Menagerie PFS: Murder's Mark (Inactive)

Game Master Blake's Tiger

"Yeah, uh...we gotta talk to you about that but maybe not right out here in front of everyone," Zu answers when the Sheriff notes their scrapes and bruises.

He winces as he takes a good look at the hanging individual and sighs deeply. "Aw dang, I remember him. He was on the ferry we took to get here..."

Even with all of the (seemingly) obvious evidence tying the murder to the circus, Zu isn't buying it, at least not completely.

This has gotta be a frame job, most likely...and they're doing a dang good job of it, too.

Perception (DC 10): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Zu is quick to notice something inside the vest and points it out to someone with a slightly longer reach than he has. "Hey...some sorta card. Aurora, Hel, it's a harrow card, isn't it? What's it supposed to represent?"

Linguistics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

As far as the note goes, he takes his turn to squint at it and then looks up at the Sheriff. "Who's this Arhaneem Braeton bean?"

"Wait, which one is Perry again? Those humans all look alike to me.

On probation? For what? Is this standard ferryman practice? Doesn't look like a difficult job, it's not as if we're crossing rapids to get here."

This isn't right. Someone's pulling strings behind the scenes and we still don't know who they are or where they're hiding. Maybe Braeton has something to do with it?

"Do you know an Arhaneem Braeton, Sheriff?"

Aw nuts, is this because of the rating I gave the trip?! IS THIS ALL MY FAULT?! Helvetica looks at the hanging man, then shakes her head. Eh, probably not. Towns full of nutters nuttier than me...

"I mean, this seems to be too on the nose, but ok, if that's what counts as evidence in this town..." she complains. "That some sort of trading card game, this Harrow? I've already spent my life earnings on Gathering The Magic, so don't even show that to me Zu!"

"Braeton is a wealthy merchant. He owns a small fleet of boats that traverse Lake Syrantula and the Skull River," the sheriff answers. "This poor soul was Filton Legg."

"He was a beggar and a drunk," Perry adds for context. "Would have been easy to capture and murder."

"Uh...this letter's pretty dang fresh, you folks know that, right?" Zu asks after studying the paper a bit more. "Someone's tried to doctor it up and make it look older than it is but this ink ain't but an hour or two old. I bet it'd probably still smear if you rubbed on it hard enough!"

Zu strokes his more-or-less-nonexistent pumpkin chin, thoughtful. "A merchant, huh? So he owns some boats, what else does he do? Or is shipping his thing?"

Zu's done it now! I've just got to turn some of this Anti-Circus thinking into Anti-Braeton thinking!

"AND WHY WOULD ARHANEEM BRAETON HAVE FILTON LEGG KILLED? SHOULDN'T HE AT LEAST BE BROUGHT IN FOR QUESTIONING NOW THAT WE KNOW THE LETTER IS FAKE AND THE CIRCUS IS BEING FRAMED?!" Helvetica asks really loudly. The least I can do for the circus-food the circus-people bribed us with.

A merchant with a fleet of boats. He'd find it easy to move stolen goods. Seems like a good lead for our thieves' guild. But why bother framing the circus folk? What's the motive for murder?

"Before anyone does anything hasty - including arresting random circus-folk - I think we need to hear from this Mr Braeton! As deputised investigators we need to go an interview him. Where can we find him, Sheriff?"

Feldane raises an eyebrow at Helvetica's hypothesis, "Now that we know the letter with Braeton's name on it is fake, we should bring him in for questioning? Wouldn't the fact that it is fake suggest he isn't responsible? Either way, whether or not I suspect the circus is involved, I have to make an arrest now, so I'm going to the circus to arrest the sphinx to buy myself time before this whole town marches out for mob vengeance. You're free to investigate Braeton if you think something exculpatory for the circus can be found."

She gives you directions to the Braeton Manor on the upper tier of the town.

If you also wish to gather information about Filton and Braeton from the townsfolk along the way, you can use Diplomacy or Knowledge (local). Note that you can't do that now if you prefer to follow the sheriff back to the circus to witness the arrest because it takes 1d4 hours but could do it later.

