Winds of Fate

Game Master Joy

Heavy eye rolls are what Ghandy receives in return for her bouncing happiness, as if Pelipe couldn't be bothered with humor--yet she did. For those attentive enough, there is the subtlest of smiles on her face as if hidden--concealed. She "tolerates" the elf's snuggle up to her arm and nods authoritatively to answer her, but Ivar and Selkyon pose a different option. Selkyon seems to agree they go now, and Ivar seems to think they stay and then go after asking questions.

Holding the elf at bay for a moment from skipping forward, which was much more challenging than holding back the waters of a dam, she answers the three of the men on the subject, "Oh fine...we can wait. Hopefully it isn't going to take a long time for Almara to get Jehal...jeriz...whatever...the sphinx ready." She waves her hand dismissively.

Watching Ghandy wiggle and squirm attempting to tempt Pelipe into joining her. He turns catching Selkyon's meaning. .'A flying creature, as I suspected.' Looking from Selkyon to Raziel, Ivar nods at his agreement, as he pauses, noting Pelipe resisting Ghandy's prancing. 'Good, Pelipe sees the logic in this. Now we wait.' Nodding his appreciation to Pelipe, he Turns to Selkyon, "Thus ve need to speak vit der Sfinks."

He gestures towards the tent flaps and the ground outside of it. "Clearly de opening is de only vay out of der tent. Der are no animal prints, but as you say, de creature may have flown." He points again to the entrance flaps. "Unless de creatures ving span is vider den de opening, Ja? So ve need to see de creature and observe it's vingspan to make sure flight vas not an option." He Shrugs, "It vould also be good to speak vit der Sfinks to hear it's alibi and to determine it's um, troverdighet? how you say, credibility. Vonce ve are certain of der Sfinks' innocence ve can inform der sherrif and find der real villain."

Anyone who saw the sphinx yesterday would know that her wingspan would not fit through the tent opening and that she would have to exit the tent before she would be able to take flight.

Almara emerges from the tent and holds the flap open for you all to enter. "Jherizhanna is ready to speak with you all now."

Do you all enter the tent?

"Wait till you see her Pelipe. She is beautiful."

Ghandy smiles at Alamara, and skips into the tent.

Watching Ghandy skip into the tent, Ivar turns to Pelipe and shrugs, then follows the cleric into the tent.

"Jherizhanna...Jherizhanna...don't forget or you may be a snack."

As the others had experienced in the past in their adventures, Pelipe was capable of remembering countless tomes and data in her research, but names, names she has always struggled with remembering. It wasn't that she didn't care about the person. It is just a weakness.

She will walk into the tent, nervous, considering what kind of insane people keep an actual live Sphinx around as part of a carnival act? No wonder people were blaming Jherizhanna. Part of Pelipe wondered if they would see a woman much like Zella standing there and not some mystical beast.

"Yes...we shall...," Pelipe silently responds to the already gone, prancing elf maiden. A small smile creeps over her lips at Ivar's shrug and she too will move into the tent with him.

You all walk into the tent and as before, a large cage sits in the center of it. Reclining atop pillows in the cage is the sphinx, Jherizhanna. After you enter, Almara will walk over to the cage and address the sphinx. "Jherizhana, these are people I told you about who are here to help find evidence of who the true killer is." Almara looks back to your group, "You may ask her your questions now."

For size questions, the tent is roughly 40 feet in diameter, the cage 15 by 15 feet and the sphinx is a large size creature (long).

"Jherizhana, so good to see you again!.", Ghandy exclaims with a smile. "I am sorry you are going through this right not, but we have to ask you some questions. Can you tell us where you were last night? And was anyone with you to corroborate?" Ghandy pauses for a moment then lets out a slight smile, "Also, do you think I can win the dance contest?"

"I did not leave this tent all night. Anyone standing guard around around the carnival will be able to corroborate that."

She pauses a moment to consider Ghandy's last question. "The question should be, do you think that you can win the dance contest? Self-doubt prevents many things."

