She was upset, naturally, but we found out about the journal, that Rodrik had lost her engraved hopeknife, and that he had planned to go out looking for it. He had also been investigating something, but the details were in his journal. He may have shared details about his investigation with someone... like Omast, or someone in the sanctuary.
My working theory is that whatever he was investigating likely got him killed, because it was when he was investigating that he lost the hopeknife, and since it is engraved, whoever found it would know immediately who it was that was poking around.
Shall we go visit the Sanctuary, Zan?
Nakoma nods at Zirelle. "Your theory's sound."
She seems to be thinking for a moment. Then she sighs. "Poor Brinya..."
She nods at Baldek. "Good luck," she tells him as she makes his exit. "Keep an eye out for your safety. if Zirelle's right the murderer will not like our interference."
"And good luck to you two, as well," she adds at Zan and Zirelle.
Nakoma then kneels down beside Rodrik's body. She takes his bloody hand in her own and holds it, clearly praying quietly to herself or reliving old memories. After a minute of silence she stands, uses her hands to close his eyes (if they aren't closed already), and places her forehead against his own. "Goodbye, brother," she says aloud to her dear friend's corpse. "I'll watch over those you left behind."
Then she places a kiss on his cold forehead, gets up, and leaves without any further comment to her comrades.
---
As Nakoma gets back in the common room she seeks out Cham.
"Do you have a place I can wash?" she asks the talkative woman.
Zan nods in agreement glad to leave the room and it's disturbing contents behind.
Group Z goes to the sanctuary.
As you stand in the room of the deceased discussing the course of the investigation so far and making plans for what steps to take next, you hear the sound Cham shouting from down the hall. "Phooey! Blast them and curse them! How did they make such a bloody mess?" her voice seems to be emanating from a room a few doors down the hall.
When you go to investigate the disturbance, you see her in another similar room with a mop and broom trying hopelessly to clean up a mess of another kind. This room has been seriously vandalized. The stuffing is pulled out the straw mattress which seems to have been torn apart in several places. The simple desk is smashed irreparably. Strangest, there seems to be a mess of white-painted graffiti marking the wall. There is no intelligible pattern to the white marks, but they cover two walls and a bit on the floor.
Cham stands in the room with her hands on her hips, fuming angrily. "Look at this place, just look at it. Bad enough I have a death in my place, now this! And the worst of it, there are 3 or 4 other rooms just as damaged. Not all have the paint, but things are smashed and broken. There's just no respect for property anymore. How would you like it if waltzed into your house and smashed up your things? Or worse into your place of business that you rely on for your livelihood. At this rate, I'll be out of business by the end of the week? And then where will I be? Destitute on the street is where, and Trunau will have no inn for the few travelers we get. Shame! It's a bloody, damn shame!" And crying angry tears, she pushes the mop across a big white splotch on the flagstones futilely.
Nakoma stops in her tracks. "Cham?" she calls out, hurrying to check on her.
Surveying the damage, Nakoma narrows her eyes at the white-painted graffiti. She looks close at it to see if it looks like the same substance that was used to paint the sword graffiti on the cliff.
Used to Cham's rambling, she doesn't interrupt, trusting the hafling will get to her point eventually.
"Vandals, perhaps. Or someone was looking for something," Nakoma remarks out loud.
"Mind if we have a look before you clean it up? It might be connected to Rodrik. And even if it's not, we might find a clue to who did this."
Not being an expert on paints or dyes, Nakoma can;t say for sure, but the white paint certainly seems very similar to that used to paint large "X's" in different places in Trunau. The 4 rooms at the end of the hall are all vandalized in similar fashion, though only this one and one other have paint splotches.
"Look away, Nakoma," says Cham puffing out her breath angrily. "Goodness knows it'll be a while before this mess gets cleaned up anyway. Bloody thuggish tall-folk always trashing things." she mutters quietly under her breath.
Zirelle goes into each room and casts Mending on anything that can be repaired, trying to help.
Nakoma looks around the rooms for any signs of who might have done this, then she helps tidy up with the others.
There doesn't seem to be any evidence in the vandalized rooms as to the identities of the perpetrators.
