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Solomon shakes Berthold Flavion's hand, "It was our pleasure. We wouldn't want it to get or hurt, or hurt anyone else. How do you suppose your beast got loose?"
Solomon pats Ford on the back, "That was quick thinking, well done."
@The group: "It seems as though Iomedae has brought us all together. I'm Solomon B. Rutherford the Third, Sol for short. Now all we need to do if find this Jaggar fellow, though it might be easier for him to find us after this little incident."
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Ford exhales greatly as the dragon's proper handlers approach and relieve them of the task. "Oh, no no, I was just... I'm glad nobody was killed. I don't need anything, I'm pretty set." However, the praise from his new allies causes him to duck his head and rub the back of his neck. "O-oh, I... uh, thanks." It's clear he's not used to getting compliments.
"So... all of us are with the Pathfinder Society? That's... quite the coincidence. And nobody has seen Master Jaggar yet? ...do you think he's lost?"
Berthold tells the group after talking to some of his workers "Phardaen said someone paid him a gold piece to put on a show, which for carnies is a lot of money. So he did. He should not have, we all know that. I will take care of this. Once again. many thanks." and he turns and walks away to deal with the fall out of the escaped lizard. You sense he does not want Phardaen out in public any more.
The party spends the rest of the day at the carnival seeing the sights and come closing time, they retreat to the nearby village and book rooms in the local hostel.
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At the tavern, Natraz mulls over the situation with any members of the party that joined him. He's drinking tea, and he has his hands wrapped around his cup as he looks absent-mindedly into the rising steam. "The whole situation is very strange. Jaggar has not appeared, and someone paid to throw the carnival into a panic."
He raises an eyebrow. "Perhaps Jaggar paid, and Master Ford's jest of this being our Confirmation is true." He looks around the room, half expecting someone to stand, throw off his cloak, and reveal himself as Jaggar at a dramatically appropriate moment.
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Natraz smiles at Clarissa, somewhat sadly. "If you truly cannot imagine such reasons, I envy what must have been a lovely, peaceful childhood. I, on the other hand, can think of dozens of reasons, though very few that end well. Perhaps the best we can hope for is a childish prank. I would hope that, by this point, any truly sinister motive would have been revealed."
The newly formed group continues their banter through the evening with no signs of this Jaggar person.
In the morning the locals seem to be behaving strangely and looking at all newcomers with curious looks. At midmorning the next day a note is delivered to the hostel for the 'Brave Dragon Catchers'. The note is from a Mistress Delisen who requests you five return to the circus to discuss a potential job opportunity at the earliest possible convenience.
When you arrive at the circus, the carnival has not opened for the day's business yet. A woman with the air of authority waits beside a large private wagon with an adjoining canopy, and chairs are arranged around a nearby campfire. She greets you kindly, introducing herself as Almara Delisen, but with a business like tone, and after a brief introduction, asks you all to sit and gets to the reason for her invitation.
"I appreciate your efforts yesterday in the regrettable incident with our dragon. I fear I could also use your help with another matter. You may have heard there was a murder in town last night. The circumstances, I am told, implicate people from my circus- something I find very hard to accept. I'd like to contract you to represent the Umbra carnival to determine who is really responsible and preserve our reputation. I heard Pathfinders are reliable, neutral and always seek the truth. I want that support from you."
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Clarissa blushes involuntarily, slightly embarrassed at seeming naive. "All I mean is that I can't comprehend the end-goal in this particular situation. Believe me," she pauses and lowers her voice for dramatic impact, "My childhood was far from lovely or peaceful."
Her thoughts wandered to a memory of her mother smacking her with a rod in her stomach because she missed a note. She always kept the bruises where they wouldn't show.
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Ford frowned as the older carny mentioned he would take care of Phardaen, before digging into his pocket. "N-no, please, sir. Don't be too hard on him. I'm sure he was just trying to earn your circus a bit extra, and he couldn't possibly have predicted this would happen." Ford produced two gold pieces of his own from the pocket, handing them to the Berthold. "Please, let Phardaen know there is no hard feelings. I am simply glad all is well."
Ford took a sip of his ale mug as he listened to the conversation. A motive? I would've thought that the beast simply nudged open a neglected cage door... it couldn't be more than that, could it? Just a simple accident? Pure coincidence? Setting his drink down, Ford directed his sights to Natraz and leaned forward a bit. "Master, uhm... Natraz, yes? Perhaps Lady Clarissa, like myself, lack the perspective you have. My family is made up entirely of undead slayers, so intrigue is not something I'm familiar with. But I could tell you how to subdue a shambling corpse in the fastest time possible."
