|
Idril nods at the guards and makes his way to Luin's office, a few of his fellow agents in tow. Not being a dazzling conversationalist, he takes measure of the sheriff and attempts to gain access the the accused.
"Ah, good sheriff Luin, thankfully you are here. I am to attend to the condemned. They are to make out their last will and testament and I must speak to them briefly. Would you be so kind as to allow me to speak to them briefly?"
|
The sherif is seated behind a heavy mogany desk and doesn't seem happy to be disturbed. He barely raises an eyebrow at Idril's request then scoffs:"No seeing the prisoners. And you are a terrible liar. No one sent for a scrivener and it's clear you are not with the cult of Pharasma. If this is youir idea of a prank, it's not funny and furthermore I'm really not in the mood for bad jokes involving people condemned to death. Now begone before I have you flogged!" he says, and by his tone you are sure he means what he says.
Sheela manages to convince the half orc to divulge some of his hard earned gossip...
|
|
If there's something the general store does not lack is gossip and the half orc propietor Orug, is more than willing to share it with you!
Ekira says that Iomedae began speaking to her directly after she arrived in Dawnton. She’s thinking about setting down roots here, establishing a church, maybe even challenging Sheriff Tobias Luin for the title of mayor.
Otto worships demons out at his farm. That’s why the murderers skinned the first one alive out on his property.
Otto does not worship demons. He's a cannibal though. He's probably paid the pathfinders to bring him his next meal already skinned and ready for the stew!
On top of the the "news" Orug provided you with he also shares a story about how he “witnessed” the second murder:"I saw him with my own eyes! Tall as a giant he was! He was lying in wait for his victim just outside here... poor woman she never had a chance! He jumped out of his hiding spot and plunged his dagger into her heart! I tried to intervene, and I engaged him... unfortunately a cheap and cowardly blow to the head caused me to lose consciousness and when I wake up he was gone and his victim was dead a few paces from me!"
|
"Oh my goodness, Orug! You're so brave. Your wife is so lucky, Tessa!" She leans towards the elf. "Make sure to reward him properly later..." A slick grin forms across her face.
"You know Orug, all of this secret talk reminds me of Lady Fennel back in Absalom. She owns several farms, and one of the horse stables has a hidden basement. I've heard it's well furnished and that's where she conducts some of her more... private meetings." Sheela giggles like a schoolgirl.
"Oh Orug. Which murderer did you see, again? The one was tall as a giant again? I want to make sure I know who to throw my tomatoes at right before he is hung."
|
|
"Yes... lucky, that's me, darling... and don't give him ideas about rewards he does not deserve!" the half elf woman scoffs rolling her eyes while her husband grins and nods his head vigorously:"Yes, woman, listen to the girl. She seems wise beyond her years really!"
This exchange only reinforces Azrael's opinion about the half orc's character...
|
|
As the Pathfinders regroup to share their findings, Azrael reveals his judgement about the rumours heard over at the general store. "The half-orc named Orug is one not to be trusted. He embellishes the facts and exaggerates the truth of the matter. It's probable that a murder had taken place near his whereabouts, but I highly doubt he knows anything about the actual incident." Azrael reveals in a emotionless manner.
Knowing his own social skills to be lacking, he turns to Sheela and agrees to participate with her in the farm. "I shall follow Sheela to meet this farmer Otto."
|
|
"Well, our attempt wasn't as fruitful, they wouldn't trust Idril's even with my friendly visage standing right next to them! Such aplomb... We'll need to find another way to speak to those prisoners.
So, where should we head now Idril, I don't think we are such a bad team after all, those guards just had no manners whatsoever."
|
|
Sheela, Azrael and Vrothum opt to visit Otto's Farm while the rest of the disguised pathfinders decide to check out the place known as the Beer Garden.
Otto's Farm
As you approach it you realize that Otto’s farm covers at least 10 acres of land but they appear to be presently unplanted. There's a farmhouse at the center of the fields. A line of trees along the west side of the house forms a windbreak. The property is five miles down the main road from Dawnton, and you easily recognize it by its distinctive yellow hexagonal sign.
As you get closer to the farm a powerfully built, clean-shaven man in his late thirties calls you out, shouting:"Trepassers! This is private property and I don't want the likes of you here! Leave now or suffer the consequences!"
In order to make his point clearer the man sneds a couple of sling shots flying near your position...
The Beer Garden
At the center of the tent city’s open area stands a broad beer garden with walls constructed of beer barrels and crates. You immediately realize this is the social hub for the country folk. In the early afternoon the place is so crowded that it’s hard to find a place to stand and difficult to be heard over the noise.
