Kintargo's Ravens; a Hells Rebels Game.

Game Master Tark the Ork

Beorn the Divine my good fellow! Singer and actor who seeks to rouse the people into righteous justice Perhaps you heard of the delightful gathering a few days ago.

Stepping closer to the newcomer. Yes the shouting at the Opera house. I applied for a job there but they said no with clubs. Nice dog though...Yes I know you didn't like them but you have no taste Castor."

"We have been in an opera you know. The poison gas was forgettable but that kiss is eternal." The stranger seems lost in a memory.

*Squeak*

"Huh? Manners, manners. This is Castor, he is wildly successful at most of what he does. My name is Pollux. My record is more mixed but I know a great deal and should be worth keeping around. At least until we kill the Mayor."

Pollux extinguishes the candle and the momentary darkness is relieved as three blobs of glowing mist begin to move about the room. "Collect your things Castor. I expect these fine people are looking for the murders and since you ate my good chart we are bound to help them.

Pollux steps forward and retrieves a small pack and a birding crossbow from behind the door. Castor carries over one of the pipes in his mouth. Pollux drops the pair into a small quiver hanging under the coat.

Two of the lights fade to nothing as Pollux edges towards the door.

Variel hangs in the back letting those with more social graces go first. When it seems that introductions have commenced he steps into the room observing the strange man and his rat before him. His head swims with deja vu as he has to lean against the door frame for support. The feeling was fleeting but powerful that he had met this man before but couldn’t place where or when. Belatedly he lifts his hand up in greeting once he is able to steady himself. The name is Variel and you seem to be right on both accounts. We are looking into the murders and looking at how to make our town better. Variel avoids mention of killing the mayor but doesn’t disagree with the sentiment either.

Variel watches the minor magic display with the lights and nods appreciatively. Nice trick there. You have some skills there. We may want you and need you but never lie to you. Don’t be sad. 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.

RIP Meat Loaf

You must tell me more of your experiences in opera! Our mayor is an utter bore, so much of a bore that he needs to be tossed to the pigs so he can be with his own kind.

Still holding Borgen's gauntlet from the back and turning back to the small woman. "You came in first so that would make you Shelyn."

Litsy looks up and makes eye contact with Variel

"Is he another nutter?" she asks bluntly through gritted teeth. "Oh hells, he sounds like another nutter."

She scrunches her face at the sight of the rat, which brings back unfortunate memories of vermin-infested squats and skewered vomit-throwing possums on her blade. It's not that she's afraid of them, but she can't understand why anyone would want one as a pet.

Even less understandable is why everyone would trust him so suddenly. As far as she's concerned, she's never seen the man in her life, which isn't helping his case very much.

At least, if he's like Malgar, he's probably too far gone to be deceitful- maybe that's the others' reasoning?

"So, like, have you discovered anything about the murders so far? You've investigated them? Have you been there a long time?"

... The name is Variel and you seem to be right on both accounts. We are looking into the murders and looking at how to make our town better. Variel avoids mention of killing the mayor but doesn’t disagree with the sentiment either.

Pollux stares at Variel for an uncomfortable time. Variel half lit by the Kintargo sun, Pollux in the cellar darkness lit furtively by the waning magic.

Pollux now addresses Variel directly "Those are not quite lies but they walk on good intentions. You'll get there." Pollux says somewhat patronizingly. "In the mean time don't worry. If we need to I'd lie for you." (RIP)

Pollux steps out of the cellar into the full sun. The last of the magic lights dancing into nothing.

You must tell me more of your experiences in opera! Our mayor is an utter bore, so much of a bore that he needs to be tossed to the pigs so he can be with his own kind.

"I would say you took the words right out of my mouth but we have already done that gag."

*beat*

"Story time is later for now the game is afoot!" Pollux produces a thin cane/stick from the yellow coat and taps something off their shoe. "Ah the joys of urban life."

Pollux turns to the group. Castor scampers up his leg disappearing somewhere under the yellow coat.