'Good, Ghandy will talk with her a while, it will give me time to identify her paw print, we can verify we found prints inside the tent and none outside, we will also be able to disprove any they 'find' at the murder.' While Ghandy speaks with Jherizhana, Ivar, crouching down in front of the cage, runs his hand over the ground looking for a clean footprint from the Sphynx. Once he finds it, he measures the padding imprint with his palm comparing the size. When he is finished, he stands looking at the mystical creature, 'Truly a wonder.'

He nods graciously "I am Ivar Theodinson, sometimes called Gullhår, or "Goldilocks." I vas not vit my friends yesterday ven de visited." turning his palms up slightly "Dey said you ver magnificent, but de description, did not do you justice." he smiles and continues. "Clearly der murder most fowl, vas comitted by somevone attempting to frame you. Ve saw no sign of you leaving de tent last night." He points down at the lion like paws. "De body vill have vounds on it, may ve see your claws? Vhen der vounds do not match der size or number of your claws, ve should be able to prove your uskyld, how you say innocence."

He then looks toward Almara, "Den ve vill begin der search for der morder."

Taking 20 (24) on perception and survival to find a print from the sphynx.
sense motive: sphynx: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Pelipe will walk into the tent and see its size. Her eyes scan upward for a moment before falling onto the sphinx. There was no doubt in her mind that it looked like a sphinx according to her past research. Still, logically it didn't make sense that a sphinx would allow itself to be caged, among other things that had not been answered by her inquisitive nature.

"Some of our questions may seem a bit odd to you. While Ivar measures your paw, can you tell me more of your homeland? What did it look like?"

Due to her studies, what little information she can recall concerning Sphinx will be used to verify the authenticity of Jherizhanna. A simple carny in the most elaborate costume Pelipe has ever seen, perhaps aided by magic, may not know such intimate details of a Sphinx, and so her asking has foundation. While her questions may seem mundane and random, they have a purpose.

Any more information than their habitat that she gleaned from that KArcana 19? It may be relevant here? If there was more information, she will ask similar questions.
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Selkyon bows slightly, greeting the sphinx. He lets his more charismatic team members be in charge of the questioning, instead studying Jherizhanna as she answers... Though it may be hard to tell whether or not the sphinx is lying.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Raziel is distracted with his own thoughts - he circles around the cage pondering to himself why the heck would the Sphinx want to harm anyone.

As he does, he looks for signs of blood marks or any other foul play.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Then he stops dead in his tracks, and joins the others.

Raziel will allow the Sphinx time to answer the other questions, then poses one himself.

”Huh... I know nothing of your powers, though I would like to... Perhaps another time... But if they revealed the culprit of serious future crime to be, against those you love, or maybe yourself... Would you be one willing to ‘take matters into your own hands?’ - he pauses - ”It is an intrusive question I know. So to even the field somehow, I tell you right off the bat I would be”

Ghandy smiles at the Jherizhana's answer and bows her head slightly. She steps back so her companions to ask their questions.

Ivar, you do not see any paw prints around the cage.

Jherizhana will hold up one of her front paws for you to look at, but it is still about a foot behind to bars of the cage.

At Pelipe's qustions, the sphinx looks puzzled. "What would my homeland have to do with the murder of a human man?"

Raziel, you do not see any sign of blood or foul play.

"Take matters into my own hands? Wouldn't anyone protect their friends? Though to the best of my knowledge, no one from town had offered us any harm prior to the murder."

Jherizhana will hold up one of her front paws for you to look at, but it is still about a foot behind to bars of the cage.

I'm assuming the body is of a cat and the face is humanish, did she extend the claws so we could see length and number?

also, has anyone tried to detect magic?

This is a image of Jherizhana

This is a image of Jherizhana

Thank you.

'Good we have an idea of the size of the print and the length of the claws.' Nodding to Jherizhana, Ivar turns to the others, "Dat is der information I vas able to think of, Do ve have anymore questions for Jherizhana or Almara?"

Continuing, he asks, "Do ve need to search der sirkus anymore or shall ve go speak to der seriffi?"

"Thank you for replying" - Raziel nods at Jherizhana, then turns to Ivar - "No more questions from me"

Pelipe notices the puzzled look of the Sphinx. She contemplates how to handle it.

"Hmm...I believe explaining my reasoning would be detrimental. If you will not answer the question," she states peacefully with no animosity, "...I will have to accept that, but I would appreciate it if you would--with all respect."