"Oh, I know who it was alright!" says Cham indignantly. "And if I ever see them again, I am going to give them a piece of my mind, or worse. A week or so ago, a group of half-orcs rented out these rooms. They weren't in this condition then, I can tell you that. But, now look...It had to be them. Buy why? Why did they need to break my things? They may not be the nicest things in the world, but they were serviceable. I run a tight ship here at Ramblehouse, you know. Not the fanciest place in Avistan, goodness knows, but clean, tidy, and comfortable. Those are key words in my business. Those same brutes left this morning early, before I stumbled upon poor Rodrik. Moving on, they said, thanks for the rooms, they said. Well they most certainly didn't say anything about ruining my life...I don't remember their names, but they weren't' from around here, and they signed the guest book. All guests must sign the guest book, I say. A simple rule, but I find simple is best, don't you?" And she goes on a similar vein for several minutes.
"May I see it?" Nakoma asks when she can get a word in. "The guestbook?"
"Did they say where they were headed?"
Cham cocks her head when Nakoma asks about seeing the guestbook. "Well, I don't know about that. Privacy is important in my business. Not sure everyone needs to know everyone's business if you take my meaning. Where would I be if the whole town knew what goes on here? I think it woudl be better if you didn't, no offense." she says warily. "They most definitely did not mention where they were headed. Those tall-folk could be anywhere and no one will pay for this damage. It's not like I make a fortune off letting this rooms out? Just enough to cover the cost. I didn't expect anything like this."
Zan will leave the discussion to the others as he helps tidy. Really he's more paying attention to how things have been tossed about. Does it perhaps have the look of a place that has been forcefully rummaged through to try and find something... like say a hidden compartment or a journal for instance?
Zirelle jumps in to help convince the innkeeper:
We understand that privacy is important, sure. This is an official investigation though, so it's important. Maybe they saw Rodrick last night, and could help us understand what happened.
We won't tell anyone where we got the names. ... Plus, maybe if we catch up with them we can ask them about destroying your property... maybe get some financial compensation. I can't guarantee it, but it would be just for them to pay for what they did here.
Nakoma nods in agreement with Zirelle. "I can't get recompense for the damages without a name." she adds.
The room does not look like it has been "tossed" it looks more like it has been willfully destroyed at random. For example, there is no reason to smudge paint all over if just searching for something. This looks far more like wanton destruction than any kind of purpose.
Ignoring Nakoma's strident tones, Cham cocks her head to the side and bites her lower lip while listening to Zirelle. "If you see the names and find these brutes, you can make them pay me back for damages? Can you really? I guess you could look at the book, but only since those green-skins checked in. Deal?"
She dodges out of the room, returning a few moments later with a thick ledger. She turns the page to a few days ago, and turns it over to Zirelle. There are entries for names for 4-5 guests, the notation male half-orc is written next to each one. It appears they checked out early today. Scrawled, barely legible entries stand next to the names, one simply an "X".
Scanning a little ways down the page, you see one strange entry that looks incomplete. Last night someone checked into Ramblehouse, a human male, but there is no name in the entry. Flipping through you see every other entry has a name and a signature in the entire book, but this one. He also apparently checked out early this morning.
Deal.
Zirelle gets out her pen and Journal to take notes.
Okay, let's see... Ormr, Tindr, Vifill, Vorom, Rishka. We'll see what we can do about your damages. Also, I have a question about one other entry here. It looks like you had another guest last night, but there is no name listed. Why is that?
Nakoma raises an eyebrow and resists the urge to look over Zirelle's shoulder at the book.
"What?" says Cham, a little taken aback. "Why, I don't know. It must've been my mistake when he came in? I guess I wasn't paying attention...Hmmm, I'm famished, is anyone else hungry?" She starts for the door, eyes downcast.
Nakoma follows the halfling a ways away from the others and speaks to her quietly and candidly.
"Come on, Cham. We may not be close, but if I know anything about you it's that you're good at your job. Everyone knows that. This place is your baby, and you don't neglect it." She pauses for a moment and then adds. " You didn't forget. You know it, and I know it. So tell me what really happened."
