Delimbiyra’s ears perk up at the mention of Tormund. A subtle, almost imperceptible sigh of relief escapes him—if the dwarf was speaking with the half-elf, that meant he was still alive. But what had he gotten himself into? Keeping his expression neutral, he continues walking, filing the information away for later. He doesn’t yet reveal that he knows Tormund, not wanting to influence Oren’s answer. Instead, he asks casually, “Did it seem like the half-elf was interrogating the dwarf about something? Or was it more… friendly? Negotiating, maybe?” His voice is steady, but there’s a quiet intensity behind it.
His sharp eyes flick to the caravans as they approach, the gouge marks completely gone. No sign of the illusionary damage remains. His unease lingers, but he focuses on the task ahead—freeing the others and, hopefully, getting some real answers.
"I didn't really listen into their conversations much, but I suppose it might have been friendly. Tormund was one of the better guards we had, so at the time I took it to be him trying to stay friendly with the person who might save his life. But now I suppose it was trying to get close to be able to dismantle us from the inside."
Everything Oren said seemed to align, and so far, there was no reason to doubt him. The story made sense, and if the half-elf had been the only threat, then this ordeal might finally be coming to an end. He allows himself a flicker of hope—his friend might still be alive, the caravan might just need rescuing, and then they could put this strange nightmare behind them.
He nods, keeping pace with the group as they follow Oren toward the cave. “Let’s hope we’re nearing the end of this,” he mutters, his hazel eyes scanning the path ahead, alert for any last surprises. (Perception: 23)
"I do hope so, oh how lucky we will be if he was the only threat! And the stories that our trusty guide tell seem to tell us so, but letting down our guard is the difference between adventurers and lost fools, let us not forget we are still in the forest" Despite his words, however, Doli's mind does wonder. Doli is much more sensible than to just fight someone and move on with his life, or at the very least he likes to believe he is. Despite being so young, he is a curious mind and finds that often answering one question opens up many other, and such is the case with the discovery that the half elf was no ally.What were his motives? Did he have any allies in the caravan? was this planned or just a random attack? His most important question, however, is how trust worthy is the man leading them now? But despite the question, Doli is kind and truly does believe in innocent until proven guilty. "So Oren, my friend, it has been quite the tense day, hasn't it. You said you trade spices right? I remember up in the mountain there was a certain spice, believe it came from a sort of stick, cinnamon i believe it was called, or something like that. you ever try it, truly a sweet and great taste. you been in the trading business long, got a family?" Doli says as he tries to start up small talk and does want to learn more about Oren, not as an investigation but just as a curiosity.
Oren continues to talk with Doli, quite happy to have a conversation about spices and his family (of which he does have one and is very glad you are giving him the opportunity to see them again). From the conversation, you gather that Oren is unaware of any other threats but he is a bit more cautious when you point out that there might be others working with him, scanning the forest much more carefully.
After a further 20 minutes of walking you do reach a cave. It is not a very big cave, and you can see the whole thing from the entrance (no extra tunnels from it for a cave system). True to what you have been told, there is 9 people tied up, and Delimbiyra sees Tormund amongst them. There seems to be 5 merchants (plus Oren with you) and 4 guards (including Tormund). "Great news everyone. These people are here to rescue us!" and unless one of you stop him, he goes to start untying the others.
Delimbiyra’s sharp eyes scan the cave, and the moment he spots Tormund among the captives, relief floods through him. Without hesitation, he moves to his friend’s side, untying him with swift, practiced movements. As soon as Tormund is free, Delimbiyra pulls him into a firm embrace, clapping him on the back. “By the gods, it’s good to see you in one piece.” His voice carries genuine warmth, a stark contrast to the tension he’s held since this whole ordeal began.
Stepping back, he reaches into his pack and pulls out Tormund’s crossbow, holding it out with a smirk. “Look what I found. Aren’t you supposed to keep this on you when you’re on duty?” There’s no malice in his tone, just lighthearted camaraderie—something he’s finally able to express now that his friend is safe. As the others are untied, Delimbiyra quickly explains the situation, keeping it concise. “You were ambushed by a half-elf. Oren claims he was behind all of this, using magic to manipulate you. We confronted him, and he won’t be bothering anyone anymore.” He lets that settle, then glances around the group.
