Directly after the sound of the illusionary bells ends you can hear the sound of feet approaching. A moment later an officer, with two soldiers, all wearing the uniform of the guard, approaches. "Stand aside, and away from the body." The officer barks to the group of you as she spots the dead body and the trail of blood. "What has happened here." She says a moment later, eyes having traveled the crime scene, though she has not moved closer to the body.
Eboko says, calmly. “We are glad you are here. It is as my companions said. We were heading out to get our items inscribed and found this body blocking us in. We pushed the door open and found her like this. You can see here the marks on the floor where we shoved open the door just now.”
The officer looks to Eboko with a narrowing of her eyes. "You say you just found the body here, and had to push open the door to get out of your chamber." Her eyes scan the group, eyes lingering on each of them in turn. She then waves to her soldiers. "Keep them all here while I look over the crime scene." She instructs the guards. Turning to the body, she then moves in, her eyes seemingly missing nothing.
After studying the body, and the door, the officer then moves to each of you. She asks your name, your team, and your statements on what happened that morning.
As she completes the questions she turns to her guards. "You two, run and bring Harold Pennc here at once." She turns to two other guards. "You two arrest that man, and stand guard with him until Pennc arrives." The two guards move to Stor and tie his hands behind his back, standing guard at his sides.
"Until proven otherwise, we need to keep Stor here under arrest." The officer says, turning to the group of you now. "I have another officer, Harold Pennc, coming to keep a watch on Stor, and these two guards will accompany him, along with Pennc." She glances to the body and back to the group. "My suggestion is to find out who did this, if you truly did not, and try to clear your companion's name. Things are looking quite badly for him at this point. He is free to move around this wing of the fortress with you, but none of you will be allowed to leave this wing, and my guards, plus Harold Pennc, will keep an eye on Stor for me."
Corgretor looks taken aback, "You don't have trained investigators? Or magic users capable of speaking to the fallen? I suppose I should have expected the tall tales about the Empire I actually wanted to be true are the ones that were the tallest. Oh, well. Besides our statements, and the evidence we've already offered to show that he couldn't have killed her and then placed her outside the door like this, what proof would satisfy you?"
Tel’ure adds: “Speaking of magic users, if one of the priests or clerics in this compound were to put Stor under the effects of a zone of truth spell, and Stor were to allow that spell to affect him as he says that he did not stab this woman, that is a simple, effective way to clear his name. Stor is able to cast it, however I assume a neutral party would need to cast it to guarantee an unbiased result.”
He turns on the spot, moving back inside the room. “The window was open last night before I closed it. I wonder…”
Perception: 21
Investigation: 23
The madwalker scientist checks the window, Stor’s bed area, and the surrounding areas for clues.
Stor sputters in indignation as he is arrested “what is the meaning of this? Where is your proof? I did nothing. The writing on the door could be anything.” He is angry and confused, but does not resist the officers. He nods as Tel-ure and Corgretor speak on his innocence and the avenues the Empire has to prove it. But if they are looking to him for answers, he will do what he can to clear his own name “If I am free to move around this wing, then release my bonds, and I will prove my innocence.”
Stor gestures down to the body and asks the guards"Do you know who she is? What can you tell us of her?"
"She is Vang Irinniena,a member of Team 3." The officer says with a glance to the body. She turns to Tel’ure and Corgretor, "I am not the one you need to answer to, and everyone knows truth magic can be circumvented if you just have the willpower to do so. This will have to be resolved by a trial of law, and all evidence currently points to your companion here," She points to Stor, "As the person who is most likely to have killed this woman. I do not have any reason to look furthre than that. If you believe him not to be guilty, then get evidence to prove that fact. Why would I put busy guards to that task, when I have you here and motivated to do so for me?" Turning to Stor she shakes her head. "Aid your friends if you wish, but the bonds stay put, and so do these guards I have placed with you."
Tel’ure
Moving back into your chamber, you do not notice anything amiss around the window, or in any of your chambers.
Tel'ure glances to the officer. "Of course. Everyone does know that. Surely then, they also know that the caster can tell if the subject has overpowered the spell or not. Cast it multiple times on him if you have to. I'm sure Stor would be willing to subject himself to such an ordeal, letting the spell take effect on him if that results in his name being cleared. It is that easy..."
He sighs. "But I suppose if there's no better option, we shall begin our search. How long do we have?"
"Stor, perhaps you should prepare a spell to locate objects as soon as you are able. Then search for the broach that was bestowed upon you before we arrived here. The one you lost, and the murderer has. Until then, we should talk to the blacksmith, as he would have been the one to stamp our symbol on the murder weapon. We visited him as a group and did not do so again; the murderer would have had to come alone. Let us go."
He heads toward the blacksmith, waving for the rest to follow. As they walk, he turns to his companion. "Stor. Did you or did you not kill him? I am not accusing you of such, I simply wish to hear it from you to me directly." Insight: 15
Stor snorts in disgust at the officer “Evidence? What evidence do you have? A few letters scrawled on a door? A farce of an investigation.”
