EM - [PFS] Occasional Demons (Inactive)

Game Master Evil Minion

We're in a bit of a tricky spot here, scheduling-wise... as there's lots for Huni to do in the current phase... but everyone else is mostly done.

So I think we'll move on to the Afternoon phase for everyone but Huni, who'll have to catch up!

You still haven't managed to get an in at the scene of the first murder (Otto's farm), so some can try that, though you learned the previous day that taking too many tends to make him a little skittish. (Not insurmountable... you guys just rolled poorly last time =)... and then Alessio tried to intimidate him).

There's also things to learn in some of the other places... though whether it will be something new or not, or true or not, you don't know.

Alessio loosens his grip on Tommy. Where do we find Bint, then? If he's spreading lies, he should come clean to the sheriff.

Although Tommy was quick to blame Bint for everything... Alessio is pretty sure both boys were equally complicit. He just only managed to grab the one, who then seemed more than willing to throw his buddy under the carriage to avoid being 'murdered'.

As he loosens his grip, Tommy suddenly kicks Alessio in the shins, and rips himself free of the man's grip, making a break for it!

Alessio's tries to grab at him as he runs, but just misses, the boy surprisingly nimble.

"I'll tell the sheriff alright!" He shouts, as he runs away. "Tell how you Pathfinders tried to kill Bint and me too!"

You notice he is running away from town, not towards it... so whether he's just posturing or if he means to do so, is not immediately obvious.

Well, I'm flummoxed! Nothing we do seems to get us any closer to the truth, and I suspect Eamon is not even welcome in town any more. He might as well have worn a green sash to a Winter Ball!

Kara waits, probably in vain, for the expected gasp of outrage that anyone might even think of doing so.

Anyway, I think I'll head out to Otto's farm once more. Maybe a pretty face and a kind word will help him see that we're not his enemies. Does anyone with any sort of social skills want to join me?

I believe the fault lies with me, Kara. My approach does not seeming to be paying off. I thought I could threaten them to give up some detail of that evening. But they are proving resistant to my charms. Alessio exhales profoundly.

Otto is not too keen on my approach either. I'm proving of little use to this particular endeavor. I will prepare a little better this time. Alessio goes into his bag of tricks to see what can be helpful.

Trading out a Cure Moderate Wounds extract for Alchemical Allocation to quaff a potion of Heroism that will last 100 minutes with my Extend Potion discovery before going back to the beer garden.

Alessio tries a more social approach and buys a round for the folks waiting in line behind him as he approaches the beer servers in the garden. Enjoy! May you have something to celebrate! Hoping to shift perceptions of our group, or perhaps attract a party with similar interests.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Huni thanks Irori that the sheriff is such fair man.

"Yes. He did. He sent us to help you. Your only chance is that we can find and catch the real culprits. So tell me what happened. Maybe there's something there." Huni will listen to their story, asking for clarifications from the Pathfinders and even the Sheriff and guard.

In the interests of speeding things along, I doubt that Huni will ask anything you wouldn't expect. I'll offer a few rolls to catch something.

Huni, morning at Tobias Luin's home

All three of them look relieved to hear that the Lodge has sent some folks to help them.

"Corwin Burke." The halfling says, by way of introduction. "Though everyone calls me Trip!"

He indicates the two dwarves. "Horvit and Lucillis." Both of them nod as their names are mentioned.

"As to what happened... We've no bloody idea." He says, with a exasperated look towards Sheriff Luin.

"Jorsal sent us out here to investigate a Sarkorian ruin." He continues, sitting back down on the edge of his cot. "The day after we arrive, those lot..." He waves one hand towards the Sheriff and the guard. "...they burst into our rooms at the inn, waving around weapons and yelling, and throw us all in irons."

"We had no idea what they were on about, but seemed better to ride it out than resist. Figured it was some sort of misunderstanding. Thought it'd all get sorted."

He shakes his head. "That hasn't gone so well."

"Wasn't till later we heard about the murders. And now they want to hang us for them!"

