Mistress Almara Delisen and Master Venlock, the circus's chief enforcer, arrive on the scene as you all are checking out the scene. They are shocked, but Almara orders a carnival worker to run to Ilsurian and fetch Sheriff Feldane. Maintaining her certainty of the circus's innocence, Almara refuses to be party to a cover-up. "We will stay here until the sheriff arrives to unsure the area is not disturbed. Please go find what you can about this." Mistress Almara says.
*Many people in Ilsurian knew Sister Esrelda, the identified dead body, planned to speak to the sphinx directly this afternoon. She was very public about this intention after news of Walder's murder.
*Esrelda was half-Varisian, a strong defender of both her heritages, and a respected leader in the community. She was trying to resolve the issues between the two groups peacefully.
*Everyone expects a few purses to be cut at a town carnival, unsavory people will take advantage of the opportunity, but the carnival's first day of business saw nothing out of the ordinary. Shortly before Esrelda was discovered, pickpockets seemed to have come out in droves. Once one individual noticed it, an alarm was raised from the crowds and many people discovered they'd been "pinched." This precipitated the fight on the parade grounds. Newcomers are being viewed with suspicion, even the party.
The sheriff comes to the tent to inspect the body ad confirms it is indeed the local priestess of Erastil Sister Esrelda Woodmere, a well respected and revered member of the community. The sheriff comments that this will not bode well for the situation as Sister Woodmere was known to resolving conflict. The sheriff demands to see the sphinx over the death of Sister Woodmere but Mistress Almara Delisen refuses to let the sheriff interrogate or even see the sphinx saying there is no way possible Jherizhana could have done these acts of violence. Mistress Almara does agree to let the team speak with the sphinx for a brief amount of time and after a while the sheriff relents but tells the group they had better tell her what they find out for the investigation.
The group splits up with Natraz and Sol going to check out the skulks compound and Clarissa, Ford and Dave casing the carnival to check out rumors. While Clarissa, Dave and Ford are in the town and carnival area they come upon a female magus who presents them a letter from the society. Dave allows Ford and Clarissa to read it to him and the letter gives instructions for Dave and Ford to return to their lodges for a different task and for the newcomer Hana to join the team so she can experience other lands after her recent arrival from the east.
Natraz and Sol watch the skulk camp after checking out the left track marks. They observe no movement in the camp whatsoever. Natraz sees no other skulks hanging around. After a while the two men decide to investigate further and stroll into the area. All they find are abandoned huts and objects strewn about. The central hut, where Natraz observed the earlier visitors enter to speak to the freed female skulk now contains the corpse of a female skulk. Taking time to inspect her body, they determine she had her throat cut with a dagger.
Three circus clowns were observed near the sphinx's tent around the time of the mob scene on the parade grounds, which was unusual as the clowns had no business being there. Guards are always posted near the tent when the sphinx is doing an appearance. When Jherizhant is not there, patrolling carnival enforcers discourage people from loitering near the tent.
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Standing before Clarissa is a 5'3" Human female with Blonde Hair and Vibrant Blue Eyes. She is garbed in simple clothing and wearing a light breastplate and shoulder guards made from lacquered leather plates bound together and fitted over a silk shirt. At her side is a quarrel of bolts, a light mace and a light crossbow. On her back is a simple backpack and a large 4' sword that seems too big for her size. She is light of step and sports a smile, as if privy to a inner joke. She bows slightly and puts out her hand to Clarissa, saying,
Hi, Clarissa, right? I'm Hana. I hear you are having some local trouble. Circus clowns seem like a great way to disguise yourself if you don't belong. What business would they have near the sphinx?
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"Natraz, when you were scouting, was there any place else we might want to look before we meet back up with Clarissa? Anything of significance we might be looking for?"
Sol and Natraz investigate the skulk camp and find other tracks of multiple people heading out in a different direction than the smaller tracks found earlier. Natraz believes these tracks are from the group that came to the camp while he was watching earlier and visited the female skulk. Sol and Natraz make their way back to camp where they come upon Clarissa and the newcomer Hana who have been out talking to people and found some interesting information about the clown outfits. Clarissa decides it is now time to go speak to the sphinx.
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Clarissa nearly jumps out of her skin, having been deep in thought before a perky blond woman spoke to her. They were the same height, but that seemed to be about the only thing in common between the two women's appearance. "Uh, Hana? Hello. That is an excellent question. It would seem this most recent victim, Sister Esrelda, wanted to talk to it in response to the earlier murder."
Another Pathfinder? Did I just say too much to a stranger?
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They killed Sister Esrelda too? says Hana, wide-eyed. Was she a priest? Why would they kill a priest? Sorry, was she a friend of yours? Were the killers two half-elf males cause there are two coming our way. as Hana shifts her weight in case the two males are hostile.
Holy Crud, two murders? What did I get myself into.
Sheriff Feldane arrives soon after the group comes back together. "What new evidence have you all uncovered. Tell me what you know and what you think. I need to calm the people down after the murder of Sister Esrelda or the situation may be beyond my control."
