[OOC: That is a success and so by the rules for experience, Midian gains his level times 5 experience points. If he fails in a roll in future and I don't ask for an experience roll, you might like to remind me.]
[Look at the bottom of the previous page for a move.]
“The order of things,” Midian repeats her words. “You seemed fairly certain the cause of death was the knife, but are you saying it’s unclear if the arrows of Donai were used on Harlan’s head before the knife wound, or after? Death by knife wound, followed by destruction of the head to prevent communication via necromancy, is that your theory?”
"Arion's Arrows," she says automatically, correcting Midian before answering his question. "Perhaps... But then why not clean up. And why leave such incriminating evidence." At this, she lifts up the silver moon phase necklace she has in her hands, the duplicate of the one she is wearing. "The body was already cold when it was found, I'm told. So, whoever did the killing had plenty of time to cover things up. But they didn't..."
"And this is the most mysterious thing of all," she adds, passing the necklace to Midian. "These are sacred to my sect, and the essence of its owner should be clearly identifiable to me... But it is not. Despite the evidence of obvious wear, it is like this necklace was recently crafted and has never had an owner... I cannot even detect the essence of its creator."
[Make another Arcana check.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[OOC: In the past, Midian would have seen Seeker Lomani use magic to determine the ownership and past history of objects and even use such objects to track down their owners. But it was not something Midian's master could do as his magic studies concentrated on combat magic. Also, as a player, you should now have access to the homebrew rule for the Identify Spell, as Midian should at least know its capabilities, even if he can't cast it.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
“That does seem suspicious, like these cultists were calling us out, brazenly leaving evidence of their magic, when they had every opportunity to better cover their tracks,” Midian says. “The cult thrives on secrecy. They’re opposed by our order, but I can’t recall any instances of them flagrantly calling us out like this, as it most certainly seems they were doing in this case.”
He handles the melted silver amulet, turning it over in his hand. “Maybe this was never Harlan’s amulet at all. Maybe this isn’t even a magical object at all, and it never was. Too much about this feels like artifice, an ersatz assassination by cultists of Arion.”
Midian regards the priestess with careful scrutiny. “Does this add up to you?”
“That does seem suspicious, like these cultists were calling us out, brazenly leaving evidence of their magic, when they had every opportunity to better cover their tracks,” Midian says. “The cult thrives on secrecy. They’re opposed by our order, but I can’t recall any instances of them flagrantly calling us out like this, as it most certainly seems they were doing in this case.”
He handles the melted silver amulet, turning it over in his hand. “Maybe this was never Harlan’s amulet at all. Maybe this isn’t even a magical object at all, and it never was. Too much about this feels like artifice, an ersatz assassination by cultists of Arion.”
[OOC: Just to clarify things. The necklace she gave Midian is not Seeker Harlan's amulet, that is still on the table. The necklace of silver moons representing the four phases of Aieda that she did pass to Midian are effectively the holy symbol of an Aiedan priestess. Something that likely shouldn't have been at the scene of the murder in the first place. It would seem that Priestess Aloma is very concerned about this apparent connection between her own sect and the death of Seeker Harlan.
Based on this clarification, you might like to change what Midian says and does.]
Midian regards the priestess with careful scrutiny. “Does this add up to you?”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
“That does seem suspicious, like these cultists were calling us out, brazenly leaving evidence of their magic, when they had every opportunity to better cover their tracks,” Midian says. “The cult thrives on secrecy. They’re opposed by our order, but I can’t recall any instances of them flagrantly calling us out like this, as it most certainly seems they were doing in this case.”
Peering at the amulet, Midian says, "Rumors and evidence do show Harlan being with several women when he was found, yes? Might it have been a meeting with some priestesses of the order outside of, err, ceremonial functions? Is that your suspicion?"
"Two women at least, yes," says Priestess Aloma. "According to Brother Jax, the room in the inn was being rented by a woman magus from Gont and her elderly maid servant... Neither of which would normally have any connection with the Temple of Aieda, or so I would have thought..."
