Corsario's Murder's Mark

Game Master Corsario

Sheriff Feldane nods at Orlin.
"It is good that you have proof of it, and I hope it is enough to clear them in the trial. But while the trial takes place we need to have them arrested. If another murder takes place why they are in custody that would clear them immediately. And yes, we need to investigate how Sister Esrelda Woodmere's murder was leaked."
Still waiting to see if Aliana releases Robella, or if anyone else intervenes.

Sheriff Feldane frowns.

"Deputy Krupt, you are out of order! They can have their own security, but they are not free to attack Ilsurian citizens unprovoked. Release Ms Moncello at once. Ms Moncello, why did you ran away? Who attack you? Did you attack anybody?"
Do you release Robella Moncello?

"I'm not sure I personally have her restrained, but if I do, yes, I'll release her."

"As for releasing Mrs. Moncello, I for one, would prefer a chance to get some questions answered without her fleeing immediately."

Sheriff Feldane frowns at Orlin now.
"I sincerely doubt she is going to run for it."

Why not formerly charge her?

Of what? With what evidence?
Think about it... if the evidence you have against her is enough to charge her, the Umbra Carnival people would have been in chains since the beginning.
Now, if you release her and she runs, at least she will incriminate herself, right?
Maybe that is what sheriff Feldane wants.. to see if Robella is stupid enough to incriminate herself in front of everybody.

Now... Pavo has a hard choice ahead, and will need to think about it with care. Where will he be more useful to everybody, including the Shoanti Champion.
In jail with her, on the run with her, or outside, finding the real culprit?

Its not so much what's the right decision, but what's the "realistic" decision. To be honest, he's feeling pretty useless about most of the investigation.

Pavo's learned a lot from those eyes, and right now they're telling him she doesn't need his help. He quickly remembers the rejection he felt so recently and decides to stand down. "You win Sheriff. I think it's about time I go return to my fishing."

Pavo stares into the eyes of the Shoanti Champion just trying to communicate one thing before he leaves...I love you.

Pavo, we each have a role to fill. Please stay with us, soon we will need your strength and prowess. Orne is hopeful.

Sheriff, I merely asked if she were married, and if so... How her husband did not accompany her on the very road where one of the murders took place and directly towards the alleged killer.

She also lied about her arm, claiming a burn when it was a bite... from some small bestial humanoid.

I thought you said not to arrest anyone without evidence. At this time, there is no evidence against anyone within the carnival. There is only speculation and conjecture. I can not, in good conscious, arrest Ms. Delisen.

Additionally, Mrs. Moncello has come here, to what she believes is the source of the killings - right into the Sphinx' tent - to ask for a small refund. By herself! Why would she do that if she didn't know it was safe here? Then she has the nerve to tell me a rehearsed story. As soon as we started to question her about this supposed story and the mysterious wound on her arm - she ran screaming that Pavo attacked her when every person here can witness that he did not touch her. She beat initiative, so he could never have even attacked her. Her activity here is extremely suspicious.

In fact, there are several people who have had very suspicious activity - and none of them have been visitors to our town. I believe something deeper is going on here.

Off to make dinner! Breaded pork chops!

Edit: corrected some typos.

Duggern's... gang. They attacked my little sister. Luckily, she is alright.

Those good ole boys are going to hurt themselves if they keep on.

Sheriff Feldane looks at you all.
"So, besides some strange behavior, which many of us have shown in the last few hours" - She looks at Pavo - "do you have any other evidence against her? And I haven't heard a clear answer. Was she attacked by this woman?"
She is asking if the Shoanti Champion attacked Robella Moncello.
The the sheriff turns towards Aliana.
"Release her, and she will accompany us to the town jail, so she can declare against the Carnical Champion if she attacked her, and I am sure she will cooperate with any questions we want to ask."
Finally turns towards Orne.
"So your sister was attacked? Can you bring her, so she can declare against her attackers? We must find them, and make them responsible for it."

"While beginning to question Mrs. Moncello, she fled after being asked a question or two. At my request, the Shoanti Champion detained her until I could arrive." She did not "attack" anyone. She assisted a deputized officer of the law as she was asked to do."

