perhaps i was mistaken...but im sure i saw what i say.... Weed looks about perplexed...
It's fine, Weed. I'm sure whatever it was or whoever they were moved on from now.
Rodion eyes the crowd observing us.
Rodion can't help but feel that some of those observing the party check out the streets are doing so with less than positive intent. He doesn't seem anyone giving an overly baleful eye, but he can't shake the sense of being watched by unfriendly eyes.
Weed looks about still trying to make sense of what he saw earlier....looking around
Weed looks about, starting to question his own sanity, but can't find any trace of the mysterious figures he thought he saw earlier. Unable to find any clues, the party retires for the evening.
The next day as they take breakfast, one of the servers they have gotten to know comes over to them-There is some man here wearing an extravagant hat asking for you. He says his boss has an opportunity and he wants to see if you are interested in making some coin.
Inwardly Grimm groans at the thought of talking with fancy hat but his lust for coin overcomes his disdain for the man.
“If coin’s involved I’m willing to listen, send him in.”
Soon thereafter, the man with the fancy hat joins the party-Good morning. I see that you have all had something to eat and look much refreshed from yesterday's 'frivolities'.
We have not yet been formally introduced. My name is Phardaen Panotti, and I am the voice of the Carnival. While I have many duties assigned to me, the greatest is to keep my mistress Delisen happy. It is for that reason that I came to see you.
Mistress wishes that I bring you back to the Carnival, where she would speak with you and ask you to perform her a service. As a sign of her good intent, I gladly pay for your meal and offer you ten gold crowns just for accompanying me back to see her.
What say you lot?
weed raises his eyebrows and looks about at his companions...and studies fancy hat closer...
Rodion is willing to go and see "his mistress." Especially if money is involved.
I'm game, Eterran blurts out.
“The name’s Naugrimm. As to your query, why not, ain’t got nothin better to do this morning.”
Accompany the man.
Phardaen smiles at the party's assent and leads them back to the Carnival, which has yet to open for business, and eventually to a well appointed private wagon.
He escorts you inside and introduces you to the Mistress Delisen who greets you kindly (but with a business like air) and after some brief pleasantries says-I appreciate your efforts yesterday in the regrettable incident with our dragon. I fear I could also use your help with another matter. I'm not sure if you have heard, but there was a murder in town last night. The circumstances, I am told, implicate people from my circus—something I find very hard to accept. I’d like to contract you to represent the Umbra Carnival to determine who is really responsible and preserve our reputation.
“Forgive me for gettin right down to business, what’s the payment? Any more details of the murder? Any witnesses? Which of yer folk were implicated and how so? And meanin no disrespect but what if we find it were in fact yer folk that done for the murder? Do we still get paid?”
Delisen smiles broadly-No need to ask for forgiveness.....Grimm isn't it? I have asked you here to perform a service, it is only right that you should have questions.
"What's the payment?"-I offer you 600 gold crowns should you find conclusive proof as to the identity of the person or persons responsible.
"Any more details of the murder? Any witnesses? Which of yer folk were implicated and how so?"-A local moneylender, Archivin Walder, was found dead last night and his body had been severely mauled. He was walking back to his home from The Locked Box, which was his storefront. The wounds on his body appear to be those that might be inflicted by a lion or some other giant cat. So far, this is all that the Sheriff will reveal to us and she is demanding that we turn over Jherizhana for questioning in the matter.
"And meanin no disrespect but what if we find it were in fact yer folk that done for the murder? Do we still get paid?”-I am 100% confident that Jherizhana can not have been party to this matter, but should somehow you find that it was her, yes I will still pay you.
Also, Rodion doesn't want to appear ignorant of something he already knows. Is Jherizhana the sphinx? Have we seen that name on posters, flyers, etc.?
If not, he will ask.
Rodion (and the party) remember that Jherizhana is the name of the sphinx and saw it multiple times on posters, flyers, and the like.
weed looks about during the conversation....
“Well enough, your offer is accepted. May we speak with Jherizhana?”
Yes of course; I will send Phardaen to prepare her cage for the conversation. Do you have any other questions of me?
Otherwise, I would encourage you to seek out Sheriff Feldane and let her know that you are representing the Carnival in this matter.
“How long do ya plan ta stay in town? Can ya tell us more of how Jherizhana is restrained, is her cage magical? How often are your folk checking on her? If she had wandered off how soon would you know? We’ll talk to the Sheriff next, just thought we should start with Jherizhana since we’re already here.”
Rodion scrutinizes Delisen
Delisen-The Carnival was scheduled to be here for the rest of the week. At this point, I don't think we will be allowed to leave until this issue is resolved one way or the other. Jherizhana is kept in a magical cage, but to some degree she agrees to the captivity. Sphinxes are mighty beasts and I can't imagine any cage keeping them for long should they not wish it. We always know where Jherizhana is, and if she were to leave the Carnival, we would know about it immediately.
“Good ta know.”
To the sphinx, unless anyone else has questions.
Thinking: "To some degree she agrees to the captivity" is what every master thinks about their slaves.
Rodion suspects a magical alarm and/or tracking system. Does he know of spells that could work in the way described? (only triggering if a specified creature crosses and/or being able to track a specific creature.) If so would such spells really be foolproof?
Grimm feels that Delisen's last statement was fairly straight forward.
Rodion knows that there are several magics that can easily bind and keep track of creatures, especially if caged. Such enchantments could be fooled by magics stronger than that of the caster.
