"We are all protected against poison right now, but that Periapt could be useful as well."
"I think there are some rooms where we didn't search the walls carefully for secret doors. We should go back and check the perimeter of this place. We'll need to go slow enough to carefully check for traps, since my Find Traps spell is no longer active."
A thorough scouring of the rooms uncovers a hidden door that leads to a secret garden. Wall-mounted metal shelves support several dozen miniature potted trees, behind each of which hangs a different picture portraying some urban landscape. A spiral staircase descends through the floor, though it is choked with thick, flowering vines.
You clear away the vines and descend the stairs. Rounded alcoves line this large room, each niche marked by an ornate archway. A raised oval platform faces an inscribed circle at the center of the room. Several desks, shelves, and clothing racks filled with dark garments line the area.
A pair of man-shaped inevitables with glowing red eyes stand at the ready here. Behind them is a horrible scorpion-man that moves with an eerie grace and whose eyes glint with intelligent, murderous intent. "Ah, how fortuitous," the man hisses as he brandishes twin short swords. "Perhaps this operation will not be a total loss after all. Tremble, mortals, for you stand in the presence of the Stabbing Beast! The herald of Norgorber! The Reaper's right hand! Hand over the First Emperor and you will walk away with your pitiful lives. Refuse and you will die in agony!"
"The Reaper needs better hands," Katria calls back as she starts bringing Dignity's Barb to bear.
"I can't believe this was so ugly." She wasn't referring to the Stabbing Beast, but the entire domain of Norgorber.
"I suppose you don't need to hear it though, but I did."
"Time always moves forward~~" The words come out like song and the spell enhances her allies.
As Amelia casts haste, the kolyaruts rush in to engage her, attacking with their bastard swords. She dodges their attacks.
The Stabbing Beast then becomes more like its namesake, swiftly swelling in size and transforming into an enormous, black-armored scorpion! It lashes out at Amelia, who fails to parry its claws, though she dodges its envenomed stinger!
Even Liam's usually confident posture is almost shaken. We are fighting the herald of a god?
But he recovers his composure. "For Taldor and Princess Eutropia!"
Then he steps up and attacks the Stabbing Beast. As he does so, the celestial spirit that he called into his soul manifests.
Liam gains:
AC is now 39. Weapon is +5 so bypasses most DR.
Liam will use Divine Interference on the first critical threats by the Stabbing Beast, forcing a reroll at a -5 (he will expend True Seeing).
Amelia flies backward, nearly getting thrown off her feet by the claws of the herald but she sticks the longsword into the floor to retain her balance. Her body begins to heat up as she notices red dripping down her sides.
She lets out an audible scream of pain before staring down the Stabbing Beast. The risen Norgorbrite grips Koriana's Blade, and steps up to the herald and throws everything she has into it.
"A Herald?!"
The blows come down hard, unspent rage and regret filling each swing.
Whoever has been guiding my hand, we need it now more than ever.
She swears once the thought leaves her head, a light song plays above her.
HP 135/152 (inc. +32 from transmutation focus; base 120)
AC 27, touch 16, flat-footed 21, CMD 27
Fort +19, Ref +12, Will +14
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/7
Mental Focus: 25; Abjuration [6/6]; Divination [4/4]; Evocation [2/2]; Illusion [3/3]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [5/6] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+3 saves; +2 Perception, low-light vision; +2 Charisma checks; +4 Con; 15% miss chance; +1 damage to evocation spells/focus powers)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.: 17
Spells/day: 1st [][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][][]; 3rd [x][][][][]; 4th [][][][][]; 5th [x][][][]; 6th [x][x]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/17; lightning bolt 0/19; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 2/29
Effects: Inspired, banner (+4/+3)
"Be careful, that stinger is sure to be poisonous, and considering where we are and what it is, probably lethal!" Katria calls out (helpfully).
She concentrates -- sure that scorpion is the biggest threat they have to deal with -- and casts a spell to help bring about its failure!
