Going through the entire vault was slow and tedious, however it went faster with lots of hand helping. At the end of the inventory they found that about a third of the vault was missing. Careful scrutiny revealed only one important similarity between the missing items - proximity. It seemed pretty clear that the Skulks had started in the closest corner and had moved with the intent of taking every single item, but had been interrupted midway. Areas that they had not reached showed no signs that someone had try to search them, they were simply not yet reached.
The ledger itself revealed that many people in Illsurian had borrowed money or pawned items to Archivin Walder. There were many names that Fain recognized, but no particular item or transaction leapt out as suspicious. However, one thing was incredibly clear from the records, the sheer amount of gold and valuable items kept in the Locked Box made it an enticing target for a robbery. Even with the botched execution, the organizers of this heist had likely made off with close to 2000gp worth of valuables.
Fain rubbed his sore jaw. As he had been reading through his portion of the ledgers he had been mouthing the words, "I know we're at the beginning of this and Luk Luk is right, we can't get ahead of ourselves ... I mean I ... I can't, but the more we learn, the more I feel like the two murders are different. Archivin's murder had hate behind it, it was the act of a monster. Tomas' murder had greed behind it. This room feels unplanned.", Fain got out of his seat and stretched, "Let's find Vard and get back to Umbra. Maybe we can get a late lunch there or at least some of that foreign tea and rum-cake."
Sheriff Feldane seemed shocked by the news of the skulks and their addiction. "No, we had no idea such creatures lived so close to our border! And shiver? Well, I'm familiar with the drug, but to be honest I always considered it one of those city problems. Does that mean we have a dealer in our midst?" She looked troubled, "Unfortunately, none of this information exonerates the circus. I'm not sure we can take these, skulks was it? Well, I don't think we can take them at their word...and it's hard to deny that these troubles only seemed to start when they arrived." She paused, "But there is still much that is unknown...and we will certainly consider the evidence you have brought..."
---
While the Sheriff seemed to be having doubts of the circus's guilt, the people around Illsurian that Vard spoke to did not seem to be quite so open minded. Strange creatures in the area? "Sound like freaks. The circus probably uses them to do their dirty work." Drug dealers? "I hear Magnimar has a real Shiver problem...bet those Varisians smuggled in a wagon's load of it!" Burglaries? "I've been hearing all day that people have been getting their purses cut at the carnival!" The last one seemed to get repeated a lot and Vard was able to find at least one person who confirmed it. "Yep. Was walking through the Midway, go to look for a few coppers and my purse ain't no where to be seen!" said one rather pissed off looking elderly man. "Guess they just can't help themselves! Not much an old man can do about it and it was only a few coints, but soon they are gonna cut the wrong purse and things are going to get rowdy over there! I wasn't gonna stick around for the trouble!"
"I think we can all agree that the skulks killed Tomas because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and they were given permission to kill if needed."
She looked at the uninformative list, "If we can figure out who wanted Mister Walder dead then we may find out who's behind this all. I think they've taken advantage of the fact that the Carnival came to town and then tried to frame them with the robbery."
"Food would be good. Then I know that Jenni and I would like to swing by the zoo. Anyone else who wants is welcome to come with."
@Fain - ON=overnight
Jenni's head ached with the all the books and words. In the end, she'd been mainly a runner- checking the location of things the others described to her. She couldn't understand why anybody would choose to do this for their whole life. On purpose.
When food was mentioned, her stomach rumbled. "Food. Yes. Lunch please. Then animals!" She was so excited about the zoo that she almost forgot they would be going to look for killer claws.
"Thank you Fain. And very right Alenka. Nothing says it couldn't have been some trained attack beast that killed Archivin." Luk Luk suggested as she pushed herself off of the case she'd been leaning over. The elf was glad the inventory was over. "We could ask the assistant handlers if they recognize what could've attacked Archivin. I doubt the owner is sober or trustworthy."
Luk Luk laughs at Jenni's enthusiastic suggestion. And laughs a little more when her own stomach growls, "So we shall we venture for victuals before we beset the beastly ex-Umbral zoo. I can think of no other leads at this time so unless there is a better plan I too will visit the zoo."
"If we can figure out who wanted Mister Walder dead then we may find out who's behind this all. I think they've taken advantage of the fact that the Carnival came to town and then tried to frame them with the robbery."
"Perhaps the only reason to kill the keeper of coins was to get to his vault after all," Thrym mused. "The vault was well protected, opening it without the keeper's key might have proven beyond the capabilities of those drug-addled creatures. And if the guards of the vault did not know about the second key, why would the mastermind of the raid?"
