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Salmok wanders out of the Harrowing content, but shocked at how eerie that felt.
He's at a lost for words and literally stumbles over his gnomish friend. "Wow. That was intense. I saw my life - past, present, future - flash before my eyes."
"Did you get what you wished for out of the harrowing?" the oread continues stumbling over his words. "Perhaps we should find our compatriots?"
Thank you! That was quite the reading. :)
@Molvil - are you just using your own eyes to look around for him, or are you asking others if they have seen someone fitting that description as well?
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After wandering around for a bit, the Professor is hit with a sudden realization. Assistants! Of course! Why do all the work herself? It's time to delegate. She glances around to try to find someone who looks like they have their wits about them. "Excuse me? Would you have seen a man with a big red beard at this circus today?"
She'd be more successful if she ditched the super-strict/mean teacher vibe, apparently.
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Similarly to the sphinx, Nilah lets herself be fully drawn into the performance of Madam Masque. Something about finely-tuned performance appeals greatly to her. Her eyes narrow in focus as a subtle smile forms at the edges of her lips.
I wonder... is it a Mirror Image spell? Surely they couldn't fit three individuals utilizing illusion in that box... I'm not yet certain it is a spell...
She frowns, not able to tell decoy from madam, but ultimately half-heartedly calls out what she thinks is a random guess as her smirk shifts to frown.
@Molvil - you do not see anyone with a big red beard, but neither has anyone you question. One of the carnival workers asks why you are searching for such an odd-looking individual.
The Lovely Madame Masque - Magdelina & Nilah
Several people call out items, two of the townsfolk call out a silver bracelet, after a minute of guessing the first one is declared as the winner as two of the (illusionary) madam Masques vanish, and the remaining image walks back to the mirrored cabinet where the real Madame Masque reemerges. Both compare the item in question, demonstrating the game is not rigged. The barker gives the winner the meager pot.
Fifth 'game' - 5-15 mins
Goblin Toss - Nilah
??? - Molvil, Salmok, Ejtehah, Magdelina
Goblin Toss - Nilah
A middle-aged chelaxian male runs this booth, hawking the game as “Three Goblins have found their way into your house and are tearing the place up! Grab them and toss them into the fireplace before they can destroy everything.” There are 3 throw lines with buckets of beanbags sewn to look like Goblins by each of the stations. Each bean bag has a Goblin name printed on it. 10 feet away from the throw line a board painted like a fireplace, setup with lines of 2 holes: the closer for children and the further for adults.
The Chelaxian man describes while pointing "Take three of these here Goblins and try to toss them into one of those there fireplaces. Since you're all adults you'll be aiming for the far target. You need to get at least 2 in to win."
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Salmok watches Nilah head over to the carnival games. "Want company?". Salmok is still in thought after his Harrow reading. He watches Nilah toss a few bean bags. "That looks fun but I can't toss worth anything.". Instead, Salmok wanders over to the King of the Carnival. "Now this is something I can get behind!"
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Sure! Let's see how this goes... She says, responding to Salmok just before the game manager starts speaking.
Nilah begins to repeat the instructions, out-loud in a normal voice as she begins picking up the bean bags. She... adds her own twist.
Some innocent goblins were waylaid in their own home by some over-zealous paladins. Grab them and toss them in the evening stew before they get their holy water all over the place!
Satisfied she looks back towards the old Chelaxian. There. What do I win?
After, she begins to grow tired of the games and calls it a day.
Goblin Toss - Nilah
The Chelaxian man looks horrified by your ad-libs, but awards you a trinket - a silver snuffbox engraved with the word "dreams."
King of the Carnival - Salmok
A heavy, long-handled mallet leans against a 3-foot-wide and 12-foot-high wooden tower crowned with a stuffed lion’s head. At the base is a lever attached to a puck that slides up and down a pole running the length of the tower up to the lion’s head. An Ulfen strongman calls out and challenges passersby, inviting carnival-goers to demonstrate their “power and passion” to him by “taming the savage beast on yonder pole.”
