Bosk whispers something to Andolyn as Janus moves to give him the potion.
Andolyn or Perception DC 15:
"... combination right 54, left 23, right 9, and then left around once to 43.
He drinks the potion down with help.
Struggling for breath the venture-captain leans forward and says "And whatever, happens, whatever you do, don't forget--"
Suddenly a spongy foamy white mass with a strong flowery saccharine scent and the thickness of hot tar pours up out of the man's mouth, nose and from around his eyes. He tries to gasp for air, but there's no available airway. He convulses once and seconds later is dead.
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
"Who would want to kill a Venture Captain?" Jurmo seems genuine in her confusion. she raises her hands to the obviously powerful wizard, not remembering the focus she carries in one of those hands is a weapon.
Male Human (Varisian) alchemist (chirurgeon, promethean alchemist) 3 | hp 25/30| AC 15 T 12 FF 13 | CMD 16 | F +6 R +6 W +2 (+3 v poison) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +8, KnDun +8, KnNat +8, Perc +7, SensM +0 |
"I've brought your drinkth. Oh my." says a shocked Igor. "That was the Mathter'th favorite glass."
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
"It is likely that both the glass, and the potion vial, were poisoned."
Janus attempts to confirm their suspicions. Cast Detect Poison on glass and potion vial, and on Bosk.
The spell should still reveal the presence of poison, but Janus fails to identify the specific poison with their spell.
Perception:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
"Any venture captain will have enemies. Bosk mentioned a couple of names. We should seek them out. And he gave what sounded like a safe combination just now."
"Igor. Is there a safe in this lodge? Would you show us to it?"
Hosser removes his wayfinder off his neck, and shows it to Ezren. "We're Pathfinders, the Venture Captain was poisoned. He asked us to meet him," He says with cold fury, "We need to find that dwarf who was in here. Clovesh was his name."
Male Human (Varisian) alchemist (chirurgeon, promethean alchemist) 3 | hp 25/30| AC 15 T 12 FF 13 | CMD 16 | F +6 R +6 W +2 (+3 v poison) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +8, KnDun +8, KnNat +8, Perc +7, SensM +0 |
Janus Grey wrote:
"It is likely that both the glass, and the potion vial, were poisoned."
Janus attempts to confirm their suspicions. Cast Detect Poison on glass and potion vial, and on Bosk.
"Any venture captain will have enemies. Bosk mentioned a couple of names. We should seek them out. And he gave what sounded like a safe combination just now."
"Igor. Is there a safe in this lodge? Would you show us to it?"
Hosser Cready wrote:
Hosser removes his wayfinder off his neck, and shows it to Ezren. "We're Pathfinders, the Venture Captain was poisoned. He asked us to meet him," He says with cold fury, "We need to find that dwarf who was in here. Clovesh was his name."
"Also something about a Timinic," he says.
He then casts detect poison on the glass.
"The Mathther kept hith perthonnel fileth in a thafe." sprays Igor who sets the drinks down and begins cleaning up. "It'th through there hidden on the bookshelf."See blue X.
Under magical scrutiny both Bosk's body and his broken glass reveal the presence of poison. The potion vial does not.
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
"Go ahead, Andolyn. Open it."
Janus moves into the office, expecting to have to sift through the venture-captain's papers once the safe is open.
"Someone paid for this attack. Perhaps Bosk's papers will show us who. Or at least, shed light on his relationships with Clovesh and Timinic."
"Clovesh? Yes, yes I saw dwarf leaving down the street but thought nothing of it. Persons coming and going from a Pathfinder Lodge, perfectly reasonable..." the wizard's voice trails off and he stares at nothing for a moment, then visibly collects himself.