Another stranger, this one tall and quiet with a patch of hair missing from the back of his head, has been in town for about as long as the Pathfinders have. He sometimes asks more questions about the accused than is considered seemly in these parts.
|
|
"That would be true... if I were a trespasser."
"And yet, I am clearly new to this town, so how could I tresspass? I barely know you, stalwart protector! Now put that sling down and let's try this again. I'm Sheela, of the Kolphan family. What is your name? She grins.
This place needs some serious gardening. I know a few who can help...
|
|
Otto's Farm
Sheela's sweet words and Vrothum's skillful help do much to mollify the surly farmer and win him over despite Azrael's less than tactful approach:"Eh... I guess you are right. Sorry miss and mr... it's just that a lot of meddlers started to sneak in after them murder. They wanted to see the gruesome spot for themselves I reckon. It was a nasty business and ma pa' teached me not to indulge in people's morbose fantasies. "That way lays the Abyss" as he was fond of saying... He also teached me to be civil though, so I guess I owe you an apology for throwing rocks your way. My name's Otto and I'm the owner here. What can I do for you? Mr and Miss?"
The Beer Garden
Valentynne "invests" a pretty penny in beverages for the whole house and the attitude of people immediately seems to improve as he finds it easier to get answers to his simple questions:"Who? Ekira? Well, she claims she is, and looks the part, believe me. She keeps preaching on the glory of Iomedae and how supposedly the goddess herself is telling her what to do... a bit touched in the head if you ask me, but with them priestly types who knows? Maybe she's really Iomedae's second coming in flesh and steel plate" chuckles one of the patrons.
|
|
"My Grandmama always said to avoid the taint of the Abyss. Remain pure of heart and good will flows well." She shakes Otto's hand. "Pleased to meet you, I'm Sheela, and these are my friends Vrothum and Azrael."
Sheela engages in a lot of small talk, eventually steering the conversation towards the murders. "A loss of life is terrible. There are a lot of nasty rumors going out about what happened at your farm. Now, I know someone like you is a kind-hearted individual." She grins a bit more. "So I'd like to help restore your reputation. May I see the... site? The more information my friends and I can get, the easier we can help."
|
Say, Otto, what do you think happened here? I've been told some inquisitor thinks it was a group they have in jail, what do you think happened? Have you checked it out yourself? I know it must be difficult trying to secure you're property and keep unwanted guests off your property, but it's all this town seems to be talking about.
|
|
Otto's Farm
Otto considers your line of reasoning before nodding:"Aye... since you are here and seem like decent folks I reckon showing you the site can do little harm. Follow me then..."
Otto leads walks you around his property while relating his prospective on the morning he found the dead body:"I had come out before dawn to feed me chickens. Suddenly I saw him. A young man, swinging from a tree. Hanged. Naked... and by that I don't mean just "without clothes" I mean "without clothes AND skinned... skinned alive I reckon!" he concludes his tale, and points at a tree. You've reached the site of the murder, or at least where the body was found.
|
|
Vrothum is more concerned by the narrative and hopes that the others pick up something of importance.
Hmm..it's a shame, but thanks for showing us Otto, is there anything you need from us? I appreciate you spending time showing us around and being polite. Here, consider this a thanks for showing us around.
Vrothum extends a hand containing 10 gold pieces.
|
|
Otto's Farm - Murder site
With a little help from Sheela, Azrael's keen eyes discover Medium humanoid tracks that come and go to Dawnton. In addition, he spots places where blood has stained the soil, butb he easily determines that there is not nearly enough blood present for the victim to have died here. It appears that the unfortunate man was killed elsewhere and then carried here, which would have taken considerable time and possibly occurred before the trio of Pathfinders had even come to Dawnton.
Otto considers the coins offered for a long moment before accepting them:"I'd like to tell you that you can keep your money... but I won't lie. The times are dire and I can use some extra coins, pride be damned. So thank you for your generous offer, good sir!" he exclaims, taking the coins.
The Beer Garden
|
|
"Oh nonsense, Otto! You've been so kind to us, this is the least we can do."
She pauses as Azrael describes the situation. "I'm not good at picking up fine details. I could summon a dog or wolf and tell them to follow a scent, if you want."
She turns back to Otto. "How many days ago did you notice this, Otto? Was there anything else nearby?"
|
|
With Rogar's help the group notices something strange: an obsidian button laying in the grass, not far from the place where the skinned corpse was found hanged.
With this piece of evidence in tow you complete your search of the murder site and then take your leave from Otto, rejoining the others in Dawnton.