[PFS] 5-22 Scars of the Third Crusade by GM Upaynao (Inactive)

Game Master Upaynao

"Frankie, you have a way of getting people to open up that's much better than me. You sure you don't want to come to see the animals on the farm?"

"I'd love to!"

Does my disguise have to be redone in the morning? I assume so, so I'll make a roll, although if I get some time with Frankie I will defer to his likely better one.

Disguise, if needed, race change penalty: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (19) - 3 = 16

"I'll come with you to the farm, see if I can help in any way," Arnold whispers when out of earshot of others. "I won't follow too close, but we are basically doing tourist activities, but for their grisly nature. I can be quite nondescript, fade from people's memories. Besides, I'm better off helping someone else to success than trying my own luck, unless I can find some creative way to lift."

"You're welcome, Arnold. But, you know, if there's someone who's likely to ignore your looks and maybe even sympathize with someone the town would ostracize, it's a witch--what this town has declared a witch."

Falshin decided to join Fargrim is visiting Mother Corum. "I will stagger my visit to appear shortly after you. A wandering healer coming into town would likely visit the local temple to offer his aid to the folks around here. Considering the current situation..."

Falshin will spring for his own room. -1 GP. Total currency spent is 1.2gp.

Arnold looks rather flustered and a bit frightened at Quentin's idea. "What, you think I should go meet the witch who's making an undead army?! Well, it could work, but I'd rather save that idea for later, maybe as a last, last resort..."

knowledge(local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Marcus tries to listen for rumors or other interesting and related conversations in the common room before focusing on sleep to prepare for the farm in the morning.

"Well, you don't have to if you're scared. I'll try to get there after visiting Otto's farm," Quentin tries to mollify the wayang, "I'm sure she's just misunderstood and not really building an undead army. These are the same people that blame Pathfinders for opening the Worldwound and murdering an actress for no reason."

@Marcus: You already spent time at the "beer garden" by the tents. If you intend on going to Otto's farm in the morning, you cannot try and listen in on what people have to say with any measure of sucess as you do not have the time to do so in the evening before everyone settles in for the night.

Finding mother Corum is not hard at all. Most people are more than happy to point out that she is performing obedience to the Inheritor in the fields to the east of the sheriff's manor. Dressed in chainmail, she seems to be going through a fencing form, slashing at the air with her longsword. Without breaking stride she greets Fargrim with a curt nod. "Blessings of the Inheritor upon thee. May her guiding light be ever in your sight."

Meanwhile...

Otto's farm is five miles out of town, and seems to cover just about ten acres. Nestled slightly away from the main road, the attending fields are empty but seed has been planted in some of them, as evidenced by the couple hints of vegetation poking their heads out on this late spring day. Along the west side of the farmhouse a line of trees forms a windbreak. Pulling a ox towards a open barn, a clean shaven, tall and impressively muscled bald man spots Quentin, Marcus and Frankie walking up the road. "Hail there! This here is private property! Y'all be trespassing!" he warms, readying a rough-looking sling.

Arnold, I know you posting habits have been altered, and I'll take that into account. With that said, what angle would you like to take on this investigation?

"Hail! We come in peace," Quentin holds his empty hands before himself, "I heard that you had a murder on your lands, and I came to help. When someone dies violently or tragically, their soul leaves a stain on the place where they died. I'm trained in dealing with those stains. No fee!"

Fargrim nods a greeting back to the good mother.

"Good day mother Corum!" she calls out.

"And may blessing in the name of lady luck be on you too."

After exchanging pleasantries she mentions. "I heard that there had been foul murder done in the village..." leaving open the question for the priest to comment upon.

Quietly she watches the priest, trying to make sure she really is a priest of Iomedae, and make sure there are no other influences at work.

Those archaeologists in the Mwangi had been charmed, I hope nothing like that has happened here.

know(religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Sense motive is +18, if I can take ten that is a 28, if a roll must be made, then it is probably one you want to do in secret anyway.

"Woah what's that big animal? Is that a giant cow?" Frankie exclaims as he sees the ox. He runs towards the man waving his hands "Don't shoot me!"

Assuming I'm not shot...

Frankie runs up ahead of the others with a big smile on his face and does his best to hold back from the ox until the farmer lets him pet it. "I'm Frankie, I followed these guys out here to try to get a look at the animals. He... she..? Looks great! So big! Is it a cow?"

Frankie does his best to schmooze and smooth any rough edges the farmer may have towards the unexpected visit. Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 "Can I feed it?"