"Then tell what you learned when you did learn something. What about at the trial? Did you find anything at the ruins? I need the details here if there's any hope of helping you." Huni will try to determine if they are or perhaps were under the effects of a spell.

Assuming the sheriff was there to arrest them, "Sheriff, apart from the part where they deny doing the crime, can you confirm what they said?"

Huni will ask to see their things. He'll request permission to cast Detect Magic over the items. If denied, Huni will ask if the sheriff would be willing to have a local caster do the same.

After regrouping after the morning's investigations, Floria will recount what she and Sangkip learned.

"There's a certain suspicion around this Ekira and the other refugees from Kenebres. Some have even suggested they might be demons themselves"

Does Floria know of any particular demons who might be able to impersonate humans like that? Beyond the Vermleks she's already encountered which I think she'd expect to recognise as bloated and strange looking

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

"I'd offer to go with you Kara, but I think Huni might be our best shot, something tells me that grouchy old farmer might not take two young women seriously" And Huni hasn't already spent his reroll!

"Make sure that you're back by the evening though, there's a rumour that Pathfinders will attempt a jailbreak tonight, and I think we'd do well to have an alibi. Heck if we can somehow contrive to be nearby we might be able to help if someone does decide to try to frame us. The other possibility is that it's misdirection to pull guards away from somewhere else, but I can't think what that would be."

"Either way I'd like to talk to the Sheriff this afternoon, to draw his attention to this Ekira as a possible threat, and to see about possibly questioning the deceased. Actually it occurs to me that I don't know anything about the victims. Has anybody learned anything about them? I've been so fixated on demons I've thought nothing about motive…"

Floria will accompany Kara if Huni would prefer not to in the afternoon, otherwise she'll seek out the sheriff, warn him about Ekira, ask about the victims, and if it sounds like their bodies are accessible ask about the possibility of using "Speak With Dead" on them.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Huni @ Tobias Luin's place, Morning Day 2

"We never figured out where those were." Lucillis, the female dwarf, pipes in when Huni mentions the Sarkorian ruins. "Only had a day to trying to get a feel for the place, and try to find the person that wrote the letter."

"But then things went sideways." Trip cuts in, shrugging helplessly. "Hasn't exactly been a priority since."

"They tossed us in here for a bit, then dragged us out in front of a the whole town. They had one of my daggers, that they said was the murder weapon." He shrugs, clearly mystified by that revelation. "And there was something about witnesses, a letter of some sort that the Sheriff received. We didn't know any of these people. Hell, we were in our beds during the second murder. I've no idea what a witness could have seen, but it wasn't us!"

"None of that helped us though." He adds with a sigh. "We were still in front of the village, on trial. Mostly they just shouted for a while. Especially some blonde lady, telling them all how we were in league with demons, and all murderers and such."

"Then they all voted... you can guess how that went. Now we're going to hang." He adds disconsolately, "Unless you can get us out of here. Please."

Tobias has stayed out of the conversation between Huni and the accused Pathfinders to this point, just standing by the door, watching. When Huni asks him for confirmation, he frowns slightly, as if pondering whether to respond or not.

Finally, he seems to come to a decision.

"I know nothing of any ruins, just their attempt at trying to create an alibi, I'm sure. We saw through that pretty quickly. There are no Sarkorian ruins around here." He shrugs slightly. "And all three of them were seen out at Otto's place, hours before that murder happened."

"As for the dagger, we found that at the murder sight of the second victim. We later confirmed it belonged to that one." He points towards Trip.

"And yes, we received a letter, anonymously mind you, clearly a very frightened citizen." He adds. "Who witnessed them committing the first murder."

"Between a witness for the first murder, and the murder weapon at the second, it was more than enough." He adds, matter of factly.

"I see." Huni considers pointing at the holes in the prosecution, but realizes that Sheriff-Mayor Tobias sees them as well. That's probably why he is being so accommodating right now. The priestess of Iomedae is the one that swayed the the people to find the Pathfinders guilty. "The Priestess Ekira was kind enough to introduce herself last night while we were eating supper. Has she always had such a hate for Pathfinders or is this new?""

