Marzela hands the other silver to the girl and thanks her.
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The girl scampers off happily, having made quite the small fortune for herself for what was likely a pretty simple task. The group then heads in to the store where, just as you were told, you're able to find a scroll of Locate Object.
Using it, Marzela feels a tugging towards to south-west area of the city. She leads the group out of the commerce district and in to the harbor district, as her companions keep a lookout for anyone matching the girl's description. The sounds of market are replaced by the distant calls of sailors loading and unloading ships as you pass through the harbor district, eventually entering the Surakport Quarter. As the spell wears off, you are lead to a derelict warehouse. The floor is a muddy cesspit covered in discarded bones, garbage, and some rotting meat that makes it stink to high heaven. There, sitting part way to one side lies a dismembered head, the soft tissues burned out by acid. A matching earring to the one you found in the incense shop sits nearby where it likely fell off the now partially dissolved ear.
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Lily folds her cowl over her nose and steps fearlessly closer to the carnage. She crouches down to look at the head, turning first this way, then that to get different angles, as if to determine how it was severed (bitten? sword or axe cut? pulled off with immense strength?). She pokes the earring with the tip of her dagger and says, "Careful, probably still acid on that."
Finnrick follows in closely behind Lily and looks over her shoulder, but quickly turns away from the ghastly sight. "We've seen worse horrors, we've even been a part of far worse carnage but there is something about this that is just ghastly" He proclaims.
Meanwhile Millsy sniffs around looking for something to eat that hasn't already turned.
After Lily (and anyone else) examines the head, she looks it over herself for any clues.
Then Marzela carefully lifts it into her spare waterproof bag to take back to the guard so they can examine it and it can be buried with the rest of the body. She hopes they can figure out who did this.
Maybe we should take this back to the guard and tell him what we found, and what her friend had to say. We could also go question her other friends, but I don't really want to carry this longer than we have to. What do you guys think?
Marzela casts prestidigitation to clean herself up and the outside of the bag (offering cleaning to others as well if needed), and keeps the bag closed tightly so that the smell can't escape (no fluids should escape because it is waterproof).
Lily examines the severed head. Judging by the smooth, continuous neck wound the head was most likely cut off by some kind of blade in a single swing. The pattern was familiar enough from having to sow up and then hide cuts on cadavers that had died fighting bandits or adventuring.
Millsy searches around for any fresher meat, but the only meat approaching "fresh" seems to be the severed head, and the sharp, acrid smell left from the acid makes it a rather unappealing meal prospect.
As she waits for Lily to finish examining the head, Marzela notices a discarded falchion lying in the muck not too far from the head. The blade is chipped and damaged, making it essentially unusable and explaining why it had been thrown out.
Guessing that it could be the murder weapon, Marzela carefully examines the falchion to see if the pits might have been caused by acid, or if there is anything else that stands out.
Jaed agrees with Marzela. "We should ask who owns this warehouse too. It may be our secret note writer."
The falchion looks like it was damaged by someone using it to hit something it couldn't cut through one too many times. Other than the damage, it seems to be of fairly good quality. Under the handle of the hilt seems to be a relatively small engraving of two crossed hammers on a background of fire. There do not seem to be any pits or other signs of acid on the blade.
Marzela sketches the engraving on the weapon into her journal, and asks the party if they think they should bring the weapon back as possible evidence as well.
Jaed picks up the sword and examines it. "Mmm, this blade was most likely made in either Jalmeray or Vudra. And these hammers look more like those used by blacksmiths rather than weapons, so likely the engraving identifies the person who made the blade. We should keep it with us and ask around."
"Decapitation by edged weapon," adds Lily as she bends over the head. "A powerful swing. If that is the murder weapon, with that divot, there should be a ragged tear in part of the wound, or else it broke during the strike and there's a shard of metal somewhere in the room or lodged in the spine."
There does not appears to be a tear in the wound or any shards of metal in the area around the head. Given the amount of spilled blood in the incense shop, it's far more likely the decapitation occurred there, especially since it would been much easier to conceal a head than a body on the trek between the two locations.
