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The city of Magnimar is no stranger to crime—even to crimes as violent as murder. Brutal Sczarni turf wars occasionally spill blood across the typically peaceful streets, nearly forgotten hungry things skitter amid the foundations of ancient monuments, even the infamous Skinsaw Cult has been intermittently active in the coastal Varisian city. But the latest set of murders to strike Magnimar bears a different calling card than that of the murder cult — a new killer stalks the city streets in the early dawn hours!
For the past few days, the city of Magnimar has been in the grip of terror. A murderer stalks the city’s streets in the gloaming pre-dawn hours, and each morning it seems a new and freshly mutilated victim appears in an alley. There have been four bodies discovered to date—all worshipers of the goddess of healing and redemption, Sarenrae. The city guard desperately wants to catch the murderer, yet the murderer is a cagey and elusive foe. In order to expedite the search, they have turned to you—known allies of Magnimar, the Pathfinder Society, and strong heroes of the people (and agents of 'enlightened self interest') — to aid them in stopping the culprit before he slays again.
You are called into the office of the Guard and are provided a liason, Kasadei, a female veteran of the Magnimarian city guard.
Well, I for one am glad to have you all here. Its been very difficult and I've a feeling its only going to get worse - I've been assigned to help you come up to speed on the murders and work with us to catch the killer.
She waits for your questions.
She nods approvingly.
Good - seems you know what you are about.
She rolls out a map of the city.
There are four locations... look here, she says pointing down.
All of the murders took place in the pre-dawn hours in alleys along the northwestern waterfront district known as the Shadow.
Each body was stabbed multiple times by a dagger, and the hearts were cut out. None of the missing hearts have been located yet. All four were traveling worshipers of Sarenrae, but beyond that, the bodies seem to have no real connections. Interrogations using the speak with dead spell have revealed few clues, since all four victims were attacked from behind. In all four cases, the victims were taking a traditional “dawnwalk” when they were attacked.
She stops to explain, It's a religious observance during which a worshiper of Sarenrae walks and prays during the hours before and after sunrise... or so I have been told at any rate.
The magic used by their clergy has been pretty useful in helping us get information from the deceased... though not as useful as we'd like. Some of the 'Vics' interviewed remembered noticing a sudden cessation of sound just before they were attacked and the most recent 'Vic' even caught a glimpse of the knife used to stab him — a dagger bearing a strange symbol of a white feather dipped in blood.
Valeros grunts. "Murder mystery. Not really my thing, but trouble in general is." He shrugs. "Happy to help if you need though."
"Do you have any suspects at all? Perhaps a group hostile to Sarenrae that's moved in recently? Another church or cult, perhaps?"
Myrielle racks her brains for obscure cults and so forth...
That symbol seems to tally with a rarely seen faith - that of Shax, the demon lord of lies and murder.
Secured? What do you think this is? Some sort of novella staring Varian Jeggare and his devil-blooded bodyguard Radovan?, she snorts.
Its more or less just any old stretch of road now but you're welcome to head out that way, or to any of the other sites and see who you can scare up.
One last thing - we're planning an operation of our own to catch the killer. An ambush of sorts early tomorrow morning.
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"So you're setting a trap to lure this killer and you want us to see if we can get up more information? Am I right?
Mayhaps we should be sniffing around and ask the locals around these parts and see if they might know anything. Maybe if we know something about these areas might help too. The church of Sarenae might shed some light as well. For all we know they might have some enemy with a grudge against them.
What do the rest of you think?"
Garen strokes his beard and looks at the rest for confirmation.
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The heavily green cloaked warrior stands at this and begins pacing the room, occasionally stroking the elaborate and ornate bow drawn across his back. Decorated with running wolves up its shaft and a curiously twisted draw string that seems to be made of some unknown material that glows slightly make it an interesting piece.
Do not worry comrade Valeros, I have twice been called upon to answer mystery contained in murder. The tall ranger speaks in almost broken common with a halting Galtian accent.
The first was near my homeland and involved a very furry acquaintance and the second was aboard vessel headed to Absalom. Both times we aprehended the suspect and this time shall be no different. As far as sarenrae goes, I am happy to help her followers and assist in capture of zis keeler. But if he switches to Desna cultists I'm afraid I am the proverbial "out."
He pets the massive wolf who sits quietly and contently at his feet, but darting its eyes constantly around the room looking for fast moving prey.
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Vermin's nostrils flair. You get the idea that few people talk to him like that without a reaction of anger. What I think Kasadei is that you should be more polite to people you ask favors from. A competent city watch would have secured the crime scene for a proper investigation. Now, if we are done trading insults, perhaps we can focus on the murders. To the other in his group he says I am ready to depart.
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"Well," Myrielle drawled as she toyed with a shimmering lock of golden hair, "I can't say for certain, but the symbol sounds like it might belong to followers of Shax." She waved a hand dismissively. "Demon lord. Lies and murder. He's not very often followed, which is... interesting."
At the half-orc's mention of departure, Myrielle nodded and began to make her way to the door. "Agreed. The sooner this nasty business is dealt with, the better."
"So you're setting a trap to lure this killer and you want us to see if we can get up more information? Am I right?
Not really - it was something we've been setting up and planning over the last few hours. As for the local information?, Kasadei shrugs. Maybe they'll be less guarded talking to you rather than us.
Vermin's nostrils flair. You get the idea that few people talk to him like that without a reaction of anger. What I think Kasadei is that you should be more polite to people you ask favors from. A competent city watch would have secured the crime scene for a proper investigation. Now, if we are done trading insults, perhaps we can focus on the murders. To the other in his group he says I am ready to depart.
She frowns and goes a little pale... whether its fear, anger or both its hard to say.