"Very well, we could not save the Venture Captain, so we shall avenge him. Andolyn was it? Let's have a look at this safe."
|AC 18, T 15, FF 13 (+2 vs missile)|HP: 25/25|F +1, R +9, W 0 (+2 vs Air/Divi/Ench/Electricity)|Init +5, Perc +4, +1 vs surprise|CMB +8 (+2 to dirty trick/steal) CMD 18 (20 vs dirty trick/steal)|1/1 Breeze
Igor of Caliphas wrote:
"The Mathther kept hith perthonnel fileth in a thafe." sprays Igor who sets the drinks down and begins cleaning up. "It'th through there hidden on the bookshelf."See blue X.
"Box-work, eh? Now that's more like it!" Exclaims Sirius, the inexplicable breeze in the room immediately picking up as he heads toward the safe. "Any traps, Igor?"
If not: Disable Device, take 10:10 + 12 = 22
If necessary: Disable Device, take 20:20 + 12 = 32
|AC 18, T 15, FF 13 (+2 vs missile)|HP: 25/25|F +1, R +9, W 0 (+2 vs Air/Divi/Ench/Electricity)|Init +5, Perc +4, +1 vs surprise|CMB +8 (+2 to dirty trick/steal) CMD 18 (20 vs dirty trick/steal)|1/1 Breeze
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
Andolyn Featheredbow wrote:
Andolyn pushes Sirius aside and enters the combination the venture captain gave her. "I said I've got it. No need to get all lock-picky on it."
She opens the safe and sets its contents on the table in the briefing room.
The safe contains hundreds of personnel files on pathfinders, local sages, public officials, and other people of interest.
What are we looking for? And what are those of you not looking through files doing?
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
Janus looks for information on Clovesh or Timinic; also for references to the Assassins' or Poisoners' Guilds.
"We are looking for references to any dealings Bosk had with the Guilds, or to Clovesh and Timinic. This will take time. Each of you, take a stack of papers and go through them."
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
The contents reveal that Brandur Clovesh (Sergent in Daggermark's army) brought the imperiled Pathfinder Timinic to a safe house on the city’s border, though it does not specify where. Timinic’s file also notes that while in hiding, Timinic will recognize those who call themselves “Guardians of the Open Roads” as fellow Pathfinders.
Timic's file doesn't reveal much else in out of the ordinary for a Pathfinder.
Clovesh's is file lists an address, and a number of military commendations.
Another earmarked dossier tracks the movements of a wanted killer named Cladara, and notes that Cladara’s murders have prompted city-wide investigations, an unusual response to deaths caused by any Assassin’s
Guild member in good standing.
The files on the Guilds themselves are quite copious.
"Who are you, what brings you here with such ideal timing?"
With a snort the wizard gestures at Bosk's cooling corpse. "You've a curious notion of the word if anything about this seems 'idea' to you. I imagine I'm here for much the same reason as the rest of you: the Venture Captain called, and I answered."
Stepping over to the stack of papers Ezren accepts a pile and begins to pore over them, setting aside anything that might contain a clue to the poisoning and tossing the remainder back into the safe. "This Cladara person, do you think it possible that Timinic or Bosk or both were witnesses to a murder, or otherwise an inconvenience to the assassins?"
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
Anyone else wish to look for clues or add their insights? If you want to do it out of character, please use the discussion thread.
Female Human Fighter 1/Masked Maiden 2/Steelblood 1 | HP: 26/39 | AC 24 (T 10, FF 23) | CMB: 10 CMD: 24 | F:8 R:6 W:7 | Init 2 | Perc: 8 SM: 1 | Speed 20 ft. | Active Effects: Grey Maiden Identity; Bloodrage;
"If somebody killed the venture captain, they're likely going to be after more Pathfinders. We should stay on high alert and find this Timinic fellow. I think our best place to start would be that damned Sergent's house. Any objections?"
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
"The Poisoner's Guild committed this murder, not the Vessels. They may be at odds with each other - an unusual happenstance, but not impossible. That may also explain why a Vessel is being hunted in Daggermark.