He turns back to the prisoners with some more questions. "Do you have a copy of the letter? Can you recall who you asked about the ruins and what they said? Why did you go out to Otto's farm?"

Also, what does the sheriff say about Huni having a look at the Pathfinder's things?

Huni, morning, cont

Tobias frowns slightly.

"I heard you ran into her. I'm sure that had a bit of tension." He almost smiles at the image. "Ekira is very... uh... emotional in her devotions... and her dislike of you Pathfinders."

"She has been quite vocal through all of this, for sure." He adds. "Though that has only been words. She has been one of the strongest in opposition to their innocence, for sure... claimed Iomedae confirmed it all to her. But it was evidence that convinced the town to convict your people, not words." He pauses for a moment, before adding. "Well, mostly not words. Regardless, Ekira had no part in collecting the evidence that did."

He is not opposed to Huni looking at the Pathfinder's possessions. But still insists on keeping magic out of it... if only because none of them can be sure what magic is actually being cast.

Note: he is not friendly to you, just indifferent, at the moment, so is not overly accommodating, and still on the alert for trouble after Eamon.

Trip speaks up, at Huni's question. "The letter? The sheriff has that. We never saw it."

"He meant the first one, that got us out here in the first place." Horvit growls, the dwarf speaking for the first time since Huni arrived.

"Oh... yes, that should be with the rest of our stuff." The halfling corrects himself with a sigh. "Though there were no names mentioned, so not sure it will help."

When Huni then asks about Otto's place, Trip looks confused. "Who's Otto?"

"You mean where the first murder happened?" He finally says, once it is explained. "We only arrived in town that morning, from that direction. I don't know if we passed by this Otto fellows farm or not. It's possible."

Huni will be able to check the pathfinder's possessions, except for the dagger, which is in evidence. Though there is an empty sheath where it was supposed to be. He will also find the letter sent to Jorsal, that brought them out here in the first place. It talks of the possibility of an old Sarkorian site near the town of Dawnton... Unfortunately, it is indeed anonymous, with no signature to indicate who might have written it.

He's not sure, but something about the handwriting does seem familiar to him... and after a moment of thought, Huni realizes it seems very similar to that of the letter that Jorsal showed you back in Nerosyan, warning off the Pathfinders arrest and incipient execution. The letter that got the six of you sent here.

If Huni shares this with the others when they meet up before the afternoon, Floria will certainly raise it with the sheriff. In particular, she will ask if the written witness testimony matches the handwriting too.

Between the rolls and the roleplay, Tobias has reason to be less accommodating than he is being, thus he is being accommodating.

"No. No. I'm not suggesting that she did anything untoward, but I have no doubt how much her passion weighed against my fellow Pathfinders. I only wondered if this is a newfound hate or one that has simmered for a time."

Huni listens to a voice on the wind (actually my first thought at reading about the letters too) and asks the sheriff to compare the handwriting of the Pathfinders' letter to that of the anonymous witness'.

Would they have passed by Otto's farm on the way into town?

Did they speak to anyone about finding the ruins?

What I'm getting so far is that they arrived in town rather late in the day. They found a place to stay, probably the inn we're staying at.
They ate at the inn and went to sleep, doing nothing else that day.
They awoke to the guards arresting them.

Not quite: they arrived ... slept the night ... did some stuff the next day (mostly trying to figure out where the ruins might be or who wrote the note, supposedly)... then slept, and were arrested while they did so. On the second night in town

But yes, the direction Trip said they came from, would likely have put them going past Otto's farm, based on where the others mentioned it was the day before.

Tobias shrugs. "I can not speak of how long she has held this hatred, though everyone in town has heard her ranting about you folks, long before the murders."

"Needless to say, she was quite pleased, perhaps a little too much so, when they were found guilty and sentenced to hang." He frowns a little, clearly not nearly as pleased about such activities.

