Well, at least I got a few heads turned in her direction, Agnis thinks. He only barely understood the words coming out of Angeline's mouth, though he appreciated the way she put them together. "Wild man." Can't wait to tell Gemma about that one.
He turns and slinks back toward the rest of the group, satisfied that at least he didn't let the woman get away without being noticed. "One more question to go, right? So, uh... anybody know what to say?"
Aware that time is runing out, Zaliana ask one final question.
Where should we search to uncover clues to the riddle of your death? she says, not really expecting anything but another cryptic answer cloaked in metaphor and mystery.
” Where should we search to uncover clues to the riddle of your death? she says, not really expecting anything but another cryptic answer cloaked in metaphor and mystery.”
For one final time, the Diva spoke and it felt like a great wave receding back into the sea.
”A house of old and gold comprised of hands and doors” At that moment, the magic that compelled Corrin’s body faded into ethereal vapors which dissipated into the rafters of the Lyceum’s theater.
Your perception check barely reached the targeted number ;-;. Please make a will and fortitude save
"More riddles," Sarrus grumbled. He was no stranger to people talking around the truth, but damned if it didn't annoy him all the same.
In an instant, the world becomes muddled as you struggle for breath from an unseen force. Only it until you look does it become clear - several arteries from Corrin's body are strangling you with wire like strands that slice your flesh as your fingers clash with their grip! In between shallow breaths, you feel long delicate slices manifest upon your body while an ear piercing shriek rattles your head.
It could literally mean anything - a brothel, guild, inn, temple of Abadar?
Horrified and drained from today's events, the headmaster of the Lyceum grabs the party's attention. "Your magic only brought forth more questions! What does any of this mean?"
Halastus shakes his head. He had remained completely, eerily silent, watching the events transpire. He didn't move a muscle, standing like a statue, his gaze locked on Corrin. He seemed to snap out of his trance after a long while, turning to the headmaster.
"Do not worry, we will find out, no matter what."
He looks down. To be truthful, he had been so focused on the words of the diva, that he had not exactly listened to the other members of his party. He shook his head again, feeling rude. He thought about the clues in his mind, wondering if there was anything he could figure out from them.
Darkness…coiterie of flowers…wilted…
...twilight...watchers peer in the row...court closes cloister....
A house of old and gold comprised of hands and doors...
He sighed. He was never very good at riddles, but he had to help, in whatever way he could.
As the headmaster speaks, Zaliana suddenly issues a sharp gasp of pain. All color drains from her face as she falls to her knees. Her eyes flash with a wild look of panic, staring intently at Corrins corpse. She struggles to breathe as her hands appear to claw at unseen tendrils around her neck.
"...help...her veins...hurt...can't....." she sobs, seemingly forcing the words out.
Halastus quickly turns, kneeling down and setting his massive shield next to him with a thud. He sets his hand on her neck gently.
He doesn't bother asking what's wrong, deciding quickly to pray for her. His hand that is touching her glows.
Not exactly sure what's wrong, he decides to remain holding her, not looking around for the cause and instead readying to heal her again if needed.
"What the...?" Agnis looks around for any source of attack that could be the cause of Zaliana's pain. "Hey, big guy- get her out of there!" He looks around the space between Zaliana and the body of the Diva for any sign of something unusual, and seeing nothing, interposes himself between them, drawing his enormous sword as he does. It is an ugly thing, like a big, sharpened slab of stone, but there is no denying the keenness of its edge. "Oy, if somebody's lookin' to get their hands around somebody's neck, try mine!"
"Bastard!" Sarrus hesitates for only a moment before he connects the mention of 'veins' to the body on the wall. He charges up to start (rather indelicately) pulling the deceased diva from her mounting on the wall. He gasps between frantic breaths as he tries to undo the trapped corpse and the gruesome spectacle Corrin had become. Wherever she was, he hoped she understood. Poor girl. "Whoever did this- plans to kill- anyone tracking him! Wasn't enough to kill just her..."
Thaddeus shrieked in horror as Agnis displayed a show of bravado while Sarrus began desecrating the murder site of the diva. Arteries made snapping sounds as they were plucked from the wall while flecks of blood formed wet clouds staining his armor. In near moments, the Duskwarden held the deceased body of Corrin Dalery in his arms. He achieved something that many clamored for – to hold the intimate enterntainer but it wasn't how he nor anyone imagined. In another time, the Diva would have been delighted to be held, but a murderer's embrace kept her. Corrin's lifeless body slumpt against his armored coat as long hairs concealed her pallid features.