"Murder. The fact that you are here means we are dealing with an idiot. This will either make finding them easy or nearly impossible depending on if they are trying to be clever." Pollux swings the stick around bombastically and nearly overbalancing. "We must walk and talk and find where this has happened and who it has happened to. Then we can answer why and more importantly why it hasn't happened to me!

"I mean look at me I'm new to the city, no friends and relations above ground apart from Castor. I'm living in an isolated cellar with decent natural soundproofing and a dirt floor for easy disposal. What is there not for a killer to love?" The stranger asks. "I mean except for Shelyn over there" the wildly swinging stick points mostly in the direction of Tiny. "I am practically a Last Girl. Hmm? Castor? Yes just like Charlie Bucket."

Litsy looks up and makes eye contact with Variel

"Is he another nutter?" she asks bluntly through gritted teeth. "Oh hells, he sounds like another nutter."

"Am I a nutter Ms. Shelyn?" The bombast vanishing from Pollux's voice like a closed tap. Quiet anger replacing it. "It has been well said that I am mad. That word has many meanings and perhaps it says more than the speaker intended. As has also been said the wind is southerly so I may know a hawk from a handsaw." (Apologies to Mr. S)

"So, like, have you discovered anything about the murders so far? You've investigated them? Have you been there a long time?"

"I have discovered many things!" The anger vanishing like a fog in the noonday sun. "For example there were spiders in there" the stick points to the cellar "that made Castor vomit in seven distinct colors. But my self-preservation instinct tells me that this alchemical information does not grip your interest." Pollux thinks for a moment.

"I know the murders have only been committed in the nursery. Which is odd considering that Dear Leader has yet to make it difficult to move between districts. This speaks to motive if the killer dislikes the neighborhood or laziness if they do not. I suspect laziness as there is no special outcry for or against our cloven footed brethren at the moment.
I know that the victims are all of ignoble blood and of inconsiderable wealth otherwise the dottari would be looking into this rather than the present gathering of fools and madmen but we must consider this may have been luck on the murderer's part. Few of wealth or station walk these streets so the killer or killers might just be making do until someone better comes along.
I also know that the denizens of this nursery while accepting of strangers are reluctant to speak in detail to those they do not know. I have been busying myself with good works in the neighborhood but I have met with limited success.

Perhaps with your silver tongue, Sheyln you might best my little efforts. Or perhaps simply knowing that a group from the outer city cares enough to dirty their feet in this matter might get better results that a random nutter asking too many questions."

Variel looks to Tiny as she asks about the new acquaintance and waves her over to him. Whispering to her as a parent may to their child as they impart life lessons he prattles on. These are trying times and everyone has moments when they are not as sane as the next person next to them. Was Malgar sane and of his right mind when he fired at the Lord Mayor? Was I sane when I heard about the death of my wife and child? I think this Pollux has had many hardships in his life that has led him to be what you call a nutter. It is to be seen though if he is a dangerous nutter to us or just another eccentric.

Joining back with the main group Variel joins in the conversation of the merits of searching for the murderer. Pollux sounds like he has given this some thought. It makes sense that the murderer has been lucky or extremely skilled to not be seen already. This may call for sweat and hard labor and some luck to find the source of the problem. Perhaps investigating the previous crime scenes or plotting the location of the previous murders will give us a clue on where to search for the culprit.

Borgan hears the stream of words coming from the stranger's mouth with due interest. There seems to be methods hidden within the chaos that he spills, something he could perhaps follow a bit better than previously with Malgar.

Possibly now, that this person seems to be talking to his rat, is like hearing one part in a conversation. Malgar's conversations were half in the past, half in the present.

Borgan rests more easily as the 'madman' seems not dangerous to them at least. Though then he remembers Pollux speaks about killing the Mayor.
"Excuse me for asking Pollux, but you mentioned killing the Mayor? What would a new visitor to the city gain by killing him off? Looking to the rest of us, we know the reasons why we would want him gone. What is he to you then?"

