PFS #02-13: Murder on the Throaty Mermaid (Inactive)

Game Master WhtKnt

Sorry, I meant to have the energy not effect the standing elves, only us and the fallen elves. I can exclude up to three from the effect.

As soon as the combat is over, Norine shouts "Hold the elves down! I am going to heal again!" and, when they are, Norine releases another burst of healing energy, a small effort to reverse the flurry of violence that has exploded across the deck. "We don't want to make enemies of the sea elves! And they may know something!"

Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 3

The energy affected only the two elves nearest Mez and Ebon. The one on the ground is d-e-a-d. If you don't want to have affected the other, I can undo that. It won't affect the rest of the combat. The one shot by Ellie went overboard. You have no idea of his status.

OK, sorry. Just trying to stabilize elves here. I'll assume, too, that the energy won't affect the one in the sea since it is probably too far and there is no line of effect.

Okay, are you going to stabilize the one that Mez, Ebon, and Dietrich are facing, or was he excluded?

I'm a little confuzzled, so exclude that one. Finally, I am playing my low Int character correctly. :P

"Whoa!" Ellie easily sidesteps the clumsy trident strike, and she uses the opportunity to agilely leap backwards, seeking refuge on the far side of the ship. Then, once more, she fires another round into the remaining elf with a cloud of smoke and gunpowder leaving a grey powdery sheen all over the halfling's face.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 I suspect that avoided its AoO :)

Attack (vs. Touch): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 1 = 25
Damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

And Mez action is go!

Was going to wait on Targost, but given the circumstances...

Ellie's weapon reports again, and the elf staggers back under the blast, a hole now in his side. Mez's blade flashes in the light from Targost's earlier arrow. Again the decks are awash with blood as the elf falls.

Even as the remaining elf screams in horror, it is cut short by Dietrich's axe which slices through the elf's flesh and bone, cutting it in two pieces from shin to shoulder. The elf falls to the deck alongside it's companion, also dead.

Combat is over. You have one elf that is clinging to life and may yet be saved, if you are quick about it.

Mere seconds after the combat is over, Captain Veane arrives on deck, drawn by the sound of melee and the reports of Ellie's gun. He assess the situation quickly, then turns to the group.

"I'd recommend slitting this one's throat and sending him over the side to join his fellows, as a message to their kind," he says plainly, his voice devoid of emotion. "However, if you be wan..."

He is cut short by the appearance of first mate Marzack on the deck, panting and out of breath. "Cap'n!" the mate cries, "E's dead! That elf diplomat! E's been murdered!"

Captain Veane turns on his heel, his previous thought left unvoiced, and dashes below decks to Sephriel's cabin.

"Oh god," Ellie mutters, paling significantly at the cries from the first mate. "I thought we stopped them!"

She pauses only to reload her weapon - this time with a plain old bullet rather than a paper-wrapped bundle - before rushing below decks after Captain Veane.

Since it may matter later, I should note that Veane's cabin is right below the aft deck where the elves boarded and that he exited from that cabin onto the deck.

Norine rushes to the downed elf and touches him, giving him a touch of the divine spark of life. "We must guard this elf - he may have important information."

Sacred Touch (trait) - As a standard action, you may automatically stabilize a dying creature merely by touching it.

She then turns on her heals and rushes after the captain towards Sephriel's cabin, attempting to note who is where (or coming from where) as she does so.

I kinda figured that the fighters would finish the elf off before I had to expend another spell...which is fine with me :-)

Targost heads down the companionway with the captain and first mate to the cabin of the ambassador. He provides light to illuminate the scene.

Dietrich grunts. "Classic misdirection. The pickpocket gangs would pull this sort of thing all the time back home. I guess we'd better keep this one to make sure, though. I'll see to him and join you folks below."

Dietrich grabs the wounded but stable eld under the armpits, and drags him across the deck to his cabin. Once there, he grabs his rope and ties the elf up neatly. After that, he takes the time to get into his armor.

Hearing about the loss of their charge, Mez curses under his breath as he hurries down to the scene of the crime. Those who have traveled with him before can easily see he was not wrong about his armor slowing him down, as he hurries along faster than that of normal men.

In the interest of keeping the flow, I will assume that Ebon joins the others in Sephriel's cabin.

This finely decorated cabin contains a brightly colored Qadiran rug, a small bookshelf, several storage trunks and barrels, and a modest bed. Lying face down on the ruffled, blood-soaked sheets rests the body of a tall, golden-haired elf in elegant bedclothes, his face covered in an intricately carved wooden mask.