"Arrest the sphinx?! I... don't think you have a net big enough, Sheriff. And I doubt that she's going to let you." Aurora expresses her concern.

"And yes, that reference to Braeton may be misdirection.But if it is, it's misdirection perpetrated by someone with something against Braeton, and that's a lead!"

"Yeah, what Aurora said," Zu nods. "But, Sheriff...dang, I know you need to keep the peace but I don't know if the sphinx'll consent to being arrested..."

He looks over at Hel and Aurora. "Mebbe we'd better go too? Mebbe we can convince her to go quietly if we go with the Sheriff. Like...they've gotta keep up appearances so there's not a big huge riot or something."

Oh geez, the Sphinx's paws are gonna make short work of the Sheriff... Helvetica tries to walk with the Sheriff. "As your lawfully appointed Deputy, I feel oblimigated to advisory you that perhaps the Sphinx isn't the best choice? Maybe someone... less big and, uh, proud?"
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Can we offer up Tibitz for arrest as a representative of the Circus? ;) I agree with Zu, we should head back to the Circus, but we should try to beat the Sheriff there to try and convince them to offer up someone else!

You follow Sheriff Feldane back to the Umbral Caravan. Once there, she announces to the loitering circus staff, "Bring forth the sphinx! She is to be arrested upon suspicion of murder." The most this elicits from the nearby roustabouts and performers are a few glances at one another and a random shrug here and there. "Where is your leader? Lady Almara?"

"I am here," Almara says as she comes out from a tent several moments later. "Sheriff, I can assure you that Jherizhana could not hurt a fly and is innocent of these accusations. However, she is strong-willed and, as our investigators can attest, capable of teleporting away. We could not make her surrender herself even if we were so inclined."

"I have to make an arrest, or the whole town will be here with torches and pitchforks," the sheriff insists.

"Very well," Almara says, "Arrest me."

"If that's what you want," Feldane says and gestures toward one of her guardsmen. The guard pulls out a set of manacles while Almara steps forward and extends her arms.

"Ooh...um, that's not what I had in mind but I guess there's not much we can do about it right now," Zu sighs as Almara volunteers to enter custody in place of Jherizhana. "Almara! Just hang on, okay? We're workin' on clearing your name, along with the rest of the circus!"

The leshy glances anxiously at his companions. "Not gonna lie, I'm starting to feel the pressure a little bit. If we're gonna look into this Braeton bean then we'd better get to it, before the Sheriff decides that cutting Almara's stem is the next thing to be done!"

Law and Order in action. Ridiculous. Aurora shakes her head, but keeps her own counsel.

"Let's see what we can learn about Mr Braeton and Mr Filton, shall we? There's nothing more to do here."

gather information: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Helvetica moans and laments as the scene unfolds. Grabbing hold of a nearby carnie or townie (they're all the same to her anyways), she weeps and wipes her nose into their sleeve at this miscarriage of justice.

"Puh-puh-Pathventure Superfinders, we must aveeeenge heeeeer!" she wails.

With Aurora calling for action, she, sniveling, clambers up onto the Merfolk's horse and lays across the back. The animal's hide muffles her cries until she eventually falls asleep.
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Ok, ready to investigate Braeton :) Aurora, if I ever overstep with the horse, lmk or just push her off :P

Saddened, frustrated, and possibly galvanized to put your all into getting to the bottom of this, you head back to Ilsurian to see what you can learn about Arnaheem Braeton, Filton Legg, and how either of them might tie this rash of murders together. On your way to the mansion, you try to talk to the townsfolk. It turns out that the people of Ilsurian find Aurora quite enchanting.

No one has a bad word to say about the Braetons. Arhaneem Braeton was a self-made man and early entrepreneur in the area, his small fleet ferrying goods all the way from Magnimar to Kaer Maga and Janderhoff. He is one of the wealthiest citizens of Ilsurian. You do learn that Braeton did give Filton Legg a job recently.

