It's the 1st of Arodus, which means it's Esmeralda's favorite day of the month - auction time. On the first day of each month, popular art gallery "Our Art" holds an hourlong art auction. Due to its prominent location in the Naos District, this "Art Hour" is frequented by many wealthy collectors and is a popular way for up-and-coming artists to try to become famous. As is her norm, Esmeralda has supplied a beautiful sculpture of Shelyn's holy symbol. Any proceeds from its sale go directly to the Temple.
On the day of the auction, as usual, the two of you head to "Our Art's Art Hour" to watch the proceedings. When you arrive, to your surprise, the area's been blocked off by the city guard. There's a large crowd of onlookers, but nobody's being allowed into the building.
Giddy at the thought of all the well off Sirs and Madame that would be scrabbling like animals at the chance to have some of the art on the display Märche's eyes immediately narrow as they see the building closed. "Dearest Sister, you didn't have your work graced that so anyone that looks at long enough has their clothes magicked away... Again." His tone is serious and sickly sweet but still playful.
Ezzy looked at her brother. "Oh you know better than that, Brother. You know I only want to display said piece. People taking their clothes off would detract from the lovely art at the Art Hour." She looked at the building with a concerned look. "Perhaps we can try to get inside. Shall we?" She didn't wait for an answer.
"They better let us inside, your statue's in there!"
Eserelda nodded. "I'm sure that with the right words, we will be able to help them. As for the sculpture, they can have it! Art is to be shared!" She walked up to the city guard, smiling sweetly.
"What is going on in there? I'm sure my brother and I could help if you let us through." She smiled again.
"Oh I know you wouldn't mind if someone took it, I just don't want it to have been damaged."
As Ezzy talks to the guard Märche will chime in "Yes, we are regulars here and will help in any way we can."
The guard smiles at the pretty human. "Well, little miss, we're not supposed to let anyone in, but since you're regulars, you may be of some assistance. Follow me; the captain will have some questions for you. Be warned: it's not going to be a pretty sight."
Ezzy nodded at the guard. "Thank you, kind sir. You are most kind." She looked at her brother and then back to Our Art. 'Its hard for me to believe anything can be ugly... So we will see, I guess...'
So we're dealing with really creative graffiti vandals... Or someone was murdered. Not sure which I rather not see more.
The guard leads the two of you inside "Our Art" where a horrific site meets your eyes. Blood is everywhere: on the paintings, the walls, the floor, etc. Three corpses lie scattered around the room in pools of blood. Everywhere, you can see ripped canvases, toppled statuary, and ruined art. There's only one thing that was overlooked: Eserelda's sculpture is in pristine condition.
Several guardsmen are jotting down notes when you enter. Your guide motions one of them over. "Good day. I'm Captain Hunter. Do either of you know who owns this piece of artwork?" He points at the untouched Shelyn holy symbol.
Ezzy, shocked by all of the distruction and chaos of the beautiful exhibit, looks at the guardsman, only half paying attention to her words. "That... Thats my statue... What happened here! Oh no!"
Ezzy falls to her knees crying, the paint on her face beginning to smudge. "This cannot go without justice! Brother.. How coud they?! Shelyn help us!" She grabbed at her brothers hand for support.
Putting his arms around his sister he tries his best to console her. "There, there Ezzy. We'll figure out who did this." he then begins examine the scene.
Ezzy will dry her eyes and look at each of the paintings and art pieces slowly and methodically, not paying attention to the town guard.
Captain Hunter shuffles his feet with embarrassment when Ezzy starts to cry. "Don't worry, ma'am. We're not accusing you or anything like that. Just stay in town, and we'll contact you if we need anything else."
Regarding the art: most of the pieces are too badly-damaged to identify. Some of the lesser-damaged pieces include an oil canvas of a were-hyena mid-transformation, a watercolor depicting the negative space in a large leafless tree, a dark landscape with tall trees and a brewing thunderstorm, and a decapitated marble sculpture of Justicar Ironbriar.
Ezzy blinked the tears out of her eyes. "I know those people... Thats Art, Eugeni, and Silvanus... They must have been helping Art set up..." She blinked. "That statue... His head is off... That's poetic, him being the head of the Justicars...."
She began to examine the lesser damaged paintings, seeing what is around them blood and body wise and exactly how they are cut up or destroyed.
'Perhaps there is a method to this madness'
Should I tell the guards this? At this point it looks more like the work of a crazed fan of Ezzy's but it could also make them suspect her.
"Um, Monsieur Hunter, has there been any threats or messages sent here or to any of the victims? Being on the inside of the art groups we might be able recognize the handwriting, in this city there's no shortage of rivals and crazed fans who are very vocal of their opinions."
Ezzy's tear filled eyes turn quizzical. "This painting.. It isnt torn up like the others. It just hass bloodstains on it. It also doesn't seem to be complete... When showing a transformation you would think you would start with the first phase and end with the last. Its strange..." Ezzy looks over her shoulder. "don't you think so?"
She will Touch the empty space on the canvas to check for any signs of tampering (painting over something or sraped/washed away somehow.) She will also detect magic.
"None that we're aware of, but if anything turns up, we'll let you know."
"Curiouser and curiouser" Märche mumbles to himself as he looks back and forth between the bodies and the painting.
