The_Ninja_DM's Carrion Crown

Game Master Spiral_Ninja

"No, Hy vas getting ready in case hyu do sumting stupid."

Gkirkhan sighs as Gibs tries to brush past him. He grabs the back of the man's shirt and tries to pull him to a halt.

"OI! Hy said Hy vas not goink to fight hyu unless hyu vas goink to do sumting stupid. Now, hyu sure dot ting vas in de house und not a shed or sumting. Mehbe hyur wife thought dot hyu vas goink to hurt hyurself und sold it." Not dot Hy blame her if she did. "Enyvay, de last time Hy checked Hy vas de only talkink to hyu, und dot's un outsider, not outsiders, hyu eediot."

Gkirkhan lets got of the man's shirt. He is not amused by all that is going on.

Sense Motive 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Whiff...whiff...
Vertielle mutters under her breath, and on when Gkirkhan releases Gibs, the man falls to the ground. It takes a few long seconds to stand up as he scrabbles around, Gkirkhan's red eyes searing through him.
Grease
Perhaps, mister gibs, you should be more wary of upsetting my colleague in the future. With this, Vertielle places a hand on Gkirkhan's shoulder, drawing him away from his bloodlust.
You fear necromancers? They can change the nature of your body- your fear is righteous. Have you ever heard, mister Gibs, of enchanters? For they can change the very nature of your MIND. Vertielle punctuates this with a strong voice and a flick of her hand.
Daze
Vertielle's face turns dark. You would do well to remember that, mister Gibs. Very well indeed.
intimidate 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 BAM

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Que watches Gkirkhan and Gibs while they are fighting, her hands clenched to fists and more then once wandering to her belt, dangerously close to the daggers she has stashed there, but in the last moment she calms down, lowering her hands again.

"I am not sure why you hate the professor so much, is it your stupidity or something else. Nevertheless I will not let you speak out such stupid things about the professor anymore without proof for what you said."

Her face is calm as she says this and her voice as cold as ice.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

And poor Gibs has not had to see or read about the dread power in the Necronomicon. Maybe he will learn from physical and arcane forces of the world Gkirkhan and Vertielle have unleashed on him. Better he does not learn of those of us that risk our sanity and soul to face off the dark forces.

"Master Gibs, do not oppose us or speak ill of the dead."

@Those of you who made a 15 or better Sense motive: you realize he believes what he's saying.

The commotion has drawn some of the locals and the sheriff, who listens to both sides and sighs.

"Gibs Hephenus, you are claiming you were threatened by these folks and that something has been stolen from your house. Specifically, a weapon. Well, then, let me and my deputies sarch the place."

He turns to look at the crowd that is gathering.

"Riff, go to the monumant and fetch Trestleblade. Tell Leromar to stay on guard. Vrodish, get over here. Ah, good, Councilwoman Straeloc,I see you're here. May I prevail upon you? Please, will you keep an eye on Gibs?"

An older woman nods and steps over to the frustrated old man, speaking to him in a whisper. He shakes her off, and walks to the other side of the road, glaring alternately at the sheriff and your group. The crowd seems calmer whe the woman accepts the task, though.

He looks at the rest of you and his next words are loud enough to be heard by the enitire group of locals gathering here.

"I'm going to be fair here, both to Mr. Hephenus and to you. Pick one of you to stay with your -exciteable- friend here and when my deputies arrive the rest of you can pick one of us and help search. The townsfolk will see that you are watched and unable to mess with any evidence and you can see the same about us."

The woman speaks up. "That's reasonable, Benjan."

@group: Pick who's going to search and roll perception, please.

My heritage may give me the advantage here, but I am learned in searching for naught but books.

Vertielle Siepar, me and Que also have the same +5 to perception checks,
Wait, 1(WIS) + 3(train) + 2(Keen senses) = 6

"Vertielle, I also have good senses, But am also diplomatic, but we as a group should decide."

I was referring to keen senses and low light vision, which though mechanically moot, gives me advantage over even darkvision in the gloom. As for the bonuses, I thought a decision not wheighed by mechanics was preferable.
Vertielle looks through narrowed eyes at Evangline. Though it seemed unintentional, the Aasimar's choice of words makes Vertielle bristle.
Que, perhaps your... background... may give you insight into where one might hide a weapon?