Technically, that counts as one of the rumors... and you're not supposed to learn rumors at this location! But it seemed a natural flow of the conversation, so tossing it in anyway. =)

He balks slightly, when Huni asks to compare the letter to the one the Sheriff received, clearly not quite willing to let Pathfinders near the evidence. But when Huni makes it clear he is just asking the sheriff to check the writing, he relents, frowning slightly.

He tells the guards (the other two having returned by now), and goes upstairs, taking Trip's letter with him.

He is gone for perhaps ten minutes, and when he does finally return he has a slight frown on his face. "I suppose there are similarities." He concedes. "But I'm no expert at such things."

He seems a little perturbed.

"Anyway, I think you've had long enough, this was only supposed to be a few minutes." He finally says, with a gruff wave of his hand. "I have duties to attend to for the fair this afternoon."

He nods towards the guards, he motion for Huni to exit, intent on escorting him back out.

"Of course Sheriff." Before leaving Huni turns to the Pathfinders. "My team will do our best." Huni wants to give them more reassurance, but can't bring himself to do so.
As he leaves Huni says to the sheriff, "Thank you. You have been very fair, especially considering my earlier error in judgement and my friend's disrespect. Can I have some material sent over for them to write letters? In case they have any last messages for their loved ones."

One small detail I'm unclear on, was the dagger found at the crime scene?

Yes, at the 2nd crime scene

You meet up, to compare notes, before deciding where to continue your investigations... though you're not sure where Eamon has gotten to.

Yes, I already know where Kara and Alessio are going, just need some guidance from Huni, and confirmation on Floria... and anything from Sangkip!

As you head back out again that afternoon, Kara intending to head out to Otto's farm again, with whowever will come with her. Alessio decides to pass on the long hike, unsure if Otto will still hold some animosity from his brusk manner the day before. Instead he decides to head back to the fair, perhaps try to butter up the locals with honey instead of vinager... or at least mead.

But, even as you start to go, you realize that something is happening out on the street. People ducking into buildings, and far fewer roaming about in general. You see a group of locals moving your way, trying to look inconspicuous, but easily spotted by your more astute senses. In fact, there appear to be a couple of groups.

It doesn't take long before they reveal themselves, expecting you to be surprised... and perhaps a little disappointed when you are not.

Alessio will recognize the man he was threatening in the beer garden the day before... and in fact most of you will recognize one or two of the men from the fair, or walking around town.

They all appear to be armed, though mostly with simple cudgels or farming tools... and yes you even see a couple of pitchforks.

One of them calls out, "You Pathfinders! Its about time you lot go back home."

"Dawnton don't need any more help from the likes you you!" Another adds, with a threatening wave of his club. "Pokin' your noses where they don't belong. Its high time you move along, before someone gets hurt!"

A out of synch chorus of agreement rises from the rest, all of them glaring at you in a decidedly unfriendly country way.

Note there are 7 of them, four on one side, 3 on the other.

Other townsfolk start to gather, a ways back, watching... though most of them seem to be nodding in agreement with the armed men.

Huni plans to go out to the farm.

Before going out, Huni will put back on his sword and crossbow. He'll count his bolts. Huni expects someone to at steal one of their weapons or something to link them to a new murder. He'll tell the others his suspicion.

If he can, Huni will cast Enhanced Diplomacy just before they make contact.

"Dawnton doesn't, but those people do. The grocer said he saw a tall man leaving the scene. They are two dwarves and a halfling. None of them are tall men. We're not here to cause trouble, but to save lives." Huni walks up to the one who called out. He's totally open for any attack. "Now if you want trouble, I'm here. Right here."

Diplomacy1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 19

If the guy attacks, Huni does not retaliate. Instead, he motions for the others to stay calm. "Is that it or you plan on killing us if we don't leave?"

Huni will allow him a second hit. If he persists after that, then its a fight. Huni will tell the others "Don't kill them. Don't give her a reason."

Floria will stick with the plan of visiting the sheriff then to ask about the victims. During the commotion she will pipe up in defence of the group.

