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"Oh yes. At first he said human, but later he corrected himself and said he was a half-orc. With tattoos. I distinctly remember him saying the fellow was a half-orc."
"But the person who bribed the innkeeper was human. How many people are we dealing with here?" wonders Lidia aloud. She purses her lips and puzzles upon this conundrum while walking to the Clamor.
Upon reaching the blacksmith, Lidia seems happy to let the others do the talking. She stands near the door, apparently keeping a watch for anyone that might be following them or otherwise acting suspicious, though anyone looking closer will see that she's mostly just lost in her own thoughts.
"Yeah, I heard about Rodrick. Tough news that, I thought Rodrick was a pretty good guy. I'm not sure what help you need from me, but I'll be happy to give it. I keep a detailed registry of customers and their orders if you need to see it, just let me know." Sara replies to Little Ben.
Thyste frowns as her flirtation grows ignored, and her tail droops behind her. "We've got a receipt, uh, somewhere around here, about a hopeknife that needed replacement? Do you happen to remember offhand what he may have said about that-- and whether or not you finished his order prior to last night?"
She considered; a good smith dedicated to a single blade could crank a decent knife out in a few hours, if they didn't run into too many problems. But then, Rodrick wasn't Sara's only customer, and a hopeknife wasn't just "a knife." There was a chain, a sheath, and if she recalled correctly, some slight ornamentation to consider.
Sara can match it to her own records of Rodrik coming in to place an order. "Yep, Rodrik commissioned a new blade a week before his death...I did the preliminary work on the knife, but I handed it off to one of my apprentices, whom I assumed finished the blade."
"I guess it doesn’t matter so much anymore," she says, "but I wonder where it went—it must be around here somewhere." After a few minutes searching for the knife, Sara comes up empty-handed. "I’ll bet that clumsy oaf Urnsul put it somewhere before she up and quit the other day; it’s hard to get good help. I’ll let you know if I find the blade."
"Any idea where Urnsul is?" she asks. "She might have accidentally walked out with it."
She considers volunteering for the job, but she's a little on the noodley side for blacksmith work, and has an extra limb to worry about trailing through the metal.
Checking out the shop with curiosity, he adds his own thoughts to the conversation. "The timing seems pretty suspicious to me, though for the life of me I cannot figure out how a hopeknife fits into all this. Was there an special inscription or something or magical or different in some way?"
"Regardless, we have another thread to follow and it has a name."
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"It does seem a little coincidental. The knife is missing, probably used in a murder, and she quit just before the murder happened."
Lidia addresses Sara again.
"Tell us what you can about Urnsul. Had she been working here long? Did she say why she was quitting? And anything else about her you can remember."
"Urnsul was a new apprentice I took on several weeks ago, but the woman went missing today, right after Ruby’s hopeknife ceremony. Urnsul was a recent arrival to Trunau, and I took pity on her when the she explained her tragic story in broken Common." Sara replies to Lidia and Thyste.
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Ulretha's eyes narrow and his ears perk up as the story continues and more details about this "Urnsul" are revealed. Suspicious by nature, if not overly clever, this smells of too much coincidence to him.
Unlike with the halfling back at the inn, he's all diffidence to Sara. "Can you tell us where she lives? We need to talk to her," he says, setting a battle axe he had been perusing down on the shelf as he turns his full attention to her.
Thyste taps her chin, sitting next to an idle hammer. ”You wouldn’t be the first to offer help to a doe-eyed girl with a just-passable grasp of the language, and I’ve thanked the people of Kaer Maga ever since,” she says. ”Pity about the cow, though. Anyway, so she went missing, then? Suspicious timing on her appearance and disappearance.”
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Thyste taps her chin, sitting next to an idle hammer. ”You wouldn’t be the first to offer help to a doe-eyed girl with a just-passable grasp of the language, and I’ve thanked the people of Kaer Maga ever since,” she says. ”Pity about the cow, though."