"But I agree we need to check the zoo, compare the claws of the beats with the wounds... not that it sounds like the people here are interested in details," Thrym grunted. "We need the people behind this, preferably still fit to confess their crimes, or the mob will apply their own kind of justice."
After a couple hours investigation, the group reunited to share what they had learned and discuss their theories over a late lunch. With full stomachs, but still many unanswered questions, the consensus seemed to be to investigate the carnival zoo and see if any animals fit the the description of Walder's murderer.
However, as they approached closer to the carnival it became clear that something was wrong. Many people were rushing away from the carnival, with children held in arms, while others were crowding around, as if to watch some kind of event. Those who ran by spared little time to answer questions only saying, "A fight's about to break out!"
Pushing past the crowd, the sound of shouting began to pierce through the murmurs. "You thieven' Varisians are trying to bleed our town dry!" At the center of the drama were four angry young Illusirian men hurling accusations and insults at two carnival guards. "You boys need to leave our carnival! Now! Final warning!" replied the two equally agitated looking guards. "Or what?" One of the bolder looking young men asked, giving the guard a hard shove, "You gonna make me? What? No so tough when your lady lion killer ain't here?" It was clear that tensions were rising quickly and the guards were losing patience, as they began to saps at their waste with white knuckles. Still the men did not give them space, "I ain't going nowhere til you return my money!"
Fain walked over to where the fight was about to break out grabbing a rundlet barrel as he went. He un-shouldered his bow, stuck three arrows in the dirt infront of him, then set the little barrel down and made himself a seat. "Don't mind me. Just be aware if any of you go too far I'll shoot you through the thigh ... 'a vague disclaimer is nobodies friend'." He settled in with the hopes that his nonchalant threat would help them to reconsider the consequences of fighting.
The scene went quiet, as everyone turned to look at the halfling on the barrel. "What you tryna say to me?" The main guy said aggressively to Fain.
However, one of the other guys put a hand on his shoulder. "I...I think he might really shoot us...He's got that crazy circus freak kinda look!"
Another one muttered, "Ain't he just that gardener from town?"
"Whatever, man! He looks serious! I ain't getting killed by some crazy halfling!"
Most of the men began backing away and disappearing into the crowd. The remaining one gave them an annoyed look, "Guys! He's just a nosy halfling...guys?" Realizing he had lost his backup, his own resolve to start a fight started to dissolve. However, his anger remained. "Remember this everybody! First they mug you! Speak up and try to get it back? That's when they send their thugs after you!" he grumbled, as he also retreated.
In the distraction that was the ranting young man, it might have been easy to miss the carnival worker who ran up to speak to one of the guards.
"Why aren't you guarding Jherizana's cage! We have an incident to deal with!" the worker whispered urgently.
"Uh...yeah, we kind of have a situation here too that we were dealing with..." the guard replied with annoyance.
"Well deal with it! We've got bigger problems. We've gotta find Mistress Denisen..." The man said with a pained voice, "We are so screwed..."
Luk Luk almost used Prestidigitation to call up what appeared to be a ball of crackling lightning in her hand. But Fain's work did better, "Oh ho ho, Fain. So scary you are, and I didn't even need to break out the stun magic to use on anyone. She then yelled after the running bragger, "You're supposed to take it tell it to the watch! Unless this was a hustle! Because the watch would arrest you for that!" Because it'd be good to try to make the crowd less hostile to the carnival while the group was at the carnival.
The elf's ears twitch as she picks up what is being said. The name is also familiar. She walks right up to the worried worker and speak directly to them, "What might be wrong with Miss Jherizana?" Luk Luk holds up her right hand in a stop gesture, "And before you ask who we are, we're the ones Mistress Denisen and the Sheriff agreed to have be a third party to help with the recent problems."
Jenni was trying to figure out what to do to help the situation when Fain hopped onto his barrel and handled it by his little bitty self. Her respect for the tiny person grew yet again as the fight broke up.
She clapped him on the back, then used her other hand to stop him from toppling off his barrel. "That was great, Fain! If I ever need a body guard, I know who to ask!"
As the final human left, she asked, "Can we please go see the animals now?"
Alenka was marvelling at the ignorant stupidity displayed by the young men. How do they stay alive with such narrow, skewed thoughts. They'd be chewed up and spit out in any larger city with views like theirs.
She was so distracted by her musings that she was completely oblivious to what was going on around her until Jenni spoke. "Yes, I need to examine the animals so to the animals we shall go."
Thrym nodded approvingly as the halfling's threat made the local vigilantes back down. Not that he expected the respite to last - sooner of later, the people would whip themselves back into a frenzy and perhaps gather more of their friends for the next attenpt at civil justice. But that was a problem for another moment.
"Well done, Fain. Although I do hope their anger cools in the meantime..." Vard said, watching the retreating youths.