"We mean you no harm. You must see that Ekira has been damaged by her experience and her poison has no basis in truth. The inheritor stands for Justice not murder. "

Hoping to aid Huni here if applicable.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

I'm not sure if the practiced diplomat thing from the faction card applies to aid another rolls, probably not.

@GM, I'm not clear on who is being threatened by the pitchfork-wielding mob.

all of you. This is happening just as you ere preparing to head out for the afternoon investigations.

Huni: Their approach was not particularly subtle... so Huni could get a spell cast, sure.
Floria: looking at the faction boon in question, it just says 'When you attempt a check using the chosen skill' ... I can't think of why an aid another would be any different. Its still a check using the skill in question. So I'd say it would still work (effectively allowing you to always succeed at aid another attempts in Diplomacy)
Kara: it was daytime, so they didn't need the torches.

"Feh! You have been lying since you arrived!" One yells. "All of you Pathfinders do nothing but lie. Ekira was right about that."

The others nod.

"Your people have already murdered two of ours! Justice will be done. We will not give you the chance to kill more!" The apparent leader says, pointing right at Huni.

"But unlike you, we are not murderers." He adds, his words addressed more at his companions. "But we do protect our own. If that means we have to make you leave, then we will, right?"

There is a chorus of consent from the rest, though perhaps not as adamant.

Just to reiterate, everyone is here at the moment, except Eamon.
I figure you folks would meet up after each phase, to compare notes, before going out again. Makes some things easier, and won't punish you for 'splitting the party', in a scenario that encourages it otherwise.
The rest might want to help =)

"Come on, this isn't helping anything. Look, if we were really trying to misbehave, we would absolutely have picked a place that didn't have such vigilant citizens. Any villains in a place like this wouldn't have so quickly and easily disclosed their allegiance to a group as maligned as the Pathfinders. Either we're preposterously stupid, or we're here to help, get it?"

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (18) - 3 = 15

We have done nothing except ask questions. Is asking questions not allowed in this town?

Diplomacy Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Yeah, pretty much par for this course on this adventure.

Still busy, so can't post til later... but just as an fyi, Sangkip got you over the hump =)
Who'd a thunk, the vanaran being all reasonable-like!

You guys have had a few poor rolls to date... or just higher DC's to hit. But nothing that has set you back too badly... especially if Alessio stops using Intimidate =)

Besides, what's the fun if you don't get a few false rumors *cough*TommyandBint*cough* to go in with the true ones!
I've always been of the belief that half the fun stuff in this game, comes about when you *fail* at stuff. But sadly, this is not one of those times!

The mob continues to yell insults, encouraging you to get out of their town.

Their leader glares at Sangkip. "The monkey talks?" He says, looking back at one of the others.

"Clever with his hands too!" The second man replies, smiling slightly. Sangkip will recognize him as one of the ones that was enjoying his three card monty variation at the fair the day before.

"Of course he is... all the better to stab people I'm sure!" The first responds in annoyance.

His vehement words seem to have lost some of their luster, and the initial emotion that was driving the mob seems to have faded as nothing much came from the confrontation.

"Screw this Torben, Milly's waiting for me at the foot race." One says to the leader.

A couple of the others seems to have lost their zeal as well.

The leader seems upset by this "They ain't that tough, and only five of 'em."

None of the others seem to find the odds that encouraging, and one by one they start to back away.

"If they keep snooping, we can always come back." One suggest, as he starts to leave too.

Realizing the numbers are rapidly changing against him, Torben snarls. "We're not done Pathfinders!" He spits out. "I'm sure you are as stupid as the monkey says... if so, be warned, Dawnton protects its own!"

He tosses out a few more insults, before heading away with the others.

The assembled crowds grow bored just as quickly, as nothing comes of it all, and soon, the street seems to return to normal for the afternoon... though the five Pathfinders still find many an unfriendly glance coming their way.
________________________________________

Will continue with the previous mentioned afternoon activities.
Currently that's Alessio to the beer gardens, Kara and Huni out to the farm, Floria too (maybe? She will learn the Sheriff is likely not at home anymore from Huni).
No clue on Sangkip

Need more clarification on where Floria wishes to go (the diplo roll depends on where you are!) ... and Sangkip?!

