While Lucky sniffs the victim, Walt continues to speak with the soldiers. "Thank you for stopping. I'll be quick." Walt positions himself so that he can question the herbalist and have clear view of the soldiers.
"You, Sir. I saw you at the herbalism shop. I dabble in herbalism and I took note of your stall. All seemed fine at your shop and then you suddenly savagely attacked that man. Why did you attack him? And before the attack I heard you coughing and I saw a pink cloud around your face. What was that cloud?"Walt will give him time to answer and then pose another question. "Do you recall seeing anyone suspicious milling about your stall or in your midst throughout the day?"
While Walt listening to the herbalists replies, he will attempt to observe the soldiers for any suspicious behavior, body language, etc.
Aranor shows the red-vested man the token they received from Samira. "We are investigating these murders on behalf of the Silent Verse," he explains. "That we could not prevent this murder from taking place right in front of us is very disturbing indeed. The man who murdered Arel Avim seemed out of his mind."
When Red Vest mentions the stocky woman, Aranor takes a quick glance around the marketplace. "I haven't seen such a woman, but she may be a person of interest. We should find her and talk to her. By the way, what is your name in case we need to talk to you again?"
>>(Zartan Furfoot makes an Intelligence check! 1d20 (14) + 4 = 18) Zartan indeed remembers a stocky woman in green pantaloons and yellow tunic irritably elbowing her way past you as you entered the market. You assume she must be long gone by now.
"I am Captain Adann," replies the red-vested man with the neatly-trimmed beard to Aranor. "I am with the Bloodletters. Maybe best you don't mention my name to any officials. Arel was sympathetic to the Bloodletters’ cause, much to his father’s disapproval. I can absolutely assure you, though, that the Bloodletters are not involved with the attack on Arel in any way."
---
Meanwhile, Lucky detects a different smell on the confused merchant – whatever was affecting his behavior, or whatever that pink cloud was, it was not the same as whatever killed the dwarven noble you found in the alley.
"I don't remember..." begins the merchant. "I don't remember anything until I woke up just now. What happened? Who are you?"
"I am Aranor Talandren," says Aranor. "Are the Bloodletters a mercenary company? What is the cause with which Arel was so sympathetic? Perhaps others aside from his father disapproved of his leanings."
As Captain Adann speaks, Aranor studies his demeanor and the tone of his voice, trying to detect whether the man is being truthful in disavowing any involvement with Arel's death.
"The Bloodletters proselytize a life free from oppression by the elite," responds Captain Adann to Aranor, quietly but articulately. "Our name originates from our desire to drain the greed from Zinda like blood from a wound. We work in open defiance of the Kings of Coin. But as you can imagine, we are frequent targets of the Silent Verse." He sighs. "Arel was at heart an anti-aristocrat, so he was sympathetic to our cause. This is a tragic day."
He turns to Zartan. "The woman. I don't know who she was. I just saw her watching Arel earlier while I was walking through the market. I thought it odd, but I didn't think much more about it. Her dress was a little odd - looked almost like a datura."
--
Meanwhile, not too far off, Tuuli and Walt find it difficult to question the merchant, who seems disoriented and in shock from the incident. His captors grow increasingly impatient. "You done? We got to get 'em off the streets."
Walt excuses himself from the herbalist and speaks to the guards. "Yes, I believe we're done with questioning him for now. As I said earlier, I believe he was under some sort of influence and he was not responsible for his actions. Where will you take him? I ask that he is not mistreated and that he can be made available for further questioning at a later time."
"But I do have a quick question for you two before you do. What do you know of the victim?"
"He's not going anywhere. We'll keep him alive for you. He'll be in the dungeon under the Vault of Justice," responds the guard to Walt. "The dead guy? That's Arel Avim, Messer Solenn Avim's son. A King of Coin family. Bit of a disrespectful ne'er-do-well, from what I gather, an ungrateful idler. Maybe had it coming. But nevertheless, he's supposed to be under Silent Verse protection – somebody's going to get in trouble, I think."
They begin to get moving again. (Will Tuuli and Walt join them, or return to find Aranor and Zartan in the market?)
Bidding goodbye to the two members of the Silent Verse and their disoriented captive, Walt and Tuuli return to find Zartan and Aranor at the scene of the crime.
Meanwhile, Captain Adann bids Zartan and Aranor goodbye, but not before giving Aranor a calling card with an address scribbled on it. "If we can be of any service..." he says.
