@Lem: You don't get the feeling that Zashier is lying. Though, it is not outside the realm of possibility for him to assume some details, like with the Tiefling gang before.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, take it easy man. I'm just relaying what I heard, and from what I can recall, Romero loves his poetry, as I sometimes do. And being the brains of our squad back in the day, it stands to reason he'd do something of sort to not make it so easy for someone to steal what he knew, of which there was often a lot."Zashier nods sagely at his own words. "As for the muse, well... your guess is as good as mine. As I believe I said before, or so I think, this last couple of years or so has been rough on getting together for idle catch-up. Part of the reason why I... why I couldn't be there when he needed me the most was to check in with the others." His shoulders sag at the admission.
But with Thistle's reaffirmation firmly in mind, he shook off feeling, and made for the Sanctuary without another word.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The party makes their way through the streets of lower Fallcrest up into upper Fallcrest where the new Sanctuary was recently reopened. As you walk through the streets, you notice life already getting back to normal. Even though a man died that morning, and there are still some whispers you catch as you pass about "Did you hear..." and "Can you believe he would take his own life..." but for the most part, life goes on in Fallcrest. Children are playing, business is being conducted. You pass several folks in the bustling street.
Based on the evidence you have thusfar, you are keeping an eye out for a human that might smell like an orc, which isnt a ton to go on at this very moment. As previously stated, there arent a huge amount of half orcs in Fallcrest, but there are some, and opinions of them rise and fall, depending on each person's history with orcs or with the war. Somehow they have managed to make a home here, as you clearly saw with Sara Morninghawk.
As you walk down the street, one passerby has Thistle lingering just a bit longer, watching him pass. A very old gentlman, a half orc, with oozing sores on his body. He slowly makes his way down the street. Most people make way for him to come by, though they all look upon him kindly. Something about him makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, but likely continue walking, as the sun has already begun its afternoon descent. You know you dont have much time left in the day, and the more time that passes, the further you get from the truth.
You continue on to the Sanctuary, and as you enter, you are greeted by high priestess Tyari Varvatos, whom you met previously at the final interrogation of Armos Kamroth and who was also present at the hopeknife celebration. She greets you in the name of Pelor and welcomes you in.
(Lem was just going off what Zashier said verbally, having not been there for the talk with Brinya, and also, he is Very Bad in picking up on social cues!)
Lem's good eye widens as he starts to process that Zashier's experiencing more emotion than Lem's used to. He nods to himself, and toys again with the necklace around his neck as the party gets moving again. He has Moon fly around, toggling in and out of her head, his hand on Yokini's shoulder as he walks sometimes blind.
(This is assuming that Lem also notices him: When the notable half-orc walks by, he has Moon alight on a rafter and watch him for a few minutes, even after the group passes by, trying to get a sense of what's going on there.)
Before they get to the Sanctuary, Lem pulls Thistle aside. "You want to be invisible for this? I still don't understand what muse we're looking for here, Zashier can be maddeningly indirect sometimes. But maybe the muse would be more easily found if it couldn't see all of us. Up to you."
Lem, great choice to have Moon watch over the half orc!
As you watch in your mind's eye, from Moon's perspective, you see him continue down the way, making furtive glances left and right, then duck into an alley. Finally, you see him make his way into a back entrance of Clamor.
By this time, you are almost the Sanctuary, and your vision fizzles out, as you are now too far from Moon to maintain the connection.
"I forget where they said they took Romero's body," Yokini says to the others as they are entering. "It's here at the sanctuary, right? I'd like to take a look at it."
Thistle considers Lem's offer. "I think the muse will turn out to be a person, perhaps someone he drew inspiration from for his poetry. Let's not make enemies by subterfuge before we have to, though it's a good idea, Lem. We may need to save it for if we don't get what we want."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"That old half-orc we just saw? Well, Moon just watched him, or whoever he was, duck into the back of the place we just left. Should we go back? I got the sense Sara was trying to hide something. Okay no 'sense' I listened to her thoughts a bit. As you do." Lem says to anyone who's listening, as soon as he sees it.
