And you are going to see Volin before nightfall? Phin and Erix both together again? What do you do with Volin, just bring him some food and told him to stay put until further notice? Need to be sure about this part before I dare advance time ;^)
And you are going to see Volin before nightfall? Phin and Erix both together again? What do you do with Volin, just bring him some food and told him to stay put until further notice? Need to be sure about this part before I dare advance time ;^)
OOC: I'm not sure what was finally told to Volin.
a) If we told him that we would check on him before the morning then Phin and Erix will go, bring him some food, and tell him to stay put until the morning.
b) If we told him to stay put and that we would check on him in the morning then we will just that.
Phin did tell him she was coming, that she needed somewhere to sleep after all. Of course, you could just not go see him, but he might panic and do something someone will regret...
Phin did tell him she was coming, that she needed somewhere to sleep after all. Of course, you could just not go see him, but he might panic and do something someone will regret...
OOC: No, let's have Phin and Erix go then.
And will you keep Volin where he is overnight, or will you collect him? Will you leave him there alone, or will either or both of the two stay with him?
And will you keep Volin where he is overnight, or will you collect him? Will you leave him there alone, or will either or both of the two stay with him?
OOC: Just checking on him. Volin will be left there by himself during the night.
Phin and Erix will go back with Sebastian and Alua (and R&C) at Svan's.
Right, that should be clear enough. Been busy sorting out some post-IDM-update worries at work, but should have time for a post tomorrow.
Game on!
OOC: I think Phin settled on Lower Memphis here.
Sebastian smiled from ear to ear, "This is good! Very good!"
He looked around, enthusiasm oozing out of him. "We now have confirmation about our next victims and motive."
He shook his head and asked Roctar and Corlina, "Murderers? Anything else that we need to know about this alleged accusation? I don't mean to say that it's true but is there anything that you have done or participated in that someone could construe as a murder?"
OOC: I think Phin settled on Lower Memphis here.
Ah right... I actually found that post when I was doing some searches, but I kinda jumped past it as it began with a general question about possible districts.
He shook his head and asked Roctar and Corlina, "Murderers? Anything else that we need to know about this alleged accusation? I don't mean to say that it's true but is there anything that you have done or participated in that someone could construe as a murder?"
"Look, it doesn't matter how often you ask, the answer remains the same. I have never killed anyone. My wife certainly hasn't," Roctar said, clearly frustrated. "If someone's blaming the lot of us, the only incident that makes any sense is the one with the dinosaurs, and if someone had died there the Watch would never have let us go with just fines. And we never left Breland after that, so they'd have found us with little trouble if someone injured would have died of their wounds later. Whoever sent this must be lying, wrong or insane!"
As the others examined the note, Alua said, "I think we should check on Volin. I think we should check on him right now."
As the others examined the note, Alua said, "I think we should check on Volin. I think we should check on him right now."
Sebastian shook his head, "Not a good idea. The killer knows where we are and probably knows that we are with R&C so we can't just leave them alone."
He scratched the stubble in his chin, "I agree we need to check on Volin but we need to get R&C some protection when they are not with us."
He looked at their 'guests', "I think you both ought to go to the Watch and stay there for a few hours while we are gone."
He did not expect much resistance from them given the letter they just received, "Go ahead and everyone get ready. We'll all escort R&C to the Watch and then go check on Volin."
Yes, please do ;^)
Erix shrugs "Flour has been killing me. Could be our killer is invisible? Flour was thrown to detect him... or her... or it. Could be the killer is a baker. Darkness, could be the killer is some sort of giant murderous gingerbread man for all we know. Anyone got anything?"
"Far..." Erix looked at Corlina "Out. Just realised if the target is invisible we just opened the door. Right. Everyone spread out, but stay in sight. Remind me to get flour tomorrow."
"Alright. We've got a letter. The killer touched it. Can a spellcaster do something with this? Sebastian; can you tell if the writer is... I dunno... left handed or something?" Erix paused and looked to the messenger "Oi! Don't go anywhere. I've got some questions..."
Erix proceeded to leave the others to talk while he browbeat and interrogated the messenger for some time.
