“Ready to go now, eh?” Sweeps picks up his maul and prepares to leave “Good questions and all, I just figured we should ask them a little closer to home, if you know what I mean” He lowers his voice, but not quite enough. “If the Captain and his knew the answers, he wouldn’t be asking for us and every guildmember in town.” He is pretty sure the Captain still hears him, but doesn’t care. "Lets go visit the Sea Ward"
“And you can be grateful and paid for that, if you can do better.” The captain answers, almost with indifference. “To this moment, no one claimed the killings, but no one besides the Zhentarim or Xanathar would have the resources to make or import a substance so uncommon and dangerous and or employ someone skilled enough to reach such well-guarded places.” That was the only thing certain in all that history, whoever was behind the killings was powerful. In some way, it had to be. “Not that we completely discard the possibility of a new big player entering the scene of underworld.”
Araumur then cast his eyes upon Gabriel. Until now every single one of the five had come with good, reasonable questions, but it was the blond man that proposed the more worrying of all. It wasn’t impossible, after all. Wars between cities and countries marked the history while Faerûn. The Crown of the North herself had her fair share of conflict through the centuries.
“And actually, the families have many connections. All three are nobles of the same city with roughly the same standing, tradition and influence.” Everything almost corroborated Gabriel’s theory. “There is a long history of business between them and some scholar can probably found you half a dozen marriages connecting them by blood some time since the founding of Waterdeep, but the same can be said for almost every noble House here. The three are not particularly close and, the children weren't either. They weren't act strange before the moment of death and if any of their families have illegal activities they are pretty damn well hidden.”
Then Sweeps speaks, proposing them to go. For once the half-orc could agree with the guild workers. The faster they went, the faster he could deal with the other so-called adventures. Or at least so he hoped.
“I neither ask nor expect anything from you lot, boy. That was the Lords’ idea.” And ironwood understanded the real reason why. He could almost feel pity for the poor bastards thinking themselves investigators. “Now if you have no more questions, you are free to look into it however you want, as long as you mind the confidentiality of the matter.”
Notes
Now, everyone take 12d12 of... Just kidding. Post in the OOC chat if/when you want to change scenarios to the Gundwynd villa.
Anyone who wants may make an Investigation check. DC 14.
Sylvio sits forward and stands with his willowy frame. He starts walking to the door but stops once more and turns around with a frown. “Captain... I have-a the thought... you did not say a-how the entrails were-a taken... was there a... cut or a hole in the bodies? It-a seems so obvious a thing to ask about but-a... Sylvio thinks there is a-nothing obvious about a-this.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gabriel smiles shyly at having his theory recognised as not complete nonsense. He wonders if these terrible crimes might be a lead in his own investigation, so frustratingly bereft of leads since he arrived in this city.
A little distance from the conference with Ironwood and in a quieter section of their trip to the villa. Sunny stops to speak with the others trying to be sure not to be overheard by the populous around her. "He said there were many groups before us and many groups after us. Continually inquiring into this family's grief and inspecting the body of their deceased child? A constant flow of people, guild representatives in a river to this home and there is emphasis on secrecy? Any attention at all on the streets would show a problem. He seemed to have no thought that we might actually be able to figure this out, and possibly a realistic assumption, but then why throw so many unlikelihoods at the problem? Or are we meant to be a distraction to the families? There is much more to this I feel than he has told us and I feel like we are swimming like fish into a net."
"I am Sunny, Ranger and Healer, this is Chewy. I'm typically of a much more jovial mood, but I seem to have lost that spirit at the moment. Somehow these poor children were caught up in whatever this is and I'm curious why." She says as an afterthought but looks about to see what the others thought of what she said. She kneels down pouring some water from her waterskin into a bowl from her mess kit and setting it for Chewy to drink, then a few minutes later nudges him towards a vacant spot to do his business. Chewy returns with an old meat bone sitting and chewing while they speak.
Sylvio nods in agreement with Sunny. “You are-a right my friend. There is-a something strange about-a this business. Why swear us-a to secrecy and then-a send so many out to ask-a questions? By the end of-a the day the whole city will-a know there is a-some kind of-a weapon or a-poison.”