Katria's magic falters against the Stabbing Beast's spell resistance, though Taldaris gets through it, blasting the herald of Norgorber with magic missiles. Liam slices the herald twice with his dagger, while Amelia spends a bit of her luck to hit four times! The Stabbing Beast seems very badly wounded!
It scuttles back a few feet, clacking its claws in anger and frustration. Then a puff of smoke envelops it as it teleports away!
The inevitables continue their assault, though, stepping to flank Amelia. She fends off their swords, dodging and parrying!
Liam is surprised and even a bit disappointed when the Reaper's Right Hand flees the battle.
He is fairly sure that Norgorber would have just revived it had the party slain it, and decides to count it as an epic victory nonetheless.
Inspired by this triumph, he turns his blade on the inevitables.
HP 135/152 (inc. +32 from transmutation focus; base 120)
AC 27, touch 16, flat-footed 21, CMD 27
Fort +19, Ref +12, Will +14
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/7
Mental Focus: 25; Abjuration [6/6]; Divination [4/4]; Evocation [2/2]; Illusion [3/3]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [5/6] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+3 saves; +2 Perception, low-light vision; +2 Charisma checks; +4 Con; 15% miss chance; +1 damage to evocation spells/focus powers)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.: 17
Spells/day: 1st [][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][][]; 3rd [x][][][][]; 4th [][][][][]; 5th [x][][][]; 6th [x][x]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/17; lightning bolt 0/19; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 2/29
Effects: Inspired, banner (+4/+3)
"Be careful!" Katria calls. "It could come back!"
In the meantime, however, she concentrates on the inevitables, though she's sure she knows what their final fate will be. She brings Dignity's Barb to bear, firing bolts toward the most injured looking one.
Amelia's attacks come through hard and manage to miraculously slice through the hide of the Reaper's hand.
She takes some hits from the longswords but turns her attentions to the inevitables, taking no pleasure from their uninspired combat style.
You focus your attacks on one of the kolyaruts, destroying the corrupted inevitable. The other one attacks Amelia again, but she expertly parries its blows!
Another round of focused attacks and the second inevitable falls as well.
Taldaris's halberd, his sign of power, lies against one of the walls here. He offers words of praise as he crosses the room to retrieve his weapon. As he does so, the ritual platform begins humming and projecting the image of a brilliant white ring.
The single white ring divides into two smaller circles, each of which refines itself into the head and upper body of a distinguishable speaker. The first figure wears a distinctive black hood and mask, obscuring any features that would indicate race, age, and gender. The other figure is a pale, short-haired half-elven woman with pronounced cheekbones and a circular scar on her chin.
The half-elven woman’s features harden as she speaks: “Report! This chaos will not last forever, nor will her yapping lapdogs remain quiet much longer. I pray your brotherhood has not failed us again.”
“So impatient for an immortal,” the masked figure responds. “Your dame lies cold as morning dew, her soul spread to the winds. Shall we kill the child as well?”
The faces vanish, a reappear a few moments later. “Leave the twilight child to us,” the half-elven woman continues. “He will be too distracted mourning his sister to stop us.”
The masked figure concludes. “As you wish. I trust the Immaculate Circle will not forget their loyal servants now that Taldor’s throne is in your reach.”
With that, the images vanish and the circle’s glow fades.
Katria's face pales as the impact of the two figures' words hit home.
"We have to get back! Now! Princess Eutropia's in trouble! I think we may already be too late!"
Liam knows nothing of the magic at work, but he recognizes the Masked Marquis.
He is devastated, but not all that shocked, that the Immaculate Circle is one step ahead. They have been planning this for a long time, and Liam and his comrades are newcomers to the game.
"It could be a trap," warns Liam. "The agents of Norgorber no doubt know we are here by now, so this message could be meant to reach us. And, if not, I think we are too late. I don't think the Masked Marquis would report that a job was done when it was not.
But this is not over, not with the power Milani has bestowed upon me. So let's think about our approach. We can't take long, due to the risk of panic among Princess Eutropia's supporters.
I don't have the means to get us back there instantly.