What I don't understand says Marzela is why take the head? Why did they cut it off in the first place if they were just going to dump it here? If it were something she was wearing, they could have easily taken it in the shop. More easily than hacking the head off at least. And then, the acid.
If they are trying to hide the identity of who was killed, that's one thing, but we have witnesses who saw the attack and the identity of the deceased, so unless it was a magical duplicate of some sort, the beheading still doesn't make sense to me.
In any case, let's get out of this smelly place and take the head back to the guard.
Along with the waterproof bag of decomposing head, Marzela takes the broken falchion, planning on presenting it as evidence and then fixing and selling it if possible.
Finished looking over the abandoned warehouse, Marzela takes the decapitated head and broken falchion, and the group heads back towards the guard station previous visited. You're once again shown in to see the captain, who looks mildly surprised to see you all again. There's a heavy smell of spices coming from a half-finished plate of curry sitting on the man's desk from his late lunch.
"Ahh, you lot. Did you have more questions you needed answered?"
Jaed thinks about Marzela's words while the walk back. "All these cults always have hidden motivations for what the do, that's true. But they pay us to find whoever killed the thakur's cousin, not to figure out their twisted ways. We can ask once we capture them... If they don't resist and they end up dead."
Once they get to the captain, the rogue queries about the ownership of the warehouse and the blacksmith engraving on the falchion.
"Yes perhaps it is some sort or ritual killing, the beheading I mean. Was there any connection between this deceased and the thakur's cousin?" Finnrick adds
Marzela informs the captain that they questioned the woman's coworker as requested and that they have retrieved the severed head. She shows him the possible murder weapon and the engravings that Jaed mentioned already.
They see if he can tell them where to deliver the head to go with the rest of the body, if he knows why someone would be beheaded like this, or why the use of acid when the identity was already known, and if he knows where the weapon was made, on the off chance that the blacksmith could identify the buyer.
Yeah the rest of the playtest was done live at Paizo Con and went up on the cannon fodder podcast I believe. The rule that I like the least is the rarity/quality rule on the weapons and armor. It just feels too videogamey to me.
As Marzela catches the captain up, he makes sure to get details of where the warehouse was and how the head was found in order to later send some guards to verify the details provided. He turns a little green as his mouth forms a grim line when Marzela reveals the head in its acid-riddled condition. After asking how the group determined that it is indeed Vitusa, he carefully opens the mouth to look inside. "Damn, whomever it was was smart enough to cut out the tongue, so we can't see if she knows anything about her assailant."
He waves over one of his officers to take it away, saying "We can take care of cremating it and returning the ashes to the family after we examine the head a bit more. As to why behead someone and then cover it in acid, it's hard to say. The killer could have needed the head for something and then wanted to hide any evidence related to what was done to it. It could have been just another way to hurt Vitusa's loved ones. Or they could have simply felt compelled to do so by whatever insanity turned them to such violence."
Once they get to the captain, the rogue queries about the ownership of the warehouse and the blacksmith engraving on the falchion.
The captain shrugs. "You'd have to go to a records office to figure out the owner. Though if it's abandoned, that may not be much help. Even if there are records of the owner still around, the murderer would have to be pretty dumb to leave evidence like this in a building they owned. As for the mark, you'd probably have to ask around about it. We have no reason to keep records of craftsmen insignia."
Marzela waits for anyone else to ask questions or make suggestions.
After everyone is done, Marzela asks the way to a local blacksmith to start the process of identifying the maker's mark, and thanks the captain for his help, assuring him that they will keep working on the case.
On the way out, Marzela asks if Lily can clean the inside of her now-empty waterproof bag with Prestidigitation.
So, where next? Blacksmith, the other witnesses, or ... something else I haven't thought of? What do you guys think?
"This city's guards are not the most helpful ones," Jaed says once they leave, "but they usually never are. It would be probably faster if we divide but we have that language problem. I suppose we'll have to keep investigating the clues we have until we find something more concrete."