"As you do."Zashier casually nods in agreement. Then the words clicks, and he gives Lem another funny look, opens his mouth as if readying to say something, and then curtly shakes his head, dismissing the thought in favor of saying, "Well it do seems, though I would hate to say it, that we need go back and look into this. Since we're not the guards, here's hoping they can be reasonable. Though considering the impression I left last, which I tend to do regardless, it will be best if I wait around back if said half-orc gets flighty."
Zashier than places his hands on the shoulders of Lem and Thistle, and awkwardly does the same with his trunk to Yokini, if only for the sense of Unity. "I trust you guys can handle a 'second' questioning well enough. Just believe in yourself, try to avoid making any unnecessary threats, and remember we're trying to get the real killer. Not cause needless pain, alright?"With that, unless someone wished to countermand the paladin, and with a fairly convincing one at that, the elephantine man heads back, trusting whoever lingered to be able handle hunting down the 'muse'.
Yokini looks at Lem. "What? What 'old half-orc'?" She scowls. "We just left there; I don't want to go back." She turns and smiles at Tyari Varvatos as the priestess approaches and greets the party. "Is Romero's body here?" the gnome asks.
Yokini, yes, the body is here at the Sanctuary until the family can make burial preparations.
I love the image of the group with your heads in close, Zashier's hands on two people's shoulders, and trunk on the third!.
So, it seems Zashier is headed back to Clamor, and Yokini is staying at the Sanctuary. Thistle, discord says you are staying at the Sanctuary. Lem, which way are you headed?
Yokini, Tyari is not taken aback by your blunt request. She informs you that Bireal stopped by and told her that the heroes of Fallcrest might be stopping by to see Romero's body during thier investigation. She welcomes you into the Sanctuary, and escorts you (you meaning Yokini, Thistle, and Lem, if he decided to stay) through the main, large area to the back area down into a lower basement area, where its a bit colder. The body is here, on a table, under a sheet. She says "I'll give you a few moments. If you need me, I will be upstairs.
Zashier (and possibly Lem), you turn around, and make your way back through the streets of town, back to Clamor. Do you go in? the front or the back? Are you waiting outside, or barging in?
Thistle will let Yokini examine the body, instead stepping out with the priestess as she tries to leave.
”Excuse me, we are looking for Romero’s book of poetry, the family, and his fiance, would be interested in having it back. It wasn’t with him, and we’d heard he often came here to find inspiration. Might it be here?”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Without hesitation, Doctor Yokini pulls back the sheet in sections and thoroughly examines Romero's body for all injuries and anything else unusual like broken nails, missing hair, foreign objects where they shouldn't be, broken teeth, abrasions, etc. If he is not naked under the sheet, it will take a little doing, but she wants to examine his naked body, so she'll have to disrobe him. She'll start giving out orders to help her to whoever is there with her. One thing she's specifically looking for is ... She remembers how Lord Markelhay showed Ruby the specific places to cut with the hopeknife, and she wants to see if Romero cut in those exact places.
Zashier will hold off out right barging through the door for Lem to catch up with Moon, and perhaps deliver an update. Standard routine for the old soldiers, even if they rarely if every worked together. In the meantime, he slowed at least during the last leg so that -- if just due to the angle of the road's limited their ability to avoid being seen from the front -- at the very least they wouldn't appear to be rushing as if they knew something.
After which... he turns to Lem and says, "Together? Or, should I be waiting out back, just in case, considering I may have not left with the best impressions."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Lem keeps pace with Zashier to return as quickly as possible to the Clamor, and as soon as he’s back in range with Moon, he will toggle into the raven’s eyes for a few flashes, assuming he no longer sees the old half-orc in the alley behind the Clamor.
