The boy says a few words in common, broken either by unfamiliarity with the language or the extent of his injuries, "Yes, home. Tired."
As you help him home between the two, it's clear that he has trouble walking and the extent of his injuries make him tire. Even with the magical healing, it's clear that it will take some time for him to recover fully.
At the circus, a woman comes running as soon as you bring Milandru past the gates.
"My boy, my boy," she sobs, taking over supporting him and caressing his face and ribs. "What did they do to you? What happened?"
He gives a crooked smile and says in Varisian, "Sunt obosit, mamă . Vom vorbi mai târziu."
"Desigur," she coos. "Desigur."
She looks at Takashi and Pazacku, clucking, "Now, now you saved my boy. Come in to our tent, come in. My husband Arlukin and I will feed you and ensure you are safe."
Their tent is rather cozy. A cook fire burns. A man sits next to it, holding his hands and repeating the same few phrases over and over in Varisian. As Takashi and Pazacku approach with his wife and child, he stands up and gives a cry of joy.
"Milandru, you must learn to not take such risks. It is good you are home now." He places his arms around his son gives a hug, perhaps too tightly as the boy groans. "Elma, get them some food!"
The woman immediately dives into a small chest and pulls out a small box of dates, a few bars of Taldan chocolates and some fine Qadiran coffee. "Please, help youselves. Anything for the saviors of our son. You are family now. Oh, oh!"
She disappears from view for a second as she starts to dig into a wardrobe. "A gift. It's an old family heirloom, very lucky," she smiles as she ties a scarf around Pazacku's waist. It's colored like fire and tasseled in tiny beads that jingle slightly with every movement. "It's for dancing," she adds with a helpful smile.
The tracks lead through the town, never going in a straight line, until they disappear when the dirt road of the town becomes the wood of the docks.
|
"Elma, is it? Thank you for this most precious gift. It was no trouble at all to bring your son back here. And we appreciated the gesture of giving us a place to stay tonight." Pazacku picks out a few dates and grabs a cup of the coffee. "But, unfortunately we have to meet back up with our companions. We need to try and solve this case that we have been involved it."
|
"Yes, thank you, but as Pazacku says, we should go..." Takashi trails off as a thought occurs to him.
"Umm... have you seen anyone strange... err, anyone in the carnival that dressed like they worked for the carnival but aren't part of it? We think the murderers have been disguising themselves as carnival workers, so if you've seen something it might help..."
"No," Arlukin grunts. "We know our people, and I didn't see any new workers around lately. I'll ask around and see what people know - anything for friends of the family."
Elma nods next to Arlukin, "No one new either. Thank you, again, for bringing our boy home."
Evening comes quickly after that. At the circus, the daily closing ceremony plays to a much diminished crowd. Fathers gather their children in before the sun finishes setting. The Two Waters Inn bars its doors far earlier than anyone in the town can remember and most of the patron scowl into their ale. Peering from the windows of the second floor bedroom, it's clear that no one is out on the streets past eleven tonight.
Morning comes with a pounding on the door to your chamber before dawn breaks. A meaty constable looms outside. His nostrils flare as he stares the group down, watching the birds preen as they stir in the darkness.
"Sheriff Feldane needs you right. You haven't stopped the murders." The constable's anger and contempt pours over the room. "Come with me. Now."
The sun begins to peer over the town as you make your way toward the center square. The scent of death begins to flicker on the wind about a block away from the main market. In the middle of the square, from the largest tree in Ilusrian - a truly great oak tree - hangs what is clearly a human body.
The constable looks over the group with a sneer, "I hope you can stomach what you're responsible for."
The body is that of an emaciated man. Suspending him from the tree is a dirty and torn Varisian scarf tied around his neck. His eye sockets stare forward as empty messes. Rags filled his mouth and his left arm ends suddenly in a stump. A small note is pinned on his body.
Sheriff Feldane looks the flock up and down, particularly focusing on Dekarin. "So, what have you got to tell me this time to make this seem like the circus is innocent in all this?"
|
|
"Thank you for contacting us. I hope it was as soon as you located the body. I would like to know who found the body." Pazacku approaches the body.
"ah, what is this?" Pazacku pulls the card and note from the vest pocket. And begins to pass it around.
Pazacku looks to the shriff and with a flat tone, answers a question with a question,"And what proof do you have that makes them guilty? Assigning guilt with out evidence is an assumption, and assumptions are not for men of law, as you so claim to be."
