"Jaed nods in approval still intrigued by the self-beheading of the woman."
The captain shuffles through his papers once more, looking for the relevant one. "Hmmm, I suppose that could be related. Not rightly sure what's a worse prospect: two independently gruesome murders or one psycho with a taste for it. What we've managed ta find out thus far is that the victim is an unmarried woman of the merchant caste name of Vitusa. She owned a small but successful incense shop here in the Commerce District. That's where he body was discovered by an employee, Nabeeka. Poor woman was too hysterical to question properly at the time, and I haven't had a chance to send any guards back ta try again. There were pretty obvious signs of a struggle in the shop and lots of blood. Most likely that's where the beheading occurred. Talking to Nabeeka is probably your best bet for lookin' into this. It's been a day or so, so hopefully she's calmed down since she discovered the body. If ya find any leads, or better yet the killer, I'd appreciate hearing about it." He pauses, putting down the paper and staring Marzela straight in the eyes with a slight grimace. "Oh, and if you happen to find the victim's head, I'd be much obliged if you could bring it back here to be cremated proper-like. It wasn't with the rest of her body, and I'm sure her family and friends would appreciate it. Can't be easy for them, knowin'' the killer went and hauled it off with them without knowing why or what happened to it."
If we can recover it, we will. We appreciate your time, and the chance to work with you.
She relates the information to the party and suggests that they head off (unintentional pun) to see Nabeeka.
"Was the thakur's cousin's head also missing? It would be very disturbing if someone is creating a collection of heads," Jaed points out before following Marzela.
"If his head was missin', we haven't heard anything about it."
By the time you all leave the guard station, darkness has fallen upon the city. You all follow the directions the captain gave you to Nabeeka's dwelling. As you move through the Commerce District in the direction of a more residential area, you notice many of the shops are either closed for the night or in the process of closing. When you reach the building you believe to be your destination, it's dark and quiet with no obvious signs of movement from inside. It appears as though the occupant either isn't here or has already gone to sleep.
"I could take a quick look inside, you know," the rogue says toying with his thieves' tools. "Or we could knock and wake up all the neighbors."
Maybe we should just come back in the morning. No need to anger the town guard. Sorry. I guess I didn't realize how late it was.
"As righteous as I remembered," Jaed says with a smile. "Lets go get some rest then."
"Aye, probably the safest course" Carrakas adds with a nod.
"Sure. No need to cause any trouble!" agrees Lily.
They go back to the Inn to get some rest, and Marzela asks the proprietor of the Inn what time businesses usually open and close so they won't make the same mistake again.
Then they go back just a little before the time when things should be opening up.
Marzela is told that it depends a little on the business, but many shops don't start opening until sometime between 7 and 9am and close between 6pm and 8pm. Most places tend to stick to daylight hours as that's when most people shop, but there are exceptions for places such as inns where travelers may arrive at any time.
The group heads back to the inn for a good night's sleep. The next morning they head out bright and early, arriving at Nabeeka's place a little after 7. You knock, and after a lengthy pause, the door cracks open just enough to reveal a sleepy-looking woman's face. In Vudrani she asks, "Yes? How can I help you?"
In Vudrani, Marzela says
Apologies for disturbing you so early, Ma'am, and for the unfortunate nature of our visit. We're looking into the murder of your friend at the incense shop. We need to ask you a few follow-up questions. May we come in?
Nabeeka glances at the male members of the group, and then says, "Yes, hold on a moment while I make myself...presentable." She then closes the door. You wait about 10-15 minutes and then the door opens once again. Nabeeka, dressed plainly in dark clothing and now with some light make up applied, invites you all in, pointing in the direction of a simple living room. It's not a large house, and things are a bit crowded with an additional five people and a large cat. Nabeeka briefly excuses herself and returns with some cups, water, still-steeping tea, and a small pile of biscuits as refreshments for you all.
"You said you were looking in to Vitusa's murder and had some questions for me?"
"Thanks for your hospitality," Jaed says biting a biscuit. "Do you have any idea of who would want her dead? Did she have any enemies?"
Marzela translates for Jaed without adding anything.
Nabeeka looks down, biting her lip before speaking softly. "Vitusa is...was a kind and generous mistress. She gave regularly to the poor, and helped out when she could at community events. But she-" her lip quavers slightly and she takes an unsteady breath to calm her. "She was very open about her political and religious views. When His Excellency outlawed the worship of that dark goddess, she couldn't wait to tell everyone that came in to the shop that it was the best thing thing he had ever done. They must've heard and gotten angry. Who else would do such a horrible thing to her?" Her voice cracks slightly at the end, and she quickly moves to take a sip from her tea and recollect herself.