We agree that Clovesh's address is a good place to start. He may not be our poisoner if he has delivered a Pathfinder to a safe house. Unless, it is not safe at all. It may be that the person we saw leaving here only appeared to be Clovesh. A disguise good enough to fool a long-time associate would need magic, but not especially powerful magic."
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
Jurmo Zanti wrote:
Jurmo pulls the file on the assassin, What was the assassination they where being hunted for. and if there is a file on her guild.
The files on the guilds are quite copious.
Janus Grey wrote:
"The Poisoner's Guild committed this murder, not the Vessels. They may be at odds with each other - an unusual happenstance, but not impossible. That may also explain why a Vessel is being hunted in Daggermark.
We agree that Clovesh's address is a good place to start. He may not be our poisoner if he has delivered a Pathfinder to a safe house. Unless, it is not safe at all. It may be that the person we saw leaving here only appeared to be Clovesh. A disguise good enough to fool a long-time associate would need magic, but not especially powerful magic."
Male Human (Varisian) alchemist (chirurgeon, promethean alchemist) 3 | hp 25/30| AC 15 T 12 FF 13 | CMD 16 | F +6 R +6 W +2 (+3 v poison) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +8, KnDun +8, KnNat +8, Perc +7, SensM +0 |
"I'll jutht clean up then, thhall I?" Igor says having returned the the meeting room with his medical bag and bone saw.
Okay seriously, how is Igor not immediately Suspect #1 for the poisoning? He's taking Bosk's death very casually, and he absolutely would have had opportunity
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
So we have: one person wanting to delve deeper into another tagged list of murders, one for going to Clovesh's home and one vote for investigating Igor. Was anyone else doing anything?
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
I'll move us along to Clovesh's home tomorrow assuming no-one wants to do more at the Dryblade House.
Male Human (Varisian) alchemist (chirurgeon, promethean alchemist) 3 | hp 25/30| AC 15 T 12 FF 13 | CMD 16 | F +6 R +6 W +2 (+3 v poison) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +8, KnDun +8, KnNat +8, Perc +7, SensM +0 |
dice:
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
"Not for too long, thir. I'm from Caliphath originally. But you don't want the body to marinate in poithon for too long otherwithe it will thpoil the bitth that are thtill viable. Ethpethially not aconitum, thir. Terrible thtuff aconitum." Igor pauses pulls a clean hanky from his sleeve and dabs Ezren with it.
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
"Aconitum, Igor? That is the substance used to poison Bosk? We are not familiar with it. Where and how is it obtained?"
Male Human (Varisian) alchemist (chirurgeon, promethean alchemist) 3 | hp 25/30| AC 15 T 12 FF 13 | CMD 16 | F +6 R +6 W +2 (+3 v poison) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +8, KnDun +8, KnNat +8, Perc +7, SensM +0 |
dice:
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
"Aconitum, it'th more commonly known as aconite, monkthood, wolf'th bane, leopard'th bane, mouthebane, women'th bane, devil'th helmet, queen of poisonth, or blue rocket, ith a genuth of over two-hundred-fifty thpethieth of flowering plantth belonging to the family Ranunculatheae. They're herbatheouth perennial plantth chiefly native to the mountainouth partth of the northern hemithphere, growing in the moithture-retentive but well-draining thoilth of mountain meadowth. Motht thpecieth are ecthtremely poithonouth and mutht be dealt with very carefully. That'th where the thmell cometh from. There'th an apothecary just down the thtreet who was robbed latht week that dealth in the thtuff I believe--Pemak’th Tinctureth." He points in the opposite direction from Clovesh's address.
To Ezren's ear, the man(?) seems to be spraying the truth.
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
|AC 18, T 15, FF 13 (+2 vs missile)|HP: 25/25|F +1, R +9, W 0 (+2 vs Air/Divi/Ench/Electricity)|Init +5, Perc +4, +1 vs surprise|CMB +8 (+2 to dirty trick/steal) CMD 18 (20 vs dirty trick/steal)|1/1 Breeze
"Say, Igor, does the deceased have any close relatives? Or anyone else one would expect to claim his...effects?"