Since Cham walked off without the ledger, Zirelle takes the opportunity to scan it for anything else unusual (for instance similar nameless entries in the past).
Every other listing in the ledger is complete with printed name and signature. There is nothing else relevant to this case included in the ledger.
Baldek is not a good enough judge of non-dwarf behavior to tell about Cham. She is not stroking her beard, or itching fleas from her long braids, both sure signs of deceitfulness in the dwarven community, but not all that useful for a halfling woman...
As Nakoma separates Cham from the others and leans on her a bit, the innkeeper breaks into tearful sobs and quickly explains herself. "He refused to give his name." She manages between ragged gulps of air. And he gave me a fistful of gold. He said he'd be gone before sunrise. I didn't ask any more questions. I had no idea that something like Rodrik dying would happen. Honest!"
A look of surprise crosses Nakoma's face. "Cham... You..."
Nakoma collects herself quickly. She puts a hand on the halfling's shoulder and looks at her seriously. "You need to tell me everything you can remember about him. What did he look like? Was he human? How old? Everything, Cham. Can you do that for me? For Rodrik?"
"You made a mistake, now's your chance to make some kind of amends. We need to know as much as possible about this man. He is almost certainly involved."
Zirelle examines the paint in the smashed up rooms. Does it look the same as the paint on the sword-crosses that have been painted in town?
Cham tries to compose herself, breathing deeply and then saying. "I will help as much as I can, but I only saw the man for a few moments. He was a man, a human man. He wasn't old, but he wasn't young either. He was very plain looking, brown hair long in the back. Clean-shaven, I believe but maybe the ghost of a beard on his face. He wore traveling clothes, a long, brown cloak with a hood. He had a big sword strapped to his back, and a crossbow at his belt, but many travelers are so armed, so I thought nothing of it. I can't remember anything more about him...honest." She looks at you with genuine anguish on her tear-stained face, and you believe she is telling the truth.
That is about all she can say about this strange man who came in the night while everyone was at the celebration, and left before sunrise the next day.
Zirelle examines the white paint that is haphazardly spread around a couple of the trashed rooms. While she's no expert on paint, it certainly appears to be the same white color and consistency as what she saw above Hopespring.
brown hair long in the back
After the Cham drama, Zirelle tells the group about the paint:
It might not matter, but I think the paint spread in the rooms is the same used at Hopespring to paint that cross/sword thing. Do you think the half-orcs were the ones that painted it?
"I'm definitely keeping it in mind. That said do we continue staying close together as this is seeming more premeditated or do we split up? We've got a few leads, hopefully some of them will pan out."
Nakoma nods. "Sounds plausible. Whoever they are they were up to no good. Tracking them down's important--even if only for Cham's sake." She pauses a moment before adding. "But this nameless man is what has me worried... I'd like to discover what his purpose was in Trunau. Someone else is bound to have seen him."
After listening to the others, Nakoma says, "I believe splitting up is wise. Finding out the identity of Rodrik's muse is important, and as mentioned, I will only be a hinderance at Sanctuary. I will still speak with Omast and the other guards. I can ask after the half-orcs and X, as well as Rodrik."
Nakoma waits to see what her allies plan on doing.
I agree that we should split up again. I think we should head to the Sanctuary as we were discussing before getting distracted by Cham.
If we find out where to find someone we think might be the murderer... no one should do *that* alone, but right now I think we are just talking to people that ... he trusted. Hmm. That sounds bad now that it is coming out of my mouth. Nevertheless, if we stick to public places, I hope we will be safe. Where should we meet up after?
Nakoma nods, clearly agreeing with Baldeks suggestion.
Zirelle grabs Zan and goes to the Sanctuary.
Zan and Zirelle
It is a short walk over to Sanctuary from Ramblehouse and on the way, you pass a trio of acolytes carrying a stretcher, obviously headed to retrieve the body of poor Rodrik.
As you approach the temple of Iomedae, you also see the white painted cross (or X or whatever) on the cliff behind the church. It is similar in every way to the one you already saw at Hopespring.
Entering the holy place, a young priest greets you. "How can we be of service to you today?" The place is filled with warrior memorabilia, some on full display, other things hung on walls in cases. Rich incense and silk carpets complete the sense of ostentation. Zirelle has some flashbacks to similar cults of the warrior she visited while in Lastwall.
