All of you have been on Ravens Bluff for the last 12 hours, the reception of the Hooked Albatross Inn was the place for you to exchange ideas an talking about your dreams and your desires to start an adventuring career. Five men are now starting to become friends, you still doubt each other a bit but things that unite you are more than those that separe you. After an entertained afternoon and evening all of you are tired and want to rest in order to look for a paid quest tomorrow to test your abilities.
Now it is 1:36 p.m. all of you are slept, in that very moment some men get to your rooms, they are part of the city watch, you are awaken and are taken kindly to the reception of the inn. Over there you can notice that all the party is over there when a man who identifies himself as Sargeant Phillipi Martiy tells you next:
"My apologies for bothering you at this time of the night but urgent business take me to this place. An outsider has been found almost death near our city and since this is our jurisdiction, we are committed to investigate any crime even it is attempted against people who is not from this city.
So the only clue we have to solve this crime is a little piece of a clothe thas was found in the victims hand, I assume it was tore from the criminal's clothes, so our men are inspected all your belongs in order to find something that could be similar to our clue. We are not treating you as suspects but we want just stablish you are not involved on this. Even though I have reasons to suspect from you since you are new to this city except for you Gulgrym".
Twelve minutes later one of the militia come to the sargeant and tells him something you can't listen.
"Well, you have nothing to do with this crime but I will ask you a last thing:please come with me to the place we have the victim perhaps you could have met him before and you can help us at least to stablish his identity"
What do you do?
Glancing nervously around at his new friends (Aravilar is trustworthy and honourable but not stupid, he still elects to show some caution), Aravilar seeks some courage before trying to choose his words carefully. He is torn between helping this poor person who the guard is clearly at a loss to help, and his annoyance at his poor treatment by the guard thus far. He's going to have to ask a little nicer than that thought Aravilar.
"Sargeant Martiy, you must understand that we are mere newcomers to this city. We are unlikely to know any unfortunate soul in this city." Aravilar kept his tone gentle but firm. "My compatriots and I are tired and weary, helped none by your almost arbitrary search. Before, and indeed if we go, I would like to know more about what condition he was found in. We are people of adventure, but we do not have death wishes, I do not wish to fight of a vengeful band of brigands this night, looking to finish the job. My blades have more important targets to seek, so tell me what you know, before we go with you."
Aravilar looks back to his compatriots trying desperately to get some clue of what they thought of his speech. He never was especially good at making friends, and he did not want to upset a rather pleasant evening, but he said what he felt must be said.
The Paladin had gotten up rather groggily from his abrupt awakening...and had held his tongue as they had gone through his kit, He knew he was innocent, and trusted his new found comrades were too. When the suggestion that they accompany the guard to the site of the crime his first reaction was indignancy. He listened to his ally speak and sound off against the treatment they were receiving...and then he found his tongue.
"Friends, maybe it would be wise of us to accompany them. If we have been marked as a possible suspect, as our treatment seems, then we should gather all clues as to who and why so we may defend ourselves against this unknown enemy...."
He glanced left and right at his allies. ..."but I do agree with Aravilar that you should tell us what you know before we just put ourselves at your beck and call without reason..."
Adventure was what Tobol had hoped to embark on soon, and with great luck and thanks to the Spirits, he had already found his brothers-in-arms.
The green-eyed one, Erenar, seemed to be a hunter or a different kind of warrior who called upon a Great Spirit to aid him in battle. The little one, Voran, seemed to serve another Great Spirit, but in a much more peaceful way. Tobol didn't know the differences in the Spirits, but judging from Erenar and Voran, they seemed to serve ones dedicated to good works.
The dark-haired Aravilar had pointy ears, which Tobol had not seen on many adventurers. The little people were more common it seemed than ones like Aravilar. From his frame, he looked fast, and the thin blade on his sword suggested the same fighting style.
The last of his new companions seemed to be a lot taller, and... mysterious. Perhaps he was in search of great glory, or the promise of gold and other treasures. Tobol didn't dislike Gulgrym, but stood just short of trusting the man fully.
After a night of drinking a healthy amount of ale, mingling with his companions, and flirting with the serving girls, Tobol awoke to the sun shining in the window of his lodging, and to a loud knock on the door.
To his surprise, the city warriors had requested that he come downstairs with the other companions. After changing, Tobol proceeded down to the inn's meeting place. He sat down in one of the chairs while the leader of the city warriors explained the situation.
