Let's report on the mill first and then see Amieiko.
What is everyone's share of the last haul?
Selia is with Nicholae.
Ned will go with the others to report.
Lleidr will tag along with the group to report to Mayor Bossy.
Happy to see you again, both Sheriff Hemlock and Mayor Deverin thank you for taking the time to visit the mill.
Congratulations out of the way, Hemlock excuses himself. "I apologize, but the past couple of days have been hectic. Still getting the new recruits up to par."
"Maybe we won't need them as much now, with the goblin tribes disorganized and depopulated again." the Mayor offers.
Hemlock gives a half-chuckle and shakes his head before leaving. "It's never that easy round here."
The Mayor continues. "I'm still concerned with the Scarnettis, though, even with the new mill set to open soon. Maybe you could discreetly snoop around town and see if there's any word out there what they're planning for the upcoming election."
"If we hear about anything underhanded we'll let you know."
I am not well suited to espionage but will do what I can
He spends the day in Ameiko's place trying to discretely turn up any rumours of the next election actions and current disposition of the Scarnetti's.
Lleidr will do the same, although at less reputable establishments.
Nicholae starts to question himself as the day wears on.
Why are we working for the mayor on political issues? Who made the Scarnetti the villains here that we should act as the mayors agents? Maybe we should talk to the Scarnetti too? Find out their side of the story.
While you're in the Rusty Dragon's common room, watching and talking to the locals, Ameiko comes up to your table and hugs each of you.
In a lowered voice, she tells you with a smile. "My friends, I just sold the glass factory. I've also gotten offer on my father's house. Think I should sell it?"
Just then, Brodert Quink strolls inside and eases into a chair next to you all. "Hope I'm not intruding ... I've waited as long as I can after folks said you came back from Thistletop. It was a Thassilonian structure inside, wasn't it?"
Quink is working hard to contain his enthusiasm.
***********
Lleidr has entered the Fatman's Feedbag, definitely Sandpoint's most notorious establishment, which faces the harbor amidst a ramshackle collection of dwellings [NOTE - this tavern is building #42 on the Sandpoint map].
When Lleidr walks in, there's an audible gasp, followed by several fingers pointed in the halflng's direction, but the patrons quickly return to their food and drink.
After settling in a too-large man-sized table and ordering a drink and a bite, you determine that most folks in here are sailors, laborers and what-not. But, you know well that the Sczarni gang are said to inhabit this place.
It isn't long after telling the serving maid your order before a man walks up to your table. He's lean, with a sly looking face, greasy hair and black teeth. You see leather and mail peering out from a threadbare traveling cloak. "You honor us with your presence, my friend. The famous golbin-fighter, Lleidr, here at the Feedbag! Tell me, my friend, are you here for opportunities? We could pay well for eyes and ears that know the Mayor's actions."
Lleidr will give the hideous stranger a sideways look and try to slouch casually without sliding out of the oversized chair. "Well, friend, I wouldn't have said 'famous goblin-fighter,'but it looks like my rep precedes me. And ol' Ripnugget didn't just hand over this crown 'cause I asked nicely!"
"As for opportunities, my dad always said a smart man makes his own. While I appreciate your offer, I can freely tell you the only things I know about the Mayor is her ability to hand out pittances that she calls rewards and make long speeches about how important she is. Fact is, she's nervous about the upcoming election, and I wouldn't mind knowing more about her rivals. If the right people are in power, I could certainly take advantage of some very profitable opportunities."
The stranger smiles, revealing a band of yellowed stumps and missing teeth. "Alright, my friend. It sounds like we have many common interests. My name is Jubrayl, and I assume you are Lleidr, of whom much is spoken of late in this town.
"Meet me here in two weeks time, at the midday meal. I have a friend from Magnimar due to visit then, and he will be honored to meet with you."
[NOTE - his name really is Jubrayl, and he's got no connection to our deceased paladin. Think of it as a common name for the area, like 'John' would be for us]
*********************
Two weeks of snooping around has revealed little about any of the Scarnetti's dealings or intentions. One morning, the day before Lleidr's meeting at the Feedbag, while you're eating breakfast, Ameiko hands you a note from Hemlock.
"A guard ran this over from Town Hall before dawn. It sounded urgent."
The handwriting is difficult to make out, as if the note were written in a hurry. The message is terse. "Come to Town Hall as soon as you read this - Hemlock"
"I guess we better get over there."
Lleidr is willing to go along despite the glaring lack of a please from the sheriff.
