GM Erich's Murder on the Throaty Mermaid (Inactive)

Game Master Thereus, Silver Crusader

"That you didn't immediately head to the top deck to see who or what was attacking your ship. Quite the opposite in fact. You went well below decks, to the hold, before investigating the assault team boarding the vessel. An attack which was repelled with no assistance from your very own crew." She smiles, "For a man who is responsible for the well being of passengers and the actions of his crew, you sure have a funny way of showing it." She pauses a moment before continuing, "Maybe you can help us understand why."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

As the one who fired the first shot, I would have hoped for some backup from the crew sooner. What brought you below decks, Captain? Conig presses behind Azora.

diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

The captain sits for a long pause, a look of astonishment (or perhaps confusion) upon his face. "I realize it has been a long night, and now day, but I don't believe I am hearing you right."

He shakes his head in disbelief.

"I did not go below deck until you all did."

He locks eyes with several of you to see if you understand what he just said.

"I was readying for bed after consulting with the navigator, when I heard the clatter of the grappling hooks just outside my cabin. Fearing pirates, I took a bit of time to secure my breastplate and weapons. That was about when I heard Conig's gun fire. When I finally threw open the door, the rout was on and the boarders had been quelled, but several of you were heading downstairs to check on Sephriel. So I followed."

He shakes his head a bit quicker.

"Don't you all remember? Besmara's Knickers, ring a bell? No, if someone has tried to place me below decks while all this was happening, well they are... mistaken."

Karlos shifts his stance as he listens to the captain give his accounting of the previous night.

sense motive: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10+1 from studied target

I am glad I didn't put my armour on...I would have missed the whole affair...cursed thing...

Then we have a case of false witness or some sort of impersonation. Conig considers bringing the Captain down to Velagon to eliminate some possibilities.

"Interesting." William gives the captain a look.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Since both Azuretta and Velagon said he was below deck, should I try and intimidate him into talking more? I feel like intimidating the captain is a bad idea, but we already tried diplomacy, and that didn't seem to work.

Even William's sense motive doesn't indicate a lie from the captain. I invite anyone with some time to kill to reread the description of the battle in question to see again what your characters saw.

To save your scrolling all the way back to Page 2, This post is immediately after the fight on deck.

"Wait. It's true. Captain Veane came out stumbling from his quarters, by himself. Assuming there is no direct route from his room to the decks below, there is no possibility that was him going into the hold."

As you take in Azora's recollection, the door opens again. Azuretta stands there with a folded and sealed parchment. Realizing she has interrupted an incomplete conversation, she bows her head slightly and hastily hands the paper to William.

"Let the Paracountess know that I would be honored." She whispers and begins to leave.

Dark Archive secondary condition half complete, just the coin left.

The captain’s doubts and Azora’s reminder set Willow’s thoughts awhirl. She immediately starts trying out permutations of lies and errors. Mallick will need to be questioned as soon as possible, but that prompts another question to add to the balance: if either Azuretta or Velagon (or both) were lying about seeing someone in the hold, adding a second someone would seem to be unnecessarily risky. Tentatively, then: Mallick and someone disguised as the captain?

If only one of them is lying, which, and why? Unhappily, it occurs to Willow that rust monsters onboard, if one knew to head for them, would provide another way of disposing of a weapon instead of risking being caught throwing something overboard.

“I’m sorry, Captain. We’re still, as you can see, comparing several accounts, and it was a harrowing moment for everyone,” she says aloud, trying to allow for a tactful exit while the Pathfinders give the pieces of the puzzle another shake. As Azuretta makes another appearance, Willow tries not to give a start. Was she listening at the door? She says, starting off darkly before her naïveté trips her into a solecism that spoils the effect, “There are a few too many secrets for comfort aboard the Mermaid, and I say that as someone who prefers to keep to herself … well, er, myself.” Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Trying to see if we should be worried about Azuretta already, after all. Does anyone else actually trained in Sense Motive want to give it a try? Or am I just being paranoid?

Mallick next? We can glower more aggressively while trying to confront suspects with one another after we've talked to everyone on their own once, maybe? Or whatever works for everyone.

"Yes... Yes, it seems someone else was mistaken. Sorry for the misunderstanding."

Mallick next, yeah.

Mallick stands grimly at the mast, wrapping up the tail end of the rope and securing it with a quick knot. He grimaces as you gather round.

"Aren't you done yet? To be honest, I'm a bit angered that the Captain's letting you nose around when you hardly even know us. I'd have been a much better choice to lead the investigation."

He leans against the mast with smug confidence.

"I can't even count the times I heard Thanzeril arguing with Sephriel over the course of the voyage about some internal disagreement on the oh-so-important Mordant Spire politics." The first mate motions to Anera on the fore deck. "And just how vocal that woman is about her hatred of elves." He winks at you as if he has cracked the case and this explains it all.

