So the trio of Sherman, Tarphrex, and Ain take the previous advice and head off towards the Pathfinder Lodge of Magnimar. Where-in, you all meet Venture-Captain Shelia Heidmarch, a gracious and refined hostess. She listens to your plight, and offers what aid she can. Her only available Pathfinder agents are currently persuing a mission in one of the pillars of the Irespan, a pillar out in the bay, and will likely be gone for multiple days. But she will write to some associates and gather what aid she can.
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Play out any other role-play you'd like for the remainder of this day, and next week (probably Tuesday) we'll pick up with the ceremony at the Church of Shelyn. There is an over-night vigil at the Church of Iomedea, and someone shold tell Loth's family about the services.
@Elisani: Your boss finishes her read and looks up at you. She taps the letter againster her palm while considering you. After a moment she says, "A favor is being called in. A request for aid from Lady Heidmarch of the Pathfinder Society. There is apparently some sort of threat inside the city, a creature or monster of some sort. From what is described in the letter, perhaps a medusa. But only perhaps." She pauses to consider you some more. "The request says to send who we can offer to memorial services at the Church of Shelyn for ones Zenaida, Alain, Quinn, and Loth." She puts the paper in her pocket. "I never was one much for the Harrow, fate, and all that crap. But I also don't believe in coincidence." She pulls out some paper and begins writing. "The case is yours. I'll trust that, despite your personal connections, you'll uphold the good name of this agency. Your fee will be salvage rights, keep what you can find that isn't needed for evidence."
She hands you the paper, a basic work order from the agency. That, combined with the agency name around Magnimar, can get you by with the guards for suspicious activity (like following someone, but not trespassing).
There's a silence that follows. "I'm sorry Elisani."
@Elisani: Your boss finishes her read and looks up at you. She taps the letter againster her palm while considering you. After a moment she says, "A favor is being called in. A request for aid from Lady Heidmarch of the Pathfinder Society. There is apparently some sort of threat inside the city, a creature or monster of some sort. From what is described in the letter, perhaps a medusa. But only perhaps." She pauses to consider you some more. "The request says to send who we can offer to memorial services at the Church of Shelyn for ones Zenaida, Alain, Quinn, and Loth." She puts the paper in her pocket. "I never was one much for the Harrow, fate, and all that crap. But I also don't believe in coincidence." She pulls out some paper and begins writing. "The case is yours. I'll trust that, despite your personal connections, you'll uphold the good name of this agency. Your fee will be salvage rights, keep what you can find that isn't needed for evidence."
She hands you the paper, a basic work order from the agency. That, combined with the agency name around Magnimar, can get you by with the guards for suspicious activity (like following someone, but not trespassing).There's a silence that follows. "I'm sorry Elisani."
Elisani nods, accepting the work order. Her eyes are suspiciously bright, but she manages to keep the tears from falling. "Thank you. Zenaida... she was one of my favorite cousins. Magnimar will be a darker place without her." She takes a deep, shaky breath. "I will, as always, act on the facts of the case and not my emotions." And if the facts of the case require a rapier through the heart of the party responsible for Zenaida's death, all the better. Certainly a medusa can't be allowed to roam the city turning people into stone.
If Zenaida was petrified, there might be a chance of restoring her, provided that the party responsible was arrogant enough to keep trophies. A smart enemy would smash the statue to bits. It's best to assume she is dead and proceed accordingly. It would be too painful to cling to hope and then discover the worst.
"Zenaida trained with the Church of Iomedae, so they will most likely have some sort of service for her as well. I'll start there, then attend the memorial at the Temple of Shelyn." Why Shelyn? Maybe one of the others named in the letter was a Shelynite. You certainly couldn't ask for a more beautiful ceremony than those offered by the Temple of Shelyn.
”Must go back lounge of Loth, tell family of church time for friends.”
In the chaplain's office, Sherman graciously accepts the potions and thanks them for their aid. "Should we be able to retrieve Zenaida-turned-stone, could your magic bring back to life?" he asks, hoping it's not too much.
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In the Pathfinder lodge, he exchanges pleasantries with Lady Heidmarch, enjoys the refreshment and does his best to hide the disappointment for the lack of any substantial aid.