Aye! Perhaps a grand humiliation that so disgraces him in the eyes of Thrune that our dearest queen recalls him for a personal rebuke. That would no doubt be bowel-loosening terror to such a pompous arse as our mayor.

"These are trying times and everyone has moments when they are not as sane as the next person next to them. Was Malgar sane and of his right mind when he fired at the Lord Mayor? Was I sane when I heard about the death of my wife and child? I think this Pollux has had many hardships in his life that has led him to be what you call a nutter."

"Yeah, but you felt sad," Litsy retorts. "Malgar tried to shoot someone in the face and mistook everyone for Robyn. Even a freaking rat! It was about as a permanent thing as whatever a guy living underground and talking to a rat has."

""Am I a nutter Ms. Shelyn?" The bombast vanishing from Pollux's voice like a closed tap. Quiet anger replacing it. "It has been well said that I am mad. That word has many meanings and perhaps it says more than the speaker intended. As has also been said the wind is southerly so I may know a hawk from a handsaw."

"See?" She gives Variel a defiant look. "We can't even make out what the f##& is saying." As someone who is currently applying for a PhD on Shakespeare and has done research work on Hamlet, I want to personally thank you, Pollux, for giving me the opportunity to write that :')

"Also, do I look like f*$~ing Shelyn? my name's Litsy! Litsy! Two syllables, six letters! If you can remember Castor, you can remember it! I'm starting to see what Paquen went through," she grumbles, more to herself than to anybody else. "Anyway, I doubt people here will reply if you just ask them nicely. You just have to ask them nicely with lots of silver coins."

Variel watches Tiny’s outburst and can’t hold back a wry smile. While it was probably not the best time to point this out he couldn’t help himself. Um Litsy…your name is 5 letters not 6. Please don’t confuse the man as he may be confused enough already. And yes I felt sad but in sadness comes despair and it is only a short hop from there to madness and insanity.

See, this is why I shouldn't post on Paizo at the end of a long day... Tiredness brings stupid mistakes in its path

"You're right, I just wanted to make it easier on him. You can remember five letters!" Litsy exclaims with only the minimum bad faith required to keep one's dignity intact. "And thanks for the reassuring heads-up, I'll make sure to talk to Borgan instead if I feel down."

Borgan listens to Litsy and Variel bicker as friends, grins a little.

I didn't think being called Shelyn would be that bad. There are worse options to be compared to. I actually found Pollux's remark kind of funny.

Then he hears his name drop, which makes him jerk his head to the two friends again and a frown appears on his brow.

Wait... Is that meant to be a compliment or just sarcasm?
Borgan folds his arms over each other and looks on, waiting to see which of the two it is as the conversation progresses.

Variel seems to not take the slight about Tiny going to Borgan for support personally. Instead he goes along with it and tries to mollify Tiny to placate her. Borgan is a great person if you need some moral support. I am sure he will listen to you. Then you will know that you have both of us looking out for you.

"Excuse me for asking Pollux, but you mentioned killing the Mayor? What would a new visitor to the city gain by killing him off? Looking to the rest of us, we know the reasons why we would want him gone. What is he to you then?"

Oh the most honorable is nothing more to me than a fragment of underdone potato. His life, death, eternal happiness or damnation means less to me than most of what I did last Tuesday. His men did hit me with a club or four but if I bothered visiting terrible vengeance on everyone who hits me with things then my life would get rather samey.

However, he is choosing to play the role of dastardly villain. That role entails a pot of money, a long mustache and a band of stalwart heroes seeking your demise. If I squint a bit you and your merry band fit those costumes."

"So no I don't want to kill your mayor. You do, I thought that was obvious."

"Though I expect I will have to kill him eventually." Pollux sighs. "One of the problems you face when you seek enforce your will on a city is that, unless you are very clever, all the threads from all the crimes and horrors eventually lead back to you. Forgive the impermanence but you mayor does not seem to be very clever. The thread from these murders will lead to the mayor as will many other threads. Until eventually both the hero and the villain are so bound into their roles that the destruction of one or both is invertible."