“Is anyone injured?” he asks, scanning their faces for any signs of harm (Medicine 13). He keeps his voice steady, but there’s still a lingering wariness in his posture. They had dealt with one enemy—but was the half-elf really the only threat?
Seeing Delimbiyra's reaction to this Torumund fella, Doli stays a bit back so he can enjoy his moment, but will begin to untie the merchants as soon as he begins briefing everybody. Before Doli begins to untie the guards, he wonders where their weapons are. Are the weapons still on their person or somewhere else in the cave, or are they just gone?
You make your way back with the caravan. They confirm that the only missing item is a small but expensive crystal, typically used for spell components. No such crystal was found on the body of the illusionist.
Having made sure that they are safe and are continuing on with their journey, venturing with them for a short distance to make sure there are no more threats, you get a reward (50gp for the party) and as you won't get back to Daggerford by nightfall, you decide to head to a nearby small village called Oakshade (which seems to have been created by ChatGPT so doesn't have a precise map location) for the night to set off in the morning. Things take a turn however as upon arrival, you see the town on edge, and everyone is talking about a murder. "I can't believe Edric has been murdered!" "Surely no one would do that? Everyone here looks out for each other." "Its true. Edwin found him with his throat slit."
Delimbiyra thanks the caravan for their reward (and pockets his 16gp share), shaking Tormund’s hand one last time before they part ways. “Safe travels, my friend. Let’s hope your next journey is a little less eventful.” He gives a small smirk, but there’s sincerity in his voice. Watching them go, he allows himself a moment of satisfaction—at least this part of the ordeal is over.
But as soon as they arrive in Oakshade, the tension in the air is palpable. Delimbiyra’s hazel eyes flick across the uneasy faces of the villagers, his sharp ears picking up murmurs of murder. His muscles tense. His instincts as a traveler kick in—a murderer on the loose is dangerous to everyone, especially strangers like them.He steps forward, his voice measured but curious. “What happened?” he asks one of the villagers, scanning for anyone willing to talk. “Was there a fight?” he continues, his mind already piecing together possibilities. “Is the constable handling it?” He keeps his questions practical, trying to gauge how well the village is responding to this crisis. Then, he tilts his head slightly. “And… who is Edric?” His voice remains calm, but there’s an edge of caution behind it. “And Edwin—he’s the one who found him?” His eyes flick around the gathered villagers, searching for the most informed—or the most nervous—face among them. (Investigation: 22)
The person most willing to talk is Rupert Haywood, the tavern keeper. Especially if you are buying a drink, but others will talk and you get the same information from everyone. "We have not really got a constable. Crime doesn't happen in this village. We have some volunteers that help out if needed but I think everyone is in shock currently. Edric is... was the miller. Edwin is a fisherman, and found him with his throat slit by the river"
"Seems like violence follows us wherever we go" Doli whispers jokingly to Deli as to not actually arouse suspicion.
Doli turns towards the barkeep "Im so sorry to hear about your loss. It seems like all you folk in this beautiful town are very connected." Doli pauses, allowing the barkeep a moment before continuing "If you are interested, my friend and I here are.... well lets just say we are private investigators, and if you couldn't tell by our questions, we are quite interested in uncovering the truth to this tragedy. I can ensure you that if you help us by answering a few questions, we will put whoever the perpetrator is to justice. That being said, it has been a while since I've had a nice cup of mead."Doli says as he puts down 5 silver pieces, giving the barkeep a warm smile. " So, did you notice anything strange going on with Edric within the past few days?"
He looks at the silver, giving a generous mug of mead. He then leans forward and whispers. "You didn't hear this from me, but he wasn't the most liked. He controlled the town’s grain supply and was known to overcharge the poor, manipulate debts, and hold long-standing grudges. Most of us villagers had some reason or another to hate him, but in public, they pretend otherwise. Though I honestly wouldn't have expected anyone to kill him."
Delimbiyra listens carefully, absorbing Rupert Haywood’s words with a practiced calm. His hazel eyes flick briefly to Doli, exchanging a silent understanding. A town with no law, a miller who made enemies, and now a fresh corpse by the river. This wasn’t just some random act of violence—someone had motive. He takes a slow sip of his drink before setting it down, then leans in slightly. “If we’re going to do anything about this, we should start at the crime scene.” His tone is firm but measured, already shifting into the mindset of a tracker.