I'll be away for the weekend, feel free to have Frankie roll anything appropriate while I'm gone, otherwise he provides a calming force to the farmer and a distraction if necessary. If allowed, he'll help with the animals in the barn and when the coast is clear take a quick look around for any clues. perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

With the child-like Frankie attempting to soften their reception, Quentin explains that the souls of the murdered leave hauntings behind and that in order to have the greatest chance of success in removing it, which he will gladly due free of charge, he needs to know as much of the details of the event as possible.

"Ah yes, the pathfinders. Scum" she comments, continuing her training. "Soon they'll be hung and all will be well. Inheritor be praised, three less foul murders to tread the land."

Fargrim gets the impression that mother Corum definitely is a member of the clergy of the Inheritor, but the bloodthirst she exhibits... Well. It is abnormal. However she does not seem possessed.

Give me another Knowledge (Religion) check please?

Meanwhile at the ranch

Letting the sling unfold and drop down, Otto grunts "Sorry b'out that. Folk with a child can't be harborin' no ill will. Name's Otto" he says, walking up suspiciously. "Ya talk to the dead huh? You some kind of he-witch?"

Falshin will wait around 10 minutes after Fargrim goes in before he approaches the area where Corum is currently.

"More of a priest, I'd say. I lay the unqiet souls to rest," Quentin explains. "If I could speak to the dead, I could probably give Mother Corum a run for her money in solving murders."

Marcus tries to quietly poke around the fields looking for the crime scene while Otto is now occupied.

Not sure about proper skill. Survival? Perception? Stealth?

-Posted with Wayfinder

Fargrim continues to discuss the situation with the mother, assessing her as she does so.
religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"I take it you have had a run in with pathfinders before?" says Fargrim.

"They do pop up in all sorts of places. I thought I had heard they were supporting the recent crusade against the World Wound. Have you met some bad ones before these?"

As I said earlier, Frankie will try to head into the barn to see the animals and take a look around for possible clues, take 10 perception for a 15.

"Hah, that's a tall tale. Mind you I ain't never seen the blessed mother talk with the dead, that's fer sure. But if ya say y'ain't no witch, how is it ya speak to the dead? I only heard them necro-mo-mancers done talk to the dead. And they a kinda witch!" replies Otto suspiciously.

Meanwhile, Frankie and Marcus look around, with Frankie finding himself in one of the barns, where three cows huff as their calves huddle away from the intruder.

Marcus on the other hand happens upon a blood trail that leads him to an indent in the soil where a body might have lain, face-down.

@Markus: As per the spoiler, survival is a good skill here. Heal might also be of interest as well as perception.

@Frankie: Taking a ten is not going to garner you any information. Would you like to try and roll some of the skills I've mentioned?

@Quentin: You may want to roll diplomacy given your past statements if you want to assuage his concerns, and perhaps get him to talk about the events of that morning.

Meanwhile, back in Dawnton.

As Falshin approaches, Erika Corum laughs harshly. "Support the crusade? You must mean they support the demons which are the cause of our crusades. Those wretches were in Kenabres, I just know it, just as they were in Nerosyan just as the demons "coincidentally" attacked the city. I've heard of them harboring half-fiend wretches. Rumor has it their dwarven master was a demon worshipper, an envoy from the dark cabal that sits in Absalom. Pathfinders are filth, and the blood of hundreds, if not thousands is on their hands with what they wrought upon the Diamond city and Kenabres. I'll show them all that they are naught but demon worshippers in disguise. Already the Inheritor has graced me with her foresight, and told me that the Pathfinders were in town. Their guilt was a foregone conclusion."

It occurs to Fargrim that this sort of attitude was extremely prevalent during the days of the Third crusade, "Crusade of Tears". Led by Inquisitor Hulrun Shappok, the Third crusade dealt more damage to the crusader morale than to the enemy by some accounts. Father Shappok, after having a change of heart, was less proactive in his witch hunts after what some say was a visitation from Iomedae. He died during the latest assault on Nerosyan.

Intrigued, Fargrim asks "Did the Inheritor tell you specifically that the pathfinders committed the murder. Or just that they were in town when the murder was committed?" she asks, a concerned expression on her face.

"I will agree with you that some pathfinders have done dark deeds. I'd not tar all of them with the same brush however. With my own eyes I have seen pathfinders save lives at great cost to themselves." she adds gently.

Marcus spends a few minutes looking around the indention where the body was, looking for any evidence that can be found about the crime. Once he is satisfied he has found what he can, he begins following tracks away from the scene.