“Sylvio thinks-a they use us. We are a distraction from-a the true investigation. The guilds look for-a the poison and-a they a-follow the real leads. It-a looks official and-a the lords can-a claim they are a-doing everything, while-a they quietly solve-a the case...” He frowns in anger but does not continue and say what he really thinks... that some random guild members would also make good patsys if they need to blame someone and shut the case down quietly. Something really scary must be going on if they want to cover it up this badly and keep it from becoming known to the public.
“They are using us for certain, friend. More likely they have no leads and don’t know where to look. I don’t know if we are a distraction or a target. Flooding the streets with the likes of us asking questions and looking under rocks could prompt whomever is behind this into making a move that exposes them to the Watch. One of us just might get close enough that the move is against us” he strides through the streets with his maul over his shoulder. “One thing is for certain, there are very few secrets in this city. Everyone knows the guilds are looking into this, or soon will know.”
That last thought hadn't occurred to her, Bait? Why hadn't she thought of that? "It seems very possible that this enemy uses Poison, so we'll have to be very careful about anything we touch, ingest or inhale. I can cure poisoning on an individual a couple times a day but I can't detect one. Do any of you have this ability?" She says moving along again with the group and glancing sidelong at the bone in Chewy's mouth. More careful for sure...
When the group stopped Amadi nodded in agreement to the words of Sunny.
"Aye, this is a strange tale indeed. I spoke the truth earlier. The Grey Hands would be best to investigate this and perhaps they are and they also brought in the Blackstaff. So why have untold numbers of guild members told of the incidents and also told to keep them quiet? It makes no sense to me."
He pauses for a moment.
"I can see why my guild gave this mission to me. They would not waste the time of a master on such an endeavor but could not trust it to some foolish apprentice either. They believe I will represent the guild well and not bring dishonor either. So be it. The will of the guild is all I need."
Amadi scratches his beard as he looks to Sunny at her last question,
"Yes, I can do such things. I can purify food and drink as well as detect poisons and disease. It is something I have not prepared myself for this day but going forward it may be something I need to do."
"I can remove minor afflictions; diseases, poisons and the like" says Gabriel, softly, "but it drains me; I can only aid a couple of souls before resting"
He looks embarrassed - or disappointed - with his shortcomings, then gathers himself and speaks with a little more conviction: "I have no doubt that what you all say is true, but whatever part we have to play in delivering justice for these poor children, and saving more, I say we embrace our task. I am ready"
“The absence of viscera was noted during the autopsy. They simply weren’t there. No previous wound was noticed.” Ironwood answers the elf, half-expecting more questions. Instead the five adventures move to the villa. Few moments later another five enter the room. As far as days went, that would be a long one.
Walking to the Gundwynd state, the group started to weave their own theories about the incident. Opinions divided if they were bait or propaganda tool, if the murders were brought by poison or other mean. One thing was sure, they were being used.
Almost ironically the day seemed to get brighter and warmer and the five walked, minds wandering in such dark matters. On the crossing between Vondil Street and Mendever Street tall stone walls greeted them. Colored white, they were clean, with a heavy oak door and its center. Two guards stood in front of it. They wore mail under a white doublet with shield depicting a spiral of winds, red and orange, surrounding a golden sun over a white field - House Gundwynd’s sigil.
“May I help you?” One of the soldiers asked as you stop in front of the door for more than a moment.
Notes
Scenario changed and the image is not really cooperating.
Sylvio glides forward with elven grace and a smile on his face “Hello good sir-a, we are with-a the watch and were told we could-a investigate the house and-a the child’s body.“
Sunny watches the guard for his reaction to their inquiry as it should come as no surprise having had others come through previously. But if there is any confusion, that should be telling.
Gabriel stands back with the others while Sylvio speaks to the guards. He doesn't expect any difficulty as they are one of many groups to visit, but he can't help feeling nervous. Trying to distract himself from his nerves, he turns to Sunny and says:
"I don't get to visit the noble houses, even being of the Guild of Apothecaries and Physicians. They have me fetch ingredients and carry supplies. I once carried a crate of digestive aids to the gate of house Cassalanter, but had to leave them there for the guards to take them in"
“A moment, please.” One of the guards answered almost solemn before opening the wooden gate and heading into the state. He closes the entrance when leaving and take a moment to return. With him an old woman, human, wearing a brown overdress on top of a white robe. Her hair, colored gray by her many years, was tied and covered by a white cap.