The Ulfen Strongman explains: "To play this game, just grab this here mallet and strike the lever to send the puck to the top of the pole. If you can make the lion roar, you win the game."
The Lovely Madame Masque - Magdelina
It takes about 5-8 mins to gather enough people to play
Magdelina notices a particularly handsome scarf is the same, and names it quickly and with great confidence, capturing the attention of Madame Masque herself. One other townsperson calls out the same scarf, but a moment after you. Once the minute of guessing is up and the answer is revealed, Magdelina is called out as the winner, and the real Madam Masque walks on the runway toward Magdelina and slowly pulls a single ribbon from the neckline of her costume, lowering the neckline even further, and allowing the ribbon to tumble into Magdelina’s grasp. Onlookers regard Magdelina with envy, and Madame Masque gives her a final flirtatious over-the-shoulder glance before disappearing into the tent. The barker awards you back your bet, plus an additional 5 cp (keeping the other half for the 'house').
King of the Carnival - Salmok
The puck travels up and up and... doesn't quite reach the lion's head. The lion head merely meows and licks its lips, and the Ulfen strongman looks disappointed. "Better luck next time."
As the night wears on, you weary of the carnival and decide to skip the evening Big Top show to arrange lodging in town before it is full. When you come down from your room in the morning, everyone seems on edge, and the townsfolk are even ruder to Magdelina than before.
Your group of Pathfinders receives a message midmorning via a carnival crew member. Mistress Delisen requests you return to the circus in order to discuss a potential job opportunity.
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She would probably be more successful if she dropped the strict/mean teacher vibe.
Your group of Pathfinders receives a message midmorning via a carnival crew member. Mistress Delisen requests you return to the circus in order to discuss a potential job opportunity.
Hmm... It may have something to do with the red-bearded man. I would like to solve that little mystery. Very well. She nods once to herself, gathers her things, and, once everyone is ready, briskly strides toward the meeting place with an aura of intense purpose.
When you all arrive at the circus, the carnival has not opened for the day’s business yet. Almara Delisen waits beside a large private wagon with an adjoining canopy, and chairs are arranged around a nearby campfire. She greets you kindly but with a businesslike air, and after a brief introduction gets to the reason for her invitation.
“I appreciate your efforts yesterday in the regrettable incident with our dragon. I fear I could also use your help with another matter. You may have heard there was a murder in town last night. The circumstances, I am told, implicate people from my circus—something I find very hard to accept. I’d like to contract you to represent the Umbra Carnival to determine who is really responsible and preserve our reputation.”
"If you accept, I can send a letter with you to give to Sheriff Feldane that will let her know you are investigating the murder, and she should share whatever details with you that she has."
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"I for one would be honored to assist you Almara. So far I have found the people of your circus very friendly and professional. I had the greatest time with them yesterday. If we unfortunately find out one of them is at fault, we'll come to you first. And about this letter: I think this is a good idea. This will provide the town a proof of your cooperation, which is extremely smart and prudent of you."
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With prodigious "resting stern face", the Professor listens to the proposal. Hmm. Yes. I would be most curious to participate in the local "who done it." She nods in approval at Magdelina's handling of the situation, impressed at her finesse. "Yes, of course. I would be happy to assist." Happy may be a bit of a strong word, but she seems sincere in her intention to help get to the bottom of this.
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Nilah says little the evening after their time at the circus and the next morning. Like Almara, she seems all business in hearing about the job opportunity.
I presume you're good with the standard Pathfinder Society fee? More immediately, what do you know of the circumstance? We had actually not heard about this, although the general mood at the inn told us that something was up. What have you heard, from whom, and who is implicated?
