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"Though I bear no love for this sphinx, it is clear to me she is being set up," Evenstar adds.
"Even with this most recent killing, on top of all the claw and bite marks that have been inflicted to the body, there is also a slender rope burn around her throat, the body was strangled to death, and then someone clawed and bit it," she says pensively.
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"Lawkeeper Feldane, what my friends say is true, none of the evidence points to the sphinx. There are questions which need to be answered. Ask yourself, Why would a powerful creature like the sphinx employ skulks to do her dirty work? How did she even know of the existence of a drug addled group of skulks, surely that would need detailed local knowledge? And why pretend to be the guildmaster and guildmistress? Why would such an intelligent and powerful creature, commit a murder in her own theatre? Then look at the evidence found as presented, none points to the sphinx. So who benefits from fingering the spinx and by implication the circus of such murders? Lawkeeper, are there any in town who would be at an advantage if the circus is disgraced or who would want to murder these victims and benefit from them and the disturbed theft."
Dar'ethan paces back and forth deep in thought. He is clearly disturbed by the Sheriff's anger and accusations against the sphinx. Shaking his head from side to side he says slowly, "The only ones to benefit from the arrest and trial of the sphinx would be the murderers and mob justice, which is no justice at all." Rubbing his chin he continues, "Taking the sphinx into goal may appease the feelings of the mob, giving us more time to find the real killers. Although Lawkeeper, such would be your decision, and could possibly lead to the death of an innocent, if the mob go against the process of law."
He continues to shake his head, "No..no...I dislike that the more I think of it...Lawkeeper, whatever you decide we will need your help to capture the criminals. But catch them we will!" he finishes with determination.
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As the others speak, Dolph pensively nods, and occasionally opens his mouth, as though trying to find a spot to jump in. After Dar'ethan's extensive explanation, Dolph relaxes. He pats Dar'ethan on the shoulder and looks to the Sheriff. "The good speakings of my companions should tell you all you need to know, Unhappy-Sheriff-Woman. The Son of a Shepherd has nothing to be adding."
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As the clues are laid out and the evidence builds, the sheriff's face slowly softens, though the frown doesn't completely disappear from her face. With a sigh, she turns to Amara and says "If the sphinx is as innocent as the evidence would suggest, I'd like to speak with her and get her side of this story."
At this, the circus master starts and stumbles with her words, replying "Ah, I see. I'm afraid that won't be possible at this time."
"And why is that?" demands the sheriff, the hardened edge returning to her voice.
"I'm sorry, but it just isn't doable."
"I see, then you leave me with no choice. You’ve brought a dangerous creature into this community—a creature you clearly cannot keep track of, let alone control. I can’t say I know for certain there’s wrongdoing here on the part of your people, but after a point it ceases to matter. For the safety of my city, I’m putting this circus under quarantine. I don’t want any of your people leaving these grounds unless it’s to leave town completely. I’m giving you two days to get packed up and go.” As she turns to storm out of the tent, she looks to the group and says "That goes for you lot as well. You have two days to figure this out. After that, I'm declaring that your contract with the circus expires."
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Dar'ethan looks at Amara, his face showing signs of shock, "What do you mean? we have all but cleared your prize exhibit and with that your circus, but Jerizhana is too indisposed to speak with the Lawkeeper. By Sarenrae's fire, where is she that we can speak with her now!" His voice rising, his calm being tested to the limit. "My companions where not disposed to think of her innocence in the beginning, this does nothing to make them inclined to change their view."
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"There there," Evenstar says as she pats Misforstatt on the head. "You stay innocent...the world is too course as it is; there are some things it's better not to know. I'm going to protect you from all of that," she adds.
Once she hears they cannot see the sphinx, however, Evenstar's disposition turns dark.
"Take us to the sphinx NOW!" the barbarian says to Amara in a voice barely above a whisper. "This is not optional...take us to the sphinx, or I'm gonna burn your whole circus...to...the...ground."
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Almara lets out a long sigh as the group demands to see the Sphinx. "Very well, there's no use hiding it any longer. I wasn't sure I could trust Sheriff Feldane with this, but I think you all might be another story. Please follow me."
She then leads you out of the big top and over to her own personal wagon. As the group enters, they immediately notice a young, beautiful woman sitting at a table in the corner. She briefly looks up at the party before quickly returning her gaze to the floor. Once everyone is in and the door to the wagon is closed, Almara says "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Ika, though some of you may know her as Madame Masque. She is also, through a series of illusion spells that she casts, Jherizhana the sphinx. You see, the sphinx isn't actually real. It would be far too dangerous to have a real one interacting with so many different people on a daily basis. Besides, I doubt we could ever find one that would agree to sit in a cage and be ogled at for a living. " Lady Almara stands and reaches for a bottle kept under her desk, pouring herself a drink before continuing. "So there you have it, that's the whole truth. I apologize for not being upfront with you about it but I couldn't risk telling people I didn't trust that our star attraction was a fake. Now that you know, are you still willing to help us clear our name and keep the secret?"
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Misforstått did not see that coming! His jaw drops to the floor. Then he bursts out with joyous peals of uncontrollable laughter as he realizes that so many were fooled by illusion--including himself.
Once he catches his breath, the tiefling says, "Oh, Wily Almara, I shall assist you! The entertainment you have provided is most certainly worth the price of my effort." His sincere delight is evident in his voice.
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The corners of Evenstar's mouth finally lift a bit as she realizes the men-folk had all been ogling illusions.
