Not wanting the trail to go cold, the four tengu youngsters follow Berthold to grab Gerold and the dogs.
"Yap! Yapyapyap!" Barking happily, Hyper immediately leaps into Gallako's arms.
Berthold blinks. "No... Gerold, please tell me that you're not bringing that salivating yappy mop of yours?"
"But he's got a great sense of smell! Best in the group! Our dogs are not trained trackers, you know." Gerold scoops Hyper up. "C'mon, boy! Let's see what this scent leads to!"
Sheriff Feldane runs to the tent and meets you where you stand outside, waiting. She leans over a moment, catching her breath. "Andrietta... Chak... Where is she? Can you tell me what happened here?"
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The grandmother will bring the Sheriff in to see Sister Esrelda's form, with Chak outside to guard unless he feels more comfortable coming in the tent.
"Based on all of our observations, she was murdered in much the same way as Archivin, then something with claws for their upper or front limbs that walked on 'normal' feet attempted to claw it up to cover up the fact it was the garrote that did the deed and not an animal of some sort.
The kids found some fake clown costumes that the murderers snuck in wearing, and there were more vials of something chemical here. Guess is maybe during the whole riot a bunch of folks were trying to stir up out front.
The kids are taking the show dogs in an effort to try and track down the killers via scent. It's a long shot, but we're hoping it'll produce some results.
I was going to suggest maybe you could head to find them on their search, but that's your call, dear. Even though I didn't know her very long, I count Sister Esrelda as a friend, not only in person but in spirit, and Grandmother'd curse me if I didn't make sure her body was tended to.
You want to go see if the carnival's chief of security needs a hand shutting the carnival down for the evening?"
As Andrietta talks, though, she's quietly putting on her shield and bracing herself for the slim possibility that the Sheriff is 'in' on the situation, and she may be about to get shanked.
Sheriff Feldane sinks to the ground beside the corpse, eyes glassy. Wiping her face on her sleeve, she studies Sister Es’s corpse a few minutes in silence, fists closing and opening.
Then she looks Andrietta in the eye. “You and me, we’re going to find the bastards that did this.” Then she looks around, eyes narrowing. “This is the Sphinx’s cage, right? If she was here, she saw it all. If she wasn’t... Where is the sphinx?” The words are said softly, but with passion.
Even with Gallako’s ability to speak with animals, it takes a couple tries for him to give Hyper an idea of what is wanted, but eventually the little dog catches on. Chasing the scent on the Midway is challenging. Hyper follows it winding round and around throughout the midway. Whomever the clowns were, they were everywhere.
The dogs eventually lead you along the less-used scenic path that goes through the trees and near the river.
All of a sudden, Hyper shows great excitement, barking between an area in the bend of the trees and one underneath one particular tree.
An angry squirrel chitters back at yapping dog, which causes Hyper to lose all focus for a moment...
What do you do?
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We have two skulks who were willing to get their whole tribe addicted to shiver still unaccounted for. The scent leads us right to the same ambush site where Archivan was killed. Nope, not suspicious at all!
While Gallako is trying to get Hyper back on the scent, Stali looks around the area suspiciously. He takes special care to look where the tracks indicated the original attacks on Archivan happened.
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"This is the same place Archie's body was found... but I see no signs of our killers yet. Can you get Hyper to keep following the scent.. it can't just disappear here, can it?"
To the group :
"I'm going to see if Sqerrikk (the squirrel) saw anything"
To the Menagerie
"Hyper: Thats a good boy. Don't chase the squirrel. He is a friend. Here, have a treat!!. Sqerrik: Its ok, I won't let him harm you. Did you see anything here today? Any two legs? Or big 4 legs for that matter?"
To the group
"Hyper followed the trail here. Which means that we now KNOW that it was the same person AND that person wasn't a flying Sphinx. I think somebody might have noticed a Sphinx walking through the Carnival."
I'll try and get Hyper to keep following the trail but I'm pretty sure it won't lead anywhere from here
It takes a few tries to settle Hyper down once he's seen that squirrel. It's so exciting!
But eventually Gallako waves the clownsuit under Hyper's nose and he finally starts following the trail again. Hyper whimpers several times once you enter Ilsurian proper, turning in circles multiple times as he tries to catch one scent amongst many and then takes off... running straight for the Temple of Erastil and yapping like mad.
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Stali looks around -- making sure no one is within hearing range -- before noting "Well, the good news is we were going to have to investigate here anyways. I'm worried though -- are we following the trail they took to get to the tent or to leave it?" I suspect it is the way they took to get there -- using the cover of the mob to sneak the body in. Which means that the killers might still be in the circus area.