His thoughts were interrupted by the carnival worker.
"Wait, did you just say the carnival mistress is missing?"
Fain talked through whatever else was going on, "Honestly, I don't care if some men get into a fight, but someone could have gone too far. 'A well placed promise is better than a well placed arrow.', Fain addressed the guards, "But this isn't over. Just because I don't want people to kill each other doesn't mean I don't believe those boys didn't have a valid ... what? What's happening?"
The carnival worker gave Luk Luk a nervous smile, "Oh...nothing to worry about ma'am. Just enjoy the carnival!" The guard shook his head, "Didn't you hear her? Those are the investigators that Mistress Denisen hired?" As Vard spoke, the guard got a worried look and he turned back to the worker. A little too loudly he asked, "What, do you mean she's missing!?!" Earning some attention from those nearby.
The worker laughed nervously again. "Oh no, no, no...Mistress Denisen is not missing! Everything is fine!" He said, as much to the crowd, as anyone else. Bringing his voice down low tone again, he hissed, "Keep your voice down...and no, I just need to find her...and Master Venlock, so they can tell us what to do!" He gestured for the group to follow him away from the crowd, before whispering again. The fear was obvious in his voice. "We found a woman...mauled...right outside of Jherizana's cage! There's been another murder!"
"Woman... not one of your own then?" Thrym grunted, his voice lowered to almost match the worker's. "Lead on, then, and tell us all you can."
One of the guards cursed loudly, while the other just shook his head. "This is getting so far out of hand! I'll go find Mistress Denisen..." The other one gave him a nod, "...And I'll go find Master Venlock..." They ran off searching, leaving you alone with the carnival worker, who gestured for you to follow himbto the Midway.
His voice still hushed, he explained what he knew, [smaller]"We don't know who she is...or where she came from. But, she looks like some kind of religious figures...you know, robes and holy symbol and all that..."
He stopped walking at an enormous tent, dwarfed only by the Big Top itself. A sign outside advertised that the the area's purpose was for visitors to be able to meet the sphinx at limited times throughout the day. The worker, pulled the curtain back slightly to allow everyone to enter. Inside you saw a large cage which lined with silk sheets and satin pillows, but did not currently have any occupant. Several more carnival workers were pacing and fretting around a body lying on the floor. It belonged to an older woman, whose ethnic heritage was not immediately apparent. Across her chest were familiar looking claw marks and it was quite clear she was dead.
Luk Luk shakes her head, because of course there would be another killing. She followed along and was completely unsurprised that the victim was unknown to her. The claw marks were clearly familiar,
"Well I now know someone really IS trying to frame Jherizana," was the first thought that came out loud. This was less likely to be a opportune murder and robbery now. Someone wanted the town to attack the carnival. "And that lizard's escape may not have been a accident either."
Luk Luk turned to the carnival worker, "These wounds look like what killed Archivin Walder. Claw pattern is entirely wrong for a sphinx's paw. Killing this priestess here however means someone wants Jherizana blamed. Can you think of anyone that really doesn't like Jherizana? Oh!" the elf blinked as she realized something else, "Or witnesses. Who found the body? And Jherizana herself should be questioned too. She isn't a suspect," Luk Luk holds up a placatory hand to the worker before he can say anything to that. She then closes that hand into a fist with the index finger pointing up, "But she could give us some leads. She'd know more about who might want to frame her then anybody else. Or if she's seen anything. So, where is she?"
Luk Luk wanted to question Jherizana about something unrelated. To make sure the sphinx was in the cage as part of an act and not as property.
Fain stopped at the door and stared at the person laying dead next to the cage. He let people pass by him suddenly seeming a million miles away. He could hear Luk Luk talking, the words registered but as if through a glass wall. He tried to speak up but couldn't seem to get any volume, "Please don't walk about the space too much ... how many people have been in here?"
Fain bent his knees and averted his eyes from the mauled woman ... he cast them down ... they slowly came back into focus on the ground. And like a dog remembering that it can smell ...
He crawled on all fours through the area as he talked, "Her name is Sister Esrelda Woodmere .. ahem, Woodmere. She's a respectable klogervoman ... um, a clergywoman. The town's cleric of Erastil and she's well known here. I don't know her personally but I've heard her speak. I've never known of her to talk of anything but peace and reconciliation."
Vard peered at where the body lay, seeing if he could spot anything unusual.
He addressed the workers - "When was the body found? And who was last to see Jherizana? Were any of the public seeing her today?"
In a quieter voice to the party he added, "There must be something more going on. If this was a simple robbery, than there was no need to kill the priestess."
Without asking permission, Alenka approached the body and began examining it. The claw marks looked similar to those on Mister Walder's body, something that she was fairly sure wouldn't match the sphinx, but she wanted to be sure before speaking.