Erix returned "Nothing." he said with disgust. "Turns out sending a message by messenger is pretty clever. Could be our man knew that, could be he got lucky. What've we worked out?"
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Action 1:
"Why the flour? Where's that coming from? What are we
missing with that clue? And why was Drummer torn apart, while the other two
were killed quick and clean?"; To Roctar and Corlina, she asked, "Do you remember anybody ever having trouble with Drummer?"
Phin felt Erix's frustration but couldn't help but let out a choked giggle at his mention of a giant gingerbread man. "Maybe the murderer wears extremely tight fitting clothing and the flour helps them get their clothes on smoothly." The rogue thought about her own burglar's outfit which was fitted and she wondered how tight the clothes would have to be to want to coat themselves in flour.
She added her gaze to Roctar and Corlina, "I know this is difficult but it would be helpful to know if there's any reason that Drummer would have been treated more severely than the others. Especially when he seemed like a gentle giant when I met him. Logically one would think there was a reason for such rage expressed in such violence."
Action 3:
The single bang on the door during the night was still weighing on Phin's mind and nerves when the persistent knocking occurred the next morning. In a flash, her dagger was in one hand while she was pulling her thornblade with the other. She fluidly moved to the door and planted herself on one side of the door while nodding at Erix to go ahead and open it. It was only Phin's honed reflexes that stayed her hands from impaling the courier once the door was opened.
Leaving the halfling in Erix's capable hands, Phin immediately moved to the balcony in make sure no one was using the note as a distraction to enter that way. Once the apartment was secured again, the discussions began anew.
The rogue sheathed her thornblade and began to reset her sping-loaded wrist sheath. "I think getting the Watch's help is a good idea. They're the next best thing to us. When we're there, I think that we should also ask the Sergeant to contact the Watch where this incident occurred and try to find out if there's information that we're missing. That way we don't have to physically go there ourselves. Something significant had to have happened to make someone believe that these people are murderers. Unless it's someone who considers the dinosaurs to have been murdered, they were the only ones to die after all. In which case I wouldn't even have a clue as to where to start looking for that person. Maybe we can ask Volin if there was anyone who was unnaturally attached to the dinosaurs."
She looked sympathetically at Roctar whose frustration was expressing itself through anger, "But Roctar is right. Why now? Why wait this long before taking their revenge?"
Phin twisted a lock of pale blonde hair around her finger, "Once we get Volin, he won't be able to go back to my place again. He'll have to stay with us. Or I can attempt to disguise myself and go pick him up alone. But one thing is certain, we are being watched and it's by someone who is pretty good at it." For us to have not noticed was a thought she left unsaid.
After the tense night and the morning’s message everyone was more than little on the edge as you made your way to the Watch station. Nothing happened along the way, however, the worst you got was some curious looks but nevertheless you sighed collectively in relief as the Watch station’s heavy wooden door closed behind you.
It turned out Sergeant Viduk was out, but the helpful Watchman Roole was around and came to greet you. He listened to your request to offer the married couple escorted by you their protection for a time and readily accepted, although he warned you they didn’t exactly have a lot of room to entertain guests. He also suggested you might want to take a moment to brief the Sergeant of your progress whenever it would be convenient to you, and between the lines you read the gentle reproach that as far as Roole was concerned, you might want to make it convenient to give your employer a situation report sooner rather than later.
Freed of the need to constantly try to spot people following you, you made the way to Lower Memphis Plateau … only to be met with a disturbing sight. The street outside Phin’s apartment looked like a warzone, with traces of blood on the paving stones, splattered on the walls... the door leading to Phin’s apartment tower stood open, barely hanging from a single hinge. A spot on the street in what seemed like the epicenter of the violence a few paces from the door had been cordoned off by ropes tied to movable poles. There were plenty of curious onlookers hovering around to enjoy this bit of Sharn street entertainment, but from the mood it seemed clear that whatever had happened was already well and truly over. A single bored-looking Watch officer presided over the events, occasionally cursing a citizen who got too close to the crime scene and as you walker close even clobbered one young man over the head with her baton, none too gently.
”Right, you lot. Off you go. Plenty to see here, but nothing for the likes of you. Come on, git! The first one to put a single finger over the line earns its owner a night in the locker. The second finger I'll keep for my own collection!” she growled, brandishing her baton to yet another citizen who got too close.