”Good idea for you to wait out back for now. You can keep Moon company and watch/listen to see if someone ducks out, and wait for the odd chance this goes south. I think we are here to listen, though. I will become invisible before I enter, and perhaps Sara and this individual will be speaking about something critical to our inquiry. I’ll try to listen through Moon when I can, so feel free to talk to her if you notice something.”
Unless Zashier objects, Lem has Moon hang out in the alley watching the doorway the half-orc was headed for, and Lem casts invisibility on himself, and then walks to the front entrance of the Clamor, entering quietly.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Yokini, at the Sanctuary, being a medical professional and an artificer/alchemist, you notice several things.
1 - He is dead. Cause of death would be blood loss, from the slits on his wrist.
2 - There is an odd substance on his lips.
Going to say, because you are an artificer, an alchemist, a tinkering gnome, you likely have a "pocket" alchemy/tinker kit you wouldnt leave home without. You might have a more thorough lab back in the basement, but you wouldnt leave home without your kit. From what I can tell, the best check for this would be an Alchemist check to check on that substance, which would be an INT check, and you are definitely proficient with those things, so we will add your prof. bonus to it. Alchemist check: 15
You cant tell what the substance is, but you know its not a human body secretion. You might be able to take a sample, and take it back to your lab if you want to find out what it is.
Yes, Romero was here quite often. I saw him here in the sanctuary, worshipping, and writing. He spoke often with Katrezra, a long-time half-orc resident of the Sanctuary, frequently in recent weeks. I occasionally overheard the two muttering about ghosts, half-orcs, hopeknives, and white painted swords, but no details beyond that - I dont like to eavesdrop. Katrezra always claimed to have visions, though I can’t vouch for his prophetic accuracy...I always just thought he was hallucinating. But, thats neither here nor there. To answer your question, yes, I have seen him writing. As for his inspiration, I just thought he was very in-tune with Pelor.
Zashier, you make your way back to Teldorthan’s Fine Steel (Clamor), with Lem hot on your heels - occasionally grabbing on to you to guide him while he bounces in and out of his own consciousness and Moons perspective. Zashier, your speed, and your size, make it obvious you are an elephant on a mission, and those on the street make sure to give you a wide berth as you cut a swath through the street, Lem following in your wake.
You both regroup with Moon, and make your way behind the shop, unseen. The wooden door here is closed. It seems that Zashier and Moon are going to stay around back, and Lem becomes invisible and walks right through the front door…unfortunately, a bell tinkles as the door opens. It may have been drowned out, when you visited previously, by the sound of hammering, but as you walk in, the bell very clearly announces your presence. You close the door quickly, then put some distance between you and the door, likely hugging a side wall. Immediately you are struck by the silence in the shop. No hammering is happening. You heard muffled voices in the back when you stepped in, but as soon as the bell tinkles, the voices go silent.
Perception (with disadvantage): 8
Sara comes out of the back room, looking to greet a client, but sees no one. She looks around from side to side, but when she feels that she is indeed alone, she goes back to the back work area where the forge is, and you once again hear muffled voices.
Zashier, you likely hear the muffled voices, but they are extremely faint to you, on the other side of the door.
You just missed him. He left a bit before you arrived. You may still be able to catch up to him…since his crippling condition causes him considerable physical pain and drastically limits his mobility. You may have even passed him - an older half orc, with open sores on his body. You may wish to speak with him, he did have considerable contact with Romero…he is a good man. He sought sanctuary in the church long ago, and has become a devout follower of Pelor in his time here.
“Unfortunately,” Tyari says when you have finished questioning her, “I have some other worshippers whose needs require attention. Pelor’s light shines on those who seek the truth, best of luck to your and your friends, and you are always welcome at this Sanctuary should you need healing or other assistance from the church.” and she makes her way back up to the main area of the Sanctuary.