"The Sheriff should be informed so that it doesn't look like you're trying to hide anything. And we need to examine and speak to Jherizana."
NOPE
Jenni looked around the ground for tracks, but mostly noticed Fain crawling around with his butt in the air. She looked then at the cage, looking to see if it seemed broken into or out off, or if there were signs of a scuffle inside it.
"If someone wanted to drive the people against the Varisian visitors, killing a well-liked local would do it," Thrym grunted. "And if someone wanted to distract people from solving one crime, a mob tearing through the place would be a good start."
One of the workers responded to Luk Luk, "Um...I mean Jherizana's character is kind of aloof and some people get offended about the whole topless thing...but I can't think why anyone would personally have it out for her!" Two of the others raised their hands, "We found the body. We were gonna make sure everything was clean before the next show started...and...well...we found her..." To Vard they responded, "Jherizana didn't do any shows this morning...Mistress Denisen was worried about public reaction. I think she wanted to see how people acted today and decide on the afternoon shows based on that..." He added woefully, "I don't think we're having an afternoon show..."
"Oh! Sorry!" they apologized to Fain, as the halfling began crawling around looking for tracks. For those examining the ground it was clear that this area had experienced a lot of foot traffic in the last few days, making it difficult to discern specific footprints. However, remembering Jenni's observations from earlier in the day, Fain was able to rule out the presence of any tracks belonging to a large, heavy feline body. Also, the blood splatters and lack of drag marks seemed to indicate that she was in fact murdered in this tent. As they studied the tracks, Vard was able to point out a set that seemed a little more recent than the rest. Fain took a look and yes! They were more recent than the others. Crawling along the ground he traced the tracks of two...maybe three humanoids, leading to the back of the tent where a couple of the tent's stakes had been pulled out of the ground to permit egress. Crawling under the tent flap, he continued to follow the footprints until he found two tearaway clown costumes that had been discarded into the bushes. After that point, the footprints joined the main path and were lost in the maze of wagons, tents and other foot traffic.
Alenka began to study the body and found that the claw marks were likely caused by the same creature that killed Archivin Walder. However, she noticed one additional wound that Walder did not have - a slender rope burn around her throat, indicative of strangulation by garrote or similar weapon. At the conclusion of her examination, something else caught her eye. Three glass bottles, perhaps dropped by mistake near the tent flap.
Mid-investigation, Amara and another well armed looking man came rushing into the tent. Amara gasped, "Ceruri ... Își odihnesc sufletul..." Turning to her people, she asked, "...and you just found her here? Have you called for the sheriff yet?"
The workers shook their heads, one of them spoke up, "N...no...they...they are going to think we...that Jherizhana..."
This seemed anger Amara, "Fools! What do you think they will believe if hide it!" She pointed her finger at them accusingly, "We will not be part of a cover up....You! Go find the Sheriff! Now...And where the hell were the guards in all of this!?!"
The man who entered with her spoke up, "I can explain that...As we were discussing, there was an outburst of purses being cut in the last hour or so. My people were being pulled away from their posts left and right to calm things down and break up fights." Amara sighed, accepting the explanation, but rubbing her temple as if a headache was forming. Turning to the party, she remarked "This is getting out of hand...Please tell me you at least have some good news..."
Without even looking up from the body, Alenka said to the guards, "Told you."
As she looked over the wounds she spoke out loud but wasn't addressing anyone in particular or even checking to see if anyone was listening. "This body was strangled, probably with a garrotte as well as mauled. Looks like the same claw marks as found on Mister Walder's body - which doesn't match a sphinx. The fact that two methods of killing were used concurrently suggests more than one attacker. I really need to speak with, and examine the claws of, Jherizana."
This is when Alenka looks up at Amara, "Where is she exactly?"
Catching the last of what Amara said, Alenka hypothesized, "Sounds like there was another distraction staged in order to misdirect by taking advantage of the town's prejudices."
Fain looked over the clown costumes. He was checking for anything though the course beard hair of a red headed man kept coming to mind.
He walked back into the tent carrying the two clown costumes just as Alenka started talking, "The tracks suggest up to three people. The costumes at the end of them, two."
Luk Luk didn't like the prospect. Murder, faking wounds, and clown costumes. "Indeed, so many distractions Thrym, but I wander if it is to even hide a crime." the elf shook her head, "Creating more evidence to incite a angry mob perhaps? This is looking like a, hmm, what is the right word? Conspiracy I suppose. I'm just saying getting a mob to destroy the carnival could be the goal not a decoy."
She looked back the way they'd come, "I guess we should've grabbed one of those ramble rousers. We meet anymore we should grab them. Somebody could've paid them to cause the distraction. That'd be another lead if Jherizana has no ideas."