Almara smiles warmly at your response. "Thank you. Honestly, we don’t have many friends to choose from here. The victim was Archivin Walder, the town moneylender and sometimes pawnbroker who owns a local business called the Locked Box. Right now, details are vague so no one specific was mentioned as a person of interest but of course the Sheriff is unlikely to share details with a suspect in an ongoing open investigation. I don’t believe Sheriff Feldane is an unjust woman, but I think she’s under greater pressure to keep the peace than to find the guilty. After all, my people aren’t her first concern. My belief is a third-party investigation stands a better chance of clearing our good name than the local constabulary. My circus employs many people, most of whom I know intimately and trust, but I want the truth, no matter whom it may implicate."
Almara offers your group 600 gp if you find conclusive proof as to the identity of persons responsible.
Almara grants you access to most areas of the circus. She also draws up a signed, sealed letter to Sheriff Feldane, identifying your group as her chosen third-party investigators. Finally, she recommends that the party make visiting the sheriff one of their first stops upon returning to town, informing you that Kyra Feldane can be found at the town jail.
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"Splendid idea Nilah. We have to make it sound like we've been tasked to help her, and await her suggestions and recommendations before we begin... if we go there and imply that we're in charge of this," adds Magdelina, looking at the gnome, "then we may inadvertently create an enemy for ourselves instead of having a valuable resource to draw from in town."
Almara shakes her head in response to Nilah's question. "No, it wasn't on the circus grounds or my people would have discovered the body. The Sheriff didn't share the location though."
I will assume you move on to the Jail to talk to the Sheriff - let me know if you have any further question for Miss Delisen.
Arriving at the town jail, Sheriff Kyra Feldane agrees to see your group briefly, and after reviewing the note from Almara, consents to let you investigate the crime scenes. She does caution you that they’re representing the circus, and thus any misconduct on their part reflects on the carnival. With that understood, she will vouch for your legitimacy when you’re investigating the case.
Feldane provides the basic facts on the murder. "The victim was Archivin Walder, who was found mauled while walking to his home after the circus last night. Walder’s wife, who went looking for her husband when he never came home, discovered the body. Agnes Walder begged her husband’s four full-time guards who lived at the Locked Box for help. Three of them left their post to search, and one guard stayed behind to secure the office. Thieves, presumably in league with the creature that killed Walder, burst into the Locked Box, killed the remaining guard, and stole many easily carried valuables (such as gems and jewelry). The robbery was interrupted when the guards brought Walder’s body to the office instead of his home, and they glimpsed two humanoid figures fleeing in the night. Upon finding the guard dead and the building burglarized, the three remaining guards secured the building until the sheriff could be notified."
She breaks eye contact and looks off to the side for a moment, then admits "I'm not entirely convinced a creature from the circus is responsible for the murders. Nevertheless..." she drags her eyes back to meet yours. "The mood in town is sour. There are stories all over the place about a great four-legged beast flying over town last night after the circus closed down, silhouetted across the moon. Of course, I’ll be damned if I can find a single eyewitness who actually saw the sphinx. Now poor Walder is left dead in some bushes. It’d be one thing if these deaths were accidental, but the robbery angle has people thinkin’ of a Sczarni heist. I’m not proud to say it, but this stirs a lot of unworthy opinions about Varisians.”
She offers her cooperation, but reminds them that she has to do what she feels is in the best interest of the town. She also cautions Magdelina to watch out for people nursing a grudge.
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Ejtehah listens to the Sherrif.
"Ahh, Mr. Walder was mauled and some would assume that someone who he met at the circus killed him last night. How odd that his wife found him given the fact that so many could have found him on such a crowded night. And now we also have a theft that you believe is connected. But that sound strange as drawing someone out of the Locked Box with a murder would have been for an unknown time so I personally do not believe that these cases are connected but let us reveal the truth during the investigation!"
He writes down some facts in a small booklet.
"Did you find anything on Mr. Walder's body, at the crime scene, at the Locked Box that is suspicious? Did the two humanoids that left the lockbox leave anything behind?"
Then he looks at his dog.
