Rahdeem wears a thin frown as the discussion of splitting up begins. More efficient, maybe, but also more dangerous. At Raziya's comment, he nods in apparent agreement, and replies.
"I am willing Calista, if we think it best, yes, but I agree with Raziya. I am more than a small amount concerned about the prospect of splitting up. As you said yourself, we each bring something to the table here; splitting our resources might make us more efficient, but could also leave us under-equipped to deal with whatever it is we may find."
Rahdeem pauses and glances around the room to judge the response before continuing,
I can appreciate wanting to make a good impression on his Lordship before he visits this evening, and having followed up on two leads would be impressive to say the least, but I can't shake the feeling that moving in separate directions is a dangerous plan. Dhalavei's cultists have already demonstrated they are powerful, and I should not like to underestimate them.
"Then let us all go together." Yander says.
He whistles for Junebug.
And she comes trotting around from the stable.
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You travel to the commerce district, noting the relative quiet of the last day of the Festival: the Vudrani are immersed in interpreting, painting, or otherwise capturing or analyzing the colors that have been spread over the last few days. Vudrani are lined up around the block with their once-white robes for the best rang paathakoon ("color readers") to interpret the meaning of the splashes of color on them, and for blessings for the year to come. While not sullen or even silent, there is a respectful, perhaps even contemplative quiet in the streets.
As you make your way to the incense shop, the streets get more narrow and cramped. While this is not a low caste area, it is on the lower side of the merchant caste scale of opulence. The small incense shop seems very quiet, with a hand-written sign on the door in Vudrani declaring it to be closed. Still, the more peceptive among you do hear movement inside.
As the group wraps up their decision to move as a group, Roonie chimes in on the side of sticking together.
"While I feel confident on handling myself, I have had bad experiences in the past with group splitting. I nearly lost a valued friend in a narrow hallway after being split off from the others. Twas not a mistake those that attacked us lived to regret, I'm happy to say, but twas a bit touch and go for a moment."
___
As the group approaches the closed shop you can hear Roonie's voice quietly pipe up from the shadows nearby where he's been almost traceable in his pacing the group.
"Sign reads closed, yet I can hear movement within. I'll sneak up and see what I can hear, and report back asap."
She smiles and nods as they all seem to agree with going to the resent killing site.
"Then it is agreed we head out. May I suggest, Roonfizzle and Rahdeem, could you flank us discreetly, silly statement, sorry, I Know your both more than capable. See if we flush anyone/thing out, or something pays a little to much interest in us and the way and there. Raziya I have a feeling your good at getting others to talk. So how about we let Lady Hawary do the talking and not get in her way. I'll be her back up snooping around getting a feel of what those around are thinking. Raziya Ill be feeding what I uncover to you discreetly. How well."
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She freezes and you get a feeling touching you forehead.
::"Like this, its called mind linking, it lets us talk to each other by just thinking our words. Think who you wish to talk then think the words. Do not worry, you or I can't read others thoughts while linked like this, only hear words thoughts. If you don't wish to be linked like this, just block it out, I can't link someone who dos not wish to be. I recommend you stay linked, I have found in dangerous situation this ability of mine can be a gods send for a group doing work like ours. There is no limit to the range. but I will have to renew the link in about an hour and for that you have to be close to me. Feel free to practice as we walk or drop as you wish."::
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She heads out with the others, as they get close to the incense shop she brings up Internal Armor , and her thought protections, then empathy. She walks behind Raziya and Sir Royce as Roonfizzle shows up from seemingly no-ware.
::"good idea Roonfizzle, Rahdeem want to go round back and come in that way?"::
At the gnome's warning about movement in the shop, Yander steps in front of Calista and Raziya and reaches over his right shoulder to put a hand on the hilt of the massive sword that hangs there.
"Junebug ... Guard" he says in a low voice to the warhorse.
At that, the massive horse's ears prick up, she plants her hooves in the street, and raises her head to look around for danger.
::Will do, let me know what you all see, and I'll do the same::
Rahdeem thinks to the others.
Rahdeem bows his head for a moment in concentration, and then leaps silently into the air. As he rises, he skin, clothing, and equipment take on the color of the sky behind him, leaving only the most acute of watchers a chance to notice him.
Rahdeem floats up, over and around the shop, coming to a stop on the other side of the building a few dozen feet off the ground before taking in the scene.
With a quick thought, Rahdeem reports back to the others what he sees.
Nods as Rahdeem head off into the air, she reaches into her belt pouch an pulls out an odd crossbow like gun thing, Its much bigger then her pouch so her pouch must be magic of some kind. She loads it and gets ready for any trouble.
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With the group in agreeance over their next move, Raziya heads out with them to the Incense shop where the potential cultist activity has recently happened according to those who paid more attention to the local ongoings than herself.