It occurs to Willow that a more direct approach would probably work better with the abrasive mate. She ignores the bait about Spire politics for now – they’re a bit removed from her and Kyoni concerns generally – but is a bit more pointed as she shrugs and observes, to Mallick’s latter suggestion, “Oh? She’s always been civil with me.” Not more than that, but that might explain it.

“Politics and personal differences aside,” she continues, “do you have anything more concrete? Perhaps something you noticed while we were fighting off the boarding party and you and the captain were prowling about in the hold with Velagon’s little monsters?”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 She's blunt, but then the mate doesn't seem to care for any of the niceties, and over the course of the whole voyage so far Willow can only imagine he's probably not doing it to push her buttons particularly.

"Anera's probably afraid of you and your society, though. We've heard you stick together like a thick-skulled Sczarni brood. More concrete? Nah, I was in the Captain's quarters when it all went down, not down in the bowels of the ship. Didn't see anything but the bloody mess when I came down with you. Strangely enough, me and the captain were talking about crew discipline in his cabin when we heard the gunshots. And that discipline just seems to be the root of the problem with the murder of our esteemed passenger. Too many rogue personalities on this ship, not enough firm leadership. Sephriel was lucky he didn't get shanked the first day we set sail. Yeah, it was bound to happen. No matter which of us is responsible, the captain will get what's coming to him, that's for sure." The mate is out of breath after all that, as that is more than he has spoke to you on the entire journey.

To add to the tension, you notice the waves picking up slightly and a squall line has appeared on the horizon. So much for the Captain's mirror-like sea.

Conig pulls William back for a sidebar while Willow gets more out of Mallick. One glaring thing I'm hearing is that Azuretta and Velagon accuse the Captain of being below decks around the time of the murder when we clearly saw him emerge after the battle. Mallick corroborates that. That contradiction puts 2 suspects pretty clearly in front of us. We should requestion Azuretta and Velagon.

What time of night is it?

"Yes, but Azuretta's alibi was confirmed by Thanzeril, Snig, and Velagon. They would have to all be in on it, although I suppose it's possible. Either that, or someone else was disguised as the Captain and Mallick, and it was dark enough that they couldn't tell. That would also explain how the Captain acted toward Azuretta. Either way, I agree, we need to talk to them again." He starts to turn back to Mallick, but stops, and keeps talking to Conig. "Also, didn't Killik also try to pin it on Anera?"

Conig pauses, and leans back into the Mallick conversation. Lack of firm leadership you say? That's quite the condemnation of a Captain from a first mate. 'Get what's coming to him'? What does he deserve exactly?

It is late day, by now. You are getting very close to figuring out the murderer(s).

Mallick's eyes widen and he turns dramatically to see who might be listening in. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, Mr. Rat! Comments such as those could be construed as mutinous, and I would never insinuate such a thing. Now if it is instead you who suggests such a fate for our beloved Captain, well, as First Mate it would be my duty to report such behavior to him. So let's just say for all of us we just forget that little part of the conversation, huh?"

Conig raises his paws, A misunderstanding, I'm sure. He turns back to William, Let's talk to Killick then, that's suspicious.

When the group moves down to Killik in the crew cabin, he is lounging in his bunk reading some sort of picture book that he hastily closes and sits up.

"Forget something?" he mutters with a raised brow.

Willow pinches the bridge of her nose as Mallick saunters off and her own colleagues murmur among themselves about the remaining possible explanations, on their way to the next round of questioning. She catches herself indulging a pang for the time the most she had to worry about on this trip was her own slow progress in her self-directed studies.

Still, by the time everyone’s gathered around Killik, she’s been able to gather a few thoughts. “So it seems. It turns out a couple of people we thought we could place can’t have been where we first thought they were. You mentioned that you thought you had heard a woman’s footsteps, and that Anera’s been acting suspiciously. I’m hardly an expert in these sorts of things, but could it have been someone else, maybe using magic to disguise themselves and their movements?”

Her first love is and will always be transmutation, but recent events suggest the value of making a bit more room for illusion, and, even more so, divination in her studies. The sooner Willow can call herself a wizard, the better! For now, her thoughts tumble around more mundane speculations.

Either Velagon or Azuretta, or both, are lying or mistaken about what they saw. If lying, why stop where they did? Why not send us after someone more directly, like this one and Mallick did? And why not Anera? If just mistaken, who or what did they see? If Mallick was telling a half-truth, could he have met someone else before reappearing, while the captain was sorting out his armour?

Killik takes an inordinate amount of time to answer, clearly considering how well thought out her question is.

"I suppose it could have been someone else. Maybe Azzie? She has a bit of a voluptuous gait, though. What I heard was more like a stalking cat. I'd bet a fair coin my instinct was right and it was Anera flitting about."