"Oh, c'mon! He iz still in vun piece und de vorst dot's happened to hem iz gettink a bruise from fallink. Und Hy know Hy deed not trip hem."

Gkirkhan's arms flail wildly as he talks and finally folds his arms over his chest and pouts. He looks like a six year old who just got told to be nice to a younger sibling, well a six foot four inch tall six year old that could lop heads off of other people with ease, anyway.

Eva walks over to Gkirkhan and whispers in his ear as she is only two inches shorter than him.
"We are the outsiders here.
And the town is not exactly the friendliest to outsiders,
So don't given them a reason to lynch us and or hang you.
We also all agreed to follow the Professor's will,
which requires us to be here for a month.
So don't cause trouble."

"Hokay, Hy vill just shut op now."

Gkirkhan slumps his shoulders and finds a pace to sit nearby.

"A wee little weapon like a razor, a weapon like that might not 'ave even be stolen, ye mightv'e just dropped it somewhere" sorry for not bolding, I'm not on my usual computer and this ipad doesn't have square brackets either.

"I am not sure how a tailor could be of any help here, but I give my very best Vertielle"
Que smirks slightly while saying this, looking innocently at Vertielle.

This was typed using an iPad too. The on-screen keyboard should have the function to switch layout so you can enter numbers and symbols like brackets

Wood, why don't you stay with Gkirkhan? Don't fret, Gkirkhan, we'll get this all sorted. There's not been a razor forged could hide from the three of us. With the latter, Vertielle shoots Gkirkhan a winning smile, knowing he's at his most agreeable "ven vimmin ah ta vee hod".

Hy know vot dey iz tryink to do, bot dem if I can tink ov a reason not to do vot dey seyz.

Gkirkhan cheers up considerably after Vertielle smiles at him. He watches her and Que walk off with a look that would probably get him jeers calling him a lecher, if anyone was brave enough to risk provoking him.

I've learned to post somewaht with my Kindle fire, now I just have to convince it to not stay all caps when I'm doing brackets. This is my normal computer.

The three deputies the Sheriff sent for arrive and he quickly explains. Meanwhile the group of locals is growing larger. Fortunately, not all of them seem to be on Gib's side.

And the young boy from the funeral, Devon, shows up and goes to stand with Gkirkhan. He positions himself between Girkhan and Gib's cronies and says "Stole your weapon? Ha! I bet you lost it sos you wouldn't have to back up your dumb stories about the professor!"

Those of you who are going to pair up with either the sheriff or a deputy, give me a perception check.

Sheriff Caeler perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Deputies perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Let's decide on who does what in the discussion thread so we don't find it with debate on who should do what.

I'll take ten if possible for a 15. otherwise, 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Per 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Deputy Riff: perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Deputy Vrodish:perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

While deputies Trestleblade and Vrodish seem more interested in keeping an eye on the outsiders than checking Gib's shack, Riff seems far more intersted in the search. And possibly Que.

"I'm sorry about my uncle's behavior. Ma always said Uncle Gib was in love with Lisle Grimburrow and resented Professor Lorrimor for being the one she chose. She says he didn't start drinking hard until after Lisle died."

While he's trying to explain his uncle, he and Que are searching behind the shack. He adds "I'm going to grab some wood for him while we're here."

As he picks up some of the stacked wood, Que, you see a glint of metal.

Que nods while searching through the shack with Riff.

"Gibs having been in love with the later wife of the professor explains a lot. Maybe I shouldn't have been so harsh to him then.

She smiles a bit about this information.

"Nertheless he should have...." "Wait! What is this, there seems to be something mnetalic behind the wood. [/b]

Que kneels down and pushes the wood aside.

There on the ground, with dirt lightly tossed over it, is a blood-sained war razor sitting on top of an old waterskin, similarly bloodstained.

Que checks if the bloodstains are relatively fresh or older.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

"Looks like we have found your uncles razor. and it seems that it wasn't unused"

The bloodstains seem to be about the same age as those on the monument.

Riff is so shaken he drops the firewood he's carrying. He pales, swallows, then calls out, first weakly, then in a stronger voice"Sheriff...Sheriff Caeler, come here. There's something you need to see."

The other searchers arrive first, followed by the Sheriff and several townsfolk, including Gibs, who pushes past everyone.

"What's the mat..WHAT THE #@!!? That's my razor...what is going on here?"