Calista's telepathy would probably be useful despite how disconcerting it was, so she allowed the invasion. Not that she planned on using it if she could help it.
~ ~ ~
The shop was quaint, to say the least. And closed despite the sounds coming from within. She waited patiently behind the chivalrous Yander while Roonfizzle and Rahdeem investigated the situation with their own unique skill sets.
"Nice horse," she said in a low tone close to Yander's ear as she inspected the rather noble creature. "Is..." Raziya pauses a moment to peek. "She as intelligent and well trained as she seems? Or is she a, and pardon the phrasing, a one trick pony?"
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Roonie inspects what he can see of the front of the shop via its windows, keyhole, etc., reporting back that the light coming in from the windows illuminates the scene of a struggle... displays knocked over, spilled incense, broken pottery. He could see a moving lightsource in the back room of the shop.
Rahdeem's perusal of the back of the shop reveals a cramped alleyway strewn with trash. A single window in the back of the shop is enough for him to see a young Vudrani woman cleaning alchemical tools in the back room, using a single candle to light her way about as she does.
Waits ready to hear what the others have found.
Rahdeem conveys to the others about the alleyway and the girl over Calista's mindlink.
::Looks like just the one girl inside, going about her business, nothing illicit. No back door either. Why don't you try knocking on the front, and I'll watch the back in case anyone tries anything? ::
While waiting for a response, he scans the alley in both directions every few seconds, watching for anyone who might not belong.
Over his shoulder to Raziya, Yander answers:
"She's smart enough to watch for trouble and alert us if it appears."
"Do not the knights of your land ride similar mounts?"
Looks around, up and down the street.
::"Under stood Rahdeem, Sir Royce, how about you knock on the door and get the girls attention. Just a lady are court business where her to retainers me and you. Mean while Roonfizzle how about you scope outside as we go in then follow and give the place you sharp eye once over. Best Raziya and Sir Royce talk to the gitl. Once talking I'll pick up on what her surface feelings are."
She, waits for he Knock.
Roonie acquires a position where he can easily slip into the building after the rest of the group without being seen. He also takes the time while the rest of the group decides what to do to take a good look at the door, and see what he can find out from the outside, checking signs of locks and traps.
Ready whenever.
Yander nods to Calista and steps up to knock on the door.
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After a moment or two's delay, the door opens up a crack and a young Vudrani woman looks out, saying something in Vudrani which Yander doesn't understand. (Perhaps a flaw in the plan :) )
Those who speak Vudrani understand her to say "I'm sorry, sir, but we are closed. I am afraid I do not have an idea of when we will be reopening... or if..."
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"Do not the knights of your land ride similar mounts?"
Raziya gives a small grin up to the Knight, an air of mischief about it. "None so lively as yours."
With the group making their move towards the shop, Raziya steps towards the door along with Yander. She was a touch surprised when the door was actually answered.
"Are you the proprietor of this shop? We heard of the... unfortunate turn of events. We'd like to see justice done. If you have a moment...?"
Waits behind while Lady Hawary and Sir Royce work to again them entrance.
Keeps back but thinks to the group.
::"The girls mind is frightened, nervous almost to the point of paranoia. This could be more than us, the killing or the way shes looking up and down the street, she knows something. Roonfizzle, Rahdeem is shes checking the street she may have think she is being watch, eyes out there looking, if they are there do you think you can catch them? Would be nice to have a little talk to anyone spying on this shop. Find out why?"::
Yander thinks "Someone less threatening than the giant outlander dressed in a steel suit needs to calm the girl...."
::Perhaps Roonie and I ought to stay hidden then. I can't imagine more of us will calm her, especially if we step from the shadows. Maybe you can calm her, Raziya, and get some information?:: Rahdeem thinks to the others.
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Raziya offers the woman a reassuring smile.
"I understand your hesitance and concern. But rest assured, we simply mean to offer our aid in investigating the matter."
"We promise to be discrete as possible, and perhaps we can even offer some aid in getting things back in order for you?"
Why had she not thought of that, of course the girl would be worried about a lot of strangers showing up. Why was empathy so hard for her at times. It was so much easier with other Elans. She followed the others in saying nothing to the girl for fear or upsetting her more. She stopped feeling her mind. It would distract from her placing her full attention onto inspecting this space. She let the others know what she would be doing.
::"Could you give me a few minutes to feel out this space, I may be able to find something they missed. I have means to.. read spaces and objects as well as people, if you spot anything point me at it and I will try my best."::
She then starts to slowly and carefully walk around the scene of the attack, as if walking out the attack events. Taking her time, she stops standing still for a time before moving on. Laying her hands on objects and closing her eyes while she works.