Lidia looks curiously at the fox-ling, as if reconsidering her. She opens her mouth as if to speak, but stops herself and instead just scuffs some dirt off her boot against the door frame.
Ben is totally distracted by the off-hand comment about the cow. Why do people use that as an insult. Ben's known quite a few nice cows in his day, and it just doesn't seem right that people think calling someone a cow is a bad thing. In fact if Ben were reincarnated he would seriously consider being a cow. Or a velociraptor. Little Buddy seems to have it pretty good, too. Though unlike a cow he can't just munch down all day on grass. Hmmm....
Right behind you a small female gnome who is riding on a dog appears at the door.
The little gnome appears more vibrant to you than most mortals would look like. Her hair is colorful, her skin seems to glow, and her teeth are a pearly white.
* *
She has a buckler in her hand and wears a breastplate armor that looks like it has been recently oiled.
She is sitting on a military saddle on top of a riding dog that looks like a white husky. A low growl rumbles up from the dog's chest. It is clear that this dog can fight while carrying a rider and she is not really fully in control.
"You think I ask my crew where they live when they sign up? Well I don't sorry, didn't really think it mattered if I knew or not. If her story was true though, she couldn't have afforded much in the way of shelter." Sara replies to Thyste.
Thyste shrugs. "Sometimes you find out these things by chance. Mind if we take a peek at that registry? Other than that, I think I'm all out of questions."
She slowly tilts herself until she's laying on her side, tail swaying over her hip; "Though if you have any inquiries of your own, I'm happy to be of service~"
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Lidia takes note of the vibrantly colored stranger from her vigil by the door -- how could she not? -- and appraises the odd juxtaposition of martial bearing and cute.
"This is turning into the weirdest day of my life." she mutters to herself. She turns to the gnoll and his hyena pack and hisses softly between her teeth to get his attention, then with a subtle jerk of the head indicates the gnomish newcomer.
Emerging from his reverie, Ben chips in. "Hmmm? Oh, no, no more questions right now."
Cocking his head thoughtfully he adds, "We should be off and talking to a few more people. After that maybe we'll have more questions."
Little Buddy runs over to Thyste and gives her face a big lick while she is laying there. Ben stifles a laugh and calls the affectionate beast over to him before the situation gets too wet.
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Ulretha is utterly confused by Thyste's behavior, though he would completely understand the cause of it, if she explained it.
He's so distracted, he doesn't notice the low growls and snapping of his pack until Lidia draws his attention to the newcomer.
He cows his pack with a few sharp words then approaches the gnome.
"Got business here?" he demands, not wanting to interfere with Morninghawk's business but also not interested in entertaining curious onlookers.
Thyste gacks as the little 'saur trots up, trying to wave off the creature and falling off the table and to the floor as LB retreats back to his master.
"Excuse me, it sounds like you are trying to actually solve Rodrick's death. Is that correct?" the half-orc asks.
This half-orc has grey hair and clouded eyes. He also suffers from painful afflictions and weeping sores that are visible in various places on his body.
Thyste kips herself up from the floor, but as she is not yet level 3, she provokes an attack of opportunity in doing so.
"Well, somebody's gotta do it. We're happy to take any information you might have; I knew Rodrick as well as I knew any man, which is to say, I have already forgotten his face and voice."
She claps her hands beneath her chin, then tilts her fingers forward. "How can we help you, friend?"
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"Excuse me, it sounds like you are trying to actually solve Rodrick's death. Is that correct?" the half-orc asks.
Something about the old half-orc's demeanor piques Lidia's interest. She stops leaning on the doorpost and takes a couple steps toward him, and addresses him looking in his eye.
"Rodrick was murdered." she says simply. "We think he was working on some sort of investigation and got too close to some dangerous secret. And yes, we're trying to find out what happened to him. His brother asked us to follow up whatever leads we could find, as the militia seems likely to just call it a suicide and forget it."
"If you know anything, we'd very much appreciate your help. Mr...?"