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@Lem: You don't get the feeling that Zashier is lying. Though, it is not outside the realm of possibility for him to assume some details, like with the Tiefling gang before.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, take it easy man. I'm just relaying what I heard, and from what I can recall, Romero loves his poetry, as I sometimes do. And being the brains of our squad back in the day, it stands to reason he'd do something of sort to not make it so easy for someone to steal what he knew, of which there was often a lot." Zashier nods sagely at his own words. "As for the muse, well... your guess is as good as mine. As I believe I said before, or so I think, this last couple of years or so has been rough on getting together for idle catch-up. Part of the reason why I... why I couldn't be there when he needed me the most was to check in with the others." His shoulders sag at the admission.
But with Thistle's reaffirmation firmly in mind, he shook off feeling, and made for the Sanctuary without another word.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
_
The party makes their way through the streets of lower Fallcrest up into upper Fallcrest where the new Sanctuary was recently reopened. As you walk through the streets, you notice life already getting back to normal. Even though a man died that morning, and there are still some whispers you catch as you pass about "Did you hear..." and "Can you believe he would take his own life..." but for the most part, life goes on in Fallcrest. Children are playing, business is being conducted. You pass several folks in the bustling street.
Based on the evidence you have thusfar, you are keeping an eye out for a human that might smell like an orc, which isnt a ton to go on at this very moment. As previously stated, there arent a huge amount of half orcs in Fallcrest, but there are some, and opinions of them rise and fall, depending on each person's history with orcs or with the war. Somehow they have managed to make a home here, as you clearly saw with Sara Morninghawk.
As you walk down the street, one passerby has Thistle lingering just a bit longer, watching him pass. A very old gentlman, a half orc, with oozing sores on his body. He slowly makes his way down the street. Most people make way for him to come by, though they all look upon him kindly. Something about him makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, but likely continue walking, as the sun has already begun its afternoon descent. You know you dont have much time left in the day, and the more time that passes, the further you get from the truth.
You continue on to the Sanctuary, and as you enter, you are greeted by high priestess Tyari Varvatos, whom you met previously at the final interrogation of Armos Kamroth and who was also present at the hopeknife celebration. She greets you in the name of Pelor and welcomes you in.
(Lem was just going off what Zashier said verbally, having not been there for the talk with Brinya, and also, he is Very Bad in picking up on social cues!)
Lem's good eye widens as he starts to process that Zashier's experiencing more emotion than Lem's used to. He nods to himself, and toys again with the necklace around his neck as the party gets moving again. He has Moon fly around, toggling in and out of her head, his hand on Yokini's shoulder as he walks sometimes blind.
(This is assuming that Lem also notices him: When the notable half-orc walks by, he has Moon alight on a rafter and watch him for a few minutes, even after the group passes by, trying to get a sense of what's going on there.)
Before they get to the Sanctuary, Lem pulls Thistle aside. "You want to be invisible for this? I still don't understand what muse we're looking for here, Zashier can be maddeningly indirect sometimes. But maybe the muse would be more easily found if it couldn't see all of us. Up to you."
Lem, great choice to have Moon watch over the half orc!
As you watch in your mind's eye, from Moon's perspective, you see him continue down the way, making furtive glances left and right, then duck into an alley. Finally, you see him make his way into a back entrance of Clamor.
By this time, you are almost the Sanctuary, and your vision fizzles out, as you are now too far from Moon to maintain the connection.
"I forget where they said they took Romero's body," Yokini says to the others as they are entering. "It's here at the sanctuary, right? I'd like to take a look at it."
Thistle considers Lem's offer. "I think the muse will turn out to be a person, perhaps someone he drew inspiration from for his poetry. Let's not make enemies by subterfuge before we have to, though it's a good idea, Lem. We may need to save it for if we don't get what we want."
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"That old half-orc we just saw? Well, Moon just watched him, or whoever he was, duck into the back of the place we just left. Should we go back? I got the sense Sara was trying to hide something. Okay no 'sense' I listened to her thoughts a bit. As you do." Lem says to anyone who's listening, as soon as he sees it.