"Bingo. Unless this city has more than one cult that goes around beheading people, I'm sure she is talking about the same guys we are looking for. Marzela, could you ask her what she knows about them? Or if she knows how we can find them?"
Nabeeka, we fear you are correct. Do you know anything about the group that worships Dhalavei, or how to find them, so that we can find justice for your friend? Perhaps you know someone who used to worship her before that faith was outlawed? We assure you, we would keep your name out of any further investigation. We just need a place to start.
Was there anyone at work like that, or perhaps a customer that may have overheard your friend's opinions?
Nabeeka shakes her head. "No, I'm afraid not. Even before their worship was outlawed, I had not heard of any who followed her. We have no temples to their dark goddess for them to worship at nor are religious beliefs typically a common topic of conversation when selling incense. His Excellency may mean well, but I fear..." she pauses before continuing in a rush, "I fear all he has accomplished is the death of poor Vitusa." Her voice cracks and she quickly wipes away a few tears.
It takes her a few moments to compose herself enough to speak again, and Marzela has to repeat her last question several more times before it really registers with her. "The only other employees were Mastami and Jamun, but I can't imagine them doing this." She looks down once again, "I can't imagine anyone doing this..." She shakes her head, clearing her throat. "It is a small but successful incense shop; we have many customers in a given day. Any one of them -- probably all of them -- could have overheard Vitusa's opinions. But I don't recall anyone who seemed especially dark or ominous. Most seemed excited about Yolarati."
"Yolarati? What or who is that?"
Did you personally tell anyone of Vitusa's opinions outside the shop? If not, do you know where Mastami and Jamun live? Perhaps they remember something.
After getting that information (if she has it), Marzela asks
Do you remember anything else at all that might be helpful?
Marzela waits to see if any of her companions have more questions. If not, we thank her for her time, and wish her well.
Yolarati is the festival you all just participated in.
Jaed cannot think of additional questions for Nabeeka.
Yolarati is the festival you all just participated in.
Did you personally tell anyone of Vitusa's opinions outside the shop? If not, do you know where Mastami and Jamun live? Perhaps they remember something.
Nabeeka sniffs. "No. Why would I? The views of my employer are not exactly riveting conversation. As to Mastami and Jamun, I know they live relatively close to the shop, but not exactly where. They would be in the employee records though. I could go to the shop to fetch them if you need."
Marzela smiles at Nabeeka's offer. That would be so kind of you. We'll accompany you so that we can visit them after we find the addresses.
(She translates all of this for the party so anyone can speak up if they have other ideas or objections.)
Jaed nods in approval. "The more information we can gather before facing that cult, the better."
Nabeeka nods and begins carefully clearing everyone's dishes. When that's done she gestures for all of you to go outside, closing and locking the door behind her. You all follow her for around thirty minutes as she walks the clearly familiar path to the incense store. A few bakers here are there call out greetings to Nabeeka -- which she returns -- and enticements to the rest of you to buy their goods, unaware that most of you don't really understand what they're saying.
When you arrive, there's a guard standing watch over the shop. Nabeeka talks to him and, with some help from Marzela's silver tongue and writ of authority, convince him to let you all into the shop. He grimly reminds you all that this is still a crime scene and to kind try to avoid disturbing too many things or taking things out with you. Once inside, Nabeeka quickly heads to the back of the shop to retrieve the employee records, carefully making sure to keep her eyes focused on where's she's walking and not looking around at all.
As you wait for her to return, you have a chance to look around. As mentioned by the captain, it's pretty clear some kind of struggle took place here. Jars of ingredients lie smashed on the floor and a large quantity of blood remains uncleaned and spattered about. The blood gives a coppery tang to the chaos of scents floating about the room.
From the back of the room, Nabeeka calls out from where she's flipped to the back of a book. "It looks like both Mastami and Jamun live maybe a 5 to 10 minute walk from here. Jamun to the northwest and Mastami to the south." She then proceeds to give you directions to each house.
While Nabeeka is retrieving the employee records Jaed takes a look around the shop looking for clues. Perhaps one of the assailants dropped something during the fight.