Male Human (Varisian) alchemist (chirurgeon, promethean alchemist) 3 | hp 25/30| AC 15 T 12 FF 13 | CMD 16 | F +6 R +6 W +2 (+3 v poison) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +8, KnDun +8, KnNat +8, Perc +7, SensM +0 |
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
I suggest Clovesh's place first, then the apothecary.
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
Since that was the original plan and no one objected we'll run with it.
Ten minutes later, the party finds itself in the courtyard outside of Sgt. Brandur Clovesh's modest residence. It is situated in the outside shadow of the the inner wall amid a tangle of small homes belonging to the city's working class.
|AC 18, T 15, FF 13 (+2 vs missile)|HP: 25/25|F +1, R +9, W 0 (+2 vs Air/Divi/Ench/Electricity)|Init +5, Perc +4, +1 vs surprise|CMB +8 (+2 to dirty trick/steal) CMD 18 (20 vs dirty trick/steal)|1/1 Breeze
Igor of Caliphas wrote:
"Not that I am aware of, sir."
"Ah, such a pity...but be that as it may, shall we therefore agree that with his dying breath, he bequeathed them to those of us who showed him such kindness in his final moments?"
In that case, I'd have taken my share of something before we left!
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
Sirius Sa'luk wrote:
"Ah, such a pity...but be that as it may, shall we therefore agree that with his dying breath, he bequeathed them to those of us who showed him such kindness in his final moments?"
In that case, I'd have taken my share of something before we left!
Certainly, if Sirius wants to take a few minutes to discuss the matter. Maybe find a will, and discuss it with a local barrister. Igor could certainly dig one up.
Hosser Cready wrote:
Hosser will look around to see if there is any sign of life or movement inside Clovesh's residence.
Hosser does not hear any sounds of life outside the cottage, and there don't seem to be any windows to look in.
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
"Odd that there are no windows. Is this normal dwarven architecture?"
Janus looks at the other buildings nearby for comparison. Are they also windowless?
"Shall we knock, break in, or ask the neighbours?"
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
Some are, yes. These are on the whole one- or two-room hovels. Also, one could imagine that a dwarf who spends his days outdoors most of the time might like a cave-like den to retreat to once his shift is up.
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
"Sirius, you showed an interest in the safe lock at the lodge. How about this door? It seems there is nobody home."
Janus looks around to see if the party is being observed. He also looks for signs of recent passage in or out of the house.
"We need to get in, and I don't care about the niceties of law. Law barely exists here in the Rivers, anyhow. He's either a murderer or a target for the murderer, either way, we need to get in."
We need to get in there and stop lollygagging out here. Hosser will try the door. If its locked, someone disable device, and if no one has that, lets have someone break it down. I got a handaxe.
Human (ulfen) Inquisitor (green faith marshal, sanctified slayer) 6| AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | HP 54/54 | F +9 R +7 W +9 | CMD 21 (22 v disarm)| Init +5 | Perc +11 (+13) | Spells (-, 5/5, 4/4) | Bane (6/6)
Sirius can probably break us in. And if he can't, Janus has a skeleton key.
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
Janus Grey wrote:
"Sirius, you showed an interest in the safe lock at the lodge. How about this door? It seems there is nobody home."
Janus looks around to see if the party is being observed. He also looks for signs of recent passage in or out of the house.
If there were tracks the persistent sleet has made them impossible to read, it also seems to be keeping people in.
The door opens with a twist.
Coals smolder in the fireplace of this cozy wooden cottage. The single room is set for company, with two half-empty mugs of ale on the table. A waxy aroma reminiscent of burning vinegar fills the cottage (the same scent as in the meeting room at Dryblade House after you gave Bork the potion), emanating from the corpse of a dwarf sprawled near the hearth. A crumpled military uniform lies on the floor near a cabinet in the corner. The body looks like Clovesh.