"The temple was closed when we got to town, let's quickly check that nothing is out of place and get back to the circus." They haven't been subtle about breaking into places. If the door isn't broken in, it is unlikely there is anything remaining to find in there.
The Sheriff looks straight at Almara. “Don’t make me repeat myself. Where is the Sphinx right now? Why isn’t she in that cage?”
Almara flushes. “Jherizhana is not a prisoner, but a valued circus entertainer. The cage is a polite fiction that we maintain to allow people to interact with her without fear. However, with the mood turning ugly, she got headaches halfway through the day and retired to spend some time alone. Venlock’s out finding her right now.”
“I don’t believe what I’m hearing!” The sheriff looks furious. “You’ve brought a dangerous creature into this community—a creature you clearly cannot keep track of, let alone control.”
The sheriff nods to Andrietta and Chak. “I respect the independent investigators you brought in. They’re the most observant people I’ve ever met. They say that the evidence points to the idea that your sphinx was framed, but this does NOT make my job any EASIER. Do you know how many people told me yesterday that they heard that Sphinx was flying around silhouetted against the moon? How many people I told that was utter hogwash because she was caged up? Do you realize that you’ve made a liar of me?”
She paces back and forth, arms waving. “I can’t say I know for certain there’s wrongdoing here on the part of your people, but after a point it ceases to matter. For the safety of my town, I’m putting this circus under quarantine. I don’t want any of your people leaving these grounds unless it’s to leave town completely. I’m giving you two days to get packed up and go.”
Do you go inside?
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"We're going to find them and bring them to justice. You have my word on that, Sheriff. And if you need a minute or two alone with the Sister, I think Almara and I could give that to you, if you want?"
Andrietta's tone is all steel and business and promises of holy fury to come on whoever did this, friend or foe.
"If you're going to put the circus under quarantine, it has to be a two-way street. No one from the community can enter the designated circus grounds without proper authorization during that time period, either.
It's the only way that a quarantine has even a remote chance of working, and it becomes flimsy fiction and covering your tailfeathers if you don't do it.
Now the question for both of you, Sheriff, Miss Almara, is this: Do you think you both can work together to protect your communities during this time of unrest, as Old Deadeye would have had Sister Esrelda do?
Our investigative team is a nice bonus here, but you two have to work this out somehow, otherwise this isn't going to fly and it's going to do more harm than good."
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Chak's keen ears had been picking up bits and pieces of the conversation happening inside. He remained outside, keeping watch as he was asked. It wasn't a bad idea. If anyone was going to try to burn the circus down, it might be good to keep an eye open for that. He wondered if any of the skulks were disguised, keeping watch over what was going on.
“No, I don’t need time alone. All I need to do is catch them and stop them.” The Sheriff takes a deep breath, pulling herself back together. “Yes, the quarantine will go both ways, or what’s the point? I’ll work with the carnival people, but they can’t keep pulling surprises on me. I don’t like them.” She swings out of the tent. “Let’s clear this carnival, shall we?”
All four of you slip quietly into the temple, and look around.
No one leaps out at you, but there are signs everywhere that this place has been robbed. Cupboards are open, their contents scattered over the floor. Sister Es’s bedroom has been tossed, her special effects lying everywhere.
Donate to our building fund. Help us restore our temple!
You remember having seen a sturdy wooden box that had been bolted to the wall that's no longer there.
What do you do now?
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"This place has already been robbed... and completely searched as well... maybe the dogs can find out where the guilty folks came from by continuing to follow the scent from here... I know it will get colder the further along we go, because we are tracing them back to their starting point rather than ending, but I don't think we have any other choice at this point..."
He will search the room for any clues as to who did this.
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Stali asks "Do you want me to see if I can lock the door as we leave? Are there any other entrances?"
He bends down and picks up a small ornamental bow. Looking around, he places it back on the wall hooks where it was. He then moves back to the front door and waits.
The lock didn't look like it was jammed, I can probably get it to lock again.
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[i]"Killing her for a few Gold pieces. They're all going to hang"[/b]
Gallako closes his eyes and says a brief prayer to the spirits to help Sister Esreylda's spirit on its final journey.
"Yes, lets lock the place up if we can. We also need to notify the sherriff fairly quickly. I'm not sure if we're backtracking the clowns from before they attacked the Sister or tracking where they went after"
"Hyper - This scent. Old or New? Older than back home? Newer?"
"If it is possible to continue tracking the scent, lets do so. Otherwise, I suggest we return to the Carnival and let the sherriff know"
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The grandmother is a bit worried at the idea of the carnival being quarantined, but at the same time it feels like the only logical solution, as she works to help with 'crowd control as desired.
However, one thing nags at her, and she'll pull Almara aside for a brief moment.
