Ezren nods at the astute observation.
"If this is indeed the work of one individual, serial killers tend to commit their murders in relatively close proximity to their 'lair'. This lair might be a home or a safe house. As they claim more victims, their comfort level, and their kill zone, expands. We should look at the first few victims and see if we can attempt to triangulate a location based off of that."
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How many have been killed so far, and when were they killed? And were they all the same race or gender? Might we examine the bodies? I realize the hearts were removed but I doubt that was the cause of death. You mentioned a dagger with a white feather on it. Does this symbol related to any religion or cult to anyone? And finally how many churches of Sarenrae are there in the city and have you spoken to any of their clergy?
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More than worshipers Waki, priests Al corrects. And I think that is the general plan of the guards. One of us strolls along the area that they have been being taken from, dressed like a priest of the dawnflower in the early morning pre-light and see if we can lure out the killer. If the rest of us are quick it just might work.
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"A good plan, yes. But that is a day away yet. Let us go investigate the murder scenes."
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Kasadei nods as questions pour forth from the group, patiently addressing each in turn.
"The victims were interrogated post-mortem via a spell, Speak with Dead I believe it is called. Unfortunately, time is limited with such a method, and we are forced to ask only the most vital of questions. It would seem strange that they should seek to pray in the shadows, but such are their rights."
"Skinsaws? No, none of late; this doesn't fit their style, either. They target the poor and destitute, and not once has one of their victims been found with organs removed."
"There have been four murders. The sights of which are marked on that map I gave you. They were, as I mentioned, killed in the morning...and no, they were not clerics, in as far as we could determine. None were native to the city, and all were human, though no other similarities exist; one was Taldane, one appeared to be Osiriani. The other two were of unidentifiable heritages."
"We do not know what the symbol meant, lest I would have told you that. And of course we inquired at the nearby places of worship for Sarenrae; as I'm sure you're aware, the Dawnflower is a most popular Goddess, and there are many sites visited by those who seek her guidance. None had met these visitors."
She frowns slightly, "You would do well not to formulate plots outside of your bounds, friends. I will speak with my superiors, and we will discuss the course of action tonight. After-" she motions to the door, "-you investigate the scenes. I'm afraid the bodies are not available. Now, unless there are other questions...?"
Well, I think maybe start with the one closest to the water, then take the one to the west first...work our way back to the last two. Any other ideas? I am not against doing otherwise...just figured doing it that way is quickest.
"That seems as good a notion as any. Though I should note that based on the description, we may be dealing with minions of the demon lord Shax."
As long as they are the minions, and not Shax himself, I think we will be fine.
Jirelle smiles confidently.
We should be off...the quicker we get there, the fresher the trail might be...
If we are lucky, maybe they left tracks to follow....possibly, but not likely....
"I know that he is a demon lord that revels in cruelty, sadistic torture and bloody murder. He's...extremely chaotic, so he tends to attract such. Any organized cult would be a surprise."
Ezren nods.
"Doesn't sound like much fun at a party."
Reaching the first location, the party is able to inspect the cold scene; a faint outline of a body, sketched with chalk, can still be seen, and despite the locals' efforts, a deep red stain marrs the ground where the victim's blood covered the area.
Several locals are milling about outside, and as the party investigates the scenes, one wrinkled old man in particular is staring at you intently.
Jirelle looks around, taking in all the area.
She notices the old man and approaches him slowly.
Good day, sir. How does this day find you?
After a minute or so of small talk, she homes in on the mission at hand.
Good sir, did you see anything at all? We are looking for any assistance in this matter. It would greatly help us if you saw anything...even the smallest thing could help.
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Arion teams up with Allanen to study the first scene.
Then he murmurs a prayer to Sarenrae for guidanc in finding the killers and approaches the old man and offers a friendly smile. "You seem to find something about us interesting, and I'd like to know what it is."
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"Ain't who ya are 'at's got me interested, it's what yer doin'. 'Vesigating dese murders, are ya? Dem wit' da guards dinna wanna listen to ol' Antbeard, rest 's soul, but I gotta story ta tell, iff'n yer willing ta listen."
"Us locals been seein' a strange sight of late; what look like a demon, flying abouts the sky at night. Some say day saw 'm climbin' 'bouts the rooftops. But nuttin' beats da tale of my late Dwarf friend."
"Ya see, 'fore ol' Antbeard passed from da wet lung, he dun tol' me dat he seen dat same demon fly to the south, a person clutched innit's grasp. Iffin' I reckon proper, the same night as da last murder."
"Dems wit' da guards dinna believe, but yens 'pear as listenin' folk. I hope ya find dis demon."
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Arion follows the man's story earnestly. When the man finishes, Arion offers a series of questions, waiting for each to be answered before moving on to the next.
"To the south, you say? Can you be more specific?"
"What did this demon look like? How did your friend know it was a demon?"
"Is there anything more to the story of your friend's death?"
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Your help is greatly appreciated, friend. We will do our best to make sure whoever or whatever is behind these murders is brought to justice...one way or the other.
Ezren stroked his beard, considering.
"Do you know if the person this 'demon' carried was still alive?"
The old man grins, his nearly toothless mouth releasing horrid vapors so common to the poor. Clearly pleased that someone would listen, he prattles on about nothing in particular before seeming to realize the group had been asking him specific questions. He nods to Arion as he answers.
"I'm 'fraid not; I dinna see it fer m'self, jess tellin' da stories of us local folk. Ask 'round, dems dat did see'll surely tell ya da same. From what I hear, the beast stood like a man, with claws upon its hands 'n feet, and horrible bat-wings spannin' the sky. T'were it not a demon, I dunno what else ta call it."
"Ol' Antbeard passed from da wet lung, assin I say. Happens to us poor folk; we get da fluid in our breath, rattlin' us when we sleep. He caught a fever, Antbeard did, and died just a day or so ago. T'weren't nuttin' speck-tackular 'bout 't."
He shrugs at the other questions. "Like I say, I dinna see it meself. Antbeard say da one it carried moved; I've not seen da dead move."
"Ye may wanna try speakin' wit some o' da priests 'round here. Folks get scared, dey turn to da Gods fer helpin's."
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Arion nods. "We should certainly speak with the holy men. This threat is far more powerful than we realized."
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You find a similar scene at the second murder site; the day has grown into the trade hours, and there are fewer people milling about. Of those you notice, none scrutinize you with the same obvious interest as the last beggar.
Searching the scene for artifacts the guards may have missed, Allanen immediately spots a mottled grey feather, stuck into a crack in one of the many unkempt buildings. There appears to be blood on a part of it.
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Arion asks the locals if they saw anything unusual near the time of the murder.
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