As you hurry outside with the rest, there does indeed seem to be something going on, a couple of buildings north of the Heath and Harvest... as people are starting to gather around the alley between two of the buildings there.
By the time you get there, people are gathered around the bodies of two men, laying dead in the alley, one of them with a dagger still embedded in his chest.
You do not immediately recognize the two men, though the people of Dawnton seem to know them, and stare aghast at the site.
Ekira is already there, ahead of you, trying to get the crowd to step back, though only having partial success, as they seem drawn to the grisly sight.
"The dagger! It belongs to that one there!" Someone shouts off to the side, and immediately eyes start scanning the crowd, trying to figure who they are talking about.
You don't see the initial indicator, but the rest appear to have picked up on it, and slowly eyes, and scowling faces, start turning towards you...
More specifically, they are all looking at Kara!
"The Pathfinder!" One of them yells, as if that word alone were an accusation.
The crowd immediately moves in, trying to surround her, shouting further accusations and recriminations.
By the bodies, Ekira scowls, then pushes her way through the crowd.
"Stand aside! If it is hers, than we will soon have another Pathfinder to hang with rest!" She yells. "I told you to be wary of them! You there... get the Sheriff!"
Immediately a couple of villagers race off towards Tobias' home... only a few buildings away.
Kara is immediately surrounded, buffeted as people push and shove her, or each other trying to get to her.
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GET BACK! She has done no such thing! Otto can attest her whereabouts today and she has been with us since at the Heath and Harvest. Ekira, you were staring at us the whole time. How could we have done such a thing if we were right in front of you. Come to your senses. Alessio tries to interpose himself between the crowd and the accused.
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Unhand me, you ruffians! I've been out at Otto's farm the whole day. Someone is trying to frame me, and didn't even bother checking if I had an alibi when I was supposedly out here stabbing two grown men and then conveniently leaving my dagger at the crime scene. Do they think I'm daft?
Also, I have a lot more effective ways of killing than daggers. But let's not mention that right now...
Kara hopes her logic will sway the crowd to start listening and stop mobbing.
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Perception
Huni looks for any who may have seen the trio return from Otto's farm and points them out. "He saw us come back from Otto's and go to the inn. Her too. All of you are watching our comings and goings. Someone is trying make us take the blame for this. We didn't do it." He figures that they might as well use their infamy to their favor.
Huni also interposes himself between Ekira and Kara.
Diplomacy
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Floria focuses on finding their accuser.
She searches the crowd to try to find the person who called out, or if she can't tell which one it was, looks for a missing or obsidian button, or failing that a tall person with botched hair.
With all the tension though she's finding it hard to concentrate.
If there's time she will also join her voice to Huni's in proclaiming their innocence. "He's right, you all know we didn't do this, Ekira most of all"
No one is really certain who pointed out Kara in the first place. There are a lot of locals milling about, and more arriving. Many seem to have taken up the calls of guilt... though who started it is a mystery.
The crowd seems to be in 'mob' mode, for sure... eager to put a stop to the killings, but unsure if Kara is the right target or not.
Ekira seems convinced though.
"Do not presume to tell me what I did or did not see, Pathfinder." The inquisitor retorts, at Floria's comments. The anger, and hatred dripping from her words is almost palpable. "I will not speak lies for the likes of you."
"These two poor souls were clearly murdered earlier. Already the blood congeals around their wounds." You notice she is directing her words at the crowd now. "Those three there, they have only been at the inn a short while, and before that... I certainly do not know."
"Apparently murdering more of our own!" She yells.
The crowd seems to be responding more to her accusations, then the Pathfinder's please of innocence.
But before she can really work them into a frenzy, the Sheriff shows up, pushing his way through the crowd.
"What's happening here?!" He shouts, trying to be heard over the milling crowd. He sees the two dead bodies, and frowns.
"All of you, settle down. I'll have no lynch mobs here! That means you too, Ekira." He adds, giving the woman a put upon glare.
"Two more dead." Ekira retorts, pointing back towards Kara. "By Pathfinder hands."
Tobias raises one eyebrow. "You saw them do this?" He asks, looking back towards the Pathfinders, encircled by a small mob of angry villagers.
"What? Saw them? It is is obvious. That woman's dagger is still in his chest!" Ekira bites back.
"Her's?" The sheriff replies, glancing towards Kara, who Ekira is emphatically pointing out. He then kneels down beside the body to examine the weapon.
