[CORE] 2-13 Murder on the Throaty Mermaid (Inactive)

Game Master chadius

"Wh-wha? You'd look for a place where people would notice me? No one's ever done that for me..."

"Ah well, some nice harbour tavern would be great. You would fit right into the flair. Maybe somewhere in the shackles? Those people should have stomaches sturdy enough for your food, i heard." Graka taps the woman on the shoulder with a toothy grin, actually quite amused about the whole situation.

She then turns to Will. "So your paranoia was not only completly justified, it wasn't even scratching the surface. Everybody hates each other, there's poison in the food and someone wants to frame the captain for murder. Not what I expected from this leisure trip."

"If I were ever a member of a crew like this, I would probably wkae the plank meself!"

Will scratches his head. "I think the cook here is very capable of killing, but the elf was stabbed, not poisoned. "

She's Evil? lol though Out-Of-Character Know that.

She's evil but if she's sincere, maybe I can turn her away from her current path. thinks Florin slightly taken back that the cook is evil.

She smiles.
"By the Grace granted on me by my patron, I'll look around the society for likely work. I'll pray for you to turn from your ways and maybe you'll find the joy you'd always be seeking."
Attempt to recruit for Faction Goals who needs it. lol.Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Returning back to her fellow companions, she shrugs.
"I have being taught to always try to turn those who have fallen into evil back into the light. Also who else is next? There also seems to be another vistor we could ask though he/she/it may not be an actual crew member."

Out of sight of the evil chef.

Dope slap the back of Florin's head: 1d20 ⇒ 16 Damage => Ruffled hair:

"The woman poisoned you! Why exactly do you think you've been so green lately?"

I swear, ever since they made wisdom unnecessary to be a paladin.... ;)

"If I were ever a member of a crew like this, I would probably wkae the plank meself!"

Will scratches his head. "I think the cook here is very capable of killing, but the elf was stabbed, not poisoned. "

"I don't think she did it either, but remind me at breakfast to borrow her wand before any of us eat."

Hand on head, Florin replies honestly.
"I've being told that people seeing me usually are Green on seeing me green. It's natural I keep telling you." lol

"I understand arsenic is often green, and can be used as a poison... are you sure you are not just sweating that, or using it as a cosmetic?" Giovanni asks innocently.

"So, any people left on this ship who propably hate somebody?"

Gwen raises her hand.

"Whoo?"

"Don't ask." She warns her bird. "Though I was going to say everyone--present company excluded, of course."

"Let's go talk to Killik anyhow."

Killik is lying on a cot in the Crew's Cabin (Area 7). He doesn't seem to react to your approach. There are several lockboxes on the ground, each with a different crewman's name. Killik's locker is underneath the cot.

He finally stirs. "The captain told me to speak to you, yet nothing comes free. 60 gold. Then I'll talk."

You'll need Diplomacy or Intimidate checks to lower the cost (possibly down to nothing)

Anticipating your magic scans and rolls.

Detect Magic

Have it running when we walk in. I let it run the 18 seconds of silence if it takes him that long to talk.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

"Suit yourself." I brought three half-orcs with me. ;)

Intimidation aid other (look uncaring in face of imminent violence): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Or not.

Initimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

"Give it up, Killig. Ye sure ye want to be disobeying yer capt'n? Ye know what we do with liars and mutineers, right? Start talking..."

Aid Intimidate (walking around with his greataxe, look to swing): 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 2 = 16
Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 Totally not going to swing unless there's trouble.

"I have to agrees. We may have to keel the poor sod after the captain's done with him. Perhaps we could take a limb or two to make it harder to tie him up?" Gary smiles a very half-orcish smile, showing his tusks towards the man.

I shall try my own intimidate here. EDIT: Yep, good idea
Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

"Stop your silly games you slimy rat. This ship's full of people with with a short fuse. Most of them standing here. Right before you."
Graka picks him up and lifts him into a sitting postition, coming very close to his face with hers.
"And now talk or I make sure you won't be able to for quite some while, even with your fancy doctor skills." Her eyes tell him not much fun is to be expected otherwise.

Giovanni stands silent, an obviously pained look on his face as he watches his 'companions' rough-up the ship's medic, but he does not interfere.

Hopefully this does not cause us any further problems down the track...

Florin Shrugs and decides to play the role of a genial participant.
Know.(Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"I have some blessings with healing but I'm sure I'm not up to your level of skill. I do confess that you'd proablely be my first patient. As long as it doesn't offend Besmara, your patron of course."

Graka, you're on fire with those Intimidate rolls

"Hmpf. I wonder if violence is your only method, or if it's your first?" Killik remains calm as a cucumber while in Graka's grip. "Still, I can see talking to you burns precious time I could be thinking of how to make more money, so I'll tell you what you need to hear so you can leave me alone."

"Like most of the crew, I went to bed that night and heard nothing else until the first mate ruined my sleep to tell me our guest died. As instructed by the captain, I dressed the elf's body, then came back here to get some rest. Then I hear Shira blubbering about how no one appreciates her." He rolls his eyes.

"I've helped her serve food to the crew for the last few months. I didn't even charge her anything for the services. I even served Snig, in the forward cargo hold. He never leaves that room for any reason during the day. I do hear him throughout the night, though. He and his rats. You don't suppose he had something to gain from this?"