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"Well, I have a feeling Hana, that this most recent killing was done to cover up the first. And no, I did not know the victim personally." She looks at the newcomers Hana indicated. "I hope you learned more from the skulks than I did from the crowd," sighs Clarissa when she sees Sol and Natraz return. "Sol, Natraz, this is Hana. The situation here is quickly becoming desperate, which I fear is exactly what the criminal or criminals are hoping for. From what I could pick up, the most recent victim was looking to broker a peace and seemed to think that the sphinx was key in that regard. She'd been interested in talking with it since the first murder. I do not know if she managed to have that conversation before she was killed or not."
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Sol looks over at Hana, "Nice to meet you, Hana. Did the society send you?"
Quickly, Sol turns his attention back to the matter at hand. "It seems you found out a little more than we did. The female skulk was killed and the skulk village abandoned. We need to figure this out quick before the whole town turns vigilante. It's probably time to talk to the sphinx."
The sheriff listens to the evidence presented and says to the group and carnival leaders "This distresses me. Not everything is at it seems. Recent findings make it seem as if someone is using the carnival for their ends, but we still do not know who or why. Also why did they target the sphinx? It still does not change my problem of the two dead bodies nor does it fully explain the pick-pocketing conducted here at the carnival. I want to see the sphinx now to question her." The sheriff walks over to the sphinx cage with the carnival folk making loud protestations on the sphinx's innocence.
The group arrives at the cage and discover it empty. "Where is the sphinx?" the sherrif demands of Mistress Delisen. Mistress Delisen flushes at the sheriff's directness, but responds with "Jherizhana is not a captive of the circus but only pretends to be one. She resides in a private wagon when not performing."
The sheriff seems angered by this fact and says rather harshly, "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 wrong doing here on the part of your people, but after a point it ceases to matter. For the safety of my town, 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." and then storms off telling the party to continue investigating but bring conclusive proof.
Mistress Delisen reluctantly agrees to allow the party to speak to Jherizhana. "I will go make sure she is ready and then you can go in. You can meet her in her tent, but don't get close to the cage. I don't want her upset any more than she already is over all of this. You will find she is innocent and knows nothing, just like I've been telling everyone. Wait outside her tent and enter when you are told. Don't dilly dally with her. Please ask your questions and then leave."
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Hana's head is spinning with all this information being thrown at her all at once. Wait, wait, wait, I gotta write this down. I love riddles but this is too much. Trying to get the group to a quiet and isolated spot, she pulls out some paper and ink, asking for all the information, From the beginning, please. and takes notes. She prods for more details, here and there, filling several pages and sorting into several sections.
'Kay, so from what I see we have at least four murders, several people involved, way too many things going on and also too many unanswered questions. Here is what I have so far:
Murdered victims
1. Archivin Walder – Moneylender/Pawnbroker – The Locked Box
2. Lars - Guard at The Locked Box
3. Sister Esrelda Woodmere, Priest of Erastil, strangled with rope or cord.
4. Female skulk, throat slit, found at skulk camp.
Players
• Sherriff Feldane
• Mistress Almara Delisen – Runs/owns the circus
• Berthold Flavion – Circus’s Master of Beasts
• Phardaen – Works at the circus
• Agnes Walder – Wife of moneylender
• Tomas – Moneylender guard
• Jherizhana - Sphinx
Events
• Baby Dragon let loose – Distraction? Phardaen paid gold to put on a good show.
• Walden mauled, murder not reported until the morning. Why? Left dead in the bushes.
• Thieves broke into The Locked Box. Two figures seen fleeing when body was carried back to The Locked Box.
• Flying great four-legged beast seen the night of the murder. Sphinx?
• Tracks swept away where moneylender body was found.
• Clawed tracks not deep enough.
• Moneylender went to circus to see sphinx, according to Agnes.
• Moneylender body found on road between Ilsurian and the Carnival, ripped to shreds. Robbery noted after body discovered. His vault key missing. Why the delay in reporting the crime?
• Vault/rest of shop not checked for theft until party searches. Why? Did someone already know what was taken?
• Agnes sent two guards away to search for husband, leaving only one guard to watch the shop. How convenient.
• Lars (guard) ran through the back. Two figures seen fleeing, heading in the direction of the carnival.
• Skulk (Rogi, male) found caught in pit trap with hurt leg. Second Skulk (Zahkar, female) found hiding in the shadows. Male calls out to three companions, Kymeth, Onamae, and Zahkar.
• Kymeth and Onamae paid the two caught skulks to rob the moneylender. Payment in Shiver.
• Nishku – Group of skulks who help humans from time to time. Kymeth and Onamae work for humans all the time.
• Kymeth got the job. Was supposed to kill all the guards but only found one guard. Rogi said Kymeth and Onamae killed Lars.
• Rogi said humans gave keys to Kymeth and Onamae.
• Skulks live outside of Ilsurian.
• Box listed in ledger not found in vault. Contents listed as “Items”.
• Angry mob at carnival, accusing carnies of cheating and robbing them. Also accusing carnies of murder. Another murder is disclosed at this time too. Another distraction?
• Pile of tear-away costumes found along tracks leading away from murder of Sister Esrelda.
