Seeing that Miss Vinder is insisting on playing 'easy to get', Harry simply takes advantage of the situation, luring her away from the party for a more private dance.
Harry is as Harry does.
Ever the scoundrel.
While upstairs Harry and Shayliss mess up the beds, the rest of the party enjoys the ongoingcelebrations, and even the sheriff laughs heartily and has nothing than pleasure in mind :).
The evening grows longer and longer, but at the sound of the first roosters, the band stops playing, their fingers numb and their muscles aching and even the toughest dancers slump to the floor.
Only Bethana starts cleaning up at once, every inch the god soul of the Rusty Dragon. The Sandpointians leave and you guess the town will awake much later than usual.
"Oh Bethana, don't you dare do all of that yourself. Let me give you a hand. You know what they say about many hands making light work?"
Celestra helps out, cleaning up the tavern room and kitchen with Bethana.
With the celebrations over Karlan sits at his desk witha cup of tea and a single candle. He writes a long letter to his wife describing recent events and how he misses her dearly.
He spends the next few days working with the town militia to get Thistletop secured and get Brodert Quink in there. More than merely helping them get it secure he;s there to keep them out of trouble by opening any strange doors or unleashing the undead by accident. If possible he;ll get a cleric (likely Father Abstalar) to go in adn see if they can;t determine juat what undead they are looking at. Once all that is complete Karlan will look into sealing Thistletop permanently and keeping people out of it.
BEyond that; a return to the normal routine.
Ailetha finds that she enjoys Sandpoint with its unusual Thassollian history and spends most days talking to people and learning more about the town. In the evening she frequently performs at the Rusty Dragon providing comedy about goblins and Cheliaxians. Also, she frequently presents songs and interpretive dances about the world and about the heroics of the Saviours.
Perform(comedy):
Perform(sing):
Perform(dance):
If the Saviours ever stop being mobbed by the local public. She eventually meets them.
4 Weeks in Sandpoint I
@ Karlan:
The expedition with Father Abstalar to the Thistletop Shrine is a nice change in your daily routine. But as soon as you enter the Thassilonian dungeons again, the feelings of fear return. The place possesses an air of gloom that hasn't vanished with Nualia's death. The guards feel it also, only Father Abstalar seems self-confident in the perilous environment.
Down in the sarcophagi room Father Abstalar's demeanour changes rapidly and he whispers to you
Karlan, several very strong shadows are in these sarcophagi, we should really not open their resting places.
Since you and the guards agree to let them stay put just where they are, you return to the surface and light the powder line that runs to the two gunpowder barrels you put into the entrance...moments later it is closed...hopefully forever.
@ Ailetha:
Ok, no text for you, since that is pretty open for in-group RP.
@ Celestra:
Like Ailetha you spent your evenings in the Rusty Dragon, slowly the bond between the Sandpoint Saviours, Ailetha and Perdition becomes stronger.
@ All:
You all notice how you more and more become a part of Sandpoint. The people on the street greet you friendly and very often with a rather devout attitude. The Sheriff's mood has also become better and only the upcoming fall, with heavy rain and winds spoils your good mood a bit.
Now that you have time to watch the town you have settled in for now, you notice that a caravan from Magnimar comes to the city once per week and about twice per month large merchantmans lie in Sandpoint's harbour and bring rather exotic goods to its market.
Ameiko, who is again at the Rusty Dragon from time to time has given the inn to Bethana and has now taken over the responsibility for the glassworks.
Seeing Celestra helping Bethana in the kitchen.
Morning Celestra. Sorry we did not get to chat more last night. Quite a party the good Father and the town put on for you all. I see you are a follower of the Lucky Drunk. A fine deity he is, I find his followers very enjoyable to entertain, unlike some of the moody and dark people other gods tend to attract.
Oh, sorry, I am Ailetha, please to meet you. I extend my hand.