Frankie's eyes widen along with his smile as he spots the cows and their babies "OOO now those are cows! I know it! And cow kids! Who wants some food? Lemme find you some... hrmm.." He starts rummaging around looking for something a cow may eat... some hay or corn or grain or.. well anything that looks like food. Maybe he'll stumble on something useful for the investigation too Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

He tries to make friendly with the cows and calves but doesn't quite know what to do other than give them some food, so that's what he does, and tries to pet the big cows then the little cows. "You guys help make me hot cocoa, and for that I'd like to give you a hug."

Cha Check vs Cows?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Afterwards, assuming he hasn't been massacred by the cows he heads outside to see what Quentin is up to and to chat with Otto. "Do you have any kids? Do they want to play? What's it like finding a dead person? What color does the ground get with blood on it? Is it more red or more brown? What did the person who did it look like?" He does his best to rattle off lots of questions, some more pertinent than others.

"Here, let's look to see where this trail leads," Arnold posits upon the errant trail being pointed out. "It may require a modicum of discretion, and even if not, it is still advised. Better safe than...less safe." With that, he is off, following the prints as best he can.

"Again, I cannot talk to the dead, though that is not a skill limited to necromancers and witches. Many priests can speak to the spirits of the departed."

Where did he get the idea that I can talk to the dead?

Quentin tries to reassure the superstitious farmer. "Have you see priests heal? It is like that. I channel the holy energy into a ritual that breaks the anchor holding the angry spirit to his world, allowing it to go to Pharasma's judgement."

Marcus and Arnold quickly come to the conclusion that with the amount of blood on the scene, the victim couldn't have been killed here. Quartering a heart is messy. Very messy. And the ground isn't nearly red enough. With the tracks leading from Dawnton looking heavy on the way in and lighter on the way back, Dancel would have been killed somewhere south of the farm, possibly in Dawnton.

spoiler=GM Schtuff]
Rumor: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Rumor*: 1d8 ⇒ 1[/spoiler]

"Ahh... So yer like a horse whisperer... But for dead folk. Gotcha. Well, I sure hope Dancel's moved on proper. Ain't right what they did to him. When I got up that morning and I saw what they done to him, I almost threw up, Erastil have mercy. Ain't right to skin a man like that. Or butcher him like they done. I'm just glad Sheriff found one of their daggers in town by Jorham's body. I just wish them two kids that found the Pathfinders doin' the deed had gone to find Sheriff sooner."

In the stable, the cows huff and sniff Frankie, but given the halfling's small size and appearance just content themselves by huddling. A promise of hay sways them slightly, allowing themselves to be pet along with one of the calves, the other two shying away.

To his questions upon exiting, Otto chuckles and does his best to reply in the most PG way possible, with "Is this OK glances" to Quentin.

...

At Fargrim's latest questions she does stop, planting the sword into the ground with one fluid motion. "Both. Iomedae, in her glory whispered to me the truth of the matter. I had my suspicions when I heard they were in town, but she told me herself that they, in their evil, were going to spill the blood of yet another innocent. I only regret not running them through for their evil." She picks up a nearby waterskin, uncorking it to take a swig. "Mark my words, everything a pathfinder does is to distract from the greater evil he or she is about to commit. Trust me; I find many not to be fully ready to accept the dark depths they are willing to sink to for their Masked masters. The Twelve as they are. Do not sympathize with them for dark souls such as they are not worth it." She stops for a moment and stares at you strangely, a slight glow emanating from her eyes. "Forgive me. There are many who walk the land claiming to be what they are not."

Also, your alignment I assume is CG right? Your summary blurb on your character reads GG. Super Awesome Good.

Fargrim is indeed CG. Matches with Desna!

"Iomedae speaks more clearly to you than the Great Dreamer does to me. I look and see a butterfly floating through the air. Do I follow it into battle, or to find a lost child? I never know until I arrive where she leads me."

She gives a little laugh to herself.

"Once or twice I think she has lured me out of my comfort zone just to help me realize my own prejudices. And challenge me to overcome them, accepting what I see for what it is, not what I would have it to be."

She lets a small shudder run through her body. "I suppose I should see these murderers. Perhaps they will confess what they have done to me." she sighs.

"I'm still trying to understand... was there one murder here? Or several. I've heard some mixed up stories..."

"Horse whispering, yes, like that," Quentin agrees with Otto's assessment.

He looks at Frankie and back to Otto. "He's precocious, yes. I blame his mother. You said two children saw the Pathfinders doing the murder?"

