The woman starts bringing bowls of stew to the table and sets it in front of each person. "So what's your name, dearie?" She peers from guest to guest in search of answers.
After some conversation, Brie arrives at the doorstep of the safehouse.
"I am Eran." the tattooed man answers simply and politely.
I look about to see if this is a home or more of an inn. I am looking for personal effects and such that would mark it as more of a private home as opposed to a public residence. Trying to see if we are squatting or if this is some sort of safe-house.
Eran, you think that the house is much too cozy to be an inn, though it seems that Mr. Samuel and the woman know each other.
Well, yes, and those arrangements are part of why I must stop by. Otherwise, I believe I can provide a small curriculum which may help you. You haven't been in Golarion long, have you? Bathus speaks cordially, though he seems rather nervous at the talk of the store. When we arrive, he unlocks the door with a large pewter key and holds the door open to enter. Just be a moment He darts off amid the shelves and vanishes for a time, before returning with a huge stack of books. This ought to get you started! Bathus cheerfully speaks. The titles read:
Cultures and Peoples of Golarion
A History of the Formation and Expansion of Empires
On Crime
Tales of an Urban Sleuth
The Matador and his Bride
Book of the Way and its Power
Consider these on loan until you've finished them. I hope you find them enjoyable. Bathus then sets to scribbling a note, which he leaves on the counter I the bookstore in addition to a small purse of money.
On to the safe house, then?
Jerex is amazed that the little creature can carry all of those books and takes them all from him! "Thank you Mr. Bathus, do you have anything on our city as well? I guess we will be making two trips? All these books, the gear you are going to use for our arrangements with Mr Samuel, and plus what I have at my house."
Jerex waits for Bathus to gather his things and the book(s) about Magnimar, then head out to safe house to drop everything off.
"Mr Bathus you can stay here at the safe house or come with me to get my gear and give up my cottage rental since I will move to the safe house."
Jerex and Bathus arrive at the safehouse carrying a load of books, attracting a few glances from the locals. You see that Brie and her little pet has just arrived as well.
Bathus provides Jerex with a three volume history on the city of monuments. I'll extend the favor and, ah, escort, you to your cottage, as you were so kind to provide the service for me. By the way, I have noticed that while you are a very curious individual, your manners are impeccable. Where did you learn them? And consider us friends now, Mr. Jerex. 'Bathus' alone will be quite fine. Sharing an attempt on our lives is nothing like sharing books! Bathus laughs happily. Anyone hearing could tell that he is nervous, but excited and even jovial to be out and with people, whom he is even excited to find that he has things in common with.
Karson heads back to his family's camp to gather some supplies and to talk things over with them so that they understand the situation.
Jerex laughs, "Not all would agree with you Mr. Bathus that my manners are impeccable. Perhaps it is because we are the same in our own way? And yes, I feel sorry for those who make an attempt on us when we or all of us are teamed up. Perhaps that is why they tried to turn us into a barbecue instead of running into the inn to fight us as a whole? Anyway, thank you for the escort and yes we are now friends!" ... Jerex extends his hand to Bathus to shake.
Jerex and Bathus head out to Jerex's rented cottage to gather his things, change outfits, and leave a note for the land lord with the key. Basically the note reads, "I needed to leave, all caught up on rent, and here is the key." Then they head back to the safe house with his gear.
Brie enters the safe house, Pooka in tow. She unloads Pooka of his burden beside the door, but leaves the bundle intact in case we go out again.
Don't feel like you have to roll or anything, but for those just meeting Pooka, here are some fun facts!
Pooka is a male wolf, slightly larger than a riding dog, making him significantly larger than Brie. At first glance, he seems to be a thoroughly disreputable character - black fur, glowing blue eyes, slavering jaws - the only thing that seems to be missing are bits of orphan between his teeth.
Brie takes a seat with the others with Pooka sitting beside her.
Does the young halfling girl know that it's bad manners to bring your dog into someone else's house?
Will Pooka take a Crappa on the nice carpet?
Will Pooka eat all of the children in the neighborhood while we sleep or will he simply wait for us to leave before inviting all of the other shadow wolves over for a party?