Sometimes Pelipe's brain worked on a different level, and there were a thousand strands connected to a theory, and by gaining more data, she could eliminate or focus those multitudes of theories into a more realistic, plausible outcome. Without an answer however, she will have to make due.

I believe you're innocent Jherizhanna,"Ghandy states, offering a smile to the Sphinx.

Looking at her companions, "I think we need to talk to the sheriff and find out what kind of evidence he has. Then we should check out where the murder took place. We'll get our answers and find the real guilty party. It surprises me, you know, that with werewolves apparently present in the area that Jherizhanna is being blamed at all."

Hey Raziel, would really like to the results of a detect magic here.

Nodding in agreement with Ghandy, Ivar looks to Jherizhana, to see if the Sphinx gives Pelipe more information, then moves over to Raziel, "It may just be der Sfinks, but somet'ing is not feeling right. Before ve leave could you detect magic to see vat is vat?"

"Have you ever met the man they accuse you of killing?" Selkyon asks.

With a nod to Ivar, Raziel utters a simple spell.

Casting Detect Magic.

If inquired about it, he promptly explains - "It is but a mere detection spell..."

Kn Arcana if auras are detected and nothing happens until round 3 ;) : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Spellcraft likewise: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

The sphinx replies to Selkyon, "I rarely know the names of those who visit my tent. I have no idea if I have met him before or not."

Almara notices what Razil is casting. "Please, no spell casting in this tent. I have cast my own detection spell and found nothing."

Raziel, you notice there is a magic aura on far side of the tent, in the shadows.

It appeared that the Sphinx didn't want to answer her question and also didn't want Raziel to cast spells. "Hmmm...," she thought initially, although shortly after, her mind went into a myriad of possibilities of chance and curiosity. She awaited the results of Raziel. Turning to Ivar and Ghandy quickly at the response of Jherizhanna, she hoped to distract the Sphinx by a pertinent conversation that wasn't directed at her, but important to hear.

"I fear for the people of this carnival. If another werewolf is to blame, our initial discovery of the defeated werewolf will hardly be a footnote to the time that this one has had to kill and infect. We traced the other back to its origin of who turned, and it wasn't so long ago, so if there is another, it likely would be the initial werewolf that bit our farmer from our last adventure." At this point, she is just drawing out the conversation hoping that it delays and distracts the thoughts of the Sphinx. "And what would that mean for the people of this carnival? If the rumors of murder are true, and it did happen, and it was bestial, then surely everyone in this region is at risk until we find the werewolf, as you were saying. How simple a curse can be and yet how devastating its effects! Perhaps we should be purchasing some silver weapons this time? What do you all think?""That should do it"

Raziel nods at Almara - "Very well" - but proceeds to try and understand what is producing the magical aura at the far side of the tent.

Almara responds to Pelipe. "No one in our carnival had anything to do with that murder. I feel certain of that."

Raziel, there is a faint magical aura on a cloak being worn by someone hiding in the back of the tent.

"Ivar, there is someone hiding there in the corner" - Raziel draws his spear, and stands ready, pointing it at the exact spot.

Hearing Selkyon's question Ivar turns from his elven friend to the Sphinx then to Almara, 'She doesn't want us to use magic? I wonder why.' Making eye contact with Pelipe, 'Pelipe is right Another werewolf would be problematic for everyone.' Raising an eyebrow as he turns back to Raziel. 'Something in the corner?'

Looking from Raziel, back to Almara then Jherizhanna Ivar shakes his head, "If ve are to vork for you der truth must be out." resisting the urge to draw a weapon, Ivar walks over to the location Raziel pointed to "Reveal yourself." and tries to grab whomever is hiding in the corner.

not sure what kind of 'attack'? do you want perception or grapple? Or will they give up without a roll needed?

No roll needed Ivar, they surrender.

Almara begins to say, "No, wait. . . " as Ivar stalks off to the corner and grabs the person hiding there.

The woman's hood slids back as Ivar grabs her and it is obvious that the woman has the exact same face as the sphinx.

"What the... Who are you?" - the half-orc asks, but he seems more curious than upset.

Alarmed, Selkyon grabs the handle of his longsword before relaxing when the trick becomes self-evident.