”Unhand her...dusk warden...” Thaddeus said with a low sob. ”Your friend's magic was one thing but this is is an entirely different matter. I'll see to the Pharasmins to prepare her rights.”
Your damage is a one time thing since. I would assume that the party doesn't understand what may have happened but I'm willing to allow a roll.
The death of a diva, supernatural forces and ethereal viscera could only hint at one solution -
It was a haunt!
Given the clues of strangulation, blood flecks and of course the glass shattering shriek, it had to be associated with dying in their prime.
Its amazing how your senses and ability to see through the guises of death served you well. Perhaps it was your appreciation for the bardic arts or even a natural predisposition! Whatever the case, you should count yourself lucky because whatever was responsible for this probably expected an investigation to be handled.
It is up to you to share this revelation but do know this, information is but a seed. Will you discover the truth or will it be obscured by weeds?
Seeing that the dusk warden didn't head his words, Thaddeus turned towards anyone who would heed his words. "I see you are all invested in Corrin. I can positively rule out that you're the murderer...maybe?" he said with dramatic flair. "One thing's for certain, the school will see that she will bloom in Shelyn's garden!"
Sarrus scowls at the headmaster's remark. "I wasn't aware we were suspects in the first place." He looks Corrin's broken body straddled in his arms, and for a moment, he considers a rather violent return of her corpse at the man's feet. Fortunately, Common sense and his general concern for the poor woman's soul win out.
He sets Corrin's body down gently against the wall, a good dozen feet from where she'd previously been affixed. He glances up at the headmaster, slowly draws the sword from his belt, and makes a great show of chopping a sizable chunk from one of the stage's curtains. He lays the fabric over Corrin, then silently returns to stand beside the rest of the group.
Zaliana's breathes deep, as Halastus' touch clears away most of her pain. Only a few faint discolored stripes on her neck hint at what transpired.
Taking a moment to steady herself and collect her thoughts, she stirs at Sarrus' rough handling of the diva's body and the drawing of weapons.
"Please, do not disturb her body. It was no trap. Corrin's spirit haunts this place. The anguish of her life being snuffed out in its prime must have trapped her lifeforce here. We should examine the area, then seal it off. I do not know when, but the haunting will continue to lash out until it can be removed."
She moves carefully to her feet, placing a hand on Halastus' shoulder to steady herself. "Thank you for coming to my aid, sir knight. And you too," she says softly to the men around her.
Sarrus scowls at the headmaster's remark. "I wasn't aware we were suspects in the first place." He looks Corrin's broken body straddled in his arms, and for a moment, he considers a rather violent return of her corpse at the man's feet. Fortunately, Common sense and his general concern for the poor woman's soul win out.
"I was perhaps...to irrational." said the Headmaster as common sense trickled in slowly. It wasn't every day that one of your beloved students was killed and an attack was made against your school. However, this shouldn't condone the headmaster's behavior. He is a leader and needed to act as one less others would have faith in the arts and the Lyceum's practice. "That is acceptable, dusk warden."
"Please, do not disturb her body. It was no trap. Corrin's spirit haunts this place. The anguish of her life being snuffed out in its prime must have trapped her lifeforce here. We should examine the area, then seal it off. I do not know when, but the haunting will continue to lash out until it can be removed."
As calmness washed over Thaddeus, he turned towards Zaliana and perhaps for the first time had a modicum of respect. "I misjudged you Varisian. Your observation could be correct." In a way of offering peace, he smiled slightly and clutched his cap. "How will you and I assume your friends go about the investigation? Should I send the people home?"
Zaliana acknowledges Thaddeus gesture with a polite smile of her own.
"No, do not send anyone away. We should question anyone who were present around the time of the murder, to try and establish what happened. We should also examine the stage more closely, and the backstage area. Did Corrin have a dressing room? If so, we should check that as well. Finally, we should examine the body more closely, to see if we can determine exactly how she was killed. Do any of you have knowledge of the body and the healing arts?"
Halastus pats Zalania gently before standing tall and holding out a hand to her as she stands.
"It's my duty, please let me know if you need more aid, madam."
He turns to Thaddeus. His voice was deep, tainted with a small amount of guilt.
"I agree, we need to question those who were here originally. Unfortunately, though I am a healer, I would not know where to start in investigating the body."
Halastus picks up his shield, realizing that his armor may not have been the smartest choice of attire, if he wanted to talk to witnesses.
"This haunting is indeed dangerous, if I could help... Unfortunately, I am not that kind of holyman."
He rubs the back of his helmet, hefting his shield up, feeling guilty. He swore to protect people, but he wasn't able to protect Corrin. Now, he wasn't exactly sure how he could help.