"It always comes down to a pair of half naked men punching each other atop a burning building. There must be a metaphor in there somewhere."

"Also, do I look like f~#&ing Shelyn? my name's Litsy! Litsy! Two syllables, six letters! If you can remember Castor, you can remember it! I'm starting to see what Paquen went through," ...

Pollux turns to Litsy and bows deeply. The effect is somewhat ruined by Castor falling out of the coat but it was a formal bow none the less.

"We are overjoyed to make your acquaintance Ms Litsey. From this moment we will cherish your name like a lost biscuit in a forgotten pocket."

Please do not let you spelling difficulties cause you consternation. Castor himself frequently has trouble with such esoteric concepts as his name and where exactly he left the blunt instrument but keep trying I am sure the correct answer will not elude you for long."

Pollux spins on one foot until his stick indicates the exit. "This pause for palaver though edifying for the neighbors has not yet yielded a fresh corpse. Let us ply our trade upon these fragrant byways and correct that omission."

The small yellow form strides forward with Castor making an impressive leap onto Pollux's pack before swiftly vanishing into the strangers hair.

Beorn nods some more. When in doubt, nod. It helps mask your bewilderment.

Well no time like now, let us canvas the streets and see if we can locate where the person who was killed breathed their last.

Diplomacy,Gather info: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

With the addition of a new compatriot gained in the same way many acquire new cats the group make their way to an abandoned shop where the boey of the last victim is being held. Their is a small gatyering of tieflings waiting outside some holding bundles of dried wood. Their furtive conversation dies upon seeing you and as you approach the door a tall yellow skinned tiefling bars your path. His green pupiless eyes stare down on you though there is little in the way of conviction in his manner.

"Already told the rest of ye, none can see the body outside her sons till the burnin. Pay your respects then. Iffin ye want to help find some wood as such that she'll burn hot enough to leave nothin but the grace of the Lady of Graves behind."

Iffin ye want to help find some wood as such that she'll burn hot enough to leave nothin but the grace of the Lady of Graves behind."

It struck Pollux that there was a comma missing from that sentence.

It then struck Pollux that commas were not important right now and that he was probably wrong.

It then struck Pollux that if one inverted the missing comma into a present apostrophe the sentence would have the same meaning but the tone would be radically different.

It then struck Pollux that the devout have odd attitudes regarding divine anatomy and that there were a number of the presumably devout present and holding crude but serviceable clubs.

Reeling from these blows Pollux decides that teeth are the better part of valor and allows one of the new cats to speak first.

With the addition of a new compatriot gained in the same way many acquire new cats the group make their way to an abandoned shop where the boey of the last victim is being held.

Do we need to get this stray cat spayed or neutered or did it already come that way?

While Variel will let those with the silver tongue talk their way in he still asks the front doorman Is the family inside already if someone wanted to talk to them?

Beorn takes on a somber and sympathetic mien as he addresses the bereaved. We do not mean to intrude and increase your grief today and we will be more than willing to aid in gathering wood for the cremation. We are interesting in bringing to justice the cad that ended her life and would like to speak then about such foul murders that have been happening in your neighborhood.

The tiefling doesn't move and their something of an uncomfortable shuffle in the crowd as its clear many are torn between the need for peace and the fear of outsiders. Eventually one of them, a red skinned tiefling woman with long horns and elfish features speaks up. "Twas I that found her body, torn up as if by rats with all her teeth ripped out like the rest.If it'll make the killings stop I can tell you what little I know."

[ooc] Thanks for your patience with my slowed posting guys[ooc]

"That a common thing to happen?" Litsy does her best to look the woman in the eyes and not shift from foot to foot. These people are anything but at ease, and the feeling's mutual. It's rare to see her uncomfortable instead of maintaining her typical bravado, but being stared at by a dozen of steely-eyed looks from hardened, distrustful survivors will apparently do that to her.

"How many people were killed in a similar way, exactly?"