Regarding Filton, you hear that he was addicted to a substance known as shiver. Some people of the people you speak with suspect the drug is produced locally, but sold in other towns and communities so that the drug’s manufacture is not traced directly back to the source. Filton seemed to have an inside connection.

Having sold or lost everything he had of value, Filton was reduced to begging. Nevertheless, he started to change over the past few months—drying out, attending temple, and becoming respectable. Filton had been looking for honest work of late, but was publicly bitter toward persons he would not name.

You also pick up a few rumors about the practices of the regions underworld. The practice of severing the left hand was a practice popular among gangs and thieves’ guilds in Korvosa some ten to twenty years ago. It was a reprisal done to someone who sought relief from an illegal debt by going to the authorities. The idea was the victims retained their right hands so they could still make good on their obligations.

Once you finally arrive at Braeton Manor, a two-story white marble mansion, you find curtains drawn over all of the windows, although you can see light shining from some of the rooms on the second floor. The righthand door of the carved wooden front doors stands just slightly ajar.

Helvetica's hand jerks as she reaches for the door, but quickly reels it in. "Sorry, I'm just like super curious. Are we all good to go? At least in my experience rich people don't leave their front doors open because good things are happening inside."
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Now seems like a good time to use a scroll of Mage Armor and put that Wand of Magic Missile in hand!

"Ugh...we should probably heal these bruises and stuff," Zu finally has to admit as he glances down at his viney self. "Sounds like these beans are respectable so we might want to look our best and all."

He pulls out a small wand and gives himself a couple of taps.

CLW Wand (Self): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW Wand (Self): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Charges remaining (43).

"Ahh, much better," the leshy sighs as his melon repairs itself. "Okay, so...all this stuff with Filton is another connection to the local shiver trade, it sounded like. Don't know if the Braetons are responsible or not but it can't be a coincidence. So, hmm...we should probably act like we're here to just ask about Filton, at least as first."

We had 1d4 hours of Gather Info time, in which we'll have healed 1hp of nl damage per hour; if Aurora's nl damage has not yet healed, she employs her wand (there's at least 1 hour of travel/gather info so the roll is moot, it'll take Aurora to full health).

"This is suspicious. You're both right. If we find Mister Braeton we should say we're investigating the death of his employee."

Aurora ties her horse off outside the manor, takes her rope and grapnel from her saddlebags, and puts her legs on. Fins to Feet SLA

"A horse isn't going to be very useful inside a mansion, and I doubt Mister Braeton would be too happy. I'll have to go on legs."

@Zu: It took Aurora a long time to gather information, so you only needed one wand charge.

This large, spacious foyer has high ceilings and is richly appointed. North of the door sits a large planter where an indoor tree is bathed in light from the skylight above. A massive staircase gradually ascends to a second floor above. Two sets of double doors on the east and west wall lead farther into the house. Another set of double doors stands behind the stairway. Leather padded chairs are interspaced throughout the room.

You can move yourselves on the map within this room and describe your intentions within this room.

Environment: Dim Light

Status

Zu
Aurora
Damiel
Helvetica

Cool, adjusted charges (46).

Zu looks around uneasily as the group let themselves in through the slightly ajar door. "Mighty strange the door wasn't locked or even shut...or maybe someone just forgot to make it sure latched?" he murmurs, feeling the need to whisper.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

"Then again, mebbe someone's in trouble?" he frets. The leshy moves across the room to the western set of double doors and cautiously knocks.

"Hello? Braetons? We wanted to talk about Mister Filton and found the front door open - are you alright?"

With Zu announcing their presence, Helvetica can't help but to start appraising some of the items that are about the right size for a backpack...
________
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
She's just looking ;)

Helvetica catches a flicker of a shadow while she appraises the room--frustratingly lacking in backpack-sized pilferables--and turns to see a rugged looking man with a sword in his hand slip through the door and throw something. Then the room fills with a blinding flash of light.

"They're coming!" shouts a course voice.

There is a click and the creak of a door swinging open next to Zu. He feels something strike forcefully against his armor. There is another sound of a door creaking open and then booted feet running across the marble floor.