"Are there any other things you didn't find worthy of sharing?" he asks Almara, humourless. "Before we discover them by ourselves."

Almara sighs. "Well, at least you now know why Jherizhana could not have committed the murder and would you please release Ika now?"

"Really, since we had nothing to do with the murder, I didn't see why the reason we knew the sphinx was innocent would matter. My job offer for you all to find evidence of the true murderer still stands. though I must ask you to keep secret the fact that the sphinx is merely an illusion. It would surely ruin my carnival's reputation if the news got out. I insist that not even the sheriff be told the truth of Jherizhana's existance."

Ivar, the beautiful young woman you are currently holding looks quite scared of you and is too scared to actually say anything.

'Ika? Oh, she looks afraid.' Releasing the girl, Ivar give his best smile " How you doin'?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Pelipe was almost certain that the Sphinx was a person in a costume, aided by some form of disguise magic, but when Ika is pulled out from behind her curtain, she studies her face, and then the sphinx.

"Okay...that was not one of my possibilities..." "but I'm glad I distracted her all the same. I was expecting an enchantment to show up, not it being an illusion the whole time. Impressive!"
Did we just get Wizard of OZ'd? lol

Sense Motive (lie detection): 1d20 ⇒ 20
In listening to Almara, she nods, "Of course, as whoever the culprit is, will think they've succeeded as well. After all, who knows if the sheriff himself is innocent?" Taking in a deep breath, she almost seems puffed and excited, "Oh...this is wickedness most foul, as I expected. So many curious things lie ahead..." she mutters to herself while wriggling her hands. Realizing she is being insensitive, she clarifies, "I am glad you all are innocent, as I suspected. It is so interesting the devious nature of murder and how it pollutes everything it touches. Rest assured, with the diligence you've seen here this morning, we will poke and prod until the real murderer comes out of hiding. And now...," she gestures toward Ika, "...with less things confusing us...our path will be all the clearer."

Ghandy stands slack-jawed as she watches the scene play out. Eventually she closes her mouth and purses her lips in utter disdain. Her fists clench as she looks at Almara, "You should be ashamed of yourself. May Shelyn herself blanket your carnival in wilted roses. I trusted you, and you give us this ruse. This is no better than selling a fake work of art." The Elf paces four steps back and forth while releasing and reclenching her fists while grumbling to herself. Finally she stops and points a finger at Almara, "You are lucky we still have a murderer to catch. But for you and your carnival, may Desna curse your travels." With one last look of disdain at the illusion of the sphinx, Ghandy storms out of the tent.

"Nice one" - Raziel smiles after Ghandy storms out - "Hats off to you. We will continue our investigations elsewhere for now then" - he winks at Almara before leaving after his companion - "Ghandy! Come on! Don't be like that" - he chases her.

Ika starts crying and the illusion of the sphinx vanishes.

Almara sighs at Ghandy's outburst as she then storms out of the tent. "That one has much to learn. It still requires a high level of artistic talent to create a replica of another work of art, I would hardly call such a thing a fake work of art. Carnivals such as mine promise to show people things that they have never seen before. Things that they would never get the chance to see during their lives otherwise. Strange that this is where she draws the line. Not a word about the baby dragon not being real or about any other of the zoo attractions. Did she even think the mermaid in our dunk tank was real too?"

Almara responds to Raziel, "Remember to give the letter to the sheriff when you see her, otherwise she may not wish to talk to you."

'Now what?' Patting the crying beauty on the back, Ivar looking lost, "Der, der, ve vill tell no vone." Turning he looks at Pelipe and shrugs then notices Ghandy storming out, rolling his eyes. 'That one is so mercurial.' He moves back to where the others and Almara stood, "For vat it is vorth der truth vill make de task you have given us easier. Ve vill protect your secrets." He nods to Almara and follows Raziel after Ghandy.

Trotting quickly to catch up with Ghandy and Raziel, ”Ve vill go now to der Sheriff? Ve shall vait for our kamerate, Ja?”

Pelipe watches as Almara is cursed and in the distance the girl is now crying. Drama unfolding, Pelipe stands there unaffected. After the elf storms out, she merely comments, "There is no logic to her assessment. It is emotion-based. She revealed her deep desires to your illusion, believing she had the answers she sought. Due to her nature, she likely will have this happen again to her. It is a good lesson, I suppose."