The woman’s expression was something between curiosity and disapproval - a mother, or, rather, grandmother ready to start a sermon. She whispered a thankful word to the guard and nodded to him, indicating he should return to his post, something the man did without delay.
“My name is Bertha and I am the housekeeper of this villa. Follow me.” Waiting for no answer she headed into the state. Behind the walls stood a garden with dozens of fruit trees stood, its exuberance reduced only by the approaching autumn. From the West you could notice what seemed like a stable while at East a sumptuous mansion dominated the view - white walls with an orange roof. “The City Watch had warned some adventurers could visit, although I must admit I thought it unlikely. After all the Watch did one would think there was nothing left to investigate. Either way, I suppose you would like to speak to the staff or see the young Jacob?” She asked almost rhetorically, guiding you to the side of the house. “At the moment we are rather busy with the preparations for the funeral so you will have to question each member of the staff individually. You will not be allowed to move unaccompanied and I am afraid neither the lord or the lady will meet with you.” She then guides you through what you conclude is the employee’s entrance. “Where do you think on starting?”
Gabriel keeps turning over the captain's brief in his mind, then thinks of the timeline: the first death was ten days ago, the second was four days later, the third was four after that - two days ago.
"We may only have two days before the next death" says Gabriel, "There seems to be a pattern"
He is staring into the distance, lost in thought. He snaps back and sees Bertha for the first time "Did the child have any unusual visitors in the last ten days ma'am?"
“Ready to go now, eh?” Sweeps picks up his maul and prepares to leave “Good questions and all, I just figured we should ask them a little closer to home, if you know what I mean” He lowers his voice, but not quite enough. “If the Captain and his knew the answers, he wouldn’t be asking for us and every guildmember in town.” He is pretty sure the Captain still hears him, but doesn’t care. "Lets go visit the Sea Ward"
“And you can be grateful and paid for that, if you can do better.” The captain answers, almost with indifference. “To this moment, no one claimed the killings, but no one besides the Zhentarim or Xanathar would have the resources to make or import a substance so uncommon and dangerous and or employ someone skilled enough to reach such well-guarded places.” That was the only thing certain in all that history, whoever was behind the killings was powerful. In some way, it had to be. “Not that we completely discard the possibility of a new big player entering the scene of underworld.”
Araumur then cast his eyes upon Gabriel. Until now every single one of the five had come with good, reasonable questions, but it was the blond man that proposed the more worrying of all. It wasn’t impossible, after all. Wars between cities and countries marked the history while Faerûn. The Crown of the North herself had her fair share of conflict through the centuries.
“And actually, the families have many connections. All three are nobles of the same city with roughly the same standing, tradition and influence.” Everything almost corroborated Gabriel’s theory. “There is a long history of business between them and some scholar can probably found you half a dozen marriages connecting them by blood some time since the founding of Waterdeep, but the same can be said for almost every noble House here. The three are not particularly close and, the children weren't either. They weren't act strange before the moment of death and if any of their families have illegal activities they are pretty damn well hidden.”
Then Sweeps speaks, proposing them to go. For once the half-orc could agree with the guild workers. The faster they went, the faster he could deal with the other so-called adventures. Or at least so he hoped.
“I neither ask nor expect anything from you lot, boy. That was the Lords’ idea.” And ironwood understanded the real reason why. He could almost feel pity for the poor bastards thinking themselves investigators. “Now if you have no more questions, you are free to look into it however you want, as long as you mind the confidentiality of the matter.”
Notes
Sylvio sits forward and stands with his willowy frame. He starts walking to the door but stops once more and turns around with a frown. “Captain... I have-a the thought... you did not say a-how the entrails were-a taken... was there a... cut or a hole in the bodies? It-a seems so obvious a thing to ask about but-a... Sylvio thinks there is a-nothing obvious about a-this.”
