Tara gives the love letters a blank look when they find them, looking more confused than anything else, and lets the others handle them. When they're discussing the thought of going down, she nods. "Down is the most logical course. It's where we have the best chance of finding clues as to the doppelganger's intentions, even if they are more likely to have moved away from the scene of their crime as quickly as possible."

You make your way down to the lower level, what used to glow blue and shine in your vision now has lost and faded to black.  The only light sources you have are the two glow sticks and cracks of sunlight stabbing through the now loose wood frame.  The body of Sophie, crumpled in the corner as the crew had not the time to make proper arrangements.  Along the floorboards and glyphs.  Deep gashes have been made across several of the runes.  

"Perhaps we should take her corpse out with us once our investigation is complete" Jax would reply as his yellow gaze comes to rest on the body. He would then focus on destroyed runes. "Do dopplegangers have claws? " He would ask aloud as runs his thin metalic fingers along the gashes.

Virnen Palaris - Wood Elf Ranger

Virnen runs his hand along the destroyed runes. "I'm not sure. These could have happened due to the crash, but sabotage is more likely."

Salqwyn "Squall" d'Lyrandar / Half-elf Sorcere

Salqwyn moves Sophie’s body to a more peaceful position taking the time to do one last search for any belongings that might have been missed. “I will see to her once we are finished but would appreciate your help. We can examine the glyphs more once we have finished our search of the ship as well.”She heads back up then moving to the second deck.

Investigation : 10

Tara, Variant Human Knowledge Domain Cleric

Tara shakes her head. "Doppelgangers do not have claws. However, they are more physically powerful than their changeling ancestors and contemporaries. This also could have been the result of a dagger or other blade as well, though." She nods at Squall. "Let us go." As they move through the ship, Tara sends tiny blue dragons to the others in the group frequently.

OOC: Everyone can pretty much consider themselves guidanced for any skill checks while we're doing this. Tara will be constantly casting it.

Lucky Dale, Shifter Bard

But... they could have claws if they wanted?  Like, they can be any shape they want, right?

Lucky investigates each room of this deck as well:  Investigation 22 + 4

Tara shrugs. "I suppose so, if they wanted to. But I do not believe they would be particularly adept with such things. I apologize I cannot tell you more, daelkyr were not the focus of my studies."

The “engine room” was kept empty for the most part due to the nature of the room, you clearly don’t want any damage from scraping crates and what not.  Looking towards the glyphs that have been damaged. It is clear to the group that each gash is made by some sort of blades weapon.  The slashes aren’t wild and all over the room.  There a few and very distinct cuts made over specific glyphs.  The only logical outcome is that whomever did this knew exactly what to do from either experience or some sort of map or a journal of instructions... if you will.  But other than those details the room is clear.  Squall takes the time to reposition the body in a more decent pose.

(You are currently in the bottom of four floors.  You’ve searched the third floor already.  Second floor is the passenger quarters and storage, first floor is officers quarters, Goods storage, and kitchen)

"Have we considered the possibility that Sophie was allied with the person who did this?" Tara asks curiously. "Very specific knowledge of the runes would be needed to do this. It is not particularly likely, but possible. It is a possibility that she and the doppelganger disagreed, or that the doppelganger was cleaning up loose ends."

Salqwyn "Squall" d'Lyrandar / Half-elf Sorcere

”I think it more likely the killer used the journal that the page was torn from.” Salqwyn moves quickly through the decks checking only to see if there is someone hiding amongst the wreckage. Once they get to the top deck she will do a more thorough search of the officers quarters. 

Perception : 10 to find anyone hiding

Investigation : 17 searching the officers quarters. Specifically for a ships manifest crew/passenger/cargo and navigation tools. 

"Oh, certainly," Tara agrees as she checks the decks with Squall. "But all possibilities should be considered in order for us to have the best chance of rapidly coming to the correct conclusion."

Investigation for the officer's quarters: 17

Jax would quietly help investigate the rooms, looking for anything of interest or value. 

You continue your search going through the upper decks of the ship.  You bump into some of the crew heading up, but they see you and wait for you to finish your search before continuing their orders to bring supplies out.  Amongst the normal equipment of people’s normal clothing and watches and trinkets that bear no real significance to your search (let me know if you’re interested in taking some I’ll give you a list). You find some items and tokens that are more, let’s say valuable:  everbright lantern , spellshard , armblade , And a mystery key

In the shipping containers you fined several crates of shift weave cloth, not yet made into clothing.  This cloth is the new statement in fashion, having one gown are item being able to change colors and appearances via magical means and just your thought.  You notice one such crate has been opened and several sheets missing.  

You make it to The captains cabins, finding a cartographers kit, nothing of note besides their personal items.  You see an old picture of a much younger William and James smiling with each other.  Behind them is a crude two man flying machine.

You go to the next room, presumably Lespin’s room as you find the blue chest he mentioned.

Tara shows interest in the spellshard, claiming it unless someone contests it. She takes a moment to check and see if its full or blank, apparently experienced with such items. Upon finding the chest, she glances at the others. "This is what Lespin asked us to get for him."

Salqwyn "Squall" d'Lyrandar / Half-elf Sorcerer

Handing the glowing stick back to Jax, Salqwyn picks up the lantern. “Thank you. It was helpful, but I think this will serve us better now.” Her tone of voice sounds very sincere, maybe even overly so, as if trying to smooth things over from the rougher start you had. “Did you all notice the shift weave missing. That would help our killer blend in even better if they can have clothes to finish the looks they take on.”

Jax would pick up the armblade and examine it closely before looking to Squall and taking back the glowstick. "Thank you Squall. The lantern is much more effective than the glowstick. A wise choice" The warforged would say with a nod. "I think I will take this armblade. It could prove to be useful" Jax would say as he rolls up the sleeve of his left arm and holds the weapon against his thin metal forearm. as he does so, the wire-like mesh covering the areas in between his metal plates would unveil and begin slowly wrapping around the strange weapon. While holding the weapon in place, Jax would look to Tara. "I believe you are correct. We could take an empty crate and collect everythi ng for the captain." Then glancing to the shard, he would add. "Do you know if the shard has a command word required to unlock its secrets? perhaps it is filled with powerful spells" He would add as the yellow light seems to focus on the shard for a moment. 

ooc: what type of armblade is it? Hoping for something Dex based or with the finess property :D

Tara's smile is excited. "That depends on who it belonged to before, and what is inside. If there is no password, I should be able to merely access it...my mentor uses many of these," she adds in explanation as she closes her eyes, opening her mind to the shard.

Virnen picks up the key and looks it over in his hands. "Better save this for a rainy day."

Tara beams as she accesses the shard. "Blank. How wonderful, I can transfer my notes to here! They'll be much more organized like this." She glances at the others for a moment, then shrugs. "There is no harm in telling you, I suppose. I am setting the passphrase to be pefu."

Virnen (and anyone else who speaks Draconic) would know that pefu is Draconic for "dust".