Veane leaps toward the bed, turning Sephriel over and feeling for signs of life. Finding none, the captain shakes his head and looks downtrodden at the corpse.

Mallick, standing outside the door, calls in to the captain, "You know, sir, that the Mordant Spire elves will have your hide for failing to deliver Sephriel safely."

As the words sink in, Veane pales and turns to the Pathfinders with a look of pure terror in his eyes. The fear passes quickly, however, and his expression shifts into one of pure rage. "You're the only ones on this ship I don't know well," he says accusingly. "I'm not taking the rap for this, by Besmara, and neither is my crew. It might not be fair, but when we get to the Mordant Spire in three days, it's you who'll have to answer for Sephriel's death!"

With that, he storms out of the cabin and up the stairs to the main deck, Mallick close on his heels, leaving the group alone in Sephriel’s cabin with his lifeless body.

Well, at least we'll know where to find him! It just can't be good that a captain spends all of his time in his cabin, not seen by the crew strutting the decks and inspecting. There's trouble there too, there is!

Sense motive on Malick: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

I just can't read these people... I don't trust him, though!

Heal to determine what killed Sephriel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Uggh, I am better at helping people live, not very good at knowing how they died.

Norine searches the room carefully, but is never the most percepti-This is a really fancy rug... Did he bring it with him?
Rolling, but will take 20.
Perception to search the room: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16

"We'll have to find out who discovered the body - was it Malick? - and why. It seems strange that the body was found so soon after the battle had ended - if it had even ended."

"And who needs more healing? There may be more trouble soon..."

Fatigued, Ebon is too tired to refute the captain's words...
" Ahh. He's right, the mewling kitten that he is. We were supposed to protect his elfness here. I gave my word to the Lady. My Da's surely turned his back to me now." He glances at the blood.
" Can you tell what killed him Norine? And what's that mask he's wearin'?"
Ebon will glance around at the cabin, looking for windows or large enough portholes that the elves could've entered by.
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
" Hey! If them Sea-elves killed him, how'd they get in and out so fast...anybody see water on the floor? Maybe it weren't the fish faces."

Norine looks up in new-found wonder at the big Shoanti. "Good ideas! Good ideas!, she points out, sincerely if rather inanely.

"But, Ebon, I'm sure he would be alive if he let Mez or you sleep here, maybe even if he took a whistle. And where's his bodyguard? Not too close, apparently. Perhaps Seph was killed in his sleep? (Do elves sleep?) Perhaps by one he trusted?"

"The mask was 'ceremonial', if I remember right... Strange to wear it to sleep..." Glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one beyond the group is looking, she takes a peek under the mask to see if his eyes are open or closed.

We can tell it really is him, right - from hair, eyes, and build? No switcheroo?

Ellie is simultaneously incredibly saddened by the death of Sephriel and incensed, sniffing in the air the scent of a good mystery. Trying to hide her more booknerd-ish side from the rest of the party - she was trying to impress these people, after all - she nods assuredly to herself and moves forward to inspect the scene.

First things first: the body. She carefully inspects for any signs of visible wounds on the elf's body. She may not be a healer, but Ellie reckoned she knew enough to determine the cause of death at least. Or so she convinced herself.

Heal (Untrained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Next, she helps the others turn the crime scene inside-out, searching in particular for a weapon or signs of a struggle.

Perception (Aid): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Lastly, she turns to the group and says, "I think we need to do a thorough interview of all crew members. We'll need to independently verify their alibis and cross-examine their witness statements." The halfling nods assuredly to herself, although truth be told she only had the most general idea of what those tasks entailed. Too many mystery novels...

"Dietrich and I can attest, no elf got past us, not even you Targost." says Mez as he tries to infuse some levity into the somber situation. "Like Ebon implied, that means whoever did it was on the boat before they attacked. I agree with Ellie, we need to make a detailed list of questions and interrogate the crew. I'm moderately skilled at sensing deceit, but the more eyes the better."

A careful search of the room reveals no trace of water on the floor, nor are there any windows or portholes that even an elf could squeeze through.

From what little you have seen of Sephriel throughout the voyage, you are fairly certain that this is him. The general height, weight, and hair color are right, and the bedclothes that he wears are consistent with his other outfits.

No weapon is evident at the scene, and there are no signs of a struggle.

