Therefore, it is with the highest of honors and expectations that I hereby offer you the position of Investigator, as well as all of the benefits and responsibilities of said position.
Normally the Azorius Senate would not simply promote someone like this, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Should you accept the burden of this new mantle, report to Arrester Lavinia at the break of dawn tomorrow morning. She will start you along the path of investigation.
For the Senate, Supreme Judge Isperia’
This letter arrived to your location late last night, and now you find yourself at the Augustin Station inside of Precinct Two, the home of the Azorius Senate.
There, a guide took you inside of New Prahv, and delivered you to Lavinia’s office.
The cold rain pattering against the roof loudly contrasts the eerie silence of the Azorius library deep inside New Prahv’s ordered maze of scrolls and stacks of parchment as you all arrive at the office of the Arrester Lavinia.
The office has a somewhat cozy feeling to it, if your definition of cozy was row upon row of bookshelves covering almost every available inch of space. A cursory glance notes that each bookcase was labeled with years, and sections, and numbers. Every single book, file, folder, anything in this library was most likely able to be found within minutes.
As the group of newcomers enters, Lavinia sits at her desk, facing away from the door and glancing out a large triangular window as the rain falls down across the glass. The window has the symbols of the Azorius charm inscribed across the surface, and looks up at one of the three Columns of the Senate.
Turning towards you as she finally seems to notice you, Lavinia stands up and smiles somewhat thinly.
”Hello, I’m glad you could all make it today. I assume you have all decided to accept the responsibility of investigating the murder of the Senator, yes?”
Her voice is unnaturally flat, with almost all of the inflections of normal voice removed entirely. She awaits your response.
Felicia fidgets and adjusts her clothing as her good, feeling very out of place in the silence of New Prahv. She breathes a quiet, but still audible sigh of relief as they reach the office. Glancing around at the others and the room itself, she is caught off guard as Lavinia speaks to the group.
"I um, uh..." She stutters for a moment before shaking her head and composing herself. "I can't speak for these others, but yes. Felicia Burgenoff Lerange, Selesnyan Soothsayer and part time brawler, at your service Miss Lavinia."
Ermengilda nods, her expression otherwise inscrutable behind her mask. "I hate to be away from the clinic for any extended period," she starts, her voice muffled and somewhat tinny, "but I understand the gravity of your request. Doctor Sanz is likewise at your service."
Giliad sports a fat face and is wearing wig, though a fashionable one. His cherubic face is rosy though the makeup on his cheeks makes his face practically shine. His facial hair is so perfect it seems almost fake.
His colors are a cross between Boros and Izzet fashion. He carries a dagger at his side and a small pouch around his rotund waist.
"Far be it from me to ignore such a summons Arrester Lavinia. As a loyal citizen and upstanding businessman, like my father before me. It is my civic duty to ensure that the order of this city is not disturbed by ruffians who would take the law into their own hands.
Now if said civic duty leads to further discussions with the Azorius leadership about next seasons Senatorial uniforms, I would be all ears for assisting with that duty as well".
“Finally, the chase is on!”
“Hopefully there will be a lot less b$~$@ing and moaning now.”
“Undoubtably. Hurry up and introduce yourself.”
“What should I say?”
“Your name, my name, and ask for the details.”
“You don’t have a name. Not that you’ve ever mentioned anyway.”
“Details. Get the details!”
“Relax. She’ll tell us once everyone’s here.”
“Fine. Get the chit chat over with.”
”Thomas of clan Izzet. Yes I’m here to help.”
Lavinia listens patiently to each and every one of your.."introductions", and you can tell she is studying the group assembled in front of her very closely.
Her eyes miss nothing, and you feel oddly uneasy as she seems to just take information in without saying a word.
"Well regardless of how you got here, I am most pleased to see the favorites of the list I submitted made it." The way she says this is still in her featureless voice, and as such you are unsure if she actually means it or not.
"I brought you here today to help the Azorius Senate investigate the murder of one of its higher ranking Senators, Senator Platicar IV. In the time between sending out the letters to you and your arrival, we have in fact confirmed it is a murder, and not just a magical accident as first believed."
She walks over to a rather large circular table alongside one of the many book cases in the room and turns on the light above with a flick of her wrist. Looking down on it, you notice it is covered in all sorts of diagrams and maps and images of things you don't quite understand yet, as well as three different symbols of the guilds: Golgari, Rakdos, and Izzet.
"Gathered here is all of the information we have gathered personally about the crime scene and the murder, and although we have since lost control of the actual crime scene itself, I imagine you will want to be visiting it sooner or later."
Turning back to you, she offers another half-hearted smile before speaking again.
"So, before we begin, any questions?"