Action 1
Alua cocked her head to the side. "There wasn't that much flour, and Svans would have had no reason to be suspicious. I don't think the murderer is invisible. At least not all the time. Is that even a thing?"
Thinking a moment, she said, "Maybe we should go talk to the baker again. Maybe he had a grumpy apprentice or something."
***
Alua fretted all the way to the station, and half-walked, half-jogged most of the way back to Phin's. As they approached, and saw the evidence of violence, she cried out, "Oh no!"
Running to the baton-happy Watchwoman, Alua thrust their Watch paper at the woman and said, "We're working with you. Where is he, is he dead?" Perhaps there was a chance he was still alive, and she could save him.
Running to the baton-happy Watchwoman, Alua thrust their Watch paper at the woman and said, "We're working with you. Where is he, is he dead?" Perhaps there was a chance he was still alive, and she could save him.
"What-! Look here, you can't just-" the guard began, surprised by Alua's sudden assault and the piece of paper she practically showed into her face. Something in the flavor of her urgency got through to the guard, though, as she took the offered paper and began reading it rather than brain the oracle with her bludgeon. She frowned fiercely as she read the paper once, paused, cursed and skimmed through it again, before returning it with a sour expression.
"Civilians, Sovereigns forbid," she muttered, clearly not impressed by Sergeant Viduk's idea of involving outsiders and not quite certain if the permit was any good outside Oakbrigde in the first place. That sounded like an complicated question and problem, one which might land some more grief in her lap if she just brushed the matter aside or arrested the lot of you, so she went with the way of minimal compliance instead.
"I don't know what 'him' you mean but if its that one over there," she gestured at the various major blood stains in the condoned off area, "you are well past the time of hurrying. What remained of that poor sod was carted away in buckets, and small ones at that. Seems he got eaten by a bloody big lizard, of all things."
Sebastian shook his head in disbelief; he spoke his thoughts out loud to his companions, "The plan had been sound."
He looked at Phin and Erix, "Either someone trailed Phin and Volin without Erix noticing or Volin had made himself known."
"Lizards? Dinosaurs? Is our killer an animal lover and those were his pets that were executed?"
He pleaded, "Talk to me..."
Phin's stomach plummeted as she approached her home. Guilt threatened to overwhelm her. She swore before muttering, "I should have listened to my gut and not left him alone."
The rogue couldn't bear to look at Volin's remains so she looked at those in the crowd. She was still trying to process the turn of events when out of nowhere someone grabbed her in a hug from behind. If there was such a thing as a sneak attack hug, she was caught in one. She was seconds away from releasing her dagger into the person's abdomen when she recognized the nasally voice that said, "You're alright! I was so worried."
Phin delicately extricated herself from the unwanted embrace and kept the man at arms length. "I'm flattered by your concern, Bartholomew. But as you can see, I'm fine." She had known for quite some time that her across-the-hall neighbour fancied her but he really couldn't take a hint and so she mainly avoided him. He was part of the reason that she knew how to sneak out of her building so well unseen. She motioned at the blood, "Sadly I can't say the same for my cousin.". She looked at him with wide eyes, "The officer said there was a fight of some sort? Did you see or hear anything? I know you're always looking out for me. If anyone saw anything, I know it would be you." She placed her hand on his arm and internally squirmed as she did so, "If you can tell me anything about what happened to my cousin, I would be very grateful."
Phin's disappointment was written all over her face. "This whole thing went sideways fast. Disappearing dinosaurs suggest the use of magic and that the death of the dinosaurs in the incident was important somehow. I'm sure the killer thought he was being poetic by using the dinosaurs to kill Volin. And if magic is involved then all bets are off as to how our movements are known."
The rogue approached the cranky Watch officer. "I know you probably wish you were anywhere else than here but would it be ok if I took a look around my apartment?"
"The officer said there was a fight of some sort? Did you see or hear anything? I know you're always looking out for me. If anyone saw anything, I know it would be you." She placed her hand on his arm and internally squirmed as she did so, "If you can tell me anything about what happened to my cousin, I would be very grateful."