Ellie frowns as they complete their search of the cabin, arms folded across her chest. "The puncture wounds are small but numerous - it looks like someone got to him with a dagger a dozen or so times just before we got here. An easy weapon to hide or just dump overboard, too. I don't think we'll be finding the murder weapon any time soon."

She begins to pace slowly, thoughtfully chewing on the task ahead. "Here are some of my ideas for what to ask people..." She begins to count things off on her hands.

"One, their location at the time of death."

"Two, the names of any other people who can confirm their location at the time of death."

"Three, if they have seen or heard anything to make them suspicious of anyone on board."

"Four, if they saw or heard anything odd around the time of death."

"A Dozen times? That would mean that he was already under attack before the alarm was tripped, because the fight with the elves took less time than it takes to stab someone twelve times. Further proof that the culprit is a crew member. I agree on the questions. We should also move quickly to prevent anyone from collaborating and arranging alibi's for each other." says Mez with a nod. "I think the first person we should ask is the bodyguard that clearly failed at his task."

"He looks ... serene... I supposed that is a blessing." Norine sits thoughtfully for a moment. "He must've been sleeping and died right away - the rest was hatred? Or just over-kill? Hmmm."

"Since the door was not forced or picked, it must have been someone with a key, coming in stealthily. Who would have a key - Sephriel, Thanzeril probably, and who among the crew? The captain and first mate should both know about keys."

"One moment, Ellie!" Norine, pulls ink, inkpens, and parchment out of her pouch and pack and begins writing down the questions, "One... their location... at the time... of death. Two..."

Ellie repeats the questions as many times as Norine needs, slower than her usual quick stream of dialogue, sensing the gnome worked at a different pace to her own fast clip.

"It could be anyone. Thanzeril's keys may have been stolen. Maybe someone used magic to get inside, even. Expected the unexpected!" The halfling strikes what she imagines is a cool pose and winds up looking like a bit of a dork, but she giggles at herself anyway.

At the thought of the use of magic, Targost sweeps the room with detect magic to see if there are any lingering effects.

Dietrich straightens himsel fup after donning his armor. With a quick glance in the cabin's mirror, he is impressed with the growth of stubble on his chin.

He grabs the elf prisoner bodily and heaves the captive onto his shoulder. He makes his way down to the lower deck, joining his companions.

"Well then, that's quite a messy sight! Even back-alley crooks do a neater job. What's our plan, then?"

Dietrich patiently listens while the rest fill him in.

"Well I guess we owe it to him to do a more thorough job than the town watch, anyway. Lead on, friends. I'm not as dim as some folks take me for, but I like to take my time when thinking."

From the doorway comes a voice in accented Common. "Yes, I have failed my master, and I will accept whatever punishment is intended for me." Thanzeril, Sephriel's bodyguard, stands at the doorway, looking both anguished and frightened. "I left my post in the middle of the night to meet with Azuretta in the forward hold. I am ashamed to admit this, for my lax attitude to my duty has left my charge dead."

Without thinking of decorum, Norine tries to get a quick, honest answer out of Thanzeril: "This is important: Who made the proposition for you to meet at this time, you or Azuretta?"

As the group discusses their options, Killik enters the cabin. "Captain says this one is dead. As ship's surgeon, best I be making sure." He carefully checks the elf for signs of life. "Nope," he says, rising. "Guess I should preserve his remains for the elves to take care of when we arrive." With that, he begins casting a spell, intoning words of power while laying his hands on the corpse.

When he has finished this task, he exits the cabin without another word unless stopped or spoken to.

Without thinking of decorum, Norine tries to get a quick, honest answer out of Thanzeril: "This is important: Who made the proposition for you to meet at this time, you or Azuretta?"

"She made the advance to me, as she has for several weeks now. It was my misfortune, mine and that of my master, that I chose tonight to comply."

When alone again with the group: "Well, he could have put the blame all on Azuretta, implicating her in a plot, but he didn't. So, he may be innocent - at least of murder. Her motives for trying to draw away a bodyguard are still suspect, though. We'll have to see if she confirms his alibi."

Norine gives a look at the spellcasting - complete with head scratch - that clearly indicates that she has no idea what it was all about, despite her role as cleric. "What was that?" she asks Killik.

The man responds with a casual, "Gentle repose spell. That'll keep him from rotting and stinking up the ship until we reach Mordent Spire." With that, he exits hurriedly.

One correction: Killik would have used a scroll to cast gentle repose, as he did not have it prepared.