Vinnick has been thinking and trying to remember anything he has heard seen or read that may be helpful in solving the riddles or finding a place to start.
"Yeah, I definitely think we need to check out the Diva's dressing room. The whole place needs a good twice-over; we probably oughtta figure out where the actual murder happened. Let's put our noses to the ground an' start seein' what we can see."
He hopes he sounds more like he knows what he's doing than he actually does.
”"No, do not send anyone away. We should question anyone who were present around the time of the murder, to try and establish what happened. We should also examine the stage more closely, and the backstage area. Did Corrin have a dressing room? If so, we should check that as well. Finally, we should examine the body more closely, to see if we can determine exactly how she was killed. Do any of you have knowledge of the body and the healing arts?" “
Thaddeus tries his best to nod at each point and return with an answer. ”This wouldn't be a proper theatre if there weren't dresser rooms!” he says with an almost a-hah! as he gestures towards an area beyond the curtains. ”Corrin didn't have a personal dressing room but there is one our guests use for performances. Mind you, it might be a bit messy”
As the armored one talked, Thaddeus' face gleamed. ”Well, there's your healer though I wouldn't dare think of him as one.” he said while eyeing the armor clad warrior. ”However, you're free to look about the theatre. Please do keep me informed of what you may find.”
”would Vinnick have seen the magic or not? “
Perhaps? You can definitely count on minor auras from your comrades and various instalations within the theater. This was a bardic college afterall.
Knowledge History Results
Its hard to tell from history what these quotes could mean.
”Darkness…coiterie of flowers…wilted…” might refer to a specific play or incident within the Oriat.
”...twilight...watchers peer in the row...court closes cloister....” Nobleman, guild leaders and faction headmasters are all known to have their methods of dealing with infractions. Was the Diva witness to an incident?
”A house of old and gold comprised of hands and doors” Kaer Maga does have a history of vast wealth.
Knowledge Local Results
Surprisingly, your time as a patron within the City of Strangers might pay dividends for you...if you're able to make sense of the riddles...
”Darkness…coiterie of flowers…wilted…” There are plenty of micro gardens within Kaer Maga. Maybe it has to do with life or a group. Followers of Shelyn?
”...twilight...watchers peer in the row...court closes cloister....” perhaps something bardic related or clandestine?
”A house of old and gold comprised of hands and doors” could be a place such as the Temple of Abadar or even where the Ardoc Brotherhood reside.
Zaliana's inquiry made Sarrus regret abandoning his more academic pursuits to chase that nagging spirit of adventure. Perhaps if he'd only learned a little more, he'd have been able to identify exactly what had happened. "I have some knowledge of the body... but mostly just old lessons, not practical knowledge. What happened to Corrin is... probably well beyond my skill." He kneels beside Corrin, then slowly lifts the veil he'd placed over her.
It still made him uneasy. "At the very least, I should be able to tell if whatever happened was alchemical in nature. Poisons or the like."
Before leaving Corrin's side, Sarrus will take one of the vials he has available and take a small sample of her blood. The act feels like his worst desecration yet--and he was racking them up rather quickly--but he couldn't deny that there were people all across Kaer Maga that did... things... with blood. If they hit a wall, then perhaps they could always find help from one of them.
He sincerely wished it wouldn't come to that.
Taking a deep breath, he covers Corrin back up and stands.
"So. Dressing rooms, then?"
"Dressing rooms," Agnis agrees drolly. He looks forward to seeing just how it measures up to his own definition of "messy."
FORGET MAGIC, ITS TIME FOR SCIENCE!!!
: Upon inspecting the body, you found that there an unnatural discoloration of the lips. Having thought it was stage makeup or perhaps Corrin's blood from when she was slain, you wiped what you could find and found that there was perhaps a toxin or poison involved. Tiny spiderlike veins stetched from her neck and you what seemed like a delicate slice along her back. You suspect it was a numbing agent.
Nothing here boss
The dressing rooms appeared more of a dormitory than a proper costuming area. Tables were covered in large fabrics that dangled and reached out containing brilliant patterns and designs. Chairs were turned over, various props lay scattered and large marks were scratched into the room's floor.
Before heading into the back of the theater, Sarrus looks grimly upon his fellow investigators. "I think she may have been poisoned. Some kind of numbing agent to keep her still--or unconscious, if the gods are at all kind--for whatever this was."
The chaos of the dressing rooms was nothing Sarrus was unaccustomed to. His own apartment was in a perpetual state of disorder and perfect order wasn't exactly necessary for the Duskwardens, either. He starts at one end of the room and starts looking over anything of even remote interest, figuring there was nothing to lose.