Pelipe will kindly pat Almara on the arm to basically communicate to not take it personally, and then will move over toward Ivar with the girl. As he seems he's ready to leave too, she will pause a few feet away, and as he turns, she will just mention to the woman Ika, "You have beautiful magic and imagination. Don't despair..."

With that, she will turn around and follow Ivar out, moving at a little bit of a slower trot than him, as her clothes were ill-fitted, and with too much effort, her pants could fall down. She had lost weight too since their last adventure due to her heightened activity.

"So...the sheriff is a woman. I had pictured a country-based farmer boy who turned to law. I guess I was wrong."

Ghandy's companions find her sixty feet from the tent opening, pacing back and forth with her fists clenched. She is muttering in short angry bursts. Most of the words are lost in grumbling sounds, but the word fraud can be heard many times with several expletives leading or trailing the word.

When her companions get closer, she stops and notices them and asks tersely through pursed lips, "To the Sheriff then?"

"Yep, to the Sheriff it is" - he smiles at her, and nods at Ivar - "Let's get to the bottom of this"

"So...the sheriff is a woman. I had pictured a country-based farmer boy who turned to law. I guess I was wrong."

"Then I guess we should let Ivar do the talking" - he elbows his giant barbarian companion.

"At least we know that something else than a sphinx is roaming the streets," Selkyon says. Seeing that Ghandy is still upset, he adds: "I do not like this deception any more than you do, and we will have to deal carefully with the carnival workers in the future. They have lied to us once, and may be hiding other things. Yet we still have to discover whether or not they were at all implicated in the recent murder."

The Sheriff did seem to be their intended next target. If not her office first, probably wherever a large crowd was gathered would be the likely location to find her. Whatever the case, Pelipe will move up next to the tight-fisted Ghandy, and in an abnormal sign of affection, will reestablish the close-hold the two had before when they were about ready to skip earlier. Pelipe, however, will not be skipping and will just walk with the elf. She too understood rage from deception, as her own father had lied to her most of her life about her origin. Sometimes you just needed someone to be close without saying anything.

'To the sheriff then.' Smiling at Raziel's humorous ribbing, he shakes his head, "I must be loosing my touch. Der sfinks girl only sobbed ven I gave her my best smile." As they move towards the sherrifs office, he looks to Selkyon, "Der carnival vill be vat it is, dat makes dem performers, not liars." He smiles looking at the others, "Fortunatly ve have learned dat der morder vas not smart enough to frame a real creature."

Your group head to the town jail, the most likely place to find the sheriff this time of day.

It is not hard to find as it sit right next to the town's courthouse in the center of the town. A one story building, built out of stone blocks, it is very solid in appearance, likely to make escape from it difficult.

The solid wooden door is currently propped open to let in the morning breeze and a deputy sits at a desk just inside of it. As you all approach the door, he will stand and ask you to state your business.

The walk back and calming words Selkyon offers starts to calm Ghandy down.

When Pelipe offers a comforting touch, she is truly beside herself. 'I can never tell if she likes me or not,' she thinks to herself as she meets her eyes and offers a half-hearted smile.

When they get to the Deputy's desk, Ghandy hands over the letter and says in an official manner, "We were sent by the carnival as independent investigators regarding the murder last night."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

ugh

It is clear Pelipe is a convoluted woman. At times, she is fierce with passion and energy and other times very reserved. Most write her off as an emotionless being, as the party had seen many do so far in their adventures, yet there were times when something sinister, or sensual, or emotional would eke out and would quickly be put under control--like a person with a drug habit fighting against themselves.

"No," she stops Ghandy. "That is for the sheriff's eyes only. Can you take us to her?" she directs toward the deputy with a swish of her hair and a curious look on her face. While she doesn't enjoy stopping Ghandy, she isn't about to give inside information to the Sheriff's deputy.

Ghandy attempts to hide how flustered she feels in front of the Deputy as her hand holding the letter retreats to her side. Pelipe's reaction surprised her and she tries to recover, "Err, yes, the Sheriff . . . I mean, can you take us to the Sheriff?"

Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16