Over the few weeks Harry continues on in his duties, faithfully carrying out duties for the Sheriff during the day, and performing in the Rusty Dragon in his spare time and the occasional evening performance, probably on the same bill as Ailetha.
Perform (Sleight of Hand)
"Best shows in town, here at the 'Rusty!"
While the others busy themselves with their day to day activities and trainings,Perdition takes in all he can making himself as "helpful" as possible throughout town. He lights forges for the smiths, assist with Bethana a the Rusty Dragon, and plays pranks for the children, which often results in someone being drenched by a sudden rain cloud. Mischief is one trait that Perdition does share with most other gnomes.
As the weeks drag on the gnome begins to have a growing appreciation for his new companions and does what he can to figure out how he may best assist them in field. Learning what each of them is best suited to, the sorcerer keeps some tricks up his sleeve in the event they will need them should they ever be faced by danger again.
"Morning Celestra. Sorry we did not get to chat more last night. Quite a party the good Father and the town put on for you all."
"Nice to meet you luv! It sure is nice to meet a nice sister to hang out with. Not that I mind these guys, but they don't always see things my way. "
I see you are a follower of the Lucky Drunk. A fine deity he is, I find his followers very enjoyable to entertain, unlike some of the moody and dark people other gods tend to attract."
"Oh we certainly like to have a good time. The luck is pretty helpful too! How about yourself, are you a follower of Shelyn like most of the other performers I know?"
It is rather benignly and comedically unfortunate that the Gnome similarly shares a taste for mischief with Harry. To that end, there is probably more pranks and comedic stunts pulled in Sandpoint than any other time in its history.
"Say, Mr Banderflash, reckon we should work a way to incorporate you into my Juggling and Magic routine, we'd be quite a show. If Thumper would stop being Lazy and learn a few performace tricks we'd have the beginning of a good travelling act! We could be famous eh? Imagine the line of ladies and fine ales available to us then! Dunno about this new lass, she cracks a few jokes and does a bit of a dance, but she don't talk much to us fellow entertainers."
@ Celestra: I pay my respects to Shelyn, but actually I am more interested in studies and knowledge. I enjoy telling stories and singing songs about the history and legends of places. If anyone, I grew up generally following the teachings of Irori. So what brings you to Sandpoint, you do not look as though you are from the area.
@ Harry: Evening Harry, I enjoyed your show this evening. You seem quite adept at making things disappear. Including certain young Sandpointian ladies if my recent observations do not mislead me. Grin and raise eyebrows while giving a slightly disapproving look.
So what brought you to Sandpoint? Your accent places you from somewhere further north along the Varisian coast, Riddlepoint or something in that area if I am not mistaken.
"Why thank you Miss. I am indeed a Riddleport lad, and have learnt a lot in that Pirate City that I am now finding can be used for good and honest means instead of pilfering coin and valuables from merchants and the wealthy. I only recently came to Sandpoint, but not of my choosing - I was a mercenary hired to protect cargo and valuables aboard The Slippery Eel, thought it would be a nice change from bounty hunting and debt collecting. Well we were doing the cargo run along the coastline when she went down, and a few of us made it to shore... unfortunately everything I owned was claimed by the sea, and I walked to Sandpoint with just my trousers an a lump of wood to my name. Luckily I had Thumper here as good company, and I suppose thats all that matters in life really, good memories and fine friends."
"These people here in Sandpoint took me in, and within one day I had made more legitimate coins using my skills than I had in a week on board a ship... I like this place, they don't care too much about what you look like, just what you do and what you put in"
"So here I am, an honest rogue trying to carve out a mostly honest living"
"And whilst I vanish the lasses, and more of them than I rightly should, I do eventually return them."
Harry gives his best sly wink and grin.
Having met and seen many types of gentlemen during my travels, I only warn you that while I have seen many happy, if embarrassed, face sneaking out of your room during the wee hours of the morn, their fathers and boyfriends may not be so enamored of your victories.
