GM Silbeg's PFS 5-22 Scars of the Third Crusade (1-2) (Inactive)

Game Master Silbeg

The team hurries outside, and are able to join up with Rafael as well. Ekira also makes her way outside, but stays away from the Pathfinders. They find a crowd gathered around the bodies of two murdered men with a dagger still embedded in the younger man’s chest. Rafael immediately recognizes the blade, just as someone in the crowd yells out, "The dagger! It belongs to that one!" The crowd pushes in, surrounding Rafael, who realizes that one of his daggers is missing.

Someone else yells out, "Keep him from running until the Sheriff can get here!"

(Sorry about the posting delay... but I had an infected tooth that was causing me a great deal of pain, to say the least, and I was unable to post. However, the medication [and root canal] has improved things dramatically, so I am much better now.)

Ugh, sorry to hear it! My wife went thought a bad string of root canals, and botched attempts at root canals, so I'm familiar with some of what those ordeals do. Glad you're better.

Rafael stops and holds up his hands, "I am innocent and will cooperate. In fact I have an alibi, a group of six or so villagers were trying to jump me a second ago." He then scans the crowd for one of their faces.

'Of course Ekira, but now we have a fresh trail to follow. We'll find who does your dirty work and put you up on the gallows pole...'

Rafael lastly takes in the crime scene, every detail he can muster before the chaos of the crowd overcomes him.

Using the chaos around Rafael as a distraction, Kali slips close to the bodies.. Observing the bodies, she seems to be running through a list in her head-

Is there any signs of life?
If so, she pulls her wand of CLW and uses it on the body
If not, Are the bodies fresh?
Is there blood on the dagger?
Is there blood under the corpses?
If not, Are there bloodstains/drops showing a trail from where the bodies were moved?
Other evidence of trauma?

Kali realizes, immediately, that the bodies are absolutely dead, and very fresh. There is blood pooling everywhere, including under the bodies, and the dagger is still in the back of one of the bodies.

Rafael sees a couple of the toughs gathering around. However, he does realize that the timing of his being accosted does not preclude his having done the deed (though he knows he did not), so, for now, he holds his tongue.

Rafael turns to a Ehr'lynd next to him and whispers the description and location of toughs, pointing them out in the crowd, hopefully, without causing suspicion. "These men jumped me when I left the Inn, let the others investigate this. I know you can follow these men without being detected. They may be my freedom, said Ekira hadn't sent them."

Kirin takes in the crowd - seeing if there is anyone she recognizes - or if anyone looks out of place or suspicious.

How far away did this happen from the general store? Could Orug have seen anything from his window? Is he on the streets? Does anyone match the description of the 'tall, thin Chelaxian man with short trimmed hair, and a small patch of beard on his chin'

Kirin tries to calm the crowd - calling for an honest investigation by the proper authorities.

Seeing a crowd gather, Celeste pulls her hood over her head. Walking slowly around the back of the crowd, Celeste casts Detect Thoughts. She recalls one of her former teachers mentioned criminals enjoy watching others admire their handy work. She hopes this is true...

Ehr'lynd has a look of, what did they get into this time? on his face while walks to the edges of the crowd thinking to himself, this much blood, the murderer must have gotten some on him or herself. Staying a fair way out from the murder scene and Rafael, he begins scanning the crowd, looking for any signs of somebody out of place.

I'm looking for any visual or auditory clues: blood stains, people looking out of place, signs of a struggle elsewhere, etc.

After the crowd surrounds the Pathfinders, especially Rafael, shoving and pushing, but no real violence happens. Sheriff Luin shows up, and listens to the crowd shouting accusations at Rafael (it is his blade). Kirin is able to keep the crowd from turning violent until the Sheriff arrives, and once he is there, he takes control of the situation.

"So, what happened here? Rafael Sebjorn, how did your dagger end up being used to kill these two townsfolk?" Tobias Luin asks calmly, after looking at the scene.

"Sir, it was stolen from me, and I don't have a damn idea how or by whom." replies Rafael, a bit embarrassed.

Idris keeps his mouth shut, but he is getting frustrated and impatient.

Whole town must be in on it. Trying to lynch us in the streets next.

He keeps his gaze on Ekira, waiting for her to slip up.