"I may not have electric hips, but this is all real!" Evenstar says, gesturing to her muscular, lithe form. She finally bursts out laughing and makes sure she punches Arthrax hard in the arm, since he seemed to be the one enjoying the illusions the most.
"Yeah, yeah...I'll help," she says. "But I am wondering...who wants to set you up, missy?" she asks the young woman. "Or is someone perhaps using the circus in town to commit other crimes they wanted to commit?"
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"These tricks have with the complicating of things too much." Dolph sternly frowns and wags his finger. "The Son of a Shepherd hopes that you will learn to not be with the deceiving tricks in the future, Tricksy-Carnival-Woman." Dolph's face softens and he laughs. "The murderer will have a big laugh when they find they have been putting a frame around a sphinx that doesn't exist!"
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Dar'erthan doesn't join in the jollity of discovering the illusion, instead he has a look of disappointment on his face. Quietly he nods at Dolph's words, "We ave little to go on, other than the guild." His eyes look to the floor, his shoulders slump as he sighs. His whole frame seems limp and devoid of energy, deflated after the revelation.
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With trepidation Misforstått shares what he knows of the Guild with the party. "Be warned, friends. They might not look kindly upon my visit. They kicked me out after I accidentally burned down one of the journeyman's labs." Tears roll down his face at the though of the disapproval he felt from them at the time.
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"Fire is both dangerous and a help, as Sarenrae teaches. Indeed we are blessed in the cleansing power of fire, so think not on loosing your place, but that the fire saved you from the evils these guildmasters are doing. They may even be subverting the whole ethos of that once honourable guild. You may at some point Misforstatt become the guild's saviour, if the it is currently led by those two that were described to us." the cleric tries to cheer the alchemist with the religious meaning of fire. "And if not the same guild, then you might regain your place by the use of your fire in overcoming this evil guild of murderers."
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Bolstered by the cleric's words, Misforstått erupts into a full on cry. The heaving, staccato cry that young children have when they just let it all out. He wraps his arms around Dar'erthan in a heartfelt embrace. Through bubbles of mucus and tears, the alchemist blubbers: "Oh, thank you, Inspiring Sir Dar'erthan! I shall endeavor to live up to your words! I sahll, I shall, I shall!"
As he speaks and sputters through the warm liquid, the human can feel drops of it slide down the back of his shirt, rolling slowly down his spine...
"Oh, Sarenrae! The Healing Flame! The Dawnflower! The Everlight! Goddess of redemption! Let me be the instrument of salvation for the Guild! I accept you as my own personal savior."
He inhales deeply and yells:
As he cries out, mucus and tears rain over the area.
Suddenly, as though nothing had happened, Misforstått calmly addresses the party: "Follow me friends! Misbegotten Misforstått knows the way!"
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Arthrax exchanges a knowing look with Evenstar before following behind the tiefling, a pitiful little amused smile crossing his features as he follows. He has trouble keeping alert for trouble or other passersby, more concerned about when the alchemist might bow and greet Arthrax with a second smile.
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As the group makes ready to leave for the guild, there's a rapid knock on the wagon door. opening it, you find a young guardsman out of breath with a letter in his hand. He looks up as you open the door and says "Message for you. There's been another murder. Sheriff Feldane is on sight and is requesting your presence. Quick, I'll show you where to go!"
Dusk is quickly settling over the Coins District when you arrive. However, the dimming light isn't enough to hide the grim scene before you. In a young tree growing by the docks hangs a man by the neck from a dirty and torn Varisian scarf. His eyes have been gouged out, his mouth has been stuffed with rags, and his left hand has been severed at the wrist and is missing. A sheet of paper has been pinned to the body’s shirt and is stained with blood, emblazoned with the Varisian words “We take care of our own.” The area around the tree has been roped off with multiple city guards moving to and fro. Off to the side, Sheriff Feldane appears and calls out to you "Glad to see that you made it so quickly. We've roped off the surrounding area and barred anyone from entering, less some evidence be tainted. I'm letting you lot have the first inspection, so don't muck it up."
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Of course, judging by the fact that they just left the circus, Arthrax is rather convinced the 'sphinx' is innocent of this crime, as well, but he goes forth to investigate, anyway, his inattentive eyes struggling to maintain focus.
Arthrax rolls his eyes as he finds the 'evidence'. Of course it coincidentally implied the sphinx's guilt.
"What a bunch of rubbish. Let's see if anyone around here knew this rube."
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As with the previous murder scenes, Evenstar takes her time, looking carefully at every single detail.
"I don't know much about this, but this Harrow card looks like The Desert card I've seen a few times...it shows an androsphinx...obviously trying to set up the fake sphinx again. And look, the note is signed "Arhaneem Braeton,'" Evenstar adds.
[b]"Skull River boat crews could be somewhere else we check next..." she says, looking pensive but disturbed by all the murders.
She shows the card and the note to her companions.
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Following Evenstar's eagle eyes as she looks over the body, Dar takes the card and note after Dolph has finished. He scratches his forehead, as he frowns, "The note is somewhat faked.."
Dar takes the evidence to the Lawkeeper Feldane, "Once more this is a set up, look see the note, if you just wipe away the dust sprinkled on, the ink underneath is fresh and only just been written, I doubt it is more than 2 hours old. If we can find a copy of Arhaneem Braeton's signature, we might have proof positive its a forgery. Do you know who he is and where he might be, so we can compare his signature. We can also find out who might want to set him up, who his enemies are." Dar'ethan muses.
He calls over to his friends, "So what next?"