Walt rejoins Zartan and Aranor as the man in the vest leaves. Walt walks up to his friends and says with a shrug “Did either of you find out some information? We didn’t get much out of the herbalist or the guards. And Lucky didn’t pick up any familiar smells on the victim. The herbalist didn’t recall anything of the atttack. All we learned was that the victim is Arel Avim, a son of one of the Kings of Coin. Two children of the Kings of Coin murdered on the same day. We should hurry and find Zenia before it’s too late.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
(Does the party have any further here at the crime scene/herb vendor's stall or in the market? Or would you all like to continue to the Thornapple to find Zenia?)
Unless the party has further business, you continue through the crowded market. Following Samira's directions, you find the "Thornapple", the tavern owned by Zenia’s family. (Zenia Ruba, as you recall, is the eldest daughter of Myx Nargis Ruba, another of the Kings of Coin. Zenia was attacked and nearly killed last night.)
Although the building is packed with people, the Thornapple’s baked clay walls create a cool interior. Dozens of tables are filled, and a huge stage across from the entrance is being set for a performance. From behind a long, well-stocked bar, a comfortably dressed orc gives an enthusiastic wave and says, “Welcome friends, and a blessed March of Vice to you! How can your cousin Nargis help you tonight?”
“And a blessed March of Vice to you too! Pleased to meet you cousin Nargis, my name is Walt. I’d like to buy a round of drinks for me and my friends here. I’ll take a locally brewed mead or ale if you have anything of the sort. If not, you can surprise me!
Walt turns to his friends with a smile and says “First drink is on me.” Walt scans the room trying to get a lay of the land.
DM: Roughly how large is the room? Are there windows and how many exits are there? From the outside does the building appear to be single story? And what is the general makeup of the crowd? Is it a good mix of all types or does everyone seem well to do?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
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Tuuli wordlessly holds Lucky out to the cuffed herbalist, and the cat takes a deep sniff.
Perception (igl) with Advantage for cat: 14
(rolled a 14 and a 10)
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
While Lucky sniffs the victim, Walt continues to speak with the soldiers. "Thank you for stopping. I'll be quick." Walt positions himself so that he can question the herbalist and have clear view of the soldiers.
"You, Sir. I saw you at the herbalism shop. I dabble in herbalism and I took note of your stall. All seemed fine at your shop and then you suddenly savagely attacked that man. Why did you attack him? And before the attack I heard you coughing and I saw a pink cloud around your face. What was that cloud?" Walt will give him time to answer and then pose another question. "Do you recall seeing anyone suspicious milling about your stall or in your midst throughout the day?"
While Walt listening to the herbalists replies, he will attempt to observe the soldiers for any suspicious behavior, body language, etc.
Inside check: 9
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
Aranor shows the red-vested man the token they received from Samira. "We are investigating these murders on behalf of the Silent Verse," he explains. "That we could not prevent this murder from taking place right in front of us is very disturbing indeed. The man who murdered Arel Avim seemed out of his mind."
When Red Vest mentions the stocky woman, Aranor takes a quick glance around the marketplace. "I haven't seen such a woman, but she may be a person of interest. We should find her and talk to her. By the way, what is your name in case we need to talk to you again?"
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
>>(Zartan Furfoot makes an Intelligence check! 1d20 (14) + 4 = 18)
Zartan indeed remembers a stocky woman in green pantaloons and yellow tunic irritably elbowing her way past you as you entered the market. You assume she must be long gone by now.
"I am Captain Adann," replies the red-vested man with the neatly-trimmed beard to Aranor. "I am with the Bloodletters. Maybe best you don't mention my name to any officials. Arel was sympathetic to the Bloodletters’ cause, much to his father’s disapproval. I can absolutely assure you, though, that the Bloodletters are not involved with the attack on Arel in any way."
---
Meanwhile, Lucky detects a different smell on the confused merchant – whatever was affecting his behavior, or whatever that pink cloud was, it was not the same as whatever killed the dwarven noble you found in the alley.
"I don't remember..." begins the merchant. "I don't remember anything until I woke up just now. What happened? Who are you?"
Zartan asks if they know anything about that woman.
D&D since 1984
"I am Aranor Talandren," says Aranor. "Are the Bloodletters a mercenary company? What is the cause with which Arel was so sympathetic? Perhaps others aside from his father disapproved of his leanings."