"Then again, I've heard Anera had quite the vendetta against our elven guests. Trying to play Knivses with the bodyguard, cursing them out for being elves. Distasteful. Why would you ever turn away potential future employers like that?"

"That all you can tell? I can show you my methods in detail." she says, slowly moving her face back and straightening up.
Sense Motives: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Sense Motive (with Hera): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

"So you did a good deed for Shira how much did that pay and who paid you? And, while we're at it, what exactly did I you do?"

Giovanni raises an eyebrow.

"That was indeed a suitably verbose exposition on your part; but you seem to have glossed over a few details, as my companion notes..."

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11
Florin presses on after catching on to something else during his speech.
"Who's Snig?"

"Snig Lacorse takes care of the rat population on this ship. Sneaky little critter, I think he likes them. I wouldn't be surprised if he snuck around the ship in the middle of the night and did the deed you are accusing of."

"Helping Shira serve the food saves time. Otherwise we have to wait for everyone to be served before we can eat. Time is money, and Shira is too slow for my tastes."

Growing increasingly impatient with the pressure he receives from the party, Killik proceeds to open his footlocker. "I guess you are looking for a murder weapon of some kind on me? As you can see, no weapons inside." He snaps the locker shut after a moment.

The footlocker contains bars of gold and some jewelry, but you don't notice any weapons or obvious traces of blood.

"Snig Lacorse takes care of the rat population on this ship. Sneaky little critter, I think he likes them.

"Yeah, so does Hera."

"Whoo whoooo."

"I really could care less how they taste, thank you."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he snuck around the ship in the middle of the night and did the deed you are accusing of."

"And why would you think that?"

Appraise: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Do we really think someone named "Snig" is capable of much?"

"Sounds like some crazy hermit. In my experience it's seldom those. More often the professional types."

"I don't know. Snig is always quiet, never leaving his room. Snatches my food without a word, always muttering under his breath. I wonder if..." He shrugs. "Go ahead, talk to anyone else on the ship about it. I'm sure they'll all say how he keeps to himself."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Will shrugs.

Boy, are my rolls pathetic!

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Gary shrugs slightly and looks at the group. "I guess we should talk to Snig then. He may have a better idea as to what's going on."

I literally cannot make those DCs, so I won't bother rolling.

"Very well, let's go speak with Snig."

As you head to the forward cargo hold (Area 10) you see more rats and mice scurrying about. In the forward cargo hold itself, it takes you a moment to adjust to the lowered light.

Once you do, you see a man with his back against a wall, crossbow drawn. The rats scurry about his legs, although he doesn't seem to pay attention to it. "Come to make fun of me, eh? Well, Snig Lacrose is finally gonna stand up for himself! Leave me!"

Diplomacy or Intimidate are key here to calm him down.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11.

"Hold now, my friend - we mean you no harm; we just want to ask some questions. It has been suggested that you might know something about the murder of the elf up above; do you?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17.

Sense Motive (with Hera): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Diplomacy (aid the most diplomatic - Florin): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"Easy there guy we're just here to talk.... We haven't met, I'm Gwen, this is Hera and--." She then facepalms herself--hard.

Gwen will provide light if there doesn't seem to be any down here.

"Whooo who whoo."

"Really? You're gonna bring that up now?" Gwen hisses a whisper at the owl as a feeling of satisfying crunchiness fills her mind.

"We mean no harm."
Sense Motive for earlier Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9
Knowledge (Nobility) Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
To pacfiy Snig Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Fanstatic rolls really.

"No reason to kill us dead good man." Graka says, holding up her hands defensively.
"You just wanne be left in peace, but we still need a bit help and everyone on the decks above seems crazy."

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Well, great. I'm sure that will have no consequences.

She doesn't seem to care much about the rats.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Will seems to be counting the rafters on the ship.

Another great roll!

Let's just say everyone aided Gio.

As the group rallies behind Gio and emphasizes they mean no harm, Snig calms down a bit, although he continues to keep his eye on Hera.

"I thought you guys were after me." He mutters. "My family's been a bit on edge ever since that elf died." He nods at the nearby rats. "All right, what do you guys want from me?"

"This is my home. I take care of my family, and no one bothers me. Unless they blame me, of course. Knowing my luck, I figured I was getting blamed for his murder."

"Did you see or hear anything? Or did your family? The crew is not helpful and we heard a lot of conflicting stories." Graka asks, while observing the scuttling rats with interest.

"Anything you can tell us will be of aid and of course take the heat off you." Florin adds on.

Giovanni smiles.

"I believe in taking the measure of a man based on his actions, not anything else. In truth, at least one of the crew did try to implicate you, but there has been a lot of that going around. If you noticed anything unusual, it might help us get to the bottom of what has actually been happening around here..."

"Yeah, everyone here has an odd definition of loyalty here." He mutters as he lowers his crossbow.

"Hmm, when I was sleeping, I heard Azuretta and that elf Thanzeril enter here for some uh...privacy. My family was telling me to lay low, that there was panic and they smelled something real bad. Must have been Sephirel's body." He shakes his head. "Killik came down, told me about the murder and told me to stay put. 'I don't want any of your rats eating the evidence!'" He scoffs, clearly insulted.

"Killik thinks he's so smart, too. You wouldn't believe how many times I've seen him disguised as someone else. Azuretta rejected him pretty badly once and he ran around pretending to be her, mocking the crew. The crew was pretty mad at her. Not me though, my family smelled it out. Got him back and scared him a few times while he slept, haha."