Lowering his gaze for a moment, he seemed to hesitate before continuing. "You seem to have some... experience or history in this sort of thing, if it's not too forward to assume. So, perhaps you can give some insight: if you wanted to send a carnival into a panic, why would you?"
Ford eats the next morning feeling like even more eyes are on him than usual. To be fair, he DID try using some make up to make himself seem more... lively. But he wasn't very good at it by himself. When the letter came, Ford felt his stomach twist up - Natraz was right, something bad must've happened yesterday.
Arriving and meeting with Mistress Delisen, Ford's expression shifts to one of horror at the mention of a murder. Pharasma help me... why a death, of all things? Ford sat back in his seat, looking even paler than usual as his sight wandered up to Miss Delisen. "...oh... uh... I-I can try. I'm not very good around... bodies, but... I suppose it makes sense. It... it wasn't an accusation against Master Phardaen, was it? I'm certain whatever happened yesterday wasn't his fault, he was just..." Ford seems to be trying to participate, but it's evident his mind is elsewhere.
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"Believe me," she pauses and lowers her voice for dramatic impact, "My childhood was far from lovely or peaceful."
Natraz bows his head in supplication. "My apologies, m'lady, I meant no disrespect, nor to bring up painful memories." He's thankful when Ford offers him a verbal escape route.
"Off the top of my head, such panic could serve any number of purposes. Perhaps a distraction for a crime happening elsewhere. A personal vendetta against the circus, or one against Varisians." He lowers his voice. "There seems to be no shortage of that here." He smiles lop-sidedly. "Forgive me. I've been told I have a suspicious mind."
The Next Day...
Natraz settles in his seat to listen to Delisen, wondering if Jaggar, when and if he arrived, would ask them to withdraw from this job.
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Sol has a glass of wine in front of him which he occasionally sips all the while enjoying the conversation. This IS an interesting group we have here.
Clarissa, well done calming the crowd. If that didn't work I was worried I would have to give a sermon which, in my experience, clears a crowd faster than an auroc stampede.
As far as what motive someone would have for letting the beast loose, we'd have to track that gold piece given to Pharadaen."
Do you know who the victim is? Is the victim tied to the carnival in any way? Do you think the incident with Pharadaen is related?"
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Ford took a sip of his ale mug as he listened to the conversation. A motive? I would've thought that the beast simply nudged open a neglected cage door... it couldn't be more than that, could it? Just a simple accident? Pure coincidence? Setting his drink down, Ford directed his sights to Natraz and leaned forward a bit. "Master, uhm... Natraz, yes? Perhaps Lady Clarissa, like myself, lack the perspective you have. My family is made up entirely of undead slayers, so intrigue is not something I'm familiar with. But I could tell you how to subdue a shambling corpse in the fastest time possible."
Nor my family, we are but honest nomadic tribesman but i am very interested in finding out more about how the game of intrigue is played."
"i agree with Mr Sol, I will not cover up the truth, however i do feel the need to protect the honor of my subjects" Points at dinky crown
"Your performance yesterday showed me that you're capable people. And honestly, we do not have many friends to choose from here. I don't think Sheriff Feldane is an unjust woman, but I feel she is under greater pressure to keep the peace than find the guilty. After all, my people aren't her first concern. My belief is a third party investigation stands a better chance of clearing our good name than the local constabulary." she says.
"Before you ask me questions I need to know if you will accept the job. Before I grant you free pass in the circus areas I need to know you will honor your word. If you find the responsible party, regardless if the work for me or not, I will give you 600gp. A tidy sum, but I will pay that amount to clear our good name so we do not have this stigma associated with the circus."
Once the groups says yes- she gives you a signed and sealed letter of your relationship to give to the sheriff.
Looking at Sol "I do not know the victim, nor do I have information regarding the murder. You would have to speak to the Sheriff. If the killer is in fact one of my people then I need to know as well so be thorough. Pharadean is a simple man, but nice. Yes he is naïve, but he is a good soul. He would not have done that without provocation. Do you think that was tied to the murder? I must depart, my apologies, I have to run the show." and she leaves.
