”If someone wanted to infect the town they could just waltz in and do so.” Shel says, examining one of the animals. ”As the guard have proven just this morning and again with these wolves, the defenses are not difficult to surmount.”
Shel looks over the bodies and after examining the appearance of the discoloration of their skin below the fur and the froth drying around their fangs she looks up...realizing its a poison. The wolves were poisoned. The poison carefully designed to mimic the appearance of rabies and that could be transmitted to whoever they bit. This would take someone well skilled in Alchemy or Herbalism Perhaps a Druid? or another Shaman? A Orcish Witch Doctor?
Rory sits thinking for a few minutes and thinks...theres lots of Orc Hunters that use Wolves. That and yes Druids or such that might have a pack with them. However there arent any particular tribes that come to mind and certainly noone in or around Trunau that he knows of.
Rydell slings the blood of his blade before sheathing it.
Unfortunate. I shouldn't have let my frustration get the better of me and noticed something was off sooner. Shame such beautiful creatures are treated this way... I doubt you could even use their fur for something because of that poison.
I am loathe to say, we may could get more done if we split up. But, it may be safer to stick together. I would suggest, if we split up, for me, and Rory to follow the wolves tracks. And hopefully find where they came from before returning here to meet up. The others could look around town and make sure we know where all the white graffiti swords are. Neither group should try and confront anyone if they find someone before regrouping.
After taking a few minutes to breathe and have a bit of a hissy fit in private, Imara returns to the group and stands quietly listening to the conversation.
Do we really want to try to figure out exactly where the wolves came from now? We haven't even looked for Brinya or Daktani yet. I know they could be where the wolves came from, but I don't know...it seems like starting with Brinya or Daktani's residences makes more sense."
"I say we ask the militia to help us find and cover the swords. There's no reason we need to do that personally. We can also talk to Agrit, see if she can take a look at them and see if there is anything she can do about the magic. Maybe we can send someone to question the guards about what they saw as well."
Imara thinks of Shel's reaction to the fight with the wolves.
If we want to split up, then I suggest I go with Shel. I don't necessarily feel town is safe right now. Ovril, do you want to come with us?"
At this point, Phoenix had rolled in the bloody dirt near the wolf he killed and thoroughly drenched himself in the blood. The bird stands and examines himself. He clucks with approval and pulls a tuft of hair from the defeated wolf. Beak filled with fur, he marches for the gates of the town. I shall take these grisly trophies to the wolf packs and show them what happens when they try to hunt in my territory. Expect my return in three days.
"Phoenix, for the love of Pharasma!" Shel shouts, standing and spinning to face the retreating chicken. She chants a short prayer. A sheet of water appears above Phoenix and cascades down around him, washing the blood off his feathers and creating little red rivulets that snake their way downhill. "I need your help, little one." The shaman wipes the dust off her hands and turns to the others.
"These wolves were infected with some kind of strange poison that could be transmitted through bite. Very strange." The shaman tries to find justifications for such an inefficient form or warfare, if that's what this was, but she doesn't come up with anything. "Maybe Silvermane should take a look at them. Phoenix, be a dear and tell Silvermane about the poisoned wolves, then come find me at Sanctuary and help me with the autopsy. I really need to look at the body as soon as possible, and I have yet to commune with the spirits this day. That's why Phoenix is in such a mood. You can come if you wish, Imara. A third set of eyes won't hurt."
"Impressive work, by the way, Rydell. Not easy to strike a wolf with a sword."
Phoenix ceases his dirt bath the moment he hears the druid's name and takes off towards the spring, screaming for Silvermane the whole way.
Okay, here is my thinking. Shel, Imara, you two go to autopsy the body. Rory and I will see what we can find with Thistle, and then go to the clamor to talk with Sara about the hopeknife. After all of that, we can meet back up at Agrit's shop. Where we can discuss what, if anything, we found and after speaking to her continue the search from Daktani and Brinya. Ovril, you can join either group. Wherever you believe you would be most useful. I cannot claim to know your skill set, other than putting on a show. He gives his idea for a plan to the others before turning to give a nod to shel.