“If the weapon is still there, we might be able to tell where it came from—or who it belongs to. And by checking how Edric was killed, we can figure out if he was ambushed or met his attacker willingly.” He pauses, considering. “Maybe it was more than one person.” His fingers tap lightly on the wooden mug. He exhales, glancing toward the door. “Or maybe we find nothing at all—but the longer we wait, the harder it’ll be to read the scene. If we’re serious about finding the truth, we need to go now.” His voice is calm, but his sharp gaze flickers with the same quiet urgency that always settled in when he was on a trail.
"I couldnt agree more, time is of the essence!" Doli jumps out of his chair and rushes out the door (and will soon realize that he doesnt really know exactly where the body is and just waits outside for Del)
(ooc: what time is it? just wanna know how much time we have left in this day)
You make your way to the scene of the crime. The body has been removed and is currently at the temple (which is essentially a large house that was converted). There is still a pool of blood where the body lay, and some bloody/muddy (particularly near the river) footprints around. Currently there is no one there except for you.
Delimbiyra is relieved to find the crime scene untouched and empty—no panicked villagers, no gawking onlookers. It gives them the freedom to work without interference. Still, a nagging thought lingers at the back of his mind. “Strange, isn’t it? Snooping into another man’s murder?” he mutters to Doli as they step onto the scene. “After this, we should probably check in with whoever runs this place—mayor, elder, whatever they have here. If people don’t want us looking into this, they should have the chance to say so.” But for now, they had work to do.
Delimbiyra starts his investigation with a wide circle around the site, eyes scanning the bloody and muddy footprints. He notes how many people have entered and left, where they came from, and whether they were alone or in company. His sharp gaze follows the patterns, trying to trace any unusual movement. His attention shifts to the river. “The miller was killed here. He might live nearby and was en-route for a business or other or he was lured here.” He studies the surroundings, checking if it’s a good fishing spot, which would confirm why Edwin, the fisherman, was here. Next, he searches upstream and downstream, looking for any sign of a water mill. If the miller lived and worked near here, that would make sense—but if the mill is elsewhere, then Edric was brought here intentionally. He keeps scanning the area for paths, noting whether this is a well-traveled area or wild ground. Is there a bridge or crossing? A road leading anywhere? Any other remarkable features that stand out? He mutters to himself as he works, piecing together the logic of the scene, hoping to unravel the first threads of the mystery.
The morning mist clings to the riverbank, thickening where the water flows sluggishly downstream. Delimbiyra crouches near the muddied shore, sharp eyes tracing the disorder of footprints and bloodied ground. The villagers’ efforts to retrieve Edric’s body have muddled some of the finer details—booted feet, bare soles, hurried steps in the mud—but he can still make out a few useful patterns. There are no signs of a struggle here. This isn’t where he was killed. You do see one set of tracks that looks slightly older, that looks like the blood was a bit fresher, and then a group of 5 people once the blood had dried, one of which seems to match the alone track.
His gaze follows the water’s flow. The river isn’t particularly fast, but it’s strong enough to carry a body. Upstream, the tree line thickens, the banks narrowing. If Edric drowned or was pushed into the river elsewhere, this could be where his body naturally washed up. The gentle curve of the bank here forms a natural catch, where debris—twigs, leaves, and in this case, a man—might collect rather than continuing downstream.
Although the site is not in itself an amazing fishing spot, it does seem to be en-route to a nearby lake. The mill is not in sight, but you did pass it on your way to where the body was found, further upstream.
This area has a trail, but not massively travelled, leading towards the lake. There is a small wooden bridge about 20 yards away, with another trail leading off into the nearby woods.
Delimbiyra rises from his crouch, dusting the damp earth from his hands as he reports his findings to Doli and the others. “The body was moved here after the fact,” he states plainly. “There’s no sign of a struggle, and the way the river bends makes it a natural spot for something—or someone—to wash up.” He nods toward the trail. “It looks like the fisherman found him and returned with a group later.”