"Let's find this blacksmith and finish this lead up first, " Carrakas suggests with a frown, "then follow up on the other witnesses. Cleaner that way."
Lily obligingly cleans out Marzela's waterproof bag with a simple spell. "I agree, the blacksmith seems the next most logical step."
The captain points the group the way of the guard's arms master who in turn is able to point the group to the blacksmith that typically makes the guard's gear. After a few more trips to different people around the Commerce District, the group finally discovers that this is the mark of a half-orc blacksmith by the name of Lohakar.
Heading towards his shop, the group finds him hard at work creating the beginnings of a blade. He acknowledges the group by waiving for you to wait a moment. He quickly alternates between applying heat to the metal before placing it on the anvil and beating the red, glowing material with several quick strikes.
After ten minutes or so, he dowses the blade in water with a hissss and large cloud of steam, using a spare cloth to wipe sweat from his face. He heads over to you, greeting you in Vudrani. "Zubhaa vizarat! Sorry for keeping you waiting. You are here to buy one of my beautiful blades, yes? Or perhaps an elegant yet strong suit of armor?" He gives what is probably meant to be a friendly smile, but his overgrown incisors make it look more like he's baring his fangs at you.
Actually we have one of yours already. We were wondering about the history of the blade, if it is possible to tell who owned it previously, and also we were wondering whether it is worth repairing.
She pulls the falchion out and shows it to him.
When Marzela pulls out the blade, Lohakar takes one look at it and gives a shrill scream of horror, immediately snatching it out of her hands. "What did you do to my baby?!?" He then begins lovingly stroking the cracked blade, alternatively cooing at it and shooting Marzela reproachful looks. "There, there now. The mean lady isn't going to mistreat you any more."
Once he settles down, Marzela is able to explain that she (and indeed nobody in their group) is responsible for the mistreatment of the blade, at which point he stops glaring and is able to answer Marzela's questions, though he still cradle the falchion protectively.
"Hmmm, previous owner, you say? You might be in luck; I keep pretty good records of who I sell my pieces to. I'm not one of those shady, back-ally dealers." He begins walking to the weapons shop, not far from his forge. "Of course, if the buyer subsequently sold the piece to someone else or it was stolen, I have no way of knowing. As to if it's worth repairing, of course it is! It's a downright crime to see how some blaggard handled her."
The weapons shop is relatively small but tidily arranged with all manner of gleaming blades and a few suits of armor on display in racks. A bored looking teenage boy sits idly on a stool by a counter in the back, minding the shop. He watches the group enter with interest but doesn't so much as lift his head from where it's resting on the countertop. Lohakar heads behind the counter to grab a ledger. He looks between the blade and the book a few times, pausing to think and flip through a few pages. "Ah yes, you are in luck, I have the bill of sale right here. The buyer was a high-caste merchant named Lankesh. He bought it several months ago."
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"Wouldn't this Lankesh happen to be fat, bald and have a black moustache by any chance?"
Marzela jots down the pertinent details in her journal and thanks the blacksmith, leaving the weapon in his capable and loving hands.
She asks the group whether they want to pursue this new lead or go back and report. This Lakesh is likely the murderer, she says. Or possibly one of his lackeys, but this doesn't seem like a place where you buy cheap weapons or outfit the average minion. I have a hard time believing that he wouldn't know what his weapon was being used for, even if he didn't do the deed.
I suggest we question him using the Zone of Truth spell. Thoughts?
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Lohakar shrugs. "I didn't take any notes about what he looked liked."
"Yep, he looks very suspicious. I would just pay him a visit and kindly ask him to tell us the truth. Depending on his answer, and the number of bodyguards, we could report back and return with reinforcements if needed."
If we are getting into the lion's den we should be more careful than usual. When the group decides on their next step and move to their destination Jaed will check if they are being followed.
"It still may not be him; if he bought the blade several months ago, it could have been sold, or stolen, or something else entirely. Let's go talk to this Lankesh and see if he matches the description. We could approach him as potential buyers of whatever he sells."
"I agree with Carrakas," says Lily. "I don't want to kill a man without being absolutely sure."