I would need to rest a day to prepare the proper spells; say, Plane Shift to get us back to Golarion, but it is not very precise, so then Wind Walk to get us to the palace. And, of course, Resurrection if we can get the diamonds, perhaps in Sayashto. I am fairly sure the assassins would try for a method that prevents Raise Dead.
Unless you have a faster way, we can get back tomorrow. Now, I can use the Wand of Sending to contact Martella Lotheed, and it is very likely to work even across the planes. It may be less likely to work here, but once we are back in Sayashto I can send something like this:
Masked Marquis reports Eutropia slain. Investigate at once. Beware ambushes. Gather evidence. We will return tomorrow. Have rescued spirit of Taldaris from agents of Norgorber."
The desks here hold incomplete records of a recent meeting the Secret Shade conducted with the Immaculate Circle, posing as one of their members, but the notes are frustratingly incomplete and are of little help to you. There doesn't seem to be anything else of value here aside from your foes' weapons.
Taldaris turns his dispassionate gaze upon all of you. "Justice has been served. Let us return to Sayashto."
You make your way out of Norgorber's realm via the sewer tunnels and emerge once more into the clean air of Sayashto. Lieutenant Fanalyx is impressed by your accomplishments and eagerly debriefs you on everything you learned and accomplished in Lost Silhouette. Taldaris imperiously sits nearby and offers brief acknowledgment of your accomplishments and minor corrections to your reports. Fanalyx dispatches a courier to take the report directly to Aktun, the capital district. Within an hour, an arbiter returns bearing a written statement of commendation from its superior for your service as well as an orb of pure law to aid you. In addition, you are also each awarded the Eternal Crown, one of the highest medals awarded to civilians for service to Axis.
The valkyrie Ohalia kneels before Taldaris, eyes burning with emotion. "My Emperor! It has been millenia since last we met. I am proud to have played a part in your rescue."
Taldaris inclines his head. "Thank you, general. You are, as always, a loyal servant and boon companion. You may return to your duties, confident in the knowledge that I shall persevere." The inevitable turns to you. "I am prepared to bestow my blessing upon the Mantle of Kings. If you will provide it to me?"
Once offered the cloak, the First Emperor lays his hands upon it. It briefly glows with golden light, its powers restored. At last, it can be used to confirm the next rightful emperor of Taldor.
Taldaris touches each of your shoulders, bestowing upon you his royal gift.
"I shall provide you with precise transport back to Oppara. It is taboo for me to interfere directly in the politics of the empire, but this is the least I can do. I anoint you my mortal agents to ensure corruption, evil, and greed do not destroy Taldor." Taldaris pauses, and when he speaks again, there is the faintest stutter of emotion in his voice. "Please... Help my legacy, my people, and my empire thrive for another thousand years of peace."
Katria's torn. She knows the message they saw intercepted means they have to get back as quickly as possible -- she was the one who made that point herself! -- but getting to spend more time with Taldaris. There was so much she could ask, so much she could learn!
But then -- with this medal and the power and wealth they've managed to accumulate -- perhaps she can come back when this is all over. If they survive!
Amelia takes it as a great victory despite the knowledge about the Circle.
"I thank you for the blessing." She looks around at the blood-drenched shadows and finally acknowledges what was gnawing at her, "I started this only for myself, but I think this is a noble enough cause to anchor myself to. I'll be honoured to be your agent."
She holds Koriana's Blade close, "I can't help with magic such as plane shifting or resurrection, but I can ensure that no harm comes to you two while you figure out a solution to whatever problem comes our way."
With a renewed noble vigor, Amelia looks toward the sky for answers to that fleeting song she had heard.
Once you have said your farewells, Taldaris presents Liam with a specially crafted tuning fork and a scroll of plane shift. The cleric enacts the spell, and Sayashto and Axis fade away around you, replaced by the familiar sights and smells of the town of Lotheedar. After many weeks away, you are finally home.