• Three glass vials found on floor of tent near body of Sister Esrelda.
• Nothing reported stolen re murder of Sister Esrelda.
• Sister Esrelda was going to speak with sphinx and made this public.
• Small footprints found leading to skulk camp.
• Three clowns observed near the sphinx tent. They should not have been there and were likely imposters. Possibly the same three killed sister and used the three vials found near body. Invisibility potions? Fly?
Questions
• Anyone in the party notice pickpockets at carnival?
• Was sphinx flying around the night of the banker’s murder?
• Does the sphinx have four legs?
• How deep are the tracks by the sphinx? How close do they look like the tracks found near body of moneylender?
• If circus is being framed, is this just a convenient target or planned for some time? Who arranged for circus to arrive in town?
• Who is known to hire skulks? Is this a supplier of Shiver?
• Did Walder have multiple keys missing or just one?
• Did Rogi see multiple keys or just one?
• What was in the three vials? Potions? Were they all the same?
• Is Rogi still alive?
• Was female skulk Zahkar?
• Tear-away costumes, were they clown costumes?
Once we visit this sphinx, I want to go back to where Sister Esrelda was killed and look at the vials and costumes. Oh, can we look for any sphinx tracks so we can see if the ones found by Walder's body look the same and if they are as deep?
The group is called before the sphinx. They are lead into a tent with one of the circus guards. This enormous tent is dwarfed only by the big top itself. The southern side has no wall, just a tall curtain pulled across its front. A sign posted outside advertises that this area has been set aside for meeting the sphinx at limited times throughout the day. Just inside is a large metal cage with no floor and bars running across the top. A single large door is set on the north corner of the west face, secured by a heavy lock. Strewn about the grass beneath the
cage are silk sheets and piles of cushions and satin pillows. Laying on the pillows is Jherizhana without a care for her state of undress.
"Do not anger her nor approach too closely." the circus guard warns.
"I have heard you wish to speak to me. I am here for a while. Please indulge me with your intent." the sphinx says in an aloof voice as she playfully paws at a pillow.
"I have been told of such events."
"I was told of the unfortunate murders. Rest assured I had no part in them. I believe the truth will come out and the circus will be safe.The circus folk keep me informed, for my safety and for theirs. Someone is always trying to frame Varisians or beings they cannot comprehend."
"Of course I have enemies. This cage is to protect me from the masses not the other way around. Bi-pedal people are...so distrusting. They will pay money to gaze upon me, but get scared when they see me in any other venue. Not that I venture out on my own. I come here, I have my own tent, I have time to relax. I have a good life. Why should I do anything to disrupt that."
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Gosh, she is so beautiful, and so bold.
Hana takes a cautious step up and bows to Jherizhana and keeps her eyes downcast as she speaks, portraying meekness and respect.
Pardon me, revered one, but have you met Walder, the moneylender? Perhaps he was storing some valuables for you? His wife said he was coming to see you. You say that you do not venture out on your own but do you sometimes go for a night flight? You see, there were reports of a flying creature on the night of Walder's murder, and, um, was just curious if you may have spread your glorious wings in flight that night? If you will still indulge me, esteemed beauty, but might you know of a Sister Esrelda Woodmere, a Priest of Erastil. She was headed to see you before she met a horrid fate. Perhaps you have met her before or knew of her intent to speak with your greatness. We think she was struck down by three villains posing as clowns. You wouldn't have any idea of the three we speak of, do you? Oh, and I hear that you like riddles. I like them too. Have you heard this one before? What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at midday and three legs at twilight?
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Natraz chuckles softly to himself at Hana's riddle. An easy one, to be sure, but unless I miss my guess, she's not aiming to stump, merely to get on the sphinx's good side.
"And you're sure you've been inside the whole time?" Natraz holds up his hands to forestall protest. "Not that I believe you had anything to do with it, anything but. I'm just wondering if perhaps there was a witness that one of the criminals may not have noticed, such as one disguised, or invisible, or flying. I've seen how the Egorian city watch works, and if there's no mundane clues to be found, they try to find how magic may have affected the situation."
"Please do not come any closer or I will leave. I have reason to go out and fly at night. I know nothing of the moneylender nor of the priestess. Their deaths sadden me of course, but I had nothing to do with them. I grow tired of this conversation..."
Hana believes everything said thus far...
You believe the sphinx is telling the truth but you also believe there is something not right with the sphinx...as if the sphinx sitting in the cage is a ruse...you also know even with the circus guard in the room with you to ensure you do not disturb the sphinx, you see a figure in the shadows behind the cage trying to not be seen...
After the water is dropped a few actions happen in quick succession...
*A female voice yelps out in desperation where the water was dropped...
*The sphinx looks mad, flickers and then appears to teleport away...
*The guard int he room rushes past the team towards the now doused figure...
The party is quick to surround the guard who is helping the doused figure, which turns out to be a female...
"Why did you dump water on me?! No one was threatening you? I was answe...Jherizhana was answering all your questions...now look what you've done. You made her mad and she left!" she yells out.
"Ika let me get you a towel" the guard says