressed the heavily tanned woman with the crimson cloak, Tariel, absentmindly shaking hands with her.
Did you discover something, Mylady? Looks like an animal did it, but first impressions can be deceitful. Those clawmarks at the shoulder look strange, but I can't put my finger on it.
dice=Heal 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Then he reached for equipment of the dead elf, treating them carefully.
And how about his equipment, and his clothes, or whats left of them?
Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
And there is his holy symbol...
Knowledge Religion with free inspiration: 1d20 + 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + (2) + 6 = 11
The clothing doesn't appear to be of any remarkable value or interest, but then something does catch your keen eyes. There is a small fragment of a piece of glass on the clothing. Possibly she fell on it or something was smashed near her.
The symbol appears to be that of Desna. One often worshipped by Elves and very popular in the area. A goodly God of travel and the night sky.
Tariel keeps her hand extended to the others for a moment, before sighing and replacing it by her side. She walks over to the body saying "On to business then. Cause of death was this bite mark here. Carnivore, canine specifically, but before that she was struck here, in the chest, with some form of large bladed weapon with some crushing power behind it. An axe most likely. This leaves us with two possibilities: two killers, a humanoid and an animal, or a canine humanoid, such as a werewolf or Gnoll. Perhaps an examination of the crime scene is in order?"
Kikiri stared down at Tariel, scaly lips frowning. "If you are interested in such. I am not. I did not come to this city to solve it's petty affairs." Kikiri sat up (down?) as he looked at Rabe and Jaidoh, still frowning.
"My tribe receive our missions through visions, given to us by the obsidian dragon, Aaverax. Typically, it is the elders who receive them, but a few weeks ago... I myself began to see them. A city - this city - on fire. Howls of war filled the air. And when I awoke, always, the same word: 'Magnimar'. I don't know why, but the elders believe that Aaverax has foretold of disaster unparalleled coming to this city. For some reason, she wishes me to witness it... or perhaps, prevent it. Somehow."
Kikiri looks down at the body, huffing a little at it. "A dead elf is of little concern to me. Trivial, really. We have learned that someone wishes to instill fear in the elven blooded of this city. Is our task not complete?"
From the shadows on the side of the room, a quiet, but beautiful voice speaks forth:
An axe and bite marks? Are there not those amongst the woodsmen who fight with beasts? Perchance the dog and the man fought together. Is it not rangers who select certain types upon which to focus their combat skills? If so, then this might be one rogue ranger, or one ranger with either a hatred for elves, or who is being paid by another.
La'vriel stops his examination of the dead elf for a moment to listen to Tariel's results, nodding thoughtfully to her wise words. He was about to add his own thoughts when Kikiri the familiar spoke again, obviously echoing the thoughts of his mistress.
So your mistress, the mayor, is a dragon in disgui...
La'vriel answered, interrupting himself at the last second as it occured to him that the familiar surely wasn't supposed to let that secret spill. Instead he grinned knowingly, having solved another riddle without a shadow of a doubt.
But then La'vriel realised what Kikiri had also mentioned.
You also had visions of disaster?
He adressed the mayor first, but then quickly eyed the familiar at the ceiling instead. If the mayor chose to speak through him, who was he to not tolerate this local custom? The elves always had said the mainlanders were strange, and once again they were more than right in their worldview.
Lost in that train of thoughts for a moment, La'vriel almost missed the quiet but beautiful voice coming from the shadows.
Possibly he agreed, but there are other options too. It may have been a druid, and Aethelreds Clawmark-Grimoire (ACG) mentions Hunters, who have a close connection to their animal companions, almost as close as our familiar here has to his mistress...
Thinking of Kikiri again, La'vriel came back to his original intention.
I myself saw doom coming here, my dream-tea-mutagen told me, but left out any useful detail. But wait, the holy symbol of that elf is that of Desna, goddess of dreams. Maybe there's a connection? If we get those visions, how strong must they be for the clerics of Desna? Has that carnage we have before us maybe happened in or near a chapel of the Song of the Spheres? By the way, there is fine glass on the clothing of the corpse. I'm no one to jump to conclusions or weird ideas, but if it would be a window of a cathedral smashed by someone, we'd have a connection.
On the other hand, maybe it has been a very weird drinking accident involving a heavy axe and an enraged beaver. Vurglar the Unlucky was famous for such desasters caused by his cursed ring of.... Does the elf mayhaps smell of strong beer and gnawed wood, Tariel? Oh, and I second your idea to investigate the crime scene of course.
The mayor speaks up at this point.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible. We needed to clean the streets to keep this under cover." he states openly. "It was in the street near the poor and homeless. My men questioned them, but they were either drugged up on Shiver, leering into the sky or babbling useless."
