It seems to be from a common pigeon. Though the blood is streaked up both sides, Al knows birds fight, and it takes no particular cunning to realize that the alley cats, so prevalent in a large city, feast on them quite often, and tend to leave a mess after.
Is it just me or am I the only one getting an impending sense of danger, the closer we get...
"It is certainly not just you. We should be on our guard."
Indeed, though friendly, the locals offered nothing new that the old man hadn't already told, though their accents are much better. The stray feather was all to be found before you move on.
You're all-too familiar with the dwellings of the poor; they've been staple neighborhoods thus far. But as you reach the third site, the quality of the buildings rapidly deteriorates. What were simply rundown and ill-repaired establishments have become bitter, mouldy, and filled with holes. It is clear that those forced to seek residence here are among the poorest souls in Magnimar.
Jirelle looks about, checking for any pertinent evidence.
|
Arion studies the crime scene and asks the locals if they have any other information about the murders.
-Posted with Wayfinder
During the investigation of the site, you find scant few people; those few you do seem sick, hungry, and homeless, asking for scraps of food or spare coins.
Off one alley, Necress notices an older man, in better health than the local beggars, crouched over a bundled form on the ground. He is clad in robes of blue, trimmed with gold, and he seems to be speaking quietly to the form below him; Necress, deaf, can not hear what is being said, and the man seems to be too focused on his task to notice her observations.
The location of the body is more obvious here; the guards clearly cared little about the cleanliness of the downtrodden area, and the pooled stain of blood is quite prominent. Aside from that, there is little to differentiate it from where the other bodies had fallen.
Jirelle tilts her head to listen.
You can hear the man giving praise to the Dawnflower, beseeching her mercy to bring healing to the poor beggar he's bent over. As he works, you can see the angelic ankh of his faith glow briefly; he passes it over the man, who seems to be moving more than he had been.
The priest has yet to notice you.
I think that man might be one to talk to...he appears to be a follower of Sarenrae.
Jirelle slowly makes her way over to the healer.
Good day, sir. I noticed your soothing touch on this fellow. Could my friends and I ask you about some of the goings on around these parts? I would be happy to give some alms for your time, to help these poor souls.
|
|
Arion says a quick prayer and then moves to squat down by the priest to get to eye level. "Can I help you heal this man?"
"We are trying to solve the gruesome murders of Sarenrae followers that have been plaguing the city. We think maybe you could help us."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Smiling, the priest rises, and turns to the party as they approach. The beggar sits up, leaning against a crumbling wall and drinking from a skin.
"Yes, these are dire times, indeed. Targeting the members of my faith is not uncommon; it seems we are little liked here, for what reason only Sarenrae knows why. But these murders! Killing new clergy...it is a sin most foul, beyond any hatred we've seen from Magnimarian locals."
He gives a nod to the beggar, who rises, passing the skin back to the cleric before eyeing the party warily, and turning to walk off down the alley.
"The Dawnflower asks us to provide for these poor, downtrodden souls, and we are only happy to oblige. But the Faith has yet to take true hold in the city; we've tried, but we're rejected...it's a shame the shrine built so long ago didn't take hold."
Looking the party over, he nods to himself before continuing. "Are you with the guards? We have been asking for more to be done about this since it began! It's high time this is stopped. You will do so?"
Aye...we shall do our best to rid the area of the menace....my friends and I are confident we can do it.
Jirelle stands up straight to show her commitment to the cause.
|
|
"Yes, we are here from the Pathfinder Society to find and stop the murderer."
"You say all those murdered were new priests? The guards did not tell us that."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Aye. Servants of the demon, I'd imagine. Perhaps some sort of ritual?"
it's all good. man...looks like someone posted in the Flaxseed lodge for someone to take over...
|
The priest of Sarenrae answers the questions. "There's only been one attempt to establish a proper shrine to the Dawnflower here in Magnimar, some 80 years ago now. The attempt was made by a noble follower of Sarenrae by the name of Volston. He tried to minister to the downtrodden of the city. Alas, sometimes the very people you are trying to minister to are the ones who appreciate it least. Because the shrine, although not wealthy, was not quite as destitute as the others around that least-patrolled district, he and two of his acolytes were murdered when they were robbed."
"Although clergy of the Dawnflower pass through here regularly, and some even live here, there has not been an attempt to establish another shrine."
It's mid-late afternoon. Early tomorrow morning, before dawn, is when Kasadei wants to stage the ambush. You'll need somebody to be bait.
And, of course, you still have some time before then to do further investigations if you wish.
Let me know how you proceed.
|
Waki shakes his head in obvious disgust the fate of the temple.
Dishonorable robbers are. Worse yet murderers end the start of enlightenment before started it has. Search the ruins we should...before or after.
He waits for others to ask any additional questions before asking...
What other clues find will we before trap for abductors we set?
I'll volunteer as the bait. I can dirty myself up and make like a vagabond. I need only my armor, rapier and my potions, just in case. The rest of my equipment can be held by one of you. I think we should look around the rest of the sites before getting a bit of rest. We should also pick out a spot where I can sit, where the rest can come in quickly to capture these criminals. Thoughts?
"Not a bad plan! You're certainly a better choice than these old bones. I say we go for it."