He sits up straight and shakes his head in mock disbelief.

"Seems as if you've talked to everyone and everyone's pointing fingers at someone else. That leaves you in the lurch, doesn't it? Going in circles and circles. Listen to me - no one on this ship has a totally clean conscious, maybe that's why we are all here together. Misery loves company and all..."

He nods in agreement with his own thoughts.

"Maybe the best course of action is for you to just nix all the questions til we reach port, then get your Society to buck up for a elixir or something from them elves that'll guarantee the truth from the culprit and then everyone walks away happy."

"I think that Killik has a point."

Killik nods in agreement with his own thoughts.

"Maybe the best course of action is for you to just nix all the questions til we reach port, then get your Society to buck up for a elixir or something from them elves that'll guarantee the truth from the culprit and then everyone walks away happy."

“We certainly intend to,” Willow says dryly, focusing on the last of Killik’s wise suggestions, her tone indicating that, on some level, she aligns herself with them other elves almost as much as the Society, and certainly more than a bunch of cut-rate pirates.

“The problem is – or rather, the two problems are,” she continues quickly, “that while I presume we all want to get there, first, someone on board has made it abundantly clear that they don’t mind making sure that not everyone does, and there’s no guarantee that they won’t strike again.”

“Secondly,” and she toys with the ring she charmed from Ulamon, “the Spiresworn in particular tend to take a ... vigorously comprehensive approach to self-defense.”

The unspoken implication, of course, is that the elves’ aggressive defense would happily condemn the entire ship without a qualm. I’ve got nothing further for now, I’m afraid. If folks want me to turn that into an Intimidate check, I could, I suppose, or we could give Velagon and Azuretta another try, before bearding the prisoners we took in their den.

I'm similarly stumped. Velagon saw the captain and it either wasn't the captain or he's lying. we need to bring them together.

Well, as we saw the Captain, then maybe Velagon needs another conversation? Otherwise I too am at a loss.

Velagon is adamant that he saw the Captain and First Mate at the rust monster cage, if only for a moment.

As you are talking to him, a tolling bell sounds from the Throaty Mermaid’s top deck, and the entire ship jolts to life as though awakened from a startling dream. Crew members rush between cabins and up and down the narrow stairs between decks.

“All hands to storm stations,” Captain Veane calls into the ship’s bowels. “We got ourselves a mean one comin’!”

The first mate pokes his head down the hatch into the hold and yells at you. "We need your help too if we want to make it to the Spire. Get up to the top deck and secure the rigging for us. We weren't prepared for a storm today, but nobody told Gozreh that. If you want to get on the Captain's good side, helping us again will make him a friend for life, I'm sure."

You have five rounds to prep however you wish for the upcoming storm. It will take two of those rounds to make it to the top deck from here.

Azora casts a spell on the gathered team, then sprints up to the main deck.

Casting Bless, just in case.

Nino waits for orders.

Conig checks the action on his pistol and holsters it. Storm or no, this is another opportunity for the assassin to strike. Secure the rigging but be on the lookout. We should keep an eye on all the crew on deck at least.

no other prep and will head up to the deck.

Nino also joins others on the deck.

Willow takes a moment to peer into the rust monsters’ cage, looking for anything suspiciously like a half-eaten dagger. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Then again, she knows that she has no idea about the dietary habits of the beasts, so she waits another few seconds to ask and warn Velagon, “What do your creatures’, er, castings? look like? Or what sort of food scraps do they leave? Never mind – just let us know if anyone else comes prowling around while the storm blows over!”

She rushes to the main deck with the others, wishing she knew how to whistle the wind down, or however wizards do it. If the killer decides to strike again, Willow’s chosen weapon is not ideal in a howling storm.

If she has time, she’ll also check the door to the fore cabin to make sure it’s secure and the boarders aren’t going anywhere. Failing that, she’ll try to take up position as close to there as she can, in case there is trouble.

Karlos runs up to the deck. Where do you need me?thought i posted earlier....might have been eaten by web goblins

The rust monster cages are remarkably clean. As you hasten your exit Velagon trails off an answer.

"Me rusties aren't much for leaving any droppings, they kind of disintegrate the metal lickety-split with their antennae and suck it all in..."

-------------------

William, go ahead and do any prep you need before heading up to the top deck. Azora, you can also get a bonus action in before the storm effect occurs if you want. Willow, the door is secure.

Opening the door to the top deck reveals conditions quite different than even minutes ago. The squall line has quickly overtaken the ship and it now begins to rock unevenly in the wind and driving rain. Ulamon is the only figure up top, and he stands wide-legged for balance, guiding the ship's wheel. "Secure what you can! I can't guarantee we won't dip port. I've never seen such a sudden storm in all my days, save for ol' Abendego herself."

