"Oh, I don't think anyone even noticed me sneaking- I mean, stepping out."
This proves to be highly optimistic, as you escort him to the campgrounds where a distraught couple meets all of you. After a quick dressing down in Varisian to Milandru, his explanation of what happened on the road brings a tearful embrace and profuse thanks to all of you. His mother unwinds a scarf embroidered in the colors of flames and presses it into Lunevi's hands.
"This scarf has been in our family for generations. Please take it as thanks for preserving this one."
|
Lunevi fingers the soft weave of the scarf, impressed. It isn't until the woman says that they've had it for generations that it's truly impressed upon her how valuable it is.
Blushing, she bows her head and says, "I truly appreciate your kindness. Thank you," in acceptance. Though her first instinct is to return the scarf, she's learned from her time on land that in many cases, it is better to accept gestures for what they are.
Unwilling to prolong their time with the emotional family, she adds, "Do forgive us, but we must depart. We are in the midst of investigating to restore the Carnival's honor."
The party is bid farewell and finds the road back to town clear of trouble. The sun finally sets on the events of the day, leaving the night quiet as most of the residents retreat behind closed doors. Even the sheriff is unavailable, stymieing further efforts to glean more information about criminal activity in the region.
The morning brings a change in that fortune, as a young worker finds you in the morning to deliver a summons from the sheriff. He guides you through the streets to a crowded road, where over the heads of the gawkers you spy a body hung from tree branches. As the crowd parts, Sheriff Feldane is revealed, her mouth a tight line that makes her grim expression even worse. "A third murder, and no evidence to point away from the carnival. You'll get a fair chance to find some, but the town's patience is about up." she declares.
As you approach, the horror of the act becomes even more apparent. The man hangs from a dirty and torn scarf, obviously Varisian. Bloody sockets are all that remains of his eyes, while a sheet of paper is affixed to his shirt. "We take care of our own." is scrawled in sharp script across it. The left hand of the corpse has been severed, nowhere to be found at the scene.
|
|
"This is strange," Lunevi frowns. "The members of the carnival we've encountered are scared and stressed." Although she does not say it, she certainly believes that these people are being framed.
"If you don't mind," she says, stepping forward, she pauses with her hand just in front of the card so that the Sheriff can stop her if need be, but if Feldane doesn't say anything, she carefully pulls out the Harrow card as well as the parchment from his pants.
"How peculiar," she murmurs, showing the others her finds.
Lunevi finds the parchment to be a memorandum, stating the bearer has been hired to “work on one of the Skull River boat crews, and is on probation—an advance is permitted to buy new boots if necessary.” It is signed “Arhaneem Braeton,” but bears no personal seal.
"I'm glad you aren't too discouraged." the sheriff contributes. "But I have to arrest someone at this point, so you keep trying to prove the circus didn't do this. You come back with proof, I'll release the sphinx or whoever CAN be arrested over there." She glances up at the body. "Poor bastard was well known around here. Filton Legg. Good-for-nothing, but he didn't deserve this."
Some people suspect the drug is produced locally,
but sold in other towns and communities so that the
drug’s manufacture is not traced directly back to the
source. Filton seemed to have an inside connection.
was reduced to begging. Nevertheless, he started
to change over the past few months—drying out,
attending temple, and becoming respectable. Filton
had been looking for honest work of late, but was
publicly bitter toward persons he would not name.
practice popular among gangs and thieves’ guilds
in Korvosa some 10 to 20 years ago. It was a reprisal
done to someone who sought relief from an illegal
debt by going to the authorities. The idea was the
victims retained their right hands so they could still
make good on their obligations. If the PCs uncover this
specific fact, reward them 100 XP.
|
|
"Arrest someone?" Lunevi frowns. She can understand where Feldane is coming from, but it hardly makes this any better. Still, perhaps they could at least make this less terrible all around? It makes her unhappy, but in many ways, the faster they get this resolved, the better -- just as Feldane has said. "Please tell the people there that we will do our best to focus our efforts on the investigation."
