Heroes of Augera - campaign thread

"Perhaps talk to Tobias Dappledown now?" Thurodim rumbles after confirming that the heart was taken, looking around at the others to see if they were all finished down here. "Maybe we could find tracks of the killer from the most recent murder site." He suggests, ready to head outside again. "Or we could use Ghurr as juicy bait." He says with a wink to the gentle bugbear.

The marks on the arms told him the attack was not unnoticed, it didn’t come from someone they knew or an invisible creature. There seemed to be a preference for men, but not an exclusivity and the age gap between the victims indicated that age was also not a determining factor. This and the inconsistent number of days between the killings made the elf believe that maybe they were precipitated to think of a ritual. Or the ritual is more flexible than we expected.

“Our questions are almost entirely the standard for this kind of investigation.” Or at least Ilithir thought it was. He never worked as an investigator, so he didn’t know for sure even if his voice and demeanor said otherwise. “I wouldn’t go as far as say that we have a suspect, but there are some possibilities we have to investigate. The most obvious and likely being a wild beast.” He moved his eyes to Ghurr then to Thordim. “There are merits on both of your ideas, but the beast may be acting on someone’s order so we better get all the information we can before moving.” Turning back to Othri he continued. “I would like to take you on the offer to have as much information about the victims and their relationships in life as possible. About the sheep, did they go missing before the murders? What can you tell us about this group that went in the woods?”

Mala points out the pattern in the wounds to the others. "These injuries were not inflicted by claws.  They look consistent with very large talons."  She grins for a moment, "Since we're jumping to conclusions, probably harpies involved."  

More seriously, she tries to think about what sorts of creatures she might know of that would be of the proper size and have such talons. (Nature: 5)

"Talons..." The massive half-orc rumbles, turning to Mala. "Hmm..." He scratches his black beard and tries to think of a creature with talons powerful enough to do this.
General knowledge check: 11

Faera listens to her new friends as she stares into the empty cavity of the deceased.  How did something with talons want the heart specifically and then leave everything else?  Ilithir might be on to something... acting on someones order?  "Didn't you say earlier that the one that placed the harpies song was working on someone's order?  Sounds like this theme might not be played out yet."  

She finally tears her eyes away from the grisly scene to look at the earth genesai, wondering how she is going to respond to the silver haired elf.  As she does, another, more far-fetched idea comes to her.  "If you all don't mind waiting a few minutes, I'll see if there is any magic auras associated with the deceased."  If no one objects, she ritually casts detect magic

Ghurr ponders what he remembers of the encounter with the harpies and the size of their talon like claws. Do they look large enough to have caused the wounds here?

Survival (identifying animal/creature markings?) - 14  

You all wrack your brains for any creature that might have done this. Large talons must mean a large bird of some kind, right? It would have to be really big though...  

One thing is for sure, Harpies are off the hook. They're no larger than humans, their talons only slightly bigger than human nails - nowhere near large enough to have caused these wounds, and very unlikely to be strong enough to rip a chest open like this. 

Ghurr thinks of stories he's heard of really giant birds, rocs, that live up in the highest mountain ranges, but probably discounts them for the opposite reason to harpies, far too big. Presumably the answer lies somewhere in the middle, but it escapes you all for now.

Othri nods, "I'm happy for you to perform your ritual. I'll be interested to see if you find anything."

(I'll have to get back to you with results later.)

In the 10 minutes it takes for Faera to cast her ritual, Othri finds some parchment and begins writing out the list for Illithir. (Again, will need to come back with that, and I've got a busy weekend ahead, sorry.)

Faera:

You take your time to make sure this is done properly. It is a longer process than simply casting a spell, but it uses little to no energy. You perform the ritual as you will (feel free to elaborate), then study the room for signs of magic.

Your fellow party members glow with various colours - almost all the weapons in the group show signs of some kind of magic, except for Mala, whose jacket glows a gentle mix of gold and green, showing elements of both abjuration and conjuration. The tiny silver skull Ghurr wears around his neck has the faintest blue aura, confirming Longboot's assessment that it carries transmutation magic. Various other trinkets held in pockets or packs also glow through fabric. Othri's robes are held together at the collar by a brooch in the shape of a rose. It too bears a blue glow, transmutation.

However, looking at the bodies, you see nothing, no glow or aura. These seem to have been entirely physical attacks. 

Illithir

As Faera completes her ritual, Othri approaches you with her notes. "I am not certain how this will help, but I trust you know what you're doing." 

Othri's List

Faera sits on the floor, in the middle of the room as well as she can tell, and crosses her legs.  Closing her eyes, she starts gesticulating and mumbling under her breath in elvish.  She seems to be pointing out the bodies, but one can't exactly be sure.  

Once she finishes the ritual, she stands up and looks at her surroundings.  The auras that are emanating from her new friends make her smile.   But as she sees nothing, even from the newly harvested bodies, her smile fades.  "Sorry all, there is nothing to be seen magically here.  Looks like the heart was just taken by force."

"Remind me Thurodim, why did we want to talk to Tobias?  Also, we should see what time it is, we want to make it back to the Inn before curfew.  Don't need to be breaking the towns rules on our first night at least."

"Tobias knows history about old mayor and old wizard, maybe not important but doesn't hurt to ask." The massive half-orc rumbles and shrugs. "If we have time before curfew we could visit him now, otherwise tomorrow."

"Othri, I'm sure you or someone has already said, but all the attacks happened at night?" Mala asks.  She then turns to Thurodim, "And yea, if we have time before sunset, let's quickly go talk to Tobias." 