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"Your performance yesterday showed me that you're capable people. And honestly, we do not have many friends to choose from here. I don't think Sheriff Feldane is an unjust woman, but I feel she is under greater pressure to keep the peace than find the guilty. After all, my people aren't her first concern. My belief is a third party investigation stands a better chance of clearing our good name than the local constabulary." she says.
"Before you ask me questions I need to know if you will accept the job. Before I grant you free pass in the circus areas I need to know you will honor your word. If you find the responsible party, regardless if the work for me or not, I will give you 600gp. A tidy sum, but I will pay that amount to clear our good name so we do not have this stigma associated with the circus."
Once the groups says yes- she gives you a signed and sealed letter of your relationship to give to the sheriff.
Looking at Sol "I do not know the victim, nor do I have information regarding the murder. You would have to speak to the Sheriff. If the killer is in fact one of my people then I need to know as well so be thorough. Pharadean is a simple man, but nice. Yes he is naïve, but he is a good soul. He would not have done that without provocation. Do you think that was tied to the murder? I must depart, my apologies, I have to run the show." and she leaves.
While looking quite interested in the money hmm if Jagger shows up in the middle of our investigation, ill of-course make sure to see this through to the end, but i have already been given another mission
"I cant speak for my companions, but until our original mission appears, i would be glad to help. I do believe that Pathfinders are meant to find the truth in some very sticky situations and if this doesn't apply im a bearded lady. Light Chuckle at his joke
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"You are afraid that the sheriff is simply going to find someone to pin the crime on and that she will select one of your people arbitrarily to please the citizens, is that about it?" Clarissa doesn't wait for a reply before continuing with her real question, "Can we trust that you will indeed allow justice to be served if the guilty party turns out to be a member of your circus?"
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"You are afraid that the sheriff is simply going to find someone to pin the crime on and that she will select one of your people arbitrarily to please the citizens, is that about it?" "Can we trust that you will indeed allow justice to be served if the guilty party turns out to be a member of your circus?"
"Does that truly matter? We will make sure that the right criminal finds the right justice, also if she wanted a member of her caravan to escape justice why would she hire pathfinders?"
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"When you come from a land ruled by the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, you learn to question motives," Clarissa says impatiently. And learn that everyone is a pawn of someone else, who are themselves pawns of another.
"Mistress Delisen, I mean no disrespect. I simply want to make sure that our investigation will bear fruit, regardless of the outcome."
Clarissa considers Dave's question. Why would she hire us if there was a chance it was one of her people? Perhaps she hopes that if we discovered it was a member of her own circus that she would learn of it first, perhaps destroy or discredit any evidence? Or maybe, I have had paranoia drilled into me by scheming nobles?
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"When you come from a land ruled by the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, you learn to question motives," Clarissa says impatiently. And learn that everyone is a pawn of someone else, who are themselves pawns of another.
hmmm, and this is the land of Thrune? i mean no disrespect but from where i come from people are open about their challenges and intentions. Could you explain why you might learn to question motives in the house of Thrune?
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Natraz takes Dave by the arm and speaks quietly to him. "In Cheliax, things are very different." He thinks back to the haunted look in Clarissa's eyes in the tavern the night before. "And I would reckon that it is a very personal question for her. Give her time, my friend."
To Delisen, Natraz nods. "I will not speak for my companions, but for myself, I will lend what meager skills I have to this investigation."
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Natraz takes Dave by the arm and speaks quietly to him. "In Cheliax, things are very different." He thinks back to the haunted look in Clarissa's eyes in the tavern the night before. "And I would reckon that it is a very personal question for her. Give her time, my friend."
"Very true, and thank you friend. Very sorry miss, i withdraw my question and hope that any offense that was given is forgiven."
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"Doesn't matter who it is." Ford said, apparently over his thoughts and looking grimly determined at the others. "Someone is dead, and whoever caused it is out there... and may cause another. I won't permit that."
Ford took the letter and tucked it into his vest, before standing up. "It sounds as if Sheriff Feldane will be our first stop for answers. We need her permission to investigate without causing a scene anyways. Master Jaggar will have to wait. Let's go."
If nobody objects, Ford will make his way back to the Sheriff in town to speak with her.
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"We won't know how whether or not the sheriff will cooperate until we talk to her. At the same time, we should make sure we don't seem like we're stepping on her toes. There's also the possibility the incident with Pharadean yesterday is connected. I'd still like to find out who have him the gold to put on the show and leave the lizard unguarded."