However, he's not as interested in local politics, and certainly not in snooping for the mayor, especially for two weeks when no immediate plot presents itself. He'd rather spend that time trying to get the mask out of Thistletop, possibly in conjunction with Brodert Quink excavating.
Lets get over there.
[NOTE - I knew you wanted to see the sage, Brodert, but I wasn't sure on when. We can say you had this conversation with him during these past 2 weeks.]
Brodert shakes his head. "I'm no wizard and know very little of any arcane lore. And, I'm much too old to be plunging down holes inside Thistletop. If you're after a particular spell, you probably want to try Madame Mvashti or Ned's friend, Ilsoari, who runs the Turandarok Academy.
Thank you so much for the etchings and descriptions of what you saw in there. You've given me a trove of material to work through. This is an early estimation, but it appears the ruins you found date back to the last age of the Thassilonian Empire. And, these runic symbols! There's so much to discover in this writing.
Take this seven pointed star on the medallion you took from Nualia as an example. This symbol appears often in Thassilonian ruins and artifacts. It represents many things apparently - the seven virtues of life, the seven evils (wrath, gluttony, greed, and so on), but it may also represent seven ancient kings who ruled Thassilon for many, many years."
*****************
[NOTE - another thing I forgot to bring up: Selia's room and Lleidr's snare to catch a persistent thief]
You mentioned setting a trap involving paint to spill on the thief. Sure enough, Selia is missing a single earring. However, there's a puddle of dried white paint on the floor, and in the alleyway, you find a sleeve, ripped from a fine woolen jacket, stained by a large patch of white paint.
A lounging guardsman at the Town Hall gives a yawn as big as the building's gaping arched entrance, then leaps up to his feet upon catching sight of you. "Follow me, please", he says, motioning you inside, leading to a windowless room secured with a thick door of old oak. Hemlock awaits inside, his head in his hands, and he looks up at you, emotionless, but his eyes betray a sense of desperation on his part.
As soon as everyone is seated and greeted, he begins.
“First, let me thank you again for all you’ve done for Sandpoint. It’s fortunate you’ve proven yourselves so capable, because we’ve a
problem I think you can help us with—a problem I wish I didn’t have to involve anyone with, but one that needs dealing with now before
the situation grows worse.
“Put simply, we have a murderer in our midst—one who, I fear, has only begun his work. Some of you doubtless remember the Late Unpleasantness, how this town nearly tore itself apart in fear as Chopper’s slayings went on unanswered. I’m afraid we might have something similar brewing now.
“Last night, the murderer struck at the sawmill. There are two victims, and they’re… they’re in pretty gruesome shape. The bodies were discovered by one of the mill workers, a man named Ibor Thorn, and by the time my men and I arrived on the scene, a crowd of curious gawkers had already sprung up. I’ve got my men stationed there now, keeping the mill locked down, but the thing that bothers me isn’t the fact that we have two dead bodies inside. It’s the fact that this is actually the second set of murders we’ve had in the last few days.
“I come to you for help in this matter—my men are good, but they are also green. They were barely able to handle themselves against the goblins, and what we’re facing now is an evil far worse than goblins. I need the help. But I’m afraid you’ll need the help too. You see, I’m afraid that this particular murderer knows one of you as well.”
Hemlock slides a bloodstained scrap of folded parchment across the table towards you. Written in blood on the outside is a single word, 'Selia'.
Selia seems confused, and concerned.
"Who was murdered?" she asks, as she opens the parchment to read what is inside.
I wonder if my missing items and the murdered are connected.
Inside the note addressed to Selia
Hemlock continues. "The note was found pinned to the sleeve of the latest victim with a splinter of wood. I'm sure it put there to throw suspicion onto you, but I harbor no suspicions at all that any of you were involved with this.
"That said, if word of this note gets out, I fear that the town may have a much worse reaction. I'm relying on you to keep this quiet, otherwise the town will panic.
"I will help you investigate things, but at the moment, my hands are full just keeping the peace. Consider yourselves deputized - I'll give you all the support I can. For instance, there's a number of places and people you may want to consider.
"The Sandpoint Lumber Mill makes sense to be your first stop; I'd like to get the place cleaned up and the bodies buried. The Scarnetti's will be hounding the Mayor to get things up and running as soon as possible.
"Ibor Thorn discovered the bodies, and I've spoken to him once, but you may want to see what you can also learn from him.
"My only real suspect is Ven Vinder. You see, one of the victims was his oldest daughter. He's locked inside the gaol at the moment, but I really doubt he was involved with this.