"... with all her teeth ripped out..."

Pollux mentally catalogs the contents of their pockets just in case.

That is a horse tooth....probably

"... torn up as if by rats..."

Pollux thinks: No Castor has been nearby all the time that I remember, but his friends and relations?

If one can aid other by looking serious and NOT AT ALL GUILTY then diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 2 Well that was startlingly effective.

A terrible fate. We will certainly investigate. Where were the people found?

The woman shakes her head at Litsy's first question. "Robbings and beatings are common. More so with those bands of private thugs pretending to be town guards marauding around. Murder is rare. It attracts attention."

She gestures for you to follow as she makes her way down the filthy street before she continues.

"Ever since the new lord mayor moved in they happen about twice a week. Men, women, children, they don't seem to discriminate but they're all found the same way. The only thing we know to do is to stay inside and go nowhere at night alone."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

The information that the tiefling gives doesn't help much-unfortunately, the perpetrators could be anyone from die-hard supporters of the new political order to extremists who were just looking for an opportunity to express their hatred with no fear of consequences.

The removal of teeth, though, that was the weird part. The ritualistic aspect of it all. A kind of signature.

"Were they all found in the same place? Or share any similarities that had nothing to do with the way they were murdered?" Litsy asks, though it's more of a way to keep the conversation going with someone who seems willing to talk, but doesn't know much.

Her gaze keeps roaming the streets they just left, watching her own back constantly as she's almost sure they'd certainly not be left alone-

Ah. There they are.

Not slowing down her walk or stopping in any way, she leans in slightly and whispers to the woman:

"There are two tieflings men following us. They your bodyguards or spies?"

perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Variel follows along with the woman leading the way. As he was not participating in the conversation much that freed him up to keep his eyes peeled to what was going on around them. It wasn't long before he noticed a pair or people tailing them. Letting Tiny move ahead he slows Borgan down by asking him, Have you ever heard of someone removing teeth after murdering them? If Borgan stops with him he pauses so that Borgan has to look behind him as Variel whispers, There are 2 men behind us following us.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Beorn sees nuffink!

Look around 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Just another day in paradise.

To our tour guide. "Rats you say. I haven't noticed more than the expected population. They are eventually quite friendly." "Do you have a problem with rats? Pollux's right hand is firmly shoved into a pocket.

Knowledge ??? to associate small bite/claw injuries and a focus on teeth: 1d20 ⇒ 11 KN Arcane +9 for 20, History or Planes +8 for 19, all others untrained +4 for 15.

"At night and alone, the killer respects tradition. Or they need to sleep" "And all residents of the district?" Pollux skips over a broken cobblestone deep in thought.

Instead of looking surprised or concerned the woman appears embarassed. "As I said. It's dangerous to go anywhere alone. So we don't."

She gets to a dirty alley similar to the numerous others you passed. The blood on the walls hasn't been cleaned yet and the mess caused by the struggle is obvious to see for all.

"We found the poor woman down here. The last body was a few blocks down. And the one before that was two blocks east of here. I don't remember the others. This is just the one I found. We don't know why they take teeth."

Pollux stops mid-stride as if one foot had been nailed to the cobblestone.
"Pretty..." Pollux stares transfixed at the blood splatter. ... her teeth were taken while she was alive and fighting ...or dancing ...is dancing a prettier thought? we are working on euphemisms."

Pollux takes a long step to get a different angle. "Rats leave pools. Their teeth can't reach the big fountains until they've had some friends in to help."

Another long step. "This was inefficient, slow... and noisy."

Pollux slowly spins on one foot examining the alley. "They say the poor are always with us. Well there are a god awful lot of us about. Yet no one heard her? Or the uncounted others?"

Pollux returns to our tour guide. "I find that increasingly difficult to believe, and I am trying. People have told me that, more than once."

The stranger in the yellow coat resumes walking once we are regrouped. "We know too much that we do not know. We should continue to the body and see what we can forget."