Then, almost as an afterthought, Sol looks back to Mistress Delisen, "After the incident yesterday, was there anything missing, unusual, or anyone acting contrary to their normal behavior?"
@Sol- "There may have been. I do not deal with every aspect of the carnival, only the overall management of it. Small details escape my eyes."
You all bid farewell to Almara, and head back into town. Asking around, it seems that Sheriff Feldane is in the jail, so you make your way there. Walking in, you see a petite woman with short, but fiery red hair sitting at a desk, reading a set of documents. When you walk through the door, she looks up.
"Yes? Can I help you?" she says, attempting to be pleasant but clearly stressed.
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Ford lead the way to the office, evidently determined to get this underway. "Sheriff Feldane? My name is Ford Benett, of the Pathfinder Society. My associates and I were asked by the leader of the Umbra Carnival, Lady Almara, to represent her and her people in this... m-murder."
Ford produces the letter he took and held it out for the sheriff. "We are not interested in protecting anyone from the circus - we simply would like to know who caused the death. Lady Almara is in agreement on this. Would you mind telling us the details a bit?"
"Yes, correct, I'm Sheriff Feldane. If you are indeed representing the carnival, I may be of some help. I would prefer this matter to be taken care of quickly and correctly, and if that means allowing others to investigate as well, so be it. I'm quite busy at the moment."
The sheriff takes the parchment, breaks the seal and reads. After a few seconds, she nods to herself and rolls it back up.
"This seems to be in order. Before I give you any information or allow you any access, I must remind you that you are now representing the circus, and thus any misconduct on your part reflects on the carnival."
she states flatly.
"As for the murder, the deceased is a man named Archivin Walder, the town moneylender and sometimes pawnbroker. He owns...or I suppose owned... a local business called the Locked Box, which is where he practiced his money lending.
"Walder was found mauled while walking to his home late last night. Walder's wife Agnes, who went looking for her husband when he never came home, discovered the body. She informed me of the murder this morning, and also said that thieves had broken in to the Locked Box last night, killed the guard on watch, and stole many of the easily carried valuables in the place.
"Two other guards who had gone with Agnes to carry the body back to the Locked Box glimpsed two humanoid figures fleeing in the night as they carried the body to the building."
The sheriff, after rattling off the details of the murder in a quick, no-nonsense fashion, changes her tone.
"I have to be honest with you, lady and gentlemen. The mood in the town is sour. There are stories all over the place about a great four-legged beast flying over the town last night after the circus closed down, silhouetted across the moon. Of course, I'll be damned if I can find a single eyewitness who actually saw a sphinx. Now poor Walder is left dead in some bushes. It'd be one thing if these deaths were accidental, but the robbery angle has people thinkin' of a Sczarni heist. I'm not proud to say it, but this stirs a lot of unworthy opinions about Varisians. Plus Walder was alive before the carnival showed up.
"I'll be honest with you—I'm not entirely convinced a creature from the circus is responsible for the murder. But the people of this town—my town—are fiercely independent and reactive, and they believe a sphinx to be responsible. I will cooperate with you and with the circus, but remember that I must do what I feel is in the best interest of the town."
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The mention of a pawn shop sets Natraz's mind turning. "Was Walder known to be an honest man? Even in a smaller community, there is often a troublesome element, and the difference between pawnbroker and fence is often merely opportunity. I should like to examine his shop and the records within, to see what was taken."
"I have no information regarding his business practices. You would have to ask his widow Agnes. I will write down how to get to their stead. One of you knows how to read I presume. Id you have no further questions I have other duties to attend to. Please keep me informed of your investigation and I will let you know if I uncover anything." She says handing you a piece of paper with directions.
"Sure I will have one of my constables show you the location where the body was discovered" and she leads you out of her ffice.
A pudgey lamwan takes you to where they think the body was killed.
locate clawed tracks of a big creature. Interestingly enough, there is no indication where the creature came from or where it went. The tracks just start out of nowhere as if the creature could have flown to the
spot.
the evidence has a very different context-showing where sections of the ground have been swept to remove tracks of other humanoids while leaving just the paw prints. Furthermore, the clawed tracks are not leonine, and not nearly deep enough to belong to something that should
weigh a lot.