"Three con men from Galduria were found murdered in a similar manner a few days ago, but their bodyguard survived. Unfortunately, he went insane from the ordeal and is housed at Habe's Sanatorium just outside town."
Katrine Vinder, Ven's oldest daughter, and her lover, Banny Harker, were the ones killed at the lumber mill. If you'll recall, Katrine's sister tried to seduce the late Jubrayl, much to Ven's considerable displeasure.
Selia passes the note around. "I have no clue what this means, but I am starting to think that perhaps my personal item thief might also be our murderer. And even if not, I would then guess he or she would know something. I don't have any clue what this reference to "the pack" is, however. Very strange, indeed. "
"Let's start by talking to Ven. I agree, it seems unlikely he is the culprit here, and we can express our condolences and offer to find this killer to maybe help ease some pain. He might know more about who could want to harm his daughter."
Once it becomes apparent Brodert isn't offering any sort of recompense beyond a history lesson, Lleidr's eyes will glaze over and he will excuse himself as quickly as possible. If he still has time during that two week lull, he'd like to try and track down one or both of the people Brodert referred to to obtain a scroll of Shrink Item.
I'll split my posts up between the two week downtime and the time after the murders, so that we can resolve any outstanding items while current events unfold.
[Downtime]
Ilsoari Gandethus is busy herding his charges at the academy, but manages to confirm that yes, he does have the very thing you're after. He pulls a scroll tube from among dozens stored in a latticed case, each with a woolen tassle differing in color and length.
Handing you the scroll, he says, "I owe Ned for saving my life. Now he owes me one. Tell him, I'm obligating him to give next year's commencement address at Turandarok."
[1st Morning After Murders]
Hemlock nods. "Ven's in a cell in the garrison. Like I said, I don't believe he killed anyone, but when he learned of his daughter's death, he flew into a rage. My men brought him here to cool off, and I'm going to release him, but I can wait till you speak with him.
"Ibor's in a cell there, too. Be gentle with these guys, if you question them. They've been through a lot since the moon's last rising."
[Downtime]
Lleidr will offer to pay for the scroll. A sorcerer version of the spell should run about 450 gp, and he doesn't feel comfortable obligating Ned for something happening next year when he can't guarantee the old man will even be alive that long.
[Downtime]
Regarding the paint trap...Lleidr's going to go way out on a limb and suggest that the thief is Lord Fancypants Foxglove or whatever his name was, the dandy we rescued during the first goblin attack. He was particularly interested in Selia then, and the linen jacket makes me think of him as well.
[1st Morning after the Murders]
And if that's true, Lleidr now suspects that Foxglove is not just a thief, but a murderer and possibly a werewolf.
------
I know that's a far stretch with no real evidence, but like any good halfling, Lleidr's gonna listen to his gut on this.
*****************
[NOTE - another thing I forgot to bring up: Selia's room and Lleidr's snare to catch a persistent thief]You mentioned setting a trap involving paint to spill on the thief. Sure enough, Selia is missing a single earring. However, there's a puddle of dried white paint on the floor, and in the alleyway, you find a sleeve, ripped from a fine woolen jacket, stained by a large patch of white paint.
Sounds like a job for a Ranger!
"Let's see where this leads..."
[Downtime]
Lleidr will offer to pay for the scroll. A sorcerer version of the spell should run about 450 gp, and he doesn't feel comfortable obligating Ned for something happening next year when he can't guarantee the old man will even be alive that long.
"Well, if I'm dead he can't very well make me give the speech. Not unless he want's to prop my rotting corps up at the front of the room as an object lesson. Go ahead and take the deal."
Ned can tell that the sleeve was ripped because it was sopping with paint at the time, and leaving it in the alley was likely done to keep from dripping a trail.
Unfortunately for the thief, Ned can follow a trail of tiny paint blotches which go out east on Prickleback Lane. The trail stops at least twenty feet from the water.
NOTE - I was waiting to see what you wanted to do about the trail you've discovered. Selia wants to speak with Ven, so I'll assume you're all headed that way. Looks like a goof on my part; the trail bit is in the past, and doesn't interfere with you questioning anyone.
[1st Morning After Murders]
Stepping around a narrow corridor, you see Ven Vinder wedged into a small cell, slumped up against a wall. Catching sight of you, he leaps to his feet and points in your direction. "Jackals, deviants!" he roars. "You murdered my child. I caught one of your kind sneaking into my home, and then you chased my daughter into that infernal mill!"
Ven's face is purpled with rage, and his knuckles are white from his huge hands gripping the cell bars, as if to rip them loose from the stone floor.