Beorn looks around to see if possibly anything was dropped or torn loose in the struggle.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

I need to boost that

Variel tries to take in what Pollux is telling him gleaning most of it, hopefully. You are saying based on the blood splatter that the victim was alive whereas if she was dead already there would be no splatter. Makes sense. What is also interesting is that the 3 victims here are located in a relatively small, confined area. The total area of all the attacks is just a few square blocks. We should canvass this area looking for any other spots of blood.

Turning to the tiefling woman he asks her, Are there any abandoned buildings that no one uses any more around here?

He also detects magic looking for any trace magical auras that might help them know what they are dealing with.

know arcane 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
spellcraft 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

"Instead of looking surprised or concerned the woman appears embarassed. "As I said. It's dangerous to go anywhere alone. So we don't."

"Yeah, that I can get," Litsy straightens up, visibly relaxing a little. "Rather smart."

She grimaces as she takes in the still fresh traces of the butchery that has taken place in the alley.

"Nice. The others were only a couple blocks from here? Guess our killer doesn't like to walk much."

She helps the others look for possible clues, inspecting both the walls and the dirty pavement of the alley.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"We don't know why they take teeth."

She can be heard muttering to herself:

"Sell them, maybe?" She can be heard muttering to herself:"Gotta check how much tiefling teeth are worth on the black market..."

Borgan stayed silent through most of all the interactions with the tieflings as he knew that grief and sorrow is odten not good to intrude upon. Though the others were well versed enough in their words to not pry too much, but still got a good result.

More information was key, but now it was their turn to figure out who or what might kill these unsuspecting men and women.

"Hmmm...If we can't figure out who is killing these poor tieflings, we might be able to figure it out by setting a trap."

He looks up at the others with a wry smile.
"We know the killers work around this neighbourhood block right? And they are fond of tiefling teeth. Well that said, maybe we give him some other teeth to focus on."

Borgan smiles broadly to reveal his large tusks, canines and incisors.

"No one runs to screams around here," the tiefling says matter of factly, "theres a collapsed tavern nearby that no one can use but everywhere else has some family or gang dwelling in it. But I need to get back. I don't like this place and people that talk earn a pool of their own blood to sleep in."

Without waiting for an answer the tiefling makes her way back down the street a pair of shadows peeling from the walls to join her.

"No one runs to screams around here,"

Pollux turns to Beorn and asks "Tell me Opera, you have lived here longer than we have. Is this an especially Kintargan response to street theater? In Westcrown we had to fight several times just not to be seen. Well, before the fires anyway. Very strange place."

Pollux falls into step with our friendly and helpful guide.

"Right, enough foreshadowing, time to meet the principal player in this tragedy. Though her part renders her mute her subtle mumming will illuminate the how and who."

...a pair of shadows peeling from the walls to join her.

"Ah gentlebeings, so good of you to provide an escort. The way is back is complex and it is so easy for things to go terribly wrong." Pollux's head shakes sadly in commiseration over the deep futility of life.

Well, I am ashamed to say it but life for the tieflings is bad in Cheliax. They are seen as a kind of loss of control and shame. He sighs. So those who would unleash violence upon tieflings certainly enjoy the favor of the Dottari so intervention by the citizens would have wrath unleashed as well. Whoa those who draw the attention of The Order of the Rack.

As the tiefling woman walks away, Borgan nods. "We understand. Thank you for your help anyway. We will see what we can do to help."

As the three people move across the street again, Borgan looks to the others.

"So... Hide in that old collapsed tavern? Let me walk around back and forth. See what might be interested? Then jump them when they do attack me?"

"An ambush?" Litsy shrugs. "As good an idea as any. Even if they don't take the bait, we might see something by standing vigil."

While I don't like the thought of you on your own it might be the best way to instigate the culprit into showing themselves. We just need to keep you within an acceptable distance to come to your aid. Should we set up in pairs 2 blocks apart on opposite sides of Borgan. That way we can cover more ground and still be able to get to Borgan in a hurry.