Combat! Round 1. Bold may act.

Blue
Red Dash
Aurora [ooc](Reflex DC 13 vs. Blind)
Helvetica (Reflex DC 13 vs. Blind)
Zu (Reflex DC 13 vs. Blind)
Fuzzmodeus (Reflex DC 13 vs. Blind)
Blue Dash
Damiel (Reflex DC 13 vs. Blind)
Red

Ref DC13: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"Ah! an ambush!"

Not sure if I can use Selective Channeling whilst blind since it implies targeting. If I can then that's my standard action, otherwise as follows...

Aurora draws her crossbow, then holds her buckler up in front of her defensively. Draw weapon, then Total Defence.

"WHO IS COMING?!" Helvetica shouts, turning on her heel just in time to catch the light with her face.

"MY EEEEYYES!" she bemoans. Not sure what's out there, she charges her hand with electricity and holds it out in front of her.
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Reflex, DC 13: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Cast Shocking Grasp.

Let's roll Damiel's save. I don't mind botting him generally, but think that we can move things along most expediently if whomever happens to be able to when Damiel's turn is up does the botting.

Damielbot Ref DC13: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

The elf might be late to the show, but he's alert enough to shield his eyes from the blast.

Reflex (DC 13): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

"My peepers!" Zu yells as he finds himself blinded by the light. Sensing that there might be unfriendlies very close he grabs for his mace and takes a swing at the darkness...

Zu vs. Total Concealment (50% Miss; Low is Bad for Me): 1d100 ⇒ 23

...and predictably whiffs it.

"Fuzzy! Fuzzy, get 'em!"

Handle Animal (DC 10): 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 4 = 22

Reflex (DC 13): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

*twitch* *skitterskitter*

Having managed to avoid being blinded, the puffball is quick to answer its master's call and moves to strike at the nearest foe...

1=Red, 2=Red Dash
1d2 ⇒ 2

Slam vs. Red Dash: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

If someone hits Fuzzy...

I don't imagine that'll hit but on the off-chance, Red Dash would need to make a DC 13 Fort vs. Fuzzy's poison~

Aurora prepares to defend herself as best she can while the stars fade from her vision. Helvetica summons electricity to her hand while she looks blindly this way and that. Zu draws his mace and swings it through the air. Fuzzmodeus tries to throw its body into one of the ambushers, but he sees the puffball coming.

You hear--and Damiel sees--another thug run out from the first room and move to pin the merfolk priestess.

As your vision clears, you see Helvetica--another Helvetica--appear at the top of the stairs. "Slaughter these losers and get to the super secret hideout afterward. I’ve spared the children," she says in her familiar voice. She then smiles evilly, and her form fades to reveal an older human male with a pony tail. "After all, there’s nothing more compelling than a living witness," the man says in his own masculine voice.

"Don't be afraid! I'll save you!" he shouts loudly and disappears from the top of the stairs as he runs back to the west side of the balcony.

Combat! Round 1/2. Bold may act.

Aurora
Helvetica
Zu
Fuzzmodeus
Blue Dash
Damiel
Red
--2--
Blue
Red Dash

"What's going on here?" exclaims the alchemist Damielbot. "Am I drunk? I swear there are two Helveticas, but they're not side by side. So I can't be drunk. Wait, was it those pills I took?"

He pulls a dagger and moves out of the flank, seeking to turn the tables on his attackers. He stabs at the blue bandit.

dager vs blue, flank: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

5' step, draw weapon, attack; set up not conducive to bombs :(

"What the hell is that... thing!?" the thug at the door asks and then turns his blade against Aurora. Even on land and pinned between her two foes, her armor is solidly impenetrable.

"Get back here!" the ambusher in the middle shouts at Damiel. His partner stabs the elf in the leg, and then he breaks away from the carnivorous puffball and around Damiel to stab him in the back through a seam in his armor.

Red Dash provokes from Fuzzy and Damiel.

Combat! Round 2/3. Bold may act.