"These murders started when the circus came into town. The man was hanged with a Varisian scarf. This isn't about assigning guilt, this is about taking measures of security. I cannot have that sphinx running around while murders are happening. A full trial will commence after the investigations are done." She pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs, "Two of the constabulary found him while on patrol. They fetched me right away and I fetched you. Given the location, I doubt much time eclipsed between death and your arrival."
|
|
"Maybe it is a local who is using the carnival as a cover. See sheriff I can make an assumption too, does not make it right. Anyone could possibly buy a Varision scarf since they do sell them at the carnival. Now let us speak to the constables that found them, hopefully they did not touch the body" Growing frustrated with the Sheriff, Pazacku walks away from him, finds a piece of ground to sit down. He then pulls out his tome of Shizuru's teachings and begins to meditate while the rest of his flock deal with the sheriff and his goons constables.
|
|
Takashi had slept poorly that night, feeling that there must certainly be some misfortune to come. But when it strikes, he is surprised to find he feels anger rather than fear or revulsion--anger, and a determination to see the true murderers stopped.
He takes the note and looks it over as Pazacku walks off. "Who is Arhaneem Braeton?" he asks, "And who are the Skull River Boat Crews?"
He taps his beak in agitation. "What connects all of the deaths? The guard and the owner... ummm, probably so they could steal things... then the priestess because she was trying to defuse tensions... but now why this man?"
The sheriff lets out an almost growl of anger at Pazacku. "I am not saying that the sphinx will be tried and executed in one night. Rather, while the murders are still happening, I do not think that such a beast should be allowed to roam free. That circus won't lock it up, so it's my responsibility to keep this town safe!"
"The constables that found the body are the two here. I see no reason to remove them from this case. If you are going to now imply that they were responsible for these murders, you can leave. I will not stand to have my officers insulted in such a way."
"We've identified this man as Filton Legg. He's well-known by our office as a beggar and reprobrate. He is - well, was - the town drunk. Braeton is a wealthy river merchant. He owns a small fleet of ships that move goods around the Skull River and Lake Syrantula."
|
|
Andoliesa sighs at the constable, quickly losing patience with the man's accusatory statements. "So the Sphinx did this, huh? It hung him up when it was done? Where are the claw marks?" She shakes her head at him and studies the note.
"This note was faked; it is only a couple of hours old, at most."
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
During is meditation, he contemplates everything he just saw and witnessed.
Pazacku recovered from his fit of frustration, rejoins the group,"Another person addicted to this substance known as shiver. Sheriff do you known of the rampant drug addiction, or do you have any leads on who deals or makes it?"
"No, but I'd like to. That drug's been ravaging the town for some time now. We can't seem to get a handle on how it's been flowing into the area." She shakes her head. "Let me know if you find anything."
"As it is, I simply cannot leave that sphinx roaming the area while we wait for the murders to stop. I understand that you have serious doubts, but it would be remiss of me to let my town go unprotected. I have done everything that must be done here, and must be off now."
|
|
"Umm... I think maybe I want to go ask about some things... would someone come, too?"
Takashi seems quite upset when he reconvenes with the flock. "It sounds like he was trying to get free of the shiver people and they murdered him for it! Then tried to stick it on the carnival!" He shrieks after explaining what he'd learned. "We have to figure out where these people are!"
He pauses, then adds, crestfallen, "If only we knew how..."
|
|
Andoliesa shakes her head. "The rabbit runs down its hole and the mouse takes shelter in the fields; we must dig deeper to uncover our true prey, you know."
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
'This one thinks we should go to the docks. *click* This one does not know what we should look for, but this one sees that too many traces are there. This one thinks maybe ask about mr. Filton Legg there... *click-click*... to know specifically about his last hours of life. Perhaps in the docks need to look for something other. But this one thinks it might help...'
The Braeton Manor is one of the largest buildings in the docks district and is easily found, even without asking around. It is an ornate wooden building with an impressive flagstone entry way. The front door stands about six inches ajar.
On the upper story, the curtains have been pulled, but light leaks around the edges in a few of the rooms.
|
|
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 the second floor above. Two sets of double doors on the easy and west wall lead father into the house. Another set of double doors stands behind the stairway. Leather padded chairs are interspaced throughout the room.
The skylight above illuminates the room, washing the area in a soft dim light.
At the top of the stairs is, strangely enough, Pazacku dressed in finery. He gives a clipped tut before calling out in a voice that sounds like Pazacku's, if Pazacku forgot how squawk and was attempting to sound like a nobleman "Slaughter these idiots and get to secure locations afterwards. I've spared the children."
Pazacku gives a rough laugh, and the image fades away to reveal a handsome older man with a ponytail. "Oh, children," he calls out in a gentle but masculine voice. "I - I hope you're okay. I've come to save you from that monster!" He turns up the stairs and out of sight.
The woman that had been following you quickly steps behind you as the man stops speaking, taking advance of the momentary distraction to throw a small vial to the ground, breaking it. A bright flash of light illuminates the room for a moment before dissipating.
Tchucko and Andoliesa caw with surprise at the flash of light, their eyes temporarily dilated from it.