Someone was found nearly dead and the city warriors were looking for the person responsible. They were all to wait while the other warriors searched their belongings. Later, one of them returned and whispered to the leader.
"Well, you have nothing to do with this crime but I will ask you a last thing:please come with me to the place we have the victim perhaps you could have met him before and you can help us at least to stablish his identity"
"Maybe we should go see this man," Tobol said, turning to the others. "It is very bad for any traveler to be attacked. Sounds like the work of a coward."
Sargeant Martiy listened patiently every one of you and only added:
"I can see some of you agree with my asking". Kindly Martiy says while looks to Aravilar and later to the rest of the group: "I think your presence would be of great help, since you are adventurers and men of traveling. We will wait for you the necesary time till you are ready to go".
In that very moment one of the soldiers come to the sargeant with the set of thief’s tools from Gulgrym.
"What we have here?" says the sargeant taking the items "do you have permission to carry this Gulgrym? As you know only professional locksmiths with special permission can carry one of theses"
Aravilar took a fresh look at his new comrades. They didn't seem to mind too much his slight disrespect towards the sergeant at least.
Aravilar often thought that a person (particularly keen sighted ones such as elves) gets a better idea of what a person is like when tension in the air is high.
Looking first at Erenar, he envied the half-elf and wondered if he knew his mother or father. I can't ask him directly about his past, a lot of 'loved' folk can be very guarded about their past. He admired the drive of him, and knew how deadly, if inelegant, such a persons weapon can be.
Glad to hear someone agree with me, we can get an apology yet
Glancing up as Tobol came down the stairs, Aravilar again looked at him with respect. Muscles like that were not to be crossed. Normally a quick flick of the blade would dispatch even the hardiest enemy but Aravilar wondered if this person would even feel it. The elf could not help liking him though, and hoped for a friendly duel in the near future.
Hearing the Sergeant mention the lockpicks, Aravilar tried his best to hide his disappointment.
blast, we were going to go anyway, but now the tables are turned, unless...
"I'm sure I heard my wise friend here (pointing to Gulgrym) mention that he had the permission, only for it to be stolen from him in a recent burglary. Isn't that right Gulgrym"
"However, apart from this trivial matter, (Aravilar tries the waive the matter aside using his hard) I and my friends need to know how badly this poor fellow is hurt, and what from."
Aravilar reclines back, hoping his easy pose will remove the sergeant's suspicion.
"Ok Mr...?"
"Aravilar", you answer keeping your easy and relaxed pose.
"It is late now and the registration office is closed, so tomorrow we will confirm this since I didn't know your friend who is an old known for us had any registration as locksmith, but even though this city's laws allow me to retain this items and even its owner I will believe your word and leave this matter for tomorrow, till that moment your friend can retain them. And Mr. Aravilar, I can see how your friends are relying on you almost in every aspect of this interview, so it will be easy for you to ask them to go to see our misterious victim. This is an official murder attempt investigation but I prefer ask for your help instead entering in the terrain of the formal militia procedures. Will you come with me?"
Gulgrym makes a mental note to hide his thief's tools better in the future and mutters a whispered thank you to Aravilar. looking toward the guard he says "Sargeant Martiy, why don't you tell us more about this injured person you would like us to aid you with?" silently hoping to change the subject away from the thief's tools.
Voran Brighthelm is finally starting to truly awaken. "Someone is hurt? Why are we wasting our time speaking? Come my friends, let us be on our way, and the good officer can tell us what is important as we go. Obviously the Watchful Protector placed me in this position to give aid, and you my new friends to help." The brightness returns to the gnome's eyes as he gets more impassioned during his comments.
Aravilar breathed out again, he'd managed to buy some time for Gulgrym to hide his stuff, and now the rest was up to the sneaky one.
I'll ask him about hiding them later, when we can speak alone
Tuning back into the conversation, Aravilar widened his eyes as he heard the small one speak with a passion that he had rarely heard, even from the fair folk.
Aravilar realised that he had his priorities wrong, trying to thwart this slightly naive sergeant of the guard was unimportant right now. What mattered was helping a life.
"You're right Voran, we should help this person right now. After all it's a poor night to be alone" Glancing at the sergeant, he motions his head towards the door. "Unless you have anything else to accuse of us sergeant, please leave us while we change into our armour. We will be at the entrance as quickly as possible."
Not even waiting for a reply, Aravilar starts to rummage through his belongings for his armour and his kukri (his rapier never leaves his sheath by his waist).
