Sophie comes along with Amaria and attempts to help.
"The Pharasmans did not seem too keen on the idea of digging up the graves. I don't blame them."
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Vivian recognizes the raven symbol on the surgical tools as a maker’s mark used by Zbraslav Hora and Sons, although she is not sure where they are located.
Does the name "Zbraslav Hora" rings a bell to you Stefan?
Bert says to his group, "Does someone want to get in the boat and check it out further? I'd like to pull that rope up, it's probably just the anchor but it's odd to me. But I think we should investigate the boat first."
"'Zbraslav Hora?' Hmmm... Perhaps..."
Vivian remembers that craftsmen such as Zbraslav Hora and Sons tend to be located in a small area of the city known as Surgeon's Flats. Specifically, she think they might be in a section of the Flats known as Anatomists’ Alley.
* * *
Investigating the Shore Line
You find a coracle boat hidden in the trees and brush along the southwest shore of the island. The boat contains an oar, a moldy leather travel bag with a damp artisan’s outfit (a shirt, breeches, shoes, and a cloth apron) inside, and a vile object—what appears to be a detached human face. In addition, a length of rope stretches from the boat into the waters below.
If you wish to investigate the boat further, please make a DC 20 Perception check to read the spoiler for Roll G.
If you wish to pull up the rope, please make a DC 10 Strength check and read the spoiler for Roll H.
Yanking the rope out of the water reveals a heavy sack large enough to hold a Medium-sized humanoid. Inside you find some rope, a gag, a rusted lantern, a trio of heavy knives, and a rusted shovel.
Also, please make a Perception check DC 15. If you make the DC, please consult Roll I.
* * *
Sophie shivers. "This boat and that bag creep me out..."
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While most of the rest of the party examines the boat by the shore, Stefan examines the graves-- hoping that nothing is about to rise from them...
I'm sorry, I can't investigate the graves... It's against my religion. But if you need me to check something else I'll do it. unless you really, really need me to check on the graves. I'll ask for Pharasma's forgiveness after.
Vivian inspects the boat on the shore again
She quickly finds dried blood at the bottom of the coracle, but could have missed something.
Bert points out the bag has dried blood on it too.
"If the graves have been disturbed, I am more than happy to unearth them and confirm that nothing untoward has happened those laid to rest. I can even rebless them afterwards, just to add more protection." Tara pipes up, offering her assistance.
You're right Tara, we should do our utmost to bring peace to the souls of the deceased, and check if no one has disturbed their bodies
Vivian goes back to work, looking after each tomb and giving them the blessing of the Lady of the Graves after inspection.
Six graves have been opened, it seems... some grave robbers? it's an heresy, a sin and a crime!
"I thought there was something off about those graves..."
• The events occurred approximately 1 year ago.
• The villagers state that The Beast was abducting people at night. A mob lead by Lazne managed to wound the Beast in town, then chased him to the local Boneyard. The Beast was attacked by something like alligator and bled on the graves, tainting them. The Beast then disappeared under the water by the alligator-like creature and was presumed dead.
• Six graves in the Boneyard are missing bodies.
• The remains of a potion of Darkvision was found in a campsite near the graves.
• A coracle was found hidden on the south side of the Boneyard island, dried blood was found at the bottom of it, as well as an oar, a moldy leather travel bag with a damp artisan’s outfit, and what appears to be a detached human face.
• Attached to the coracle is a man-sized sack with blood stains, it contained some rope, a gag, a rusted lantern, a trio of heavy knives, and a rusted shovel.
• Hidden in the same general area of the boat was a leather-bound case filled with fine surgical tools, made of silver with amethyst handles imprinted with a raven.
• The raven symbol on the handle is the maker's mark of Zbraslav Hora and Sons, who have a workshop in Anatomists’ Alley in the Surgeons’ Flats area of Lepidstadt.
"Grave robbers! There must be a necromancer about!"
The doctor spits the word 'necromancer,' as if it's the worst insult he can think of.
After a pause, Stefan says, "I think we've learned all we can from this accursed place. I would pose that we load the evidence we've collected into that recovered coracle, and tow that boat behind us as we return to the village. From there, we should take the lot back with us to the courthouse in Lepidstadt... less the coracle itself, I suppose. I fear we can't exactly load that onto our horses."
On the return to Lepidstadt Stefan reiterates the obsersavtions that the villagers' tale doesn't seem to match what they saw of the Beast: the beast has no need for a potion of darkvision, it does not bleed, and that it has no injuries consistent with a crocodile attack.
"And we should also perhaps investigate the connection with Zbraslav Hora and Sons."
Bert nods. "That seems right to me. I don't think I should speak in court much. Hopefully we can get through with you better talkers."
Tara nods along with Bert. "I concur with Ste- Dr. Von Herzog. Do we know if there is a time limit to submit new evidence through the court? I would hate to have all of this proof thrown out due to bureaucratic red tape." As Stefan continues to list off the inconsistencies with the eyewitness accounts, Tara notes them in her small notebook.
"Isn't this scene months old? Does anything we have found here exonerate the beast?"
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"If nothing else, what we have observed will call into question the testimony of the villagers. Obviously something terrible happened there, but I think we can be reasonably certain that whoever it was could not have been the Beast of Lepidstadt. I am not a gambling man, but I would estimate that we have at least even odds that the Beast will not be convicted of tomorrow's charges."
The trip back to Lepidstadt passes without any trouble, and the group arrives back in the city just as twilight is about to set.
The group quickly makes it way to Anatomists’ Alley to Zbraslav Hora and Sons to find that the small shop has all of its shutters closed, but the door is still unlocked. Entering, you find the interior of the shop is clean and tidy and the shop is apparently administered by a bookish middle-aged man who wears thick spectacles. He looks up from a ledger as you arrive and squints, "We're closed for the night, please come back tomorrow."