10 Investigation
Noob
Gabriel smiles shyly at having his theory recognised as not complete nonsense. He wonders if these terrible crimes might be a lead in his own investigation, so frustratingly bereft of leads since he arrived in this city.
Investigation 9
A little distance from the conference with Ironwood and in a quieter section of their trip to the villa. Sunny stops to speak with the others trying to be sure not to be overheard by the populous around her. "He said there were many groups before us and many groups after us. Continually inquiring into this family's grief and inspecting the body of their deceased child? A constant flow of people, guild representatives in a river to this home and there is emphasis on secrecy? Any attention at all on the streets would show a problem. He seemed to have no thought that we might actually be able to figure this out, and possibly a realistic assumption, but then why throw so many unlikelihoods at the problem? Or are we meant to be a distraction to the families? There is much more to this I feel than he has told us and I feel like we are swimming like fish into a net."
"I am Sunny, Ranger and Healer, this is Chewy. I'm typically of a much more jovial mood, but I seem to have lost that spirit at the moment. Somehow these poor children were caught up in whatever this is and I'm curious why." She says as an afterthought but looks about to see what the others thought of what she said. She kneels down pouring some water from her waterskin into a bowl from her mess kit and setting it for Chewy to drink, then a few minutes later nudges him towards a vacant spot to do his business. Chewy returns with an old meat bone sitting and chewing while they speak.
investigation 11
Sylvio nods in agreement with Sunny. “You are-a right my friend. There is-a something strange about-a this business. Why swear us-a to secrecy and then-a send so many out to ask-a questions? By the end of-a the day the whole city will-a know there is a-some kind of-a weapon or a-poison.”
“Sylvio thinks-a they use us. We are a distraction from-a the true investigation. The guilds look for-a the poison and-a they a-follow the real leads. It-a looks official and-a the lords can-a claim they are a-doing everything, while-a they quietly solve-a the case...” He frowns in anger but does not continue and say what he really thinks... that some random guild members would also make good patsys if they need to blame someone and shut the case down quietly. Something really scary must be going on if they want to cover it up this badly and keep it from becoming known to the public.
Noob
“They are using us for certain, friend. More likely they have no leads and don’t know where to look. I don’t know if we are a distraction or a target. Flooding the streets with the likes of us asking questions and looking under rocks could prompt whomever is behind this into making a move that exposes them to the Watch. One of us just might get close enough that the move is against us” he strides through the streets with his maul over his shoulder. “One thing is for certain, there are very few secrets in this city. Everyone knows the guilds are looking into this, or soon will know.”
“They-a use us as bait-a? Yes, that could-a be it as well-a.”
Noob
That last thought hadn't occurred to her, Bait? Why hadn't she thought of that? "It seems very possible that this enemy uses Poison, so we'll have to be very careful about anything we touch, ingest or inhale. I can cure poisoning on an individual a couple times a day but I can't detect one. Do any of you have this ability?" She says moving along again with the group and glancing sidelong at the bone in Chewy's mouth. More careful for sure...
When the group stopped Amadi nodded in agreement to the words of Sunny.
"Aye, this is a strange tale indeed. I spoke the truth earlier. The Grey Hands would be best to investigate this and perhaps they are and they also brought in the Blackstaff. So why have untold numbers of guild members told of the incidents and also told to keep them quiet? It makes no sense to me."
He pauses for a moment.
"I can see why my guild gave this mission to me. They would not waste the time of a master on such an endeavor but could not trust it to some foolish apprentice either. They believe I will represent the guild well and not bring dishonor either. So be it. The will of the guild is all I need."
Amadi scratches his beard as he looks to Sunny at her last question,
"Yes, I can do such things. I can purify food and drink as well as detect poisons and disease. It is something I have not prepared myself for this day but going forward it may be something I need to do."
“Do what-a you want-a, but Sylvio doesn’t think it’s a poison or a disease-a. He said there was-a no trace of either in-a the home, yes?”