Ghurr munches on a pastry he’d put in a pocket before come to the temple. It was one of his special skills; no matter the setting, time of day, or his own health he could always eat.

He’s enjoying watching the others work. It sounds like they think it’s some sort of puzzle to work. Left to his own, Ghurr would just head out in to the woods and look around till he found an aggressive creature with talons big enough to make these wounds, ask it if it was killing people and then deal with it.

He takes another bite.

Faera nods at Thurodim's response.  Then turns to Othri.

"is there anything else you can think to tell us before we depart?"

He nods to Mala, considering her thoughts about Harpies. If that was true then maybe the culprit behind the attacks was the Seneschal. Or its master. All in an attempt to sow controlled chaos and undermine Landgrave’s position. Makes sense, the elf thought. But it also seemed too simple of a mystery to solve. Would a scheming noble truly active leaving such easy connection to be made? Certainly, the Snechal would have anticipated that the lieutenant would send someone to investigate the killings. The attack on the tower, his provocations… It would be too easy to figure if that was the case.

Othri’s list showed that there was no connection relating to the victim’s relationships. Three married, three single, two making court. Those who had children had a different number of children. No particular enmity or affinity noted. No professional connection. Ghurr’s plan may be the best, Ilithir thought almost feeling bad for the work he had given to the cleric.

“Thank you for the help.” The silver haired man said politely before turning to Thurodim. “And I second his suggestion.” Then he turned to Mala. “The local hero is known to have killed her nemesis by ripping his heart apart. An undead enemy versed in magic. The culprit seems to be mimicking an aspect of the tale on his crimes so information about the whole history can give us further insight on what is happening.”

"So, talk to Tobias Dappledown now?" Thurodim repeats, sounding a bit impatient now, preferring to get up and outside again where he could see the sky above. He grabs his gear and gives Othri a nod and is ready to leave.

Quote from Culuril >>

"Othri, I'm sure you or someone has already said, but all the attacks happened at night?" Mala asks.  She then turns to Thurodim, "And yea, if we have time before sunset, let's quickly go talk to Tobias." 

  "It would appear so," answers the genasi. "The bodies were usually found the following day, as people went out to work."

Quote from kqstark >>

Faera nods at Thurodim's response.  Then turns to Othri.

"is there anything else you can think to tell us before we depart?"

"I'm afraid at this point I know as much as you. I hope your visit with Tobias proves fruitful, although I don't expect these tragic events to have any link with the town's past."

Quote from Makkiu >>

 

“Thank you for the help.” The silver haired man said politely before turning to Thurodim. “And I second his suggestion.” Then he turned to Mala. “The local hero is known to have killed her nemesis by ripping his heart apart. An undead enemy versed in magic. The culprit seems to be mimicking an aspect of the tale on his crimes so information about the whole history can give us further insight on what is happening.”

 Othri chuckles. "That's a new one on me. The story I'd heard is that Tarwen took his heart, or removed it, words to that effect. 'Ripped it apart' is an interesting take on the tale. If you really think that Caelus Valleron has somehow returned from death then, as I understand it, things are far worse than first thought." She smiles. "Thankfully I doubt that is the case."

She moves around the room ensuring that all the sheets are replaced neatly over the still, cold corpses. "If you have seen all you need?" She leads you back up the stairs by which you came, but does not return to the garden door by which you entered. Instead she leads you through a door which emerges into a small study or library. A quick glance at a small pile of books on a desk reveals titles like "Carrots & Clay: Ardmore's Guide to Farming in the Romien Basin", and "New Approaches to Agriculture in Magically Tainted Soils". The next door takes you into the main chamber of the temple. A painting of Chauntea, the Grain Goddess, is hung above an altar at one end, faced by pews. Six columns along the chamber, three to each side, and the archway in which stands the door back to the town square, are delicately carved, etched with stylised images of cereals, fruits and vegetables. Othri opens the door and politely gestures you into the square.

As you leave she says "Give my good wishes to Tobias!" She turns to Mala specifically, saying "Perhaps if you discover and put an end to what is happening, you might return and tell me? I very rarely get to meet other Earthsouls, and I would like to... know more about you." She gives you a warm smile. "And perhaps you will all attend the funeral for these poor souls on Garlday?" (The day after tomorrow.) "If your attentions aren't needed elsewhere."

Ghurr notes the books as he passes by.

"My mother gardens very much, and tends to animals too," Ghurr says gesturing at the books. "She always say just need to find wants to grow there then let it."

He hoists his gear and follows the others in search of Tobias.

"Sure, we can try to attend the funeral. If we can," Mala says, seeming a little unsettled by Othri's interest in her. "And, I'm sure we would return to town here once we understand what is going on. We'll be sure to let you know."  

She heads out as well, walking slowly with the group. "Do we have time to go and speak with Tobias?  While I'm sure the conversation will be interesting," it's hard to tell if she actually believes that or not, "I'm not sure it will help us.  Shouldn't we just keep an eye out during the night to see if we can locate the creature causing this?" 

Thurodim looks between Othri and Mala but simply grunts his approval of returning and attending the funeral. "Yes, Mala's right, better go hunting now while killer may strike, Ghurr can be bait?" He adds, giving the furry gentle bugbear a wink, then starting to head up the stairs and outside. "Maybe better with smaller and more tender bait though." He calls out behind him.

(I think Thurodim left Ghurr's pies at the mayors house. Should we go get them or leave them there for the poor halfling to eat? ;-)

(How much time until curfew?)

Once they get outside, Faera smiles and slowly unsheathes her moon-touched rapier, "Smaller bait?  I'm game.  I do think we should head to the North part of town and see what we can find."