After a moment she adds, "Still, neither of them have been seen since the morning of the day Harlan was killed... And there is evidence in their belongings that perhaps they were not what they purported themselves to be." At this, she lifts up a hessian bag and hands it to Midian. "Do you know what this is?"
Opening the bag, Midian sees that it contains what looks like the dried roots of a plant.
[OOC: Make a Nature check. Midian doesn't have proficiency, but he might recognise it and it is a chance for experience.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
OOC: Ha, well, probably a chance to re-roll for experience?
[OOC: Role again for experience.]
When Midian tells Priestess Aloma that he doesn't recognise what it is she is showing him, she says, "It's falea root. The temple uses it to terminated unwanted pregnancies, as do some prostitutes."
"But it also has a second use," she adds. "If you drink it as a tea for a couple of days, it will turn your hair white. That was a fashion with women for a while until they realised that it made them look like prostitutes. However, if you think about it, it could also be used to make a young woman look older."
[OOC: No hurry to respond, it is almost 1am here, so I'm off to bed. Ciao.]
"This is a fascinating bunch of contradictions, I must say," Midian says, sounding more intrigued then upset. "We have Harlan raiding Arion cultists, but also In the quarters of a magus from Gont and her maid. One could assume they were suspect cult members, but the felea root and the emblem of the priestess order muddy those waters. The root could indicate Harlan sought out prostitutes or was simply having an affair with one or more women who did not want to become publicly embarrassed by the trist, or that someone was feigning old age to pose as the Gont-based magus or her servant. There's far too many possibilities to draw any firm conclusions from any of this, we only know now there are myriad possibilities."
Midian tries to think back to his hazy memories of his own ceremonial experience with masked priestesses, trying to guess whether he may have known Aloma intimately, despite not knowing her name or recognizing her on entry. "I must say, you've done an excellent job examining this evidence, and you've already came to some very astute conclusions, even if many of those, on the surface, appear contradictory. Have you encountered this sort of contradictory evidence in other cases? Any bizarre patterns?
[To determine if Midian can recognise Aloma based on gestures, speech habits and the like from the Aiedan fertility ceremonies he has attended in the past, make a Wisdom (Insight) Check.]
Aloma shakes her head and says, "No. It is not our place to normally get involved in such things. That is normally left up to you Seekers. I was just called in because of that necklace you are holding. Seeker Venn didn't understand why such a thing might be involved and approached my sect to see if we might be able to shed some light on the mystery... Unfortunately, I don't think I am going to be much help, as the evidence is even more confusing than I was told."
Then she turns and looks back at the table. "Still, there is more evidence to examine..." She picks up the bloodied hunting knife. "Do you mind? Maybe I can get something out of this that your Seeker Lomani didn't."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Midian steps back, making a slight flourish and half bow while doing so, "By all means, sister Aloma, please do. Your insights have been magnificent, thus far."
Midian steps back, making a slight flourish and half bow while doing so, "By all means, sister Aloma, please do. Your insights have been magnificent, thus far."
Insight Check for Midian to recognize her - 3
[OOC: Midian has no idea... Maybe if she wasn't wearing any clothes he might have better luck. ;-) ]
Aloma nods and says, "I am going to use a ritual so this might take a while. Please feel free to examine the evidence yourself, you won't disturb me."
She then takes the knife with her to a chair in the corner where she picks up feather and begins concentrating on the knife while muttering to herself.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
OOC: That is probably helpful if their only encounter was a ritual orgy. I assume I can roll a second time for possible exp gain? If I should just do so habitually without prompting, let me know.
Midian nods, allowing her to go about her business, and he will peruse the items himself. The priestess seemed to do a fine job, he was sincere in his praise, and she seemed interested in the contradictions, not willing to hand waive them away. Midian has concluded that even if the priestess order is involved in this, Aloma herself was not.