@group (including Gkirkhan & Kurik if they come running up): Sense Motive please.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

sense motive 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Thank you, oh gods o' dice!

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

@Vertielle and anyone else making a 15 or more: Gibs is NOT acting. He is actually shocked at the sight.

Vertielle smiles at the news, one corner of her mouth twisted up in a perverse sort of joy. It lasts only a moment, and afterwards, her countenance makes you doubt it was ever there.
I know not what witchery is this, whether he be possessed or daft, that he remembers naught of whatever event transpired to bloody his weapon. Nevertheless, I will stay my observations, as it is prison he shall suffer, and prison he deserves.

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12 Okay, that wasn't actually a bad roll, too bad Gkirkhan has minuses instead of pluses.

Gkirkhan comes striding around the house after Gibs. He sees the war razor and the waterskin. He really doesn't really care if anyone else thinks Gibs is lying or not, he sees what he sees, and that's good enough for him. The sword strapped to his back is suddenly in his hand, and his eyes hold nothing but wild fury.

"Hy guess de Professor vas not de vun stirring op trouble after all. Who deed hyu keel? Sum lonely traveler, a troublemaker, or mehbe somevun just wanting sum help?"

Gkirkhan glares at Gibs his sword up and ready.

"Hyu vere lookink for dot early. Pick it op. Pick it op sos hyu ken die vit a leedle honor."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 woot A lot better than last time.

she looks at Gkirkhan with a slight glare and says in a firm yet diplomatic tone to Gkirkhan
"Remember, what I said."

"He vas de vun who vanted a fight now he's got vun."

Gkirkhan looks at Evangline through narrowed eyes. His voice only few steps away from a snarl.

Deputy Riff quickly steps between Gibs and Gkirkhan. He pales at Gkirkhan's expression but bravely declares "I don't know what is going on here, but this is a matter for the law."

He's still holding one of the logs, but it's not clear if it's as a weapon or a shield.

The crowd stirs nervously, muttering but cowed.

Sheriff Caeler and the woman he referred to as Councilwoman step up as well. "These are questions we want the answers to as well, sir. Answers we will be unable to get should you continue. Stay your weapon!"

Meanwhile Gibs is looking panicked. He glances from Gkirkhan to the crowd to his allies (who seem to be slipping away) to the Sheriff and his group of officials. "I didn't do anything! I went home after Lazelo and this -person- left and I went straight to sleep. I don't know how those things got there!" His voice is rising hysterically.

will_save_Gibs: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

He drops to his knees, shaking."I don't know how my razor or that waterskin got there. I don't know where the blood came from. I don't know."

He looks up, desperately "Get Father Grimburrow! He can do truth spells! He can prove I'm not lying!"

Gkirkhan visible clenches his jaw to bite off the venom he wants to spew at the farmer. His gaze shifts from Gibs, to the councilwoman, to the deputy, and back to Gibs before speaking.

"Fine."

Gkirkhan points the tip of his sword at Gibs' chest with one hand.

"Bot if he tries sumting fonny, Hy. Vill. Keel. Hem."

He plants the sword into the ground and keeps his eyes fixed to Gibs.

"Tell me one thing Gibs, why did you do this? Why did you try to defame the professors good name? Was it because he married the person you loved?"

Que's voice is cold, ice cold and emotionless.

"Perhaps you had also a hand in the professor's death?"

she buts in on Que's question after she finishes it
"I don't think he was, Gib seems to be the more up front type person, the professor was likely killed by a more cloak and dagger type person."

Wood, is there any way we could check for signs of possession? He seems genuine in his confusion, Vertielle whispers to the wizard, on the tips of her toes to reach his immense height.
She turns to the sheriff, her voice -almost- as cold as Que's. I must regretfully request of you, sheriff, that this man remain in your custody for the remainder of our stay in your town. He has proven himself capable, willing, and adept at the practice of stirring trouble.

Riff speaks up as well, still keeping himself between his uncle and Gkirkhan "Sheriff, please. I don't understand any of this. He must have gone mad. These folks have been rather restrained, in spite of my uncle's provocation. Lock him up until we can figure this out. Under the circumstances, I will even ask that you keep me from standing guard, just so no one can say I'm aiding him."