"Mr. Vinder, we are so sorry for your loss, but you must know that we had nothing to do with this. In fact, we are here to help find the killers and discover what did happen."
Selia give him a minute or two to calm down, and then continues.
"Is there anyone you can think of that might want to have harmed your daughter or the boy? Do you know why they were at the mill?"
----
Calm yourself Goodman Vinder - we had naught to do with the death of your daughter - we'll find the fiend who did though!.
Nich, Selia, how about a Diplomacy check?
Can the trail be followed further? If so
"This would be so much easier if we were out in the bush."
Talking to Vinter, Ned will attempt to "aid another" for Selia.
[1st Day After Murders]
His anger and frustration vented and spent, Ven collapses onto a small stool. His grey face and the dark bags under his eyes betray his lack of sleep.
"I know Katrine snuck out at night to be with that worthless Harker, but why would someone kill her? Why?" He points a finger at you. "A fiend did this alright. If I find out it was you ..." he leaves the threat dangling as his voice trails off.
[Downtime]
You find a tiny spot of the white paint on a stone near the river, and then no paint or any footprints at all on the opposite side, which is essentially a marsh.
We'll get him - we promise. Can you tell us anything at all? Anything about her movements recently or on the night?
Nicholae turns to Selina.
Whats your thoughts? Maybe we should talk to Ibor Thorn next?
"Agreed."
Vinder shakes his head slowly. "Her movements? Huh. Ever since that no-good Harker caught her fancy, she would sneak out of the house after waiting for me and my wife to fall asleep. It's been happening for months. Harker manned the mill at night, you see."
"One night, I got so fed up, I stayed awake and then followed her to the mill, but she got in before I could catch her and then Harker locked me out. I was so angry, the neighbors had to rouse the sheriff."
"But, that's all over now. I think I need to talk to Father Zantus."
*************
Turns out, Ibor Thorn is just down the hall in another cell in the garrison. He's a young, fairly handsome fellow, with a narrow face. He appears to be somewhat in a state of shock. If you'll recall, Ibor claims he found the bodies this morning upon arriving at the mill.
Ibor eyes you with a weary indifference as you approach.
"Hello, Ibor. I am sorry you have had to witness what you have. I hate to bother you with questions, but we want to find this killer and bring him to justice, so your information can be very valuable. Can you tell us what you saw?"
Need a Diplomacy check, please. And for anyone else speaking to Ibor, please give me a roll, too.
[1st Day After Murders]
[Downtime]
You find a tiny spot of the white paint on a stone near the river, and then no paint or any footprints at all on the opposite side, which is essentially a marsh.
"Hmmm, I wonder. Maybe whoever this was just went down to the river to wash off the paint."
check to see if there are tracks leaving the river on the town side.
Nicholae stands at Selina's side.
Anything you can share with us will certainly help. We know it is difficult.
At first, Ibor looks away, but he masters his nervousness and lets out a sigh. "I usually arrive at the mill before dawn to send Harker home. He works at night, if you didn't know. But then when I opened the door this morning it was .. it was awful.
"Katrine's body is a mangled ruin, smashed by the log splitter. Harker was hung from the ceiling on these great hooks, his body horribly mutilated. I .. can't go into more detail than that. As soon as I caught sight of all that, I ran here for the sheriff. He kept me here since then, and then he dragged Ven here, and he was howling in rage like a beast.
"Look, it's no great secret round here that Harker had midnight trysts with Katrine. Ven could be overly protective, but I can't see him doing what was done to those two." Ibor shakes his head.
"Ibor, thank you, but I get the feeling you aren't telling me everything. You know, I am blessed strange and wonderful powers, and they help me in the search for truth and justice. Tell me what you are holding back, and we can help each other here."
I forgot to resolve Ned's tracking for further downstream. There's no further sign of the paint stains on the side of the town along the river.
Ibor leans forward and presses his face to the rusted iron bars of his cell, trying to view each direction of the hall. In a whisper, "You know the lumber mill is owned by the Scarnetti's, right? Well, Harker was cooking the books for a long time, but he thought he was keeping it secret. I never had any part in his scam, but I bet Harker had stashed a lot of coin by skimming off the top of sales for so long.
"The Scarnetti's are ruthless. If they thought Harker was stealing from them, they would never hesitate to kill him."
"Thank you, Ibor. Does anyone else know about this?"
----
When the others gather away from prying ears, Selia says "So, the Scarnettis again. But let's keep our minds open - it is always possible that someone else is trying to place this blame on them."