"Keep an eye out for those who would try to burn the place down, and bring in/have ready extra water in case they do try to torch your home.
All sorts of folks have resorted to fire in the past when they feel like they've been stymied on their wants."
Andrietta's tone is cautionary, and weighted with years of experience not just from her personal life, but also from opponents she's faced while working for the Society and the horror stories she's heard of missions gone dramatically awry.
Hyper seems confused by Gallako’s question and yaps a lot.
After that though, the trail has gone cold for Hyper. He attempts to catch the scent again in the well-traveled town square but without luck. He turns around again and again, whimpering. Meanwhile the news has spread through town of the murder of Sister Es, and the quarantine of the Circus. Townsfolk look angrily at the two animal holders, and one woman shouts at you, “I heard that Sister Es was planning to cast Speak with Dead to find out who the true killers were! You couldn’t let her live to find out the truth, could you!”
“I’d have welcomed the revealing of the true killers!” Berthold says angrily, and then he sighs. “We’d best get back, before we’re found in violation of the brand new quarantine. Will you folks walk us back?”
The Sheriff, Chal and Andrietta help clear the circus of townsfolk. Many of the carts from the winding market are shutting down, and those with ties to the circus are moving their carts closer to the main circus grounds. Chak sees Brion McAlebelly close up his grooming kit stand. “Just as well, I suppose. I hardly made any sales today...” He turns to Chak. “People don’t understand that it’s in the sad times when one most needs to look one’s best. This curent crisis is no excuse for shoddy grooming.”
The carts and tents belonging to enterprising townsfolk are being packed up, and some already are being wheeled away. Gretchen sighs as she packs up her pie cart as she sees Andrietta. “It seems I have a bunch of leftover pies I cannot sell. Do you want to take some home with you tonight? Maybe make sure that some of them go to Vralk, that hungry little rascal?”
Team Tengu finally meets up outside the Circus Gates. It’s very late. Do you all eat dinner and call it a night, or is there something more you want to investigate?
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Stali makes note of what the shouting woman looks like. News does travel fast.
"Certainly!" Stali replies to Berthold's question. He makes sure to stay between any townsfolk and Berthold on the way back.
Rejoining the others, Stali tells the sheriff of Hyper tracking the scent to Sister Es's temple which also had been robbed. He mentions how the door had been picked and that we only did a quick search of the area before relocking the door and returning here.
"At least we have Davo's murderer locked up in a cell." he tells the Sheriff. "Someone will need to talk to Filton Legg soon, see what he might know about shiver. Mentioning the Sister's death and how it is likely related may help get information from him."
"Right now, I'm tired and hungry. I would like to solve both those issues before any more investigation."
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Chak glares suspiciously at Brion McAlebelly trying to make small talk with him.
"I have bought, purchased, and procured enough of you grooming supplies and I shan't be desiring, wanting, or seeking any more! So stop, cease, and desist your sales pitch sir!"
Chak nods in agreement with Stali.
"Food, sustenance and nourishment, followed by sleep is in order."
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"Let me know what a fair price is, Gretchen. Can't see you suffering for the idiocy of others.
And I insist, so don't try to back out and say they're free, because I'm having none of that.
But it does raise an important question, Sheriff, are we exempt from the quarantine as the investigation continues, and has anyone checked in on your deputies to make sure they're okay?
Beyond that, yes, food and then bed is important, though we should also consider keeping a watch tonight. I have an idea about that."
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When Gallako sees Andrietta paying for the pies he goes up to her privately later
"Thank you for buying those pies. You're right, she shouldn't suffer. Please accept this contribution. Given that old greedy guts eats 1/2 the pie I should pay :-)"
Any sense motive will reveal that Gallako is being quite sincere. He knows that Gretchen was very nice to Vralk and wants to help her. And doesn't think that Andrietta should bear the whole burden. He did this privately so as to make it clear that this is NOT part of any status rivalry,
The Sheriff looks thoughtful at Stali's suggestion. "Filton Legg? I know he's been an alcoholic, but you think he's involved with Shiver too? Huh. That is interesting. Do you want to try talking with him before I do? I've spent so many times throwing him in a cell to detox for the night that I'm pretty sure he'll view me as a distinctly unfriendly presence."
Gretchen and Andrietta come to a reasonable accomodation over the pies, and when you at long last you return to the Two Rivers Tavern, Noria takes one look at all of you and says, "Although it's long past the dinner call, I can rustle up some leftover bread, apples and cheese. Will that help?"
Curious people stare at you from all over the tavern, but she shoos them away any that try to bother you. "Leave them be! They've been all over town, investigating, and I won't have them bothered now."