Sheriff Luin looks Rafael in the eye, and then looks to the toughs that he mentioned. "Folk, y'all just go home now, you hear? We're takin' care of it."

To the Pathfinders, "All y'all may wanna stick around for a bit. I wanna talk to you once I get these gawkers home." He spends the next few minutes shooing away the townsfolk, then takes some notes about the crime scene. "Rafael, Ima gonna have to hang on to this dagger for a bit. Sure you understand. I don't think for one minute you did it, but you might oughta keep a better handle on your gear. Just make sure you stay in town for now."

"Sure thing, Sheriff." Rafael then sighs and shakes his head.

After taking a moment he seems to be over his shame and looks to Kirin as he starts speaking again. "The use of that dagger makes this a Quetzal Caravan interest. A representative from our Caravan will need to make a formal investigation, company policy for blood letting caused by Caravan issued equipment, I'm sure you understand. We can do this along side of you or independently, but either way we'll have to resolve the situation for our reports."

Anything on my Detect Thoughts?

Any clues?

Sheriff Luin says to Rafael, "Be that as it may, you are still a suspect in the case. I suggest you not go muscling your way through this. Watch youself... someone went to a good deal of effort to frame you."

"They sure did," Rafael says while rubbing his beard in thought. "And I would love to know who did. I know I'm a suspect, but this framing is personal. I'd appreciate saying informed to whatever extent you feel is reasonable. Also thank you for the trust, a lot of people would like to see me in bars just because."

Turning to Kirin, "I appears the Caravan is being targeted, what could they have to gain?"

When the group is alone Rafael tells them about the street mob.
"I can't stray too far, but I'm curious about that 'Devil's Circle' in the woods between here and Otto's farm. Should we split into two teams in the morning, one looking into this new double murder and one checking out the circle?'

The team makes their way back into the Inn, and grabs a corner table, and discusses their plans. As they are discussing their plans, a boy walks up to the table, and hands Kali a note.

Please help. I know you are innocent and that your friends are innocent. The real killer has me trapped in a house at the edge of town, near the fair. It’s the one with white walls and two chimneys. He made me write the letters to trap them and you. He has left to kill again and locked me in the attic. I will try to get one of the children at the fair to bring you this letter.

Please rescue me.

Rafael suspiciously looks around the table and at the delivery boy.

'Fishy or not, we don't have much of a choice, we gotta look into this. How can we protect ourselves from if this is a trap though?' Rafael muses as he waits for everyone to digest the news, weary of every situation now that their mystery nemesis seems to always be a step ahead.

"We should seriously consider contacting the sheriff." Rafael says softly for only the table to hear.

Too bad trap finding doesn't work for social traps.

Ehr'lynd nods, "I find this whole situation..." he carefully scopes the room, "...too suspicious. From the writing I suspect that it is..." a deep sigh, ..."probably legitimate. We must be on guard though. If the killer can sneak one of Rafael's knifes, she can do a lot more."

Ehr'lynd scopes out the room, "And we should be on the lookout for Ekira. I still suspect he is somehow behind this."

Still waiting for at least 3-4 of you all to say you are going...

"Whoever wrote this note wrote the one we initially received back at the lodge - calling for another team of Pathfinders for aid. Also. It matches the anonymous note sent to Erika and then given to the Sheriff before our arrival - the one saying Pathfinders did it." did I get that right?

"So. Go to the sheriff now, with this note? Or investigate the building ourselves? Trap or not - we need the info. Time's running out."

You got it right... though she's Ekira :D

Sounds like 2 for going to the sheriff, one for going to the house?

I am going, and I am going where the majority decides.

"Although getting the Sheriff involved is the right thing to do, that letter ties us to the Pathfinders and makes us liars. We'll need to think of a way to address or continue to hide the nature of our visit here.."

one vote for the trap

"I was just asking before. Personally I'm leaning investigate the house ourselves."

"Let's do it."

"I'm tired of waiting, I'm tired of involving the law. Let's find proof at this house, rescue the child, and shove it in the face of the stupid inquisitor and useless sheriff."

Although Kali hasn't chimed in, we'll move forward. We'll be on tactical slide #6. Note, I am using the town square for a background, but we'll say what is on the slide is there.