The door to the right bursts open and three thugs spill from it, surrounding the party in the foyer. They brandish short swords. One of them smiles evilly and says, "Murderers! Those children will be scared forever because of you. The other thugs laugh at the joke.
Chack, Andoliesa, Pazcku, Tchucko, Dekarin -
Enemies Group 1
Takashi
Enemies Group 2
Chack, Andoliesa, Pazcku, Tchucko, Dekarin - You're up!
Enemies Group 1
Takashi
Enemies Group 2
Pazacku's katana flies swiftly, slashing a deep gash through the woman's leather armor. Blood trickles down the now-damaged coat.
Chack, Andoliesa, Pazcku, Tchucko, Dekarin - You're up!
Enemies Group 1
Takashi
Enemies Group 2
With a tremendous thrust of his sword, Dekarin spears the enemy. He slumps over the blade, immediately going unconscious from the attack.
|
|
Unable to see but sensing danger, Andoliesa begins murmuring frantic prayers to grandmother crow.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Chack, Andoliesa, Pazcku, Tchucko, Dekarin
Enemies Group 1
Takashi - You're Up!
Enemies Group 2
Chack, sensing an opening, will move to flank the one guard, unleashing his claws and biting deeply into it. Chack's first claw rips a deep tear into the man's arm, pulling nearly a whole muscle off the bone. Chack is truly a fearsome creature as blood splatters over the area and the man slumps, defeated.
Tchucko rubs his eyes frantically, trying hard to restore his sight.
The thug next to Pazacku and Dekarin steps frantically away, attempting to avoid the rage of the beast. He then turns his short sword directly on Pazacku with a sneering, "Even if you get out of this alive, those children will tell the whole town what type of person you are." The sword slams against Pazacku's side .
|
|
Takashi's eyes go wide as things click into place in his mind. The note... this was all a set-up! A trap to frame them as the murderers! Which meant...
They were getting nervous about the investigation.
The violence around Takashi would have sickened him if he'd had time to process it. Instead, he suddenly turns, nimbly rushing up the stairs with his Desna-blessed speed after the illusionist while drawing his starknife.
As he runs, Takashi shrilly shrieks, "No he's not! He is the monster! He's using magic as a disguise!"
BRAETON MANOR - ROUND 2
Chack, Andoliesa, Pazcku, Tchucko, Dekarin - You're Up!
Enemies Group 1
Takashi
Enemies Group 2 and 3
Takashi rushes up the stairs, nearly running into a pair of rogue hiding behind the banisters. They stare at Takashi in surprise before moving to draw tanglefoot bags.
Seeing a momentary opportunity, the woman next to Andoleisa stabs forward with her sword. She takes advantage to hamstring Andoleisa .
|
|
Seeing that carnage on this level is almost over ('Oh Gods, Gorum really awful deity! Mighty Tanagaar, protect this one!*') Chack-Qetchack decides to chase the deceiver, who wants to tarnish 'our feathered brethren'.
'Try to take someone alive! Questioning!' - he shouts on the run, and then some kind of strange shadow (like a shadow from the giant wing) harbors him, and he disappears in it somewhere to the top of the stairs, as if dissolving in it.
hmm, maybe he only thought he 'disappeared'...
Chack, Andoliesa, Pazcku, Tchucko, Dekarin, Takashi - You're Up!
Enemies Group 3
Andoleisa and Dekarin unleash their fury, causing the thugs to hit the ground with sickening thuds.
BRAETON MANOR - ROUND 3
Chack, Andoliesa, Pazcku, Tchucko, Dekarin, Takashi - You're Up!
Enemies Group 3
Tchucko pulls his crossbow from his bag and begins to load it. He fixes his stare on the lone thug, preparing for a shot.
The thug on the other side of the stairs laughs at Takashi as he begins explaining Dekarin's power.
"He'll never get up here," he says as he lobs his tanglefoot bag at Dekarin.
The bag goes flying and smacks into the wall on the far side of the room. The thug's confidence drops a little as he stammers, "We'll still defeat you!"
The other thug, trapped between Takashi and a banister (with Pazacku on the side!) nervously chuckles and drops the bag. She pulls out a short sword and takes a stabbing lunge forward at Takashi. The blade pierces Takashi's flesh and the thug's nervous laughter turns into a chuckle.
"Bird kebab," she explains. "You're going to be bird kebab."
BRAETON MANOR - ROUND 3
Chack, Andoliesa, Pazacku, Tchucko, Dekarin, Takashi - You're Up!
Enemies Group 3
Pazacku slashes deeply into the woman, but she turns away from the worst of the blow.
|
|
With those downstairs taken care of for now, Dekarin will move up the stairs quickly, laughing a little bit too maniacally as the tanglefoot bag flies past him. Once he's up to the top of the stairs, he will heed Pazacku's instructions, running towards the room that he pointed out, sword at the ready.