"How do you know?" He finally asks.
The question only gets a confused look from Ekira. "Know what?"
"That it's her dagger? I do not see any inscriptions? Did she admit it was hers?"
"What? No, of course she's not going to admit it." Ekira responds, with a confused scowl.
"It is obviously hers." She adds, hesitantly. "A witness pointed it out."
Again she is treated to the eyebrow, and the sheriff turns to the crowd, calling out for the 'witness' to step forward. The locals look at each other, expecting someone else to speak up, but after a minute of expectant looks, no one says anything. Ekira too, demands the witness step forward, though her entreaties serve no better.
You can tell by her look, she is trying to figure out something, and not liking the answers she's coming to.
The sheriff pulls the dagger out of the body, wiping it off carefully, before examining it again.
"Cold iron" He observes absently, before walking over towards the Pathfinders, stopping in front of Kara, and holding it up.
"So, is this yours, miss." He asks, bluntly, his face inscrutable.
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Kara checks to see if her dagger is, in fact, missing from its scabbard.
It does appear to be my dagger, Sheriff, but I'll have you know that I am a mage of the Third Order of Taldor, and I have seen battle with demons and undead, cultists and brigands, elementals and skulks, and much more. I may command at my fingertips the very elements themselves.
She pauses for effect.
Were I to wish someone harmed, I have better ways to do it than close up, with a dagger, which was ever so conveniently left at the murder site to be found. My good Sheriff, I am not stupid, and neither are you.
She brushes her hands of imaginary dust.
Besides, I was at Otto's farm when this horrible crime happened, which can be verified by Otto himself. What I am starting to wonder is... she glares at Ekira ...where was Ekira when the murders happened?
"Ha! See!" Ekira crows, when Kara admits that it is her weapon... only to be silenced by a look from Tobias.
He listens to the rest of what Kara has to say, though frowns at her when she starts asking about Ekira's whereabouts.
"Enough." He cuts her off. "We have enough people pointing fingers, don't you start too."
He looks around at the assembled villagers, and the fuming Ekira.
"All of you, go home." He finally says. "We will investigate this properly, and those responsible will be brought to justice."
There is some protests, and a few objections, but eventually he is able to get the townsfolk to start dispersing, until only Ekira and some of the town militia remain at the scene.
He then starts directing some of the men to take the bodies away, before turning to the Pathfinders.
Immediately, he starts asking a number of pointed questions, regarding where you were, what you were doing, who may or may not of seen you, and more. Taking the time to hear all of your alibis. Ekira tries to add her own commentary in at the start, but is quickly silenced by Tobias. She stands there glaring, as you talk, her thoughts clearly troubled, until she finally turns and stalks off.
"Can't send anyone out to Otto's 'til the morning, but be certain we will." He says finally, as he seems to finish his questioning. "All this town needed was more murders."
"Fortunately for you, there's not enough for me to arrest anyone at the moment... that includes you." He adds, with an unhappy frown. "But, whether you're guilty or not, I will get to the bottom of it."
"But I'm not going to let you traipse around at your leisure anymore either." He finishes with a resigned sigh. "I'm not sure what's happening here, but we will be keeping a close eye on all of you from now on."
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Alessio doesn't venture too far seeing as we are under surveillance anyway. Perhaps those that support our cause would seek us out in the Tavern anyway. Alessio prepares some extracts that may help with his observation and discussion.
Alessio spends time observing the patrons from his table having a meal and some ale. He tries to is postured to invite conversation if it were to come.
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To Ekira after her "likes of you" comments : "Oh pipe down you credulous buffoon. That voice in your head is a demon not Iomedae, don't you know they are telepathic?", her own voice dripping with derision.
To Kara after the Sheriff arrives: "Kara do you remember if you had your dagger at Otto's? If so that would mean it wasn't the murder weapon, just stuck in post-mortem, and an examination of the bodies should reveal that. Sheriff could you look for that?"
She'll have a look herself if allowed.
Finally before they disperse she'll have a quiet word with the Sheriff.
"Sheriff I have in my possession a magic scroll that allows for communication with the dead, no doubt you've heard of such magic. I ask your permission to cast it on one of these corpses and ask them who their killer is, with your supervision of course."
"Now I understand as suspects you might think us trying to deceive you, so I'd happily allow a local priest to examine the scroll and to cast the spell themselves if one is available. If not we do get two questions; you could choose a question that the deceased would know the answer to that we could not in order to verify us."
