For everyone Spot Check DC 15** spoiler omitted **
Duh.
Nathaniel grits his teeth at the Witchbrand’s contradiction of his entirely plausible story.
Dayenn is sure he is missing something.
"Sir. You have ordered us to restrain the snake and we will comply. If you wish to detain us any longer sir, we will comply. If you would prefer to question us out of the prying eyes of the public, we can use our residence across the street so that you can do your business more discretely."
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"Sir. You have ordered us to restrain the snake and we will comply. If you wish to detain us any longer sir, we will comply. If you would prefer to question us out of the prying eyes of the public, we can use our residence across the street so that you can do your business more discretely."
"That is certainly a reasonable suggestion. Very well, we shall adjourn to your home and we shall get to the bottom of this sad business."
The marshal dismounts and hands the reins to a gendarme. With ten pistol wielding gendarmes, your party is shepherded to Dayenn's abode.
Darby opens the door and is surprised to see your party surrounded by gendarmes. Darby mutters, "I just knew he'd get himself arrested." Before allowing everyone to the spacious sitting room.
"Well thats odd I wonder where he went..." he mumbles to himself
"Darbin, would you please bring refreshments for the gendarmes and our other guests," says Dayenn "And stop muttering or at least do so quietly enough that I can't hear you."
"Hey, Doobie, I'll have a tea please."
Nathaniel leans first his weapons and then himself against a nearby wall, arms crossed, waiting to see what the soldiers have to say and how the more talkative members of this little group will respond.
"Hey, Doobie, I'll have a tea please."
"His name is Darrin," whispers Dayenn.
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"It's Darby, you lout!" A voice can be heard from the kitchen.
Your party and the marshal are seated. His aides curiously have not drawn their pistols. It seems that you are not under arrest.
The marshal regards each and everyone of you, as looking into your souls. "You people do not appear to have lost your minds and are acting rationally. Indeed, your restraint convinces me that you are not responsible. In this regard, you are unique. The city has experienced a heightened increase in violent crimes this past few days. The common thread being the apparent lack of rationality."
"Some have theorized that this is just normal phenomena brought about by the nearness of the moon. What rubbish?!"
The marshal looks at Vivienne, "Pardon my outburst, madame."
He regards Dayenn, "Professor, I know you. Or should I say I know of you and your work at the university. Perhaps, you and your companions would like to do a little consultancy work for the gendarmes. I admit that our office is not trained and equipped to deal with what is happening. I cannot reveal more unless I have your word of honor that you will take the commission and keep everything that you discover confidential."
"I'd also want similar assurances from your assistants. I'm sorry but the situation is getting out of hand and I cannot afford it getting out that we are not in control. There would be panic in the streets to say the least."
The behaviour of the chef and the words of the marshal ring too close for comfort and Armand's palms turn sweaty. "No, this is what I came here for, for the love of my dear Marie I have to seek the answers!"
"Pardon my interruption, but even if the Professor is hesitant in taking on this assignment, I would like to volunteer my services in any way the law sees fit."
"Ahh, my apologies! I'm Armand Rodolphe Fouchault, humble servant of Ezra, from the village of Chalabre Noire on the southern border."
Witch hides again in the back.
He regards Dayenn, "Professor, I know you. Or should I say I know of you and your work at the university. Perhaps, you and your companions would like to do a little consultancy work for the gendarmes. I admit that our office is not trained and equipped to deal with what is happening. I cannot reveal more unless I have your word of honor that you will take the commission and keep everything that you discover confidential."
"I'd also want similar assurances from your assistants. I'm sorry but the situation is getting out of hand and I cannot afford it getting out that we are not in control. There would be panic in the streets to say the least."
"I'm not hesitant to take this assignment but I cannot speak for my assist ... for my colleagues. As for myself, this has presented a mystery of sorts ... the kind that stimulates an academic mind... What could possess a man in the way that we say tonight?" Dayenn says addressing the adventurers and gendarmes like they were students "What forces ... and I do not mean here supernatural forces ... could give a man such strength and willpower. The answer to that question will be most edifying."
"Oh, I'm certainly 'in'. How about the rest of you?"
"Aye"
Nathaniel looks troubled, but nods slightly.
"Aye, I am in as long as the money is good"
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"Aye, I am in as long as the money is good"
"Money is the least that awaits those who will help the state at the time of its need."
For Marius
"You can count on my discretion about these sensitive subjects, dear Marshal. As far as commitment to the task, I will do my best to help you with this delicate matter."