The group spends some more time asking around for any information about Lankesh. After a few hours, you manage to uncover that he lives in a modest house to one side of the Commerce district, where he also prefers to conduct business. He seems to deal in a little bit of everything but mostly silk, and lives alone, mostly keeping to himself. It's approaching late afternoon to early evening when you all arrive at his place of business/home, but your knock on the door is met with only silence.
I don't think that we can base this on matching the girl's description, nice as it would be. Too likely that someone else besides the murderer did the threatening, trying to protect the cult.
The only thing we have is a murder weapon that we can tie to a specific person. I understand and agree with your position that we shouldn't be condemning anyone who isn't guilty, but we also need to ensure that he isn't lying to us. How much leeway do we have to investigate? If we ask him to submit to a truth spell and he refuses, what is our next step?
Jaed takes a look inside the house through one of the windows. "We could, you know, happen to find the door open while he is away. There may be some clues inside that could help us to determine if he is our murderer or not."
'If you could get a window open, I can go in a less obvious forum. Of course if you'd like to take a look for yourself I'd love to join you, " Finnrick says to Jaed.
The window Jaed glances in seems to be full many spools of fabric, partially blocking the view in. It looks fairly crowded with a variety of colors and designs available.
"Sure, that makes sense," Jaed answers to Finnrick. He takes his tools from the bag while he expects someone to oppose the plan. If no one complains, he will try open the window to let Finnrick in.
Marzela lowers her voice (a lot):
Err... I guess that makes sense, but risking getting caught doing that is just as bad as risking getting caught casting a truth spell on someone against their wishes, isn't it? ... If this is what you want to do, I'm not stopping you, but shouldn't you wait till after dark? And what should we do if you get caught? Fighting the city guard would be a bad idea.
Lily keeps an eye out as the group 'helpfully inspects' the domicile.
"Well, it'll be just an..." Jaed looks at Finnrick, "animal going into a house. But if you prefer to try our luck with the spell, that's fine. I'm not an expert in magic affairs so it's your call."
The group waits a few hours until nightfall, during which time the occupant of the house does not seem to have returned. There are now noticeably fewer people on the streets, but they're still not empty. Under with a little cover of night and a few people attempting to shield his antics with their bodies, Jaed tries to undo the latch as unobtrusively as possible.
Through the aid of darkess and his companions, Jaed's movements seem to be undetected. Or at least, no one on the street immediately stops to yell for the guards. He quickly tosses Finnrick the undecided small animal in.
The room Finnrick is tossed almost looks like storage of some sort; much of it, especially near the walls, is filled with large spools of fine silk cloth. A few of them seem to be set out as some kind of display.
Across the hallway from this room seems to be a general lounge with a few nice paintings and wall scrolls hanging on the walls and a low table surrounded by plush looking cushions. The air smells faintly of incense.
The small room further back appears to be a wash room with a couple of large bowls for holding water, a tiled area with a drain, and a small chamber pot. The smell of incense is stronger in here.
Heading still further back into the house seems to be a kitchen/food storage area. Cooking and eating equipment are neatly stacked on shelves opposite from containers of less perishable foodstuffs and spices. There seems to be a small oven near the back with a small pile of wood stacked neatly underneath it.
Opposite from the kitchen seems to be a work area, the majority of the space taken up by a large desk. There are a couple of small bookshelves as well as a cabinet. The top of the desk is neat and tidy, with only a few writing supplies on it. There one comfortable chair behind the desk and a couple less comfortable looking ones in front of it.
Finally, the last room appears to be Lankesh's bedroom. There's a large chest near the foot of the bed, a nightstand to one side, a chair, an armoire, and a few smaller sets of drawers.
Jaed impatiently waits for Finnrick to open the door while he tries not to look too suspicious.
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Finnrick continues through the house making sure that the cost is clear. He casts detect magic as he explores and makes sure that there are no pee in the house before he wildshapes back and opens the door for Jaed.
+scent
There does not seem to be any people in the house, though there is some pee in the chamber pot. There also does not appear to be any magic in the house.