He exhales, thinking through the next steps. “If we want answers, I see two options. Either we check the body at the temple for signs of a fight or evidence that he was in the water for a long time to support this theory... or we follow the river upstream to where he was likely killed.”
His hazel eyes scan the flow of the water. “Tracking upstream won’t be easy. The banks are narrow, and if the current picks up, it might not be safe to wade through. Sticking to the banks is possible, but the vegetation will slow us down.”
He sighs, rolling his shoulders. “Before we decide, we should speak with whoever runs this town. If we’re going to keep looking into this, we need to make sure we’re welcome—and if there’s any kind of reward for solving this mess, all the better.” He glances at Doli and Gym, waiting for their thoughts. “No sense working for free if the town wants this mystery solved.”
"Well I wouldnt expect a reward of any kind. The barkeep made it seem like nobody in town was a huge fan of him. Regardless, I would like to solve this murder, just so i can leave this town with the peace of mind that there isn't some murderer on the loose. I fear if we don't give it our best shot, i won't be able to sleep at night!"
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Delimbiyra’s ears perk up at the mention of Tormund. A subtle, almost imperceptible sigh of relief escapes him—if the dwarf was speaking with the half-elf, that meant he was still alive. But what had he gotten himself into? Keeping his expression neutral, he continues walking, filing the information away for later. He doesn’t yet reveal that he knows Tormund, not wanting to influence Oren’s answer. Instead, he asks casually, “Did it seem like the half-elf was interrogating the dwarf about something? Or was it more… friendly? Negotiating, maybe?” His voice is steady, but there’s a quiet intensity behind it.
His sharp eyes flick to the caravans as they approach, the gouge marks completely gone. No sign of the illusionary damage remains. His unease lingers, but he focuses on the task ahead—freeing the others and, hopefully, getting some real answers.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Pallid Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Order Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant Path Barbarian - Runewarren || Shaephina - Half-Drow Blood Cleric/Wizard - Murder Court || Ianjin - Gallus Open Hand Monk - Mad Empiricist || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute Court || Arista - Human Frost Giant Sorcerer - The Old Keep ||
"I didn't really listen into their conversations much, but I suppose it might have been friendly. Tormund was one of the better guards we had, so at the time I took it to be him trying to stay friendly with the person who might save his life. But now I suppose it was trying to get close to be able to dismantle us from the inside."
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Everything Oren said seemed to align, and so far, there was no reason to doubt him. The story made sense, and if the half-elf had been the only threat, then this ordeal might finally be coming to an end. He allows himself a flicker of hope—his friend might still be alive, the caravan might just need rescuing, and then they could put this strange nightmare behind them.
He nods, keeping pace with the group as they follow Oren toward the cave. “Let’s hope we’re nearing the end of this,” he mutters, his hazel eyes scanning the path ahead, alert for any last surprises. (Perception: 23)
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Pallid Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Order Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant Path Barbarian - Runewarren || Shaephina - Half-Drow Blood Cleric/Wizard - Murder Court || Ianjin - Gallus Open Hand Monk - Mad Empiricist || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute Court || Arista - Human Frost Giant Sorcerer - The Old Keep ||
"I do hope so, oh how lucky we will be if he was the only threat! And the stories that our trusty guide tell seem to tell us so, but letting down our guard is the difference between adventurers and lost fools, let us not forget we are still in the forest" Despite his words, however, Doli's mind does wonder. Doli is much more sensible than to just fight someone and move on with his life, or at the very least he likes to believe he is. Despite being so young, he is a curious mind and finds that often answering one question opens up many other, and such is the case with the discovery that the half elf was no ally.What were his motives? Did he have any allies in the caravan? was this planned or just a random attack? His most important question, however, is how trust worthy is the man leading them now? But despite the question, Doli is kind and truly does believe in innocent until proven guilty. "So Oren, my friend, it has been quite the tense day, hasn't it. You said you trade spices right? I remember up in the mountain there was a certain spice, believe it came from a sort of stick, cinnamon i believe it was called, or something like that. you ever try it, truly a sweet and great taste. you been in the trading business long, got a family?" Doli says as he tries to start up small talk and does want to learn more about Oren, not as an investigation but just as a curiosity.