He will be looking both for clues, applying his own obsessive studies of the arcane, as well as making more general observations in the process. Midian does not consider himself as “investigator,” per se, but he will apply himself to this as best he can. He will also be appraising whether any of the objects are obviously of use, working arms or armaments or magical items that might be of use to him, among the crime scene physical evidence.
OOC: That is probably helpful if their only encounter was a ritual orgy. I assume I can roll a second time for possible exp gain? If I should just do so habitually without prompting, let me know.
[OOC: Do it because I will probably forget. If it isn't warranted, I will tell you. Note, only skill checks allow you to get experience. Straight ability checks don't.]
Midian nods, allowing her to go about her business, and he will peruse the items himself. The priestess seemed to do a fine job, he was sincere in his praise, and she seemed interested in the contradictions, not willing to hand waive them away. Midian has concluded that even if the priestess order is involved in this, Aloma herself was not.
He will be looking both for clues, applying his own obsessive studies of the arcane, as well as making more general observations in the process. Midian does not consider himself as “investigator,” per se, but he will apply himself to this as best he can. He will also be appraising whether any of the objects are obviously of use, working arms or armaments or magical items that might be of use to him, among the crime scene physical evidence.
[OOC: Make an Investigation check. For the purposes of experience, less than 5 will be considered a failure. The more above 5 rolled, the more information discovered.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
“The order of things,” Midian repeats her words. “You seemed fairly certain the cause of death was the knife, but are you saying it’s unclear if the arrows of Donai were used on Harlan’s head before the knife wound, or after? Death by knife wound, followed by destruction of the head to prevent communication via necromancy, is that your theory?”
"Arion's Arrows," she says automatically, correcting Midian before answering his question. "Perhaps... But then why not clean up. And why leave such incriminating evidence." At this, she lifts up the silver moon phase necklace she has in her hands, the duplicate of the one she is wearing. "The body was already cold when it was found, I'm told. So, whoever did the killing had plenty of time to cover things up. But they didn't..."
"And this is the most mysterious thing of all," she adds, passing the necklace to Midian. "These are sacred to my sect, and the essence of its owner should be clearly identifiable to me... But it is not. Despite the evidence of obvious wear, it is like this necklace was recently crafted and has never had an owner... I cannot even detect the essence of its creator."
[Make another Arcana check.]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
14 - Arcana check
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
“That does seem suspicious, like these cultists were calling us out, brazenly leaving evidence of their magic, when they had every opportunity to better cover their tracks,” Midian says. “The cult thrives on secrecy. They’re opposed by our order, but I can’t recall any instances of them flagrantly calling us out like this, as it most certainly seems they were doing in this case.”
He handles the melted silver amulet, turning it over in his hand. “Maybe this was never Harlan’s amulet at all. Maybe this isn’t even a magical object at all, and it never was. Too much about this feels like artifice, an ersatz assassination by cultists of Arion.”
Midian regards the priestess with careful scrutiny. “Does this add up to you?”
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Revised:
“That does seem suspicious, like these cultists were calling us out, brazenly leaving evidence of their magic, when they had every opportunity to better cover their tracks,” Midian says. “The cult thrives on secrecy. They’re opposed by our order, but I can’t recall any instances of them flagrantly calling us out like this, as it most certainly seems they were doing in this case.”
Peering at the amulet, Midian says, "Rumors and evidence do show Harlan being with several women when he was found, yes? Might it have been a meeting with some priestesses of the order outside of, err, ceremonial functions? Is that your suspicion?"
"Two women at least, yes," says Priestess Aloma. "According to Brother Jax, the room in the inn was being rented by a woman magus from Gont and her elderly maid servant... Neither of which would normally have any connection with the Temple of Aieda, or so I would have thought..."
After a moment she adds, "Still, neither of them have been seen since the morning of the day Harlan was killed... And there is evidence in their belongings that perhaps they were not what they purported themselves to be." At this, she lifts up a hessian bag and hands it to Midian. "Do you know what this is?"
Opening the bag, Midian sees that it contains what looks like the dried roots of a plant.