You begin hurrying around, tying down supplies and securing the masts, when the storm suddenly intensifies. A rogue wave washes over the deck-rail, flooding the deck with cold, salty water. The darkened skies indicate it is not over yet.

Everyone needs to make a DC 15 Strength check or be knocked prone and taking 2 points of nonlethal damage. Take your round of actions after succeeding or failing that check. See the spoiler below for modifications to movement and spell casting due to the storm.

Storm Effect: 1d10 ⇒ 10
nonlethal damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Round 1/2 - Bold can act - Bless is up
Storm
Nino
William
Tasarë "Willow"
Conig
Karlos
---------
Azora

PREP: William makes his way to the top deck. He takes a deep breath, and says, "I don't understand what all the fuss is about. The weather is lovely. A little dangerous, sure, but still."
I wish I had thought to manifest Don before this.

Strength Check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Welp

Just after he says that, William gets knocked flat on his back. He uses his cane to get up, and then asks, "How can I help?"

Acrobatics, if needed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Conig attempts to tie down some crates off to the side.

strength: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14
OH CMON

In trying, Conig is tripped up by a sudden pitch of the boat and tumbles forward. He stands quickly afterward.

Any relief that murderous cousins don’t seem like to be going anywhere anytime soon quickly evaporates as the storm hits and lashes the ship with wind and rain. Str check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

A wiry elf is no match for the wave that breaks over the deck, and Willow goes sprawling. She manages to skitter to her feet on the slippery deck before she gets dragged too far, and heads over to the nearest bit of loose rope that needs tying down. Tracking: 2 points nonlethal.

STR vs DC 15: 1d20 ⇒ 2

The ifrit is casually tossed to the deck. Oh how I wish to be back on solid ground!

STR: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

"Oh How I hate Boats and sea!" says Nino standing firmly.

str: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

I'm sticking to land after this....

As many of you struggle to regain your footing, the ship lurches again, and you see Ulamon slip on the aft deck, smack his head on the railing and with an anguished wail -- fall to the ground in a heap.

The ship's wheel begins to spin wildly, further exacerbating the pitch and yaw in the rough waves.

Everyone needs a DC 15 Acrobatics check to avoid falling prone. Someone needs to get over to the wheel (green box) and make a Strength check to get it under control. Remember, the whole deck is difficult terrain.

Storm Effect: 1d10 ⇒ 8

Round 2/3 - Bold can act - Bless is up
Storm
Nino
William -2 NL damage
Tasarë "Willow" -2 NL damage
Conig -2 NL damage
Karlos
---------
Azora -2 NL damage

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Conig keeps his feet and rushes over to the wheel to help brace it from swinging us too wildly elsewhere.

str aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

William starts going towards the wheel.
Difficult terrain means we move at half speed, right?

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The ifrit slides across the deck, unable to get back to her feet.

acro: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Karlos stumbles as he tries to make his way to the wheel.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 Willow manages to stay on her feet as the wet deck rolls under her, but it's a near thing, and it will take her another few heartbeats to get anywhere near the wheel.

She pauses just past the mainmast to take a look around (Conveniently enough, just where she runs out of movement in difficult terrain. :) ), trying to see if there's anywhere else she can help, and trying to keep track of everyone on deck. At least she's in a place that she could conceivably get to most anywhere soon, if she can just keep her footing.

acro: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Nino starts moving towards the wheel and tries to hold it.
STR: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

The storm subsides for a few seconds as the two half-orcs make it to the wheel and brace it. Conig close on their heels.

Karlos, Azora and Willow can take another move on the map while the others are steadying the ship.

The respite is short lived as a towering wave hits the ship and turns it until the sails hit the sea.

Everyone needs to make a DC 15 Strength check or be knocked prone and take 4 points of nonlethal damage.

Storm Effect: 1d10 ⇒ 1
Storm Effect: 1d10 ⇒ 9
Nonlethal damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Round 4/5 - Bold can act - Bless is up
Storm
Nino
William -2 NL damage
Tasarë "Willow" -2 NL damage
Conig -2 NL damage
Karlos
---------
Azora -2 NL damage

str: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Karlos stumbles and bumps his head against a beam. He curses as he fumbles around.

By the gods, this weather is going to turn me off of travelling by ship forever!

I think I'll be fine sticking where I am - unless the folks aft want more help - just in case something else happens fore, so we don't have to all keep trying to run damage control back and forth across the ship over too much difficult terrain.

Str check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 Willow sees the next wave coming just in time to grab onto a bit of rope dangling from the mast, secure it, and brace herself as the ship heels over. Bedraggled but still upright, she wonders at herself, "I think I'm almost getting used to this!"

The repeated shocks are obviously setting her slightly unhinged. ;)