Corsario's Murder's Mark

Game Master Corsario

Team B: At Ilsurian
Vea Semere laughs.
"Easy big boy! I know there was a murder, but you should take it easy! I am still alive, and I plan to stay that way. I assure you I can take care of myself. About the weapon I made... why do you want to know? You don't think they killed poor Archivin with it, right? I got word that the Sphinx woman had done it..."

Where exactly is Aliana at this point in time? Outside talking to the two men? In the house with Pavo and Vea? Somewhere else? Pavo is VERY close to doing Rash things but doesn't want to endanger Aliana if he can prevent it.

Aliana is with you and Vea

"Vea, please, tell me who you made the weapon for. It is very important that I know."

Oh, trust me, I'm sticking REAL tight to Pavo. I can do math.

Aliana decides to see if being honest will help convince Vea to do the same. Yes, she responds. We do think it a possibility. And we need to know, quickly, if it's the case. Things are escalating quickly - if we don't act soon, there may be riots. We've already had word of a crowd converging on the Carnival's gates. And worse, the killer may strike again, if we delay.

We need to do everything we can to make sure innocent people aren't hurt, on both sides, and that means wrapping this investigation up as quickly as possible. And wrapping up quickly means we need to know - who did you sell that weapon to? What were the measurements between the "claws"? How long were the blades?

Aliana tries to soften her blunt words. Please, Vea. You know how closed-off the people of this town can be toward those who don't fit their mold. You've got first-hand experience. We have to figure this out, and we need your help.

Orlin respects Orne's opinion, and will indeed not cast.

"Thinking on it from that direction... That idea is probably not the best to open with. I'll hold it in reserve then."

Team B: At Ilsurian
Vea Semere gets serious.
"I am not sure I should tell you, as I trust the person I sold the claw to, and I don't think it could be used to kill someone. Do you really think the Carnival did it? Please handle the information with care. I did the claw for Berthold Flavion."
She describes the claw to you. It has 4 blades, with half an inch of distance between them, and all of them with a two inch length, more or less.
Team A: At The carnival entrance
Orlin owes Orne a drink.
So the riot hasn't started, yet... What do you do?

Aliana makes several hand gestures as Vea describes the weapon, as if using the movements to commit the dimensions and make of the weapon to memory. Thank you for your honesty, she responds with a gesture of courtesy. We don't seek to jump to conclusions about who did what; we just want to follow the evidence, to protect anyone else from being hurt - townsfolk or Carnival crew. We will of course handle the information carefully; it will be extremely useful in our investigation. Thank you again.

EDIT: Sense Motive to believe Vea: 1d20 ⇒ 9 Yeah, nope, she's legit.

Aliana turns to Pavo as they and Vea separate. Berthold? It doesn't add up...I would have thought he'd be one of the least likely to be involved in this. Stolen from him, perhaps? We can't rule anything out, at this point. Maybe he was involved... She pauses for a moment with a look of frustrated confusion in her eyes. Well, it gives us another step in our path, at least. Let's go find Filton, then we can meet back with the others and give them the description of the weapon, see if it matches Mr. Walder's or Sister Woodmere's wounds. I hope they haven't met with too much trouble going to the Carnival.

Before leaving the jail, Elric takes four new sets of manacles from the supply room.

init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
perc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Looking out over the angry crowd threatening the carnival, Elric sighs.

He walks up the the front of the crowd, and looks out at everyone.

What are you doing? Elric asks. Look at yourselves. You're ready to kill people - potentially innocent people - over rumors and fear. And for what? What will driving the Varisians away accomplish?

You want to talk about getting revenge for murder? Fine. Let's talk about that. Many of you know where I came from. Many of you know what happened to my wife the day she was murdered. Very few people in the town can even relate to the pain I've suffered having to outlive the love of my live. I still wear my ring to this day! Elric holds up his hand to show the crowd. And her murderer was never found! The Magnamar law enforcement barely gave it any effort. Just another poor sap in life. I swore to never again allow anyone I knew to have to suffer through the same fate I did. And I swear to you now that I will not let the murder go free here today! But for that to happen, we have to find the true culprit! We have to find the true murder with actual evidence and actual investigation!