Yes, well, it certainly isn't something I'm practiced in doing. Though watching how Thistle moves regularly helped me in judging. That is, until your chicken jumped on the wolf. I nearly cut it in half, at least it proved a decent distraction. He is slightly curt, but otherwise just seems distracted.
"Who are you having Thistle track? The writer of the note? Anyway, I think it sounds like a good plan. We've lost enough time already - I'm ready to go." She sounds matter-of-fact, rather than annoyed.
She walks over to pick up her bow and inspects the broken string, sighing. "Useless." Something occurs to her and she looks back to the group. "When and where do we meet back up? Perhaps the longhouse? We'll need to eat..."
Imara and Shel turn to head to Sanctuary while Rory holds the note down for Thistle to smell...Rydell and Ovril watch Thistle.
Thistle walks around in a circle and then whines looking uop to her master...any scent long destroyed by the battle and carnage and all the people who had been present in the morning.
Rydell, Rory head towards Sara's shop, referred to as Clamor because of the noise of metal-working normally present. Though today the forge is strangely silent as they approach.
Ovril stands at the entrance to Ramblehouse looking left and right trying to decide where to go.
An Acolyte meets Shel and imara at the intrance to Sanctuary and asks how they can help?
Sara opens the door to greet Rory and Rydell, a look of sadness upon her face.
Hullo Ry. Rory. What can I do for you?
she lets you into the foyer of the shop. the work room and storage room behind a curtain. A few chairs, a table and a counter and stool make the room look more like an office than the entry way to a workshop.
"We're here to examine the body." Shel says, irritated that the acolyte was barring her way. "Time is precious. Show us to where it is being kept."
Behind The Acolyte Shel notices the Temple is a beehive of activity. Acolytes are going to and fro on obviously important missions and everyone has a very serious look on their face.
Shel and Imara are lead back to where Rodericks body is and Tyari is there yelling at an Acolyte about carelessness.
then She turns and looks at the two. Hello. Halgra told me to expect you and to give you access. Here's the body. Its very very sad. He was one of the good ones.
"Yes, yes, very sad." Shel says dismissively. Emotion would not help her right now. "I need to examine Roderick's body, there's some question regarding the circumstances of his death." She uses magic to fill a bowl with water and wash her hands. "Please see to it Phoenix finds his way to this room when he finishes with Silvermane and the wolves." She brings the bowl of water over to the bed holding Roderick to clean his skin of dirt or blood that might hide telling clues. Taking a small herb knife from her healing tools, she starts to cut free the unfortunate mans clothing.
Sara looks at the hopeknife Rory handed her and scowls. This is the Hopeknife I was making for him. He had misplaced the one Brynia gave him and was looking to replace it. This is my craftsmanship see this watermark here and here? I wasnt finished with it.
she moves over to where she had placed it and the space is empty.
I had put it here to do my finishing touches on it and the engraving this week...How he ended up with it. ....I dont know. he shouldnt have had it yet
Shel and Imara look over the body. Both wrists are slit. His skin coloration says he bled to death. It also looks like he bled some out of his eyes as if he was straining hard. Some discoloration on his arms and legs indicate he was trying hard to move but couldnt. Muscles strained to the point of a few blood vessels bursting.
Imara points out a slight pinprick on the back of his neck and some yellowish tinted paste dried on the outside of the slight wound, barely noticeable.
Shel very carefully examines the yellowish paste and tests it in water. Phoenix comes over and hops on the bed and bends over the washbasin the substance is in and bends over it and looks over at Shel Its comes to Shels mind that this could be a paralytic...perhaps a stong venom.
Additionally It appears that in his mouth is the residue of some milkish looking oily substance that may have been poured in his mouth after he was paralyzed some careful study it appears it may have been Oil of Taggit which induces Unconsciousness for a few hours. Its slow to act though which would explain why a paralytic was used first.
for certain though it wasnt suicide.