Of course, a pallor has been cast over the home to which you have returned. Lotheedar is in mourning, and the reason why is clear--Princess Eutropia is dead, assassinated in her palace a mere two days ago. Funeral plans are already underway, and the citizens can only guess as to what this means for Taldor's ongoing succession crisis.
You make your way to the Palace of Birdsong, where servants quickly lead you to the lounge. Martella Lotheed is beside herself as she bows to you. Prince Carrius slumps in a chair, distraught to the point of insensibility.
"I am truly glad to see you all," Martella says as she wipes away tears, "but I sincerely wish the circumstances of our reunion could be happier. I'm sure you've heard... Eutropia... the princess..." The normally stoic woman sobs as she struggles to find the words.
Liam is resolute and confident to Martella. "We have heard. We intercepted a message from the assassins. The Masked Marquis and the Brotherhood of Silence did the deed. The Immaculate Circle commissioned them.
The message said that Princess Eutropia's soul was 'spread to the winds'. I'm not sure what that would mean, but there is a way by which I could find out. I assume you have tried Raise Dead without success?"
Katria nods, her own eyes filled with tears. She had known, but somehow still hoped. And now even that illusion was shattered.
She waits for the answer to Liam's question, wondering what they're going to do if they can't fix this somehow. Her gaze strays to Prince Carrius, though she doesn't know if he really is a legitimate option, considering his own death and strange return.
Martella sighs. "It matches the modus operandi of the Brotherhood. Eutropia was stabbed in the back by a craven assassin. None of the guards saw anything unusual until they heard Eutropia's lady-in-waiting scream when she discovered the princess. They killed poor Taldogis, too.
"We summoned Archbanker Lady Paril to try to raise Eutropia, but it was unsuccessful. The princess' spirit is either unwilling or unable to come back.
"We have yet to announce what has happened. Without an obvious heir in place, Eutropia’s death could plunge the country into all-out civil war, or even invite attack from enemy kingdoms. I recommend delaying the announcement until you have a chance to investigate Eutropia’s death and hopefully bring the assassin to justice."
Carrius has seemed distant, almost catatonic. After a moment, though, he rouses himself and becomes wildly animated. “You must find who did this. You MUST. Eutropia and I had just found each other again. Whoever is responsible for her death... they must meet justice.”
Carrius orders that you be given unrestricted access to Eutropia’s room and belongings. Then he lapses once more into his quiet grief.
Martella gives him a worried glance before she turns back to you. "Perhaps you can find some clues in her room we overlooked, or question the staff more thoroughly. Eutropia's body is in the family crypt, awaiting interment tomorrow. You are welcome to examine her as well."
"We will do our best, of course," Katria says, ready to go first to the princess' room.
On her way, she casts heightened awareness on herself and her two companions.
Eutropia’s room is in the old regent’s apartment on the second level of the Palace of Birdsong. Corridors to her room are guarded at all times, and the windows of her sitting room are locked, barred, and warded with arcane lock.
The princess’s sitting room is a small suite with open doors leading to her bedchamber. A large wardrobe stands across from a locked jewelry cabinet. A full- length mirror stands near the wardrobe. Hooks on the wall display a variety of scarves, shawls, and jackets. A silver mirror in a polished wooden frame engraved with flowers and vines sits atop a small vanity. In front of the vanity, a velvet-cushioned chair sits in a pool of dried blood.
Katria looks around to see if she can spot anything others might have missed, detecting for magic as she goes.
Liam casts Guidance and looks around the room.
The party's magic offers plentiful options for investigating this mystery, but it can't hurt to begin with the simplest options.
He doesn't have a full suite of investigative spells prepared, although he does have Miracle.
"We'll want to speak to the lady-in-waiting, of course, and also the guards on duty that night."
Amelia wanders around the room, delicately putting her hand on a few things.
She is aware of how Taldorans were and moved around the room expertly. "Everyone stop moving. Give me a moment."
The dandy moves to put her eyes to the floor, hoping to see something at a lower level.
There are no magic auras in the room, nor are there any tracks.