Jenni stared at the clown costumes, aghast. "Clowns?! Why would they be involved? They're always so happy!" She looked quite offended at the idea.
Vard addressed Mistress Denisen. "We do have some news - the murder yesterday seems to have been part of a robbery - the pawnbroker was killed for his vault key. That suggests some prior planning at least. Caught a couple of the culprits at the scene, but they're not the brains - just drug addled lackeys. Bad part is that they are skulks - you seen any before? - so any evidence they give isn't seen as too trustworthy. "
As Fain brought in the costumes, Vard asked "D'you recognise these costumes, Mistress Denisen? Could be someone pinched them to use as disguises - maybe to trick this poor woman, maybe to blend in - if they were stolen we'll need to check where they were kept."
Jenni stared at the clown costumes, aghast. "Clowns?! Why would they be involved? They're always so happy!" She looked quite offended at the idea.
"Good point Queen. Beside the fact that the costumes were abandoned, there is definite malice in this murder. Wether to stir discontent, defame the carnival, or because they had a particular reason to hate Messr Walder and Sister Woodmere. I mean, if they were actual clowns they would have to be totally mad!" Fain paused for a moment to consider if they were tracking two crazed clown killers.
"We do have some news - the murder yesterday seems to have been part of a robbery - the pawnbroker was killed for his vault key. That suggests some prior planning at least... "
Does Vard know that the murder and the robbery are definitely connected? Is he holding something back?
Fain's brow is furrowed but he wasn't saying anything. The, what seems to be two, people who killed Archivin also murdered Sister Woodmere. That feels true. So was Mister Walder's key picked from him during the carnival? Did the killers take it - was it the reason he was killed? Did the thieves happen upon his body and take the key for a chance at the vault and then cover their tracks at the scene? If the thieves and the murderers aren't the same people, did the thieves witness the murder because they were already following Arch? The skulks are maybe being led by two people, are they the same as the killers? If the reason for the first murder was the robbery then why did they kill the poor sister here?
Thrym poked the discarded costumes with his foot. "If someone wanted to walk overtly disguised among people and not attract attention, I'd say these clown costumes were a good choise," Thrym grunted, testing out the foreign word. "Had we a trained bloodhound, we might be able to use these to find the people who last wore them... but we don't. Unless the Carnival's zoo has such trained beasts?"
Amara shook her head as the group discussed prejudices in the town. "I knew Illsurian was Chelaxian dominated, but I never thought it would be this bad. Honestly, I would pack up an leave if I didn't think that it would make us look more guilty...I just want to keep our reputation in tact."
"Skulks?" Amara responded to Vard, "Unpleasant sorts from what I've heard. We've been fortunate to never have had any trouble with them on the road...until now, I guess..."
She accepted the clown costumes, and looked them over. "I will admit that I don't know every costume my performers use...but I don't think these are ours. We tend to favor more traditional Varisian costumes...and our clown's costumes are quite elaborate...these look designed to be removed quickly."
As everyone finished up investigating, the Sheriff, several guards and some priests of Erastil came rushing into the scene. She saw the dead woman and shook her head in frustration. She looked up and saw the empty cage. Pointing to it she directly she demanded of Amara, "Where is she right now? Why is she not in that cage!?!"
Amara flushed at the sheriff's directness. She waited for a moment, as if hoping for an out, but was only met with a cold stare. "Well...I don't really know..." she began to explain
"YOU DON"T KNOW!?!?!" Sheriff Feldane roared in response.
"...at the moment! She's probably...."
"How can you not know!?!?"
Now Amara was starting to look annoyed, having been cut off twice. "Because she's a free willed intelligent creature! The captive thing is just a show! We're not going to keep her in a cage when its not show hours!"
The Sheriff threw her hands up, as if this was the last straw. "You've brought dangerous creatures into this community - creatures that you cannot keep track of, let alone control! I can't say for certain that there's wrongdoing here on the part of your people, but after a point it ceases to matter. For the safety of my
Luk Luk could only respond to Jenni with a simple, "Shar?" the confused tone making it quite obvious she said what. Then questions and answers.
Luk Luk jumped as Feldane shouted. "Most true!" was her quip in when Amara defended not having Jherizana in the cage outside of show time. "Except Sister Woodmere was strangled and clawed Sheriff. Same weapon as Mister Walder and wrong pattern for Jherizana's paws. I do not mean to belittle the deaths but I believe this is motivate by greed but malice," Luk Luk shook her head, "I mean, if the killers only wanted coin then why slay Sister Woodmere? They'd have left town unless she was a witness. Though if the priests can raise or speak with her that could answer many questions too. Disguises, faking claw marks, and a timely problem to draw the guards from here? Too many coincidences I say. And you and Mistress Denisen are doing exactly what they'd want, fighting each other whilst they laugh at us all. We should find those who caused the distraction and see if they were paid to do so before they disappear."