When she brings you your food, she gives you a nod of respect. "No charge tonight. Sister Es was my friend." It's plain fare, but there are several pies to share as well, and you finally get a chance to rest your feet and fill your stomachs.
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"I think we should all sleep in one room... that will make watches much more efficient... perhaps all in the common room tonight... unless there is a very large room with many beds... but yes, I am agreed that a fine meal of bread apples and cheese would be wonderful, followed by a night's sleep... I am happy to take midwatch for I have no spells to memorize in the morning."
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Nodding, Stali explains "When Irv saw the skulk suffering from shiver, he said that he found Filton with similar symptoms. You can ask Irv more about it, he is likely still waiting for you at the jail. We will try to find Filton tomorrow. Any idea who he got a job with?"
Stali thanks Noria and digs into the food.
When the conversation turns to the group's safety overnight, Stali notes "The locks that Noria provides are a little better than what Sister Es had. Since they has some problems with both that lock and the one on the cages, it is possible these are enough to keep them out. Otherwise, a single person in the hall would most likely be able to protect all the doors."
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"Thank you for the dinner, Noria. Its appreciated"
"I definitely think that we should be up at first light tomorrow but I also agree that we need a watch tonight. But losing a little bit of sleep isn't much of an issue for most of us, including me. So, lets just have a single person on watch in the hall. I'll also have Vralk go up and sleep on the roof of the inn to watch over things. He needs some sleep too but he can also rest in my pack tomorrow. He'll wake up every now and then and look around a bit before napping."
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"Cheese good. Apple Good. Pie GOOOOOODDDDDDDDD"
"Yes. Me watch good. Some of night. Sleep some, fly around some. If there problem, me say "Caaawwww" if trouble outside, "Caaaaawwwwwww" if trouble inside inn"
When everybody just looks confused at his two "different" caws
"Or me just yell. Keep your Window open a crack so can come whisper if necessary"
Unless Stali objects, Gallako will keep his window open a little bit. enough for a crow to slip in.
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Your rooms, modeled on ship cabins, are too cozy to easily accomodate the entire group. So you take turns doing watches through the night, and wake up the next morning refreshed and restless. In the tavern the breakfast crowd is even more packed than usual, including not just the usual dock workers, sailors and fishermen but other curious townsfolk.
Despite the place being packed, in one corner, there is a small table and chair that has been set aside, empty. On it are flowers, some bread, and a single bottle of Elkbutt ale along with a card on which has been crudely drawn a symbol of bow and arrows. A single line of text graces it: Sister, we miss you.
“It was her favorite seat when she joined us for breakfast,” Noria says simply. “I can find a table for you outside, or pack you a breakfast to go. Which would you prefer?”
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It’s a large crowd. Would you like to roll me some gather information rolls to pick up rumors and information?
"Breakfast to go it is! Give my cook a few minutes to fry it up." You're not sure what the cook is making, but you're certain you smell the bacon that Andrietta had requested the other day.
Hikaru approaches one of the townies, who immediately latches on to him for information. "Oh, I say! You're one of the birds investigating this whole mess, aren't you! Is it true that Archivin died in flagrante with the Sphinx? That's that I heard! What a way to go, eh? I wonder if the Sphinx seduced the Sister too... They say that there's always passion under those quiet exteriors, am I right?"
"Hey, what do you know? Tell Vralk the Mighty. Please" Suddenly Vralk gets very distracted from his attempts to "work" the crowd "Ooooohhhh. Bacon. Almost as good as Pie"
One of the dock workers attempts to shoo Vralk away from his plate. "Hey, that's my bacon! Get your own!"
"We are very interested in any information that you have heard about the crimes. Any detail, no matter how little, may be important. Please, tell us what you have seen yourself."
The woman next to him though offers some of her bacon to Vralk.
"I'd heard familiars could talk, but I've never seen it before," she says conversationally to Gallako. "I wish I could tell you something about the crimes. All I can keep thinking about is that I saw Sister Es just yesterday. She came to a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce... Half the business owners in town were there, all in an uproar, demanding that the Circus be driven out of town. She talked the hotheads down, told them that she was sure it was all a misunderstanding. She said she was going to visit the Sphinx that night and straighten it all out."
"Archivin did NOT mess around with the sphinx, no matter what you might have heard... Neither did the good Sister. The sphinx was not at all involved in this mess other than as a patsy for the killers to blame it all on... please don't besmirch her further, I beg you.
"'Besmirch?'" The townsman eyes Hikaru with disappointment, for a moment and then laughs. "She's enchanted you too, eh? Though, with a view like that, I can't blame you. Still, I'd find someone who doesn't disembowel her darlings!" He slaps you on the back and finally moves on.