"Your cousin?" Bartholomew asked, relief and concern fighting for supremacy in his tone. "I saw you bring him in and feared... Oh, you poor dear," he said, settling magnificently on concern and tried to use the opportunity to go for another hug, only to be deftly avoided by Phin. "He... he is dead. Very much dead. It happened all so suddenly... nary an hour ago, I heard a terrible ruckus from your apartment - I thought the man was trying to assault you, I did, and was in the hallway with my sword in a flash. In a flash, I tell you! But by the time I got my door open the man had already rushed out of your apartment, wearing only his trousers - with a naked blade in his hands! - and opening the street door... and that's when I heard those awful animal.... screeches! I'm no fierce warrior, I'm sorry to say, so I got back inside and barred my door like a coward, and could only pray for your safety. The noises only lasted for a few moments, and when it got quiet, I took a peek outside..."
Bartholomew's face drained of color as he recalled the scene. "Horrible. It was horrible. The man... he had been savaged. Torn apart. Consumed. What remained didn't look like no man any more - it's a blessing you were spared the sight."
The rogue approached the cranky Watch officer. "I know you probably wish you were anywhere else than here but would it be ok if I took a look around my apartment?"
"Go ahead," the guard answered, not really interested in whatever you did that didn't actually break any laws. "Just that you know, though, the Book has been alerted and should be along shortly," she said, snorting in what was clearly an indication what she thought of the Shawn Watch's elite unit's sense of priorities. "Soon as they get here, all this will be their problem."
“It happened all so suddenly... nary an hour ago, I heard a terrible ruckus from your apartment - I thought the man was trying to assault you, I did, and was in the hallway with my sword in a flash. In a flash, I tell you! But by the time I got my door open the man had already rushed out of your apartment, wearing only his trousers - with a naked blade in his hands! - and opening the street door... and that's when I heard those awful animal.... screeches! I'm no fierce warrior, I'm sorry to say, so I got back inside and barred my door like a coward, and could only pray for your safety. The noises only lasted for a few moments, and when it got quiet, I took a peek outside..."
Bartholomew's face drained of color as he recalled the scene. "Horrible. It was horrible. The man... he had been savaged. Torn apart. Consumed. What remained didn't look like no man any more - it's a blessing you were spared the sight.”
Phin cringed internally. Firstly at Bartholomew’s obvious relief at Volin being her ‘cousin’ and secondly at his revelation that Volin had died only an hour ago. The rogue’s mind began to spiral down into the abyss of ‘what if’s’ and it took all her mental strength to continue focusing on what her neighbour was saying.
She gave Bartholomew a small smile, ”Your concern for my well-being is noble. Not everyone runs towards danger to help someone else. What kind of ruckus did you hear? Did you see anything in my apartment after witnessing my cousin run into the street but before securing yourself inside? Was there anyone else there? Maybe you took a peek inside out of concern for me?”
"Just that you know, though, the Book has been alerted and should be along shortly,"
Phin gave the woman a curt nod, ”Noted.” The elf bounded up the stairs making a beeline for her door which was still thrown open wide. She stopped in the doorway taking in the scene before her. Her home was extremely modest, essentially being a place to sleep. Her entire studio apartment could be seen from the doorway. Her one comfy chair where Volin had settled was on its side on the floor and her mattress was askew but her table and chairs appeared undisturbed. If there was a ruckus it was more bluster than bang. Her eyes detected some blood and she wondered if that was from Volin or from the one who had chased him out of her apartment.
The fact that the Book was coming caused Phin to collect the few belongings she had had at her place that she didn’t want to leave behind. Luckily she had very few personal attachments and there was very little she needed to collect. She had learned a long time ago to carry what she valued. Satisfied that she had gotten everything that she couldn’t leave behind, she turned her attention back to identifying anything present in her place that didn’t belong. As she looked she mused, ”What I don’t understand is why he opened the door. I specifically told him not to open it under any circumstances, that I could always get in if needed.” Phin frowned, ”The obvious use of magic this time around is quite a departure for our killer. I wonder if someone just magically appeared in my apartment to bypass the locked door. Is that even possible?