As a move action, you can focus on your senses and gain one of the following sensory abilities: blindsense (10 feet), darkvision (30 feet), low-light vision, or scent. This new sense lasts for 1 round per psychic level. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to your Wisdom modifier.
she will use then blindsense (10 feet)
You detect the presence of psychically significant items in your vicinity. Such items are those that might have significant psychic imprints or histories that can be read by the psychometry occult skill unlock, or items under the effects of the charge object or implant false reading spells. Items within range that contain significant psychic energy spark a recognition in your mind's eye, but no other information is imparted. This spell doesn't automatically detect magic items or strongly aligned items, though such items often have storied histories and might have had previous owners who possessed psychic abilities.
You examine an area at range as if you were searching for fine details with the Perception skill. Make a Perception check with a -5 penalty, modified as normal for conditions. No penalty is applied for distance. Apply the result against the DC for any hidden features, such as secret doors, traps, or hidden treasure. You must be able to see the area you are attempting to search, and you only find details that can be perceived with sight or touch. Sift detects only objects and features, not actual creatures.
Focused Trance 4/day
At 5th level, you can enter a deep meditation, allowing you to concentrate on a single problem, philosophical issue, or memory. This trance lasts 1d6 rounds, during which time you can take only move actions and gain a bonus equal to your psychic level on all saves against sonic effects and gaze attacks. When you come out of your trance, you can attempt a single Appraise, Knowledge, or Spellcraft check with a +20 circumstance bonus. You can enter a focused trance a number of times per day equal to your Wisdom modifier.
You read the psychic impressions left upon an object by emotionally or psychically charged events in the item's history, or the information imprinted by the charge object or implant false reading spells. This spell returns the same information as the psychometry occult skill unlock, but gives 1 piece of information when cast and requires 1 round of concentration per additional piece of information instead of 1 minute. You must still attempt an Appraise check to see how much information you gain. You gain a +10 competence bonus on the check.
This all takes her a while, as the the others do there own looking about and talking to the girl.
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"Good girl," Raziya says as she glides easily in before stopping in the middle of the room to look about at the room which still showed signs of a struggle.
"So, were you here when this happened?" she asked the girl after a moment. "Anything you can tell us would be a boon to our efforts here. You know, details the rumormongers may have missed?"
Yander steps up to the door behind the women.
"Hope the place isn't full of cult assassins waiting to ambush us..."
He looks about and gauges the trustworthiness of the stranger.
Roonie takes the open door opportunity to slip in, and cautiously slip around and give the place a thorough going over.
"In, taking a nice look around. Smooth Raziya. I'll look out for Assassins, but I don't think we're close enough to trouble to get ambushes yet. Either way my eyes are open!"
::"Okay then, I'll keep a watch on the outside from above. Be careful in there"::
Rahdeem returns back to the air directly above the building, his skin and equipment still taking on the appearance of the sky, making him nearly invisible. Floating around 30 feet off the ground and slowly spins himself in a continuous circle, he watches for anything that might seem dangerous or suspicious, prepared to blast anything that menaces the others.
Junebug looks up at the flying man hovering above the house, snorts, and goes back to keeping watch.
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"My name is Nabeeka. I am- er, was Vitusa's assistant." the young woman explains in Vudrani.
As you enter the shop, you see smashed wares, broken shelves, and a large amount of blood, some splattered, but most pooled by a large cabinet with a broken glass door, the shattered glass laying around and under the blood.
"Vitusa was a kind and generous employer. She always spoke her mind. I'm afraid her words in support of the Thakur's edict against Dhalavei worship may have caused ... this. I was at home for the evening when this happened. I arrived in the morning and... " her eyes well up wit tears, becoming red. She chokes out "Whoever did it, they took her head!"
The smell of blood is pretty overwhelming. If that wasn't bad enough, you're in an incense shop. The smells of the blood and incense make it very difficult to pick out anything even with your senses enhanced.
Your psychic senses have a bit more luck, and you find an object of psychic significance under the cabinet; a bloody earring.
After a while Calista stops and bending down, picks up a bloody earring from under a cabinet. She holds it in both hinds and seems to be mediation on it.
Same above, but to help the DC she will use,
Autohypnosis taking 10 +14 for 24 to shut out the smells, and focus on the bloody earring.
Focused Trance
+20 circumstance bonus. You can enter a focused trance a number of times per day equal to your Wisdom modifier.
Focused Trance 3/day1d6 ⇒ 5 rounds
object-reading
You read the psychic impressions left upon an object by emotionally or psychically charged events in the item's history, or the information imprinted by the charge object or implant false reading spells. This spell returns the same information as the psychometry occult skill unlock, but gives 1 piece of information when cast and requires 1 round of concentration per additional piece of information instead of 1 minute. You must still attempt an Appraise check to see how much information you gain. You gain a +10 competence bonus on the check.