Oren continues to talk with Doli, quite happy to have a conversation about spices and his family (of which he does have one and is very glad you are giving him the opportunity to see them again). From the conversation, you gather that Oren is unaware of any other threats but he is a bit more cautious when you point out that there might be others working with him, scanning the forest much more carefully.
After a further 20 minutes of walking you do reach a cave. It is not a very big cave, and you can see the whole thing from the entrance (no extra tunnels from it for a cave system). True to what you have been told, there is 9 people tied up, and Delimbiyra sees Tormund amongst them. There seems to be 5 merchants (plus Oren with you) and 4 guards (including Tormund). "Great news everyone. These people are here to rescue us!" and unless one of you stop him, he goes to start untying the others.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Delimbiyra’s sharp eyes scan the cave, and the moment he spots Tormund among the captives, relief floods through him. Without hesitation, he moves to his friend’s side, untying him with swift, practiced movements. As soon as Tormund is free, Delimbiyra pulls him into a firm embrace, clapping him on the back. “By the gods, it’s good to see you in one piece.” His voice carries genuine warmth, a stark contrast to the tension he’s held since this whole ordeal began.
Stepping back, he reaches into his pack and pulls out Tormund’s crossbow, holding it out with a smirk. “Look what I found. Aren’t you supposed to keep this on you when you’re on duty?” There’s no malice in his tone, just lighthearted camaraderie—something he’s finally able to express now that his friend is safe. As the others are untied, Delimbiyra quickly explains the situation, keeping it concise. “You were ambushed by a half-elf. Oren claims he was behind all of this, using magic to manipulate you. We confronted him, and he won’t be bothering anyone anymore.” He lets that settle, then glances around the group.
“Is anyone injured?” he asks, scanning their faces for any signs of harm (Medicine 13). He keeps his voice steady, but there’s still a lingering wariness in his posture. They had dealt with one enemy—but was the half-elf really the only threat?
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Pallid Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Order Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant Path Barbarian - Runewarren || Shaephina - Half-Drow Blood Cleric/Wizard - Murder Court || Ianjin - Gallus Open Hand Monk - Mad Empiricist || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute Court || Arista - Human Frost Giant Sorcerer - The Old Keep ||
Seeing Delimbiyra's reaction to this Torumund fella, Doli stays a bit back so he can enjoy his moment, but will begin to untie the merchants as soon as he begins briefing everybody. Before Doli begins to untie the guards, he wonders where their weapons are. Are the weapons still on their person or somewhere else in the cave, or are they just gone?
Perception: 11
No one is injured. And the looks on everyones faces is that of relief.
Doli finds the weapons crudely hidden behind a bush outside of the cave.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
You make your way back with the caravan. They confirm that the only missing item is a small but expensive crystal, typically used for spell components. No such crystal was found on the body of the illusionist.
Having made sure that they are safe and are continuing on with their journey, venturing with them for a short distance to make sure there are no more threats, you get a reward (50gp for the party) and as you won't get back to Daggerford by nightfall, you decide to head to a nearby small village called Oakshade (which seems to have been created by ChatGPT so doesn't have a precise map location) for the night to set off in the morning. Things take a turn however as upon arrival, you see the town on edge, and everyone is talking about a murder. "I can't believe Edric has been murdered!" "Surely no one would do that? Everyone here looks out for each other." "Its true. Edwin found him with his throat slit."
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Delimbiyra thanks the caravan for their reward (and pockets his 16gp share), shaking Tormund’s hand one last time before they part ways. “Safe travels, my friend. Let’s hope your next journey is a little less eventful.” He gives a small smirk, but there’s sincerity in his voice. Watching them go, he allows himself a moment of satisfaction—at least this part of the ordeal is over.
