You're able to return the body and the pieces of the coffin to the mausoleum and cover it. The group returns to the inn and rests.
Moving to the morning...
Once back at the inn, Morthak tries to bandage himself up.
"If everyone sees claw marks on m' face they'll suspect what we were up to."
Samantha will hum a tune and cast her last healing spell for the day.
"There, much better." she says with a pat on Morthak's head. Should help reduce suspicions. If anyone asks just say you cut yourself shaving.[b]"
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Morthak nods. "Thanks. Now let's see if this blood will come off my armor." Morthak goes off to look for a washtub.
Let's grab a bite before we go...No point in facing the day with a grumbling stomach and weak arms
"Bonmatin! Vou san vou- mem byen? Waking past the witching hour, have we? What can I get you, mon cherie?" asks one of the staff who's jovial tone seems out of place compared to the solemn tone worn by the rest of the room. A few guests sit at tables scattered throughout the hall.
"Breakfast." He neither confirmed or denied her statement, meeting it with only the curt response.
Of course, Atsuhia waste no time in getting ready for breakfast.
Whatever the events of the night, eating always bring back her smile.
"Grub sounds good!" Samantha replies in the morning. Cheerful despite the night's activity. "And do you make coffee?"
"Da coffee is from from Port d'Elhour. I delivered it here myself," answers a man wearing a double breasted coat and cossack trousers, sitting alone at another table.
"Weh, I'll go get you some cherie," as the barmaid starts moving towards the kitchen. A few minutes later she returns bringing out plates of grillades and grits and coffee.
...
Exiting the inn, the group eventually comes across the constable. Kneeling in an alley, a few moments pass as he studies the ground before he turns his head toward the party. The constable regards you sternly. Spattered all around him on the ground and walls are flecks of reddish brown. Before him is a large stain of the same substance, apparently dried blood. In the center of the stain is a single piece of bright red licorice.
Atsushia clears her throat before speaking to the constable
What happened here, another attack? Please tell me no one was killed... But when you think of the OTHER option, it might be no good not to be killed...
She tries to look as helpful as possible... But the constable doesn't look to like her, for whatever reason
Exiting the inn, ...
At the sight, Morthak is genuinely confused.
"Licorice? What does it mean?"
"Well, this is a surprise." Samantha mutters.
Coming forward. "Morning constable." She says. "Another attack?"
Lars walks over to the constable and says "Sergeant Ulcaster of the Magnimar watch, at your service. I don't want to intrude, constable, as I know you are on duty. But is there anything that I, or my associates, can help you with?"
Exiting the inn, ...
It just saved a few rounds of posts if I short circuited this; you guys can discuss among yourselves as to where you were originally going... and may want to go still after this discussion.
Atsushia clears her throat before speaking to the constable
What happened here, another attack? Please tell me no one was killed... But when you think of the OTHER option, it might be no good not to be killed...
She tries to look as helpful as possible... But the constable doesn't look to like her, for whatever reason
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+5
The constable looks troubled, "Well, I'd be lying to you if I said I knew for certain. Unfortunately this scene is all that I have to go off of. There doesn't appear to be a body to go with it."
Exiting the inn, ...
At the sight, Morthak is genuinely confused.
"Licorice? What does it mean?"
The constable continues, "It can't mean anything good. It's shown up at other scenes like this in the pats."
Exiting the inn, ...
It just saved a few rounds of posts if I short circuited this; you guys can discuss among yourselves as to where you were originally going... and may want to go still after this discussion.
The constable hesitates and his brow furrows as he considers his options. "I've never heard of this Magnimar you mention, but if what you say is true, then perhaps an extra set of eyes can help solve what's causing this. There's been several other situations like this. Sometimes there's an article of clothing or something identifiable, but there's always a single piece of licorice and signs of a large amount of blood loss. If you can take a look around and come back with any pertinent leads, then we might be able to do some good around here."
"Where would you get licorice around here?"
Samantha frowns a little, concerned.
Never even heard of Magnimar? she wonders, feeling even more certain they'd been spirited far off the beaten path.
"Of course, we'll see what we can find." she says. She turns to the group. "All right everyone, let's search around. Lars? I think your experience in the watch will help out a lot."
And do you know who was the victim, or is it too early to ask? Has anyone heard anything? I'm sorry if my questions seems basic, but I don't want to ask the same question you did, if we are to help you. We have to know whatever you already know, and try to find what no one knows yet...
RE: "Where would you get licorice around here?"
