[PFS/PbP] Tiaburn's Murder's Mark (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

Camaenor moved in to touch the dragon while muttering a few arcane phrases. (Casting touch of fatigue.)
Touch attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Shasta cries to the elephant man.
- Hand me a rope! I will tie it down, while it is weakened.

Grapple, attempt: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Combat is over! No point to continue rounds. Feel free to act based on situation.

- Just a moment, scalesir!, - ear-winged creature found a leather strap in his pocket and handed it to Shasta. Humanoid added couple words in Tien, helping him to hold the creature and when it could open it's eyes, dragon was already packed to hard for him to get out.

- Me name is Phardaen da Pannoti, I am the Beast Guard today, - said the man, taking the dragon back to it's cage. Creature did little to object and finally followed him.

"Uhhhm... nice to meet you, Phardaen," Ayla says while leaning on her longspear.

"How did it escape its cage?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

"Would it really be able to harm these innocent townsfolk? Seems a bit irresponsible to let a young dragon loose upon them..." Camaenor observes. He gives the area a quick inspection, wondering if perhaps someone actually let the thing out on purpose...
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 12

(HP 2/12)

Checking her nasty bite wound from the creature, "Lucky it didn't kill anyone, though it nearly did kill be with that bite. Does anyone have healing or should we seek out a cleric in a temple?"

Shasta also checks Keelee and seems concerned.
- You got the worst of it. Definitely see a cleric. But if anyone is proficient with divine impements I have this wand here.

I have a CLW wand, if anybody can use that.

- And let's remember our main task here. It is not a recreation trip, we are on a mission from the Venture Captain.

Phaerdan nodded:
- We would be blessed if travelling cleric of Desna, would join our Carnival, but for now we are fine with Atepmo, tending our bruises and Master Flavion, channeling blessing of Erastil to heal deep wounds. You can find them at the cashier desk or at the shooting range.

Before he guided the dragon away from the crowd, he answered more questions:
- It was locked in it's cage a minute ago, but then the blond girl in red asked me to perform Dumbo-trick, - he blushed a bit, - and when I landed, someone screamed from inside. I went forward to find what happened, but it overrun me by surprise, escaping to open. It always been very calm, probably it's to cold for her here, but I've never seem it so angry.

Since this scenario is not sanctioned for Campaign mode, we are still in PFS ruleset, means no difference between divine/arcane for wand usage

Iridestine gives the man a hard stare, trying to probe his thoughts.

Which she can't do yet, other than:

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

No magic were required to feel that he is either the good liar or honestly disappointed by the fact what happened and tries to find a good solution for this situation.

Actually, you see that crowd, that previously was running away from here, started to gather around you, looking at the dragon and Phardaen. They are whispering something, but are silent observers, slowly forming a wall behind your backs.

"Oh well, the boy is alright, and other than some bites and bruises no harm done that a good nights rest or two wont fix."

Philthy steps back innocently to listen closer to what the crowd is saying.

Most of them share that, "this is what happens, when you let those Varisians nearby", "first their dragon-pups is walking free, than they let sphinx-girl..", "have you seen the mark creature's claw left on that girl?", and other superstitious nonsense villagers tend to say, when they see something extraordinary.

Camaenor motions to Shasta to let him use the wand, and he mutters an arcane phrase while touching the wounds on Keelee.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Keelee thanks Camaenor and Shasta.

(HP 2+7=9 / 12)

Feeling much better, Keelee looks around "Maybe we should have a look at the sphinx."

I feel like we've seen enough action for the day. We should perhaps visit the sphinx, yes, but then focus on our task...

"Right. Dragon safely back in its cage, then the Sphinx"

Looks like today destiny had other plans for the friends. As they approached the Big Show tent, they've heard strange voices from the east. A moment ago, two runners appear:
- Murder!, - said the boy, passing the team.
- Bloody massacre!, - confirmed another one, rushing back to Ilsurian to spread the news.

- A riddle so soon. I hoped we would get to see the Sphinx first.

Shasta tries to catch the boy.
- What happened, youngling?

Kids seemed very excited, and he only spared a moment pointing somewhere east from the Big Show tent.

Philthy strides off towards the tent...

A storm is brewing on the horizon... Iridestine says as she follows Philthy

The picture you see behind tent is not the pleasant one: the body of man is heavily mauled, probably from behind. He has deep wounds on his head and shoulders, which means that probably something has strike from above. His gray hair are covered with blood as his head frame was cracked during the assault.

Before you pass close, there is an Ulfen, who previously was watching the yonder pole. He carefully blocks your passage:

- This is not a part of Carnival program and we are not related to this!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

"Sir, could you fill us in on what happened?" Ayla asks the man, her voice concerned.

Keelee glances around, and looks to the sky to see if there is some airborn attacker.

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Behind his back a dancing girl brought an old blanket to close the body.

- "A man was killed. Probably some burglar lured him there and assaulted," - Ulfen wasn't emotional, but you can feel his disgust in his speech.

- Hm... So much violence for a burglary? Did they take his wallet?

I will wait for the PM to get more details.