"Oh I am so sorry to disrupt this gathering!! I know you don't know who I am but I heard about you lady Morninghawk... and of course of you diverse people!“ she says and eyes you.
”I am Salaamati! A friend of ... of Rodrick and Kurst. A couple of years back Rodrick saved my life. I was in the area and wanted to ... to visit Kurst and Rodrick when I learned that he ... he passed away!“ she says with a quivering voice.
* *
You see her perform a spiralling gesture to the lady of graves.
Worshipers of Pharasma—as well as most commoners—trace the goddess's spiral-symbol on their chests, typically as a form of prayer when hearing ill news or a spoken evil, in response to blasphemy, and before or during an event that is dangerous or has an uncertain outcome.
You now also see a pendant on her chest with a Spiraling comet, the holy symbol of Pharasma.
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”I heard from Kurst that you were aquatinted with Rodrick recently... as we are all strangers in this town I thought that maybe you can shed some light on what led to Rodrick’s passing to the Boneyard?!“ the little gnome asks expectantly.
Ben is not quite willing to take the man at face value and tries to see i there are any signs of lying.
But he holds his peace, not seeing anything to raise further suspicions.
"Soo many half-orcs around here. How interesting. And the man that hired the assassins was a half-orc too. Of course I'm part orc.
Ben looks around to make sure nobody is looking at HIM suspiciously.
Salaamati steps into the shop on her riding dog. She looks at the Fox with a strange look and approaches the old half-orc.
”Sir, of course we are trying to solve the murder of my dear friend Rodrick! We all have to die some day but fate is sometimes turned and I want to understand if it was really Rodrick’s time ... time to leave ... “ she says still in sorrow.
”I would love to hear your thoughts and any other information that you have which might prove valuable to me ... or these people here!“ she says with a smile and looks around.
"It is no great secret that I was cursed with preternatural visions many years ago, during my time with the Empty Hand. Since I left those savages, many have sought my counsel into matters ranging from the mundane to the dire, but I’m afraid the omens that assault my dreams are nigh indecipherable, even to me, and I have no means of directing them. Rodrik originally approached me to ask for advice while courting Brinya Kelver. The love-struck fool—bless his soul—thought I might have some special insights into the traditions of her people or visions of the couple’s everlasting happiness... but come now, do I look like the romantic type?" He smiles wryly, then shakes his head and moves on.
"I couldn’t help him with his relationship, but we gradually became close friends. I’d been experiencing vivid hallucinations of white swords or crosses, and dreams of the Plague House outside town. When I told him of them, he seemed to think my dreams might help with his investigation. I told him about my visions as best I could, but the muse of my nightmares is as abstruse as she is unkind." he rambles on as he pulls out a journal, "Here, this is Rodrick's journal, maybe it could help you discover who killed him."
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Lidia allows someone else to accept the journal from the ancient seer.
”This plague house might be serving as a hideout for whatever cabal is afflicting this town. I might almost be inclined to doubt the value of these dreams and visions, except that they led to Rodrick’s hasty murder and an attempt on our own lives almost as soon as we got involved. We should check out this plague house right away, as he intended to do.”
Only now does Lidia turn to Salaamati, sitting astride her large dog like a sort of fairy Knight.
”Your coming on this day of all days seems a strange coincidence. Perhaps fate is indeed at work, Pharasman.”
Her voice is quiet, and cannot filter away a trace of suspicion.
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Ulretha seems content with Salaamati's answer. He trusts her as much as anyone of these other people, after all. That settled, he turns his attention to the older half-orc with a mix of awe and disdain. Katrezra is obviously physically weakened by his curse, which would normally mean it was time for him to visit the stew pot. But that curse also provides him with powerful magic, which Ulretha must respect.
"Maybe there's something from the Plague House that killed him. But maybe Brinya discovered the lost hope knife and killed him in revenge. Let's go talk to her first," he says.
He turns to Katrezra after discovering the contents of the journal. "So, you had him give you his journal because you knew he was going to die? Remind me to change my plans if you ever ask me to give you anything."