As Captain Adann speaks, Aranor studies his demeanor and the tone of his voice, trying to detect whether the man is being truthful in disavowing any involvement with Arel's death.
Insight - 15
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Tuuli makes eye contact with Walt and shakes her head, no.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"The Bloodletters proselytize a life free from oppression by the elite," responds Captain Adann to Aranor, quietly but articulately. "Our name originates from our desire to drain the greed from Zinda like blood from a wound. We work in open defiance of the Kings of Coin. But as you can imagine, we are frequent targets of the Silent Verse." He sighs. "Arel was at heart an anti-aristocrat, so he was sympathetic to our cause. This is a tragic day."
He turns to Zartan. "The woman. I don't know who she was. I just saw her watching Arel earlier while I was walking through the market. I thought it odd, but I didn't think much more about it. Her dress was a little odd - looked almost like a datura."
--
Meanwhile, not too far off, Tuuli and Walt find it difficult to question the merchant, who seems disoriented and in shock from the incident. His captors grow increasingly impatient. "You done? We got to get 'em off the streets."
Tuuli is ready to head back, sure this guy is an unfortunate dead end.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Walt excuses himself from the herbalist and speaks to the guards. "Yes, I believe we're done with questioning him for now. As I said earlier, I believe he was under some sort of influence and he was not responsible for his actions. Where will you take him? I ask that he is not mistreated and that he can be made available for further questioning at a later time."
"But I do have a quick question for you two before you do. What do you know of the victim?"
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
"He's not going anywhere. We'll keep him alive for you. He'll be in the dungeon under the Vault of Justice," responds the guard to Walt. "The dead guy? That's Arel Avim, Messer Solenn Avim's son. A King of Coin family. Bit of a disrespectful ne'er-do-well, from what I gather, an ungrateful idler. Maybe had it coming. But nevertheless, he's supposed to be under Silent Verse protection – somebody's going to get in trouble, I think."
They begin to get moving again. (Will Tuuli and Walt join them, or return to find Aranor and Zartan in the market?)
Walt tips his hat and thanks them for the info and will join Tuuli in heading back to our friends. Unless Tuuli has any questions for the guards.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
Tuuli returns with Walt to rejoin the others.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Bidding goodbye to the two members of the Silent Verse and their disoriented captive, Walt and Tuuli return to find Zartan and Aranor at the scene of the crime.
Meanwhile, Captain Adann bids Zartan and Aranor goodbye, but not before giving Aranor a calling card with an address scribbled on it. "If we can be of any service..." he says.
Walt rejoins Zartan and Aranor as the man in the vest leaves. Walt walks up to his friends and says with a shrug “Did either of you find out some information? We didn’t get much out of the herbalist or the guards. And Lucky didn’t pick up any familiar smells on the victim. The herbalist didn’t recall anything of the atttack. All we learned was that the victim is Arel Avim, a son of one of the Kings of Coin. Two children of the Kings of Coin murdered on the same day. We should hurry and find Zenia before it’s too late.”
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
Zartan shares what they learned
D&D since 1984
(Does the party have any further here at the crime scene/herb vendor's stall or in the market? Or would you all like to continue to the Thornapple to find Zenia?)
Walt is fine if we move along to the Thornapple. He wants to get to Zenia as quickly as possible.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
Unless the party has further business, you continue through the crowded market. Following Samira's directions, you find the "Thornapple", the tavern owned by Zenia’s family. (Zenia Ruba, as you recall, is the eldest daughter of Myx Nargis Ruba, another of the Kings of Coin. Zenia was attacked and nearly killed last night.)
Although the building is packed with people, the Thornapple’s baked clay walls create a cool interior. Dozens of tables are filled, and a huge stage across from the entrance is being set for a performance. From behind a long, well-stocked bar, a comfortably dressed orc gives an enthusiastic wave and says, “Welcome friends, and a blessed March of Vice to you! How can your cousin Nargis help you tonight?”
“And a blessed March of Vice to you too! Pleased to meet you cousin Nargis, my name is Walt. I’d like to buy a round of drinks for me and my friends here. I’ll take a locally brewed mead or ale if you have anything of the sort. If not, you can surprise me!
Walt turns to his friends with a smile and says “First drink is on me.” Walt scans the room trying to get a lay of the land.
DM: Roughly how large is the room? Are there windows and how many exits are there? From the outside does the building appear to be single story? And what is the general makeup of the crowd? Is it a good mix of all types or does everyone seem well to do?
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)