Ethan returns to his natural habitat, the taverns. Everywhere, rumors abound about the recent fire at the Silver Dragon Inn. Apparently, the disgruntled woman living behind the inn and made a dark pact to cause the destruction of the inn, allowing her to purchase the "cursed" land for a bargain. Thankfully, an anonymous tip came in implicating her in the fire and leading to her arrest.
Many of the public speculate that the fire is related to the murders, as consequences of the spread of demonic power in the city. Others implicate Cheliaxian spies or the Varisians, but everyone is afraid.
After gathering what info he can during the day, Ethan will return to the safe house just before nightfall, dropping his pack somewhere inside, but keeping his armor on. He racks his rapier next to the door before dropping into a seat and helping himself to whatever stew is left.
Well chums. Ethan begins between bites. The town is scared. Most seem to think the lady behind the bar hired someone to start the fire so she could buy the place. However, smart money is on demonic cultists, or so says the skuttlebutt.
Eran asks Mr Samuel once more about possibly getting some dossiers on the victims so that he may look for patterns.
"Absolutely. My other agents are working city hall for the sealed records on the victims. They're good, but no one's that good. We should have them for you by tomorrow morning."
When the woman greets Brie at the door, she's confronted with a large wolf. Surprisingly, she takes it all in stride, when she sees the little girl next to it. "What's your name, little girl? And who do you have with you?"
Later that evening...
"That's interesting. I don't think that it was the woman though...what do you think about the reliability of these rumors about the cultists?"
Mr. Samuel seems to know more than he's letting on.
"Hiya! My name is Brie. Mind if'n I comes in fer a spell? I is gonna be workin' for Mr. Samuel from now on so maybe I be seein' ya sometimes. I be livin' in The Shadows but I makes sure I cleans my feet first.
Eran, not being much of one for face-to-face investigation, will mill about town doing little of note. He simply wants to get out of the house for a bit, pick up some food, hear the news from the street criers. He returns in the early evening, anxious to get his hands on the dossiers he asked for.
Jerex and Bathus arrive back at the safehouse, and Jerex organizes his gear and space. Once finished, he joins the group, So what did I miss while Bathus and I were transferring gear and preparing for a long stay here are the safe house?"
Ethan seems content to let the others take the lead with the information he has brought back in addition to that supplied by their host.
Karson approaches as Jerex and Ethan enter the safe house. He gives a nod to the woman as he walks in as well, stating that he too is working for Mr. Samuel.
Brie will go home after socializing for a bit. She will spend the next few nights talking to the locals throughout The Shadows trying to find information on the killer/victims. She'll spend her 20 gold in 1-3 gold increments, confident that she can get some more if she gets some results and knowing that if she doesn't, more gold won't change things one way or another.
She'll count the cash she stole in the tavern as well as sell the liquor from her Molotov cocktails.
She will stop to chat with anyone at any time and will help any of the others with any plans they make. She chooses to live at home with her twin sister rather than at the safe house, though she has no problems with stopping by frequently.
Brie is extremely friendly but conversant in topics that can be very disconcerting considering her childlike appearance. It will quickly become clear that despite being really nice and rather generous, she is almost totally conscience-impaired regarding non-violent crime. This lack of morality is not the stereotypical halfling "doesn't recognize property rights" kind, but rather that of a fox among hens. She doesn't like to hurt people, but she lies without batting an eye, steals without a second thought and only ever thinks of doing things the easy way with maximum benefit for herself.
She does NOT steal anything in the safe house or do anything to alienate anyone and if anything, goes more toward the opposite extreme, being generous and helpful. Even animals know not to poop in their own burrows.
As Mr. Samuel's crew begins to filter into the house, the woman begins to become increasingly exasperated, but she seems to handle it well. She begins to take a liking to Brie, which is clearly evident by all the pains that she takes to make sure that Brie is comfortable and well-fed, at the expense of everyone else.