For the evening Floria wants to try to find witnesses to this latest crime, as it apparently happened in broad daylight. She knows the best places to find people in a town like this who might have seen something
Or she thought she did. This is actually the first time she's been in a town this small.
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Floria, dear, I only noticed my dagger was missing when they pulled it out of that body. Whoever took it from me was a talented pickpocket.
Kara makes sure to stay in well-populated areas. She joins Alessio at the tavern and buys drinks for any who deign to talk with her, focusing on local events and people.
Floria, you won't be able to tell too much from looking at the body... though no one really lets you get to close. They were both definitely stabbed, one in the back, the other a bunch of times, the last apparently right in the chest, where the dagger was found.
Tobias only shakes his head at Floria's request. "Sorry, but none of you are getting anywhere near the bodies. All of you Pathfinders are suspects at the moment."
"The closest we have for a priest capable of that sort of thing, is Ekira." He adds. "I can ask her. She doesn't like you folks at all, so will probably object... but she wants to stop this murderer as much as anyone, so would probably do it."
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"That would be fine with me. Provided we were able to observe to watch for any funny business, and that she asks questions either you or we select, I have no problem with her casting the spell. As you say we all have the same goal"
"If you'd allow us to select the questions I'd favour "What did your killer look like?" and "who killed you?", though my colleagues might have other suggestions. I'd also think the body stabbed in the front would be the better choice."
She does her best to look grateful and hands the scroll to the sheriff. "Thank you Tobias"
The entire town seems on edge, after the discover of the two new victims.
Despite not arresting you immediately, it is clear many of the citizens have already reached a conclusion, and finding anyone wanting anything to do with you is more difficult than usual. Most of them staying indoors.
But still, people like to gather, and to gossip, so the Heath and Harvest still has a few stalwart folks coming in that evening, and the beer garden at the tent city has even more folks... all of them huddling in nervous groups, afraid to go out on their own, lest they fall victim to the murderer as well.
Despite trying to look inviting, no one deigns to start a conversation with you. In fact, most make a point of moving away from the Pathfindres entirely... especially Kara.
But, the tavern is only so big, so you are able to overhear many of the hushed conversations going on around you.
One particular conversation Alessio catches a snippet of, between a weather-worn middle-aged woman, and an older man, draws his attention. They appear to be talking about the recent murder, the older man fully on the 'The Pathfinders Did It' bandwagon, though the woman apparently not so easily convinced.
"Stabbed him right through the heart!" The old man exclaims. "Blood everywhere... just like that other one, when they caught him."
"Oh, now you're just making stuff up." The woman replies in exasperation. "I was at both scenes, my shop's right there. Neither of them, the woman tonight, or that halfling they got in Tobias' basement, had a drop of blood on 'em, despite what people are saying. I saw them both. You can't stab someone that many times, without getting any blood on you."
"Bah!" The old man replies grumpily. "Probably just cleaned it all off, that's all."
The woman merely shrugs, before the talk drifts elsewhere.
Kara, has a harder time of it, and every time anyone sees here, any and all conversations stop, and they tend to shuffle away.
She does catch a brief snippet, from a group of younger folk, who seem to be speculating on whether Kara is the witch they've heard is lurking in town. They seem to be under the impression that this witch is intending to turn all the hanged murderers into undead, and set them loose to slaughter the whole town.
Of course, once they realize that Kara is nearby, they all fearfully leave the tavern.
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Huni finds the beer gardens at the fair with a fair number of people still there, though all of them are huddled in small groups, staring equally into their cups, or fearfully off into the darkness. No one quite wanting to head out into it.
But he finds few people wanting to take him up on his generosity... other than a few too drunk to realize who's buying them drink.
That night goes uneventfully, though not without tension, knowing that you have only one day remaining to gather evidence.
A pair of locals camp outside your rooms that night, just watching... clearly Tobias' intent to keep an eye on you, not a bluff.
The next morning, there is even more tension in the air than before, and your breakfast comes tasteless and cold... if it comes at all.
The entire town seems to be turning against you, and many of them seem to have already made their own conclusions on your status. You thin you might need to tread carefully this day.
Alessio and Kara head out, in search of a someone who might fit the description they got of the person who was asking around about them the day before. They immediately notice a couple of locals following them. The two young men make no effort to hide, and scowl at them the entire time, as if daring them to do something.
Of course, any ill will Alessio might have avoided with his disguise, is somewhat negated by traveling around town with Kara, asking nosy questions.