He turns to Tel’ure and nods “The blacksmith is a wise idea, we can also follow this blood trail and see where it leads before it is cleaned away. The location of the attack may hold more clues.” he pauses and considers Tel’ure's other suggestions “We have just awakened, and while I finished my prayers I have not yet meditated for my spells. If you but give me a few minutes before we depart I can prepare the appropriate spells.”
He finishes by looking Tel’ure directly in the eye “I swear by the God of Courage, I did not kill this woman.”
(Stor spends 5 minutes in meditation to update spells. I assume his hands are tied in front of his body. Any impact on spellcasting gestures?)
Corgretor shakes his head and snorts at the laziness of human government, wondering how they were able to seize and control so much territory, "Yes, let's check the scene first, and then head to the blacksmith. If we are to investigate this, may we have the weapon to utilize in our investigations?"
"No, the dagger remains where it is." The officer says, gesturing two of her other guards over to stand guard on the body. "You can examine it where it is, but any attempt to remove it will be seen as an admission of guilt." At that moment Harold Pennc rushes up, with the two guards that had been sent to retrieve him. He is an older officer, though clearly subordinate to the officer who had come to the sceen first. "Good, Harold, you will stay with these, and keep that one under your supervision at all times." she gestures to Stor as she says the last. With that she nods and strides away.
If you are going to study the crime sceen further, then give me a general Investigation check, if someone helps, then one person can do so with advantage, otherwise all of you roll individual rolls. I am good either way.
Your analysis of the scene indicates that there are a few spots deserving of a closer look: the victim’s left and right hands, the chest wound, the corridor, and the victim’s body. Please tell me what you wish to check out more closely and I'll let you know what skill I will need you to roll.
Eboko examines the hands closely- he’s looking to verify that the victim wrote the name herself on the door in blood, as well as other clues. “I have read that sometimes the hands of the victim may have a clue- fabric or hair from the murderer, or some flesh under the fingernails. Perhaps someone with skill in medicine should look at these wounds”
Stor encourages Eboko and Tel’ure in their investigation of the body “Yes, examine the hands closely. It looks like there is ink on them. I also found this clutched in her hands when I first looked at the body”he shows the team the scrap of fabric, which looks like the part of a bag and is covered in bloodstains.
He looks up as the older officer arrives. “Good morning, Harold Pennc. I will give you no trouble, but you will soon see that I am innocent of any crime.”
... Waiting on responses to this...
Eboko says, calmly. “We are glad you are here. It is as my companions said. We were heading out to get our items inscribed and found this body blocking us in. We pushed the door open and found her like this. You can see here the marks on the floor where we shoved open the door just now.”
The officer looks to Eboko with a narrowing of her eyes. "You say you just found the body here, and had to push open the door to get out of your chamber." Her eyes scan the group, eyes lingering on each of them in turn. She then waves to her soldiers. "Keep them all here while I look over the crime scene." She instructs the guards. Turning to the body, she then moves in, her eyes seemingly missing nothing.
After studying the body, and the door, the officer then moves to each of you. She asks your name, your team, and your statements on what happened that morning.
As she completes the questions she turns to her guards. "You two, run and bring Harold Pennc here at once." She turns to two other guards. "You two arrest that man, and stand guard with him until Pennc arrives." The two guards move to Stor and tie his hands behind his back, standing guard at his sides.
"Until proven otherwise, we need to keep Stor here under arrest." The officer says, turning to the group of you now. "I have another officer, Harold Pennc, coming to keep a watch on Stor, and these two guards will accompany him, along with Pennc." She glances to the body and back to the group. "My suggestion is to find out who did this, if you truly did not, and try to clear your companion's name. Things are looking quite badly for him at this point. He is free to move around this wing of the fortress with you, but none of you will be allowed to leave this wing, and my guards, plus Harold Pennc, will keep an eye on Stor for me."
Corgretor looks taken aback, "You don't have trained investigators? Or magic users capable of speaking to the fallen? I suppose I should have expected the tall tales about the Empire I actually wanted to be true are the ones that were the tallest. Oh, well. Besides our statements, and the evidence we've already offered to show that he couldn't have killed her and then placed her outside the door like this, what proof would satisfy you?"
Tel’ure adds: “Speaking of magic users, if one of the priests or clerics in this compound were to put Stor under the effects of a zone of truth spell, and Stor were to allow that spell to affect him as he says that he did not stab this woman, that is a simple, effective way to clear his name. Stor is able to cast it, however I assume a neutral party would need to cast it to guarantee an unbiased result.”
He turns on the spot, moving back inside the room. “The window was open last night before I closed it. I wonder…”
Perception: 21
Investigation: 23
The madwalker scientist checks the window, Stor’s bed area, and the surrounding areas for clues.
Stor sputters in indignation as he is arrested “what is the meaning of this? Where is your proof? I did nothing. The writing on the door could be anything.” He is angry and confused, but does not resist the officers. He nods as Tel-ure and Corgretor speak on his innocence and the avenues the Empire has to prove it. But if they are looking to him for answers, he will do what he can to clear his own name “If I am free to move around this wing, then release my bonds, and I will prove my innocence.”