[OOC: Make a Nature check. Midian doesn't have proficiency, but he might recognise it and it is a chance for experience.]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
5 - Nature Check
OOC: Ha, well, probably a chance to re-roll for experience?
When Midian tells Priestess Aloma that he doesn't recognise what it is she is showing him, she says, "It's falea root. The temple uses it to terminated unwanted pregnancies, as do some prostitutes."
"But it also has a second use," she adds. "If you drink it as a tea for a couple of days, it will turn your hair white. That was a fashion with women for a while until they realised that it made them look like prostitutes. However, if you think about it, it could also be used to make a young woman look older."
[OOC: No hurry to respond, it is almost 1am here, so I'm off to bed. Ciao.]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
3 - Nature re-roll.
OOC: No worries, get some sleep! Midian is evidently determined not to know any more about the great outdoors based on these rolls.
"This is a fascinating bunch of contradictions, I must say," Midian says, sounding more intrigued then upset. "We have Harlan raiding Arion cultists, but also In the quarters of a magus from Gont and her maid. One could assume they were suspect cult members, but the felea root and the emblem of the priestess order muddy those waters. The root could indicate Harlan sought out prostitutes or was simply having an affair with one or more women who did not want to become publicly embarrassed by the trist, or that someone was feigning old age to pose as the Gont-based magus or her servant. There's far too many possibilities to draw any firm conclusions from any of this, we only know now there are myriad possibilities."
Midian tries to think back to his hazy memories of his own ceremonial experience with masked priestesses, trying to guess whether he may have known Aloma intimately, despite not knowing her name or recognizing her on entry. "I must say, you've done an excellent job examining this evidence, and you've already came to some very astute conclusions, even if many of those, on the surface, appear contradictory. Have you encountered this sort of contradictory evidence in other cases? Any bizarre patterns?
[To determine if Midian can recognise Aloma based on gestures, speech habits and the like from the Aiedan fertility ceremonies he has attended in the past, make a Wisdom (Insight) Check.]
Aloma shakes her head and says, "No. It is not our place to normally get involved in such things. That is normally left up to you Seekers. I was just called in because of that necklace you are holding. Seeker Venn didn't understand why such a thing might be involved and approached my sect to see if we might be able to shed some light on the mystery... Unfortunately, I don't think I am going to be much help, as the evidence is even more confusing than I was told."
Then she turns and looks back at the table. "Still, there is more evidence to examine..." She picks up the bloodied hunting knife. "Do you mind? Maybe I can get something out of this that your Seeker Lomani didn't."
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Midian steps back, making a slight flourish and half bow while doing so, "By all means, sister Aloma, please do. Your insights have been magnificent, thus far."
Insight Check for Midian to recognize her - 3
Aloma nods and says, "I am going to use a ritual so this might take a while. Please feel free to examine the evidence yourself, you won't disturb me."
She then takes the knife with her to a chair in the corner where she picks up feather and begins concentrating on the knife while muttering to herself.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
OOC: That is probably helpful if their only encounter was a ritual orgy. I assume I can roll a second time for possible exp gain? If I should just do so habitually without prompting, let me know.
Midian nods, allowing her to go about her business, and he will peruse the items himself. The priestess seemed to do a fine job, he was sincere in his praise, and she seemed interested in the contradictions, not willing to hand waive them away. Midian has concluded that even if the priestess order is involved in this, Aloma herself was not.
He will be looking both for clues, applying his own obsessive studies of the arcane, as well as making more general observations in the process. Midian does not consider himself as “investigator,” per se, but he will apply himself to this as best he can. He will also be appraising whether any of the objects are obviously of use, working arms or armaments or magical items that might be of use to him, among the crime scene physical evidence.
Retry of Insight for experience purposes: 18
OOC: Not recognizing a woman was a learning experience it seems.
[OOC: Make an Investigation check. For the purposes of experience, less than 5 will be considered a failure. The more above 5 rolled, the more information discovered.]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.