Hello. Zirelle says to the young priest, smiling.
This place is impressive.
I'm Zirelle. I work for Halgra, and this is Zan, a member of the local militia. We've been asked to look into the unfortunate death of Rodrik Grath, son of the militia captain. We're just asking some routine questions. We know that Rodrik came here often. Can you tell me who he talked to, or where he usually went?
If he seems reluctant at all, she adds
We need to collect all the information we can for our report, to make sure everyone is satisfied about what actually happened. You understand. Once we get a few answers, we'll be out of your hair in no time.
Zan carefully watches the priest's reaction to what Zirelle is asking, not that the church of Iomedae is up to anything too bad he suspects but like Cham they might have made a mistake and be covering it up.
He makes careful note of the entrances and exits as well as anything that might seem out of the ordinary.
Nakoma and Baldek
Cham answers that she has never heard of anyone named Unsul.
Baldek and Nakoma leave Ramblehouse behind them, and start the trek up Bloodmarch Hill to where the Longhouse awaits at the top. Many guardsmen loiter around the barracks, many off-duty, talking and reminiscing about Rodrik. The door to the Patrol Leader's office remains closed, and you hear that Kurst and his father have been holed up in there all day. The dwarf with Nakoma gets some interesting looks among the militia men.
No matter who you ask, no one has seen Omast Frum all day, not since the news broke about Rodrik, at any rate.
Zan and Zirelle
The acolyte bows formally. "I will fetch the High Priestess," he says and turns towards a closed door. A few moments later he returns. "She will see you now." And he escorts you into the same solar that Baldek was in earlier. High Priestess Tyari Varvatos sits behind a solid wooden desk, a golden goblet nearby, scratching something on a vellum parchment with a ink-dipped quill. She looks up as you enter.
"More visitors, eh?" she asks with a smile. "It sounds as if you are asking after poor Rodrik. Unfortunate matter, that. Quite. Please sit." she indicates a few comfortable looking chairs near the desk. A crystal decanter sits on the table between them. "If you wish, feel free to partake."
She sighs and sips her own drink. "Brother Caleb says you'd like to know who Rodrik saw when he came here? Iomedae's light shines on those who seek the truth, and I will answer your questions to the best of my ability. she muses for a moment before continuing. "We have a guest here. A half-orc named Katreza. He has been with us for some time, but over the last few weeks, Rodrik came here often to meet with this fellow. I heard them talking a few different times, but it was of no interest to me. Katreza claims to be a seer, but I can't vouch for his prophecy. More likely the hallucinations of crippled old man."
"Sir Brontos might more about this Katreza, as he was often the caretaker when my priests were otherwise occupied. I could send for Brontos if you like?"
"I think that could prove useful, do you know when the last time Rodrik was here? After that we would like to talk to Katreza."
Zirelle smiled and noddded when Zan asked to see Sir Brontos, but she also really hoped that her personal history wouldn't be dredged up.
A decision like that should just be a decision, but it was proving hard to live with over and over again, and bringing it up just made the wound fresher. ... Especially with the constant reminder at her throat. She felt torn in half already. One part of herself (hopefully most) prayed that Sir Brontos would just let it lie... but the part of her that wanted to run back to Lastwall wanted to talk about it with someone. She hoped that side would stay silent this time, as it had not earlier in the day.
Since no one seems to know where Omast is, Nakoma frowns. "That's strange," she admits to Baldek.
"Hmmm... Let's ask around with guards about Rodrik's duties and movement over the last few days, and then we'll head back out into town. Rodrik might have lost his journal or hope knife at one of the places he's worked lately."
Nakoma knocks on the wall loudly, to get everyone's attention.
"Hey, crew, listen up for a moment. I need to know which posts and patrols Rodrik worked the last few days. Was anyone partnered with him? Can anyone remember his shifts? Anything at all? Does anyone remember anything strange happening on one of those shifts?"
After speaking with the guards, Nakoma eyes the Patrol Leader's Office, clearly wanting to go in and ask directly, but also clearly guilty at the thought of doing so.