At the mention of Desna he gives a smile
"That is interesting. We have a temple in the poor section to Desna, maybe the priests there know who she is?" he asks. Blackthorn remains silent, but he continues to have a look of disappointment on his face, which seems more and more permanent.
"Lord Mayor, we really need to focus on important matters of the state. Our trade agreements need to be looked over and there are merchant requests you need to grant or else we will lose their interest." he looks over to Jaidoh for a second as if he recognises her and doesn't try to hide the fact before getting out his notepad to write something down. He keeps it guarded to his chest.
La'vriel frowned as the mayor chose to speak directly to them and not through his familiar Kikiri. The behaviour of the Thassilonians really was odd., but he accepted the statements.
The Temple of the Song of the Spheres it is, then. he nodded. When Blackthorn interfered, La'vriel frowned. He had prepared for this journey, of course, but had there been a reference to this Blackthorne?
He shook his head. No, everyone seemed to have been named Xin in his books, but this advisor wasn't mentioned at all.
Jaidoh does not do unsavory things, like become involved in anything that might be considered education.
Jaidoh looks back at the man, uncertain why he looked at her so peculiarly. Nonetheless, she slinks farther back into to shadowy corner of the room and continues to watch the rest of the group.
Kikiri eyed the Mayor and Blackthorn, squinting slightly as he seemed most interested in Jaidoh. He didn't trust this guy... something about him just rubbed him the wrong way. Try to be very quiet, he slunk over across the ceiling and clung tightly to the top to keep as low a profile as possible. He wanted to see what that fellow was writing in his little book... no information was bad information.
"Well, at least the streets are clean." Tariel says, slightly disappointed at the loss of potential information. "The church is most likely our best bet then, yah." She says, nodding in the elfish looking mans direction. The mayor's assistant's odd behaviour interests her, and she tries to think if she interacted with anyone called Blackthorn the last time she had been in the city, all those years ago.
Then we all agree about going to the church next. La'vriel returned Tariel's nod and looked at the others for confirmation. Oddly, Kikiri the familiar had disappeared without a trace and he had lost sight of Jaidoh also. Scratching his head, La'vriel adressed the mayor and his assistant.
Can you give us a guide to reach the church of Desna? And even if there are no clues left, I'd like to see the scene of the crime, if but to get a feeling of the lay of the land. Is this possible?
La'vriel put on his veil again, preparing to leave.
The Mayor smiles towards La'vriel and nodding.
"Well I am too busy so guide you myself. I can lend you the services of someone who Lord Blackthorn here recruited to assist in this situation." he smiles and looks over to Blackthorn and rolls his eyes. "Alright, we'll get to the merchants. You don't have to start writing up the minutes."
Kikiri manages to get close enough before Blackthorn gets a chance to notice him as he appears so involved in his writing.
Tessara of the Woods - Pathfinder Society Representative
General Gustov - Representive of the Crimson Banner
Lady Shadowblight - Merchant Hailing from Nidal
Lord Greenthorn - New Fledgling Kingdom, setting up trade.
Captain of the Guard - Concerns over increase in savage humanoid appearences and crime figures
Lord Jacobson - Member of the Anti-Elf Group.
Below these names he appears to have been doing a sketch of Jaidoh. It looks rough, but it's obvious he has some talent in art and she does come off a little more regal in this drawing.
Once jaidoh moves away into the shadows and becomes harder to percieve, he seems to stop for a moment, but continues his writing and stops as everyone begins to leave the room.
The Lord Mayor opens the door to reception to call someone in.
"Sophie, I need you to escort this group to the temple of Desna in the poor section of town." he explains as in enters a young woman, dressed in all dark red leather clothing that some members of the group my find familiar. She also wears a badge on her chest with a matching symbol on her cloak. The symbol is a shield with a pair of daggers crossed over it.
La'vriel nodds toward the mayor, then adressed Sophie.
Ah, Lady Sophie, you are of the Crimson Banner, I've read about your organization. Please tell me, are you scouting for us or spying on us for Lord Blackthorn?
La'vriel hesitated for a moment.
Was that rude to say? I beg your pardon. I'm not accustomed with your thassilonian habits, or strange familiars for that, so I hope I haven't offended you. By the way, the price lists in my book weren't up to date, but I guess you are still expensive? And isn't an all dark red leather clothing, let alone a shield with a pair of daggers crossed over it, a bit of a giveaway for spies?
Kikiri took mental note of the writing in the book, along with his other stuff, before quietly trying to slink back away. Looking over at La'vriel, he sighed, shaking his head and moving above him. Hanging down, Kikiri reached over to tug one of the half-elf's pointy ears his way and whisper to him. "(As a general rule of thumb, if you know someone is acting as a spy or scout, keep such information to yourself.)"