.
On the other hand, an honest living is always preferable to the alternative of constantly looking over your shoulder to see who is following you.
.
So, how did you meet the rest of the Saviours? I have been hearing of your exploits since the day I arrived in this good town.
.
So, what all did you see in this Thassollian/goblin ruin? It must have had some very interesting artifacts. I would have loved to have seen it with my own two eyes.
@DMZZ - I continue to meet with Brodert Quink to discuss Thassollia and its history and to borrow more books and learn all that I can.
@All --> Both before and after her daily performances, you frequently see Ailetha quietly sitting in the corner of the Rusty Dragon reading dusty old tomes, frequently in strange languages.
"Harry, I would love the chance to assist any way that I might!" says the gnome a bit too enthusiasticly. Never a good idea to push gnome humor too far as it isn't always that funny to non-gnomes.
@Ailetha -
"Well fathers and boyfriends might well take exception, but as most of my dalliances are with the types of girl who sees her way to frequenting taverns, Inns, and bawdy houses until the wee hours of the morning... well... few people miss the odd slice off an already cut loaf eh?"
"Sadly enough, or paths were all crossed when the Goblins invaded, there I was with Thumper, just having completed a show, when the little brick heads came in swords a swinging. Luckily I had my stout lump of wood handy and Thumper well trained to come running in... I was able to team up with cousin Kanyk and give the Goblins a seeing too... I couldn't stand by and let them ravage a town, let alone one that had been so good to me, so I gave them a bash. It was during the fight I met with Sir Karlan and a few others since departed"
"Dunno much about what it was in that ruin. My heart was set on bloody minded revenge to be honest. During the attack there was a wee girl carved deep by a goblin blade, and although I did what I could to try stop the bloodflow, she poured her life out onto the cobblestones as I helplessly watched. I vowed at that point in my heart that by the Pirates Code, I would exact deadly retribution on any that had sent the attack. When I knew that we were to go off and confront the demon witch woman who was responsible, I took a jar and filled it with soil from that childs grave. My vow was to make that witch eat that dirt, and by the gods as my witness she did. I consider that 'square' and my vow completed"
"Anyhow, you can imagine that this siort of drew me off looking too hard at my surrounds, I don't know much about magic and sorcery, so most of it was last on me... but it was all as evil as you could ever dream, lady, as evil as yuo could ever dream"
@Perdition.
"Well I reckon we would be unforgettable. Harry Whodunnit and Perdition Powers in 'The Wondershow of Varisia'. I can see it now. Have to work on some audience friendly material though"
Karlan settles in a familiar routine. To the point where a groove might be worn in to the road by now. He makes it a point to start training the militia in swordsmanship. There's an ugly feeling building in the pit of his stomach. The well below the town was enver dealt with appropriately and thistletop has him worried about other such horrors merely waiting out in the countryside. He vistits the Rusty Dragon now and again on his off days and keeps in touch with the professor feeling that his expertise was going to be needed before long. The well had to be destroyed. Nightmares had to end.
Foremost on his mind however was the mental state of the sheriff. He makes it a point at sometime to have a chat with him and talk him into going ona vacation for a week. Go to the countryside see some family, remind himself why he does his job, let someone else be the responsible one with the heavy burden for a while. Karlan had a feeling he'd want the man in better mental condition for the future, the bloodied fists and the dead Tsuto in his mind.
Which was another point that needed to be investigated and somethign that he'd bring up to Harry and Kanyk in the future.
"Indeed, Harry, indeed. But, what do you mean by audience appropriate? I should think that if you are coming to our show they should be likely to enjoy any wonder we display for them." says the the cheerful, fire-haired gnome.
" I pay my respects to Shelyn, but actually I am more interested in studies and knowledge. I enjoy telling stories and singing songs about the history and legends of places. If anyone, I grew up generally following the teachings of Irori. So what brings you to Sandpoint, you do not look as though you are from the area."
