"I think the blob is just a distraction sheriff. The enemy is hiding behind the portal."

Dora gets to her feet and strides towards the glowing figure at which point she hears Guilliame tell the sheriff that he believes it is only a distraction.

As if on cue, the glowing figure ceases to be, plunging the basement back into semi-darkness with the only light source being the oil lamp on the floor at Basilly's feet.

[OOC: At this point, we will come out of combat.]

You both hear a curse in Sorendenese from Basilly and then, after a few moments, there is light again as the end of his sturdy fighting stick spring to life with a bright yellow glow.

"So, it is going to be like that, is it?" he says to the room in general. "We have a trickster spirit working against us. Everyone needs to be on their guard."

[OOC I though I still had an oil burner in my non-scimitar hand.]

Call out " I saw behind the door - it is a small human looking thing with glowing red eyes hovering in the air."

Quote from che_ja_pa >>

[OOC I though I still had an oil burner in my non-scimitar hand.]

[OOC: As it would have required Dora to put down both the oil lamp and her scimitar to put the handkerchief around her face here. Movement restrictions in combat meant she was only able to pick up the scimitar, which means the oil lamp must have been left on the floor.]

Call out " I saw behind the door - it is a small human looking thing with glowing red eyes hovering in the air."

Basilly picks up the oil lamp and comes across to where the rest of you are standing. "It is a magically summoned creature," he begins as he passes the lamp back to Dora, "most likely bound into service to guard Brassman's hidden sanctum. I have not seen its like before, but I have seen similar. They can be nasty, but it is unlikely to be able to run amok and be of a danger to the community, which is the most important thing at this moment."

He then turns to the sheriff and adds, "The most important thing here, my lord, is that I now have seen enough to be convinced that we are dealing with a dark magician and a possible cultist, which means I recommend that you now leave the matter in the hands of the Temple of Donai. If you agree, then I would recommend leaving a guard on the doors upstairs, both front and back, and someone from the Temple will be here early tomorrow morning to take over responsibility."

[OOC: If either of you want your characters to ask a question or add anything here before the sheriff makes his decision, please go right ahead.]

"Permission to speak freely Sheriff?"

"Yes," replies the sheriff with a nod. "What is it you want to say?"

Sheriff, we've established Brassman's involvement with dark magick but we have no idea about his killer or indeed or the identity of the other dead man. If we are in no immediate danger, could we finish examining the corpses and could we check with neighbours if they know anything.  I am loathe to show neighbours the second corpse but if it means progress then I recommend that course of action. I am particularly interested if Brassman had someone who cleaned or cooked and certainly neighbours may know that."

"Oh, one more thing, Magus de Marchant has shown ability to handle objects and to perceive their intimate history, could he not take an object form the unknown man to try to gain some clue about his identity and what happened up there?"

The sheriff is thoughtful for a moment before replying, at which time he speaks mainly to Apprentice Cullen.

"Handleader Wallus has reminded us that, as well as evidence of unholy magic being revealed, multiple murders have been committed..." He looks briefly at the hidden door at the other end of the basement before continuing, "Current evidence to the side, I considered Samuel Brassman to be something of a friend, a worthy colleague and a credit to the community of the Scholar's Ward. I cannot therefore let his death go unavenged and will not pass this whole matter over into the hands of the Temple."

Basilly then holds up a placating hand and says, "Certainly sheriff, I understand and with Brassman dead, I believe the Temple's main interest will be in destroying the summoned spirit in that room and taking into protective custody any blasphemous and dangerous magics it might contain... In fact, it might be that the murders upstairs are completely unrelated to what we have found downstairs, and therefore more a secular matter than a religious one..." He then gives a slight bow before adding, "However, we will of course be available to provide assistance, if it is needed."

"Good," says the sheriff. "I can sort out the details with the Temple in the morning."

He then turns to Guilliame. "Well, Master de Guilliame, your duty to the Ward this night has gone well beyond the time we agreed upon. Are you willing to continue with this investigation? We can take it up again tomorrow, if you wish. I, for one, have had enough excitement for tonight and can hear my bed calling to me."

[OOC: Hi Andrew. Hope you enjoyed your concerts, but the sheriff is awaiting Guilliame's answer...]

[OOC Andrew did mention to me that he may find it difficult to regularly make moves this week and apologised in advance.] 

[OOC Andrew back late Thursday night, expects to do move on Friday. Cheers.]

[OOC: No worries, Paul. I am in the last throes of getting out the December issue of the academic journal I am the publications manager for, so I haven't had a lot of time anyway. Back to normal programming soon, I hope.]

To the Sheriff, "Sir, still speaking freely ..."

"we have a way to go this night I think. As well as these murders, we also have Samel in protective custody whom I think Apprentice Basilly needs to interrogate. Samel is scared and we need his deposition before he clams up. The game is afoot Sheriff and as Brassman's murder shows our adversaries are several steps ahead." 

The sheriff takes on a look of surprise. "What are you saying, Handleader? Are you suggesting that the Hazluk family is responsible for the death of Saladin Brassman? ... Why? What would be their motive?"

"No Sir, but we found out about Brassman because of the vial that Samel was given by young Hazluk so there is a link."

"So..." begins the sheriff thoughtfully. "You are saying that Brassman gave the young Hazluk the flask for some reason and that the flask then came into your hands by coincidence because Hazluk passed it on to his servant for safekeeping for some reason, who then proceeded to lose it... I am not sure I see why Hazluk would trust such a possession to such a young servant, but I can understand why the boy was so keen to recover it, especially if he knows what his master is involved with."

He then turns to Basilly and says, "It would seem the Seekers' involvement needs to be expanded, Master Cullen. The Hazluks do not live in my jurisdiction and, while I can pass the details of the case to the sheriff of the Mercantile District, which is where I believe they recide, you Seekers are not so bound. We will, of course, provide any assistance that is required."

He then turns back to Handleader Wallus before continuing. "We, on the otherhand, should concentrate on finding out who killed Saladin Brassman. And there is also the other body... We need to find out who they are and inform their family."

Then, turning to Guilliame, he adds, "As it seems magic is involved, your assistance would be greatly appreciated, Master de Marchant. Are you available?"

"Certainly tomorrow. I will bring my identification equipment. I wonder if there is a good way of sealing things off this evening?"

"I have nothing," says Basilly, who then turns to look at where the secret door is. "But I suspect the spirit is bound to that room so, as long as no one goes in there, it should be right until something can be done about it tomorrow. I am sure the Seeker Lomani will know what to do about it."

"Well then," says the sheriff, putting his scimitar back in its scabbard. "I will have a guard put on both the front and the back of the building until the Temple is ready to take over. But for now, if you would like to come with us to the main office, I will see if I can arrange a ride back to the Temple." 

"Thank you, Sheriff," replies Basilly with a slight bow. "Much appreciated."