"What is the barbarian lady saying now? Is someone lying? We have not looked at any evidence in mah room yet" the sheriff asks looking perplexed.
"She's saying the fellers testimony don't hold up." Rolfe says, testily, unable to hold his tongue any longer. "Question him again, or let's see some o' this so-called evidence." By the nine hel-... by St. Cuthbert! Priests back home would jes' be beating the lies out of 'em with a big stick. S'pose I should be grateful on that account...
Thrand says, "We may bring this dwarf back for further questioning, sheriff, after we have seen the evidence that you seem so eager to show us. Will there be more witnesses after that? Who accuses my man Rolfe?"
"Yes, let me get to that witness. This is Doctor Phineas Krane. Doctor tell us what you saw."
The thin academic adjusts his glasses. You can tell he has been distraught as of late. You do know his shroud was destroyed in the brawl that occurred last night. His eyes are a bit bloodshot.. "I was sullen and depressed over the barbaric and senseless brawl that occurred where something of value was carelessly destroyed. I stayed up late in the taproom trying to salvage the shroud when I saw someone who looked like this man walk in from outside, covered in blood and holding the stolen dagger and I thought, well this is fairly odd." the Doctor says pointing to Rolfe.
The subtle body language of the doctor reveals he may not believe his own story.
"You seem like you are having difficulty believing your own story, doctor. Are you certain that you saw what you claim to have seen? Take your time and think again. How certain are you that it was Rolfe? Did you get a good look at his face? 'Covered in blood'? I do not recall hearing of any new injuries or deaths. Whose blood would this be?"
(influence the doctor)
Victrix lends Thrand some help.
As Thrand and Victrix speak to the doctor with diplomatic overtones the doctor says..."Now that I think about it, I did have a lot of elderberry wine and pickled crows’ eggs while trying to salvage the shroud in the laundry room which was burning incense...it is possible I dreamed the whole thing. Lets see what the evidence shows."
Thrand says, "Thank you for your honesty, doctor. Let's. Bring forth the evidence!"
The elf will again attempt try to get the attention of the black haired archer and watch to see that the gnome does not get out of control again,
"Covered in blood? Now that don't figure. I'm wearin' yesterdays clothes, and the smell would be hangin' on me something fierce." Rolfe says, brow furrowed.
"Well now since the Professors claim you did it was refuted by the Professor himself I guess you are no longer a suspect. But i still need your help solving this case if you want to get the dagger back. You can search my temporary quarters now." The sheriff says to Rolfe and the others.
The sheriff leads you all to his room and lets you examine it as you see fit.
Victrix:
Thrand:
Rolf:
Garl:
Tanariel:
As the other three begin to wander aimlessly inside the room looking at items that do not matter, you two immediately see-
*Tiny dark marks made up of short, straight lines cover the sheriff’s bed near his pillow. You both recognize the smell of the marks as mud with a hint of dung.
* Victrix identifies the marks as the footprints of a bird, while Garl narrows the species to a relatively large bird of prey.
* Bits of the same kind of mud appear on the sheriff’s windowsill. These small dollops of the stuff contain a few strands of hay.
* The tracks of a humanoid exist beneath the sheriff’s window, there are traces of burnt tobacco near the tracks.
Thrand congratulates Rolfe and heads upstairs with the others to examine the scene of the crime. Unfortunately, he is his usual unperceptive self and must rely on the other party members to be his eyes and ears.
|
---
Sheriff, whom has some hunting birds? Anyone around deal with birds of prey? It looks like someone has taken the dagger with a bird of prey, most likely a person whom has a good relationship with it. Ranger, or Druid, or even huntsman. there are tracks on your pillow and windowsill and there humaniod tracks below your window. Also it appears that someone whom smokes tobacco. as there are burnt drops under the window as well
Looks around then whistles loudly
Swift
Come here girl, smell this pillow and see if we can find them.
"Hunting birds....why no...not that i know of....Ole Cole is a trapper of sorts....might be Finnius Lagerfoot the old drunk....he is the best hunter 'round these parts.... but he uses dogs not birds...haven't heard of anyone 'round here using birds..." the sheriff scratches his chin thinking about what Garl just told him....
