"Why would the guards take the victims body to his office, sheriff? There were any number of better options. The best one being to leave the body where it was found and fetch you. Or, if they thought Mr. Walder was still alive, to a healer."
"Sounds to me like someone is taking advantage of our presence and trying to pin blame on us, no?"
Estevan pauses a moment
"Anything of note taken, any magic, or particular heirlooms? If someone's gone to such an effort they may have been after something more specific than just grabbing valuables?"
There's that word again. All coming to locks. Locks on cages, locks on boxes... was it the dead man makes most locks around here, or did he just put'em on boxes? Might just be some smith looking to stir up extra business, eliminate some competition. Now me, I've never been a fan of locks... doors neither. I always say it's best to make like an eel or an octopus. Keep yourself facing the only way in when it's time to get some rest. Anything comes by looking for trouble, that's a free meal for ya." says Nori, flashing a toothy grin.
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The sheriff smiles, genuinely impressed.
To Dylan: I can see you will be assets to this case. Regarding why the guards took the body, I asked the fools the same d^mn question myself. They told me they were only following Mrs. Walders orders to bring him back to the Locked Box. I mean, I suppose she didn't specify what to do if they found him dead!
To Estevan: As for pinning blame on the circuis, well, If I could get Almara to let me interview that Sphinx mabe we could get a few facts strait. But she just keeps telling me an interview is "complicated" she double quotes with her fingers. And as for what was stolen at the locked box? Mrs Walder reported that the theives made it in to the vault but nothing was taken. Now isn't that strange?
To Nori: And as for you, Mermaid...YOU make me nervous. Think you could back up just a little? But yes, I didn't notice it before, but locks do seem to be a theme here don't they. The sheriff looks at the desk, deep in thought.
"Interesting, they broke into the vault and nothing was taken. Sounds like they were looking for something they didn't find."
"Or they just wanted to stage a robbery and the murder was the prime subject,"
"Lets go in and have a look around, maybe something will jump out at us."
"Or they were after something that wasn't... on the ledgers. Interesting either way. Does anyone else have questions for the sheriff before we're off?"
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When you arrive at the Locked Box there are two guards present with Agnes Walder (N female human expert 1), the third having left to take the bodies to the temple of Erastil. They are sitting on the front porch, trying to get a grip on the situation.
Teary-eyed Agnes blames herself. She believes if she had gone to the carnival with her husband, events would have been different. It just bothered me to think of him ogling that winged she-lion whatsit—all that rancin’ about without a top on. But none a’ that would matter if only Archie was still here with me!
MAP UPDATED.
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After seeing the letter from the Sheriff and getting your assurances Agnes allows you entrance to the building.
Lamps illuminate this large showroom. Glass display cases, broken in a few places, line the walls, while two additional cases sit like islands in the center of the room. The cases contain an eclectic mix of valuables such as unusual tools, masterwork weapons, jewelry, fine china, antiques, and artwork. A set of merchant’s scales rests on top of one of the display cases.
Ix ignores Agnes and looks around the shop, he doesn't really know what he is looking for but figures his appearance won't help discussions with the wife.
"Mrs. Walder, I am sorry for your loss. For the investigation, please tell us what you and your guards saw when your husband was discovered."
"Exactly where you found him and the state of things would be nice to know too. If you can bring yourself to recall all the gory details that'd be plenty helpful..."
Nori almost resists the urge to say more, but can't help but slide right up to the grieving woman's face. "... and while it's clear you're speaking out of grief, I might suggest you reconsider certain prejudices. Some of us just aren't built for all those clothes your kin are always throwing on. Frankly should worry more about the ones covering up like they're hidin' a prize than what's just a big cat where things matter, if you're the jealous type."
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Mrs. Alder reacts to Nori much the same way the sheriff did.
We found his poor body on the road between Ilsurian and the Carnival. He had been ripped to shreds! People say they saw a winged beast flying across the moon last night. How can I not think it was that Sphinx? Then when we got back home with his body I find our business ransacked! Oh... She begins to sob. You doubt you will get much more out of her.
"If you please ma'am, we're not here to add to your grief, we'd just rather the real culprits caught and not another innocent party." Estevan gives a sympathetic smile.
Estevan nods to the others to go take a look around, while he sits with Mrs Alder and offers himself as a shoulder to cry on.