Voran appeared ready to stride out of the room at that moment, but then seeing Aravilar getting his gear, Voran stops. "Ah, right. Well we don't want to go unprepared. Danger and all that." He then moves to retrieve his gear as well.
Eren had watched the dialogue between The group and the Sergeant. he had long ago learned to let others who were smarter than him do the talking, as he frequently found himself into conversations he had trouble following. He had held his tongue when the lock picks had been discovered. Not wanting to lie. He had busied himself with his armor instead.
Being Good and Lawful didnt mean being good and foolish. Yet he was sure there was more here than meets the eye...He hurried to dress and when he was done He walked up the Sergeant and said "I am ready, However you have not responded to our requests for information in the least. I will not cross through that portal until you tell us what is awaiting us and why you assumed it was us to begin with...Good Sergeant, if it is our aide you wish, you will be forthright with the information, then I will do all I can as Im sure my comrades will as well."
Tobol nodded in agreement with his new-found comrades. Once able to do so, he returned to his quarters to grab his belongings. Returning to the meeting place, he slung his greatsword over his shoulder, eager to venture out.
"Let's help the injured man," Tobol said, ready to follow his friends and the leader of the city warriors.
I assure you we don't have more information about this matter than you have, come with us and perhaps together we can find out something relevant to this investigation. We will scort you till the temple of Lethander where the victim is there you will go alone and talk to the cleric of that place to see if you know something about him.
Voran will immediately move to the unconscious man and study him careful for any other indications of what might be the problem.
What you prefer? continue with the dialogue in the inn or moving directly towards the temple and make your heal cheack?
Well, it appears that we won't learn any more here then. Aravilar turns to Gulgrym,
"Are you coming?" he says as he begins to walk towards the door
What you prefer? continue with the dialogue in the inn or moving directly towards the temple and make your heal cheack?
Aravilar stopped in the doorframe and turned round as he realised that Voran was still talking. Aravilar prided himself on his sharp tongue that came more from sharp wit than a gift with words, but now he realised he was in the presence of a natural.
he's little, but his words eclipse anyone in this room thought Aravilar.
He sat back down and watched Voran's technique more than the sergeants, seeing if there was any of it he could apply to duelling etiquette.
Aravilar examines the victims body and can notice only what everyone knows he received and strong hit on his head and multiple knife wounds on his body.
Eren looks down on the body...and squints his eyes, looking around...trying to feel for any residual evil in the area. he knows from his training if it was a forceful evil that he might have a slim chance of detecting it...but he knew it was reaching....
After looking around, at the Sgt, the area and people standing around in the area. he turned to the Sgt and said using his best diplomacy, "I know you said there was nothing else to tell, but something guided you to our Inn. Certainly sir there must have been something that made you think that we would be involved?
Aravilar wasn't a medic, but he did have an insatiable curiosity. While having no patience for arcane ability and no ability to understand divine, he nevertheless decided to question the cleric.
However before that he turned to the sergeant.
"Thank you sergeant, you have been as much help as I would of expected a member of the guard to have been." Aravilar wonders for a second if the sergeant would be bright enough to detect the insult, but nevertheless turns immediately to the cleric.
"Do you know the cause of this malady? Is it arcane, divine, or perhaps merely a disease? Were there any head injuries, any magical aura around the crime scene?" Aravilar fires these off in a volley, genuinely curious at this challenging mystery.
Eren looks down on the body...and squints his eyes, looking around...trying to feel for any residual evil in the area. he knows from his training if it was a forceful evil that he might have a slim chance of detecting it...but he knew it was reaching....
After looking around, at the Sgt, the area and people standing around in the area. he turned to the Sgt and said using his best diplomacy, "I know you said there was nothing else to tell, but something guided you to our Inn. Certainly sir there must have been something that made you think that we would be involved?
Your spell detects nothing.
Sageant responses:
We have received no visitors since a few days ago, some people says the Veil is coming and people who often come to the city are not arriving lately for the annoyances it provokes. Since you look like not knowing nothing about the matter and since I don't remember your faces from before except for Gulgrym I assume you are new to this region and I thought "Maybe these men could give me some information about some unusual movement outside the city". Thais all.
The Cleric answers:
No sir all of these wounds are made by mundane weapons.
In that very moment the unknown victim starts whispering something that you understand as: "water, water".
Tobol hears the injured man whisper for water. He pulls out his waterskin, removing the cap and offering its contents to the wounded man.