They're morning is an exercise in frustration. 'Tall with a patch of hair missing' is not the most detailed description. And just finding someone who will deign to talk to them... especially Kara, is difficult enough. The more common responses are recriminations or avoidance. Of those that do talk, most of them can't fit the description to anyone in particular.
The the hours spent on the search are not completely wasted. The description does ring a bell in a few of people they talk to.
A couple of the booths at the fair recall someone of that description as well, and also mention that the man was asking specifically about the Pathfinders. Though the vendors are visitors so have no way to know who it might have been, or where they might be.
A few of the locals report seeing such a person as well, and one reports seeing him before the Pathfinders, either batch, showed up... though is quite adamant the man was not a local. Despite that, they have no idea who he is, or where he might be now, having only seen him a couple of times.
It takes most of the morning to learn even that little.
When you arrive at the Sheriff's house the next day, the mood is quite somber. There are still four guards standing watch, and they eye the two of you suspiciously. Fortunately, they don't hassle the two Pathfinders too badly, apparently being told to expect some of you, though you can tell they'd prefer to toss you all in jail.
One of them calls for Tobias, and the sheriff appears at the door soon after.
It does not look like he has had much sleep, the events of the night before apparently keeping him up to the wee hours. He eyes Huni for a moment, then nods, before turning to Floria.
"We do not typically have these sorts of magics available, and given the nature of such things, these methods are typically avoided when investigating. And, as I told you last night, I am certainly not about to let the prime suspects interpret whatever information it does provide." He shakes his head slightly, then motions you to follow as he goes back inside.
"Ekira is already here." He says over his shoulder. "She will be the only one able to use it... though she objected."
You get the impression that objects was more about the source of the spell, than the usefulness of it.
He leads you to a room in the back, where you find both of the bodies from last night laid out on the floor. Ekira stands to one side, a scowl on her face that only deepens when the two Pathfinders enter the room. Her eyes seem encased in a faint glow, and she glares at you silently as you enter.
"I must restate my objects to their presence here." She says, turning to Tobias.
"I heard you the first time." The sheriff replies with a small sigh, clearly not the first time this subject has come up. "But they have provided the scroll, and consented to allow you to cast it in their stead, to help alleviate such suspicions."
"More likely to try to influence the results." Ekira mutters.
"Enough." Tobias exclaims, giving her a look.
He looks down at the two dead men, and asks absently, "So how is this going to work?"
"It will take me a few minutes to familiarize myself with the spell." Ekira responds.
"And to make sure it hasn't been tampered with." She adds with a not-so-subtle glance at the Pathfinders. "But after that, I assume I will just need to ask one of them a question or two."
Ekira looks at the two corpses then down at the scroll, with a frown. She then waves one hand slightly with a prayer to Iomedae, and her eyes start to glow again, different from before. She studies the scroll intently for what seems an excessively long time, considering it is still rolled up. Eventually she turns to study Huni and Floria. Her scowl deepening, as if she's not seeing what she hopes to see.
Eventually, she turns back to the scroll, with an irritated curse, and says another quick spell before unfurling it on a nearby bench, then stopping to study it for a few more minutes.
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"Sheriff, Priestess Ekira, as you know, we have been investigating the murders. You may, of course, ask what ever you wish, but we have a few questions we would like answered. May I write them down for your approval?"
Diplomacy
If allowed Huni suggests asking if it was a dwarf or a halfling that killed him?
Floria can suggest other questions.
Huni has spellcraft as well
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Floria keeps her demeanor as unthreatening as possible, eyes down, trying not to get into any arguments with Ekira.
"I think a good first question would be "what did your killer look like?", because assuming the answer was clear it would help us find the killer. If it was too cryptic it might make sense to follow with something more direct, like "was your killer a woman?". I'd suggest the corpse with most wounds on its front as the most likely to have seen what happened."
Shortly after speaking Floria realises her error. "Actually asking if the killer was a woman might not be specific enough."
She tries not to look Ekira in the eye.
"Perhaps "Was your killer a half-elf" would be better?" Of course sheriff it's entirely up to you, we'd just like to make sure the killer is caught"
Ekira snorts at Floria's suggestions. "See Sheriff, they already try to manipulate the question to avoid more obvious answers."
"It is just as likely one of the others did the deed, and such questions would cleverly avoid incriminating themselves." She adds. "Like where did that other one disappear to. The one pretending to follow the Inheritor."