Sebastian turned to Phin, "Getting the door opened was easy. You said it yourself. Changeling. Someone impersonated you and got Volin to open the door."
He sighed, "Once inside, his guard could have been down thinking it was you."
He added, "The appearing and disappearing dinos could be accomplished with a conjuration spell. So we're looking for a changeling magic user. Good luck with that."
Sebastian continued, "What still baffles me is the motive. The killer thinks those in the Peace Circus are murderers but everyone is saying that they got off with some civil penalties. Nothing that would point to a murder."
He gathered everyone around, "Let's go. We definitely don't want to be around when the Book gets here."
"Phin, do you need help with anything? Let's go back to the Watch."
Nope, assume it was collected with all the other bits and pieces the dinos left behind.
Nope. The place isn't trashed, but enough items have been pushed around violently that something violent did happen. But the only clue-related things are those few blood splatters and the stray hairs.
A bit hesitant to give out more clues, but you might consider the way I described Changelings in my previous OOC comments, and what that might have had to do with the mystery of no reported fatalities in the original dinosaur incident and someone accusing the Circus folk of murder nevertheless...
Sebastian continued, "What still baffles me is the motive. The killer thinks those in the Peace Circus are murderers but everyone is saying that they got off with some civil penalties. Nothing that would point to a murder."
With the new information about the involvement of a changeling, Phin had a thought. "But what if there was a murder but it was ignored by the authorities? What if the incident resulted in the death of a changeling? Changelings don't have the best reputation in Sharn which is fairly liberal. Imagine how a changeling would be regarded in a more rural setting like where the incident happened. Maybe the authorities actually considered the death of a changeling as a public service rather than murder. If that's the case then there wouldn't have been repercussions."
"Phin, do you need help with anything? Let's go back to the Watch."
The elf looked around the small room with a sad look in her eyes. It definitely hadn't been much but it had been hers, her refuge, at least for a little while. One thing was certain with everything that happened, she wouldn't be able to come back again. Not unless she was willing to answer a lot of questions. Phin shook her head, "No, I travel light." She sighed and took one last look before turning her back and leaving her home behind, "Let's go."
Erix trailed Phin, and quickly looked around the room. Carefully he laid a hand on Phin. "Remember what you told me, back when the Johans brothers broke into Cairhen's place. You need to put the shock aside, and really take in anything out of place. You're the one who knows this place best. If there's a clue here, you'll see it. Imagine you're looking through a window, move it around. Keep asking 'is there anything else'?"
The big man got down on hands and knees "Meanwhile I'm going to check the floor. If there's a fight, might be someone dropped something. Might be a smell - and lacking a sniffer..."
Erix produces a number of vials. "Alright. Some blood - I pulled up the carpet. Hairs. Most look like yours, a few light brown, but these ones with a shimmer look they're from a wig. Recognise them?
A bean. Hardened on the outside. I don't think it's relevant.
A bit of pastry - not sure it's related, seems to have some sort of fungus growing on it?
A cap from a vial. Smells like lavender.
Glitter. Mostly round the bathroom door.
A crumpled piece of paper with some writing on it. I dodn;t have time to look at it, but it's in elvish
" Erix shrugs "Any of it familiar?"
You're the one who knows this place best. If there's a clue here, you'll see it. Imagine you're looking through a window, move it around. Keep asking 'is there anything else'?"
Phin squared her shoulders with new resolve and nodded, grateful for Erix's reminder. She needed to focus and compartmentalize. She could do that. In a voice that sounded more sure than she felt she said, "Good to know that my lessons didn't fall on deaf ears." She leaned down and picked up one of the pillows that not long ago had been used in a moment of childish fun with Alua and tossed it on the bed, "Good thing I don't have much to get attached to or to search. It shouldn't take long."
"Alright. Some blood - I pulled up the carpet. Hairs. Most look like yours, a few light brown, but these ones with a shimmer look they're from a wig. Recognise them?
Phin snatched the vial with the shimmery hair to look at it more closely. She shook her head slowly in disbelief, "That's from no wig." Her voice went really quiet, "That's hair from a changeling and I have never had a changeling in my place. If a changeling is involved then Volin never stood a chance." Her hand clenched around the vial in a fist as her anger bloomed, "Why didn't I stay with him? I should have stayed with him!"