And again, except for specific things (like getting in to the sheriff, or Otto... you DO NOT need to use social skills for any of these exploration checks. As mentioned you're just trying to get on some of the locals good sides, by impressing them with some skill or other. And with all the games going on at the fair, there are lots of opportunities to do so, with all manner of skills, or BaB, or CMB type checks.
___________________________

Kara and Huni, Afternoon, Day 2

The five mile hike to Otto's place has not gotten any shorter a day later... though not having the villagers giving you long looks all the time, kind of makes up for it a little.

You eventually reach the distinctive yellow hexagon that marks his property, and turn down the wooden track that leads to the house with a little trepidation, given your reception the day before.

You've barely taken a few steps past the fence, when you hear a dog barking off in the distance towards the house. You've made it another dozen or so, when you see the tall muscular form of Otto step out from the house onto his porch, the familiar leather sling in his hand.

"Stop where you are strangers, this here is private property!" He shouts, then pauses, frowning.

"Wait... you two were here yesterday." He adds after a moment. "Well, its still private property today too! So git!"

____________________________

Alessio, Beer Garden, Afternoon, Day 2

Finally realizing that his attempts to influence the locals through threats and intimidate are perhaps having a negative impact on an already tarnished Pathfinder reputation in town, Alessio decides to try to take the other tack.

After chasing off the impromptu neighourhood watch outside the tavern, he bids good luck to the others, and heads to the fair... and the beer gardens nearby.

The place is packed, much like the day before, though the general mood of the place as he arrives is a little colder.

Of course, there's nothing like a call out to buy drinks for everyone, to warm those cold looks up a bit.

Note: it will put you back 20gp to buy a round, as it were. (The place is packed)

A few of the locals even come up to thank him.

"Don't worry too much about whatever nonsense Ekira is spouting." One says. "Everyone likes to make her out to be some sort of demon in disguise or something... but she's just had a hard time since Kenabres... it was pretty ugly. She needed an outlet. You won the part."

Another chimes in, "Ya... I think she blames you Pathfinders for what happened there for some reason. So she's got a major hard on for you lot. Just stay out of her way."

"Like that every works." The first replies with a grumpy sigh, and the other man laughs, as they both take a sip of their free drink.

Kara is not offended by the farmer's outburst. She glances quickly around for some way to impress him.

Knowledge Engineering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Why, of course it's your private property. I only came back because I noticed that the rainfall off your roof is starting to eat away at the soil, and if it continues your house will be damaged. See, there and there? Already your walls are starting to sag.

I met a wise man once who knew how to prevent this, and I thought you'd like to know. I can show you how to create channels which catch the rainwater and not only do they prevent damage, they also can fill up a barrel so you always have fresh, clean water.

But if you'd prefer that we go, of course we will. I just hope you don't have to replace large portions of your house after the next big storm...

On hearing about Huni's interactions with the sheriff and that he's not at home, Floria decides he's probably had enough of Pathfinders, and that talking to corpses is not likely to win them any friends anyway.

She decides instead to tag along with the group heading to Otto's farm, hoping that three isn't enough spook him. Having been there previously she'll use her scroll of heightened awareness when just out of sight.It lasts 10 minutes

She nods along with Kara's explanation of engineering and offers "And it's such a long walk from town, could we trouble you for a spot of the legendary hospitality of Mendev, perhaps a cup of water and five minutes off our feet?"

Hopefully using the previous :)

Huni considers backing up Kara's gambit, but figures that, especially now that the town knows about them, the truth is the way to go. "Good farmer, I wasn't here yesterday. I've spoken to Sheriff Tobias and he's given his leave for us to look into the murders. So, if it's not a bother, can we please see where you found the body?"

Diplomacy1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Otto seems a little offended when Kara starts suggesting he is taking poor care of his home. Luckily, both Floria and Huni are there to smooth over any ruffled feathers.

"I know who you people are." He says gruffly, as a large hound comes around the house from the back, and sits beside him. "Wouldn't of though another Pathfinder would want to get anywhere near Dawnton right now."