Ix Chal is a little concerned he killed the man during a 'transformation', while it seems unlikely that he then stole anything in that state he might have trashed the place and will check for clues to make sure he is not responsible.
"There isn't enough jewelry around here to full this display case. Estevan when we are done here you might like bring that poor woman and ask what is missing so we can identify it if we see it later."
Nori, not particularly having the proper skill set for dealing with the grieving or proper detective work, leaves any further investigation here to the others and instead have a quick word with this local sphynx of ours. "You all have fun working things out here. I think I'd rather have a chat with a big flying cat."
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One of the guards speaks up. Gentlema...things, I speak for Mrs. Alder when I thank you for your willingness to investigate. We've done little more than sweep up in the main room here. We must now take Mrs. Alder to the temple to see her husband properly tended to. If you wish to do us a favor, check the vault downstairs? There are many valuables there and safe deposit boxes where townsfolk keep their investments. No one has checked to see if the thieves made it all the way in... Can you help us?
"But of course, anything to help the grieving widow." Estevan bows his head respectfully and gets back to his feet. heading towards the vault.
"Well, I'm never one to pass on poking around dark shadowy spaces. Happen to have an inventory of what should be down there?"
Ix follows Estevan down. "He might well have traped any area with safe we should be careful."
Dylan will ask the guard, "I thought the sherif was under the impression that nothing had been taken. Did I mishear, or was she mistaken?"
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The guards look at eachother at Dylan's question. Well, er, you see, if the town knew anything had been taken from the vault there might be a run on this bank. People would call in their deposits. It would be a disaster. So you see, since the vault door is still closed and locked we just sort of assumed nothing has been taken. But...really someone ought to check!
Dylan will nod, "That sounds reasonable. Is there any records of what's supposed to be in the vault? A ledger or something we can check against?"
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Mrs. Alder heads inside and finds her ledger book and hands it Dylan. Dylan can read what's inside...
Estevan summons Dancing Lights and examines the door for any sign of forced entry
Not really trained as an investigator, Wave has been letting the others ask the questions. Feeling out of place by now. Wave examines the doorway as well.
"May I take this with us?
Please have someone on hand to check us on the way out. I have no doubt of our trustworthiness of course but I'd prefer to forgo baseless accusations from those who have valuables inside. It would be best to err on the side of prudence, don't you think?"
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One of the guards nods to Dylan. I will stay here and watch the building, and clear you on the way out.
Mrs. Alder walks to Dylan and hands him her spare key to the vault. Although I don't trust anyone from the Carnival just now, I do appreciate your willingness to help. You have all been kind this evening. I believe that none of YOU were involved, and think you just might be able to help. So here is my spare key to the vault. Just give it to the guard on your way out. Forgive me but I must go now. She and the other guard leave for the Temple.
Estevan lights the hall beautifully but notices nothing unusual.
"Why so timid?" Nori asks, pressing past everyone to throw open the doors.
"Just because a vault is likely to have traps protecting it." Ix says but follows in Nori's wake.
"Well, I wouldn't think any potential trap would be triggered by someone using the correct key...do you?"
"Doesn't hurt to be cautious. There are trap-doors here. Doesn't open however."
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Readaloud: Beyond the heavy steel door, this darkened chamber is lined with shelves, including freestanding shelving in the center. There is ample room in the vault, but labeled boxes, bags, weapons, and armor are spread throughout.
As far as you can tell everything on the ledger is here.
Then suddenly something stirrs in the shadows...a creature, humanoid, makes a dash for the door trying to escape past you! This smooth-skinned, hairless humanoid has penetrating eyes and skin that shifts and changes to mimic his surroundings.
Wave reaches out and tries to grab the thing before it escapes out the door.
Is there time to cast Sleep or is it grab or nothing?
Sorry, I could have sworn I put that I would cast if able. Save should be 16 though, so it's just scraped a pass.
Acting more out of instinct than anything else Ix pounces at the prey that is running past.
But his claws slid off it's back and fails to hold.
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As the creature steps through the door the trap Wave noticed on the way in opens and if falls in with a screach! As you peer into the pit trap you see there are TWO slinky humanoids instead of just the one that fell in...A few moments later the trap door closes, trapping them inside. They howl down there, angry and one of them has twisted an ankle.
Dylan busies himself with the ledger as he steps into the vault, stepping aside at the last moment as the creature rushes past. With a raised eyebrow he asks, "What the hell was that?"
He'll attempt to identify the creature