"I suppose my first question is where did this take place? My second question is does the Senate have any idea of who they believe may have done it? My third question, if I may be so bold, is why us? Why not have the Azorius agents investigate this heinous crime and dispense justice as is fit?"
Lavinia smiles more genuinely at the flurry of questions.
”The Senator was involved in a handful of very...delicate undercover activities inside of the Gore House, the Cult of Rakdos’ favorite party place and entrance to Rix Maadi. There are very very few people who knew what he was doing when he left Precinct Two for his rowdy destination.”
She points down onto the map of the city’s districts, pointing to a handful of streets surrounding the Gore House.
”We hadn’t heard from him in a few days when we sent agents to investigate, and discovered his body dropped in the back alley of one of the streets behind the Gore House. He was found with several unique injuries, preventing his return to life, which you’ll see whenever you visit his body. Our main suspects are, naturally, any of the popular patrons of the Gore House, but we have reason to believe that someone inside of the Senate discovered what he was doing and plotted to kill him.”
”And that’s why you’re being called in to help us solve the mystery of his untimely death, as we can’t trust anyone inside of the case to not be corrupted by greed or the lust for power.”
"The body is here, then, I presume?" Ermengilda glances over her shoulder at the doorway behind the group. "I would very much like to see the body, once this briefing is complete."
A slight shudder runs through Felicia at the mention of the Rakdos, and she nods along with the statements. She moves like she's gonna ask a question, but stops herself as she realizes it's a pretty stupid question, and then just stands there awkwardly.
”As much as I wish it wasn’t here, yes, it is here. Well, down the hall from this office. I didn’t want it in here.”
She turns to Ermengilda and makes a motion as if to reassure her.
”Fear not, good doctor. There will be plenty of time for you to examine the body before you start your investigation outside of these walls. I’d wager you haven’t ever seen anything of the sort of injuries he sustained.”
Almost as if by some supernatural instinct, Lavinia then glances over to Felicia, noticing her reticence to speak.
”Come, Selesnyan. Speak your mind. I can see there is something on your tongue.”
She blanched a little and coughed, rubbing the back of her neck. "I, um... It's probably a stupid question, but how're we supposed to get into the crime scene? If you lost control, we're gonna probably have to fight our way in to check it out. Do we have permission to do that?"
"Rakdos...". Giliad muses aloud.
Interesting, so the Azorius fear one of their own in this. Giliad muses to himself.
”In matters such as this, there are no stupid questions.”
She says this more calmly, knowing she has to attempt to soothe the half-elf.
”Unfortunately, we have actually lost any control over the streets surrounding the crime scene, and you will most likely have to fight your way through to the scene.”
She reaches over to a old leather canvas bag on the table, and pulls out two small symbols bearing the Azorius guild symbol.
”This signet shall show that you are agents of the Azorius, with all the power and responsibilities vested within. In addition, once each day you can speak the password followed by a short message to have the signet turn into a bird and fly it’s way back here, before delivering the message.”
She slides the two signets across the table, leaving them for you to take.
”Try not to use or display them out in the open around the Gore House, as that will most likely end up with you dead as well.”
"I have found that fighting often solves very little. We can, I am sure, find another way to investigate this scene".
Giliad grabs one of the signets and places it in one of his pockets on his hip pack and ponders for a moment then speaks.
"You said there are very very few people who knew what he was doing when he left Precinct Two for his rowdy destination. Do you know who those people are and whether we can speak with them?
I also noticed that you did not offer up any suspects apart from saying it could have been someone within the Azorius that could have, or could not have been behind this murder. Does this mean we can rule no one out, including you?"
Felicia nods along, eyeing the signet but leaving it for someone who'd make better use of it. She looks back up at Lavinia, a small sigh of relief escaping her throat. "Alright, just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to get arrested for the inevitable brawl that'll happen on the way there."
"Yes. If there is a means forward that does not require confrontation, I would prefer we take it. I am afraid I am not terribly proficient in violence."
Ermengilda likewise leaves the remaining signet for one of the others to carry.
Lavinia smiles more genuinely at the flurry of questions.
”The Senator was involved in a handful of very...delicate undercover activities inside of the Gore House, the Cult of Rakdos’ favorite party place and entrance to Rix Maadi. There are very very few people who knew what he was doing when he left Precinct Two for his rowdy destination.”
Can you be more forthcoming about what he was doing at the Gore house?”
.
”We hadn’t heard from him in a few days when we sent agents to investigate, and discovered his body dropped in the back alley of one of the streets behind the Gore House. He was found with several unique injuries, preventing his return to life, which you’ll see whenever you visit his body. Our main suspects are, naturally, any of the popular patrons of the Gore House, but we have reason to believe that someone inside of the Senate discovered what he was doing and plotted to kill him.”