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Ford follows along, hiding his hesitation at doing so, but as they arrive at the scene, he heaves a sigh of relief at no sign of the body. Seemingly off the bat, Dave picks up on the signs, to which Ford knelt down to observe with him. "Really? Well done, Dave!"
Ford stood up, before folding his arms and cocking his head to one side. "...strange, though... why pin all this on the carnival? Why not just... well, you know, be done with it?" Ford turned and looked at the ground, thinking.
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Ford stood up, before folding his arms and cocking his head to one side. "...strange, though... why pin all this on the carnival? Why not just... well, you know, be done with it?" Ford turned and looked at the ground, thinking.
"Could be some of this intrigue i keep hearing so much about. Possibly to put the carnival out of business or looking for a convenient patsy to pin this on."
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"I vote patsy. Strangers in town and lots of people coming and going. The people here already have a certain amount of bias toward Varisians, so it makes them an easy target to pin the blame on. It doesn't mean they weren't involved, mind you, nor does it rule out the circus being here a complete coincidence." Clarissa searches her mind for other possibilities, then dismisses the idea of exploring too many theories without more evidence. We barely know anything yet. I could make myself crazy considering every thread.
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Sol listens intently to what everyone has to say. "I agree. It looks like someone is covering something up, maybe trying to frame the carnival folk. We need to find out more about the robbery. Was it a bunch of random stuff, or was something specific taken? If it was something specific it's more likely to be a local. Also, the question about enemies is a good one as well."
The group manages to find the Locked Box, the money lenders office. The building itself is sturdy and solid, with 12-foot-high ceilings, heavy wooden doors except where noted, and no windows. At the building is a crying woman, the widow, with two guards.
"Hello, my name is Agnes Walder. Who are you and why do you come here?"
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Natraz bows politely. "I am Natraz, and me and my companions are members of the Pathfinder Society. With the permission of Sherrif Feldane, we are trying to discover who did this horrible act. I am sorry for your loss, and we will bring your husband's killer to justice."
He nods towards the store. "May we examine the store for clues?"
"It's all my fault!" the woman begins, ignoring the monks introduction and question. "If only I had gone with him to the carnival, none of this would have happened! It just bothered me to think about his ogling that winged she-lion whatsit—all that prancin' around without a top on. But none a' that would matter if only Archie was still here with me!"
The women's eyes are stained with tears as she speaks. She recovers herself quickly, however, and replies to Natraz.
"I am glad that there are others working on this case. Come in, come in, and we can talk."
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Solomon and Natraz seemed to have Mrs. Walder taken care of... he'd be better off looking around to see if anything was left at the crime. Moving quietly past, Ford started to browse the shelves of the store and give the area a general sweep... perhaps something would jump out at him...
And while he was at it, his eyes started to dilate a little, tuning a glowing red as he looked around. He could start to see the weave of the magical world around him... if something was out of place, hopefully, it should be obvious.
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Natraz nods at Clarissa's words. "Our actions are the result of a thousand thousand decisions that happen over the days, months and years, all of which led him to the carnival, and no single one, especially your attendance, would have changed what happened. Life is a river, that flows past us, shaping us in the smallest amounts over time."
@Sol and Clarissa- "Thank you. Not only did my husband perish, but we were robed. My husband was late in coming home so I sent the guards, except for Lars, to leave their posts to find him. When we came back to the building Lars was dead, the store was ransacked and my husband dead with his vault key missing." and she begins to cry again.
As you look around you see that lamps illuminate this large showroom. Glass display cases, broken in a few places, line the walls, while two additional cases sit like islands in the center of the room. The cases contain an eclectic mix of valuables such as unusual tools, masterwork weapons, jewelry, fine china, antiques, and artwork. A set of merchant’s scales rests on top of one of the display cases.
@Those looking around-The glass cases are 4 feet high and individually locked although not too difficult to break into if one has sufficient skills. Though some were smashed open by the burgles. Broken glass has been swept up into careful piles. The contents of the cases represent objects left as security on loans defaulted upon, or simply sold. Most of the gems and jewelry the burglers left behind in their haste are worth 50 gp or less.The doors to the north lead to a wide set of stairs down to the vault area.
"We found his poor body on the road between Ilsurian and the Carnival. He had been ripped to shreds! People say they saw a winged beast flying across the moon last night. How can I not think it was that Sphinx? Then when we got back home with his body I find our business ransacked! Oh those dirty Varisians... She begins to sob. You doubt you will get much more out of her.