Searching the room reveals a lack of evidence of tampering with the windows or doors. Nothing in the room has been disturbed. You are able to ascertain there was no attempt to tamper with any of the locks or valuables in Eutropia’s room. There’s no evidence of burglary. All of this suggests the killers used magic to enter Eutropia’s room.
Based on the blood patterns, you deduce that Eutropia was sitting still when she was stabbed. Blood sprayed out from the wound over the table and mirror, and then trickled down her body to pool on the ground below. It seems that she didn’t stand up or fight back.
There is a small bloodstain near the door to the bedroom. This doesn't belong to Eutropia.
Amelia's thorough search uncovers a tiny shred of parchment among the fibers of the rug in Eutropia’s bedroom—the remains of a magic scroll, readily identifiable to any spellcaster. She also uncovers a broken piece of gray porcelain that doesn’t match the palace’s dinnerware or decorations in the room.
Katria quickly casts blood biography on the stain near the door.
She follows that by trying to read the history of the scroll and porcelain.
Object Reading (Su): At 2nd level, an occultist learns how to read information from items he examines. Examining an item in this way requires him to spend 1 minute handling the item. If the item is a magic item, the occultist learns its properties and command word as if he had successfully examined the item using detect magic and succeeded at a Spellcraft check. This ability does not reveal whether the item is cursed unless the occultist's class level is equal to or greater than the caster level of the item. If the item has any historical significance, the occultist learns one piece of information about its past (as determined by the GM). Finally, if the item was last used no longer than 1 day ago per the occultist's class level (18 days!), the occultist learns one piece of information about the last creature to use the item. This information might be a glimpse of the creature's appearance, a brief vision of what it saw while using the item, or perhaps its emotional state when it last used the item. The GM determines what information is gained in this way. This functions like the psychometry occult skill unlock, but doesn't require a skill check and can be used at will.
HP 159/159 (inc. +32 from transmutation focus; base 120)
AC 27, touch 16, flat-footed 21, CMD 27
Fort +19, Ref +12, Will +14
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/7
Mental Focus: 26; Abjuration [6/6]; Divination [4/4]; Evocation [2/2]; Illusion [4/4]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [6/6] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+3 saves; +2 Perception, low-light vision; +2 Charisma checks; +4 Con; 20% miss chance; +1 damage to evocation spells/focus powers)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.: xx
Spells/day: 1st [x][x][x][][]; 2nd [x][][][][][]; 3rd [][][][][]; 4th [][][][][]; 5th [][][][][]; 6th [][][]
Wands: lightning bolt 0/19; magic missile (CL 5) 0/29; magic missile (CL 9) 0/50; scorching ray (CL 11) 0/50
Effects: heightened awareness
The blood begins to spell words in answer to Katria's questions:
Who are you? The Masked Marquis
What are you? Male fetchling shadowdancer
How was your blood shed? The princess's dog bit my hand. I fought him off before killing him.
When was your blood shed? Two nights ago.
Handling the scroll, Katria determines that it was once a scroll of teleport. She gets a glimpse of a shadowy, masked figure holding the scroll. The porcelain fragment is a portion of an unholy symbol of Norgorber. Katria sees a gloved hand holding it, then the jaws of Taldogis close around that hand, breaking off the fragment.
"Well done, Katria!"
Liam is, as always, impressed with Katria's skill at finding information.
"I think we should talk to the staff and guards.
It seems that Princess Eutropia didn't stand up or fight back. I'll have to look at her body to tell, but it looks like she bled for a bit and wasn't slain instantly. Maybe some magic was at work and she was paralyzed.
But if the assassin fought with the dog? Someone must have heard that."
Liam will ask Lady Martella if the Archbanker is still here.
"There are some spells that might be useful that I do not have prepared today. Additionally, I have need of some special incense."
You interrogate numerous staff members, but most tell the same story: they heard and saw nothing unusual until the alarm was raised, and shortly thereafter, rumors began to circulate that the princess was dead. Nothing about her behavior in the past few weeks was unusual, nor were there any newcomers to the palace.