'The painting isnt magical... But what if... The person responsible..' She blinks and looks at the rest of the people in the room. "There is an aura of magic here... Perhaps something was sommoned to do the deeds here..." Her voice trails off. She walks over to the body of Art. She then investigates the other two bodies with the same amount of intensitude.
@Ezzy: Upon examination, the three men appear to have been mauled by some kind of animal. Art has his throat torn out; the others are covered in bite and claw marks. Unfortunately, you're unsure if they were caused by a were-hyena or something else.
Neither one of you knows if the Menagerie has hyenas on display or not.
Eserelda adresses the group. "This was done by some kind of animal. Are there any... Hyenas in town?"
The captain shakes his head. Most of his men agree, but one of the Privates nods enthusiastically. "The Lord-Mayor's Menagerie has one! It's by the basilisk! I took my family there last week; great place - and educational too."
Probably be best not to accuse the Lord-Mayor outright... Just yet. "It might be best to check on him and his Menagerie incase the animal escaped from there or if someone took it, lest other animals may have escaped or something befall the Lord-Mayor."
Ezzy nodded, full of sorrow. "Has he reported it missing? If not, we should check... What do you think brother, you've been awefully quiet."
"I think that wanton butchery annoys me... " on the tip of a tangent Märche will stop himself as a thought comes to him. "Who is the owner or painter of the Hyena painting?"
There's no name on the painting, but upon checking the Auctioneer's Guide, you find that it's artist is listed as "The Masked Painter". Ezzy recognizes the name from several previous exhibitions in other locations.
Ezzy nods to herself. "This painting was done by the masked painter, a mysterious painter that roams around art shows. If the painting sells... It goes to some high class bank. Its all confidential and shady... Perhaps we should go to this bank; ask some questions."
Could this masked painter be using art to harm others? The must be stopped if this is the case. Shelyn would never allow this. She must be avenged!"
"Sounds like a plan to me."
You leave your information with Captain Hunter in case he needs to contact you and head to the Vista District. Locating the bank is easy: it's on the Avenue of Honors. When you enter, one of the bankers approaches. "May I help you?"
"Yes, we were hoping you could help us find someone. We are looking for a Masked Painter that visits here and art auctions frequently." he'll add with a bow towards their greeter.
Ezzy nods. "Or the bank that this masked painter wanted the money transfered."
"Do you have his authorization? We can't share client information with just anyone, you know. We pride ourselves on privacy and confidentiality."
Ezzy nods. "Well, that is true, but given the light of the situation at the 'Our Art' I would say that this is a special circumstance. There have been some horrific murders that call into question the integrity of this 'Masked Painter'. I'm sure we can get to some arrangement; we wouldnt want more blood spilled. Its best to cover all of our bases, don't you think? So no more of our beloved friends and community members die?"
The banker frowns. "Even if what you say is true, I cannot give out privileged client information to just anybody. Unless you can produce a warrant or another form of authorization, I'm afraid I can't help you."
Frack...
Ezzy smiles kindly. "Well, thank you anyway. May Shelyn's be apon you!" She hands the man a small white flower from her pack.
She looks at Marche. "So, where do we go from here?"
Märche simply shrugs. "I haven't a clue. Wait for the guards to come here and shut down the whole place for who knows how long while they investigate the murders ?" The last part is said slightly louder than probably what should be.
With your unofficial investigation seemingly at a dead-end, you decide to go home and have a think. Shortly afterwards, a courier arrives with a large rectangular package. "Package for you!"
"Why thank you most helpful ."
After the courier leaves, Marche and Ezzy carefully examine the mysterious package for any dangerous sights/sounds/smells/magical auras/etc and find nothing suspicious. Satisfied for now, Ezzy unwraps the package and finds a flat, rectangular metal box - about the size of a large painting.
Opening the box, you find two items: a well-made oil portrait of the two of you, and a handwritten letter.
Your determined attempts to find me are admirable but will ultimately prove fruitless. Nontheless, if you continue your search, there is a slight possibility that your heavy-handedness will attract more official attention. Although it won't accomplish much, I'd prefer to avoid additional complications and respectfully request you drop the matter.
My mission does not concern you, and as long as you leave me alone, no harm will come to you. Nontheless, my reluctance to remove a creator of such great beauty from the world will end if you make it necessary. Please accept my gift and let this be the end of our little matter. Thank you for your time; I eagerly await your reply.
Sincerely,
~M.P.
Looking over Ezzy's shoulder as she reads the letter Märche arches an eyebrow. "Oh lovely, they're taunting us now."
Ezzy frowns. "Well, I don't think he knows who he is dealing with brother. No one expects the Shelyn Inquisitor. Amongst my weaponry are such diverse elements as paint, beauty, a love of art, an almost fanatical devotion to Shelyn, and nice pretty colors on my armor..." She trails off, looking to see if she recognizes the signature to make sure it is the real guy. She will also look for any signs of where the letter et. all came from.
As soon as Ezzy finishes speaking, a sorrowful voice utters the words, "Such a waste. So many sacrifices... Oh, well. It'll be worth it in the end." The voice seems to be coming from the painting's frame. Before you can examine more closely, a small metallic orb detaches and flies into the room's corner. Simultaneously, your portraits animate, step out of the painting, and prepare to attack!
Round One
Taken aback, it only takes two seconds for Ezzy to rect. "FOUL BEASTS! HOW DARE YOU TAINT THE BEAUTY OF ART?! I SHALL SMITE THEE WITH MY BOW OF LOVE!"