Any of it familiar?"
Glad to have other items to focus on and desperate to find more clues, Phin turned her attention to the other items Erix showed her. Handing back the vial with the hair, she took a look. She quickly discounted the glitter and the paper. "The glitter was from a patron who got pretty drunk and was showing off his magical aptitude. The whole bar, including me, was covered with glitter. That happened like three months ago but glitter is harder to get rid of than my neighbour across the hall." Her cheeks coloured a bit at the note, "I'm relieved you didn't read that. It was courtesy of another patron that was a less than polite proposition. It must have missed the trash and got stuck under something." She shrugged at the other items, "I can't say exactly that these are from me or not. It's not like this place was immaculate when I moved in. That bean could have been here from when I was a child for all I know."
Dismayed, Alua looked around at the mess on the street. There was no way anybody could have survived that.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw somebody get too close to Phin. Best watch that hand if you don't want to lose it Moving closer, she listened to his tale. "Disappearing dinosaurs? What a horrible way to die!"
**
Peering over at the shimmery hair, Alua asked, "Changeling? Really? I've never seen one up close. That I know of." She thought a moment, then added, "But would the police really overlook the death of one? And is there a way to find out?"
As they left Phin's apartment, the oracle added, "If a changeling died in the dinosaur attack, I still don't understand why the others were killed? Volin I get, and maybe Svans, after all, he was in charge. But why Drummer? Why the others? Killing everybody involved in the circus seems excessive." She twirled her hair as she tried to figure it out. "There must be something else. Maybe the murders are a clue. Each one different. Drummer was strong - he could have torn somebody apart. Volin was killed by dinosaurs, Svans to the back of the neck, and the dwarf had his throat slit. Maybe these choices were all very deliberate to the people who were killed."
"We need to get back to Roctar and Corlina. And get more information from them. Maybe if we threaten to just abandon them, they'll tell us the truth. They must know more than they're saying."
"But would the police really overlook the death of one? And is there a way to find out?"
Phin gives the girl a sad, almost pitying look, "You can't tell me that the man we met handing out fliers against warforged would consider what happened to Drummer murder. There are people who feel the same about changelings as others feel about warforged. If someone on the Watch didn't see changelings as having any worth, they would for sure overlook their murder. They would consider it no different than the death of an animal."
The elf sighed, "We may not get the truth without traveling there to speak with any witnesses ourselves. I would hope that the Sergeant here would be able to find out as we requested but I have a hard time believing that anyone would admit outright to not reporting the murder of anyone let alone a changeling."
I still don't understand why the others were killed? Volin I get, and maybe Svans, after all, he was in charge. But why Drummer? Why the others? Killing everybody involved in the circus seems excessive
Phin gave one last glance over her shoulder at the place she had called home before turning her attention back to the conversation. "Guilt by association is my guess. The killer's rage has been building for quite awhile and now the dam has burst and they're lashing out. But you're right. It is curious that each of his victims died in a different way. It must mean something to the killer but who knows what that is."
The rogue's pace quickened, "With a killer changeling on the loose, Roctar and Corlina aren't safe even if they're with the Watch. And we should come up with some code word that only we know in case we suspect someone has been compromised. And no one goes anywhere alone anymore."
"So a changeling? How does that fit with the flour?"
Erix nodded after Phin spoke, speeding up. "First step passwords. Make them passphrases that can be slipped into conversation. Don't write them down. Make sure we are alone when we do 'em. Assuming they're not here right now."
"I agree about the watch. Changeling could go in there looking like anyone - Volin, even - then get close and take them out. If they're not scared to die I'm not sure we could stop them."
"Anyone know if Changelings can turn into dinosaurs? You hear a lot of rumours..."
Erix stopped for a second, then resumed "Do we actually know that was Volin that got killed? If Volin was conjuring dinos, then he might have conjured them to kill a changeling that got in the way. If that's true, the 'rampage' might have been on purpose."