"Oh and do you know more about the enemies that Mr. and Ms. Walder had in town? Any background on the victim would be fabulous!"
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Hmm. He may be self absorbed, but he knows how to ask good questions. "I understand that this request may seem insensitive, but would it be possible to see his body? You say he was mauled, but as there are many different ways to be mauled, it may be possible to narrow down the possibilities if we were able to see exactly how he was killed. We would, of course, show the utmost respect to the deceased."
The oddities from the previous day nag at the Professor's mind. The red-bearded man paying for what amounted to a distraction while the monitor lizard was released and the strangeness of the Sphinx's voice seem like they are either connected somehow. She resolves to share this information with the group once they're on their own.
The Sheriff ponders for a moment. "Enemies? No, for the most part the Walders are liked well enough by people in town. Successful business helps everyone succeed. Though I suppose there might be a few people who had to pawn items and might have been unhappy about it? I don't see how they could blame Mr. Walden for providing the service though."
"Honestly, I haven't gotten very far in the investigation yet, besides locking the locations down, removing the bodies from the scenes, and interviewing witnesses. The crime scenes are open to your investigations now, you can inspect both to see what you find. However the bodies have already been processed, and aren't open to your investigations at this point. We shall see what you turn up in your processing of the crime scenes. Walder was found in the bushes by the side of the road, the robbery happened at his place of business."
If you want to investigate where the body was discovered, either the sheriff or one of her constables can show you or explain where the location was.
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Salmok strokes his chin. "Very interesting. Very very interesting. What did Mr. Walden do in town that warranted four guards?".
He listens as the sheriff continues talking about the murder. "I think we should examine where the body was discovered first. Then go to the Locked Box afterwards.". He continues to stroke his chin. "We should also consult the sphinx sometime as well. If people saw a winged beast, we need to narrow our options."
"He was the moneylender and occasional pawnbroker. He had guards to protect his money and wares from robbers. Unfortunately in this case it didn't do him any good." She waves forward one of her officers who accompanies you to the murder spot - you've walked past it several times on your way to and from the circus, but it was slightly off the road behind a bush.
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Nilah listens to the good questions her companions ask, and thinking them exhaustive has little to add.
Someone with a hefty debt, and a violent history may fit the bill too. I wonder if the Mrs. would allow us access to the books to see if such a person exists.
She ponders, looking at the ground while trying to think of anything else.
I'm glad to hear you're open to working with us. We'll find the truth.
She leaves it at that.
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At the scene where the body was discovered...
A bush looks like a bush.
@Magdelina & @Molvil go ahead and still roll Survival, as well please.
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Magdelina looks around the tracks, and ponders for a moment. She then opens her satchel and pulls out a live skunk! the skunk, while quite alive, has no discernable scent at the moment, and her fur appears well-groomed and luxurious. She begins to lick Magdelina's cheek happily. Magdelina giggles, and then holds the small animal in front of her, saying "Who's a good girl? you are! you are! can you help Mommie? see those big tracks on the ground? can you sniff out a scent around those claw marks? if you've smelled that animal or creature before, please run a circle around my feet ok? thanks Daysie!!!"
Although Magdelina seems to barely glance at the tracks on the ground, she points out a nearby branch that "would make a swell broom!" Once it's pointed out to Ejtehah, and he looks back at the tracks a second time, the evidence has a very different context - he can see where sections of the ground have been swept to remove tracks of other humanoids while leaving just the paw prints. Furthermore, as he inspects further, he realizes the clawed tracks are not leonine, and not nearly deep enough to belong to a creature of the sphinx's weight.
Daysie does not recognize the scent.
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Realizing that investigating in the bushes does not lean into her strengths, the Professor stands back so as not to destroy any evidence and instead takes detailed notes for the party. She is especially interested in Ejtehah's and Magdelina's discoveries. "Yes. Interesting. Clearly there is some misdirection at play here. Yes. Well! I suggest we go to the Locked Box next. I agree with Nilah: looking at the books would be wise. It is not unreasonable to question his wife as well. Women have arranged their husbands' murders before, after all."