"The bakery or the general store should have it. Although Louise d'Cann does specialize making it at her bakery."
RE: "And do you know who was the victim, or is it too early to ask? Has anyone heard anything? I'm sorry if my questions seems basic, but I don't want to ask the same question you did, if we are to help you. We have to know whatever you already know, and try to find what no one knows yet...
"
"It's too early to tell. No one has confirmed anyone missing yet, at least for an amount of time that would be out the ordinary. I just found the scene about twenty minutes ago, so there shouldn't be much doubling up."
"Do these look like the ones made at the bakery? Maybe we should check if anyone suspicious has been buying them. Where is the bakery, anyway?"
Map updated.
"It's too old to tell at this point. The bakery is just outside the Inn. You should be able to follow the aroma easily."
So let's check that bakery first. It's as good a start as anything else. Unless some of you can spot and follow some tracks maybe?
Lars bends down to check the crime scene, seeing if anything seems out of the ordinary. Such as, what Atsushia suggested, tracks left behind which could be considered a clue.
"Bakery later. Looks like Lars has got something."
Lars finds a set of footprints near the crime scene. They appear to be female based on the size and depression into the soil. They end at the scene, and head back in the direction of the inn.
What have you found, Lars? What does that mean, if you know that?
"Footprints. Female. Leads to the inn. A clue but proves nothing yet. To the bakery. Let's go."
"Best lead I've seen yet. Let's go." Sam agrees.
The bakery offers a warm, inviting smell as you enter. Honeycakes, brightly decorated rolls, and various candy in jars adorn the interior. Two small children gaze with wide eyes at jars as their mother finishes paying. A stout woman behind the counter with a dark complexion and round face wraps several loaves of bread in butcher paper and twine.
Morthak begins by looking over the pastries on display. He is looking for the licorice (if it is on display) and hopes to see if it looks like the one they found was baked here.
Everything seems so yummy... Do you have any specialities? i'm quite fond of anything with licorice in it...
"Sweetrolls? Those smell divine." Sam comments, looking around at the people working here.
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Morthak indeed finds licorice in one of the jars.
The woman behind the counter turns to answer Atsushia, "Well, I do have licorice over there in the jar. I don't mean to brag, but there are quite a few people in town that are fond of it.... the sweetrolls were freshly baked this morning. I used the last of my cinnamon, so this may be the last batch for awhile. I doubt any traders will come to while this storm looms overhead."
"How much?" Samantha asks, thinking of buying a treat for the party.
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"That'll be 2 coppers, ma'am. Does that mean I can get you some?"
"I'll take a half-dozen." she says with a smile, putting a silver and a few coppers onto the counter. "Say, anyone buy your licorice regularly? Like very often?"
Lars walks over, doing his best to not be intimidating. He takes a small piece of licorice. Nodding approvingly he says "I'll take some as well. And a sweet roll for the road. I can tell why you say people in town like it. I'd certainly be a regular."
Louise finishes up with her current customer and then starts to collect Samantha's sweet rolls. "I do have my regulars. Let me think..." she says while moving about and grabbing more paper to start Lars' order. "The Bordell children for sure... Mordu... and Jean. They're the ones usually after licorice first."
"Do you always sell out your stock? Or does some end up going stale? What do you do with the old stuff?"
"Most of the time. I wouldn't think of selling stale product, but I also wouldn't let it go to waste. Times are usually lean in this town. They'll just end up right here..." as she pats her stomach.
Ping...
"The children... Hmm..." Samantha says. " Might have to ask them a few questions."
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"How long do they keep before going stale? If they last a while, you could sell a big batch to a travelling merchant. Anyone ever buy a big batch like that? You could make more money all at once."
"Hmm, I'd say about a week before they start to take on too firm of a texture. But candy doesn't really get stale per se. I don't know about selling it to a merchant, though. 'dat be a bit to much for my poor 'ol kitchen. There's not enough space, 'ye see."
Atsuhia buy some of the licorice flavored candy
I'm sorry, but being strangers to the town, we don't know who "Jean" or "Mordu" are. Could you be a little more specific? Where could we find them if needed?
"Is it just anise, or do you use any special ingredients in your licorice?"
"My oh my, I'm surprised you haven't heard of Jean. Mordu, I can see, as I doubt anyone would advertise his presence. He's a bit... peculiar, to most folk. Jean's family owns the plantation that most folk here work for - the Tarascons. Jean tends to take care of the day to day business. Mordu lives by himself in the cottage just outside the inn. He fancies himself a scholar," as she gestures in various directions.