Megan's Carrion Crown

Game Master Megan Robertson

Leaving Kendra stuttering that she doesn't know anyone with those initials, bacon pan in one hand, you troop off back to the Monument.

It's still early enough that there is nobody around (except Merian), although in the distance a few early farm workers can be seen heading out into the fields.

What do you want to do?

"We know he came here," Dillan gestures to the gore, "And there's the act." The rogue looks down the shack he followed the man too, "But I think there is where we should begin. I followed him to that building. Perhaps we can find something within or tracks leaving it?"

Once back at the monument, Sorin takes a further look at the dead cat.
Heal to see what (if anything) can be learned about the dead cat. 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

When Dillan makes his suggestion about looking around the building, he replies "Sure, I'm not used to tracking in a town like this, but I'm happy to look."

And, once we get to the building, he takes a look around for tracks toward the monument.
Survival1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

"I think you should take a look around down there first, maybe he'll still be asleep after the exertions. Dillian, you're probably the best to 'find' things and evidence?" Tre looks the half-elf in the eyes. "Once you've looked around the front, we'll knock him up and keep him busy. The dead cat should help, it may be his after all, and you continue to look around the back and wherever you think fit. How's that?" he loks for support from the new friends too, as he rubs his hands together at the thought they might find the perpetrator.

Dillan nods, "Indeed it is one of my more valuable services that the professor so enjoyed."

Barret will take a look around for anyone possibly spying on them unless given further instructions.

Perception
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

The cat has had its throat cut, with a single slash that nearly took the poor beast's head off.

With apologies to all cat lovers.

Barret cannot see anyone paying particular attention to you, although there are a couple of farm labourers coming this way carrying agricultural implements.

Sorin and Dillan take the lead down towards the shack. It's a ramshackle place, consisting of a single storey, one chimney, a lean-to shed and a woodpile behind.

With light on his side Dillan will search the exterior and immediate area of the shack...

Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 +4= 20 vs hearing conversations, finding traps, concealed or secret objects.

As they move down, Tre asks "Sorin, can you help Dilan, whilst Merian and I talk to whoever lives here? Merian, is that Ok with you?"

Merian nods, slinging her shield across her back. "This is going to be tricky," she murmurs. "We don't know who we'll be talking to, or what we're going to find. We can't just accuse or attack whoever answers the door. How do you think we should approch this?"

Sorin goes to follow Dillan while trying to take care to stay out of his way.

"Do you need me to come with you? Or should I stay out here? You might need me if things get rough." Barret asks Merian and Tre.

"Yes, good idea Barret your muscle might help if we get into trouble. But if things do get rough, no killing. If this clears up the mess, we don't want to antagonize the sheriff by having to explain the loss. Merian, can you do the talking to whoever opens the door, you have a way with words. Tre concludes.

Yeah definitely don't leave the muscles behind. :D

The shack is silent, no signs of anyone stirring - unlike the rest of the town which is, like most agricultural communities, given to early rising.

Tre' leads the way to the door, with Merian and Barret at his heels, whilst Dillan and Sorin go around the back, poking through overgrown bushes and long grass towards the woodpile.

Tre' knocks, and there is some confused mumblings from within. The door is opened by an old man, looking half-asleep. He's wiry and tough-looking and anyone present at the burial at the beginning of the adventure recognises him as the ringleader of the villagers objecting to the Professor's burial!

"Yeah, whaddya want?" he demands, stifling a yawn. "Didden sleep well, can't a body get his rest?"

Round the back, Dillan thinks he sees something hidden in the woodpile.

Barret just nods at Tre's request. When the old man opens the door, Barret looks towards Merian for a response.

Dillan looks at Sorin then gestures to the wood pile...he stalks up intently hoping that whatever he saw hasn't seen him just yet...

Stealth 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19 +4= 23 vs hearing conversations, finding traps, concealed or secret objects.

Tre smiles and bows at the man, "Begging your pardon Sir, causing you this inconvenience and disturbing your sleep, we are here to help the sheriff, even though we are but visitors to your fine town. Let me explain, last night as we all slept, the monument was defaced once more with a bloody letter. As your home is one of the closest to the monument, we wondered if you had any information that might help us catch the perpetrators? Especially as you say you didn't sleep very well, you might be able to help us? You are the first of the neighbours, in this area we hope to interview so hope you will be able to help."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

The old man rubs his eyes, and cracks what might almost be a smile.

"No problem, youngster," he says. "But I'm afraid I cannot help you. I heard nothing last night... indeed, although I said I did not sleep well, it is more that I have awoken feeling even more exhausted than I did when I retired for the night."

"It is outrageous, though, that someone should be defacing the Monument. Rotten times..." he pauses to peer more intently at the three standing before him. "Do you think it's to do with that necromanic rogue Lorrimor that died recently? Is he perhaps resting uneasily? Shouldn't have put the likes of him in holy ground..."

Round the back, Dillan stands overwatch.

Sorin, a Perception check if you please.

Merian tries to hide her reaction to the man's slurs against Petros; gritting her teeth only a little, she answers, "Most lie more quietly in holy ground, sir, so I'm sure it was the right thing to do." Going on more smoothly, she continues, "You say you feel more tired this morning than you did when you went to sleep last night? Did you have any strange dreams? I have heard before that some dark magics can produce nightmares in folks who are especially sensitive. There might be a clue, if you remember anything."

Sorin looks in the direction of whatever Dillan has seen in the woodpile.
Perception 1d20 ⇒ 14

In front

"Humph, young lady. I have my doubts... As for my sleeping habits, what concern is it of yours? No, I recall nothing. No dreams. No nightmares. No magics."