Gulgrym asks "Was he found near the docks by any chance?" as he looks the man over with the others, especialy interested in whether or not he can determine any details about the man.
looking up from the injured person Gulgrym looks at the sgt. "Is he the only person to be found in such a state recently? or have there been other attacks such as this, either of strangers or of citizen of the city?"
Sargeant answers:
"No, he was found by a group of hunters who were about 5 miles at the north of the city. Thera have been murders and muerders attempts before, but in those cases the perpetror always tries to hide any evidence, not this case, the victim was near the main road.
He is recovering, I will wait till I can talk and identify who made this to him".
Gulgryn look at the guy trying to find out a little clue about his procedence.
His clothes tells nothing special
He can realize his boots are of the same quality and model of those sold by a clobber he knows at Torchtown.
The cleric who is taking care of him talks to all people on the room:
"Dear visitors, since I can see none of you can identify this man I will ask you leave him to rest, we'll take care of him appropriately. Thanks for your valuable help".
Sargeant leaves and invites you to do the same but two soldiers stay with the victim.
Sargeant talks to the party:
"The procedures for these kind of cases is waiting to the total recovering of the victim in order to ask him or her who was the attacker. Every person who is not resident of Ravens Bluff will stay at the city till we can discard you as suspects, then you can leave when you wish".
Tobol hears the injured man whisper for water. He pulls out his waterskin, removing the cap and offering its contents to the wounded man.
Write down 5 XP points for your noble action.
Gulgrym asks "Was he found near the docks by any chance?" as he looks the man over with the others, especialy interested in whether or not he can determine any details about the man.
looking up from the injured person Gulgrym looks at the sgt. "Is he the only person to be found in such a state recently? or have there been other attacks such as this, either of strangers or of citizen of the city?"
Write down 5 XP for your deductions and succesful roll
Gulgrym looks at the boots thoughtfully for a moment, and then wanders back over toward Aravilar. "I have seen boots such as this for sale at the shop of a cobbler in Torchtown, perhaps we could go ask him if he remembers selling to this man, if so, he might know who our unfortunale victim is." he says quietly. "In any case, it doesn't appear that we will get any more answers here, lest wise not until this poor fellow awakens."
With a groan, the man tries to sit up. Pain seems to overtake him, and he sinks down to the bed again. Coughing a few times, he looks around in complete comfusion at the group of people, heavily armored and arrayed around him.
"What... (cough)... what's going on here? Who are you people? What have you done to me?"
Aravilar raises an eyebrow at his new friend (Gulgrym).
"You have quite the eye for detail my friend, are you sure you have no elf blood in you." With a chuckle he then assumes a more serious face.
"It is unlikely that a cobbler will know our perpetrator of this despicable and confusing crime, but perhaps the identity and movements of our victim may become clear. Also, they are nice boots, and mine are getting a little worn."
Glancing over he listens to the sick man. uh oh, this doesn't sound good Aravilar decides a conciliatory approach might be best. Walking over with his arms out wide he puts on his best smile.
"My good man, is is thanks to these people here," as he puts his hand on the cleric "that you are still alive. If you know the location of the Orcs that did this, for surely only orcs would commit such a heinous act, then my blade will be stained black with their blood by the morning. I am Aravilar, a wandering swordsman of the Vast, and myself and my companions will do what we can to help you."
That should prevent arrest Aravilar hoped. This is turning out to be quite the curious day however.
Tobol's comrades continued to ask the city warriors' leader more questions, about the injured man's condition, where they found him, if any more people had been attacked recently.
The injured man soon woke up, his body wracked with pain and a very confused look on his face. Maybe he was startled by the presence of Tobol and his friends, or maybe something else had happened when he was attacked. The man asked, 'who they were,' and 'what they had done to him.'
Aravilar introduced himself and offered to help the injured. Tobol looked over at the injured man to do so as well.
"I am Tobol, warrior of the White Talon tribe. It is good to see you speak."
"We have done nothing to you, my good fellow" Gulgrym says, looking at the injured man. "I am Gulgrym Raethorn." He continues, "and as to what is going on here... we were just trying to determine who you are, and who could have done this to you. As Tobol here says, it is good to hear you speak, but from your initial questions it seems that your memory of the attack on you may be fogged to the point of not being able to help us determine who left you in such a sorry state. Let us hope that some recollection of the events returns with rest."
Stepping forward to aid the injured man should he attempt to rise, The Half Elf states "And I am Erenar Denollan, late of Tangled Trees of Cormanthar. Humble servant of the Forest Maid. Rest assured we mean you no ill. Do you know what caused you to be in this state?"