Appraise1d 20 + 20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 20 + 10 = 46 Info 1
She is seeking some information about its last owners death, it may have been touched by one of her attackers.
Yander doesn't think the girl seems like a threat, so he focuses his attention on the street outside.
Calistra tells her psicrystal to translate for Yander while she works on the object reading.
::"I am Zim, I belong to Lady Calistra Sir Royce, I will be your translater today, please keep close as the range my short. The girl has just said..."::
Zim will dos so as along is Yander is with in 30' of Calistra's psicrystal.
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Connecting your senses with the earring, you see images in flashes. A woman, presumably Vitusa, working in her shop. Broken glass. Pain. A falchion cutting through flesh and bone. A man's face melting away into a bat's head. A cesspit under an abandoned warehouse. Vitusa's severed head, eyes and tongue burnt out with acid, floating in the waters of the cesspit, one ear torn, the other sporting a matching earring.
Your connection to the earring and its mate grows strong enough you know about where the warehouse is, and would recognize it on sight.
"I was the one who found her. I called the guards right away, but... was too afraid to speak about Dhalavei." tears roll down her face.
Outside, Ronnie and Rahdeem see no signs that the shop or your group is being watched.
Holding the ear ring in her fist she stands and joins the others.
::"I have something, and ear ring, its one of a pear, the other is still on Vitusa' head, its under a warehouse. I have an area of the area where the warehouse is relieve to here, and Ill know what it looks like when I see it. Odd thing is the events of her death, she was working her shop when she was attacked by a male, I see Broken glass, feel Pain. I see A falchion cutting through flesh and bone then the odd part, A man's face melting away into a bat's head. The heads had it eyes and tongue burnt out with acid. Keep an eye out for a bat, if the cult has means to shape change that would explain a lot."::
She stands note moving as the others act on her information.
If you can find this warehouse, then I think we should pay it a visit to see if it is a center of worship for these cultists.
I don't know if folks around here feel the same way, but where I'm from people would rather be buried with their bodies intact. If we can return this poor woman's head to her family so she can rest in peace, we should.
"This sounds like a good plan. As for local beliefs, if I'm remembering right, they'd appreciate the effort, and the vengeance wouldn't be unappreciated either...No sign of anyone being aware of ourpresence yet. That'll probably change once we clear the warehouse you are referencing though."
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"Fear is the greatest weapon of a cult. If you let them have that, then they've already won. Now chin up, not all is lost. Was anything different when you found her than what we see now? And, if you could please, explain where her body was and how it was positioned? I know, it's a difficult thing to recall, but it will aid us in the long run."
Looks on but keeps still and says nothing,
::"Yes I think I can find it, once we are done here."::
::I agree, the warehouse seems like a good next step, and if the guards haven't heard of the Dhalavei's involvement, we might still keep the element of surprise. Maybe we should wrap things up quickly here, no sign of anyone yet, but you never know...::
Rahdeem keeps his head on a swivel, watching the surroundings intently.
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"She was laying there." she indicates the area around the pool of blood. "The cabinet had been broken and the glass was around her and, maybe under her?"
she pauses, closing her eyes to better picture the scene before continuing. "There was blood on the front of her gown, but she was on her side, sort of like someone had turned her partway over. Her neck was ... it was not a clean cut, more like her head was ripped off by some beast." she shutters at the memory.
"It is hard to say if anything is missing, with the mess...."
"I say we see about starting to right these wrongs today." Yander thinks to the group.
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She shakes her head, almost as much to shake the image as to answer the questions. "No one that I noticed. She spoke her mind openly, and anyone could have overheard her opinions. I can't think of any other reason or person who would want to hurt her, much less kill her. I'm sorry if this isn't helpful."
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"No, no. It's all been rather helpful. I'm sure you'll remember to keep your own opinions quite in the meantime while this all gets sorted."
Raziya turns her attention to the store, walking through it with a careful eye out for anything out of place that could have been left behind during the crime, or some other clue.
While she looks, she reaches out and lays out a casting of detect magic.
While Raziya has her own look around the shop,
Callista tunes her head looking at the girl now, She asks in a matter of fact way.
"Do you know if Vitusa owned or rented any other property's or spaces IN any property's, say a warehouse or storehouse?"
::"I wounder of it was not that she spoke out but that she may have seen or found something that got her killed"::
Roonie takes the open door opportunity to slip in, and cautiously slip around and give the place a thorough going over.
[dice=stealth]1d20+19
[dice=Perc]1d20+13"In, taking a nice look around. ..."