Vivian interrupts, with a pleading voice
Mister Hora, I suppose? I'm sorry, but we are on urgent business, and this shouldn't take very long, only a few minutes of your time. Besides, I'm willing to reward you for this little extra "overtime".
Assuming the man doesn't push them out of his shop, Vivian shows the instruments
We found some beautifully crafted medical instruments with your trademark raven signature, obviously lost by their owner, and we wondered if you would be so kind as to help us finding their legitimate owner. They must have cost quite a sum...
"Is that so? I suppose I could take a few moments to examine the instruments." He replies, looking the tools over carefully for around 30 seconds. "Fortunately for you, I placed a small serial number in the raven's right wing that indicate which set of instruments this would be. I have that information in this ledger here."
He leafs through the book and taps his chin, "Hmm, it appears the purchaser was a Ms. Vladka Kostel. If my memory serves, she was a red-haired Varisian woman who has penchant for wearing a green silk scarf with swan embroidery. I know that she worked for an auction house, but I'm sorry to say I can't remember which one. I did not note that in the ledger."
Does that name ring a bell, Stefan? And don't worry, Mister Hora, you've been very helpful.
Vivian puts her hand in her pouch and pushes four gold pieces on the desk, holding them down with her slender fingers.
I'm not from Lepidstadt. Could I ask for another favor, and ask you for the adresses of the main auction houses, to speed up our search?
Tara jots down the lead quietly, waiting for the others to decide what to do. "I'm not sure what to do next. I'm not particularly well spoken, most people find me off putting."
"It's getting late and most businesses close at sundown, in my experience. Probably best to get something to eat, rest and get up early in the morning." Bert says.
The name does not ring a bell to Dr. Von Herzog.
Hora slips the four gold coins into this pocket and tries to recall some of the local auction houses and their locations. He does manage to remember two of them and jots them down on a slip of parchment.
Vivian tries to help the Erastilian, but soon feels tired after this long, eventful day
Amaria and Vivian take a couple of hours to canvas local inns and taverns, but no one they speak to appears to have knowledge about Vladka Kostel nor what auction house she works for.
Meanwhile, Sophie visits the auction houses in hopes that she can find someone there willing to share information with a rather hag-looking woman.
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Bert tries to talk to some of the city guards, trying to use some of his guard knowledge to make it easier to get info from them.
Bert also takes a couple of hours to speak with the town guard about the woman and auction houses, but they're too busy dealing with the rowdy crowds in town for the trial to be very informative.
Sophie only finds one of the two auction houses mentioned by Hora to be open at this hour, but quickly confirms that Vladka Kostel does not work there.
The redhead tries to get more information, hunting the taverns,sharing stories and songs ..and quite a few drinks too.
Bert travels with the young lady, probably more for protection than aid.
The group of Vivian, Bert, and Sophie go out again later to troll the bars and taverns for information. This time they find an obese merchant who not only has fond memories of Ms. Vladka Kostel, but also confirms that she works at Ledov’s
Chirurgery Merchants. This is one of the two auction houses Sophie checked into earlier tonight, and it was already closed for the evening.
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"In the morning, we should try to find Vladka Kostel at Ledov's. Then we should meet with the barrister to prepare."
Amaria and her companions arrive early at Ledov's, and approach the entryway. Upon finding someone, Amaria ask, "I am Amaria, a Paladin of Erastil. We urgently need to speak with Ms. Vladka Kostel about a matter of law. I assure you she is in no trouble, but she may have vital information we need immediately."
With no more to be done that night, the majority of the group returns to the inn, while Dr. Von Herzog retires to his home.
Amaria rises early and wakes the others in order to visit Ledov’s Chirurgery Merchants before the trial starts. Making your way to the establishment, you are greeted by a stuffy man with a bald head and tufts of hair above his ears. He does, however, seem a bit charmed by Amaria's introduction, "Uh, yes. She just arrived to begin work. Let me summon her." He disappears into the back and quickly returns with a Varisian woman wearing a green scarf with a swan embroidery.
After inquiring to her who might have bought the tools in question, she ponders the query for a moment before replying, "Oh yes, that man had quite an unusual fashion sense. He was wearing an unusually tall hat and green-tinted reading glasses. I believe his name was..."
The bald man quickly cuts her off, "Ahem, Ms. Kostel. I cannot in good conscience release information about our clients without their consent. I'd be ruined within a week. I'm sure you all may have the best of intentions, but I cannot deviate from good business practices no matter how mannered and good-natured you might be."
The woman nods and shrugs, "Sorry, but I suppose he's right."
The redhead speaks, locking her emerald eyes with the merchant
Mister Ledov, I suppose? We understand that your reputation as a respectful and honest merchant must be protected. So I will give you the means to protect it. Someone used your good will and contacts to buy special medical instruments at Zbraslav Hora and Sons. Nothing wrong so far... But the fact is, this unnamed, tall hatted, green-glassed person described by your employee here then used said instruments to a nefarious and criminal end. I won't told you exactly what he has done, but I do hope that his victims were dead before he used the scalpels on them. Your cooperation might, WOULD help keep your name and reputation clean, because you are a victim of the circumstances. You can just open your ledger at the right page, point at the buyer's name with the tip of a feather, excuse yourself for a few seconds, and no one will ever have to know. Of course, when we will catch this heinous, bloodthirsty killer, we will praise your cooperation and law abiding attitude, if you so do wish.
"Mr. Klud in fact. I'm a the Auction Master at this establishment. Now young lady, if you bring me solid evidence that this person was indeed guilty of a crime, I will happily supply you with the information you want. Until then, I will continue to respect my client's privacy." The man retorts in a patronizing tone.