But as soon as they arrive in Oakshade, the tension in the air is palpable. Delimbiyra’s hazel eyes flick across the uneasy faces of the villagers, his sharp ears picking up murmurs of murder. His muscles tense. His instincts as a traveler kick in—a murderer on the loose is dangerous to everyone, especially strangers like them.He steps forward, his voice measured but curious. “What happened?” he asks one of the villagers, scanning for anyone willing to talk. “Was there a fight?” he continues, his mind already piecing together possibilities. “Is the constable handling it?” He keeps his questions practical, trying to gauge how well the village is responding to this crisis. Then, he tilts his head slightly. “And… who is Edric?” His voice remains calm, but there’s an edge of caution behind it. “And Edwin—he’s the one who found him?” His eyes flick around the gathered villagers, searching for the most informed—or the most nervous—face among them. (Investigation: 22)
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Pallid Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Order Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant Path Barbarian - Runewarren || Shaephina - Half-Drow Blood Cleric/Wizard - Murder Court || Ianjin - Gallus Open Hand Monk - Mad Empiricist || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute Court || Arista - Human Frost Giant Sorcerer - The Old Keep ||
The person most willing to talk is Rupert Haywood, the tavern keeper. Especially if you are buying a drink, but others will talk and you get the same information from everyone. "We have not really got a constable. Crime doesn't happen in this village. We have some volunteers that help out if needed but I think everyone is in shock currently. Edric is... was the miller. Edwin is a fisherman, and found him with his throat slit by the river"
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
"Seems like violence follows us wherever we go" Doli whispers jokingly to Deli as to not actually arouse suspicion.
Doli turns towards the barkeep "Im so sorry to hear about your loss. It seems like all you folk in this beautiful town are very connected." Doli pauses, allowing the barkeep a moment before continuing "If you are interested, my friend and I here are.... well lets just say we are private investigators, and if you couldn't tell by our questions, we are quite interested in uncovering the truth to this tragedy. I can ensure you that if you help us by answering a few questions, we will put whoever the perpetrator is to justice. That being said, it has been a while since I've had a nice cup of mead." Doli says as he puts down 5 silver pieces, giving the barkeep a warm smile. " So, did you notice anything strange going on with Edric within the past few days?"
He looks at the silver, giving a generous mug of mead. He then leans forward and whispers. "You didn't hear this from me, but he wasn't the most liked. He controlled the town’s grain supply and was known to overcharge the poor, manipulate debts, and hold long-standing grudges. Most of us villagers had some reason or another to hate him, but in public, they pretend otherwise. Though I honestly wouldn't have expected anyone to kill him."
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Delimbiyra listens carefully, absorbing Rupert Haywood’s words with a practiced calm. His hazel eyes flick briefly to Doli, exchanging a silent understanding. A town with no law, a miller who made enemies, and now a fresh corpse by the river. This wasn’t just some random act of violence—someone had motive. He takes a slow sip of his drink before setting it down, then leans in slightly. “If we’re going to do anything about this, we should start at the crime scene.” His tone is firm but measured, already shifting into the mindset of a tracker.
“If the weapon is still there, we might be able to tell where it came from—or who it belongs to. And by checking how Edric was killed, we can figure out if he was ambushed or met his attacker willingly.” He pauses, considering. “Maybe it was more than one person.” His fingers tap lightly on the wooden mug. He exhales, glancing toward the door. “Or maybe we find nothing at all—but the longer we wait, the harder it’ll be to read the scene. If we’re serious about finding the truth, we need to go now.” His voice is calm, but his sharp gaze flickers with the same quiet urgency that always settled in when he was on a trail.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Pallid Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Order Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant Path Barbarian - Runewarren || Shaephina - Half-Drow Blood Cleric/Wizard - Murder Court || Ianjin - Gallus Open Hand Monk - Mad Empiricist || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute Court || Arista - Human Frost Giant Sorcerer - The Old Keep ||
"I couldnt agree more, time is of the essence!" Doli jumps out of his chair and rushes out the door (and will soon realize that he doesnt really know exactly where the body is and just waits outside for Del)
(ooc: what time is it? just wanna know how much time we have left in this day)
It is mid afternoon currently.
You make your way to the scene of the crime. The body has been removed and is currently at the temple (which is essentially a large house that was converted). There is still a pool of blood where the body lay, and some bloody/muddy (particularly near the river) footprints around. Currently there is no one there except for you.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Delimbiyra is relieved to find the crime scene untouched and empty—no panicked villagers, no gawking onlookers. It gives them the freedom to work without interference. Still, a nagging thought lingers at the back of his mind. “Strange, isn’t it? Snooping into another man’s murder?” he mutters to Doli as they step onto the scene. “After this, we should probably check in with whoever runs this place—mayor, elder, whatever they have here. If people don’t want us looking into this, they should have the chance to say so.” But for now, they had work to do.