The elf hoped her words would help calm them, and tried to gauge both sides.
"By all means continue your investigation. I will permit the six of you to enter and leave the area." Feldane responded bluntly, "But my decision is final. The circus is closed and they will not leave these grounds unless to leave Illsurian permanently. Tensions are too high and it is not safe for either side to have fights breaking out constantly. If you want to end the quarantine, find conclusive proof as to who is responsible. Now I have many other matters to attend to...but you know where my office is." Not stopping for any more questions, the sheriff turned and exited the tent.
One of the priests shyly stepped forward to respond to Luk Luk's other questions, "We don't really have that kind of magic. Sister Woodmere could have probably helped more...if she was still with us..." The woman looked to the ground despondently. "But I can tell you why the murderer would want her dead." Wiping away a tear, she began to explain, "Sister Woodmere is...well, was...part Varisian. She was proud of both her heritages and it upset her that everyone decided the circus was responsible so quickly, simply because they were Varisian. She said she was going to get to the bottom of it...to speak to the sphinx directly. She was a skilled with divination magic. She would have know for certain if the creature was lying about the murders..."
Alenka watched the sheriff leave. Addressing Amara she said, "You were saying? Where would Jherizana probably be? We need to talk to her."
She glanced over at the clown costumes, "Can we also speak with your clowns? I want to know if any of them recognize the costumes. Mistress Denisen, you said that these costumes aren't the kind your performers usually wear. Wouldn't your guards have noticed this as well? Can we speak to them too?"
"However, Jherizana is priority since someone is obviously trying to frame her and ruin your Carnival's reputation."
Amara's expression was unreadable for moment. After an awkward pause she sighed. "Yes. I suppose you should speak to Jherizana." She turned to one the workers. "Du-te să găsești imediat Ika. Spune-i că avem nevoie de ea să-l aducă pe Jherizana." She turned back to the party, "They will track her down. Come with me and I will take you back stage to the big top. That's where most of the clowns are, so you can talk them before the next show starts..." She shook her head and reminded herself, "...not that there's a next show, it would seem."
The remaining guard spoke up and reminded Alenka, "We weren't here, because we were distracted by the mob. Sounds like a lot of the guards were in the same boat." He thought for a moment, before adding, "It would be a good idea to ask around, though. The clowns don't really have any business being around this area. One of the carnival workers might have noticed something was amiss."
With that Amara led you to the big top, where she gathered all the clowns. Addressing the confused looking group, she said told them about the latest murder and the quarantine, earning gasps and a few sobs from the performers. Finally, she added, "These people have some questions for you. Please assist them in any way you can."
As they followed Amara to the big top, Alenka asked, "Who's Ika and why do you need her to fetch Jherizana? Can't we just go talk to her wherever she is?"
Fain started inside the tent and asked the clowns questions. He tried to be patient knowing this was probably going to take all afternoon. Paper was expensive but he reluctantly took out his animal journal and took what notes he thought important. When he was done inside the tent he walked the carnival fairgrounds asking others: 1) a man fitting Archivin Walder's description, if so what was he up to, was he with anyone; 2) anything 'strange' last night, anyone who looked out of place - performers that were unfamiliar; 3) remembering the time the lizard got loose what was happening at the carnival - what was happening at that time of day?
Vard spoke briefly with the priests. "I am sorry for your loss. I didn't know her, but I'm sure she'd have helped to soothe this inflammation of suspicion. Tell me, do you know when Sister Woodmere left to come here? And did anyone else know what she was planning to do?"
-
He thanked the priests and left them to their grief. He decided to walk around the carnival and question the workers - standing around inside the tent had become too stifling and he needed to stretch his legs and clear his head. There were a number of questions that might lead to answers.
* Had anyone seen the pawnbroker yesterday - and how late had he actually stayed?
* Had anyone see the priestess today, or her two clown companions?
Fain, seeing Vard leaving the tent just before him, ran to catch up. ,<Halfling>"I think we're on the same errand. Can I join you?">
Alenka went over to the three bottles that caught her eye and began to examine them. "These look out of place."
She got out her alchemy kit to see if she could determine what the contents had been.
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Jenni looked at the clowns with unabashed delight. A litany of questions tumbled from her. "Are these your costumes? You wouldn't really want to hurt anybody would you? Did it take a long time to learn how to do the falling-backward-somersault thing? And tell me the truth," her grey-green face became suddenly serious,"how do you all fit into that tiny covered wagon!