Still, these clues were... strangely obvious. "Filton?" Lunevi taps her chin. "Perhaps he was involved in something unsavory, then. Regardless of whether someone is using him to frame the circus or this was truly perpetuated by the circus, there would be a reason. Let's look into it."
Nodding to the Sheriff, she adds, "Thank you -- we'll have to try to be quick about this. Where can we find this Arhaneem Braeton?"
As they plan their next move, Lunevi takes some time to ask about the man in lieu of going with the sheriff - certainly, she has no desire to witness the arrest.
"Shiver? Apparently he was a drug addict," she announces to her peers.
|
|
"According to what you and Utah have found, he's been a changed, man, though - bitter towards some unnamed people, but otherwise respectable..." Lunevi points out. "It may not be shiver dealers we need." She shudders a bit, thinking of the awkward encounter they'd had with the alchemist in the sewer.
At Fate's input, she cringes. "How barbaric."
Overall, however, she thinks... "We should look into this Arhaneem Braeton. The name wouldn't be here if they didn't want us looking for him." Considering the way they'd found the man, she has to admit it looks bad, though. "It might be a trap, but... I think it might be the closest we'll get to finding out what's going on."
The sheriff takes the time to direct the party to Braeton Manor before departing to the circus. The investigation of the corpse over, some of the men cut Filton down and wrap his body in linens to carry away. The long walk to the manor passes quietly, with only the sound of morning birds to intrude on the heavy thoughts brought on by the murders.
The manor is sizeable, clearly the home of a wealthy man. The private lane up to the front doors is flanked by neatly lined up trees, framing the home as you approach. No one is in sight as the trees fall behind you.
As the party enters, you find this large, spacious foyer has high ceilings and is richly appointed. North of the door sits a large planter where an indoor tree is bathed in light from the skylight above. A massive staircase gradually ascends to a second floor above. Two sets of double doors on the east and west wall lead farther into the house. Another set of double doors stands behind the stairway. Leather padded chairs are interspersed throughout the room.
With loud cracks, the doors to the left and right are thrown open, revealing armed men in the rooms beyond. From behind the party, another steps into view, throwing a leather pouch at the floor between the Pathfinders. A brilliant flash of light momentarily illuminates the room as the bag ignites on contact!
At the top of the stairs, a figure steps from a door way, looking down on the foyer with a grinning sneer. His features are a perfect match for Mkono's. "Slaughter these idiots and get to secure locations afterward. I’ve spared the children." He speaks and sounds much as Fate does, but slightly off, in cadence and tempo. "After all, there's nothing more compelling than a living witness." The evil grin widens as his features shift and change to that of a handsome man with a ponytail.
28 Fate
24 Ella
22 Yellow
20 Urah
14 Luna
13 Green
11 Red
10 Blue
The man stands tall, dropping the affectation of Fate's voice. "Have no fear, children! I am here to save you from these villains!" he calls over his shoulder.
The imposter smirks at Fate, turning to enter the room he had exited, closing the door behind. At the front door, the thug steps in and closes the entryway behind him, turning a key in the lock to prevent egress!
28 Fate
24 Ella
23 Imposter
22 Yellow
20 Urah
14 Luna
13 Green
11 Red
10 Blue
|
|
"Թվում է, թե նրանք մտադիր չեն վնասել երեխաներին," Lunevi says grimly. Considering that it appears this foe of theirs is trying to frame them, she hardly things this is going to be a negotiable situation. She takes a few steps closer to Ella to keep her from being flanked. Turned towards the foe to her left (Green), she aims and takes a moment to pull at the lever to release the bolt.
The thugs in the foyer fall upon Ella and Urah, short swords thrusting out. Only one manages to catch Ella off guard, a cruel slash drawing blood. Above, two more foes step out of the shadows, throwing a tanglefoot bag and dagger at Fate. The dagger flies wide, but the sticky bag entangles Fate with precision, sticky strands threatening to pin the shaman to the ground.
