Rurik watches the rabble scatter and then opens the prison door with one of the big keys hanging from his belt and goes inside.
As you approach the stepped entrance of the Alderman's manse two guards with spears stop you. "Hold up blokes, what business do you have with Alderman Roland?" they eye the four of you suspiciously.
With eyes flashing, and a grin, Gimdir answers, "Alderman be owing us 500 silver soon enough! I want to spit in me palm and shake hands to seal the contract."
"D'ya need ta hear more? Let us through. We're here to help." Zusag crosses his arms and taps his foot impatiently. While waiting, he sizes up the guards.
one of the guards snickers "I'd look in the prison cells first if I were you. That Tiefling scum did it and no mistake" the other guard nods "Alderman will want to see you" the guards step aside and let you through. The steps lead up to the second floor of the alderman's house. Inside you find the alderman, a man in his mid-60s, dressed in a blue and black doublet, a golden medallion of office hanging from his neck. He sits at a desk scribbling away, a merchants scale and abacus rest on the desk, a walking cane lies on the floor in the corner, a long sword hangs over the mantle, the scabbard covered in dust.
When you enter he rises abruptly and after looking over you briefly he addresses you"you're here about the killings aren't you? Thank goodness, the entire town is itching to lynch that Tiefling, but I know he didn't do it, he cant have done it. Here you'll need these" he quickly writes out four scrolls and hands them to you "these will mark you as temporary constables acting under my authority, if anyone questions you these should settle the matter" he walks over to a bookshelf and pulls down a map, spreading it open on the table he points out several places "we've had four killings so far, all near the outskirts of the town, or in districts close to the walls. The killings always happen towards the end of the week, next one should be in 2-3 days. Each victim had their heart removed, and... each was with child" he steps back, suppressing a shudder "until the killings stop I've instituted an 8:00 curfew, and ordered that no one is to walk the city alone. The last one happened outside the north warehouse if you want to examine the scene, and we have a witness this time, Martha the serving girl. The latest victim is in the funeral chapel, the burial is tomorrow, if you want to examine the body you'll need to do it before then. If there's any more information you need ask away"
Dredmor seems enraged for a moment, but quickly calms. "Your information was invaluable, Alderman. Thanks to you, we know the killer's pattern, hunting ground, and preferred victims. Very few, if any beasts act in this way, so we should assume the killer is sentient. But, there's a chance that the killer lives outside the city, as evidenced by its activity being mainly on the outskirts. You said we have time before the killer acts again, so we should do some recon of our own. We should also question the witness. But before we go I must ask why you said the Tiefling couldn't have been responsible?"
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Relleonard Harrowveil: Lv1 Tiefling Paladin - Hermes' Curse of Strahd PbP | Hunhow the Golden: Lv1 Gold Dragonborn Barbarian - Sunless Citadel PbP | Mikhael Frostmoon: Lv2 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Draconic) - Rescue at Rivenroar PbP | Conway Dredmor: Lv3 Half-Elf Ranger (Hunter) - Crypt of the Elf King PbP. | Hayden Cinderthrone: Lv5 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Draconic) - Trial By Fire PbP | Edric the Nightwalker: Lv5 Tiefling Warlock (The Great Old One) - Shards of Sharn Group A |
"There are, maybe, three hundred or so women with child, its not really the kind of thing we keep records about. The Tiefling is named Morthos, an apothecary by trade, he arrived in town shortly before the killings began. Naturally the timing of his arrival and the... legacy of his race, has turned suspicion on him. He has been helping me with an injury I sustained in the last war, he's been a great help, I no longer need my cane to walk"he gazes at the dusty longsword sitting above the mantle "maybe soon I will be able to do more than walk. He was checking up on me during the last attack. The people are not convinced though, they are sure it must be some tiefling trick. You might have encountered a dwarf named Rurik on your way here, he's captain of the guard in Southford, if you need any help from the guard Rurik will be able to help you. One last thing... the attacks always occur at midday"
After wrapping up your conversation with Roland you exit the manse onto the balcony looking over the town. Standing on the small balcony you can see the town laid out before you, small thatched cottages, slate roofs, the silhouettes of guards making their rounds along the wooden ramparts. There are many threads to pursue and already you can feel time running out, it wont be so long until this thing, beast or man, strikes again. Grim anticipation hangs over Southford like a ravenous dragon. Time to choose the first thread to pull and see if this grisly tapestry will begin to unravel.
"I am inclined to agree with Gimdir. Let's head to the funeral chapel." Zusag takes a long look out at the twon, trying to familiarize himself with the layout.
The stone chapel is nearby in the administrative district. After explaining your mission and showing your warrant scrolls an acolyte takes you to the cleric. Father Cuthbert takes you down into the morgue beneath the chapel. Inside you find the corpse of the fourth victim. The corpse is still in good condition, as part of the funerary rites the deceased has been preserved with Gentle Repose. You approach the embalming table, time to see what clues this poor woman can share even in death.