Alenka examined the bottles, but found too little remaining to determine what had been in them.
The priests started loading up the body onto a stretcher. "Pretty much everyone in town knew she was coming here...she was fairly public about it..." they answered Vard.
--
"I told you, I don't know where she is right now...Ika is one of my people. She will find her quickly...then we can circle back after you talk to the clowns." Amara responded somewhat curtly to Alenka, as they walked to the Big Top. "You will speak to her soon."
Except for the lizard escaping, no one seemed to remember anything unusual from the night before and Archivin Walder had not really been noticed by anyone. As for the lizards escape, everyone seemed pretty convinced that was just a case of Berithold being incompetent. He stood by his story, but no one else had seen this red bearded man.
As for the priestess, several people confirmed that they had heard rumors that a cleric wanted to speak with Jherizana and some of the workers saw her enter less than an hour prior. Unfortunately, everyone lost track of her, because right around the same time one of the customers noticed their purse was missing. Once that one person spoke up, a bunch of other people realized they had also been "pinched". After that all hell broke loose and every was pretty distracted from their usual jobs.
As for the clowns, only one person, a worker near the zoo mentioned having seen something. "Yeah...I did see clowns. Three of 'em. Near Jherizana's tent. It was a bit weird, since the guards weren't there and the clowns don't really come to our part of the circus...I thought maybe they were watching the tent, since the guards were away..." The girl shook her head, "But that doesn't even make sense...there weren't any shows today...and why not grab someone closer..."
The clowns were a strange sight. They wore smile painted make up, but their faces were anything put happy. "No...those aren't ours" One said, with confidence, "I've never seen these before...and of course we wouldn't want to hurt anyone! We don't even know this Sister Woodmere...Except that she was going to come an determine if Jherizana killed someone. Since we all know, she didn't kill anyone, that would have been great for us if she could have proven it! Why would we want to hurt her?"
Jenni's second set of questions caught them off guard. They looked to Amara with uncertainty, "I...uh...starting practicing a lot as a kid...I guess it took me a year to really get it down..." He scratched his head, "...and the car thing...uh...it's mostly a perspective thing...is this...uh...related to the murder somehow?"
As for the clowns, only one person, a worker near the zoo mentioned having seen something. "Yeah...I did see clowns ... But that doesn't even make sense...there weren't any shows today...and why not grab someone closer..."
Fain turned to Vard with a panicked look, "Dray klaunz ?! Nor bloyz tsvey kostiumen! Eyner fun di killers zal nokh zeyn do! Mir hobn tsu bakumen tsurik!"
Fain ran as fast as he could back to the tent.
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Six pages of notes on the local mouse populations and some stuff on badgers with a few poorly executed drawings of same.
This is hopefully a faithful recollection of events in order as they related to the murders at or around the Umbral Carnival
Vard said that the carnival workers said that many years ago Amara Denisen was an adventurer and that her companions were ‘slaughtered’ in an ‘ill fated venture’.
- What happened to Amara Denisen’s party all that time ago?
- Did any of her old party members have children?
- Has Amara or any of the Umbra Carnival workers been to Illsurian before?
It is also a rumour that Amara Denisen started the Carnival to forget her adventuring days and ‘make people happy’ and she is reported to be very dedicated and professional
Berthold the Zoo Master ’fell-from-grace’ as a Taldane nobleman. Lost his fortune and decided to use his collection of animals to start a zoo and earn money. Nobody trusts his word on anything.
- What does ‘fall-from-grace’ mean? How exactly did he loose his money?
The skulk who’s name I don’t know said a human, or maybe a man and a woman, started a thieving ring by getting at least four skulks hooked on ‘shiver’.
- The man may be good with disguises, possibly even be the woman in disguise - if she exists!
- Shiver is usually purchased through the black market
- The skulks (maybe even the ringleader/s - maybe!) have no connection to the carnival
The Umbra Carnival arrived at Illsurian
- They had their official opening while I was working on the Garvery verge
Berthold said he was paid by a man with a red beard to do a private show, the stranger got Berthold a little drunk. I don’t believe Berthold was lying in this instance
- Who was the red bearded man?
- Was it a real beard? Was it a man?
Someone let the monitor lizard loose
- Who did it? Was it an accident?
- Was this a distraction? If so what was it meant to distract from?
- Who and what is the animal handler’s assistant?
I went to the Big Top show with Jhezrihana
Hung out with Vard (guy really doesn’t touch spirits much, if at all)
Late night fireworks
- Were the fireworks a distraction? Did the first murder happen after the fireworks? Tibal an accomplice? Tibal is not a likely accomplice, everyone knew when the fireworks were scheduled and the murder probably happened after the fireworks
- What did Archivin do at the carnival?