Aurora
Helvetica
Zu
Fuzzmodeus
Blue Dash
Damiel (1/10 hp)
Red
--3--
Blue
Red Dash

Man, two rounds in and we've already managed to almost kill our pregen XD

A trickle of blood leaks out of the side of Damiel's mouth as he pulls away from his assailant, but at least he had the chance to give a little back in return! Unable to get far enough away for his trusty bombs, he lashes out with his dagger and tries to stay with the group. Sorry, was over eager and posted a whole turn!
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AoO vs Red Dash: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 171d4 ⇒ 2

Whining gave me my eyesight back! WOW! I'll have to remember that for the future. Helvetica giggles and points at the her on the top of the stairs. "LOOOOOOK look, look, look! None of you told me I was so pretty!" she complains.

When her-but-not-her turns into an older man, she resumes her complaining in earnest. "NOOOOO! How am I supposed to prove I'm the real me and not the clone when you've already done the work for me?! UGH!"

She tries to vent her frustrations on the nearest touchable foe.
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Shocking Grasp (Foe has metal) vs Red (Touch): 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 3 = 131d6 ⇒ 4 Since they were stabbing Damiel, I'm assuming they've got a metal weapon for the bonnus +3!

"Are you.... calling me a 'thing'?! Oh, you're going to suffer!"

Aurora raises her holy symbol and calls upon the power of her Divine Princess.

"Feed your pain!"

selective channel: 1d6 ⇒ 1 damage halved, so I think that's 1 non-lethal; DC15 Will save or sickened till end of Aurora's turn on turn 4. Hits all enemies, avoids all allies.

Channel and 5' step

AoO vs. Red Dash: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Crit!?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Fuzzy leaps at Red Dash as the man turns his back on the puffball and slams into him!

Red Dash needs to make a DC 13 Fort vs. poison.

But rather than pursue, the puffball next leaps at Blue, who is now the closest enemy...

Slam vs. Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Aw dang, hold on Damiel!"

His vision now restored, Zu takes another swing at Blue...

Attack vs. Blue (Silver Light Mace; Flanking): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

The thug arrives to his position where he cuts into Damiel looking a little loopy after the carnivorous puffball slams itself into him and releases a cloud of spores. Aurora leaves no time to observe the effects as she releases a wave of hunger that saps his remaining strength and knocks him out.

Helvetica delivers a charged jolt into the closest foe and steps away. Fuzzmodeus throws itself around, trying to hit an enemy. Zu cracks the ambusher pinned between himself and Damiel with a solid blow to the shoulder.

The thug left apart from the battle moves around the tree in the middle of the foyer to stab at Aurora again. "Hey! This fish-lady is hard to hurt," he complains.

"Uh ya! Can't you see her armor?" his companion jibes back.

Blue Dash provokes from Fuzzy.

Combat! Round 2/3. Bold may act.

Aurora
Helvetica
Zu
Fuzzmodeus
Blue Dash (-1 hp)
Damiel (1/10 hp)
Red (-5 hp; sickened)
--3--
Blue (-6 hp; sickened)

Nice! And Fuzzy does have Combat Reflexes, so...

AoO vs. Blue Dash: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Fuzzy tries throwing themselves at Blue Dash as they move around to flank Aurora but this time the puffball misses the mark.

Though things are still a bit too dicey to try for a proper bomb throw Damiel realizes that a half-assed throw might be almost as good. He quickly takes a step back from Blue and pulls out an alchemist's fire. Rather than try for a direct hit, he simply lobs it at the floor just behind Blue Dash, who is currently menacing Aurora.

Alchemist's Fire vs. Grid Intersection (Ranged Touch): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Blue Dash takes 5 splash damage, if I'm reading the sheet correctly.

I don't believe PBS applies to splash damage, so 4 damage.

"Ah! Fire!" shouts the thug as both he and the tree are splattered with burning alchemical oils.

The ambusher in the doorway thrusts at Aurora, but once again her armor turns away the blade. Another turns his attention now to Zu and stabs at him, but he winces as abdominal cramps tear through him and strikes far wide of the leshy.

Combat! Round 3/4. Bold may act.