The man looks around in utter confusion, mingled with a bit of bemusement.
"Well if this isn't a Grand Ball, and me with out my dress." He gasps as some pain seems to throb. "Attacked? Orcs, you say? When? How?" He props himself into a sitting position, and asks for a glass of water. "Or some rum, if you've got it. I need this drummer in my head to get drunk and pass out and leave me be."
doesn't remember, then huh, I guess it's a good thing Gulgrym's so obdervant, this will be our best lead
"My man, you there!" Aravilar walked towards the nearest guard, and pressed 3 gold pieces into his hand. "Find a bottle of cheap rum, I assume you'll know where to get some at this hour, come back quickly and you can keep the change." With this Aravilar walked back towards the mystery man.
From what seems to be the case, this man took one hell of a beating, yet he still lived, must be pretty strong. So whoever did this is a real menace, and probably Orc.
"I'm sorry, I assumed they were orcs, only one of those could harm someone who is clearly as resilliant as you. There should be rum on the way, but I would drink my water for now if I were you. I don't think I caught your name by the way..."
The man opens his mouth to respond, then closes it. His eyes drop, and he looks internally for a moment, almost sounding out a few consonants, as if trying them on. He looks at his hands, covered in mud and blood, seeing them for the first time, and turns them over, as if hoping to find a clue to his name scrawled on them. He sees the ring on his had, and looks at it blankly. "I don't know." he says softly to no one in the room.
Aravilar don't forget to erase those gold coins from your sheet.
"We are glad to see you are recovering your conciousness, my name is Sargeant Phillipi Martiy I work for the city watch and my job here is to protect you and find who is the responsible for this attack against you. I don't want to bother you in this painful moment for you but in these cases we must act fast in order to find the guilties of this despicable crime. Can you tell me what happened to you? What is the last thing you remember?"
Upon observing the fact that the injured man appears to have forgotten his own name Gulgrym leans forward and quietly says to Aravilar "That is sure to complicate matters further, hopefully in buying the boots he gave the cobbler his name by way of conversation."
The man looks at the Sergeant, eyeing him up. "A buxom brunnete named Natalia, and that memory is none of your concern." He replies sardoniccally. "Look, General, I don't remember my own bleeding name. Why would I remember anything else?" he trails off as he states the last line, obviously frustrated with his current situation. He takes some water proffered by one of the men, and chews on a crust of bread, sulking.
"Now, now my good fellow. Of course you have had a trying experience. Let's all be calm a moment and think." Says a gnome dressed as a cleric of Garl. "Now, you don't remember anything, you say. Do you know what year it is? Or what city you are in? Does anything seem familiar to you? Possibly even anything you may think is insignificant? Please think on it a moment. My name is Voran by the way."
Voran turns to the sergeant, "If we can not get anything of significance from this poor fellow, perhaps we should go and see where he was found. There may be some clue left there, that one of us might see that you and your men missed. And it might be a good idea to bring our friend here to see if it helps him remember anything. Did he have any gear on him of significance? Weapons? Rings? Symbols of faith?"
When he was taken to us he did not bring anything else than his clothes and a little piece of cloth that was taken by the sergeant.
The men who found him live here in Ravens Bluff perhaps they still remember the exact place or any significant information, even though I already interrogated them and they could not give any useful information.
"Really? Perhaps they had a different kind of amnesia, one brought on by a near terminal lack of gold?" Aravilar laughed sardonically towards the sergeant. "I still think the cobbler might be our best lead to finding out the name of my good man here. Plus, perhaps finding out your name will return to you the rest of your memories." Aravilar mused
"Obviously, you can still remember some things, just nothing personal apparantly, can you remember what you trade or skill is? That in itself might provide a clue?"
Aravilar says all this while tapping his foot impatiently, waiting for the rum. Probaly be half empty when it finally gets here as well. I suppose half woudl be enough.
The man thinks for a moment, then rubs a hand through his short brown hair. "I remember... images... feelings. Just no... specifics. Like I... like someone removed all of the names, and titles of things in my life. But I remember women. Several women." He scowls up at the knowing grins hidden behind several hands. "No, not busty women. Or at least thats not what I remember. More like... mothers. Or sisters. Friends, maybe. I don't know." He takes another drink of the water and scowls at it as if it was somehow betraying him. "A building, just off of a road. I don't recall how big it is. But I know of Toril, if thats what you mean. And I know its (insert the bloody year that it is, cause ooc I'm unaware). Its like my slate has been rubbed off for the last... few months? Years? I'm not sure."