So please go home, spend time with your families and loved ones, and do not come out looking for revenge.

Elric then walks up to Genthus, Mr. Duggern, may I have a word with you in private, please?

Team B: At Ilsurian

Vea Semere gets serious.
"I am not sure I should tell you, as I trust the person I sold the claw to, and I don't think it could be used to kill someone. Do you really think the Carnival did it? Please handle the information with care. I did the claw for Berthold Flavion."
She describes the claw to you. It has 4 blades, with half an inch of distance between them, and all of them with a two inch length, more or less.
Team A: At The carnival entrance
Orlin owes Orne a drink.
So the riot hasn't started, yet... What do you do?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

To Believe Vea...well of course I do.

Quick post
Where do you look for Filton?
Roll diplomacy to calm the mob.

Want to go look down at the docks, Pavo? Middle of the day like this, he's likely going to be working.

I'm going to let the Constable handle the crowd this time. Please use my roll above as an aid-another for Elric. Questioning my post from last night atm.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Anyone else helping Elric?

If you're just going to skip everyone again before they have a chance to post, can we assume that both Orlin and Orne are assisting? And possibly even Alex, depending on where he is.

Orne, slowly walks the line between carny and townsman.

Quietly he urges his father, and the others, Please, stand down... Let us diffuse the situation. You... and they are being manipulated. We're all being duped. Trust the constable.

Then he half turns, addressing everyone.

We're all tired, fatigued or exhausted... our nerves on edge. We're all being duped into infighting. Please do not be startled.

By Desna's Grace. I will remove some of that burden. Ease your pain. You may know me, I am Orne. I live here and work with the merchants along the river. I bring peace.

channel positive: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Want to go look down at the docks, Pavo? Middle of the day like this, he's likely going to be working.

"Makes sense to me."

I will be assisting the Constable GENTHUS!!! Alex calls from the back accompanied by the sound of a cracking whip for attention. We need more time, a couple hours is only enough to barely start an investigation. Alex walks forward coiling his whip and haning it on his belt. Please stand down, we want to do all due diligence in bringing the murder to justice. Please sir, I will meet with you when we have more information. Alex stares at Genthus waiting for him to disperse the crowd. His hand is reaching in the direction of his whip just in case it is needed.

Taking 10 on diplomacy for assisting the constable that gives me a 20 to an assist check for a +2 to the constable's roll

diplomacy, assist Elric: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Edit: Orne Takes 10 to Aid Another, Elric.

Aliana Merali wrote:

Want to go look down at the docks, Pavo? Middle of the day like this, he's likely going to be working.

"Makes sense to me."

Ok, the Ilsurian pair is looking for Filton by the docks, where he's presumably working.

Pavo "Fish" Krupt wrote:

Aliana Merali wrote:

Want to go look down at the docks, Pavo? Middle of the day like this, he's likely going to be working.

"Makes sense to me."

Ok, the Ilsurian pair is looking for Filton by the docks, where he's presumably working.

"Do we know where or who he is working for now?"

Team A: At The Umbra Carnival
Between all of you, and specially Elric's discourse (and Orne calming the Umbra Carnival people), you manage to prevent the fighting to get worst.
Genthus Duggern asks the others to go back to town, but stays to talk with you.
"We are not going to kill anyone. We just want them to leave. They are not welcome. And if by leading the people in what is good for the town you want to arrest me." - he extends his hands - "Please do so, I will gladly go to jail for my convictions. But the last I knew Ilsurian was a free town, not a monarchy, and the Contables aren't allowed to arrest people by whim. You can defend the Carnival for now, but they are a danger to the town, and will have to leave, the sooner the better. Both for Ilsurian and for them."
Team B: At Ilsurian
You go to the docks asking for Filton Legg. As Aliana knows, he works for Arhaneem Braeton now, on a trial basis, while he proves he can be trusted now, free of the drug. You are informed he went out on a boat that morning, and is expected back in the afternoon, or the beginning of the night.

"Aliana, I do not feel that we have time to wait for Filton to return. I say we either return to the constable with what we know about the weapon, or head for the Shiv house...although I do not know what I expect to find at the Shiv house..."