”Unique injuries?”
"I would recommend you talk to the three Arbiters. We have early suspicions that the head of the Lyev Column, Agmand Sarv, may be the one most vulnerable to corruption. I have already requested an audience with him for you, for the others you'll have to make one yourself and wait until they have time."
"Ah yes, the injuries he suffered are...extraordinary to say the least. It appears some weapon or spell has corroded the Senators' body, leaving his right arm and half of his face dissolved, as well as smaller patches along his body. We haven't been able to locate the source of these injuries, as it is like nothing we have ever seen before."
Alder is oddly quiet throughout the entire conversation, until the violence in the streets surrounding the crime scene is mentioned.
"Will we have Boros support in the investigation? I think it's imperative that they quell this insubordination with a show of force, otherwise thugs will take it as a cue to act out, if it's not dealt with."
She glances at the rest of the group, looking at Giliad and Ermengilda for a moment before shrugging. She picks the signet up and inspects it for a bit before putting it away. "I guess I'll take that one... Since apparently I'm the most likely to be needing to use it."
Looking over at Alder, she nods a bit. "The longer they're left alone, the more likely innocent people will get hurt. I won't have peace of mind unless I know something is being done."
“Ah, so that answers that question. He was spying. I thought he was just getting his freak on.”
“His what?”
“You know. Letting his freaky freak fly.”
“Hey! He was a senator!”
“Senators have needs too. Some senators are needier than others.”
“For a sword you seem to have quite a handle on the seedier side of life.”
“That’s were all the interesting bits are.”
“Let’s just concentrate on the case, shall we?”
”How were you able to determine that is was murder?”
”Unfortunately, due to the unique nature of both the area around the Gore House and the specific details of the Senator’s dealings in said area, it is unlikely the Boros would be able, or even willing, to help. I wouldn’t count on receiving any support from them.”
”As to how we discovered it was a murder? Well, for one, the unnatural manner in which he died, with parts of his body being turned into literal dust, point to something being amiss. The senator being undercover inside of the Gore House certainly hints that this was not a random accident.”
"Is there anything else you are not telling us that we should know before we start this investigation?"
"So what? They're just going to turn tail and run from some simple riots? Even if they may be led by a band of murderous clowns. I'm sure they've faced worse."
Alder scoffs, and starts to pace back and forth. He's clearly annoyed by the development.
She frowns slightly and scratches her chin. "Well um... I guess it's probably not worth it for them. They've got more important area's to patrol and fight over than that murder den."
She says this with a hint of a smirk on her lips, indicating it's somewhat of an issued challenge.
"It is not quite that the Boros are afraid of attempting to quell any riots or take over any of the Rakdos' territory. It's more like the Guildpact is obviously keeping things in check here; we can't just invade the city block and decide everyone within a hundred yards is under arrest, no matter how much we'd like to do so."
"Part of the problem, and therefore the reason we wish to bring outsiders like yourself into this situation is that the balance of power inside and around the Gore House is very...delicate. Upsetting that balance of power could lead to a whole list of issues the Senate has no interest in fielding. Therefore, we have brought you on to investigate this crime, in the hopes of maintaining order both there and here."
Ermengilda nods once, clasping her hands together. "It sounds like we have our work cut out for us, then." Turning to the others, she adds, "Do you mind if we see the body first, or should we start by interviewing the others who knew of our victim's goals?"
She walks over to a rather large circular table alongside one of the many book cases in the room and turns on the light above with a flick of her wrist. Looking down on it, you notice it is covered in all sorts of diagrams and maps and images of things you don't quite understand yet, as well as three different symbols of the guilds: Golgari, Rakdos, and Izzet.
Thomas gestures to the table, ”Could you show us what you have found so far?”
Giliad smiles back at Lavinia, "Fair enough Arrester Livinia. To the body then".
Alder crosses his arms, clearly irritated about the Boros' supposed lack of support.
"Then I'd like to speak with Arbiter Sarv immediately. Along with the rest of the suspects."
Lavinia appears to enjoy the immediate trains of thought she see spinning in everyone’s head, and points out of her office off to the left side of the hallway.
”Well seeing as how the body is right down the hall, I think it’d probably be best that you head there first.”
She laughs a small chuckle before calling the guard back in to the room.
”I’ll take you there now.”
Following her down the hall way, she takes a single left turn down a split and arrives at a locked door that the guard quickly has open.
”It’s in here. I must warn you, the injuries that most likely led to his death are gruesome, and unusual. I described them earlier, none of you will be negatively affected by seeing them, right?”
”It’s hard to say until we’ve looked...”
She shakes her head. "I think I'll be fine, I've seen a few injuries, though nothing like this..."
Alder crosses his arms, shrugging.
