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Dietrich swings at the mate again, thinking to take him alive, but catches only empty air. Ebon is not so unfortunate, nor forgiving. His blade sinks deep into Marzack's side, cutting clear through to the spine. Marzack's mouth moves soundlessly as he sinks to his knees, then falls forward on the blood-stained deck.
Killik is taken aback by the mate's fall, but steels himself. "You'll not take me alive," he snarls. He speaks a single word and suddenly, there are two of him, each identical to the other. As both share the same space and mimic each others movements, it is obvious that one is an illusion, but which one? Killik lashes out at Dietrich once more, but is rewarded only by the sound of his rapier scraping across the warrior's breastplate.
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If we can finish this today, I might be able to get the chronicles out before I leave.
Targost
Ellie
and then Mez are up
Dietrich, Ebon and Norine will get to go again before Killik.
Killik has no intent of surrendering, so I wouldn't even bother trying. He has no wish to face the punishment of the captain, or worse, that of the Mordent elves.
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Dietrich aims for the "original" Killik if he can, now holding nothing back. He tries to circle around into a flanking position with Ebon, and will accept any attacks made against him as a result.
"If it's a fight to the death you want, then it'll be yours and not ours!"
The angry fighter puts a tremendous amount of force behind his blow, but may have overcompensated.
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Though Dietrich does overcompensate his attack, the others strike the medic and he drops to one knee, then falls backward on to the deck, blood seeping from several wounds. Fortunately, or perhaps not, Norine's touch is able to stabilize both men.
No sooner has the brief battle ended than Captain Veane appears on deck. "What goes here?" he shouts, obviously surprised and angered by the sight of two of his crew lying in their own blood amid a circle of armed passengers.
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Mez steps forward, his weaponless, armorless, and soaking wet figure a clear sign that combat was not what he had envisioned when he took to the deck earlier that evening. ”I think we now know who conspired to murder the ambassador aboard your vessel. They attacked us shortly after the storm broke, hoping to catch us by surprise. Clearly they succeeded for most of us. Killik even said we’d not take him alive, unfortunately he did not account for Norine’s healing skills. I believe your first mate planned for you to be discredited for this ordeal, and in your stead, he would step into the role of captain. I believe he hired your medic to assist in the murder, and to try and deflect any questions onto your other passengers.” He then looks to the others to see if they have anything to add, and then the Captain to gauge his response.
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"Indeed, we all came above deck to try to see if could help the ship weather the storm - and only were thrown around some by it - but then these two came and tried to end our investigation by violence, a desperate last move that is now our best evidence against them."
"Snig, Azuretta, and Thanzeril all ended up verifying each other's alibi. Others had little in the way of alibis, but besides Anera (who would have a motive of revenge against the elves), only the first mate appeared to have anything to gain, and he also was not where he said he was at the time of the attack."
"I had wondered if the navigator, Ulamon, was involved, in colluding with the sea elves over the place and time of the attack, but since he worked with you on the location the ship was to rest for the night, the elves' attack seems to have only coincidentally provided the villains aboard ship with an opportunity to strike for their own motives."
Norine shows her empty hands and a somewhat defeated look.
"Perhaps," Norine adds, "a search of their persons and quarters will bring out more evidence."
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"Well? Veane stares at the two captives.
"Cap'n, we... they... that is... oh, hells! Yes, we done it. Killik an' me," the mate stammers.
Killik looks alarmed at the sudden betrayal. "Not me, Captain! I was defending Marzack! I came on deck and saw him being attacked by these ruffians! I'm as innocent as a newborn babe!"
"A babe with pointed ears, forked tongue, and a long, pointy tail," Marzack replies. "Search 'is locker if you don't believe me."
"Why?" is all that Veane says.
"I thought that if I could put the blame on you and these Pathfinders that the elves would punish you and I could take command of the Mermaid."
"And you?" Veane glares at Killik.
Shamed, the man drops his head and all pretensions of innocence. "I was offered to be well-paid by enemies of Sephriel. The attack by the aquatic elves was a happy coincidence."
"I see," the Captain replies, pacing back and forth. He turns to the Pathfinders. "I'd say that this clears you of any wrongdoing," he says. "Sorry that I accused you, but I knew I was innocent and I thought that I could trust me crew." He glares at the prisoners. "As for these two, I suggest that we make an example of them by cutting their throats and pitching them over the side for sharkbait!"
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"Pah!" Veane spits. "Very well, we'll hold them for the elves to decide their fate." Turning to the navigator, he says, "Clamp them in irons and put them in the hold for the remainder of the voyage."
The remainder of the voyage is appreciably uneventful and you arrive at Mordent Spire two days after the squall. A thorough search of Killik's locker reveals a stash of jewelry and goods of elven origin and representing high status, in addition to a small stash of gold and platinum, the goods apparently having been looted from the corpse when Killik checked for signs of life.
An enormous, extravagant elven galleon meets the smugglers’ vessel a mile from the shore, sending a smaller boat between the ships as an envoy. Captain Veane explains the events of the journey since Magnimar to the small band of masked elves who come aboard. They nod solemnly, and seem unusually calm given the cold-blooded murder of one of their diplomats. As Veane ends his story, another figure climbs over the ship’s rail onto the deck--Sephriel.
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"Hmm...", continues Norine with her new puzzle, to herself, completely forgetting about the new arrival. "Or an illusion? Certainly one way to throw the would-be killers off the trail! Or maybe ... raised from the dead - but I think we still have the body; I haven't really checked on it." She stops to squint and wiggle a finger in an ear, as if to coax out a recalcitrant idea. "Then again, I've heard, if such tales be true, of people of legend being raised without even a body! But, if of that power, why try such a journey? Unless to flush out the enemy, of course."
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His face hidden by the same elaborate mask worn by the corpse, Sephriel's amused smile goes unnoticed. "I never travel the human lands without a magical clone prepared. A sensible precaution. Rejoice, my friends, for you have not failed in your mission. Far from it! You have shown me who is to be trusted, such as the Pathfinder Society that you represent, and who cannot. Come aboard our vessel and we will provide you with a feast of celebration. And you and those loyal to you are invited as well, Captain."
This ends Murder on the Throaty Mermaid. I hope that you have enjoyed it.
Thanks for running the game! It was lots of fun!
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"Hmm. I am not sure 'The Throaty Mermaid' counts as 'human lands', but your point is well taken."
"I saved the captives' lives, elf and humans, so the Spire elves - and thankfully you, now, as well - could have your answers. I should ask a favor, though, Sephriel: That they not be punished too severely."