At the dinner table that evening, Mr. Samuel talks about Ethan's recent rumor-gathering. "It seems that this fire has reignited the old conversation about these murders. You'd be surprised; the locals stopped talking about the murders only a few days after the last one. They're that desensitized, around these parts. Now, they're back to a state of fear! One common rumor seems to be that the murderers are demonic cultists, but what do you think about that?"
There's a peculiar knock at the door: two knocks followed by one-second long spaces, and then three knocks in quick succession. Mr. Samuel gets up from the table, the door opens, and a small folder is discreetly passed through the gap. "It looks like the dossiers have arrived. I doubt that it's complete though; city hall isn't very good at tracking low-profile murders. Let's see what we have, shall we?"
These are the official records on the gruesome serial killer or serial killers, who we have dubbed as the dockland murderers. The common thread seemed to be the excision of the face and replacement by a gruesome demonic mask in each case, which is what we used to compile this dossier.
3rd of Abadius - Prominent Merchant, Sir Brabantio, was murdered early in the morning, on a visit to the docklands, and his body was left on the street. First suspected crime of serial killer
19th of Abadius - Judge Goron of the Docklands Poor Courts was murdered in his chambers during a court recess. His body was found outside leaning against a lamp pole.
Calistria - No murders were found during this month
7th of Pharasma - Cleric Garal was impaled on a pike and thrown into a mausoleum a few days before he was discovered, on the 7th, by a grieving family.
Gozran - No Murders were found during this month
4th of Desnan - Four unidentified bodies were found flopped over the walls of the marble district. Three of them were identified as Varisians and the fourth was too mutilated for portrayal.
3rd of Sarenith - Prominent Paladin, Sir Veryl, was assassinated by the dockside. He fell into the water and his body never recovered, but unholy arrows decorated with designs consistent with the demonic masks were found nearby.
Erastus - No Murders were found during this month
1st of Arodus - Three bodies were found in the cargo hold of three different leisure ships, with no identifying marks.
6th of Arodus - Family of four was found dead, with their bodies seated at the dining room table. The smell of the decomposition alerted their neighbor, who discovered them dead on the 6th of Arodus.
26th of Arodus - Fire at the Silver Dragon Inn, suspected rumors of killer association in the community.
Eran considers what he believes to be the most likely connection: religion, particularly one who is aligned with or fancies themselves aligned with demons or devils.
Before dinner, Jerex reads the Tomes that Bathus has given him.
At the dinner table, "I am finding murder mysteries to be interesting but I understand that real murder isn't. I read that most Shire Reeves use the the method of the (5) Ws plus H, or the who, what, where, when, why, and how to help the Shire Reeve to reveal the murder mystery. For that reason, I would like to take a look at this dossier and perhaps we should write down the (5) Ws and the How?"
Brie taps one finger against her chin, lost in thought after reading the dossier. "Two in one month, then a month off. Then one, and then a month off. Came back with four at once, a big one a month later, and then a month off. Then two this month. Were there holy days associated with these dates?"
Also, look at the victims:
An important merchant
A Judge
A Cleric
4 nobodies
A famous paladin
3 nobodies
A family?
And then people think the fire is related to the killins.
This don't be lookin' like a serial killa to me. Serial killas be crazy folk, killin cause they gots to. They have reasons fer killin', messed up reasons, but they make sense to them.
Maybe they have ta kill, so they wait as long as they can and then do it. This one wait almost two months though. Maybe he get more impatient and wanna kill faster? They come closer at the end, but not too much closer.
Sometime they have ta kill a certain kind of person. Maybe someone famous? or someone low. Maybe they have ta kill chillins or dwarves or whores. Most these people be important though. Serial killas don't normally kill important peoples.
An what's with the multiple killins at one time. That don't sound like a serial killa either. They has to kill for some reason, but what would four at once all have in common?
Then there be the fire. Does serial killas usually light fires? I don't think that be up close, personal enuff for em. Seems too stand backish to me.
Sipping a glass of water, she leans back in her seat, looking at Pooka.
Seem ta me that maybe this don't be a serial killa, least not the crazy kind. Seem more like maybe this be sumthin else.