Swift catches the scent and begins to follow it outside through the window...
The elf will cast detect magic as they search the room.
Thrand follows after the party's trackers.
"Birthin' a calf is a messy business." he adds on to his previous comment, dragging his feet as the investigation drags on. Remember why y'er doing this. A new start. With a new employer. A feller what pays in advance and don't tax you none. Try not to screw this up, Rolfe ol' boy.
Rolfe will clamber out the window. "That wolf of yours might have the only lead we've got. Hope it's worth all the gosh-darned fuss it's been makin'."
Victrix defers to Garl as he leads them onward. "Well, sounds ta me like we'll 'ave it all sorted out soon enough."
Swift leads the assembled investigators to the stables, where they immediately spot an interior half-wall covered on top with hay-infused
mud. Swift continues to sniff in the area as the team investigate the stables. The investigation reveals bird foot marks in the mud, as well as bird droppings all around.
"Hmmm... the inn has no bird pets so I am confused..." the sheriffs says aloud as he watches the wolf earn its keep.
Tanariel did not detect any magic in the room when they searched it.
as she walks up to the human with a smile.
The dark haired human smiles at Tanariel. This occurs as the others are searching the stables.
[B] We have not been properly introduced, other than the fight. My name is the Lady Tanariel Lantharion. A faerie grey elf. What are your thoughts on these proceedings? [/OOC] she says as she holds out her hand.
We have not been properly introduced, other than the fight. My name is the Lady Tanariel Lantharion. A faerie grey elf. What are your thoughts on these proceedings? she says as she holds out her hand.
Thrand takes a moment to check on his horse while the others try to figure out what happened to the dagger or flirt with the enemy.
Thrand goes back to check on his steed while Garl, Victrix, and Rolfe investigate the haystack. Tanariel speaks with Grelm while the half-elf female looks on with deadly eyes...
"I think this whole thing is a crock of $h!7...i just want my dagger back so we can leave. You people have done enough to me already. I know you magiked me somehow in the tavern. It wont happen again." he says to her ignoring her hand...
Victrix:
Rolf:
Garl:
Rolf and Garl both spot a grey owl hiding in the rafters above...
The elf will reply I meant to keep this from deescalating into violence. My companions, however, think with their swords rather than their heads. she smiles
diplomacy check
Tanariels natural elven charm manages to calm the rough human down a bit to the sneering chagrin of the half elf...
"Well ...yes...some people are quick to fight. I appreciate your honesty. But it still stands that one of your folks killed my friend in the tavern. That cant be overlooked. Once the dagger is found I shall take it and we can say we are even." the human says to Tanariel.
There is no evidence that any of us killed the half orc. The death indeed is mysterious and unfortunate. I believe that if we find the dagger we will find the killer of your compananion. she states shyly.
"Are you daft...? That manly redhead struck him with an axe and sent him flying. Everyone saw that. It started the brawl. She is dangerous." Grelm says to the elven female...
No one checked to see if the wound was consistent with an axe. Everyone jumped to the conclusion that the barbarian slew him. replies the elf.
Victrix finally looks up. "Are yeh two still yammerin' on? How, exactly, is that 'elpin' us find the dagger?"
Thrand returns from visiting his horse and says "Have you found the dagger yet? How about the bird that we have been tracking?"
As soon as Garl points to the Owl the bird takes flight and flies menacingly towards the assembled folks at 10 feet up.
Victrix:
Thrand:
Rolfe:
Garl:
Tanariel:
Owl:
Others:
Rolf, Thrand, Garl,
Sheriff, Black Banners
Owl
Tanariel, Victrix
Thrand happens to be looking in that direction right after he checked his mounts bedding and saw the Owl swoop down just as Rolf looked up to where Garl was pointing to. Tanariel seems oblivious of the owl as she is trying to still engage the Black Bannerman. The dwarf Lorkyhay comes walking towards the group around the same time.
Thrand reflexively draws his sling and fires off a bullet. In his haste, he misses the owl.
Rolfe looks uncertain, but follows Thrand's example, nocking an arrow and letting loose.