Time passes slowly as the dusk warden was quick to his task. His goal was simple – to find anything related to the diva.
During his first past, Sarrus grew tired of having to sift through a metric ton of fabric and out of frustration, he grabbed an armful and yanked the material clean off the desktop. As the fabric hit the ground, Sarrus heard a strange clinking sound. He appeared catlike as he fumbled to find the source of the sound. Though somewhat shattered, Sarrus found a fractured glass cylinder that was no bigger than his palm. Its contents had been bone dry but a strange sweet smell emanated from within...
Elsewhere, aside from various makeup kits, costume racks, layers of musical sheets, Sarrus examined each vanity. He found that each idol had their trinkets – lockets, miniature etchings and of course bouquets of flowers. Sarrus found Corrin's desk at the end of the row. An embroidered emblem of Shelyn was fastened to the vanity. Several musical sheets lay scattered on her desk, probably outlining her performance for the night, and even stranger was that her desk was locked.
"Poisoned, huh?" Agnis grows even angrier than before. "Chicken sh- way to kill somebody. Anybody here know much about what kinda poisons do that numbing thing?"
He stands back and watches Sarrus work, idly looking over the dressing room's contents.
While Sarrus examines the dressing area, Zaliana turns to those members of the group not currently busy with investigation.
Making sure their conversation can not be overheard, she tells them.
We should begin to question the people here. I may be able to help in a...unusual way. You see, not only am I skilled in telling lies from truth and judging the reactions of others. I also posses a spell that will let me read the minds of others. I can not delve deep into their inner secrets, but surface thoughts can be read with some effort. If one of you will ask questions, I will observe from the background and see if the one being questioned answers true or false.
"There's a number of different poisons that can accomplish such an effect," Sarrus replies as he pokes through the room's contents. He can hear echoes of his old lessons running through his head, but he tries his best to keep his answers simple. "And it could be accomplished in any number of ways. A simple paralytic would work, but it could also be a dozen other poisons that sap muscle strength or slow your nerves. And there's as many delivery vectors as there are poisons themselves." Sarrus hated poison. He agreed with Agnis wholehearted--it was the coward's weapon. But his studies of alchemy wouldn't have been even halfway complete without a half-dozen lessons on the wretched stuff.
"Perhaps this was our poison," Sarrus finishes with a shake of his head. Picking up the broken glass vial, he sets it aside on Corrin's desk as he searches the rest of her belongings. The variety of gifts she displayed from admirers only made him feel worse about the whole affair. Not even the locals from Ankar-Te would be admiring her in her current state. "Huh," he mutters as he gets to the drawers. "Wonder why she'd keep the drawers locked up. Are the performers in the habit of stealing from one another?"
"'Ey, uh, Sarrus..." Agnis comes up alongside the man and subtly shows the set of lockpicks he brought along. "Cover me. I'll take a crack at that drawer."
Despite having found something of note within his prolonged search, Sarrus was troubled with the matter of the locked drawer within the Diva's vanity. He could have easily broken the lock with a well placed kick or chemical doodad but its contents were a mystery. Perhaps brute force would have triggered a hidden trap thus ruining his chances at uncovering another clue or even bringing forth mortal harm to himself! However, in times like these, you need a good friend – especially someone whose an armored hulk bearing singe tipped hair. Agnis produced forth a set of lock picks and probes and began to work with the lock, doing his best to solve the mystery of its tumblers. Several minutes go by and a click leaves a satisfying click within the men's vicinity.
Aside from rolls of ribbon, make up brushes and extra accessories, there are 2 items that catch your interest. A folio bound by pink lace which barely holds what looks like parchment paper; and a bronze locket that resonates with a slight tapping sound...
When noone volunteers to help with the interrogation of witnesses, Zaliana turns her attention to what Agnis and Sarrus are doing.
What did you two find? Anything of interest?
"Yeah, as a matter of fact, we did," Agnis says. "Check this out. Some kinda... folio type of thing, and a locket. It's making some kind of weird tapping sound. Can you, uh, detect some magic or somethin' on these?"
He hands the items over for inspection.
Zaliana casts detect magic and uses any appropriate knowledge skills.
Zaliana's delicate hands cause a web of energy and magic to usher forth strands of tangible force that are attracted to the locket. Not surprising though, she notices that there is an aura from within the accessory. Calling forth her bardic knowledge, she was able to discern the simple illusion and see the truth - it held an arcane rune inside that depicted a glowing number - 6. The sigil hummed with intensity, as if it was calling out...