"Well, it's a long story, but it all started when I lost my parents at a young age to an ogre attack. We lived at a lovely place called the Dew Drop Inn up in the mountains north of here, and we lost most of the village! I wandered as a young girl and was found by a kind man that adopted me into his family of brewers. Since then, he has taken me all over the Inner Sea exploring much of the world over. When in Absalom, I was made a priest of Cayden Cailean and I have been spreading the good word ever since. It was only several days ago that I requested they drop me off here, so I could go out and prove myself and make my mark on the world. So far I am still alive to tell about it. However, I do confess that at times it seemed a little close. I thought I was handy with a rapier, but after seeing Harry and Kanyk in action, I realize that I've got a lot to learn about battling vicious humanoids."
Celestra spends every evening in the Rusty Dragon, but she will spent much of her days exploring the local area, both on foot and in a small sailboat (if she can rent or borrow one). She also spends some time each day practicing her use with a rapier. Every morning she says her prayers to Cayden, thanking him for every glorious day and previous evening she had among such excellent friends.
Over the weeks following the raid Kanyk spends a sizeable portion of his time ranging through the forests and plains that surround Sandpoint, growing accustomed to the section of land he now calls home. He accompanies Shalelu on some of her scouting trips but mostly travels alone, sleeping out in the wild for a few nights before returning to Sandpoint with a brace of rabbits or a fresh killed deer for Bethana.
Kanyk found he had a particular liking for the Whisperwood, spending more of his time there than anywhere else in the Sandpoint Hinterlands.
It was on one of his stays in the wood that Kanyk happened upon a young wolf that appeared to have either unsuccessfully tried to challenge the leader of his pack or had an unfortunate encounter with a bear. Either way it was in bad shape, fur matted with blood and barely breathing. Kanyk spent the next three days caring for the animal, cleaning and stitching up its wounds, slinging it across his shoulders as he hunted and then feeding it from his kills. By the fourth day of this treatment the wolf could stand on its own again and seemed to have decided that Kanyk was now its pack leader. When he left the wood the wolf followed, limping along behind him and sniffing with interest at it's new surroundings. Kanyk took a looping path back to Sandpoint, giving himself enough time to acclimatise his new companion to other humanoids. By the time he arrived back at the village the wolf had stopped baring its teeth and growling at anyone he passed and just tended to give them a wide berth and try to keep as close to Kanyk's heels as a possible, his trust in his 'packleader' overriding his inbuilt fear of humans.
@ Celestra - Laughing: Well, considering that both are rather large and of half-orc blood, I am guessing that their technique of preference is charge in and see what you can decapitate.
Boys will be boys.
Seeing Celestra practicing with her rapier, I frequently join her in her fencing and rapier practice.
@Harry - Well, I am glad you avoided the less than honest life for which Riddleport is renown and you have my deepest sympathy that you were not able to save the little girl. I am glad that you were able to exact some revenge on the one that caused the attack - Calistria would be very proud of your thoroughness with your revenge (as well as your prowess with the ladies).
Regarding you attacking technique, I must say while rage and charging into battle with your weapon drawn is quite effective, there are many monsters out there which would simply open their mouthes and consume you in one bite if you tried that tactic against them, so please be careful or there will be many sad folk in Sandpoint - especially the young ladies.
Nonetheless, I would be honored to join you and your companions on your next expedition so that I can chronicle your exploits and recount them in stories and songs - and in a few jokes as well since that seems to be what the local crowd enjoys.
@ Karlan:
The sheriff is a bit surprised as you recommend him to take a week of vacation, but after two days of thinking about it, he follows your advice and promotes you to captain of the guard for the time he spends in Magnimar, sightseeing.
When he returns about 8 days later, he looks really refreshed and relaxed. Your idea has proven to be very good.