People be easy to kill if all ya wants to do is kill em. These gotta peel off their faces though, and put masks on em. Do they carry a lotta masks on em and just kill random-like and plop, there goes a mask? Or do they follows em, stalk em, and then kill em and skin em and plop a mask on em? Sounds ta me more like they just kill random-like and plop a mask on em.
That don't be a crazy though. That be an animal except for the masks. The masks make it more like a group I's thinkin. Maybe tryin' ta make a point or maybe scare people? Who be gainin' if'n that be what they doin? Anyone sellin' pertection? Maybe a preacher goin' on about it or sumtin?
How's one lone crazy kill a big important paladin then? An how's he sneak up on him, what with his eyes bein all flashy like. He kills a cleric and dumps him in the cemetery. What you all be thinkin?"
Jerex holds his chin, then states, "Who is knowledgeable about religion within our group and did the judge and families practice the same religion as the Cleric and Paladin?"
Bloody Demons! Bathus cries, before hurriedly walking away to hide his fear, scratching his chin. [/b] Their fell influence is random enough. And gruesome. Bathus composes himself. Ms. Brie has certainly answered the variables of Sheriff Reeves, but we certainly need more answers.
You notice that the paladin was murdered in the month of Sarenith, which is associated with the god Sarenrae, while the merchant and judge were murdered in the month dedicated to Abadar. They seem to be the stereotypical occupations of worshippers of those gods. Based on Brie's question, you are not aware of any holy days associated with the date of the murders, though the first murder did occur during the New Year celebrations.
Bathus happens to know of the first three names.
Sir Brabantio, the merchant, was a frequent and infamous visitor to the docklands. He always acted in a condescending fashion and managed to annoy several people everyday on his visits to his prized trading ships.
Judge Goron was a well-regarded member of the poor courts, which essentially dealt with all manners of cases dealing with debt or poverty, where a defendant couldn't afford to pay a large sum. He was widely known for his compassion and he even helped pay fines for first-time offenders out of his own pocket.
Garal, the cleric, was a Pharasman cleric that performed last rites for members of the community, even those who were criminals. He was popular with the masses.
Jerex inquisitively looks at Bathus, "Mr. Bathus these murders are the results of demon malevolence or humanoids acting like demons? In addition, we are missing the variable."
"Hmm, it seems there is the beginning of a pattern here. The paladin was murdered in the month of Sarenith, which is associated with the god Sarenrae. The merchant and judge were murdered in the month dedicated to Abadar. These victims seem to be of the stereotypical occupations of worshipers of those gods." Eran says, his eyes seeming to look through the documents. "I wager that if we looked harder into the lives of the other victims, we would find corroborating connections."
In response to Brie's question, Eran says, "I am not aware of any holy days associated with the date of the murders, however... the first murder did occur during the New Year celebrations."
Brie mulls over Eran's words, but looks kind of doubtful.
"I sees what ya be saying, I certainly does. But are we to think that he couldn't find a whore in Calistria or a farmer during the entire month of Gozren?
He kilt a family for Desna, who don't seem much of a family goddess. Still, maybe there be a similar connection? Yer right about the first two, but I's thinkin Paladins be more fer Iomede than Sarenrae.
You're on the right kinda path though. I like how you're thinkin!"
"The next month is dedicated to Rovagug, the destroyer. Who, if anyone, would they go after for that time? Cultists? After that comes Lamashan. If they are demon worshipers, then that might be the month they have been building up for.... ALTHOUGH, they might be building up for Rova instead, which means our time frame may be quite small. I have the information, but I am not sure how to act on it. Any ideas?" the inquisitive asks of the others.
Well I am new to my calling but I have a working knowledge of most common religions.
Jerex rubs his chin some more, "Can we tell from what we have who can possibly be murdered in the months of Rova and then Lamashan Are there any recorded rituals that demon worshipers or cultist be following each month until final one for something to happen?" ... Jerex looks at Bathus, "Mr Bathus have you read anything about any sort of rituals for the pattern we have now?" ... Jerex looks at Ethan, "Yes, yes, what about you Ethan since you are closer to religion than most of us?"
