Kularg couldn't care less about rich people squabbling over each other's riches. Instead, he tries to get in contact with the street hooker syndicate.
@ John
The man raises an eyebrow at John's family history. He doesn't show any sign of caring about it, but he cooperates.
That house is a nest of vipers, that's why I left. I lost contact with them some years ago, but I can tell you they are all black-hearted, including the old man, though I can't imagine any murder attempt. That's too extreme even for them.
@ Kurlag
The newly founded (and heavily threatened) hooker syndicate welcomes Kurlag. The half-Orc meets with a Thirty-something looking half-elf named Luana. She is petite and somewhat beauty, but the hardships of poverty have taken its toll on her appearance and she looks very rough and tough.
The guards don't care at all, It's just another dead parasite for them.
She explains that all the dead prostitutes worked and lived in the river district, the poorest district in the city. Prostitution is dangerous, but these deaths have things in common. They were strangled by someone with powerful hands. They were all pale brunettes between 14 and 16, and they were all left naked in the garbage.
Kularg nods knowingly at the guards not helping. "I'll do what I can. We parasites gotta look out for each other."
Sounds like the culprit's got a type. Could be useful for drawing him out...not that I'm eager to use these girls as bait.
"Is there a particular area where the bodies get dumped most often? Or are they spread all around the district?"
Helping a bunch of crooked rich people sort things out doesn't sit well...but I figure I can pocket some things on my way out.
"Who do you think is the most dangerous? Maybe looking at all the wills might help too. Do you know where they are kept?"
Cesarina does her due diligence, looking into the backgrounds of all of Mr. Alibizzi's family members and any wills he might have written.
She also goes directly to see whoever is in charge of ALibizzi's estate currently, whether that be the man himself or some retainer.
The story of the will is the following. There is supposed to be only one will, the old man made it years ago. But supposedly he was approached by family members who take advantage of his weak state and each of them asked for a will that benefit them over the rest. The old man can't even be sure if that is what actually happened, but assuming it is true. The wills are probably being kept by different family members awaiting the opportunity to reclaim the money as their own.
@John
I don't know who is the most dangerous. My father won't hesitate destroying a competitor and leaving him in complete poverty, but murdering I don't know.
@ Cesarina
The Albizzi are ruthless merchants, but law abiding citizens so far as people know.
The old man is still officially in charge, but with each day more and more of the decisions are taken by other family members.
The Albizzi manor is full of unnecessary decoration, just all the surrounding ones. Cesarina meets Lord Albizzi himself in his private meeting room. The octogenarian is prostrated to a wheelchair, and looks everywhere as if looking for invisible enemies.
@ Kurlag
There is no immediate pattern to be seen. The corpses are abandoned in lonely, narrow and dirty backstreets around the district.
"This is a bit morbid, but...do you have one of the corpses available? I could hire a cleric to cast Speak with Dead on it."
@Kurlag
They were all buried, but...-they could be exhumed with the proper permission from the guards and the Crhuch of the dead.
@ Cesarina
The Albizzi are ruthless merchants, but law abiding citizens so far as people know.
The old man is still officially in charge, but with each day more and more of the decisions are taken by other family members.
The Albizzi manor is full of unnecessary decoration, just all the surrounding ones. Cesarina meets Lord Albizzi himself in his private meeting room. The octogenarian is prostrated to a wheelchair, and looks everywhere as if looking for invisible enemies.
"Mr. Alibizzi, thank you for meeting with me. I am Detective Cesarina Villa, with the City Guard. I had hoped to look into your concerns and get as many details as possible about your situation."
"First, a detail that was vague in the report. You said you not only feared assassination, but specifically being poisoned. What precisely raised that concern? Did you find poison in a food or beverage you had nearly consumed?"
@ Cesarina
The old man carefully checks Cesarina's detective credentials. When he is finally convinced, he opens his strongbox and show to you a decorated small jade figurine. The figurine seems to be a six-eyed demon of clearly oriental design. In contrast to the high craftsmanship of the rest of the figurine, five of the eyes seems to be made of common stone. The sixth eye is a small pearl.
I bought this a long time ago. The six eyes are six additional opportunities to survive a murder attempt. Each time the figurine helps me, one of his eyes transforms from a pearl to a common stone. Four pearl were consumed through the last decades.The last one was consumed after I ate a particularly spicy onion soup last week.
Kularg hits the streets, asking if anybody saw any young pale brunette hookers being snatched up.
@ Cesarina
The old man carefully checks Cesarina's detective credentials. When he is finally convinced, he opens his strongbox and show to you a decorated small jade figurine. The figurine seems to be a six-eyed demon of clearly oriental design. In contrast to the high craftsmanship of the rest of the figurine, five of the eyes seems to be made of common stone. The sixth eye is a small pearl.