Witch says carefully to the marshal, "Of course."
"Well, there is your answer sir! We are 'in'. ... Now, if only Darren would get here with those refreshments."
"Perhaps sir, you could begin by telling us all that you know about the matter." Dayenn suggests.
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The marshal nods to his subordinates, who promptly files out of the room. When the last of the gendarmes has exited the room and locked the door, the marshal pulls out a flask out of a coat pocket and takes a long pull. He sighs and offers the flask to everyone, "It's very."
Fortified by the numbing effect of liquor, the marshal concentrates for a moment, collecting his thoughts, deciding where to begin.
"Our investigation has not yet turned up the precise cause, however, we can safely say that several violent incidents that occurred the past couple of days are related somehow."
"These incidents appear random and totally spontaneous but in all cases where we were able to interview the perpetrators they all invariably claim that they were made to do murder on the instigation of the voices inside their head."
"At first, we figured that this is all but the effect of some celestial phenomena. That is until one of the suspects committed suicide by smashing himself against the bars of his cell all the while screaming for help."
"Those who heard the voice of the woman claimed that there was no hint of madness in her voice only one of complete and utter terror."
The marshal pauses and takes another swig from his flask.
"Consultations with the Guild has failed to turn up any evidence of magical tampering on the suspects."
"This violence must stop and the State is at a loss on how to combat it."
The marshal again pauses and empties his flask. His face now colored red.
Grim will have a swig.
He listens carefully, understanding that the place to start will certainly be a hypnotic inquiry that will no doubt swell Dayenn's ego beyond tolerability.
This compels him to have a second swig.
"Is Darcy boiling that water with a candle?" He asks Dayenn.
As Nathaniel listens from his position leaning against the wall, his eyes get a faraway look as if he is remembering something, and a he frowns, then shakes his head slightly. “A bad situation,” he says finally. “But I’m not sure what we can do about it.”
Grim will have a swig.
He listens carefully, understanding that the place to start will certainly be a hypnotic inquiry that will no doubt swell Dayenn's ego beyond tolerability.
This compels him to have a second swig.
"Is Darcy boiling that water with a candle?" He asks Dayenn.
"I thought his name was Debby."
"The place to start will certainly be a hypnotic inquiry," Dayenn says, his ego swelling beyond tolerability.
"Debby? No, I believe his name is Tarren or Darren or something silly like that. Not important. He makes good scones; that's what matters."
Marius chuckles "Are sure his name isn't Durden, I could swear that is what he said his name was...." Marius looks over at the Commander "An interesting case you have, We will see what we can do, but we do not do our work for free, what can you offer for our services?"
"Asylum?"
"Nice. Just excellent," Grim mutters dripping with irony.
The marshal then looks at Grim, their non-human features clearly catching his attention. "You are a half-elf, yes? Are you, by any chance, related to Alanik Ray, the detective?"
"No relation, sir, of which I am aware. I come from the countryside."
"Should we make arrangements through you to visit the asylum? We should get started before memory does its dirty business and soils our only lead," says Dayenn thinking he's both witty and poetic.
"... However, the mental fortitude that you have displayed makes me think ..."
"Yes, 'mental fortitude'," Dayenn says raising an eyebrow at Grim and Nathan and yawning significantly.
"In any event, not all of the suspects are at the asylum. One who wis more dangerous than the others remains in jail behind bars. Perhaps some of your assistants can take charge of transporting him to the asylum?"
"There is a limited amount of time that I will tolerate being called that bumbling fool's 'assistant'." Witch grumbles. He says more loudly, "Nature will protect me from the madness. I'm not afraid to risk it."
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Darby arrives with the refreshments. He places a cup before everyone in the room. He produces two pots, one tea the other coffee. Then he sets on a low table a two baskets of freshly baked bread with containers of butter, honey and orange marmalade.
Thereafter he returns to the kitchen and takes out a platter of cold cuts.
Listen DC 12
Under his breath, Darby mutters, "If you don't remember my name correctly this time, you lout, I'm quitting."
"Excuse me, madam. But do you have a twin sister?" asks the marshal of Vivienne.
Thinking to himself: "This guy a sister who looks like Viv? Is she single?"
Nathaniel’s eyes glint dangerously at Dayenn’s veiled insult, but he is distracted a moment later by the marshal’s question of Vivienne. He leans forward slightly, waiting for the answer.