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"Maybe there's something from the Plague House that killed him. But maybe Brinya discovered the lost hope knife and killed him in revenge. Let's go talk to her first," he says.
Lidia turns to Ulretha and narrows her eyes. ”Fine.’ she says evenly. Then she points a finger toward his chest and her voice gets more menacing. ”But keep in mind that it’s far more likely that she’s just another victim in all this and just lost the man she loves. Don’t make this worse by flinging some cruel accusation at her, gnoll.”
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Lidia looks like she wants to pick up this thrown gauntlet and fling it back toward Ulretha, but she pauses, scrunches her lips, then looks away and gives off a deep, frustrated breath.
”You’re right. Sorry.” she growls as her cheeks color.
She notices one of the hyenas is looking at her intently. ”What are you looking at?” she snaps angrily.
Thyste wipes some dino drool off her face with a spare rag and doesn't seem to notice her face is covered in anonymous dark fluids from the forge.
"If you're gonna fight, take it outside. There are too many good weapons here that you guys might bleed all over," she says, chuckling and shaking her head. "Either way, I agree-- it's high time we go talk to Brinya."
"Kurst needs to be informed about all of this... but you all seem to believe that those that know too much might get hurt! So I will wait.“ she says and eyes you all.
”I do not know what your plans are. But I will go to this plague house now. I hope I ... I will find something that helps... helps to understand why he had to leave us!“ she says with a quivering voice.
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”If you want to accompany me then I ask you to introduce yourself to me! Who are you and why do you care about Rodrik?“ the little gnome says expectantly.
Thyste offers a yawn, snuggling into her bicep as she scratches the back of her head. "Introductions? I'm Thyste, yes you may touch my tail, no I will not play with your dog, and truth be told, up until a minute ago, I had assumed we were going to be paid for doing the guards' job for them. At this point, I'm just going on inertia."
She hums for a moment, counting on her fingers before nodding. "That about covers it. Unless you're keen on traveling to the Plague House alone-- I heard it's haunted, by the way? just saying-- I figure we should walk and talk on the way to Brinya's. Salaamati, you say? And you knew the victim. Which doesn't make you a suspect, of course-- everyone in town knew the victim--it's a small town, anyway--but it does make you a potential wellspring of information."
Salaamati nods with a sly grin.
”You are truly convincing. I will follow you! For now!“
, white swords and crosses
Bens demeanor changes as the old man relates his story from one of suspicion acceptance and curiosity.
"Little Ben to my friends, and this is Little Buddy." Unlike the hardened gnoll, Ben is quick to make friends and would welcome the familiarity of the use of his nickname. "Say, what happened to your arms? I'm surprised you can hold on to the reins with them burned like that."
Hearing arguments about the next destination being tossed about, Ben offers his own.
"We will certainly do both, but in the interest of efficiency, I think we should visit the closest location first, which I assume would be a visit to Brinya here in town."
Meanwhile Little Buddy is sniffing at the gnome's riding dog, also quite willing to make a new friend.
”Lady Morninghawk, Sir Katrezra. Thanks for your help and your trust in us today!“
Salaamati looks at her gloved hands and nods at Little Ben.
”You are a good observer Little Ben. Deep beneath the ground of Kaer Maga lurk many dangers. My arms were burned severely. You do not seem to be “Little” so what’s your story?“
Her riding dog seems to like Little Ben almost more than his gnome rider it seems when Little Ben approaches the dog.
”I only ride the dog. Got him recently. He doesn’t even have a name, yet!“
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”Thyste, Ulretha, Little Ben, Lidia and Ms. Witch. Seems like we have to walk the same path... and to make this clear: I owe Rodrik for saving my life but to be honest he was only an acquaintance. I also only met Kurst once before when I traveled through this town a while back! Let’s move then... “
”Thyste, Ulretha, Little Ben, Lidia and Ms. Witch... “
"Please, Ms. Witch was her mother's name. Call her 'San'!"