The guards who were on-duty the night of the murder report seeing and hearing nothing suspicious until they heard Ferna, Eutropia’s lady-in-waiting, scream. One guard recalls Taldogis trotting up the corridor shortly after Eutropia retired. Thinking nothing of it, the guard allowed the dog into Eutropia’s suite.
***
Eutropia's lady-in-waiting is a woman named Ferna Denniar. She is distraught, but does her best to explain to you what she witnessed.
"It was like any other night,” Ferna says, choking back tears. “My Lady prefers to dress herself for bed. I entered when she rang the bell to comb her hair and put away her clothes and adornments. She seemed distracted, but that’s no surprise with everything that’s been going on. I asked if she needed anything else, and she said she’d ring if she did. Then I l-left. I-it was the last time I ever s-saw her alive...” Ferna’s shoulders begin to shake.
The lady-in-waiting takes a moment to compose herself. “I sleep in the room next door, in case my Lady needs me in the night. I woke up when it was still dark—I couldn’t think why. A moment later I heard a noise from my Lady’s room. I went to her door and called, asking if she wanted me. There was no answer, but I had a sense something was wrong. I opened the door and saw her... sitting there at her table... there was b-blood everywhere...” Ferna breaks down, sobbing loudly as she covers her face.
"It's okay, Ferna," says Liam. "You can talk to us when you are ready. We are here to help."
He speaks in a calm and soothing manner, but with some grief to show that he too is saddened by Eutropia's death.
"Can you tell us more about the noise you heard? Or anything else that transpired that night?"
Liam's manner helps calm Ferna down. "Let me think... Nothing seemed unusual or out of place that night. The princess had lost her necklace, I remember. It was a simple chain she wore from time to time—her mother’s I believe. She’d been wearing it earlier, and when I asked for it so I could lock it in the jewel case, she said she put it away after the clasp had broken earlier.
"The noise that woke me up was Taldogis, the princess’s dog. I heard him barking, and then he stopped. That’s how I knew something was wrong. The poor beast had tried to defend his mistress, and it cost him his life.
"Poor Taldogis. I remember thinking it odd that my Lady asked him to be shut out that night. She said he’d been disturbing her sleep of late. I shut him in the kitchen as she asked, but he must have gotten out and returned to her door."
Ferna taps her chin. "Now that I think about it, it’s unusual that my Lady was still at her table when... when it happened. She usually retires as soon as I leave. I don’t know why she would have gotten up in the middle of the night, nor sat there while they... while they k-killed her."
Katria thinks. Something is strange with Taldogis. Could that be the answer. She ponders, wondering whether they could combine some magics to speak with the dog's spirit.
And Princess Eutropia was at her desk much later than expected and didn't seem to have fought back. It sounds like the killer was someone she knew -- or at least she thought it was someone she knew! She almost wondered if they'd gotten in posing as Taldogis, but that didn't seem to make sense with the dog apparently being killed defending her.
Thinking furiously, she focuses for a moment on one other part of the maid's report, "Can we see the necklace?"
Ferna frowns. "I believe the necklace was taken by the princess's legal advisor. It was part of her bequests to be distributed during the reading of her will."
Katria frowns. "Do you know where we can find her advisor?" she asks, though any evidence from the necklace could well be gone by now.
Realizing that without magic she wouldn't be much help, Amelia steps up. "I'll find him. It will be trivial."
"Thank you, Ferna. That is very helpful. There is definitely more to this than meets the eye. We will get to the bottom of it."
"We'll want to talk to any guards who might have been on duty near the kitchen. I think we should also examine Princess Eutropia's body, and that of Taldogis."
Katria agrees.
"The executor is likely in her office in Lotheedar," Ferna says.
Eutropia's body lies in the antechamber of her family crypt, waiting for interment. A gentle repose spell has been cast on her body. Carrius grants you permission to view the corpse, provided you treat Eutropia with respect. Archbanker Lady Paril and two imperial guards accompany you to oversee the investigation.