28 Fate
24 Ella (Damage: 6)
23 Imposter
22 Yellow
20 Urah
14 Luna
13 Green
13 Purple
11 Orange
11 Red
10 Blue
|
Blinking the spots out of her vision, Ella presses the attack! Her blade flicks out at the red-shirted thug, quickly strengthening his clothing's hue.
His skin scored, she uses the pillar and Lunevi to guard her back as she readies herself for their onslaught.
Fate manages to avoid being glued to the stairs, before cursing the villian upstairs with bad luck. Downstairs, the man at the door tucks the key away and steps forward to slash a gash into Urah's arm!
28 Fate (Entangled)
24 Ella (Damage: 6)
23 Imposter
22 Yellow
20 Urah (Damage: 2)
14 Luna
13 Green
13 Purple
11 Orange (Misfortuned)
11 Red
10 Blue
Luna's crossbow bolt finds a deadly mark, punching a hole in her targets throat. He reels and crumples to the ground, lifeblood pumping onto the floor. Urah has less luck, but is able to focus on his remaining foe. Upstairs, the villians close on Fate, producing blades to take advantage of his tangled state. The fated throw still manages to connect, while Fate is distracted by the longer blade of his melee assailant. Ella finds herself surrounded much as Urah was, employing her swordplay to fend off her assailants. With an expert stab, her rapier nearly pierces the second man's heart, the shock of being run through causing him to collapse.
28 Fate (Damage: 3, Entangled)
24 Ella (Damage: 6)
23 Imposter
22 Yellow
20 Urah
14 Luna
13 Green (Damage: 10, Unconscious, Bleeding)
13 Purple
11 Orange
11 Red
10 Blue (Damage: 10, Unconscious, Bleeding)
|
Fate Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Fate manages to avoid being glued to the stairs, before cursing the villian upstairs with bad luck.
Fate takes a step done the stairs and forms his clay into a pair gambler's dice. Quick eyes will catch that every side has only a single pip. He hurls the 'snake-eyed dice' at the purple clad thug.
Ella cuts down another of the thugs, gurgling cries of pain cutting short as the bodies hit the floor. Urah easily dodges the cut of the last thugs blade.
28 Fate (Damage: 3, Entangled)
24 Ella (Damage: 6)
23 Imposter
22 Yellow
20 Urah
14 Luna
13 Green (Damage: 10, Unconscious, Bleeding)
13 Purple (Misfortuned)
11 Orange
11 Red (Damage: 10, Unconscious, Bleeding)
10 Blue (Damage: 10, Unconscious, Bleeding)
Fate easily avoids the swing of his assailant as he stagger-steps down the stairs. For a split second he sees the alternate timeline where the blade pieces his flesh, then the vision fades.
28 Fate (Damage: 3, Entangled 2/4rds)
24 Ella (Damage: 6)
23 Imposter
22 Yellow
20 Urah
14 Luna
13 Green (Damage: 10, Unconscious, Bleeding)
13 Purple (Misfortuned)
11 Orange
11 Red (Damage: 10, Unconscious, Bleeding)
10 Blue (Damage: 10, Unconscious, Bleeding)
|
|
Lunevi touches Ella, murmuring "կարող ալիքները մաքրում է եւ բուժել ձեզ," as she steps past her and moves the long way around the pillar to slip behind the last of their foes, wanting to help distract the man so Urah could get in a good hit.
"Անակնկալ!" she shouts at him.
As the second ruffian moves to join his ally, destiny is not so kind to Fate, both strikes cutting into flesh!
28 Fate (Damage: 12, Entangled 3/4rds)
24 Ella
23 Imposter
22 Yellow
20 Urah
14 Luna
13 Purple (Misfortuned)
11 Orange
10 Blue (Damage: 11, Unconscious, Bleeding)