"As you do." Zashier casually nods in agreement. Then the words clicks, and he gives Lem another funny look, opens his mouth as if readying to say something, and then curtly shakes his head, dismissing the thought in favor of saying, "Well it do seems, though I would hate to say it, that we need go back and look into this. Since we're not the guards, here's hoping they can be reasonable. Though considering the impression I left last, which I tend to do regardless, it will be best if I wait around back if said half-orc gets flighty."
Zashier than places his hands on the shoulders of Lem and Thistle, and awkwardly does the same with his trunk to Yokini, if only for the sense of Unity. "I trust you guys can handle a 'second' questioning well enough. Just believe in yourself, try to avoid making any unnecessary threats, and remember we're trying to get the real killer. Not cause needless pain, alright?" With that, unless someone wished to countermand the paladin, and with a fairly convincing one at that, the elephantine man heads back, trusting whoever lingered to be able handle hunting down the 'muse'.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Yokini looks at Lem. "What? What 'old half-orc'?" She scowls. "We just left there; I don't want to go back." She turns and smiles at Tyari Varvatos as the priestess approaches and greets the party. "Is Romero's body here?" the gnome asks.
Yokini, yes, the body is here at the Sanctuary until the family can make burial preparations.
I love the image of the group with your heads in close, Zashier's hands on two people's shoulders, and trunk on the third!.
So, it seems Zashier is headed back to Clamor, and Yokini is staying at the Sanctuary. Thistle, discord says you are staying at the Sanctuary. Lem, which way are you headed?
Yokini, Tyari is not taken aback by your blunt request. She informs you that Bireal stopped by and told her that the heroes of Fallcrest might be stopping by to see Romero's body during thier investigation. She welcomes you into the Sanctuary, and escorts you (you meaning Yokini, Thistle, and Lem, if he decided to stay) through the main, large area to the back area down into a lower basement area, where its a bit colder. The body is here, on a table, under a sheet. She says "I'll give you a few moments. If you need me, I will be upstairs.
Zashier (and possibly Lem), you turn around, and make your way back through the streets of town, back to Clamor. Do you go in? the front or the back? Are you waiting outside, or barging in?
Thistle will let Yokini examine the body, instead stepping out with the priestess as she tries to leave.
”Excuse me, we are looking for Romero’s book of poetry, the family, and his fiance, would be interested in having it back. It wasn’t with him, and we’d heard he often came here to find inspiration. Might it be here?”
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Without hesitation, Doctor Yokini pulls back the sheet in sections and thoroughly examines Romero's body for all injuries and anything else unusual like broken nails, missing hair, foreign objects where they shouldn't be, broken teeth, abrasions, etc. If he is not naked under the sheet, it will take a little doing, but she wants to examine his naked body, so she'll have to disrobe him. She'll start giving out orders to help her to whoever is there with her. One thing she's specifically looking for is ... She remembers how Lord Markelhay showed Ruby the specific places to cut with the hopeknife, and she wants to see if Romero cut in those exact places.
Medicine: 14
Investigation: 10
Zashier will hold off out right barging through the door for Lem to catch up with Moon, and perhaps deliver an update. Standard routine for the old soldiers, even if they rarely if every worked together. In the meantime, he slowed at least during the last leg so that -- if just due to the angle of the road's limited their ability to avoid being seen from the front -- at the very least they wouldn't appear to be rushing as if they knew something.
After which... he turns to Lem and says, "Together? Or, should I be waiting out back, just in case, considering I may have not left with the best impressions."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Lem keeps pace with Zashier to return as quickly as possible to the Clamor, and as soon as he’s back in range with Moon, he will toggle into the raven’s eyes for a few flashes, assuming he no longer sees the old half-orc in the alley behind the Clamor.