@ Kanyk:
While travelling with Shalelu she tells you a lot of local tales, especially about the Sandpoint Devil, a strange mythical creature that is said to roam the shoes in the misty moonless nights...she often emphasizes that it is every real hunter's goal to get the head of that wretched and human-hating creature.
@ All:
After about four weeeks have passed, on a very rainy and gloomy morning, the sheriff calls you all together. You meet inside the Rusty Dragon, in a side room which is normally reserved for special events like weddings and such. Bethana has put several mugs with hot punch and coffe on the table and carries two large plates with pastries into the room as you arrive.
The sheriff is already there and he glowers at the food as if it was poisoned. He's totally drnched and you guess he has spent most of the morning outside. After everyone has arrived he explains
First, let me thank you again, for all you've done for Sandpoint. It's fortunate that you're proven yourselves so capable, because we've a problem that I think you can help us with - a problem that I wish I dind't have to involve anyone with, but onethat needs dealing with now before the situation grows worse. Put simply we have a murderer in our midst - one who, i fear, has only begun his work. Some of you doubtless remember the Late Unpleasantness...much was told you about it I guess...and how this town nearly tore itself apart in fear as Chopper's slayings went on unanswered. I'm afraid we might have something similar brewing now. Last night, the murderer struck at the sawmill. There are two victims and they're...ummm they're in a pretty gruesome shape. The bodies were discovered by one of the mill workers, a man named Ibor Thhorn, and by the time my men and I arrived on the scene, a crowd of curious gawkers had already sprung up. I've got my men stationed there now, keeping the mill locked down, but the thing that bothers me isn't the fact that we have two bdead bodies inside. It's the fact that this is actually the second set of murders we've had in the last few days. I come to you for help in this matter - my men are good, especially since Karlan has started to train them, but they are still green. They were barely able to handle themselves against the goblins and what we're facing now is an evil far worse than goblins. I need the help. But I'm afraid you'll need the help too. You see, I'm afraid that this particular murderer knows one of you aswell.
With that he hands Harry a bloodstained letter with his name on it.
"Excuse me, Sheriff. Do you have any suspects or motives in regards to the victims involved? Does this letter give us any clues?"
Karlan looks over curiously at at the newcomer and is surprised to see Perdition there at all. Yet when the sheriff pulls out the letter he can;t help but ahve his attention drawn away from them to Harry. "Considering our friends colorful history and opinion of his home town we could probably count the entire city of Riddleport as suspects right now."
Glancing at the letter as it is handed to Harry.
Could I look at that letter? While I will never profess to be an expert, I am quite good at identifying forgeries and recognizing handwriting. Sheriff, if you have examples of other people's handwriting, particularly the criminal and wealthier citizens of Sandpoint, I might be able to determine who wrote the letter.
Linguistics is a little ambiguous on something like this, but I would think that I could recognize if it appeared to be a male or female handwriting and if there are comparison samples, might be able to identify the writer.
Checks for linguistics and possible errors are supposed to be made in secret by the DM. My Linguistics is +9
The sheriff shakes his head and explains
The letter is for Harry, I didn't open it and it's totally up to him, if he want to share what is written inside.
Motives and suspects?
he turns to Celestra, his expreession clearly mirroring that he finds her question extremely naive
As soon as you see the bodies you will surely agree that this wasn't done by someone I know...or want to know...or would even allow to stay a single moment longer in Sandpoint would I knew whom to suspect. As soon as you have taken a drain from the hopefully strong coffee, I'll lead you to the lumber mill..oh and I don't recommend to take one of the pastries...otherwise you might puke them out fairly soon.
While waiting for Harry to decide what to do with the letter.
Sheriff, isn't the lumber mill owned by the Scarnettis? I understand that they are one of the four families who more or less politically control Sandpoint. Is there anything that you could tell us about the Scarnettis before we go marching into their lumber mill like mice with our heads cut off? - - - Er, sorry, bad analogy there, my apologies.