He snorts, then stands there silently for a long moment, as if pondering something. Eventually, he steps off the porch, the dog quickly getting up to pace him, and moves around to the left side of the house. Eventually he stops, looking back at you.

"Well, you coming or not." He growls, gruffly. "Ain't got all day to play tour guide. If you wanna look, then make it snappy."

It would appear he is willing to show you around... but not so willing to dawdle while doing so, as he starts walking again almost immediately, and you have to move quickly to catch up.

"Ain't been anyone out here but Luin, and his boys, since I found him." He says. "His body that is."

"Came out to feed the chickens, when I saw him. He was hanging naked, up there." He points to one of the trees that form the wind break along the west side of the house. There is no body there anymore, but a length of rope still hangs from a branch, where it was probably cut down.

"Was as naked as a man can get" He adds, scratching absently at his jaw. "Whoever killed him, not only took his clothes, but his skin. Was stripped down to the flesh."

He pauses for a moment, before adding. "While still alive, I reckon."

"Wasn't anyone I recognized, not that you can tell with his face stripped down. Think Tobias said it was someone from Sunstep, that's the next town off that way, 'bout ten miles." He points off to the north, in the direction the road you came here on goes."[/b]

"Didn't touch nothing." He continues, indicating the tree again. "Just hauled out Ol' Petunia, and rode into town to get Tobias. Ain't been anyone here since."

"We cut him down over there, weren't pretty. Tobias gathered what evidence he could, then hauled the poor wretch back to town. Dunno what they did with him after that. He shrugs, clearly not too bothered by the whole ordeal.

"So look, around if you want. I got stew on the stove." He looks at you for a moment, then adds, "You want water, the wells just over there. Don't take too long." He then turns abruptly, and walks back towards his house, the dog following right behind.

Perception checks might also be useful, +2 if someone made the above Survival check

"Thank you for your help Otto, we'll be on our way shortly"

Not being an outdoorsy sort of person, Floria isn't an expert at reading the signs of activity in a natural setting, but she can provide what guidance she can to Huni

Survival to aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6

She does have a look at the scene though for anything she can discern.

Perception + Heightened Awareness: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15

She looks puzzled

Huni hurries to catch up to the gruff farmer.

Before he leaves or gets too far away, Huni calls out, "Otto. That faithful hound able to get out at night to protect the chicken and whatnot?" Wouldn't Old Red there have taken note of the murder on the property if not the victim when he came on the property? Even the blood on the wind as the victim bled out.

Survival 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Alessio picks up on the grumpy man's response and waits for a moment to follow up with him.

Seems you've had dealings with Ekira that differ from your friends. Anything you think can help us out?

diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Survival, Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Kara is slightly shocked by the thought of a fellow Pathfinder being skinned alive.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

She recovers quickly, hoping no one noticed, and does a quick investigation of the area.

Alessio, Beer Garden

The man shrugs slightly, at Alessio's question. "Ekira is pretty much the same with everyone." He says in reply. "Well, unless you're a Pathfinder, I guess. Generally just way too serious across the board. Running around, talking about how the Inheritor told her this, or Iomedae agreed with her on that... "

The other man laughs at that. "Heard she was going to run for Mayor." He offers.

"Who? Ekira or Iomedae?" The other replies, and both have a good chuckle, as they take another big swig of their drinks.

Kara, Huni, Floria... on the Farm!

"Not that night." Otto calls back, at Huni's question, though doesn't really stop. "Weather was supposed to turn foul... though never did."

He doesn't really elaborate more, as he goes back into his house through a door in the back.

You take some time to examine the area, though none of you are particularly talented at such endeavors. Huni seems to have the best eye for it, but neither of the women are much help at all in analyzing the immediate crime scene... and eventually you realize none of you have learned anything helpful.

But, all three do try, and eventually Kara spots something shiny in the grass nearby. Huni digs it out carefully, and it turns out to be a button... made of obsidian.