Otherwise, I do like the idea of checking out the old bar as that seems abandoned and could house any number of assailants without others knowing about it. Perhaps if Borgan doesn't find anything we go there next.

Realizing that the party was not following Pollux stopped.

Pollux watched as the tour guide walked away.

Watched as their best chance to see the body before it was burned walked away.

Watched as their best chance to learn if the murderer was a tool using intelligent being or something only red in tooth and claw walked away.

Watched as the best chance to see a person with all their teeth violently torn out, without having to do all the work, walked finally away.

A single tear drops to the alleys fetid stones.

Turning reluctantly from the departing figures. Pollux addresses the party.

"While I love playing sardines in dangerously collapsed buildings as much as the next person you all do realize that unless the killer is mayorally stupid they will be nowhere near this area."

Pollux begins to pace
"This is their most recent kill ground. This area is being observed. This killer hits isolated poor people. Soft easy targets. This area is riled up, folks are paying attention, armed strangers are even walking around, this is not a place for easy targets."

"This killer has also just killed someone. Our rapidly departing guide informed us that several days pass between murders. We would be waiting in ambush for days and I for one do not have that kind of attention span."

"No Castor I am not just complaining. I am attempting to help .... and well yes that. I mean don't you?"

"If we want to stop this particular toothsome theater we need more information. We need to know how it kills. Are there claw or tool marks on the body? The guide mentioned bite-marks, how large, how many mouths?"

"Most importantly we need to know where all the other kill sites are. Are the three we know about outliers or they part of a neat circle. This killer seems restricted to a tight range. Once we can identify that range then we will know where to lay an ambush."

"..."

"Yes, or we can trust to luck. Has luck been over active in Kintargo? I forget."

You are absolutely right, perhaps we can catch up and ask to examine the body, very respectfully of course and use the time between attacks to study what might have made them.

"This killer has also just killed someone."

Litsy snickers. "Yeah, it's typically what they do."

A pause. "Alright, alright, I'll stop bringing the fun to the party, or else we'll be laughing our heads off for days. You've got a point, Rat Guy, but they weren't too keen on letting us see the body. Also, they were kind of burning it, and I don't want to be inspecting some pile of ashes for toothmarks." Another pause. "Although, unless that lady's highly flammable, we've got some time before they manage to burn her. Do you even know how long it takes for a body to burn? We tried that with a rat corpse once (no offence), and it took forever. In the end, we just gave up. Threw it in the trash- I mean, gave 'im a decent burial."

"I had the same feeling as Litsy, the family and friends might not be too keen on outsiders inspecting their dead loved one. Or keen on those outsiders trying to wriggle into their goodbye to said loved one."

Borgan looks across the streets and then back at the rest of the group with a wry smile.
"If you don't think they will strike here again, let's walk across the neighbourhood, see if they jump me. If you still find that a good idea. Just stay close enough to intervene."

Variel chimes in as well. The reception we got when we first arrived led me to believe that there was no way we were getting in to see the body. I think we might be better off in the long run acquiescing to their wishes and stay on their good side. While I agree it would be nice to know more details, we would be losing their limited trust in us. I am with Borgan canvassing the area.

so whats the plan?

The stranger hops in place turning entirely around as they do so.

"If even Shelyen doubts her silver tongue then who am I to command the tide?"

"..."

Sotto voce "Yes I know. But not yet."

With that the stick snaps to Pollux's shoulder like an anachronistic rifleman on parade. The stick promptly snaps and the upper half departs the story in a rising arc.

Pollux stares at the broken stump as something clatters ignored in the distance. "I wonder if that is an omen?"

"Lead on large and metaled. Your teeth will shine a beacon before us drawing in luck and more to bite."

Pollux falls in with the rest of the party the broken stick discarded on the cobbles.

so whats the plan?

We are following the paladin. He is searching for rogue dentists, Pollux is searching for consensual reality, and I am searching for a strong drink. I feel however that all we will find is disappointment lovingly hand delivered by muggers and/or the citizen group.