Stor gestures down to the body and asks the guards "Do you know who she is? What can you tell us of her?"
Officer
"She is Vang Irinniena,a member of Team 3." The officer says with a glance to the body. She turns to Tel’ure and Corgretor, "I am not the one you need to answer to, and everyone knows truth magic can be circumvented if you just have the willpower to do so. This will have to be resolved by a trial of law, and all evidence currently points to your companion here," She points to Stor, "As the person who is most likely to have killed this woman. I do not have any reason to look furthre than that. If you believe him not to be guilty, then get evidence to prove that fact. Why would I put busy guards to that task, when I have you here and motivated to do so for me?" Turning to Stor she shakes her head. "Aid your friends if you wish, but the bonds stay put, and so do these guards I have placed with you."
Tel’ure
Moving back into your chamber, you do not notice anything amiss around the window, or in any of your chambers.
Tel'ure glances to the officer. "Of course. Everyone does know that. Surely then, they also know that the caster can tell if the subject has overpowered the spell or not. Cast it multiple times on him if you have to. I'm sure Stor would be willing to subject himself to such an ordeal, letting the spell take effect on him if that results in his name being cleared. It is that easy..."
He sighs. "But I suppose if there's no better option, we shall begin our search. How long do we have?"
"Stor, perhaps you should prepare a spell to locate objects as soon as you are able. Then search for the broach that was bestowed upon you before we arrived here. The one you lost, and the murderer has. Until then, we should talk to the blacksmith, as he would have been the one to stamp our symbol on the murder weapon. We visited him as a group and did not do so again; the murderer would have had to come alone. Let us go."
He heads toward the blacksmith, waving for the rest to follow. As they walk, he turns to his companion. "Stor. Did you or did you not kill him? I am not accusing you of such, I simply wish to hear it from you to me directly." Insight: 15
Stor snorts in disgust at the officer “Evidence? What evidence do you have? A few letters scrawled on a door? A farce of an investigation.”
He turns to Tel’ure and nods “The blacksmith is a wise idea, we can also follow this blood trail and see where it leads before it is cleaned away. The location of the attack may hold more clues.” he pauses and considers Tel’ure's other suggestions “We have just awakened, and while I finished my prayers I have not yet meditated for my spells. If you but give me a few minutes before we depart I can prepare the appropriate spells.”
He finishes by looking Tel’ure directly in the eye “I swear by the God of Courage, I did not kill this woman.”
(Stor spends 5 minutes in meditation to update spells. I assume his hands are tied in front of his body. Any impact on spellcasting gestures?)
Corgretor shakes his head and snorts at the laziness of human government, wondering how they were able to seize and control so much territory, "Yes, let's check the scene first, and then head to the blacksmith. If we are to investigate this, may we have the weapon to utilize in our investigations?"
Officer
"No, the dagger remains where it is." The officer says, gesturing two of her other guards over to stand guard on the body. "You can examine it where it is, but any attempt to remove it will be seen as an admission of guilt." At that moment Harold Pennc rushes up, with the two guards that had been sent to retrieve him. He is an older officer, though clearly subordinate to the officer who had come to the sceen first. "Good, Harold, you will stay with these, and keep that one under your supervision at all times." she gestures to Stor as she says the last. With that she nods and strides away.
If you are going to study the crime sceen further, then give me a general Investigation check, if someone helps, then one person can do so with advantage, otherwise all of you roll individual rolls. I am good either way.
Eboko does a thorough investigation 14 or 11 if better and has advantage. (Passive 17)
”I’m confident we can exonerate your name Stor. Let’s see what is here.”
Tel'ure bends down. "Allow me to lend you some assistance in examining the scene." He says to Eboko, giving help.
Eboko
Your analysis of the scene indicates that there are a few spots deserving of a closer look: the victim’s left and right hands, the chest wound, the corridor, and the victim’s body.
Please tell me what you wish to check out more closely and I'll let you know what skill I will need you to roll.
Corgretor is more at home dealing with the living than the dead, but will help out as best he can as his companions examine the scene.
Eboko examines the hands closely- he’s looking to verify that the victim wrote the name herself on the door in blood, as well as other clues. “I have read that sometimes the hands of the victim may have a clue- fabric or hair from the murderer, or some flesh under the fingernails. Perhaps someone with skill in medicine should look at these wounds”
Tel'ure kneels down next to the body, taking one of her hands in his own. "I believe I have enough training to be of use here, yes."
(Ready to do the medicine check once DM gives the go-ahead.)
Stor encourages Eboko and Tel’ure in their investigation of the body “Yes, examine the hands closely. It looks like there is ink on them. I also found this clutched in her hands when I first looked at the body” he shows the team the scrap of fabric, which looks like the part of a bag and is covered in bloodstains.
He looks up as the older officer arrives. “Good morning, Harold Pennc. I will give you no trouble, but you will soon see that I am innocent of any crime.”
Checks
Go ahead and give me investigation and/or medicine checks then.
Tel'ure medicine: 20