”Good idea for you to wait out back for now. You can keep Moon company and watch/listen to see if someone ducks out, and wait for the odd chance this goes south. I think we are here to listen, though. I will become invisible before I enter, and perhaps Sara and this individual will be speaking about something critical to our inquiry. I’ll try to listen through Moon when I can, so feel free to talk to her if you notice something.”
Unless Zashier objects, Lem has Moon hang out in the alley watching the doorway the half-orc was headed for, and Lem casts invisibility on himself, and then walks to the front entrance of the Clamor, entering quietly.
Yokini, at the Sanctuary, being a medical professional and an artificer/alchemist, you notice several things.
1 - He is dead. Cause of death would be blood loss, from the slits on his wrist.
2 - There is an odd substance on his lips.
Going to say, because you are an artificer, an alchemist, a tinkering gnome, you likely have a "pocket" alchemy/tinker kit you wouldnt leave home without. You might have a more thorough lab back in the basement, but you wouldnt leave home without your kit. From what I can tell, the best check for this would be an Alchemist check to check on that substance, which would be an INT check, and you are definitely proficient with those things, so we will add your prof. bonus to it. Alchemist check: 15
You cant tell what the substance is, but you know its not a human body secretion. You might be able to take a sample, and take it back to your lab if you want to find out what it is.
Thistle, chatting with Tyari, she responds:
Yes, Romero was here quite often. I saw him here in the sanctuary, worshipping, and writing. He spoke often with Katrezra, a long-time half-orc resident of the Sanctuary, frequently in recent weeks. I occasionally overheard the two muttering about ghosts, half-orcs, hopeknives, and white painted swords, but no details beyond that - I dont like to eavesdrop. Katrezra always claimed to have visions, though I can’t vouch for his prophetic accuracy...I always just thought he was hallucinating. But, thats neither here nor there. To answer your question, yes, I have seen him writing. As for his inspiration, I just thought he was very in-tune with Pelor.
Zashier, you make your way back to Teldorthan’s Fine Steel (Clamor), with Lem hot on your heels - occasionally grabbing on to you to guide him while he bounces in and out of his own consciousness and Moons perspective. Zashier, your speed, and your size, make it obvious you are an elephant on a mission, and those on the street make sure to give you a wide berth as you cut a swath through the street, Lem following in your wake.
You both regroup with Moon, and make your way behind the shop, unseen. The wooden door here is closed. It seems that Zashier and Moon are going to stay around back, and Lem becomes invisible and walks right through the front door…unfortunately, a bell tinkles as the door opens. It may have been drowned out, when you visited previously, by the sound of hammering, but as you walk in, the bell very clearly announces your presence. You close the door quickly, then put some distance between you and the door, likely hugging a side wall. Immediately you are struck by the silence in the shop. No hammering is happening. You heard muffled voices in the back when you stepped in, but as soon as the bell tinkles, the voices go silent.
Perception (with disadvantage): 8
Sara comes out of the back room, looking to greet a client, but sees no one. She looks around from side to side, but when she feels that she is indeed alone, she goes back to the back work area where the forge is, and you once again hear muffled voices.
Zashier, you likely hear the muffled voices, but they are extremely faint to you, on the other side of the door.
“Perhaps Katrezra knows where he might have kept his poetry then,” Thistle says. “Are they here today? Where might I find them?”
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Thistly, Tyari responds:
You just missed him. He left a bit before you arrived. You may still be able to catch up to him…since his crippling condition causes him considerable physical pain and drastically limits his mobility. You may have even passed him - an older half orc, with open sores on his body. You may wish to speak with him, he did have considerable contact with Romero…he is a good man. He sought sanctuary in the church long ago, and has become a devout follower of Pelor in his time here.
“Unfortunately,” Tyari says when you have finished questioning her, “I have some other worshippers whose needs require attention. Pelor’s light shines on those who seek the truth, best of luck to your and your friends, and you are always welcome at this Sanctuary should you need healing or other assistance from the church.” and she makes her way back up to the main area of the Sanctuary.