Meanwhile, after a cursory glance, Zaliana discovered that the folio contained copies of the Diva's performances, possibly the ones that she was to play for the graduation. However, tucked between several song sheets was a charcoal drawing of a group of young people. The most discernible detail was one figure smudged out...
This locket contains an arcane rune of the number "6". There is something strange about it. Also, this drawing is interesting. Could the smudged out figure be Corrin herself? If so, who are the others? Her graduating class?
Although considerable time has passed since she had offered her voice, Ingre had felt confused with the evidence that had surfaced. It was easier dealing with pilgrims on their journey than with matters concerning a dead diva. She felt frustrated and useless because the answers weren't clear. What made matters worse was that Desna was about self discovery - heck, she was the Lady of Luck, not spoon fed answers. As a cleric, this would prove to be a test of faith.
Ingre leaned in and peered at the picture that Zaliana held. Her face was puzzled.
"I doubt that Corrin would remove herself from such a picture." she said while discerning the faces. " The Diva seems to be someone who likes being noticed. After all, she does have notoriety within the Oriat."
Before she could continue, something caught the cleric's attention.
"Doesn't this one look like our recently departed?"
Ingre's finger pointed to a half elven girl who stood a hair's breadth taller than her peers. "If this happens to be Corrin, then these people might be dear to her. Perhaps the Headmaster could provide more information about this."
"I agree, I doubt Corrin would remove herself from her own portraiture. My gut says it's her peers, as Zaliana says, but we should confirm with the Headmaster before jumping to any conclusions."
"May I?" Sarrus asks, pointing at the folio. He takes the pages from Zaliana, trying not to disturb their order or form, and pages through the works. "Eh, it's a long shot, but--maybe some of our dead diva's cryptic words are referenced in here? If I was a bard, I'd probably go out singing, too."
He flips through the works, reading them and searching for any references to the 'house of old and gold, bone, etc.' or 'watchers, courts, cloisters, etc.' or the coiterie of flowers.
The locket, though, he hadn't the slightest clue what to do with. Six what? Why was it humming? Another mystery atop mysteries. A part of him regretted leaving the simple task of the Duskwarden for this--in the Undercity, matters of life and death were simple. Dangerous, but simple. This was a tapestry of cryptic clues that all wove together into a whole lot of nothing.
Hopefully they'd find something here to give them more direction than aimlessly searching the deceased's belongings...
Good points. Let us show these objects to the headmaster and see if he can tell us more about them.
A mixture of curiosity and fear loomed within the cleric's mind. The clues that the group had found could bring closure to the Diva's tragedy which would give solace to those touched by her graces. On the other hand, perhaps there was something deeper that they didn't know about.
She swallowed her fear and put on a hopeful disposition.
"That's a sound idea, Zaliana."
With the group in tow, Sarrus, Zaliana, and Ingre approach the headmaster who had been inspecting the various instruments and condition of his academy's theater. He looked up as if expecting the worst.
”I don't suppose you were able to find anything?”
With a curt nod, Ingre replied to the headmaster's question.
"Indeed we have, Headmaster." Ingre motioned towards her comrades to show the items that they had found within their search. Ingre had hoped that they were able to come one more step closer to solving the mystery. Up until now, they had been faced with cryptic riddles and clues.
Desna...guide me
The Headmaster poured over the items that the party held and took his time admiring each object with reverence. Thaddeus' fingers ran along the cool silvery surface of the locket and with a simple click, he opened the accessory and stared at its contents. ”Ah...you've found her locket. For some reason, several of her peers had been fascinated with this style and design of locket. I think Corrin and 6 of her friends wore this at their graduation. Interesting enough, they had cast them away post ceremony. I can't imagine why she would still have this.” Thaddeus then moved onto the folio. He carefully untied the ribbon which kept the papers together and examined the lot of them. He hummed along as he saw Corrin's sheet music and performance notes. ”She had always taken chord progression into dynamic ribbon dance...”
A moment had passed and Thaddeus' attention fell upon the drawing. ”Hm...this is isn't right.” he said while looking at the smudged mark. ”This wasn't faculty...but why would a student be erased?”. He scratched his hair while pondering the possibilities. It was rather hard for him to remember every student that had graced the Lyceum. ”Let's see...this drawing had to be about 5-10 years. I do remember that one year, admission had been particularly high and we had to be selective for our acommidations.”
Taking 20 Linguists resulted in you finding that Corrin keeps refering to the past, a burried secret within her work. Perhaps the ribbon play and somber tone within her early works is hinting towards something.
"Do you remember who else wore similar lockets?"