Not that I know of, but feel free to invent some - the idea sounds delightful ;^)
Anyway, about changelings and passwords... Keith Baker's blog has a huge article about Changelings in Eberron, about how people seem to think of them one of The bogeymen of the world that it's a common practice for friends and family members to set up code words and phrases between them. Like "If I seem somehow strange one day, try to slip X into conversation and if I don't reply Y, you know I am no longer me".
I think that's taking things way too far. Sure, people will fear and distrust someone who can be anyone they want and do it well enough to fool their lovers, parents, etc. Or at least that's how the urban legends go. If someone can be anyone they want, how can you ever get to know that someone? What you think you are getting to know may just be another persona the Changeling can discard at the drop of a hat. And the chance of someone kidnapping, interrogating and then replacing someone of real power and influence can be a frightening thought.
So yes, in my Eberron Changelings are widely distrusted, feared, persecuted, but I'm not going all the way to Baker's suggested levels that every 10-year-old is making precautions against possible replacement of their playground friends.
"I heard there's another continent where there are sentient dinosaur people." Erix confesses "Maybe it's them?"
@All others - that's exactly what he'd say if he'd been replaced by a Changeling!
"Oh my Sovereign, he's one of them!"
"Quickly, hold his arms and I'll carve off that false face of his to reveal the monster beneath!"
Anyway, thank ye for some nice RP, folks. Next turn post will see you back to the Watch house and will be out short-ish-ly.
Game on!
@All others - that's exactly what he'd say if he'd been replaced by a Changeling!
Action 1:
Phin's eyebrows raised higher and higher with each supposition from Erix. "I don't see why a changeling couldn't turn itself into a dinosaur but just because it looks like one doesn't mean it can kill like one, does it? Plus there was more than one dinosaur, at least I think that's what Bartholomew said. Unless we've stumbled onto a murderous gang of changelings, I'm not sure if the dinosaurs were anything other than dinosaurs. I'm also skeptical about sentient dinosaur people but there are many strange things in this world that are unknown to us."
Phin slapped Erix on the back, "But one thing you said is something we should consider. We can't discount Volin being involved somehow because we never really saw his body. There's no definitive proof at the moment that he's actually dead. The pile of goo in the street could have been anyone or anything."
Action 2:
Sebastian was relieved to see that R&C still lived. He thought that there was no way to know if the sergeant was a changeling or not. He didn't think changelings could impersonate a warforged, but he really wasn't sure.
He sighed and told the sergeant what they had found out so far and what their latest theory was. He told him of the motive for the killer and that it thought that everyone involved with the Peace Circus and that particular incident were murderers.
Sebastian also stated that they were pretty sure that the killer was a changeling magic user. They strongly suspected that the last murder had been accomplished with the use of conjuration magic.
He finally asked, "We are continually told that the day the dinosaurs went on a little rampage, there was no one killed. Yet our suspect continues to think and act out of revenge, as if someone dear to him or her someone was killed. Do you have any records of that day? Were there any changelings killed?"
Phin slapped Erix on the back, "But one thing you said is something we should consider. We can't discount Volin being involved somehow because we never really saw his body. There's no definitive proof at the moment that he's actually dead. The pile of goo in the street could have been anyone or anything."
Alua visibly deflated. "I should have followed the evidence. Maybe if I'd examined the remains I could have figured out if it was really Volin. Now if the Book is involved, I won't be allowed near it.
"So a changeling? How does that fit with the flour?"
Alua frowned, as if struggling to remember something. "I heard a rumour not long ago that a changeling and a warforged had started a restaurant. Some kind of experimental cuisine place. Maybe they're our suspects. It would explain the hair and the flour. We should stake their place out.
He didn't think changelings could impersonate a warforged, but he really wasn't sure.
He finally asked, "We are continually told that the day the dinosaurs went on a little rampage, there was no one killed. Yet our suspect continues to think and act out of revenge, as if someone dear to him or her someone was killed. Do you have any records of that day? Were there any changelings killed?"
Viduk had been listening in attentive silence, only interrupting Sebastian a couple of times to ask for clarification or extra details. Now, he leaned back in his chair. "I certainly have no records of anything that happened outside my turf. But that doesn't mean such records don't exist, nor that I can't get my hands on them," the 'forged grunted. "You have the date and the location, yes? I can make a request to the Archives for the report - due to the multi-cultural and racial nature of our fair City, it pays for the law enforcement to have access to Watch reports from other parts of Breland - all too often, folks who broke the law somewhere else come here to vanish, or part with their ill-gotten gains."