The Heart: the heart has been torn out, clearly not in a precise surgical way. The wound was inflicted quickly and savagely.
Medicine Check DC 10
The heart was extracted while the victim was still alive
Nature Check DC 12
The wound was made with claws.
Other Wounds: There are no defensive wounds that would indicate a struggle. There are severe gashes on the top of the head and shoulders.
Medicine Check DC 10
The head wounds are severe enough that the victim was dying after receiving them, and the then the heart was extracted before the victim expired
Medicine Check DC 12
The location of the head injuries suggests a very high attack angle, must of been directly above her or the attacker must have been 10 feet tall
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gimdir Medicine check: 6
Gimdir Nature check: 9
Gimdir speculates, "Damn the bugger that did this, she wasn't even dead when the heart was ripped out. Those wounds on the head, bugger was tall, or flying."
"The gashes were caused by something with claws. Gimdir, I think you're right about her still being alive when her heart was ripped out." Zusag examines the wounds and nods to himself.
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"We need to find our point of contact, and quickly, before this town riots." Zusag states as he looks around the town.
"Indeed."
Relleonard Harrowveil: Lv1 Tiefling Paladin - Hermes' Curse of Strahd PbP | Hunhow the Golden: Lv1 Gold Dragonborn Barbarian - Sunless Citadel PbP | Mikhael Frostmoon: Lv2 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Draconic) - Rescue at Rivenroar PbP | Conway Dredmor: Lv3 Half-Elf Ranger (Hunter) - Crypt of the Elf King PbP. | Hayden Cinderthrone: Lv5 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Draconic) - Trial By Fire PbP | Edric the Nightwalker: Lv5 Tiefling Warlock (The Great Old One) - Shards of Sharn Group A |
Rurik watches the rabble scatter and then opens the prison door with one of the big keys hanging from his belt and goes inside.
As you approach the stepped entrance of the Alderman's manse two guards with spears stop you. "Hold up blokes, what business do you have with Alderman Roland?" they eye the four of you suspiciously.
With eyes flashing, and a grin, Gimdir answers, "Alderman be owing us 500 silver soon enough! I want to spit in me palm and shake hands to seal the contract."
"We saw your poster and came to investigate the murders."
Relleonard Harrowveil: Lv1 Tiefling Paladin - Hermes' Curse of Strahd PbP | Hunhow the Golden: Lv1 Gold Dragonborn Barbarian - Sunless Citadel PbP | Mikhael Frostmoon: Lv2 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Draconic) - Rescue at Rivenroar PbP | Conway Dredmor: Lv3 Half-Elf Ranger (Hunter) - Crypt of the Elf King PbP. | Hayden Cinderthrone: Lv5 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Draconic) - Trial By Fire PbP | Edric the Nightwalker: Lv5 Tiefling Warlock (The Great Old One) - Shards of Sharn Group A |
"D'ya need ta hear more? Let us through. We're here to help." Zusag crosses his arms and taps his foot impatiently. While waiting, he sizes up the guards.
one of the guards snickers "I'd look in the prison cells first if I were you. That Tiefling scum did it and no mistake" the other guard nods "Alderman will want to see you" the guards step aside and let you through. The steps lead up to the second floor of the alderman's house. Inside you find the alderman, a man in his mid-60s, dressed in a blue and black doublet, a golden medallion of office hanging from his neck. He sits at a desk scribbling away, a merchants scale and abacus rest on the desk, a walking cane lies on the floor in the corner, a long sword hangs over the mantle, the scabbard covered in dust.
When you enter he rises abruptly and after looking over you briefly he addresses you "you're here about the killings aren't you? Thank goodness, the entire town is itching to lynch that Tiefling, but I know he didn't do it, he cant have done it. Here you'll need these" he quickly writes out four scrolls and hands them to you "these will mark you as temporary constables acting under my authority, if anyone questions you these should settle the matter" he walks over to a bookshelf and pulls down a map, spreading it open on the table he points out several places "we've had four killings so far, all near the outskirts of the town, or in districts close to the walls. The killings always happen towards the end of the week, next one should be in 2-3 days. Each victim had their heart removed, and... each was with child" he steps back, suppressing a shudder "until the killings stop I've instituted an 8:00 curfew, and ordered that no one is to walk the city alone. The last one happened outside the north warehouse if you want to examine the scene, and we have a witness this time, Martha the serving girl. The latest victim is in the funeral chapel, the burial is tomorrow, if you want to examine the body you'll need to do it before then. If there's any more information you need ask away"
Gimdir tries to think, fingers attempting to comb through his wild beard and failing, and asks, "How many more pregnant women are left?"
"We should head to the scene and see what we can find there." Zusag turns to head out and stops, waiting for the answer to Gimdir's question.