"I have no interest in the body other than a glance. Forensics aren't my area. Live people are."
Ermengilda shakes her head. "Death and grievous injury are not altogether foreign to me. I should hope that the mere sight of this body will not bring me harm."
“Well at least I’m sure I’m not going to throw up.”
“Because you’re an inanimate steal object?”
“No. Because I’m a sword. My entire purpose is to create corpses.”
“And solve puzzles.”
“Yes, of course. That too.”
“What would even come up? Iron fillings?”
“Don’t worry about me, squishy. Try not to embarrass us.”
"I am a Merchant by trade, my constitution may be weak as Giliad has not seen such bloodshed. Still, as I am performing my duties I will resolve to hold my morning meal until I have safely found a place to vacate it".
”Very well, then. Let’s proceed.”
Lavinia pushes the door open into what appears to be designated as an examination room. It’s a tad bit colder in here, presumably to help preserve any bodies that may find their way here.
She walks over to a table covered by a thin white sheet, and carefully pulls the sheet off, careful not to disturb the Senators remains too much.
The sight revealed is in fact quite gruesome.
The senator lays on the table, his chest exposed and bearing a grisly signature: that of the Massacre Girl, an infamous Rakdos serial killer. It doesn’t stop there though, as his entire right arm has been severed, and in place of it is a small pile of ash inside a metal container, which you assume the Azorius transported with them from the scene.
His face bears the same vicious injuries, with long swathes of his visage having been apparently melted away with some form of weapon or claw.
”Here he is, just as we found him.” Lavinia says, clearly not affected by the bodies’ appearance.
”The signature in his chest resembles that of a serial killer we have been chasing for many years now. The unusual part, however, isn’t the signal, but the fact that it doesn’t match the signatures on record from the other Massacre Girl cases. Someone is trying to convince us that he was merely a random target, but faking it poorly.”
Ermengilda approaches the body carefully. "Hmm... yes, interesting." She leans over, getting a closer look, then turns back to Lavinia. "The body is safe, yes? Is it alright if I touch it?"
roll + Intelligence (Precise Treatment) + skill rank + class skill + trait (Precise Treatment) + untyped (Skill Focus)
”We have performed a handful of simple examinations of the body, and haven’t noticed any side effects. It’s safe to touch and examine.”
The Arrester seems pleased that the doctor is as interested in the body as she is.
Giliad observes Ermengilda working on the inspection with interest but has little to add. He does though look at the body to try and figure out for himself what it could be that caused these wounds.
Heal
Really has nothing to offer at this particular moment, simply glancing at the body before averting her gaze. "I'd hate to be on the receiving end of whatever did him in."
"I see, I see..." Ermengilda delicately presses her cane into one of the larger wounds and uses it to leverage it a bit wider, so as to get a better look. "Certainly nothing natural. These aren't burns, chemical or otherwise, and the necrosis is not consistent with any toxin I know of." She removes her cane and taps her mask thoughtfully. "And you said he could not be raised. I assume the remains are cursed, then? All signs seem to point to magic as the means of producing such a result." She shrugs her backpack off and puls a small satchel from it. "Of course, we will not know for sure until I have performed a more thorough examination." She turns back to Lavinia. "I do not suppose you would mind terribly if I made a few incisions here and there, to get a more complete picture? Maybe got a closer look at his insides. I will try to return everything to where I found it, after. I do not imagine anyone will mind a few more marks on such a disfigured corpse."
Considering the others arrayed behind Lavinia, she adds, "The others should go interview the other senators in the meantime."
”We couldn’t exactly identify why he couldn’t be raised, actually. Whether it was from the course being cursed or him simply being unwilling to return. My guess is some sort of curse, but we can’t be sure.”
She nods in answer to the request to perform a more thorough investigation.
”Of course you can. Why do you think I brought you here, good doctor? As for the rest of you, I’m afraid I have other matters to attend to. But the notes on the table in my office are yours to take, to be used as you need them. When you have discovered something of note, do use the signets to alert me.”
Lavinia begins to walk out of the room, but pauses and turns back.
”Isperia has sensed foul happenings underneath all of this mess, and dark forces are surely lurking just out of sight. Wherever you end up going or whatever you end up finding, do be careful out there.”
With that, she strides out of the room, leaving you to decide what step to take next.
Alder glances at the body, then proceeds to start to leave behind her, fiddling with a strap on his armor. He has a brisk pace, and a purposeful expression.
"I'm going to talk to the suspect Arbiters. Anyone who won't interfere with questioning is welcome to come with me."
”I suppose someone has cast detect magic?
If no one objects Thomas will cast it.
Felicia glances at the corpse for a moment before falling behind Alder.
"I might as well come with, I can't think of anything I'd gain from staying here."