In back

Following Dillan's directions, Sorin can see a flaccid skin? Or some material anyway, bloodstained, and wrapped around something solid, stuffed into the woodpile as if someone had attempted to hide it there (but hadn't made a very good job of it).

Dillan will draw out his dagger and attempt to 'fish' out whatever it is.

"Sir, my friend purely has your best interests at heart, maybe she can help assuage your nightmares. However if you didn't see anything last night, maybe someone else in the house might seen or heard something? Perhaps you would let us speak to others who live here with you?"

Sorin watches with quiet anticipation as Dillan attempts to retrieve the item.

Out front:

"I live alone. And I don't have nightmares!" It seems that his patience is beginning to wear thin.

"Now, do you really want anything or are you just going to pester me all day?"

Out back:

Dillan sets to with a will, Sorin watching. Carefully, Dillan eases out the bundle and it flops onto the ground, unrolling as it does so. Crouching down to probe with his dagger, Dillan finds an empty, bloodstained wineskin and a war razor, also covered in blood. The blood has dried, but looks quite fresh...

Tre bows to the man once more, "As you will, enjoy your rest." and withdraws from the man's house. As he turns, he whispers to Merian, "We must find the proof and inform the sheriff, before nightfall."

Dillan looks over at Sorin, "I believe in some areas this could be enough to convict a man of murder." He pauses, "Of course no one has died recently save for the cat."

It seems the old man is not the only one who's patience is wearing thin as Barret breaks his silence."Watch your tone, old one. We just wanted answers." He says while trying to keep his cool.

"The old man is hiding something, that is certain." Barret says after they leave the residence and are out of earshot of the old man.

"Yes, but maybe more have died than the cat? And, in some towns, vandalizing property is enough. We need to figure out how to stop him. Do you think we should take the evidence to the town authorities or confront him?" He thinks for a moment, "Let's go see the others. Tre seems to always have a good idea."

Dillan nods, "Yeah lets bring this to everyones attention."

Sure it's ok to speak for Sorin in this part, correct me if i'm wrong please.

Dillan and Sorin will go around to find the others and wave them down, once in their group and away from passerbys' earshot, "Well we've got a bloody war razor and wineskin in the back. Blood looks fresh and perhaps some older blood stains as well."

"Well done both of you, it is enough to alert the town sheriff, though maybe not enough to convict. It all depends whether he believes us or not. Merian, you are one of true faith and trustworthy, what do you think? Would this convince the sheriff? I am sure Barrett could handle the man if he got aggressive, and the rest of us are here to help." Tre ends on an upbeat note, yet still he is unsure that the sheriff will take them at face value.

Merian looks pensive. "It's certainly worth talking to the sheriff about. I'd be happy to do it. But... " She shakes her head. "I don't know. Something doesn't feel right."

With a frustrated shrug, she turns away from the house. "Let's find the authorities and tell them what we know. With luck, we'll find a sympathetic ear, and maybe some useful information along the way."

"Should we bring the evidence or leave it?" The rogue pauses, "Or perhaps I can stay behind out of sight and just keep an eye on it."

"We don't all need to go to the sheriff. Why don't we send a couple there and leave a couple here with the evidence. I can stay here with you."

"What do you all want me to do? Stay here, or go with Merian to alert the sheriff?" Barret asks the group.

Dillan looks at the two large men, "Well I think with you two around no one will dare to take anything."

Barret just gives a wide grin at the remark made by the rogue.

"Yes Dillan, put that thing back where it came from, with Sorin and Barret here, its not going anywhere. The rest of us can go with Merian and seek out the sheriff." Tre smiles at Sorin and Barret as he leaves the area of the shack.

So, Sorin & Barret staying, the rest going to see the Sheriff, yes?

Where would you like to go? Town Map You know that the Town Hall is at D and Ravengro Jail is I, but not where the Sheriff lives...

That plan is ok with me.

I would think we would start with the jail - if that's not where the sheriff is, they should know where to find him/her.

Kendra can probably send us in the right direction if we ask her first. Going to an Inn would also work ... just in case there's no-one in the jail.

Tre walks with Merian as they make their way to the jail, hoping to find the sheriff there. As he goes he takes in the sights and sounds of the town once more, watching the children skipping and singing their blood thirsty little rhyme. "Those words still disturb me, coming from the mouths of innocents, let's move quickly on."

Tre'duinne, Merian and Dillan head off through town to the Jail at I, attracting a few curious glances as they go, although the townsfolk are beginning to become accustomed to your presence.

It's quite small as gaols go, with a front office and a few cells behind. When you get there, the front door is standing open and a stout man with thinning ginger hair is giving instructions to a couple of younger fellows wearing grey tabards over farm workers' clothing. He breaks off at your approach.

"Morning," he says. "Sheriff Caeller at your service. Help you, strangers?" He's business-like but a bit abrupt.

Dillan stayed with Sorin and Barret. :D

Sorry! So it's just Tre' and Merian chatting to the Sheriff...

Meanwhile, at the shack, you can hear sounds of movement within. A splash of water. Smoke begins to come out of the chimney, bringing with it the smell of frying bacon...

Dillan looks at his two companions, "Glad I already had breakfast."

Sorin shakes his head wryly. "Way to rub salt into the wound Dillan. I think I'm going for first watch next time." He smiles to show no offense is really taken.

"Mmmm, salted bacon." Barret says to no one in particular. "Sorry, I think I'm still hungry." He says when he realizes he said it out loud.

"Ha, you guys are terrible. What do you think we have here? Do you suppose this guy is somehow serving the Splatter Man? I wonder if some of the villagers have entered the prison too? Or were involved in the Professor's death?"