I agree, we don't have the time to wait for his return, and also about being unsure of what to expect going to the Shiv house...I think we'd be better off having more muscle along going there, just in case we get surprised by something. Not that I doubt your skill...but even the best can be taken down when faced with superior numbers. Let's return to the Constable. Perhaps we'll still be able to help with the newest scene.

May we make a stop by my parents' house first, though? With all this madness, I'd like to warn them to keep their heads down, at least until things calm some. I'd also like to grab a couple of things.

"Yes, of course, but be quick about it."

Of course.

Aliana and Pavo walk to the Meralis' home, and Aliana enters. Pavo, up to you if you want to join me or wait outside. She goes into her room next to the front door and rummages in the back of a drawer for a moment, producing a small leather pouch, which she slips into a pocket. The handles of small tools can be seen at the opening at the edge of the pouch's flap. Never thought I'd need these again... but just in case. Ooh, better grab these as well for notes. She grabs a pen, a small, capped inkwell, and a stack of parchment from the desk and puts them into the satchel at her side.

After retrieving her things, she leaves her room and walks through the house, looking for her mother and stepfather. Mama, Papa, are you here?

Fine Genthus. I can charge you with inciting a riot and interfering with an investigation, but your heart is in the right place, even if your mind isn't. Go home and keep your boys away from my crime scenes and away from the Varisians.

And I'll give you one warning: if any of your Truth Advocates or if any member of your little hate group kills anyone in town - including the Carnival - I will be hanging You as well, as their official leader. So you better make sure they don't do anything rash.

Elric walks past the man back towards the carnival. As he walks away, he turns back and says, Being a free town doesn't mean we don't have laws and it doesn't give you free reign to incite terror and fear upon those you hate, Genthus. It doesn't give you free reign to incite murder.

With that, Elric turns back to find the murder scene at the carnival.

Alex asks one more question to Genthus. Genthus, You say this is a free town however you want the Varisians to leave. If this town is so "free" why can't they stay and provide entertainment to those who live here? Doesn't that same freedom extend to them as well?

Talk like that, you might garner the Varisian vote. Career in politics, Alex?

Of course.

Aliana and Pavo walk to the Meralis' home, and Aliana enters. Pavo, up to you if you want to join me or wait outside. She goes into her room next to the front door and rummages in the back of a drawer for a moment, producing a small leather pouch, which she slips into a pocket. The handles of small tools can be seen at the opening at the edge of the pouch's flap. Never thought I'd need these again... but just in case. Ooh, better grab these as well for notes. She grabs a pen, a small, capped inkwell, and a stack of parchment from the desk and puts them into the satchel at her side.

After retrieving her things, she leaves her room and walks through the house, looking for her mother and stepfather. Mama, Papa, are you here?

** spoiler omitted **

Pavo would remain within arm's distance of you unless you instructed him otherwise.

Pavo would remain within arm's distance of you unless you instructed him otherwise.

Consider him invited in, then. :)

Pavo will accompany you into the house.

"Is you family home? Gather what things you need, but I must admit, I have some questions I'd like to ask you...Why do you know so much about this drug, Shiver?

Team A: At The Umbra Carnival
Genthus Duggern doesn't seem taken aback.
"You try arrest me, Constable, and I'll the see council firing you and exiling you from this town. You are not one of us, anyway. And you, Mr. Ilsurian, I expected much more from the flesh and blood of Ilsur. But I guess sometimes bloods gets diluted. I wouldn't be surprised you start having Varisian lovers. A pity."
He turns and leaves with his people.
Venlok the Scourge approaches you.
"Thank you very much! My people is ready to deal with the occasional drunkard, but not against an armed mob. Master Delisen has asked for you to find her on the Big Top, as soon as possible. I'll escort you."
Orne's father seems very agitated, and talks to his son.
"If they come around again, I'll pull their eyes out. When they first come Nala was out, playing, and they attacked her. She bite one or two of them." - his eyes gleam and his toothy orc mouth smile at the thought - "I'll... your sister..." - you feel his pulse accelerating, and his orc instincts taking over.
A couple lumberjacks, armed with clubs, start to arrive.
"Orlin! What's up! What did the Varisians do? We saw that fancy Genthus going to town with his city boys..."
-----
After you deal with the people at the Umbra Carnival's entrance.
-----
You arrive to the big top, where the previous day Pavo beat the Shoanti Champion, and Jherizhana the Gynosphinx appeared in front of the crowd. The sphinx cage is there, empty, while Almara Delisen stops walking around when you arrive. She seem very disheveled and troubled. Pale and visibly worried.
There is a form laying in the ground, covered by a bloody white sheet.
"I am so very sorry." - says Almara Delisen.