The party makes its way to the sphinx tent and the guards who are busy keeping all others at distance allow them to pass inside.
The sphinx, Jherizhana, lays inside the large cage watching intently as the party enters. Her tail twitches back and forth desultorily and she seems to be murmuring to herself.
“Hello Jherizhana, we’re gonna prove yer innocence by findin the real killer. Do ya know anything that might help us? Anyone have an axe to grind with ya?”
Any sign of damage to the cage?
Any sign of blood on sphinx claws?
Rodion ~detects magic ~ in order to try to identify what types of magic are at work here.
He also takes a look around with Grimm:
Jherizhana looks at Grimm sulkily-I'm not sure why anyone would want to pin a murder on me. I don't leave my cage much and have only been in this miserable town for a day or so. I don't even know anyone that lives here. It's easy to blame trouble on a visiting 'monster'. The small minded are so easily fooled.
Grimm does not see any sign of damage to the cage or any blood on the sphinx.
Jherizhana observes Rodion casting a spell and yells out in anger-What are you doing there? My understanding is that you wanted to ask me questions, not enchant me with some foul magic!
One of the guards from outside rushes in with a blade ready and threatens Rodion-None of that now wizard. We've trouble enough without some fool firing off spells in here.
Rodion definitely detects the presence of magical auras on the sphinx and cage (1 round).
“Put the blade away! Beggin yer pardon Jherizhana, Rodion means no harm, it’s all part of our investigation.”
“Does anyone have any additional questions?”
How many claws are on each of the sphinxes paws?
The guard keeps his blade ready to make sure that Rodion is no longer casting any magics.
Jherizhana-I have no problem with your trying to help my cause, but having people I have just met casting spells unannounced is no way to settle a lady's nerves.
Grimm can tell that both the guard and Jherizhana are very upset by Rodion's spell casting and their nerves are completely on edge.
Jherizhana has 5 toes on her front paws and 4 on her rear. Her claws are not currently out so you can't tell how many she has.
weed wonders if the area he saw shadows...is the area where man was murdered....then he wonders if jherizhana can read his thoughts...then thinks “jherizhana...can you read my thoughts”
[b]Apologies all around, I was simply trying to detect what sorts of magic keep you in place and tracked by the carnival. You are right, I should have asked first.[/]b Rodion bows apologetically.
Weed's question goes unanswered.
The sphinx gives Rodion a genuine smile-You are well spoken and courteous, for a human. Most of your kind don't bother being genteel with 'monsters'.
As to the magics, you could have but asked. What keeps me in place?-Nothing besides my will. I find it easier to live as a member of the Carnival than in the wild. Here people may gawk and point, but they pay for that pleasure and I don't have to worry about nosy adventurers trying to kill me and take my treasure or the ignorant constantly bothering me with questions.
So I get to travel the world, I am well fed and cared for, I make a healthy income, I am safe as could be, AND I get to converse with those that appreciate me for who I am. What a life!
Is the guard is still in the room?
Either way: Thank you for your understanding. May I ask if you have any idea of any people or groups who would seek to cause trouble for you or your troupe?
The guard remains in the room for a few moments, but seeing that Rodion has ceased his spell casting and Jherizhana does not appear distressed he goes back outside to keep watch.
Jherizhana-I can't think of anyone here that would want to personally cause me mischief. As for the rest of the Carnival, I wouldn't know. I'm sure there are some in every town we visit that are uncomfortable with our troupe; often people despise and hate the things they don't understand or are uncomfortable with. Delisen would probably have a better view of those matters than I do.
“Think we’ve enough information to move on now, thank you Jherizhana.”
Head out to see sheriff unless someone has another idea.
The massive sphinx somehow gives a graceful courtsy inside the cage-Thank you for your assistance in this matter. I hope you can prove my innocence.
Any other party action before the scene with the Sheriff?
Sheriff is fine with Rodion
Sheriff it is!
back to town
The party makes its way back into town and the Sheriff's office, where a snooty looking junior deputy/clerk looks you over as you enter and sniffs disdainfully-Yes, may I help you?
weed glances at Grimm...shrugs...
“Can ya direct us to Sheriff Feldane please?”
The clerk's relatively sour countenance changes as he hears Grimms pleasant entreaty-Oh well, good day sir dwarf, I did not see you there amongst these other fellows. As I'm sure you understand, Sheriff Feldane is quite busy. Is there something I can do to help you?
weed chuckles.....and with a stern look adds to Grimms request with a loud voice...we imagine the sheriff is quite busy if hes actually doing his job unlike you...shall we discuss your recent activities??? im sure you wouldnt want the townsfolk to hear about them....we however have bigger things to worry about..if you werent busy sniffing at us past that large protuberance you call a nose...you would already be on the way to show us to the sheriff.....now get to it!!!
“No need ya be rude Weed, perhaps we can see the Sheriff another time, I’m sure this good fellow can be o’ service. We’re looking into the recent murder on behalf of Delisen. What can you tell us about it? Can you show us where it took place? I’ll make it worth our while.”
Give me another diplomacy roll Grimm to see if you can overcome the damage Weed has done.
The clerk's face twists in condescension and he looks down his nose at the party-Yes...well, you are entirely correct; this office is quite busy looking into the murder of one of Belric's leading citizens. Too busy in fact to have to deal with some inquisitive rabble. Come back tomorrow, and might I suggest with some better manners, and maybe someone here might have time, or interest, in speaking with you about it.
Leave the sheriff’s office.
Anyone have any other ideas for the day or should we just come back tomorrow?