My understanding is that much of the last incident the Saviours investigated arose from Amieko's slightly dysfunctional family, specifically her brother. This ended up with some gruesome murders in the glass works. Could this be somehow related, perhaps some priest of the demon goddess or other dark soul who is pulling their strings like an evil marionette.
The sheriff takes one of the coffe mugs and empties it quickly
The Scarnettis are just as you said one of the most influential families of Sandpoint. Titus Scarnetti, their patriarch, is someone I wouldn't want to have trouble with. However, the Scarnettis are closely linked to Jubrayl's men and normally they don't have to get their hands dirty, the Sczarni's solve most of their problems. Besides that...mhhh...the Scarnettis control nearly all mills between Magnimar and Riddleport, lumber mills, wind mills, flour mills...
If you do not mind. Who exactly were the victims? Members of the Scarnetti family? Workers? Locals? Were they people who would normally be in the mill? Or does it appear that someone brought them there?
Friends with Jubrayl huh. -- I'za suppozin I'z gunna havta speak wid mista Jubrayl den. Sorry all, don't know if I mentioned it, but I helped the good sheriff with some difficulties related to Mr. Jubrayl while you were out fighting demon possessed women.
Harry sighs, and then opens the letter, wondering what get news is now destined to share itself with him.
"Well you make a lot of enemies in Riddleport, but they are generally pretty lazy about following up vendettas when they involve setting foot on land, other than in taverns and inns. Maybe some clever Goblin has learned to write"
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"Excuse me, Sheriff. Do you have any suspects or motives in regards to the victims involved?"
Celestra carefully watches the sheriff's response to her question.
Perception
He turns to Celestra, his expreession clearly mirroring that he finds her question extremely naive.
Once Celestra sees the sheriff's reaction she flares up, burning mad and tired of his discrimination. She realizes that if she is ever going to get rid of this naive reputation once and for all, she is going to need to express herself with a little more force. She draws her rapier and points it right at the Sheriff's chest before he has a chance to respond. She then confronts him on his ill treatment!
"I will put up with this crap no more! Just because I have a pair of breasts doesn't mean I'm naive and don't have a brain! Furthermore, just because I am always in an optimistic, cheerful, good mood, doesn't mean I am going to sit back and take your s$#& any more, Buckwheat! Listen well, for I am not going to repeat myself. I've been out busting my ass for you in dungeons, risking my life and limb, dodging deadly traps, not to mention fighting against a goblin hoard led by a demon witch, and now I'm about to take on a murderer here in your little town. From now on, I'm going to start getting a little more respect or my blade is going to find a new home in someone's gullet! Now, if I ask you a question again, no matter how sweet and gentle my voice may sound, you are going to answer me straight up and honest and you're not going to give me that look again! Now, is there any part of this discussion that I have not made completely clear to you?!!!!"
Intimidate
"Bethana, you better pour me a glass of rum to get me through the rest of this meeting!"
A little shocked by Celestra's response, Perdition tries not to laugh. "I would have expected that out of one the toothy fellows, but Celestra, wow." he thinks to himself. Taking a drink of the coffee, as he his a great lover of the beverage, Wildfire glances to Bethana giving her a sly smile. As is often the case with gnomes, he pays some attention to the discussion, but finds far to serious to really contribute to in any useful manner. Then he hears mention of goblins and his blood boils,"GOBLINS! Stinking vermin probably talked of there bugbear cousins into getting some revenge. Worthless cowards the lot of them." Upon hearing Harry's remark about one writing, Perdition burst into a fit of laughter,"Harry, you are too much. You adding comedy to your routine, too?"
"Ahhh now she has found the true spirit! finally the lass has a bit of rum fire in her belly!"
"Yeah I don't think one of the brickheads really managed to slap together enough of the slurry they regard as brains... but lets see who my new admirer is. Reckon this is going to end with me hitting someone with my axe"
Having already stuffed a number of pastries into his endless maw Karlan swallows his bites reaches out with a gauntled hand and gently pulls the rapier down. "Easy there. Let me get my breakfast in before I have to break up any brawls. Little early for whiskey anyway. I'll take some coffee Bethana! Thank you!"