"We..." he starts, and pauses to consider his words carefully. "We took some assets from our fallen enemies. Masks of powerful magic, but evil, and little use for any law-abiding citizen. But still, we would like to turn these into funds to better combat the enemy. Would the Society be interested to buy these off our hands? For study and safekeeping?"
@Sherman: Lady Heidmarch would indeed be willing to pay you (on behalf of the Society), and remarks that there will be no changing of your mind on this purchase. She implies that the items may likely be destroyed if they're to dangerous/cursed.
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The priestess informs you that she can only revive someone who died moments ago.
Throughout the evening, five disparate souls gather in the Church of Iomedea. A grieving cousin, two friends seeking revenge and justice, a wanderer grateful for a path, and a hero in need of a cause.
The ceremony at the temple is rife with traditions, many handed down from the time of Aroden, and is long and solemn. It is a time of quiet contemplation, of individual grieving and remembering. Well befitting the austere grey stone of the church itself, stark and raw.
The trio of Ain, Sherman, and Tarphrex are easy to spot in the crowd. Not the least for which Tarphrex is the only Kobold in the church, maybe the only Kobold in the entire city.
@Estella: You spent the day looking for these three, and it took you some time. But a Kobold is a thing people remember seeing, and you find them here.
@Elisani: The above mentioned trio are pointed out to you as you mingle before the vigil as two of them knew your cousin and reported her death here.
@Ain, Sherman, & Tarphrex: The place is not as full as you'd expect. Family members are here, but it is clear that the cermeony of this vigil doesn't match with the Varisian style of mourning. Loth's family is there when you arrive, but leaves after a couple of hours.
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It is understood that anyone that wishes to converse beyond a few words should do so in a side chamber or (even better) outside.
Looking around the temple and its somber vigil, Elisani is glad that she took the time to go home and change into her black Chelaxian-style funeral outfit. Varisians believe in celebrating the life of the deceased, with the person's favorite music, food, dances and stories. That way their spirit can move on to the River of Souls content in the knowledge that they are remembered fondly and that their loved ones will be all right in their absence. Apparently other peoples think that the spirits of the dead want to see their loved ones mourning, though.
It's strange. But people are often strange. Elisani is used to that by now. She's accepted the fact that she'll never completely understand why other people do things.
When one of the acolytes points out Sherman and Tarphrex, the detective is glad for the distraction from the overwhelming atmosphere of grief. She makes her way through the crowd toward the odd duo (who now appear to be a trio?). Ha, I called it! A kobold. It's always satisfying to have a hypothesis proven to be true.
"Excuse me. May I speak to you in private?" Elisani gestures toward the door. "I am Elisani Dascalu, and Zenaida is- was- my cousin."
During the vigil, Estella keeps a calm face, lightly contemplating. She was taught how to behave in times like this, but when faced with the grief for people she never knew, she can't help but feel awkward.
What snippets she picks up about what they were like make her wonder though. They seemed like good people. She would've liked to meet them.
After the service she spots the trio she's looking for, and approaches them shortly after Elisani.
"Me too, please! I'm with her," she says cheerily, but her face turns more appropriately serious immediately after. "I want to help too."
Tarphrex looks very awkward and unsure of himself. He feels like this is what he should do, but he really did not know what he was in for. So much formality.
The approach of the two strangers startled him a bit, but he looks up at both of them and at Sherman and the new one, questioningly.
One of the acolyte's cuts you all a glare and the group of you move off to a relatively empty corner of the room. Sister Dunmorrow can be seen watching you, her desire to join you battling with her desire to not disappoint Chaplain Tira, the later of which is watching her.
When they are a polite distance away from the service, Tarphrex motions to the woman that said she was a cousin of Zenaida. Come down to my level.
"My condolences for the loss of your cousin. Zenaida was a dear friend." Sherman replies, sad smile on his lips. He fights to suppress the image of warpriestess turning to stone in his mind.
"She..." He shakes away the sorrow and despair, and forces a kinder smile. "She seems to have a big family. Now, how may I help you, and your friend?" The reverend acknowledges Estella with a nod.
Once the group has moved away from the service, Elisani gracefully sinks to one knee in front of Tarphrex as requested. "I am a detective with the Unblinking Eye Agency in Silver Shore. Venture-Captain Heidmarch asked us to investigate the death of Zenaida and her friends. But even if she had not done so, I would have requested this case. If necessary, I would have worked it on my own time." The half-elf closes her eyes briefly, a flash of pain visible on her face for a moment before her mask of cool professionalism returns. "Zenaida was... dear to me. I hope that you will accept my help in finding the party responsible and avenging her."