La'vriel's heart almost stopped beating when his ear was tugged. He was about to reach for his weapon when he heard Kikiri's words.
(Of course, mayor.) he whispered back, taking a mental note to heed this wise advice in the future.
Okay, lets go! he said louder, opening the door.
I roll my eyes at all the meaningless antics and Follow La'vriel out. I ponder why the Mayor is hiring Crimson Banner if we know they are shady operators and sigh. Nothing for it "Let us finish this killing investigation and move onto things that I am more apt at, such as putting a stop to the killer or investigating some of our other job leads." I say shooting a side long look at the member of the Crimson Banner in our party.
The woman looks at La'vriel like he asked somekind of alien question and appears blatently offended by this.
"I do not know what you have heart, but the Crimson Banner is a Mercenary group that is beyond approch." she mentions, clearly irritated by what she assumed to be a veiled accusation. "Now, let us get a move on. It'll be dark soon and I have one or two more assignments tonight."
She leads you all through the town, not caring too much about how close or far away you might be from her.
La'vriel looks suspiciously at Sophie as she scolds him.
Seeing that he was misinformed, La'vriel took a short bow in Sophie's direction.
Oh, in this case please accept my sincere apologies, I've been misinformed it seems. Lead on, will you?
I will take lead as is the norm for me.
Tariel looked up towards the front of the group as they gathered for their journey, but rushing headlong into danger had gotten her killed more than a few times. Besides, the rather large man had already taken his position with their guide without comment, and she would rather not disrupt such an ingrained routine. She instead moves to the back of the group, to act as a lookout, where the rather... Interesting is a polite word she decides, yes, interesting half elven man is standing. Remembering his ramblings from earlier, she looks to him and says "Tos averal Azlant? Nel talek volteair piel, da ti envic, paldos il tos eldek?"
Taking his position in the rear guard La'vriel frowned when asked by Tariel where he had learned Azlanti. Then he remembered that this language was rather uncommon nowadays even in the old colonies of Thassilonia.
Me location natal Mons Mordanta est. Lingua franca hic Albia. Azlant lingua secunda, ante primaria scola descendat. lingua communis tertia est,
To get some practice with Common, La'vriel switched back to it.
we seldom bother with it. Strange how the Taldans managed to replace Azlanti with their own somewhat crude tongue. Did it really happen during the Shining Crusade that it went so popular? Or was it after the death of Aroden, like others say? He was the last Azlanti, I presume he talked to his clergy in his mother's language.
Tariel snorted, and then laughed aloud at that, "I've travelled with some of his followers in my time, and they never said, but I bet he did. He loved to hear himself talk, though I'm not sure how often followers can hear their gods." she giggled again, "That probably annoyed him to no end. It is good to know the language hasn't died out completely, I remember the humans stopped using it regularly around the time of Thassilon, as they had a much different language, and most Azlanti stopped viewing themselves as refugees as they integrated with the rest of the world. I do wonder why though, why do your people still teach such an old language? Its obviously useless as a trade language, which is probably why you learned it in the first place. Why not switch to teaching this 'common' tongue as a second, and hold off on others for the scholars?
Jerry was used to leading when stealth was indicated, but now he was content to stay near the rear and look to watch their backtrail. He also wanted to see if anyone was taking undue notice of their passage.
La'vriel scratched his head pondering about Tariel's question while they kept following their guide. Finally he answered:
I'm pretty sure my teachers had no clue about how rare Azlant has become in Thassilonia, or at least in upstart Magnimar. It's true I've never heard it spoken here before you used it, come to think about it. I had thought it was at least a strong second in useage still, maybe even common here, in spite of what my books suggest. Strange, but maybe my elven teachers are a bit slow to adjust. If you teach something for a thousand years or so I think its hard to break that habit just because of minor inconveniences like the death of a God who spoke it or the vanishing of that language you always tortured your [k]scolarii[/k] with...
La'vriel looked around, still pondering the questions. Had there been any other outdated things he had learned in school?
By the way, I think we are closing in on our destination, this quarter of the town surely must be the poorest one
Tariel giggles again, before sighing wistfully, "Even Thassilon is long gone ties comples, they call this land Varisia now, on the continent of Avistan."
She looks around, "I believe you are right, perhaps we should be on our guard, yes?"
As you arrive you notice that this temple appears to have once been a inn, converted into a temple over the years. Once arriving, Sophie gives a bow to the group.
"My job is done, I shall report to the Mayor." she states as she makes her way back down the street. Before you manage to enter, the door open and many people start leaving the temple. It appears to be the end of a sermon and everyone is returning home for the evening.
Jerry and Tariel manage to spot a single female elf who is heading down a dark alley nearby.
Jerry points to the elf in the dark alley. "One elf in an alley, female."