You see a twos story house, and it looks like the lower level is probably dedicated to cottage industries (tailoring, etc). Though it is early evening, there are no lights on inside (it is dusk, and there for, as long as you are outside, or near a window, you are in dim light (20% miss chance due to concealment unless you have low-light vision)

Please move yourselves around how you'd like to be, and let me know when you are ready, and what you are doing.

Ehr'lynd, whispers, "Be wary, watch for it being a trap. I doubt the front door is the best way in, so I'm going to see if I can get to the roof."

He moves off the main street onto a side alleyway. Spotting a pile of boxes he tries to get a running jump up to the roof where he can hope to have a better view of the area.

Kali leaves with the others, following them almost blindly as she seems fixated on the note. Rubbing the paper between her fingers and looking at it closely to see what plant matter might be contained within.
She is looking to see if the paper has telltale marks, like stationary, is locally made, or of a variety used in the grand lodge. Skill support includes linguistics and knowledge local as support

As they approach the farmhouse, she pulls a wand from her belt and murmers a word, enveloping herself in a faint blue glow. wand of mage armor. She then looks to her companions not wearing armor and raises a brow in inquiry.

Rafael sneaks over to a window, watching his step on the way for traps. Once at the window he slowly peeks in, trying to get a glance of how the interior setup and who is inside.

"Kali, if you are sharing, why yes please!"

Kirin acknowledges Kali then begins murmuring similar words. casts mage armor on self

Kirin then casts Detect Magic and walks around the house, seeing if she can catch a subtle glimpse into any of the windows. starting at bottom of map, going CCW until she gets to a window she can see in - or until something else happens

Idris pulls his own wand and activates it (Shield, counting out 10 rounds), his hand resting on the shoulder joint of the mechanical arm at his belt. He stays 10 ft behind Kirin - following her lead.

Rafael moves back to Celeste and Kali, "I can't see a thing in there, just a bunch of looms and sewing machines.. I'm going to knock on the door, here let me borrow a few things for a disguise... Yeah, I'll hide my rapier like this... and my armor and beard.. alright. Now to make sure I can remove it in a hurry if necessary...Perfect."

I can roll the +6 disguise check if you want.

Rafael, now in a full disguise of an old woman, a scarf over his head and a shawl wrapped around his shoulders, motions to Idris and Kirin to duck out of view of the door as he gingerly walks up to it.

If no one tries to stop him or mentions it's a bad plan, Rafael knocks on the door and waits patiently looking like an old lady.

Ehr'lynd has disappeared from the team.

Rafeal, you are going to take the time to create a disguise? That will take 1d3X10 minutes

Ah yes, I will work on that until we have a different plan together. Do you want me to roll?

Kali taps Celeste with the wand, then puts it back in her belt. She moves nearer the door, out of site of the window and within a step of Rafael. She prepares to step forward and cast a spell, if Rafael's ruse is discovered or the conversation between him and the occupant goes south.
readying to cast Charm Person if the conversation doesn't gain Rafael access to the building

Ehr'lynd crosses the roof-line trying to quietly make his way over to the group. He makes a bird like whistle, trying to get the attention of the rest of his companions while pointing to the upstairs window.

The party hears something bird-like on the rooftop, causing them to look up and see the Mordant Spire elf pointing to a window for some reason.

Rafael looks up and scratches head while he works on his amazing disguise. 'Knock on the window?' Rafael waves back at Ehr'lynd.

Kirin walks around the house while Rafael is preparing - continuing to focus on detect magic. Once finished walking around the house she'll stand opposite Kali and wait.

Ehr'lynd shakes his head, and leans over the building, peering into the top floor window to see if he can see any movement.

Rafael continues to dominate his costume building task, putting a story together in his head and fleshing out the elderly woman's character.

I hope it has been assumed that Rafael isn't doing all this on the doorstep, I can move his avatar once I have computer access.

ooc]FYI - technically you are at the back of the house...[/ooc]

Rafael continues to create his disguise. Idris is amused by his quiet talking to himself, but it does appear that he has quite a few minutes still left to create the disguise he would use to break into what appears to be an abandoned house.

Ehr'lynd watches the area, keeping his eyes open from his elevated vantage point for anybody trying to sneak up on them.

Ehr'lynd checks the upstairs window to see if it's locked. If it is, he attempts to unlock it. If not, he cracks the window some.