Tobias just frowns at her, though her last note clearly has him thinking. "Enough, please."
He looks towards Floria and responds. "Our goal is to find the killer, not to exonerate your friend. Such narrow questions will not help."
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"I did suggest starting by asking for a description sheriff, then only falling back on a binary question if the answer proved too cryptic to be useful. We want to find the killer as much as you, I can assure you"
She considers for a moment. "If the first answer is useful however, a decent follow-up might be to ask for the killers identity, in case the victim knew them"
Floria is clearly trying hard not to rise to Ekira's bait.
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Once Ekira has prepared the spell, she turns back to the two corpses, a frown working its way onto her face yet again.
She glances towards the Sheriff, who merely shrugs, clearly out of his element. "I think asking who did the deed is the right way to go."
Ekira frowns, clearly wanting to object, but unable to find a reason to do so.
"Which one then?" She asks absently, then moves to the second victim, the wound in his chest still visible. "Torgid there fell to a cowardly blow in the back." She explains, pointing to the other body. "Seems likely he never saw a thing. But the old man here, they stuck the dagger square in his chest. Seems the better bet to have seen something."
"His name was Jothis. He was Torgid's father." Tobias interjects with a nod. With a final frown at the Pathfinders, Ekira holds up the scroll, and begins the spell.
As she speaks the arcane words, you're not sure, but the room seems to get a little colder... though you might be imagining it.
When she finishes the spell, she places one hand on the body's shoulder. All eyes focus on the dead body, laying on the floor.... but nothing seems to have changed.
"I was expecting a bigger kaboom." Tobias offers, with a puzzled frown.
Ekira starts to respond, but suddenly the corpses eyes open, though only the whites show, and it screams. Tobias takes a startled step backwards, though Ekira stands her ground, wincing slightly at the volume.
The body continues to scream for almost half a minute, before the wails finally fade, and it lays still again, blank white eyes staring up at the ceiling.
"Was that supposed to happen" The Sheriff whispers.
Ekira ignores him, as she keeps her hand on the corpse.
"We call on what whispers of Jothis remain in this body. There are questions that need answering!" She says, almost demanding. "We call on you, after your death, for what answers we can!"
The body continues to lay there for a moment, then the lips start moving, a voice coming from them in a faint, disjointed whisper.
"Death...? I am dead...? No! not dead!" The voice sounds confused, and a little unsure of itself. "Its so cold... so dark... why is it dark?"
Ekira purses her lips, then starts talking to the body, asking the question. "Jothis, you must listen. You need to remember. You were killed... a knife right in your chest. You need to remember who did that. Who stabbed you. Jothis, who killed you?"
"Not dead... going to... fair... have a beer..." The voice responds, clearly having a hard time coming to terms with its fate.
"Dagger... there was a dagger..." It says a moment later, unprompted.
"Yes, the dagger! That was what killed you... who did it?" Ekira responds eagerly, leaning in close to hear the words. "Jothis who stabbed you with that dagger!"
"Why is it in my chest...?" The murmers, confused again. "Why...? Why...? Just a beer... Just a fair... Just a dagger... Just me... Why did he stab me...?"
"He? It was a he?" Ekira interrupts, her voice excited and strained. "Who was it Jothis? Who stabbed you? Describe them!"
She seems to have forgotten about the limit on questions in her eagerness, though the corpse seems to not care.
"He stabbed me... Why did he stab me...?" The voice asks, its questions fated to not be answered. "Why...?
You realize the voice appears to be fading... whatever magic holding it here, starting to fade.
"Why...?" He says again, fading even further. "Why did he stab me...? Who is he...? I don't know him... a stranger has stabbed me!"
"I... I am dead."
The last words seem to linger in the air for a long while, even after the corpse's lips have stop moving, and the eyes have shut again.
Ekira slumps slightly as the magic expires, from the effort, and slowly takes her hand away.
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After the ritual, Floria is reluctant to break the eerie silence, but she eventually says "There have been rumours of a tall man lurking around town, who had hair missing after the first murder. He's our lead suspect for both murders. The barber gave him a haircut afterwards, perhaps he could identify him?"
She'll attempt to lower her voice so as not to be overheard by Ekira, or at least to move away from her a little.
"We also found an obsidian button at Otto's farm, near where the body was found. Such a thing would be quite rare in a small community such as this. Sheriff with this man at large the town is still at risk. We want to help"