Bedazzled by the energy and motion coming from the Wee Folk, Ebon squats in the corner and waits for his fatigue to go away.
Hmm, they seem to have things well in hand. Better skills than I at any rate. I think I'll check on the deck swab, she had a black bladed knife that could have caused those wounds. Tho I imagine many have knives or daggers on board.
" gonna go start asking some questions..."

"Thanzeril, if you want to make up for your failure as a bodyguard, promise you'll help us with our investigation - alright?" The chipper halfling walks up to the elf with a friendly smile, wriggling her eyebrows suggestively. "After all, the Society's got big things in the works coming up with you, my man! No need to get too down about this!"

"Now... answer me a couple of questions, would you? ... Psst, Norine, can you write all this down?"

When Norine (or anyone else) seems in place to record the interrogation, Ellie begins with gusto. "Alright, so, I can imagine, I guess," the halfling girl flushes a little, "but just to be clear... why did Azuretta invite you tonight? What were you two--" Ellie clears her throat. "Okay, no, never mind that one."

"Did you see or hear anything strange around the time of Sephriel's death? Or did you perhaps suspect anyone of strange activity as of late? People snooping around his cabin, maybe? Or even Azuretta?"

Norine gives Ellie an eager nod and starts scribing the questions and answers, careful not to miss a word.

"Psst! And who has a key?"

"As I said, I was not present at the time of his demise. I returned about the same time that you arrived, when I heard the commotion. No one has been around my master's cabin, though I do recall that the Taldan, Anera, has expressed a distinct dislike of our people."

As the girls interrogate the failure of a guard, Mez ponders if the 6 of them should all be questioning the same person. "Do we feel we should all be here, or should we form smaller teams to question everyone faster?" He will eye the guard while he is being questioned to determine the veracity of his answers.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

"Perhaps, we could have the captain or mate order everyone to stations and quarters, so that no two should be in the same place and comparing stories."

Ebon will wander around the ship looking for the swab Anera.
The large Shoanti looks grim and determined....

"Fair enough. Thank you, Thanzeril."

Ellie has a quick read over the notes Norine has taken as she considers their next move. By the time she's ready, Ebon is already off looking for Anera.

"Splitting off might be a good idea. We need to talk to Anera and Azuretta as highest priority, I think. Maybe two can go off with Ebon to find Anera, and two can come with me to find Azuretta?"

If the group seems okay with this plan, Ellie will head off looking for Azuretta. Despite the death, the little halfling is getting quite into this, a confident grin playing at the corners of her lips. She seems to be relishing her opportunity to play awesome detective, despite the awful circumstances.

"Well, that sounds fair enough to me. I don't want to spread ourselves too thin. What if we find the killer, and he decides to get a little frisky? Ellie, I'll stick with you. I'd say Norine should stay with Ebon if he's going to find Anera. I'm going to suggest that Mez go with Ebon and Norine, and Targost come with us. Sound good?"

"I'd prefer to have them stay apart and us stick together, but I'll go with the group's decision. Whistle for me if you need me!"

"One moment Mez, Ebon, I almost forgot -", Norine pauses, casts Detect Poison and scans the wounds on Sephriel's body and anything that he may have eaten or drank from in the cabin.

Targost nod his head in agreement and forms up with Dietrich and Ellie

"I saw no evidence of poisoning, at least, so I don't think he was poisoned first and then killed."

Reaching the foredeck, Norine will peer at Anera's knife and all about her clothing, looking for blood splatters from such a violent, extended killing. Or, is she wearing the clothes we last remember her wearing?

Then Norine brings out her list of Ellie's questions and prepares to record the answers:

"So, you are often here - I have my favorites spots aboard any ship, too - but you were not here when the elves from the sea attacked. Where were you at the time of death?

"Can anyone else vouch for your location at the time of death?"

"Have you seen or heard anything to make you suspicious of anyone on board."

"Did you see or heard anything odd around the time of death."

"Oh, and what is your opinion of elves, in general, and Sephriel, in particular?"

Then quietly and confidentially, drawing Anera aside from everyone else, "By Desna, guardian of travelers and seafarers as my witness, I pray and ask you - in strictest confidence between swabbies - what do you think of the captain and what of the mate?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
*Sigh* I must speak to Desna about my rolls.

Unfortunately, Norine - despite her love of questions - has a simple heart herself and takes others too often at their word.

Mez watches Anera's reactions to the questioning, both to determine the veracity of her answers and to be ready if she attacks.