I watch the 'spy' leave suspiciously. Then I look about the area silently for anything out of the ordinary.
my eyes glow ominously green as I scan the area.
Jaidoh quietly watches from the middle of the group unsure of what to expect.
I trust neither the spy nor the mayor. But, this elvish genocide must be stopped.
"I'm going to try and get close to the potential bait. Follow us if this works."Tariel says, before turning to the closest person who had exited to church and asks, "What was the sermon about today?"
Tariel hustles after the woman, calling out, "Miss?" stepping into stride besides her, she blushes and stammers, "I saw you in there, and was wondering if you wanted to discuss it. I like getting different perspectives on religion, and there is a good pub not far from here so..." That last part isn't technically a lie she thought to herself. This was Magnimar, there is bound to be a pub around here somewhere. If not in this section, she could try and lead her back towards the wealthier section of town.
Tariel manages to speak with a young human woman who smiles and just gives a nod.
"It was a normal sermon about the wonder of our Goddess, but I must be making my way home. Please excuse me." she says as she makes her way.
As you call out, the woman doesn't respond and appears to be in quite a rush down this dark alley. You do manage to catch up with her and she looks at you for a moment nad shakes her head.
"Err...no sorry. I have somewhere I need to be." he replies and continues on, however there is a sudden howl and you see ahead of you a large hairy humanoid with a wolf head. This creature has a greataxe and is wearing a chain shirt for armour. The girl seems terrorfied of this creature's presence.
"Sorry I'm late for our date." it growls as it makes it's presence known.
Initiative:
Tariel:
Jaidoh:
Rabe:
Jerry:
La'vriel:
Kikiri:
Wolf:
Elf:
Order:
Jaidoh
Rabe
Kikiri
Wolf
La'vriel
Elf
Tariel
Jerry
Jaidoh sighs: I really don't like wolves. Too much like the shadow monstrosities of Nidal.
With that, she raises her hands and calls on her shadow magic. However, instead of shadows, a bright ball of fire suddenly appears above the wolf, instantly dropping on its head.
Cast Flaming Sphere
Damage: <--DC16 Reflex negates
I draw my sword from my back and state. "You chose a poor time to show yourself to kill another. Explain who you are and why you are killing these people and we may show leniency."
Kikiri moves up closer to where the beast is to attack it when he gets the chance.
The beast laughs at Rabe's words.
"Chaos will save the world." he snarls before charging the unarmed elf.
the woman falls to the ground in a cry and the beast gives a nasty grin as it sets it's eyes on you all.
Order:
Jaidoh
Kikiri
Wolf
Rabe
La'vriel
Elf
Tariel
Jerry
Momentarily shocked by the savagery displayed before his eyes by the wolfman, La'vriel uncorked one of his potions and hastily drank it. He smiled as his muscles started to bulge and his skin hardened, while his mind retreated from needless ponderings about language or history.
With a far more feral grin than usual La'vriel jogged straight forward, placing himself right behind the fallen elven lady. Trusting his spear and the reach coming with it, La'vriel was ready to attack the moment opportunity presented itself should the vile creature move inside his reach, either to attack him or to further harm the elven lady. To enhance his plan, La'vriel also tried to provoke the wolfman, presenting himself as a target instead of the wounded elf.
"I've elven blood in my veins also, you mad dog!" La'vriel snarled, "Try to get me instead of a helpless girl, coward!"
Seeing the woman fall "So that is your choice."
Raising my sword, I charge the wolf creature with a yell.
He manages to dodge the ball of flame. Rabe's swing smashes into the creature's armour, but causes no harm to it. After La'vriel's words he leers at the half-elf, now not paying attention to anyone else.
Tariel looked on in horror as the beast struck down the woman without a moments hesitation. She had expected a confrontation, but not this close to the church. It had been foolish of her, just like so many other times she had been foolish, to think they could lure the killer out without his target getting injured. Her mind flashed back to all the others she had failed to save over the millennia, and she screamed "Neth Tavren", and drew her mace.
Jerry uses his whip to trip the offender. The lashes of his whip wrap around the beast, Jerry attempts to pull him down.
Jerry successfully knocks the creature prone with it's whip, leaving it open to attacks if it attempts to get up on it's turn. The creature roars in a rage and leers over at Jerry.
"I will enjoy sucking out the marrow from your bones!"
order:
Jaidoh
Kikiri
Wolf
Rabe
La'vriel
Elf
Tariel
Jerry
Seeing the beast fall, Jaidoh moves the ball of flames on top of it, and then begins casting again.
She the speaks arcane words and a black ray shoots forth striking the creature and appearing to literally suck the strength out of him.
Attack-ray-ranged touch:
Strength Penalty: for 4 rounds, Fort DC16 for 1/2 (2 points)