Frankie looks on as the adults talk about him with their adult words, words he honestly wouldn't really understand. "OO other kids to play with? They aren't super big are they? I don't like having my ears boxed..."

"Huh, he couldn't have died here," Arnold mutters, trying not to scuff the ground. "These tracks might elaborate...I don't feel like we have much time, though. Marcus, think we should follow the trail, or get the others first? The maker of these tracks may be gone by now, not wherever they lead."

"Lets see if these tracks will lead us away from here. I don't want to still be here when the distraction has ended. The fact the body was moved is important. It means this Otto wasn't witness to a murder. I'd really like to know what the accused have to say. I hope the others have luck with that."

After hearing the vicious words of Mother Corum, Falshin approaches to introduce himself. "Blessings of the Dawnflower upon you both." He gives a slight bow. "I am sorry for interrupting, but you must be Mother Corum? I was told to seek you out to offer my assistance while in town. I am Falshin Korvaska of Magnimar and a healer by trade. I was hoping to spread some goodness in a land ravaged by evil." He smiles a little sheepishly. "And perhaps spread the good word of Sarenrae while at it?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

"Ain't sure which ones they were to be honest. Better ask in town 'bout them kids. But I've been told that two of the town kids saw the Pathfinders doin' the killin'. How do you expect Sheriff to have come on the scene that soon?" replies Otto, shifting his weight from one leg to another.

As Otto continues his conversation, Arnold and Marcus begin following the tracks. Sure enough, they find themselves heading towards Dawnton, heading towards the outskirts of town it would seem.

Are you OK leaving Otto's farm? You won't be able to go back without spending another phase to get back there.

Mother Corum nods curtly towards Falshin. "What these people need isn't just healing. They need someone to find the disease before it infects the body and kills it." Again she stares at the newcomer intently, a faint glow in her eyes. "But your presence here is noted and I'm sure the locals will enjoy having three faiths to mend their wounds" she adds formally, switching back to Fargrim. "That your goddess thinks that there is something so wanting in you that she would have you molded into a different person is... Interesting. But I cannot pretend to know what The Song of the Spheres desires in her followers, I only know justice, purity and Iomedae. To get back to the subject at hand, those vile wretches are responsible for two murders. One on the man Otto's farm, and one besides the trading post here. And there is no doubt in my mind of their guilt. You'd be wasting your time. Unless of course there is something about you that eludes me." She puts her sword away, the air heavy with implication. "Like I said. You'd be wasting your time. There are far more deserving people in town. The families of the victims fore instance. Now, is there anything else?"

"Desna moves in mysterious ways." agrees Fargrim, not in the least insulted. "If you could tell me where to find the families of the slain men, I will certainly call on them and see if the gifts of Desna are able to sooth their grief at all."

And then will civilly make her departure.

"A shame for children to see such things. They're likely to end up like Frankie."

He requests directions to the site of the murder in order to perform the cleansing ritual and then takes his leave.

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 10 For the daily lose-trail-roll

Reconvening with the others at midday, he relays what he heard. "Apparently Otto, the farmer, didn't see the murder. He says there were two youths from town who came upon the Pathfinders committing the murders."

I'm ok leaving. I want to get out of there before the distraction ends to make sure we aren't discovered. Sorry about the delay. Paizo is eating posts like crazy.

Marcus continues following the tracks, noting what he can about where the body was probably dragged from.

Frankie smiles and waves goodbye to Otto, following Quentin along where ever he shall go. This includes a rousing game of tag-you're-it, which Frankie expects to win since adults usually won't play along. "Bye big and little cows!" He hollers into the barn as they leave.

As much as I want to move things forward, I'd like to check in with Falshin and Arnold given that Paizo's website is experiencing issues. If either of you could just post OOC that you want to move on, that would be great. I'll be moving things along Thursday at the latest.

Quentin makes a fair effort to play along with Frankie, but his armor weighs him down.

He pauses, bending over and gulping for air. "You. Win."

Arnold follows Marcus along, thinking about drawing a weapon but deciding against it until necessary.

Sorry!

After Fargrim leaves, Falshin might lingering a moment. "Mother Corum, do you have a few moments to spare for me? It would seem this other woman was also concerned about the events in the area. Could you tell me a little more about what has been transpiring with these Pathfinders? If you would permit it, I would like to speak with them about redemption. I would be remiss to my goddess if I did not at least attempt to bring them back to the light of good from their wickedness of which you speak so vehemently."