Hmm. Common is most likely a second language for the kobold. Well, she can always use an opportunity to practice her Draconic. Elisani repeats her statements in the tongue of kobolds and dragons. Her Draconic is quite good for a member of a mammalian species, with a distinct bronze dragon accent.
Tarphrex moves in against the investigator now that she's closer to his height and wraps his arms around her and lays his head on her shoulder. He sighs deeply, drawing comfort for a moment even if she doesn't return the scaly embrace.
He pulls back at the sound of his native tongue, eyes wide. In Draconic, he responds. His speech is much smoother, his cadence much faster.
Tarphrex looks up at Sherman, "Pathfinder lady say she send aid. This one? That one? Watcher-man? How many friends to avenge friends?" He gestures at Elisani, Estella, then Ain. "Go to kobold lounge, watch for traps. Go back to lounge, know most traps. Kobolds not move traps, plan for second trip better." He nods solemnly, "Go to tower, saw what snake-lady do. Go back to tower, know snake-lady, have better plan."
Estella extends a hand to the both of them. "You've suffered a great loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, on behalf of the whole Vale family."
She stands up straight to introduce herself properly. "My name is Estella of House Vale of Korvosa." She bows, as courtesy demands, but a subdued one, as to not come across as too flashy during a solemn event like this. "I've been going across Varisia offering my help where people need it. You can count on me. Your friends will be avenged."
Tarphrex looks at her for a long moment. "You like Zenaida, travel just to help." He turns to Elisani, "And you, you family of Zenaida." He points at the Watcher and adds, "He see god-message, some to help."
He nods solemnly, "This is good. We tell you about snake-lady, make plan. First, say good-bye to friends." He makes an awkward little curtsy-bow and returns to the service, but his head is held higher than before.
Tarphrex moves in against the investigator now that she's closer to his height and wraps his arms around her and lays his head on her shoulder. He sighs deeply, drawing comfort for a moment even if she doesn't return the scaly embrace.
He pulls back at the sound of his native tongue, eyes wide. In Draconic, he responds. His speech is much smoother, his cadence much faster.
Draconic:Rapidly, "She was my best friend. I'm so sorry I did not save her. I did not even know she was turned to stone, I stayed back and attacked from a distance while the others charged in. With the stairs, I couldn't see what was happening. I turned invisible to sneak up because something was wrong - I couldn't hear my friends in the battle. I couldn't hear Zenaida telling the monster to surrender. I snuck up and it was too late. Only Quinn was left, but before I could help him, she stabbed him. I ran. I'm sorry I ran. I will accept your help, but I cannot let you die, too. The monster is smart, I think, and powerful, I know. We must have a plan. I will tell you everything I know. You know people, yes, you can find out what she is, how we can exact our revenge?"Tarphrex looks up at Sherman, "Pathfinder lady say she send aid. This one? That one? Watcher-man? How many friends to avenge friends?" He gestures at Elisani, Estella, then Ain. "Go to kobold lounge, watch for traps. Go back to lounge, know most traps. Kobolds not move traps, plan for second trip better." He nods solemnly, "Go to tower, saw what snake-lady do. Go back to tower, know snake-lady, have better plan."
A hug? Kobolds hug? Or maybe he learned from Zenaida. Oh. I should hug back, right. Elisani returns the hug, hoping it can bring him (her? them? How do you tell with kobolds?) some comfort. As they speak, she is extremely thankful for the dragon Arronax's thorough lessons in the Draconic language. The kobold's accent is unfamiliar, which she expected, but she can understand what he's saying.
Elisani rises to her feet and repeats what she told the kobold in Common. It's rude to speak to one member of a group in a different language and not translate. "Ah... I'm afraid Venture-Captain Heidmarch's letter did not tell me your names." Or their gender, in the case of the kobold. Hopefully she can pick up on that from their companion in future conversation, because she has no idea how you ask someone their gender without being insulting. (Fortunately Kaderen has a sense of humor about the whole thing, because the less said about her incredibly awkward first meeting with them, the better.)
He listens to Elisani’s kind words about the value in their survival. He pauses, thoughtful look on his face, then nods and returns to the ceremony without replying.