Karson scratches at his chin for a moment. "I don't think that these murders are religiously based. Brie has a good point after all, why weren't any servants of Calistra murdered in the month of Gozren? And Desna isn't primarily a family deity. Religion has nothing to do with this. And I don't believe that there is one person doing this, so I don't think a serial killer is to blame. We're looking at 14 people within a span of 8 months. Glancing at that, it's easy to assume a single killer, but 3 of those incidents involved multiple people. The murders in Desnan could've been separate murders sure, unless the victims were related in some fashion. However, unless the killer was fast enough, there's no way they'd be able to take out 3 people in one night across 3 different ships and an entire family on another night, with time to prop them at the table. I don't believe we're looking a single suspect, we have to be looking at a group here. The problem is trying to find something that actually connects all of our victims together. Do we know who these victims are individually? If we can get a glimpse as to who they were, that may make this easier to solve."
"The pattern is murky, but there is a pattern there. That cannot be discounted. Multiple people working in concert seems the most likely, i believe it may have been a cult. I am not entirely unconvinced that a religion is not involved. I had hoped the dossiers would provide more intimate personal information regarding the victims, but perhaps that is what we should set out to retrieve."
Jerex nods at Eran's comment, then looks to Bathus, and then to the group, "I also was reading in the Tomes of On Crime and Tales of an Urban Sleuth that Bathus gave me and the Sleuth or Shire Reeve talked to the neighbors and friends about the people who were murdered to also help solve the case. Perhaps this is what we should do too? In the Tome of On Crime, it stated that serial killers go after generally weaker people than them to avoid injury. So unless the Paladin or Cleric was ill or crippled, according to the Tome, it wouldn't be a serial killer."
"Exactly. So do what do we know about any cults or gangs even in the area? Any of them that would be able to pull a stunt like this successfully?"
Jerex looks at Karson with an inquisitive look since he has not come across "gangs" in his reading, "Karson, what is a gang and do they have a pattern like cults and religious groups appear to have? Gang is a new word to me and it is probably covered later in the Tome of On Crime?"
Karson looks back at Jerex with a slightly puzzled look on his face. "I forgot, you're still new to a lot of things around here. When you think about it, cults and gangs are the essentially the same. They're both groups that have a common ideal. However, cults are typically of a religious or extremist ideal, where as gangs are more towards criminalistics ideals that gain them money, power, and position over society in some way."
Jerex nods in agree with Karson's comment about being new, and with a bow from the neck, "Thank you Karson, so it could be either a cult or a gang running a ruse?"
"It really doesn't seem like something a run of the mill gang would do."
"Hmmph, you think that a group is involved? This may be bigger than I thought." His eyes gleam with excitement and a hint of greed. "Imagine, the bust of the century! Caedmon and associates save city!"
He turns to Eran. "You're right, many of the victims do not have much information on them, but the investigations around here focus only on the rich and well-connected. The departments probably didn't feel the need to collect as much evidence with the murders of the poor. Heck, maybe that's why the dossier didn't identify any murders during Calistril. Prostitutes get murdered all the time 'round these parts."
"Well we've got names right? Let's go ask around and find out who these people were and see if we can't find a connection between them and see if we can't uncover a more criminal base to this."
"This be an excellent idea. It be late t'night so how's about we start tomorrow. I'll try ta gets Gabby to check out some stuff too. I'll talk to the whores since we live where they does. Someone should go talk ta the farmers outside the city, someone should find out about them four men killed at once, and another someone find out about the family, maybe talk to they neighbors. That work for everybody?"
"I suppose. I'm not one to talk to people too much, but I will go with someone."
I agree that it is most likely more than one person, although it may be too soon to call it a cult. It could be a gang or even a family committing these crimes. A gang could be killing this randomly if they are seeking to bloody new members or if they have a larger goal we are not awake to yet. A family is also possible. Can you think of no family that can gain from this chaos? I know many 'noble' families back home that used to use fear to keep people in line or to make them trend to act a certain way.
I am new to my craft, but I am an old hand at drinking and talking. If someone, mayhaps a bit wiser, would like to pair off with me on the marrow we can hit some places and see what rocks we might kick over.