Delimbiyra starts his investigation with a wide circle around the site, eyes scanning the bloody and muddy footprints. He notes how many people have entered and left, where they came from, and whether they were alone or in company. His sharp gaze follows the patterns, trying to trace any unusual movement. His attention shifts to the river. “The miller was killed here. He might live nearby and was en-route for a business or other or he was lured here.” He studies the surroundings, checking if it’s a good fishing spot, which would confirm why Edwin, the fisherman, was here. Next, he searches upstream and downstream, looking for any sign of a water mill. If the miller lived and worked near here, that would make sense—but if the mill is elsewhere, then Edric was brought here intentionally. He keeps scanning the area for paths, noting whether this is a well-traveled area or wild ground. Is there a bridge or crossing? A road leading anywhere? Any other remarkable features that stand out? He mutters to himself as he works, piecing together the logic of the scene, hoping to unravel the first threads of the mystery.
(Survival: 24; Perception: 16)
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Pallid Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Order Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant Path Barbarian - Runewarren || Shaephina - Half-Drow Blood Cleric/Wizard - Murder Court || Ianjin - Gallus Open Hand Monk - Mad Empiricist || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute Court || Arista - Human Frost Giant Sorcerer - The Old Keep ||
The morning mist clings to the riverbank, thickening where the water flows sluggishly downstream. Delimbiyra crouches near the muddied shore, sharp eyes tracing the disorder of footprints and bloodied ground. The villagers’ efforts to retrieve Edric’s body have muddled some of the finer details—booted feet, bare soles, hurried steps in the mud—but he can still make out a few useful patterns. There are no signs of a struggle here. This isn’t where he was killed. You do see one set of tracks that looks slightly older, that looks like the blood was a bit fresher, and then a group of 5 people once the blood had dried, one of which seems to match the alone track.
His gaze follows the water’s flow. The river isn’t particularly fast, but it’s strong enough to carry a body. Upstream, the tree line thickens, the banks narrowing. If Edric drowned or was pushed into the river elsewhere, this could be where his body naturally washed up. The gentle curve of the bank here forms a natural catch, where debris—twigs, leaves, and in this case, a man—might collect rather than continuing downstream.
Although the site is not in itself an amazing fishing spot, it does seem to be en-route to a nearby lake. The mill is not in sight, but you did pass it on your way to where the body was found, further upstream.
This area has a trail, but not massively travelled, leading towards the lake. There is a small wooden bridge about 20 yards away, with another trail leading off into the nearby woods.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Delimbiyra rises from his crouch, dusting the damp earth from his hands as he reports his findings to Doli and the others. “The body was moved here after the fact,” he states plainly. “There’s no sign of a struggle, and the way the river bends makes it a natural spot for something—or someone—to wash up.” He nods toward the trail. “It looks like the fisherman found him and returned with a group later.”
He exhales, thinking through the next steps. “If we want answers, I see two options. Either we check the body at the temple for signs of a fight or evidence that he was in the water for a long time to support this theory... or we follow the river upstream to where he was likely killed.”
His hazel eyes scan the flow of the water. “Tracking upstream won’t be easy. The banks are narrow, and if the current picks up, it might not be safe to wade through. Sticking to the banks is possible, but the vegetation will slow us down.”
He sighs, rolling his shoulders. “Before we decide, we should speak with whoever runs this town. If we’re going to keep looking into this, we need to make sure we’re welcome—and if there’s any kind of reward for solving this mess, all the better.” He glances at Doli and Gym, waiting for their thoughts. “No sense working for free if the town wants this mystery solved.”
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Pallid Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Order Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant Path Barbarian - Runewarren || Shaephina - Half-Drow Blood Cleric/Wizard - Murder Court || Ianjin - Gallus Open Hand Monk - Mad Empiricist || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute Court || Arista - Human Frost Giant Sorcerer - The Old Keep ||
"Well I wouldnt expect a reward of any kind. The barkeep made it seem like nobody in town was a huge fan of him. Regardless, I would like to solve this murder, just so i can leave this town with the peace of mind that there isn't some murderer on the loose. I fear if we don't give it our best shot, i won't be able to sleep at night!"