Robella Moncello wakes up with Aliana's attentions. She looks scared around.

"Aliana, dear! Help me! Don't let them kill me!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 191d20 ⇒ 11

Ma'am, Aliana responds in what she hopes is a soothing tone, no one here wishes you any harm. I know you're afraid and confused, but your life is not in danger.

She turns to the sheriff. What the others have been telling you is true. Mrs. Moncello attempted to deceive us, and we have no way of knowing yet whether those deceptions are relevant to the matters we are trying to investigate. When her deception was called out, she attempted to run, and the Carnival's champion assisted in detaining her.

But I have no problem with releasing her to you, Sheriff. Just give us a moment here. Aliana turns back to Robella. Please, Mrs. Moncello. People are dying. I know there's been some misunderstanding, from all sides, but we need the truth from you, I beg you.

Please, ma'am - why did you come to the Carnival this morning? What is the bite on your arm? These answers could make a difference between life and death. Aliana looks at Robella imploringly. Please.

Sheriff Feldane looks at you all.

"So, besides some strange behavior, which many of us have shown in the last few hours" - She looks at Pavo - "do you have any other evidence against her? And I haven't heard a clear answer. Was she attacked by this woman?"

I can vouch for Pavo's behavior, Sheriff. Aliana speaks up a little sheepishly. We had split off from the others to spread out our investigation, and we were returning to share our findings. When we saw Genthus's Truth Advocates leaving the Carnival, we could tell immediately that they were angry, and that they'd been stirring up trouble with the Varisians.

We - I, and here she looks down, slightly embarrassed, misjudged their intentions. When they called out after us, I thought they meant me harm, with all the anti-Varisian attitudes floating around this morning, and them as the source. So Pavo feigned violent intent toward me, in the hopes that it would gain us passage through to the Carnival, where I thought I'd be safer. Please, don't let Pavo's actions with Genthus color your opinion of him. He was just doing it to protect me.

Doesn't take a Sense Motive check to figure out I'm being honest. ;)

Sheriff Feldane seems more at ease after you release Robella Montello.
"Thank you. I think the Shoanti Champion actions can be excused, and there is no need to detain her, but I must ask her not to leave the Carnival. About the Sphinx, I need to detain her. Please bring her to me, so we can all go to the Town Jail. Also, Orne, will you bring your sister to press charges?"

Any answer from Robella?

Right...
Robella Montello answers Aliana.
"I just wanted to tell Ms. Delisen what had transpired at the town. That is why I came here."

But surely you could have sent a messenger, one of the town guard, or your husband could have accompanied you. Why come by yourself?

And I'm concerned about the bite on your arm; without proper treatment it could become infected. I can have my mother send the proper curative along if I know what bit you.

Robella Moncello smiles at Aliana.
"Well, thank you. I cure the bite myself, and I think is good, but I wouldn't mind having your mother check it out. About why I came, I have a good relationship with Almara Delisen and wanted to tell her in person. And I can take care of myself."

So that's her story and she's sticking to it? Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Orne subconsciously emits a long low throaty growl, akin to a tiger. But, he does not lose his composure. No, Sheriff. Nala will not be posting charges. I... we will not subject the child to further spectacle or ordeal.

My father and his fellows, including the Shoanti Champion have shown much restraint. More than I can credit the Truth Advocates with. They exercised restraint out of respect for local law enforcement. Natural law, would have the perpetrators dead, the threat to loved ones eliminated, permanently.

Wait... Sheriff, Constable! My father said Nala bit one or two of the people assaulting her.

As you can see from my teeth... my family has pronounced small tusks. Let us compare my sister's bite to that on suspect's arm, much like we compared tracks.

Orne looks to the constable. Then moves a little closer to Robella in a cool manner. It is she who has become... Curiosity.

Did you attack my sister? Did my sister bite you?

Small bestial humanoid indeed...

Orne got it right!
Robella face gets very white.
"Well, I... I... Yes, your sister bite me, but I didn't want to make any fuss about it! She is just a child!"
So far she is telling the truth...

Why did you attack her, who were you with...