(Ooc scroll added,ration deducted)
Kreeng takes the scroll and puts in his pack. He continues listening.
Dredmor seems enraged for a moment, but quickly calms. "Your information was invaluable, Alderman. Thanks to you, we know the killer's pattern, hunting ground, and preferred victims. Very few, if any beasts act in this way, so we should assume the killer is sentient. But, there's a chance that the killer lives outside the city, as evidenced by its activity being mainly on the outskirts. You said we have time before the killer acts again, so we should do some recon of our own. We should also question the witness. But before we go I must ask why you said the Tiefling couldn't have been responsible?"
Relleonard Harrowveil: Lv1 Tiefling Paladin - Hermes' Curse of Strahd PbP | Hunhow the Golden: Lv1 Gold Dragonborn Barbarian - Sunless Citadel PbP | Mikhael Frostmoon: Lv2 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Draconic) - Rescue at Rivenroar PbP | Conway Dredmor: Lv3 Half-Elf Ranger (Hunter) - Crypt of the Elf King PbP. | Hayden Cinderthrone: Lv5 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Draconic) - Trial By Fire PbP | Edric the Nightwalker: Lv5 Tiefling Warlock (The Great Old One) - Shards of Sharn Group A |
"There are, maybe, three hundred or so women with child, its not really the kind of thing we keep records about. The Tiefling is named Morthos, an apothecary by trade, he arrived in town shortly before the killings began. Naturally the timing of his arrival and the... legacy of his race, has turned suspicion on him. He has been helping me with an injury I sustained in the last war, he's been a great help, I no longer need my cane to walk" he gazes at the dusty longsword sitting above the mantle "maybe soon I will be able to do more than walk. He was checking up on me during the last attack. The people are not convinced though, they are sure it must be some tiefling trick. You might have encountered a dwarf named Rurik on your way here, he's captain of the guard in Southford, if you need any help from the guard Rurik will be able to help you. One last thing... the attacks always occur at midday"
After wrapping up your conversation with Roland you exit the manse onto the balcony looking over the town. Standing on the small balcony you can see the town laid out before you, small thatched cottages, slate roofs, the silhouettes of guards making their rounds along the wooden ramparts. There are many threads to pursue and already you can feel time running out, it wont be so long until this thing, beast or man, strikes again. Grim anticipation hangs over Southford like a ravenous dragon. Time to choose the first thread to pull and see if this grisly tapestry will begin to unravel.
Gimdir suggests, "Lets be taking a look at the corpse, before it rots too much. The witness should be able to wait."
"Very well."
Relleonard Harrowveil: Lv1 Tiefling Paladin - Hermes' Curse of Strahd PbP | Hunhow the Golden: Lv1 Gold Dragonborn Barbarian - Sunless Citadel PbP | Mikhael Frostmoon: Lv2 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Draconic) - Rescue at Rivenroar PbP | Conway Dredmor: Lv3 Half-Elf Ranger (Hunter) - Crypt of the Elf King PbP. | Hayden Cinderthrone: Lv5 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Draconic) - Trial By Fire PbP | Edric the Nightwalker: Lv5 Tiefling Warlock (The Great Old One) - Shards of Sharn Group A |
Kreeng follows suite
"I am inclined to agree with Gimdir. Let's head to the funeral chapel." Zusag takes a long look out at the twon, trying to familiarize himself with the layout.
The stone chapel is nearby in the administrative district. After explaining your mission and showing your warrant scrolls an acolyte takes you to the cleric. Father Cuthbert takes you down into the morgue beneath the chapel. Inside you find the corpse of the fourth victim. The corpse is still in good condition, as part of the funerary rites the deceased has been preserved with Gentle Repose. You approach the embalming table, time to see what clues this poor woman can share even in death.
The Heart: the heart has been torn out, clearly not in a precise surgical way. The wound was inflicted quickly and savagely.
Medicine Check DC 10
The heart was extracted while the victim was still alive
Nature Check DC 12
The wound was made with claws.
Other Wounds: There are no defensive wounds that would indicate a struggle. There are severe gashes on the top of the head and shoulders.
Medicine Check DC 10
The head wounds are severe enough that the victim was dying after receiving them, and the then the heart was extracted before the victim expired
Medicine Check DC 12
The location of the head injuries suggests a very high attack angle, must of been directly above her or the attacker must have been 10 feet tall
Nature Check DC 12
These injuries were inflicted by claws
Gimdir Medicine check: 6
Gimdir Nature check: 9
Gimdir speculates, "Damn the bugger that did this, she wasn't even dead when the heart was ripped out. Those wounds on the head, bugger was tall, or flying."
Zusag Medicine check: 4
Zusag Nature check: 12
"The gashes were caused by something with claws. Gimdir, I think you're right about her still being alive when her heart was ripped out." Zusag examines the wounds and nods to himself.