- I'm not sure, we sent a runner for the Sheriff, she'll be here soon, - answered guard.
More people joined from both sides. Carnival people stood around to protect the crime scene from too curios villagers.

Phil and Bully start looking around, trying to get their own thoughts on what happened and see if there are any clues...taking care not to disturb anything.

- This is very suspicious. Agents, keep your eyes open for any clues. By the way, have you seen any people with glass brooches around?

Ignoring the pouring questions, Shasta kneels down and digs out the brooch.
Can I reach it?

- We are free agents, doing things here and there. Hoped to get a nice rest at the fair, mister.

The object is near the body. You need to become invisible or confront the guarding Varisians to reach that, since it's about 10 pair of eyes, except your friends around.

- Oh, nice rest is in Two Waters Tavern, my friend, they have good wines. Here, is nothing special, except the show those Varisians couldn't even done right.

No Sence Motive needed to feel that Ilsurian is suffering from xenophobia. Varisians and others newcomers are usually blamed for everything.

What an odd timing for such a question, Shasta. What makes you so interested in a glass brooch? Iridestine says, remaining somewhat calm in the ocean of excitement. Calm, that is, until the curious villager mentions Archy.

A great tragedy indeed. I sense that you knew this Archy well. The air is also thick with double visions... an adversary... a long-time enemy... a page turned and a vendetta started... Iridestine says, fishing for information from the villager.

Villager tried to slide away from Madame Iridestine, but since it wasn't possible without him losing his place in front row, he answered:
- Not much friend, more a business partner. Archivin was lending me some funds, when I needed them, but never forgot his benefit, when time for return approached.

Seeing that Shasta is trying to get at something, Keelee tries to create a distraction, pointing at the Ulfen "This man was murdered, but from his wounds It looks like he was mauled from above, Look up there is that a dragon shadow crossing the moon!"

bluff try to get everyone to look at the moon for a moment.: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 So Shasta can get the broach.

If Keelee's distraction works, Shasta makes a grab.

Sleight of hand: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Keelee distraction was accepted very well, everyone's eyes were diverted to a sky, while Shasta rushed forward and retrieved something, staying unseen. Detecting no dragon in the skies, people started search for other explanation of the murder happened.
- It was not the dragon, he was mauled by a sphinx herself, - said rude man's voice in the crowd, and other followed his lead. Others began to whisper, that this theory has more ground, than dragon, since dragon was small and haven't flied, but sphinxes are known for being cruel and deadly.

Crowd started to push on the Carnival guards, blaming them for hiding the killer.

- Somebody killed a loan-shark and you are blaming the outsiders? I think it was someone local who didn't want to pay back.

- Scalyface, aren't you a part of the freak show?! You look fit their spirit and protect them well.

Words were said from both sides, and it might become nasty, if both sides have their weapons prepared, but they haven't had at the moment. Carnival guards knew how to behave themselves in the crowd and hold that pressure without escalating situation even more for several minutes, when it become to calm down. A moment later two ladies appeared: one of them was wearing a symbol of golden bow and was referenced by villagers as Sister Esrelda. Other one was armed and had couple of town guards accompanying her. Her name was Kyra Feldane and she bear the symbol of Ilsurian Sheriff.
From behind the Carnival line appeared the third lady, wearing blue shirt. She introduced herself as Almara Delisen - Umbra Carnival's Proprietor and Mistress. As ladies started speaking between themselves, guards closed the scene.

Nothing to do more, unless you'd like to stand behind lines or something.
@Shasta, check PM in 5 minutes.

Shasta calls Madame Iridestine and Philty away to a quiter corner of the fair and shows them a piece of glass, that he mistook for a brooch first.

- Here's what I found there. Looks like a piece of a potion vial. Probably gpt smashed in the brawl. Could you take a look, maybe magic it up a bit, and tell me what it was. Might be a clue.

Iridestine looks up and says It is an omen! A dragon hoarding a pile of gold, to the envy of his neighbours. Who would seek to slay a dragon to gain its treasure?

Philthy looks at the glass and tries to work out what magic might be present.

Detect Magic
Spellcraft 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Some faint traces of magic are seen, but its not something powerful. The color of the magical aura pointed his mind to transmutation school, probably it was potion of jumping or extreme running speed, though it might be oil, that granted weapon magic properties.

Keelee wonders, "Could the injures be caused by a sphinx? Did it get lose like the dragon did? We should go check."

Death from above, but by what?

On Kelee's suggestion, Iridestine will have a look at the wounds on the man, and whether they were made by claw or by some weapon.

"This evidence was a little inconclusive" Philthy shares what he discovered.

Shasta tries hard to hide his disapointment.
- It's allright. It's never the easy way, is it? The man worked with the Society and had something valuable. He gets killed the day we are supposed to meet. Coincidence? I doubt it.

"It could be the killer is like us, and used this potion to leap high or possibly even fly so as to attack the man from above and make it look like a dragon or sphinx attack. Perhaps this person also opened the dragon's cage first to add weight to his deception..."

"I saw claw marks on the body," Ayla tells the others. "They were left by something with five fingers."

"The dragon's escape was likely a distraction for whoever or whatever attacked this man, but I have no idea who or what..."