Tyari gasps as the perceptive duo investigates and when they look up, their discovery being known...she says Who would...why ....Poisons. Theres an Assassin in town. How can I help?
then she looks at Rodericks body with sadness and almost as an after thought she l;ooks up quickly and says Katreza is missing too. When we went to give her breakfast...she was gone. In the excitment I almot forgot. Weve been searching the temple shes no where. She left most of her belongings except a book Roderick gave her she kept under her pillow. Thats she took.
Silverman had followed Phoenix back from Hopespring and chuckled as the chiken had rushed off as if on an important mission towards Sanctuary.
He knelt and glanced over the wolves and nodded. looking at Ovril he wrote on a piece of paper
These young wolves were trained to attack. its not a good thing. They would have attacked the first thing they came across unless they were directed to attack someone in particular, usually by scent directive. Did they come right at you folks? If so someone doesnt want you investigating....
Sarah looked at Rory and thought...Just me, Roderick, and Urnsul who took his money and gave him his receipt
She's not here. She didnt show up for work today. Not surprising Her and Daktani were together last night. You dont think she was involved?! Id think someone broke in here would be more likely.
hmph. Perhaps Baseil might be right. I don't think sara is involved. Not with Agrit around.
Sara, tell us where she lives. Daktani and Brinya are both missing today as well. I don't like how everything is adding up. I won't be taking no for an answer on this either. I won't say if she is or is not involved yet. But there is enough suspicion that she should at least be questioned and investigated. I don't believe you were or would be involved, which leaves her our only connection from this.
Ummm I was renting her a cot in the storage room. She came into town about two weeks ago...maybe three. She said she was running from her tribes retribution. Which Im quite familiar with. Shes not there now. Ive checked.
"Try not to forget when people go missing. That would be helpful." Again, she's being more matter-of-fact than nasty. "Something is really, really wrong here. Honestly, the best thing you can do is prepare for an attack. Find someone to cover or destroy that sword you have above the door outside. And Shel is right - we need to see her room."
Phoenix begins shrieking and flying into the walls, beautiful black feathers shedding from his impeccable avian form with each impact.
Rydell lets out an audible "hmmph" at the running from retribution bit.
I'm starting to doubt that. leave it to... He stops himself from finishing his sentence and shakes his head.
Thank you Sara, I appreciate it. It seems we can't do much more here, If you do see any of them, please let us know. Rory, I think we should head to Agrit's.
Shel and Imara go search Katreza's room and find no sign of violence. Everything is neat and tidy. They leave to go to Agrit's shop seeing Ovril standing outside and soon Rory and Rydell arrive as well.
Imara stays on high alert as they return to Agrit's. She addresses Rory, Rydell, and Ovril. "Did you find anything of note? We were able to confirm that Roderick was murdered - I will let Shel fill you in on the details, as that's her area, not mine. I think we need to notify Halgra and have her place Trunau on high alert." She pauses before her next statement, knowing the reaction it will bring. "...Katreza is missing as well."
At least we know that much, lets ask Agrit to see to these sword paintings, I don't like how they seem placed purposefully. And Yes, it seems that nearly half the towns half-orc population seems to be missing, and that the only person other than Sara and Rodrick that new about this dagger He pulls out and shows the hopeknife they found in Rodrick's room.
was Urnsul, which paints a poor light on her and Daktani and... wait a minute. He pauses for a moment clearly lost in a chain of thoughts.
I remember them, Urnsul and Daktani and.. and another two talking awfully secretively the other night. Who was it... Vorum! and... Rishka! Thats right! I didn't think much of it, but... if I recall correctly, Vorum is from freedom town. If any one of them are involved, all of them could be. Actually, it seems that visit to Sara proved quite valuable. We should check if any of them are still around, and go investigate their respect homes. Does anyone know where Vorum lives? It was outside town correct?
as you enter Agrit's shop, You see the dwarven woman head in her hands down on the counter. she looks up and through tear reddened eyes she says Id Heard Halgra assigned you to investigate Rodericks death. Why come here? She sniffed once and contined I mean to say. how I can I assist you?