"An Obsidian button..." Floria looks thoughtful. "Not unheard of, but not common. And certainly not something you would find in a farming village"

"It may be that there's a killer in town missing a button, great find Kara. I'm not sure what to make of this case. First a letter brings a Pathfinder team out here, presumably to lure them into a trap. There were no specific agents mentioned, so its author likely had a grudge against the organisation, not any individuals."

She paces back and forth in the farm as she talks things through.

"The pathfinders arrive in town, passing this farm as our killer surely knew they would, and the killer hangs a flayed corpse here. Where did they find it? Did they slay another traveller just to incriminate the pathfinders? Why remove the skin? Is Ekira possessed by a demon or just a useful idiot used by the tall man to stir up hatred?"

Is Floria aware of any demons that go in for flaying? Anything that possesses or might present as a voice in the head?

Knowledge planes: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 2 = 16

She looks up at Kara and Huni. "I'm sorry I thought talking it through might help, but I'm as lost as before. At least we have the button now, something solid to go on. Shall we head back?"

We'd best be on our way before we wear out what little welcome we have.

Oh... hmm.. you asked about demonic things before, and I think I forgot to answer that time!

Sangkip sets out to find out some more about Ekira, hoping that if he can reason out where she's staying, he might be able to keep an eye on where she's going.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Stealth (if necessary): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26
Perception (if helpful): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Sangkip will be able to suss out that Ekira is staying at the Heath and Harvest, same as the rest of you. He can't quite get the room, though one of the ones facing the street out front.

She is not hard to find, as she is constantly patrolling around the town, on the lookout for trouble... or as she often refers to it, Pathfinders!

"Yes. We are done here. Let's get back. We should go past the house. At least announce that we're leaving."

Alessio will make his way back to the group.

Seems the town is not completely against us, and maybe more importantly, not all with Ekira. Is the plan to seek her out?

On the way back to town Floria muses about Demonic telepathy.

"Demons usually have telepathy, what if one lingers near Ekira, perhaps in the form of a human, or even invisible, and whispers poison into her mind pretending to be Iomedae? If that were the case they would likely need to remain close to her, particularly where she slept so they could commune during her nightly prayers"

She will make sure her dagger is still safely on her hip, and on returning and talking to Sangkip, she will try to keep an eye out for anyone missing buttons, or wearing obsidian buttons. To Alessio she says "If she's staying at the the tavern as Sangkip says we'll likely see her at mealtime, I think we should be on the lookout for those near her, particularly if they're tall and missing a button"

"Should we set a watch tonight in case something happens?"

"The angry townsfolk will come at us head on. It's the ones who framed the others that worry me. They will come with stealth. Perhaps to take something of ours to plant at a crime scene that, maybe another murder. I think setting a watch would be a good idea."

"Heh, yeah, that's how I'd do it too. Who knew Huni had a mind for crime?"

"Not crime. Common sense."

Sorry for the delay!

After spending some time out on the farm, Kara, Floria, and Huni find no more clues, and make their way back to town. Otto does not wish them off, though once you start back to the road, you see him back on the porch, watching you leave.

By the time they get back to Dawnton, the sun has already set, most of the villagers and visitors having either returned to their homes, or are huddled in groups at the fair beer gardens, or hanging out at the inn.

All of you meet back at the Heath and Harvest, to compare notes and strategize... though the mood in the inn is cold at best, not nearly as many people as had been there the previous two nights, and those that are there often giving you nervous glances. Ekira is in the tavern when you arrive, sitting in the corner by herself, starring daggers at you the whole time.

Of course, there is only so much information to compare, though the case against the Pathfinders does seem a little weak, once you look at it. And you're definitely starting to find a few hints that might point to alternate suspects.

Floria seems especially worried about the accused being framed, and that the same could happen to them. She makes a point of checking her gear constantly... though finds nothing missing.

As you're discussing what to do next, and what to do with the early part of the evening... the charged atmosphere in the inn is disturbed by a hew and cry from outside, as some sort of disturbance seems to be happening.

Some of the people in the inn go out to see what it is, Ekira included.