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Elbowing Celestra in the ribs, I quietly whisper to her: I understand your frustration, especially with the hit first, ask questions later crew you have. However, you need to learn when to let your anger loose and how to direct it. This is not the time or place. There is a killer out there - that is the object of your anger, not the good sheriff. I could tell you many stories of heros who died because they allowed anger to overcome logic and preparedness. Lets find out what the sheriff knows, then get on with the investigation. There will be a time for your anger - right now, lets prove that while we may not be all braun, we are just as valuable, and likely more valuable, than our larger compatriots.
Diplomacy:
"Well lets not be too hasty about leaving all those pastries behind. You never know, we might be out looking about all day and a little snack never goes astray..."
"Well lets not be too hasty about leaving all those pastries behind. You never know, we might be out looking about all day and a little snack never goes astray..."
"However, you need to learn when to let your anger loose and how to direct it. This is not the time or place. There is a killer out there - that is the object of your anger, not the good sheriff. "
"Ailetha, I appreciate your concern, but this is not the time. I have been gentle, kind and patient long enough. I know this sort and they just don't seem to understand anything other than the blade. So, if this is what it is going to take, then this is what I'm gonna use. From now on, things are going to be a little different around here! Savvy?"
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The sheriff, obviously enraged by Celestra's outbreak, slams his fist on the table - the pastries dance around - and bellows
Who do you think you are that you dare to point a weapon at me? I'm the law enforcer of this town and by the law I could arrest you now, bind you to a pole and let someone whip you the whole g#+&~&n day! I have never said you were naive, just your stupid question was naive!
He is so furious that he even forgts to answer Ailetha.
@ Harry:
Inside the letter, the following is written in a very sophisticated handwriting
We have spoken of this before, my master, Now it begins. Join the pack and it will end.
The outbursts almost catch Harry off guard, he starts speaking with his mouth half full of pastry "Lets all just be calm there a moment my good Sheriff and Miss Zomesco..." he rapidly tries to swallow the mouthfull of pastry, "Any chance there's another Harry in town? This letter doesn't make any sense? 'We have spoken of this before, my master, Now it begins. Join the pack and it will end.' No sense at all, the only job offers I took was to go aboard the Slippery Eel, now consigned to the inky depths, and the local Constabulary. 'Master'? no one has put me in charge of anything more than a keg of ale or a buxom lasses hindquarters in as long as I can remember"
He says the last with the usual 'Harry' style of rough roguish humour and with enough volume to try catch the Sherrifs attention away from his current annoyance.
"Whatcha reckon Boss? There another Harry around these parts perhaps?
Diplomacy - Smooth over the tension...
Another Harry? Mhhh...
The sheriff ponders about that for a moment, then shakes his head
Not that I know...maybe the killer is just a total lunatic. Will you accompany me to the lumbermill now?
"I didn't really think there was another Harry, I just kind of hoped it. Who could think I should join them though? Only people I've really had any sort of real contact with was the Sczarni folk as I arrived, suppose they could want me to join, This lot here...who I have joined" Harry motions to his fellows, "And Shayliss Vinder who I've been joining three times a week and put more wind in her sails than the combined fleet of Riddleport."
"Got me well stuck for answers"
"Lets get to the mill, come on Thumper you lazy mutt, we might need you to track" Harry throws the last bit of pastry he was trying to scoff down to the dog, all the better to keep a good hold of his axe.
Kanyk had arrived a bit late, the effort of keeping the half wild wolf in check having slowed his rate of movement somewhat.
He arrives just as the confrontation between Celestra and the Sheriff flares up and grimaces as Celestra resorts to pointing weapons, trying to redirect the Sheriff's attention he asks a question of his own.