"A word of warning, though, before you get too excited. The Archives are... extensive, and it will take time for the clerks to find the proper report. And it doesn't really pay to try and hurry them up - most of the request they get are highly critical according to the people making them. Still, you managed to narrow the search down quite a bit, so with some luck, I could get the report as soon as tomorrow. Mind you, the Archives only have what was submitted by the officer making the report - I can't invent you details that don't exist."
"But when it comes to Changelings... there's plenty of people out there who would consider the death of one a net positive. Dolurrh, some of them even wear uniforms, and badges far bigger and shinier than mine. If the officer on the scene was one of those kind of people, the report might not tell you anything new."
There was a knock on the office's door, and a moment later the sound was followed by Watchman Roole's head poking in.
"Sorry to interrupt, Sarge, but I thought you might want to know right away," he said, nodding to his Sergeant but his gaze included the four of you as well. "Just got word from the Bluebird Inn. Mr. Pendrong says one of their maids has gone missing - hasn't been seen since yesterday. He's worried something's happened to her."
"Tomorrow should be fine," Alua said with relief. After that build up, she thought he was going to say they could have it in a month.
"But when it comes to Changelings... there's plenty of people out there who would consider the death of one a net positive. Dolurrh, some of them even wear uniforms, and badges far bigger and shinier than mine. If the officer on the scene was one of those kind of people, the report might not tell you anything new."
"I wonder if our survivors are "that" kind of person. Maybe they know about a changeling dying and didn't bother to tell us," Alua mused. "We do need to talk to them some more."
"Sorry to interrupt, Sarge, but I thought you might want to know right away," he said, nodding to his Sergeant but his gaze included the four of you as well. "Just got word from the Bluebird Inn. Mr. Pendrong says one of their maids has gone missing - hasn't been seen since yesterday. He's worried something's happened to her."
Alua cocked her head to the side and said, "I wonder if that's our changeling. That would be a good cover - to work at the common hangout of your victims. We should go talk to Mr. Pendrong and see what we can learn about her."
"Tomorrow should be fine," Alua said with relief. After that build up, she thought he was going to say they could have it in a month.
Sebastian nodded. He had given up on things he could not control, "Alua is right. Tomorrow will do just fine. Can you continue to give Roctar and Corlina 'lodging'? We'll go and talk to them and tell them what's happening. It's really their only choice if they want to stay alive while we try to catch the killer."
Alua cocked her head to the side and said, "I wonder if that's our changeling. That would be a good cover - to work at the common hangout of your victims. We should go talk to Mr. Pendrong and see what we can learn about her."
Sebastian nodded again, proud of the sound decisions being made. "I agree but let's talk to R&C before we go there."
---------
"I wonder if our survivors are "that" kind of person. Maybe they know about a changeling dying and didn't bother to tell us," Alua mused. "We do need to talk to them some more."
Phin stood near the door in the Sergeant's office, "I think it's more likely that one of the authorities was 'that' kind of person than our survivors but you're right, we need to talk to them again. The report will be good to review when it's available."
Alua cocked her head to the side and said, "I wonder if that's our changeling. That would be a good cover - to work at the common hangout of your victims. We should go talk to Mr. Pendrong and see what we can learn about her."
The rogue agreed, "The timing is too much of a coincidence for the events not to be connected. But whether the changeling took the maid's identity and killed her to take her place or whether it was a persona the changeling had in order to get hired to get close to Drummer and Borgo. We'll need to ask how long the maid has been working for them and also if she lived at the Bluebird or somewhere else."
"Sergeant," Phin started her question, "Can we leave Roctar and Corlina in your care while we go check out the inn?"
"Or - perhaps the Circus was not barely solvent, and Svans paid someone off exorbitantly to cover up the death? That'd explain why the manager was targeted before the dino-handler?" Erix suggests.
Erix nods grimly "Sounds right. Easiest way to get close to someone is to look like someone they know and trust. Maybe the flour was used to enhance a disguise?"