- Was he lured or targeted?
Archivin Walder’s key was stolen.
- When was it stolen? Before his murder, during, or after?
- Someone, a man with his face mostly covered, gave Archivin’s key to the skulks with orders to steal everything in the vault saying ‘They said to just kill anyone who got in our way!’
- The Murder on the path to town happened between the time of the fireworks and 1am
‘Eye Witnesses saw a ‘great four legged beast flying over town.’ and rumours got back to Mistress Denisen that Jherizhana was seen flying around the scene of the crime???
- The creature was silhouetted by the moon A cabal of evil lycanthropes? it was not a full moon last night
- she was free to leave her cage when she wasn’t working
- Under magical control? Magic is not required to control Jherizhana, she participates in the act; Sightings were probably not the sphinx at all - but if it was she might be a witness
First murder happens: Archivin Walder, mauled from behind, on the pathway between the carnival and home, left in some bushes; caught from behind, something with claws, two legged, tall standing on platform shoes? Fake animal prints?
- He was an honest businessman who gave people lots of time to pay debts
- Was the first murder first? Yes, Agnes has no reason to lie and does not seem to be coerced in any way
- Is there anything else between the carnival and The Lockbox? Did Arch have another purpose for being out that night?
- Did Archivin walk home alone that night?
- A set of tracks were covered up. This could mean two things at least: 1) a flying monster killed Arch and flew away. Then one or more people, who either watched the murder or happened upon the body, maybe took the key, and covered their tracks; and, 2) One or more people killed Arch with (fake?) claws then made fake ‘monster’ prints and covered their other prints over; the tracks are definitely not sphinx tracks and the claw marks not sphinx claws
- Archivin’s body was discovered by wife Agnes after 1am Did Archivin and his wife get along? Yes though Agnes was a little jealous - did Archivin ever give her reason to be?
Agnes ran to ‘The Locked Box’ to get guard’s help
- Agnes and three guards (Darrell, +2 unnamed) returned to the body, one guard (Tom Fraydle) stayed to watch the Locked Box; two guards took the body (back to Locked Box); Agnes and another guard notified the Sheriff’s guards
Tom Fraydle was attacked by 4? thugs (probably four skulks) with short swords
- Was Tom different from the other guards? Did he choose to stay? Was the real point of the burglary to kill Tom? The fact that it was Tom that was there seems to be incidental
The Burglars get into the vault using Archivin’s key and ransack it
- What did they take from the vault? They went for the most valuable stuff (sign of a professional leader); a rush job, either a) There was something of incredible value (not seen in our investigation of the ledger/vault) the leader wanted, or, b) it was a crime of opportunity
- Several of the Skulks (Kymeth and Onamae) get greedy and ransack the upstairs but run out of time as two Guards return with Archivin’s body
- As the burglars rush to leave they set off the vault trap, two Skulks (no-name and Zhakar) are trapped inside
- Two guards returned to ‘The Locked Box’ to find the fourth guard murdered and the place burglarize
- Agnes returns to the Locked Box with the fourth guard and the Sheriff/sheriff’s guards
Mistress Denisen learned about the murders.
- How did she hear so quickly? She got wind of it through ‘nonsensical rumours’ between the time Archin’s body was discovered (after 1am) and when she sent for us early that morning
We met with the Sheriff and got a letter of approval to investigate
Queen Jenni, Vard, and I went to the site of the first murder while Thrym, Alenka, and Luk Luk went to view the bodies
Late breakfast
Went to see Missus Walder and found the trapped skulks
Spent a solid hour reviewing the ledger of the Locked Box and going through the vault
Went to the Umbral Carnival grounds in the early afternoon
While we were away:
There have been several incidents of cutpurse-ings at the carnival and there were a lot of complaints
- Is this another distraction?
- Could this be the work of the other two skulks, Kymeth and Onamae?
A priest of Sister Esrelda Woodmere said that Esrelda came to the carnival to investigate the claims that the carnival was to blame for the murders
- She came to speak directly to the sphinx
Third Murder happens: Sister Esrelda Woodmere, garrotted and mauled from the front, left dead infront of the Sphinx cage
- cleric of Erastil, known in Illsurian, outspoken peacekeeper, part Varisian and proud of both heritages, skilled with divination magic
- murdered in the tent
- killed by three people in tearaway clown costumes Is this the work of crazed killer clowns? The costumes are tearaway and not really authentic clown wear
- Is it important that Sister Woodmere was skilled in divination magic? Did that make people nervous about what she might uncover?
- Two of the costumes were left behind
There was an outburst of purses being cut an hour or so before the body was discovered
- Was this an attempt at distraction?
Sheriff Feldane closes the carnival