To find the Constable.

I promise, Mama, I'll be all right. And I love you...I love you both. She embraces her mother and stepfather, giving each a kiss on the cheek, then walks out with Pavo.

----------------

Well, Shiver is...it's how my father died, actually, she answers as they walk from her home. Our family hasn't been in Ilsurian long - well, compared to all the families that have been here centuries. When I was young, we lived in Korvosa. We were squatting in the slums, living hand to mouth, and I guess he needed an escape...so he turned to Shiver. He started just buying it at first, but then the money ran out. So he started doing odd jobs for his Sczarni dealer to get his next fix.

She produces the leather pouch from her pocket. That's where I got these. The pouch opens to show a set of battered lockpicks, files, and other assorted thieves' tools. These were the only things of any value we had when he died. He fleeced everything else we had to get more Shiver. The only reason he kept these was that they bought him his next fix. He just got more and more - Her voice catches for a moment. I still remember how he looked, just before. He was so gaunt...so destroyed. By the drug and his "job".

He overdosed one night. I woke the next morning and found him sprawled across the crates we used to sit on, unmoving. I was only four, but I'll never forget that image - not ever. Aliana stops for a few seconds, working to keep composed.

Mama knew that his employer would come looking for us, and she wanted better than what Korvosa had to offer, for me and for herself. So she gathered me up and we left that same day. We came to Ilsurian for peace - She lets out a terse laugh. Isn't that ironic, with today's events? But Mama still remembered my father, even after she married Papa, and she worked for years to create something that would help addicts be able to recover, so they wouldn't have to end up that way.

She never had much luck with it - but as I joined in her research, I figured out that I had the ability to do something she couldn't. She works only with herbalism, with the natural properties of substances. But I learned how to actually channel my own magical energy into my creations, and that's what was missing to make it effective against Shiver addiction. It was missing a spark of will, to give the patients the strength they need to fight it.

She suddenly laughs nervously. Well, that was probably more than you were ready for, I bet. But that's why I worked so hard on my panacea, and why I fought so hard when Filton came seeking help. It's why I want so badly to help these skulks recover. Whenever I see Shiver addicts...all I see is that morning in the Korvosan slums again. I don't want that for anyone.

Well, enough about me. Let's go find the others - they should be at the Carnival by now. She pauses briefly. And, uh, maybe keep this quiet? The LAST thing I need right now is for it to get out that we're at all connected to the Sczarni, even though we left it. Can you imagine what Genthus would do if he found out?

Pavo reaches over and puts his arm around Aliana. "It'll be our little secret. Do you happen to remember the name of the man your father used to work for in Korvosa?"

My mother never talked about it much after the fact. I...I think I remember hearing something about someone named Lamb once? I can't really be sure. Why?

"Just trying to connect as many dots as possible. That and maybe I'll go pay him a visit later on when I feel like traveling and seeing the world."

Diplo: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
"I don't ask this lightly, but the Varisians have done nothing to deserve what just almost happened here. There have been more than a few townsfolk who appear intent on causing mayhem, and breaking bones of those that don't deserve it just because they work with the Carnival. Would you be willing to spend some time here, and help defend those that can not regardless if they are Varisian? I'd be more than willing to pick up a shift or more each. "

"As background, we've been deputized to investigate a foul murder, and some have decided without the proofs being demonstrated that it must be the ENTIRE Carnival that's guilty. Duggern was just here with a mob. I saw several with blades. We've asked them to go home... Twice. Now. The next time we might not be near enough to talk him down.. As for who's guilty, we're still investigating, but it seems very likely that no one from the Carnival had anything to do with it."