Once Nabeeka comes back with the information, Jaed gesticulates his gratitude before leaving.
"So, should we visit this Jamun first?"
"Wow, yeah, not a happy time here," says Lily as she takes in the bloody mess.
While waiting, Marzela looks for any distinctive footprints, in case she has something to compare them with later.
When Nabeeka returns, Marzela thanks her for her cooperation, and tells her they will do their best to find justice for her friend.
in response to Jaed, Marzela agrees to visit Jamun first, though she doesn't think the order matters much.
Carrakas looks around while waiting as well, hoping to spot something of use.
At Jaed's suggestion, he nods, more than willing to follow along wherever.
As she waits, Lily looks over the incense ingredients. As one might expect, they seem to be a variety of plants both dried and more fresh. There are several that she doesn't recognize, most likely plants local to the area, but nothing seems to be particularly unusual or out of place about them.
Marzela similarly examines the incense but instead focuses on seeing if anyone happened to leave tracks in it. There do seem to be footprints, some of which were left by Nabeeka as she walked to the back of the room, but nothing especially stands out. They all more or less look like boot tread from medium-sized humanoids.
Meanwhile, Jaed and Carrakas take a look around the shop. Jaed doesn't find anything, but Carrakas -- more used to seeing in darkened areas -- spots a glint of light under one of the cabinets. He steps closer to get a better look and discovers that it seems to be a rather distinctive copper earring, fashioned in the shape of a peacock and covered by spilled incense and blood. The pin seems to still have a chunk of earlobe attached to it.
"What's this now?" Carrakas grumbles softly, as he bends to examine the glint. He grimaces as the gristly treasure is revealed. He waves his companions over to have a look. "Vitusa's, you think? Or her assailant's?"
"There is someone here that probably knows if it's Vitusa's. May I?" Jaed gets the earring with his right hand, carefully holding it so no flesh and as little blood as possible is shown. No need to traumatize her more.
"Marcela, can you ask Nabeeka if she recognizes this?" he says holding the earring from a distance.
Marzela asks Nabeeka if she recognizes the earring.
Nabeeka moves a little closer to get a good look at the earring. She looks sad as she nods. "Yes, that was one of Vitusa's earrings. She said she often enjoyed the grace and beauty of peacocks as a little girl. It must have fallen off when-" she waves vaguely as the chaos of the shop in lieu of finishing the sentence.
Carrakas looks at the three magic users on the team. "Can any of you use this to find the other earring? It could lead us somewhere interesting."
"I don't know any magic like that... Marzela?" says Lily.
I could ask Sarenrae for that spell in the morning, or cast it from a scroll, but I don't currently have it.
Should we go and talk to the others, or would you rather wait and follow up on this lead first?
"If we could find a scroll that would let us follow up on this right away, that would be my vote. The sooner the better, in my opinion. If we must wait for the morning, then we should go talk to the others."
Marzela thanks Nabeeka for going out of the way to help them, and promises that they will do whatever they can to catch her friend's murderer. She offers to escort her home.
"Ok, so let's go find that earring. It's the best clue we have. That is, if the cultists actually took this poor woman's head with them."
Nabeeka declines Marzela's offer, saying that she may as well go buy some groceries since she's out and about. Parting ways, you all start trying to locate a shop that has the scroll in question. You ask about and get pointed towards a few magic shops. The first several you check out don't seem to have that particular scroll on hand, but after a few hours of searching, you approach a modest looking shop that you've been assured has the divination spell in question.
You're just about to enter when a young girl, probably around 9, rushes up to you and tugs insistently on Marzela's sleeve. When she gets the cleric's attention, she gives her a big grin, holding out a folded piece of paper in one hand as well as presenting an open palm, clearing hoping for a tip for the delivery.
choose to keep interfering!"
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Marzela passes the note to Jaed, then gives the girl a silver and holds another one up.
She smiles at the young girl and says
Another if you can tell me who gave you the note to deliver.
The girl eagerly accepts the coin and just as eagerly responds in Vudrani , "I don't know his name, but he was a fat man losing his hair, Miss. He was kind of old. Older than you, but not an old man. He had a black mustache and looked like a merchant in purple robes." She looks hopefully up at Marzela, giving her her most winsome smile.
"Cool. If they come for us we will save some time trying to find them." Jaed says grinning. "Let's get that scroll and find the earring. We may come across an old fat man with a black mustache while doing that. Although there probably are many people fitting that description in this town."