Arnold and Marcus soon find themselves in Dawnton, walking along the edge of town. Both finally find themselves near the town slaughterhouse, where all townfolk can bring their animals for slaughter. Given the amount of blood here it will be difficult to suss out any further information, let alone track the steps any further.

Back at the farm.

"Well alright" finally concedes Otto as he leads Quentin to a rather gory site where his two companions were at not too long ago. "Done found him here. Erastil have mercy on us all. Anyway, beggin' your pardon but I gotta get back to work. Safe travels to you and your kid."

In town

Mother Corum nods non-committally. "I believe Dancel Woods lived with his family in town. Farm hands the lot of them. Jorham Mills was the Miller's son. She hasn't been out of her mill since they tried the murderers. They certainly are more in need of spiritual guidance" she replies before turning to look at Falshin with an air of bemusement. "Clearly there must be an additional layer of witchery to these Pathfinders. All this interest in their fate! Too bad we didn't try them as Demon-Worshipers" she sneers before saying: "They killed for their Dark Masters when they got here and since they were arrested and tried, nothing else has transpired with them apart from their occupancy of a jail cell. AS if they were the cause of both murders. So while I do not have a "problem" with you wasting your time with these irredeemable wastes of flesh, I think a servant of good would trust another to see that there is not saving them But like I told her, you do as you see fit."

Fargrim bids the good mother farewell.

Looking around, she tries to work out the easiest way to get to the mill. Walking the towns back tracks, she slowly works her way millwards, greeting and of the townsfolk that she passes on the way with a smile and a blessing in the name of Desna.

Once at the mill she stops to view the building for a moment, trying to see if there is anything unusual about it, before approaching the door and knocking politely.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 Frankie is far too engrossed in his game of tag to notice much other than Quentin doesn't move any faster than he does due to his armor, but lacks the quickness and change of direction skills of someone much smaller. He heads over and gives Quentin a low five once he concedes the game. "Great game! You hungry? I'm hungry. How long does it take do ... whatever you're gonna do before we head back to town for some lunch?"

He waves goodbye to Farmer Otto "Thanks for your help and for letting me play with the cows!" Bluff (avoid suspicion!): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 Its pretty clear that Frankie has had a lot of practice being a child, the farmer likely won't have a clue!

Once the two of them are alone on site Frankie looks around but doesn't find much and will wait on Quentin to do whatever else he wants to do. Frankie is no tracker or woodsman

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"Not long."

Quentin makes a few vague prayers after Otto leaves and a short replication of the ritual he uses to infuse his focus in his weapons and armor before heading back to town for lunch.

"Don't think we can figure out much more on our own here," Arnold mutters to Marcus, looking at all the blood. "Perhaps we can ask the butcher here if he has seen anything unusual? I'm not quite sure how to do so without garnering suspicion, though."

Falshin nods to Mother Corum and bids her farewell. "I am sorry if my inclination to seek redemption of all souls has offended your sense of justice, milady. My goddess believes that all willing souls should be granted an opportunity to recant their foul deeds. That does not mean that I would seek their release for what they have done, but simply to allow their souls an opportunity to repent. I bid you good day, milady."

There seems to be nothing unusual about the mill save that it is not in use. Knocking at the door, Fargrim is greeted by a older woman in tears. Drying her tears as best she can she invites the inquisitor and secret Pathfinder agent in for some herbal tea. She bemoans that her son was so enamored with the idea of becomeing a Pathfinder and is still heartbroken, Pathfinder or not, about her son's death. "His father died in the Fourth Crusade. He went north... And they only brought his shield back..." she finally says bursting in tears. "They ... couldn't... even... bring... back... his... body... They told me it ate him. And now my Jorham... He'd never hurt a fly... Why do the gods punish me so..." she sobs uncontrollably.

The butcher, while having his shop nearby, is not really close to the slaughterhouse. Sheepishly, he blurts that he doesn't recall hearing or seeing anything.

When all is said and done, the Pathfinders meet up again a little after noon at the Inn.

Whats' the plan Pathfinders?

"I'm not sure how to broach the subject either. I certainly seems that this may have been the actual murder scene however. The question is whether the place the body was moved to has any significance. Hopefully Quentin and Frankie will have learned something that will fill in a gap."

After eating lunch with the quizzical little halfling, Quentin scribbles a note that he tries to pass to Marcus surreptitiously.

Two boys in town reportedly witnessed the murder in Otto's field and summoned the sheriff.

To the halfling, the ghost-whisper muses, "I do wonder if the witch might have some insight into this town. The shunned sometimes see more and may talk more."