Aurora
Helvetica
Zu
Fuzzmodeus
Blue Dash (-6 hp)
Damiel (1/10 hp)
Red (-5 hp; sickened)
--4--
Blue (-6 hp; sickened)

"HEY, that's MY fish-lady!" Helvetica claims, charging her hand up again and taking a swing one of Aurora's personal stabbers. "I might be a little jealous that you're getting so much attention," she stage whispers to her friend.
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Shocking Grasp (Foe has metal) vs Blue Dash (Touch): 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 3 = 131d6 ⇒ 2

"My mother warned me about human males. Actually, are these guys human? They look kind of... in-bred, wouldn't you say?" Aurora sneers at the men trying to pierce her armour.

"I tire of this. Let's find their boss."

Aurora raises her holy symbol again and implores the goddess of greed to lay low her enemies.

selective channel: 1d6 ⇒ 5 2 damage to all the bad guys. DC15 Will or sickened, if it still matters.

"Man, it feels good t'be on the other side of the smashing for once!" Zu chuckles darkly as he takes another swing at the Blue bean in front of him.

Attack vs. Blue (Silver Light Mace): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Fuzzy continues to (more or less) mindlessly fling themselves at any enemies dumb enough to be standing within reach - which is still Blue, for the moment.

Slam vs. Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 + Poison
______________

If Zu should kill Blue then Fuzzy will attack Blue Dash, instead.

Aurora releases another wave of wasting hunger that the thugs endure about as well as before. The one next to Zu looks like a gentle breeze would fell him. Helvetica reaches out and infuses the thug in the doorway with electricity, which makes his hair smoke before he falls to the floor.

Zu smacks the staggered thug in the face with his mace, which, being significantly more forceful than a gentle breeze, leaves the man sprawled out on the floor. Fuzzmodeus bounce-rolls into the last one and knocks him out cold.

Combat Over! Status.

Aurora
Helvetica
Zu
Fuzzmodeus
Damiel (1/10 hp)

"Huh. Almost had me there. Who're these fools anyway? What's going on here?" Damielbot exclaims as he reaches into his pack and pops a potion. Using Damiels' clw potion.

cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Have a quick rummage, see if there's anything we can use and then let's get after Helvetica - I mean, their boss. Er, right?"

"Like, dang, are these guys robbers or do they work for this Braeton guy?" Zu wonders aloud as he nudges one of the fallen thugs with his foot. But Damiel's words cut through the leshy's curiosity and he nods.

"Right! Whoever that weirdo was, they've gotta have some of the answers! We need to catch up to 'em and fast!"

Zu quickly begins rifling through the fallen thugs' stuff for anything useful.

"MuwaaAAAHHAHAHAHA!" Helvetica cackles, throwing her head back. "It was the boss the whole time! Or, at least I will be once I smack that bozo around enough to convince them I'm the Captain now... At the least I hope we'll be able to answer your questions, Zu!"

To support the balance between speed and preparation, Helvetica looks over the bodies as well.

Aurora casts a Detect Magic spell to sweep the room, curious to see if the thugs have any potions.

"Let's not take too long. Hel's double made it sound like he'd already killed. Whoever he is, I don't think he's Braeton's man."

You hurry your way up the stairs--as fast as a fish tail can climb them--to confront whoever that was taunting you in Helvetica's form. You turn in the direction that he fled and throw open the first door you come to. A chest of drawers stands against the western wall between two twin beds. Each bed has a window above it. The walls are painted with fanciful nursery rhyme characters. A young boy and a young girl are both hog tied on the nearest bed. The handsome man with a ponytail from earlier is working at untying the boy.

The window next to the nearest bed is open and a rope has been secured around the bed and dangles out the open window.

"Oh no! They've found us!" says the handsome man as he flings something at your feet and light flares around you once again.

Combat! Round 1. Bold may act.

Damiel (9/10 hp) (Fort DC 13 vs. blindness)
Aurora
Helvetica
Handsome Man
Zu (Fort DC 13 vs. blindness)
Fuzzy (Fort DC 13 vs. blindness)