Eutropia’s body lies on a slab, covered with a gauzy white sheet. Beneath the sheet, her figure lies pale and still, her arms crossed over her chest. Someone has dressed her in a simple white robe. A golden medallion engraved with the royal family’s coat of arms lies around her neck.
Liam turns to Archbanker Paril and the guards.
"Nothing in my investigation conveys any suggestion that you have failed to take such steps. I would be failing my duty to the Princess if I was not thorough. It is entirely possible that my actions are redundant with steps you have already taken."
Liam will examine the body closely, trying to tell if it actually is Princess Eutropia, rather than a duplicate of some sort - perhaps a body subjected to Sculpt Corpse or a similar effect.
If he believes it is Princess Eutropia, then he will look for any signs of poisoning (perhaps some telltale discoloration around the wound, for example).
The body does, indeed, seem to belong to the princess. No magic has been used to alter its appearance. Liam turns her over and finds the single stab wound, as reported, on her back. There are no other wounds on the body, including on her hands and forearms.
Liam intuits the following: Eutropia was stabbed once, fell forward (spraying blood on her table and mirror), and bled to death within a minute or two. The stab wound nicked her heart, but didn’t pierce it.
This seems odd. The noted swashbuckler didn’t fight back or attempt to get help after she was stabbed; she just sat there until she died.
"Did Eutropia... Want to die?" Amelia speaks out loud and circles the room, looking at the faces of the guards in the process.
"I can't see any other reason for her to sit there and just bleed out." Amelia's eyes flash for a moment, "Wait."
She slinks towards Katria and Liam, hoping to send a message out of the earshot of the guards. "We're dealing with necromancy... Could it be possible that the wound isn't what killed her? What of her soul?"
"It's possible that she wanted to die, after all of the trauma she has been through. Unlikely, but it's always a possibility for anyone. Princess Eutropia seemed strong, but people can hide their pain.
Still, I don't think that's it. And even one who wanted to die would have some instinctive reaction to being stabbed.
But if her soul had already been taken from her body... you may be onto something. Souls have been an area of interest for our adversary, and the assassins did send word that her soul had been scattered to the wind."
Liam will ask Archbanker Paril for help in finding the right incense; I believe the Palace has a chapel? He needs 250 gp of incense for this spell.
He lights the incense and calls upon his most powerful magic, praying to Milani to find the soul of Princess Eutropia.
"It's also possible she was paralyzed magically or couldn't find back otherwise for some reason," Katria says.
Liam lights the incense and intones the lengthy prayer to beseech a miracle from Milani. After an hour, he hears the goddess whisper in his mind, telling him that Eutropia's soul is, in fact, in Lotheedar, within the office of her estate's executor!
Liam will not reveal this information in the presence of the guards. Instead, he will merely say, "I must investigate further."
Once alone with the party, he will ask, "Katria, can you cast Detect Scrying? I want to make sure we are not being observed."
If Katria does so, and if nobody is Scrying on the party (as well as taking prudent steps to prevent mundane eavesdroppers), he will explain.
"Princess Eutropia's soul is not in the River of Souls or the Boneyard. Nor has it been judged. In fact, it is in the office of the estate's executor - most likely, I would guess, in that necklace. This may have been a plan on Princess Eutropia's part.
With the necklace, we should be able to Speak with Dead or Speak with Soul to learn more about the plan and what our next step should be.
The assassin would try to get the necklace if he knew that it contained Princess Eutropia's soul. But if this is part of her plan, then she may have bequeathed the necklace to a trusted advisor such as Lady Martella. If the will reading is to be soon, then I suggest we do nothing to tip our hand. If it would not be for a while, then perhaps we pay a visit to the executor."
Liam is a little bit worried that if a week passes the assassin might reflect and realize that something was off that night. There certainly was confidence in the Masked Marquis's initial report, but the oddity of a stabbed target just sitting there and bleeding out might eventually gnaw at him. Perhaps he was distracted by Taldogis... but a master assassin would be observant, Liam thinks. Let's just hope that it takes him longer to question his success than it takes us to get that necklace.