"Councilor Agrit, have you happened to take a look at the strange swords painted around town? They're magical, and they started showing up when all this strange stuff started happening. We can't make anything of them and were hoping you might have an idea, with your expertise in strange magical things." Shel blurts out as they enter Agrit's shop. She was still fuming from the belated discovery that Katreza was missing as well. Phoenix was clutched under one of her arms, panting and hissing in shared rage.
Seeing the councilors state, she takes a calming breath and places a hand over the dwarves'. "Councilor, I know it's hard losing Roderick, but the people of Trunau need you to put on a strong face right now."
Agrit pauses as if a bucket of cold water was thrown on her, and anger flashed in her eyes as if to say 'how dare you' ...then she paused looking at Shel...[B]Youre right. Sara would have said the same thing. Hes dead. Ill miss him. Horribly. he was one of the good ones. But life continues its flow. ..now as to the swords. No I just assumed they were put there by zealous worshippers of The Swordmaiden. Do you suspect something different?[/B[
Also, if you look where they are painted, It seems like they were placed purposefully, Much is going on and I worry what they bode. That said, we won't bother you overly long, unless someone else has something to ask I suggest we follow what little trial we have left before it too is gone. Starting at the suspected's houses.
Agrit nods. I will look into it. Good luck with your investigation.
Daktani and Brinya share a room at the boarding house where Shel and Imara live. Vorum and Rishka both have shacks in the Barterstones.
"Thank you, Agrit! I know you'll figure it out!" Imara breaks into a huge grin for the first time that day as she looks upon her mentor.
Turning to the others, she says, "I agree with Rory. We should grab a quick lunch - we'll think better if we've eaten. And fight better...if it comes to that. If we eat at the longhouse, we can pass word onto the militia while we're there. Then I say we start with Daktani and Brinya's room." She pauses and looks to the rest of the group, waiting for their opinions.
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He knelt and glanced over the wolves and nodded. looking at Ovril he wrote on a piece of paper:
These young wolves were trained to attack. It's not a good thing. They would have attacked the first thing they came across unless they were directed to attack someone in particular, usually by scent directive. Did they come right at you folks? If so someone doesn't want you investigating....
Ovril passes Imara the note given to him by Silvermane. "Yet more proof to underline our worst fears." It's clear to see that Ovril has been rattled by all they've managed to puzzle together so far. From the grizzly scene of the murder to the plot behind it that they're uncovering bit by bit. "That's a sound plan, Imara. Let us stay together, for it's clear there are eyes watching us from the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike."
The group begins the trek up the hill to the longhouse on the way Corporal Harlon approaches you.
Hi Rory. Rydell. Imara...Shel right? and you...I think youre Ovril. Hey. Im not sure what to do with this information. Its important though. I cant go to Kurst, Hes overloaded with handling everything with the Militia with Jagrin out on patrol and Omast putting a drunk on after finding out about Rodericks death. Halgra is busy and I dont think I should bother her with this information.
He pauses. The Stablemaster Darrick and The Wainwright Samuel are stirring up talk. They are spreading rumors that the half orcs in town killed Roderick, thats why so many of them are missing, and theres a horde of orcs coming for Trunau and we need to abandon the town and head to Lastwall before the attack hits. At this point they've only got a dozen or so ears. But I can see some of the militia members are beginning to talk...and I hear whispers of whispers...If this gets going it could become like a whirlwind spreading through the town and destroy morale.
”He was paralyzed by an injection of some kind of venom. Maybe giant wasp. Then rendered unconscious by Oil of Taggit. He was bound and struggled against his bonds, so the murderers wanted him alive and conscious for something before they slit his wrists.”
Phoenix narrows his chicken eyes in suspicion at the corporal.
”Katreza is missing, as is her journal. There’s no way this many people could slink off unnoticed. Half the town left in a matter of hours, one of them needing to be carried out by at least two people, yet none of your militia saw anything, corporal?”