I spoke hastily and with undue familiarity, she says carefully, choosing her words, I spoke as if you were fellow investigators who understood the realities of the limitations we face and treated you as if you were a colleague rather than someone invited to assist.
My apologies, Kasadei says coolly and formally, I will not make that mistake again.
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
You know that the Sarenites aren't particularly organised here and do not maintain a temple in the city, though there are many worshipers in the city.
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Garen Nods and heads towards the door, opening it and then tilts his head back slightly.
"Once this is over we'll have a toast to Cayden Own eh? Lighten up Kasadei, we may not be in your league but trust us as we have skills and tricks to bring in. That's what we were invited for isn't it?"
"Let's see if between all of us, we can't rustle up some news hidden eh?
Mayhap the Locals can tell us something"
Nods to Vermin
" Nice Lizard you got there, not something I've seen around commonly in my travels."
Grins to Taydan
"It'll be good to have someone who's experienced in these matters."
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Vermin gives Kasadei curt nod, acknowledging the apology, ready to drop it. We are allies Kasadei. I am new to your city and do not know the restraints you work under. I will do my best for you and bring this killer to justice if I may.
f no one objects I would like to visit the newer crime scenes first. (reverse order). he says as he completes his preparations to depart.
His name is Sparky. Vermin responds to Garen. A little faster than a wolf, if a bit smaller. Still a boon companion.
She exhales and nods again, this time to Vermin - you may not have made a friend but you've helped raise the pall that had fallen over the meeting.
The majority of Underbridge's roads (otherwise known as the Shadow) are little more than muddy gaps between slumping shanties and decaying shacks, evidence of the Magnimarian founders' attempt to bring civilization even here are evident in short stretches of broken cobblestones . The larger paving stones that once lined the major streets (placed during the city's foundation when visions of Underbridge as a slum had yet to manifest) have all long since been dug up and sold off.
Seedy taverns, poorly run brothels, and rat-infested gambling dens compete with salt-blasted tenement buildings and cheap flophouses in Magnimar's most dangerous district, Underbridge. While the Magnimarian government champions cleaning up Underbridge as one of its most important long-term goals, many council members realize that the vices ofthe slum attract a certain amount of business to the city and that truly clearing away the "bridge trash" could significantly impact the local economy. While several of the city's religions have attempted in the past to reform and redeem the lost of this district, it seems that the denizens of Underbridge prefer to live amid squalor and danger, if only as a way to escape the demands of faith and society.
Like you'd expect the locals are reluctant to talk with any 'outsiders' but a few small coins (and larger ones begrudgingly given by a certain guard liaison) loosen a few tongues.
With a few hours of work you learn from locals living near the murder sites that they’ve noticed strange things — scratching sounds on the roof, weird flapping noises, and unnatural moments of silence. Further attempts to gather information reveals a few unnerving accounts — sightings of a “demon” crawling around on roofs or flying in the skies late at night.
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The older elf that has been standing silently finally speaks up. His mismatched eyes give him a slight crazed look but the way he speaks seems to give him an air of wisdom.
"I too feel that examining the more recent attack will provide us with more clues. Our kind associate her mentioned an idea though." He gestures to Kasadei.
“While we travel tell more about this trap your fellow guardsmen mean to set, and more importantly what sort of bait did you have in mind?”
”Myrielle, perchance do you think there is credence in the words of the smallfolk, perhaps this is the work of a demon, the unnatural silence and removal of the heart suggests cultists at the very least.”
"Kasadei, has the Guard heard any of these rumors before? If it's is a demon of some sort, then that could fit in with a symbol of a demon lord. Odd that it's only killing Sarenrae followers though. Maybe it has a specific grudge against them?"
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"Ugh." The voyage down to the scene of the murder had not been a pleasant one, at least for Myrielle. Though she kept her fussing and complaining (mostly) to herself, the scowl on the aasimar's features made her displeasure clear for all to see.
"A demon, I don't know about. Could be possible. Cultists, though? Definitely. I'd have to look into it more, though. As I said before, Shax isn't exactly common."
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"A Demon? In a town like this? Crawling around on roofs doesn't sound like something a demon ramapaging would do.
Futhermore moments of silence? This 'demon' either is well versed in the ways of moving silently or some form of magic employed.
What about the church of Sarenrae? I doubt that they'll stay silent about this. Maybe a chat with them could give us more answers."
Checking with a priest of Sarenrae.
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"I'll admit having your help, Slyph, would be down right useful as I doubt most people can stand the sight of a dwarf like me with all my scars."
"As for alchemical substances, you're the professional. I think the last time i tried my hand at alchemy, I blew up the pot. My Clan brothers were most displeased. I reckon that purple beards could have being fashionable though." Garen Chuckles in fond memory.
Valeros watches the others, not really bothering to examine the scenes themselves. He looks around the area and watches the people, trying to see if there's a tactical reason the attack occurred at each place.
Your tracking attempts are impressive. The smell of blood is easily found, even over the smells of the streets. In fact you are able to find the actual blood of the victims that have pooled and dried in the crevices of the cobbles.
There is a faint confusing scent at the latest scene but what is it? Could be Elven, could be human... but mixed with some other faint smell that is on the back of the corpse. Its impossible to say with the mix of scents... the tracks, such that can be recovered from bloodied scuffs, indicate that the attacker was likely humanoid - bipedal, certainly.
Where the confusion is that you can detect no tracks are undetectable or non existent more than 5 or 10 feet away from the body, likely from the rear of the victim.
Some large claw marks - relatively fresh - score some of the roofs and high ledges near the murder sites... related? Hard to say - could well be. The size is impressive, the span of a large mans hand or maybe a bit larger...
Scent wise, with the height and wind currents being what they are, the scents seem to be similar (including the smell of blood at one site) but again, difficult to place.