____

Heal, take 20: 20 + 5 = 25

Orlin looks over the remains, with great care, and carefully measure's the wounds, and mentally compares them to the injures to Master Walder's.

From what little I've heard about him, it sounds like maybe he deserves a Pavo-style "visit". She punctuates "visit" with a wink.

---------------

I see the Carnival's tent now. Oh, wait a second, I almost forgot! She digs the ink, inkpen, and paper out of her bag, sets the paper on a nearby crate, and begins sketching out a rough drawing of the weapon as Vea described it, including labeling the measurements. As she draws, she pauses every so often and repeats the gestures she made while listening to Vea, as if reminding herself of the conversation.
Craft (drawing) untrained (Int check): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
There, she says as she makes the last note. That should be everything, and it'll be easier than having to recite everything every time someone needs the description.

I have no idea if you care about the roll or if it really even applies in this situation - I just felt like rolling dice on it. :P

dice=Diplo]24

"I don't ask this lightly, but the Varisians have done nothing to deserve what just almost happened here."

"What? Defend the Varisians? Well, we like them as much as we like Genthus' boys, but we will vouch for you. We will tell the guys to stand here, and don't let those fancy **** come do trouble for the Varisians. If they want trouble, we will give some to them."

dice=Heal, take 20]25

Orlin looks over the remains, with great care, and carefully measure's the wounds, and mentally compares them to the injures to Master Walder's.

He takes some time, but he discovers everything in the spoiler about the "Heal DC 15 or Perception DC 20 check".

Team B: At Ilsurian
Pavo and Aliana start for the Umbra Carnival... and see Genthus Duggern and his Truth Advocates returning from there, very agitated...
It seems like they have not seem them.

What happened at the Carnival? Genthus looks ANGRY...let's go this way. Hopefully they won't notice us; that look on his face could curdle milk.

Aliana grabs Pavo's arm and ducks toward a nearby side street, attempting to get out of sight before the Truth Advocates see them.

Stealth (unskilled): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

As she ducks, her foot catches a pothole, and she doesn't so much run as trip toward the alley. S$$%!

Oh, geez, guess who's getting the crap beat out of her soon...

Perception Roll: 1d20 ⇒ 18
"Hey! Who's that! Is the Varisian girl! And Fish!"
Uh Uh!

Orne is clearly not pleased. They attacked her? These men or others?

Is Nala alright? Or is she in need of healing?

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Survival, untrained: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

She was strangled... The tracks confound me. But, I see no evidence of sphinx tracks... Much like the other site.

Can someone discern those other, clawed humanoid tracks?

Survival, untrained, again: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

How far are we from the carnival?
How many of them are there?
Is it possible to get to the carnival by a different route?

How far are we from the carnival?

How many of them are there?
Is it possible to get to the carnival by a different route?

Wondering the same things. I'll be back tonight.

Team A: At The Umbra Carnival
Orne's father growls...
"Ilsurians... they attack her! I will make them pay! Nala is my daughter. She is your sister. She will live."
---
About the tent, only a roll per character, and with Orne's rolls he doesn't see anything important.
Almara Delisen eyes widens.
"Strangled you say?"
Team B: At Ilsurian
Like 15, some of them armed.
You could always try run away from them, like you are scared of them, into the forest... ;)

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
survival: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Elric, heart still beating fast over the near miss with the crowd, is unable to concentrate well on studying the body. Fortunately, Orne is able to see what he can't.

Nice job, Orne. This proves that it's not the Sphinx and that someone is trying to set up the Varisians. Then Elric whispers into Orne's ear, But we can't rule anyone out just yet.

Eric sits down to take a breather. Try to calm himself. He looks out over the crime scene, trying to get an overall view. Then he notices something odd - there are no Sphinx tracks. Look - there's no tracks for the Sphinx anywhere here. Another confirmation.

If anyone (Orlin) wants to aid another me for the survival check, we'll hit that 20 necessary to get the second survival spoiler

Also, I really want to make a longer post talking to Orne's father as well as Almara, but I'm posting while chasing a toddler around the house. :)