Noob
"I can remove minor afflictions; diseases, poisons and the like" says Gabriel, softly, "but it drains me; I can only aid a couple of souls before resting"
He looks embarrassed - or disappointed - with his shortcomings, then gathers himself and speaks with a little more conviction: "I have no doubt that what you all say is true, but whatever part we have to play in delivering justice for these poor children, and saving more, I say we embrace our task. I am ready"
“The absence of viscera was noted during the autopsy. They simply weren’t there. No previous wound was noticed.” Ironwood answers the elf, half-expecting more questions. Instead the five adventures move to the villa. Few moments later another five enter the room. As far as days went, that would be a long one.
Walking to the Gundwynd state, the group started to weave their own theories about the incident. Opinions divided if they were bait or propaganda tool, if the murders were brought by poison or other mean. One thing was sure, they were being used.
Almost ironically the day seemed to get brighter and warmer and the five walked, minds wandering in such dark matters. On the crossing between Vondil Street and Mendever Street tall stone walls greeted them. Colored white, they were clean, with a heavy oak door and its center. Two guards stood in front of it. They wore mail under a white doublet with shield depicting a spiral of winds, red and orange, surrounding a golden sun over a white field - House Gundwynd’s sigil.
“May I help you?” One of the soldiers asked as you stop in front of the door for more than a moment.
Notes
Scenario changed and the image is not really cooperating.
Sylvio glides forward with elven grace and a smile on his face “Hello good sir-a, we are with-a the watch and were told we could-a investigate the house and-a the child’s body.“
Noob
Sunny watches the guard for his reaction to their inquiry as it should come as no surprise having had others come through previously. But if there is any confusion, that should be telling.
Gabriel stands back with the others while Sylvio speaks to the guards. He doesn't expect any difficulty as they are one of many groups to visit, but he can't help feeling nervous. Trying to distract himself from his nerves, he turns to Sunny and says:
"I don't get to visit the noble houses, even being of the Guild of Apothecaries and Physicians. They have me fetch ingredients and carry supplies. I once carried a crate of digestive aids to the gate of house Cassalanter, but had to leave them there for the guards to take them in"
Amadi also watches the guard as Sylvio announces them.
"Aye, I rarely leave the forge myself. There is always work to be done." he says in response to Gabriel.
He shifts his weight and after watching the guard for a moment looks up and down the street.
“A moment, please.” One of the guards answered almost solemn before opening the wooden gate and heading into the state. He closes the entrance when leaving and take a moment to return. With him an old woman, human, wearing a brown overdress on top of a white robe. Her hair, colored gray by her many years, was tied and covered by a white cap.
The woman’s expression was something between curiosity and disapproval - a mother, or, rather, grandmother ready to start a sermon. She whispered a thankful word to the guard and nodded to him, indicating he should return to his post, something the man did without delay.
“My name is Bertha and I am the housekeeper of this villa. Follow me.” Waiting for no answer she headed into the state. Behind the walls stood a garden with dozens of fruit trees stood, its exuberance reduced only by the approaching autumn. From the West you could notice what seemed like a stable while at East a sumptuous mansion dominated the view - white walls with an orange roof. “The City Watch had warned some adventurers could visit, although I must admit I thought it unlikely. After all the Watch did one would think there was nothing left to investigate. Either way, I suppose you would like to speak to the staff or see the young Jacob?” She asked almost rhetorically, guiding you to the side of the house. “At the moment we are rather busy with the preparations for the funeral so you will have to question each member of the staff individually. You will not be allowed to move unaccompanied and I am afraid neither the lord or the lady will meet with you.” She then guides you through what you conclude is the employee’s entrance. “Where do you think on starting?”
Notes
Something, something, ramble, there's old Bertha's pfp: https://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/6/68/Septa-Mordane-Nathalia-Gomes.png
Gabriel keeps turning over the captain's brief in his mind, then thinks of the timeline: the first death was ten days ago, the second was four days later, the third was four after that - two days ago.
"We may only have two days before the next death" says Gabriel, "There seems to be a pattern"
He is staring into the distance, lost in thought. He snaps back and sees Bertha for the first time "Did the child have any unusual visitors in the last ten days ma'am?"
“Excus-a good woman, this must be a hard-a time for the lord and lady, but-a, why can we not-a speak with them-a?” Sylvio asks in a politely.
Noob