He looks at Gkirkhan. "Yes, he's my uncle, my mother's brother. He's been -odd- for years, esecially after he returned from a stint in the Tamrivena militia. Let us deal with him. *I* will stand responsible for his actions concerning your group. However, I can tell you" here he looks at Que " that he had no hand in the death of Professor Lorrimor. The night he died was the anniversary of the fire at Harrowstone. Our family held a vigil for my grandfather, my dad's father, who died there. We were at the church all night. Father and the acolytes can confirm it."

The sheriff directs the other two deputies to escort Gibs to the jail. As he is being led away, he turns to Riff. " I can handle myself, boy."

He turns to Gkirkhan. "I've fought your kind before, on the Belkzen border. Once this -thing- is cleared up, I'd be happy to accept your challenge."

Gkirkhan listens to Riff's words, his expression doesn't change, and his gaze does not move, but he doesn't seem quite as tense, even with Gibs' challenge.

"Hyu have a fine nephew. He iz too goot for hyur sorry hide."

Gkirkhan looks at the deputy.

"Hyu iz far braver den most. Hy respect dot. Not meny peeple vould stand against sumvun vit a sword vit nutting bot a log."

Gkirkhan gives Riff a warm smile, or at least as warm as his foul mood will allow.

Vertielle raises an eyebrow. The anniversary... Before that moment, the importance of the dates had been lost on her- a lapse in academic potency she hopes not to soon repeat.
After the scene, Vertielle goes back to the monument and copies a complete list of dead into her journal.
I must acquire some supplies before we explore this enigma further, and I'll be needing to expand my wardrobe as well. To this end, I intend to procure a vocation for the remainder of the month's duration.
She turns to Gkirkhan.
I intend to ply my luck at the local tavern, and in light of recent events, perhaps the time to do so would be now. I could most certainly use a drink.

With this, Vertielle sets out for the Laughing Demon, where she will inquire after the opportunity to perform ghost tales and heroic local histories in the evening. After a few drinks to settle Gkirkhan, she'll leave him and any who wish to remain at the tavern to gain access to the local library.

I activate sociable both at the tavern and library.
diplomacy: Tavern 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Library 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Should I not be able to post again before the events of the day come to an end, I will research possession should I enter the library. Not sure what knowledge that is, so,

Que nods as Riff is defending his uncle. Onlookers can see that she calms down a little.

"I will believe you, you seem like a fine man and I just hope that your trust in your uncle is no in vain."

When in the tavern Que tries to socialize with the townspeople there, carefully trying to learn who might know more about the fire in the prisons, perhaps even learning the identity of surviving guards.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Gkirkhan follows the others to the tavern, and invites Riff to share a drink with him. He only drinks a pint and keeps an eye on Vertielle. When she goes to leave for the library, he gets up and follows her to the door while motioning for Riff to follow.

"Oi, Mizz Vertielle, Vould you mind a leedle company? Hy tink et might be a goot idea to stay together az much az possible. HY vould be at ease und having dis guy along," Gkirkhan points to Riff, "vould keep de townsvolk at ease."

Besides the fact that he has obviously taken a liking to the bard, it's clear that he's uneasy about something.

Dere iz sumting goink on here. Hy just vish Hy knew vot et iz.

Vertielle bites her lip, debating the merits of their company. She finally relents, saying, aye, he ought to set them at ease. Come along, then.

"So, this tragedy happened on the anniversary of the fire. As for possession, I think the story is probably much simpler. Sheriff, can you get me some time at the temple and the book store to do some research towards solving this mystery."

"I agree with Wood on tha possession, I could 'ave jus' been a drunk mishap or a framin' on Gibs. Maybe its them cultists we 'eard aboot a while back, murders an' cultists go hand in hand ya know. They could 'ave stolen tha' razor and then left it somewhere."

@Vertielle; If the possession is not active (or is temporary) it's hard to tell if someone is possessed, however, a protection from evil will drive out anything evil possessing a person, and protect them from such for the length of the spell. Other options are removing the possessed person from the area of influence and/or destroying the source.

@Que: You can't learn much more than Wood already picked up about the fire. You do learn that the bodies of the victims, guards, staff, and prisoners alike, were never recovered. The fire occured during a shift change and one entire shift and a portion of another were lost. Many of the surviving guards left town for other jobs rather than become farmers. Of the 19 guards and 3 staff who survived the fire, only 5 are still in the area.

@Wood & Vertielle: int check please.

INT 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
"The entire possession scenario still seems farfetched."