Which means you came not to ask for a refund, but as part of the group attacking the Carnival's people. Small wonder you feared not an attack. Although if you were defeated by a small child - I shudder to think what would have happened had you faced a true monster. A hint of grim sarcasm is in Aliana's words. May we detain her now, Sheriff?

Please Aliana, let her speak...

Robella Moncello explains herself.
"I came with two men to guard over me, and the child got scared and became very rude, and my men tried to push her away. I am afraid things escalated and the child became very agitated, and finally attacked me and bite me. We didn't meant no harm for the girl, and I don't want her to get in any trouble. She only got scared and overreacted. I sent my men back to Ilsurian as I didn't want them around, angry as they were. I swear to you it was only a misunderstanding."
DM Roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

And what scared her so, that she felt the need to attack?

"Genthus Duggern men and their screams."

Sense Motive for Sheriff?

Secret ;)

As I said, Gunthus and his people attacked the Carnival - and attacked a little girl - right at the moment that Sister Woodmere was killed. And now we found out that Mrs. Moncello was one of those who attacked a little girl. A little girl, sheriff! How much more despicable can someone get?

As for the Sphinx. I can tell you that the Sphinx is not the culprit, and here is why. We have examined the claw marks and the footprints one each body and on the grind at each scene. None of the claw marks or tracks match the Sphinx' prints or claws. They are not square enough, they are not big enough, and the claws do not match. We've also investigated a lead where a claw-like weapon was recently made, and it turns out that this is not the weapon either. Additionally, near where Sister Woodmere was killed, we found several vials of Beastmorph alchemist vials, suggesting that the person we may be looking for might be an alchemist. And finally, Sister Woodmere was not killed by claw. That happened after she was killed. She was killed by a garrote. She was strangled to death, Sheriff. This is not the work of the Sphinx. This is the work of a person - in collusion with others to cause distractions and point fingers.

Sheriff Feldane smiles.
"Good work constable. Please bring the girl, and let's go to town, so we can start the interrogations. Ms. Moncello, consider yourself under arrest until we figure out who the killer is."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

"She's lying and should be jailed until she confesses the truth. Further, her house she be searched for similar vials and a garrote."

A tad late, Pavo. :)

Elric leans in to whisper to the Sheriff. I agree with Pavo. Sheriff, with your permission, I'd like to investigate her home and shop. But no one can find out what we're doing less they try to assault us or hide evidence.

Nala stays here. It's safest... for everyone.

Sheriff Feldane nods.
"You and your team go first, I'll take the others to the town."
So, where to, first? Do you invite the Shoanti Champion?

Do you want some extra hands in the escort back to the jail, for security? Aliana asks the Sheriff.

If she says no, or after we do it, my vote's for Robella's - it's the strongest lead we have at the moment, and Filton's likely not back yet anyway. Plus it may give us a chance to see if Mr. Moncello's involved, too.

I'll leave it to Pavo as to whether or not to invite his girlfriend. :) I'm leaning towards no, though - having her along could start more trouble than it solves just by virtue of one of the Carnival people being in town.

Sheriff Feldane smiles at Aliana.
"No need. Please keep together with Constable Huntington."

No, not asking the Shoanti Champion along. She's safest within the confines of the carnival grounds.

So, we deposit her at the jail with the Skulks? Orne lets the question hang.

"I wonder if they're involved together some how. I also wonder if we could spy on any conversation they have...I wonder too much."

"I think we should search whichever is either smaller, or closer. Gives any opposition less time to prepare against us."

I'm assuming the jail has multiple cells

Yes, many cells. Ok, Nora and the Shoanti Champion will remain in the Carnival Grounds.
Where do you go? The Moncello's house? Their businesses (they are next to each other) the docks and the "novelty shop".

I'm assuming the jail has multiple cells

No, same cell unless she talks... All suspects in the tank.

I say house first, then novelty shop and docks around the time that Filton's due to be getting back.

Aliana's flow seems good. I may have missed it, but... where did we get confirmation that the clawed weapon wasn't a match for the wounds, and that the gamekeeper is an unlikely suspect? (Before we leave the Carnival)

Right here, Orlin.