I bought this a long time ago. The six eyes are six additional opportunities to survive a murder attempt. Each time the figurine helps me, one of his eyes transforms from a pearl to a common stone. Four pearl were consumed through the last decades.The last one was consumed after I ate a particularly spicy onion soup last week.
"I...see. May I take a closer look?"
If he agrees, she prepares an Extract of Identify, and examines the idol.
@Cesarina
If that roll includes the bonus from identify then it's a miss. Though the Idol is clearly magical.
@ Kurlag
While street hookers congregates in certain places for mutual protection, it's also true that they do a lot of solitary work. Sometimes to avoid competition from the other hookers, sometimes because the clients don't want to be seen in places too exposed.
Kurlag do identify the last person that saw the last victim alive. Her name is Alba and she is red haired little girl with pale skin and freckles. When Kurlag get to Alba's working corner he see the next escene:
The frightened ginger is cornered against a wall. She is been assailed by some young men. The men are not making physical contact, instead they are shouting at her. Calling her dirty names and telling her she is going to go to hell.
John decides to quit bothering the guy and leaves.
On second thought, these crooks can kill each other for all I care.
He goes to meet up with Niadra, his patron, for info on the hooker syndicate.
@ John
Niadra:It's newly found group. So far they are no threat for the business, but they are being watched and the final decision of what to do with them is still to be made.
Kularg approaches the young men. "Oy, oy! You boys have had your fun, now how about giving the lady some space?"
Though he doesn't show it, he's ready to draw his falchion if the situation gets violent. He hopes the situation gets violent.
@Kurlag
The young men hesitate, but in the end they decide it's not worth it (mainly due to the big falchion). When they are leaving they shout
Man1:It seems the devil protects its worshippers!
Man2:Repent now of your sin or you will meet the fire of hell!
The little girl is cowering in a corner, trembling in fright. She can't be older than 15. Roll diplomacy DC 15 if you want to convince her that the big bulky and male half-orc is not going to hurt her, otherwise look for some help from someone less intimidating.
Viktor speaks with the butler again...
"Look... There are too many suspects, with too many motives, too many means and too many opportunities. And you don't even know if there was a crime, an attempt of a crime or even the intention of committing a crime!" Viktor says with an annoyed tone. You don't need detectives or investigations. You need a lawyer! Tell your master to write a new will and publicly declare it the legitimate one, then take all the legal precautions to ensure that it is considered so, maybe have it locked under the protection of a bank or other neutral party... After that, just go to a good priest or mage and buy a trinket to detect and/or neutralize poison... Nobles and royals get them all the time. I'm sure your master can afford one." he sighs and adds: "Giving you this advice is probably the most efficient and effective way anyone can help you. Everything else is just running around blindfolded in a dark basement trying to catch a black rat that might not even be there."
Viktor then courtly bows and says a few last words before departing... "I wish your master good luck with his problem. But right now... He's the only one who can help himself. Good fortune to you, sir."
With this, Viktor drops out of the alleged-poisoning investigation.
"Well, glad that got settled quickly."
"Now hold up, We nearly solved this thing and we're leavin it? That's money and time wasted."
Kularg's demeanor changes instantly. His expression becomes more gentle, and he keeps his hands VERY far from his falchion.
"You okay? Listen...I don't know anything about devils, but you don't seem like one to me. I know I look mean, but I ain't gonna hurt you. I just want to ask you some questions, and then I'll leave you alone. Or, if you don't want to be alone here, I could walk with you to wherever you feel safe. It's your choice."
"I'll check things out then. If they stick around, it'll be good to know em." John goes to the syndicate to follow the lead.
@ Kurlag
She calms down and ask to be taken to the "pink pearls",a seedy residence for street workers that also serves as a brothel. There Kurlag meets again with Luana, the half-elf representative of the syndicate.
@Kurlag, Viktor, John
Luana, Alba, Kurlag, Viktor and John are in a small smelly room illuminated by a candle. Luana explains the situation with the young Alba and the men that were calling her names
Luana: Religious people have always harassed us, though things have worsened lately. There is a group, they call themselves the "association for the purification of souls", they come to lecture us about our behaviour, it's bad for the business.
@ Amber and Cesarina
I will assume Amber joins Cesarina in the investigation.
Viktor above gave some sound advices. What do you do?
"Maybe the killer is an overzealous member? Might be worth checking them out."
Though Amber would like to keep the poisoning investigation up, She's not willing to do it alone, Considering some of the unsavory folk wrapped up in it.