"Bodies too mutilated to get an idea of who they were before or reckon they're from out of town?"
Harry looks at Kanyk and then at the wolf. Thumper looks at Kanyk and then at the wolf. Harry grabs Thumper by the collar immediately. "Sit, stay. Friend!"
Harry then spends the next while ensuring the new party member and the old dog socialise and can play well together.
Handle Animal -
Turning to Kanyk, the sheriff mutters
I know those people...just wanted to tell you more about it when you were also at the scene...sometimes that helps to notice things one wouldn't notice when already pondering too much about possible implications.
The sheriff nods to the door, thanks Bethana curtly and steps out into the pouring rain.
You walk down Prickleback Lane and the sheriff was right, at the end of the road, along the river bank, a large crowd has already assembled in front of the lumbermill (SM 25).
Two guards, pale as the full moon stand guard at the door of the lumber mill and a strange oppressive feeling starts to spread inside you as you enter the building.
At first you notice the strange smell - the lingering scent of decay in the air is curious-it smells almost as if a small animal had died somewhere in the room and its remains were allowed to ripen.
The mill interior is coated with sawdust strewn with footprints and splashes of blood. As the sheriff looks at the prints he remarks
We have no tracker here, but I told my men to move around very carefully. Now come over here, that's the first body.
You're shocked to notice that what you thought was log is not only log but human body parts that lie in a pile underneath the log splitter. The mangled ruined remains of a young woman lie amid heaps of bloodstained firewood. Someone must have pushed the girl into the funnel that leads right into the splitter.
We have already confirmed where she is...was...Katrine Vinder....Shayliss older sister.
The sheriff shakes his head and waks over to the eastern wall of the room.
This is the body of Banny Harker.
Harker's body has been horribly desecrated. The poor man has been affixed to the wall by several hooks normally used to hang machinery. The body is mutilated, the face carved away and the llower jaw missing completely. The bare chest is defaced as well, bearing a strange rune in the shape of a seven pointed star - it's the same rune as on the medaillon Nualaia wore, which you now possess.
Oh, and there is something with this axe.
The sheriff returns to the log splitter next to which a handaxe is embedded in the floor. The handle is bloodstained with finger marks.
Ok, now I need your help...I can't make any sense of that. The guy who found the bodies, Ibor Thorn waits outside if you want to ask him questions.
There were rumours that banny Harker and Katrine had a semi-secret relationship.
Retcon with Sheriff
"Who do you think you are that you dare to point a weapon at me? I'm the law enforcer of this town and by the law I could arrest you now, bind you to a pole and let someone whip you the whole g%+!$%n day! I have never said you were naive, just your stupid question was naive!"
Celestra withdraws her blade and replies, "Well, if you want to work with me, here, then let's be a little more supportive and refrain from giving me any discouraging looks. I want to be part of your team, but I will not tolerate any more rudeness!"
Presently
Knowledge, Local
"Now I have been in town only a month, but didn't Harker and Katrine have some sort of relationship happening?"
Celestra concentrate carefully and cast Detect Magic on the axe and the medallion.
Fort
Harry manages to choke down the smell, but is still disgusted by the sights and the brutality. As accustomed as he is to the worst excess of Riddleport, he still finds this shocking.
He moves outside with Thumper and begins a slow clockwise walk around the building, spiralling outwards. ’Where would I have stood to watch the building?’ He looks for a vantage point that allows him to see the building without being clearly observed. ’How did I get in?’ he returns on his favoured path to the building to begin looking for the likely sites of entry, on a ground floor he looks at locks and windows, but also checks the walls below higher windows for signs of footprints on the wall that may have resulted from someone scaling the outside with a grapple and similarly checks the window sills for where a hook may have dug in.
Perception
Cousin Kanyk, you want to see if you can find some tracks? could be one person, could be a couple. Killing two people like that is difficult, might be there's a few hands in this"
Perception