The building itself is sturdy and solid, with 12-foot-high ceilings, heavy wooden doors, and no windows. Most of the office is on the single ground floor. Lamps illuminate the interior, even by day.
When your group arrives, there are two guards present with Agnes Walder. Teary-eyed Agnes blames herself. She believes if she had gone to the carnival with her husband, events would have been different. “It just bothered me to think of him ogling that winged she-lion whatsit—all that prancin’ about without a top on. But none a’ that would matter if only Archie was still here with me!” She wipes a tear away.
The constable traveling with you explains that you are allowed access to the building. The guards inform you the vault has remained unopened and Walder’s master key is still missing. Agnes opens the front door with her spare key and allows your group to investigate while she watches you carefully. She points to the doors to the north, and from East to West says "Office, Vault, Guard rooms."
Lamps illuminate this large showroom. Glass display cases, broken in a few places, line the walls, while two additional cases sit like islands in the center of the room. Broken glass has been swept up into careful piles. The cases contain an eclectic mix of valuables such as unusual tools, masterwork weapons, jewelry, fine china, antiques, and artwork. A set of merchant’s scales rests on top of one of the display cases.
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Delegation is the name of the game. Hmm... We need those who can get people to open up to them and pick up on lies... Magdelina. Yes. She seems simple and charming, but there appears to be a sharp mind under all that. And hmm... Mr. Ejtehah seems too smooth. You don't get that way without being able to sense how to play a room. Also, I am not going to let him do nothing again and take a share of the credit. RRRgh! Those leeches always irritated me! Yes. Perfect. Nodding crisply at their hosts and potential suspects by way of greeting, Professor Masaendri takes charge. "Magdelina, you seem to be an understanding sort. Perhaps you could speak with Mrs. Walder about what she witnessed. I'm sure she'd appreciate your gentle approach. Mr. Ejtehah, perhaps you could do your version of the same with the guards, though it may be wise to talk to them separately, just in case." She turns to the others. "I am curious about that missing vault key. It is possible that the vault was emptied and locked again between the time that the three guards left and when they returned. Which reminds me, we should track down the third guard so we can talk to him as well." She claps her hands once, sharply. "Well. Let us investigate! And try not to disturb the evidence. I'd like to start in the office. Select a task if you haven't had one assigned, and get started!" As she strides off in that direction, she calls over her shoulder to Mrs. Walder: "Would the office be locked?"
Mrs. Walder says the door is not locked, but the desk is. "It just has his accounting books in it. Though I can unlock it if you want?" She will insist on doing it herself though rather than relinquishing her (now) only key.
A large polished desk dominates the office. Hooks for hanging lamps are permanently affixed to the walls, while mounted behind the desk is a large framed portrait of Archivin and Agnes in their youth. Running along the east wall is a large display case filled plaques, framed documents, trophies, and stuffed animals - mementos of personal value rather than treasures.
Agnes unlocks the desk and gestures towards what looks like Accounting books in the drawer.
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- The only other semi-private room on this floor is the Guard's quarters, but that is where the fourth guard was murdered. Would you like to use that room anyway?
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Nilah follows Molvil to the office to see what can be found in the books, as this was her original interest.
Nilah gently picks up the accounting book, once it is offered.
We're looking for whether anyone who owed him money may have been particularly... indebted. So, large amounts or also for long periods of time. If we point at some names, do you think you'd know more about them? Their general disposition and relationship with your late husband?
She looks up and turns her head, scanning the personal affects held around the room.
Are you familiar with the sentimental value of these items? Were any of them particularly contentious for the client to give up? Were any stolen in this incident?
Shortly after, Nilah is thumbing through the book and whispers to Molvil.
If she can't say much about them, that's okay. Clients likely wouldn't air their resentment directly in the lending house, but perhaps some of them did at the taverns. First, let's get some names...