DM Robert - It Begins Tuesday September 19th, 2017 8:49:58 PM
The day passes uneventfully. The group seems content and yet somewhat on edge, there's a certain something in the air. Certainly Briadoc seems preoccupied turning what was supposed to be the chapel into a nursery. Micah and Zanderallen seem a little put off by this. Briadoc only shrugs and says, "If you're keeping me here I gots things to do. I could do them somewhere else, say Plateau City or somewhere else far off from here if you prefer. It's only a few pots." (well seems like there are 20 pots of various sizes). When asked about what he's growing he replies with "Oh this and that, some orchids, some herbs, this and that." One wonders where he got the seeds....did anyone ever search him?
A little after 5 Sid returns again with Elly to find out where the group is going to have dinner. As the group is discussing it, there comes a knocking, knocking at the warehouse door.
You fling open the door and to what do your wondering eyes appear...Rodrigo Diaz! He is panting and sweat drops from his face, his black hair is damp with perspiration. Perception 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { you can see a few people in the street behind him looking your way, as if they saw him running through the streets and are wondering what's up}
Rodrigo is dressed in a plain set of leather armor and has his sword. He manages to rasp out. "needed, here." He hands a piece of paper to ..... first person to post The note says... Highlight to display spoiler: {"Micah, Shields, Urgently need your help. Please come to Rosebud Publishing, Merchant level, near Trade Street." it is signed, Lukas Smith, Sargent of the Guard.}
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+10=19 ; Tuesday September 19th, 2017 9:25:03 PM
Sid takes the note and ushers him in, "Rod! Come in, come in!" Sid ushers him to a chair as Elly shuts the door, "Something to drink for the man! What's wrong?" Sid reads the note and then reads it out loud for everyone to hear, and hands the note to Micah.
=======================================
Perception: 19
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 d20+4=6 ; Tuesday September 19th, 2017 9:30:51 PM
After realizing who it is, the first thing he notices is Rodrigo is without his regular enchanted armor. Those thoughts are immediately dispelled when he reads the signature on the proffered note. His pulse races and he can feel the adrenaline build, but to avoid acting rashly he closes his eyes and offers a brief prayer to Domi, before responding.
"We must be off to the merchant level and ready for battle! Time is of the essence but let us not go ill prepared," he states with forced calm.
"Rodrigo, come in. While you get some water, tell us what this is about," he inquires while waving the note and ushering the mercenary to a nearby chair. He then passes the note to the nearest Shield and explains, "For those of you who do not know. The sergeant whose signature is on this note is my brother."
After handing Rodrigo a cup, he grabs his shield from where it was resting near the door and makes ready to leave.
====== Perception 6
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 Tuesday September 19th, 2017 10:55:49 PM
Lavinia had been propping her feet up on Sasha and reading a book when the man, Rodrigo she heard others say, arrived at the HQ. Seeing that everyone seems to know this guy she sits up and watches in curiosity. Hopefully someone will tell her who this guy is.
And what's this about Micah's brother? She has no idea but she's going to help whatever. She checks her shortswords are in place and motions for Sasha to follow. The panther, sensing the tension, is immediately on her feet and ready for action
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 19/14/16; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Wednesday September 20th, 2017 9:51:08 AM
Stock launches himself to his feet when Rodrigo enters. The unease he felt earlier is finally clear.
...wasn't the cat then...
He feels the sense of urgency and rushes to his room on the third floor. He hastily dons his armor, grabs his heavy flail and pack and is back and ready to go. When he gets back down to the main floor, he has parts of his shirt sticking out around his breastplate and some straps loose still but he is at least protected. He is smiling grimly, white teeth contrasting with his tanned skin. "Micah - I don't think we've ever talked about your brother being in the guard...and I mean no disrespect but my experience with them is pretty...mixed. They usually mean well but can be rather rigid. I assume we can trust your brother in whatever he asks of us?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hastily donned breastplate takes 1 minute but forces me to take an additional -1 penalty AC and Armor check penalty...Statline is updated.
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Wednesday September 20th, 2017 11:46:44 AM
Emily jumps when the door slams open and the hair on her back rises. She relaxes when there is not an immediate attack. Dorbin looks from Sid to Micah and says, "Well let's go, then!"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 d20+4=17 ; Wednesday September 20th, 2017 2:09:23 PM
Suddenly changing from peaceful talk to hurried action, Zander jumps up at the appearance of Rodrigo. With his thoughts turning to action he loses control od his glammered armor suddenly switching from plain clothes to gleaming full plate in an instant. Seeing the people staring outside he has more immediate concerns as he chases after Stock. "Micah yell up if seconds matter. If a minute or two won't hurt I'm going to help Stock get properly equipped." Zander assists Stock in donning his armor, the extent based on news from Micah. Coming back down with Stock, Zander is ready to go. ------ Perception 17 If no yell from Micah, Zander can aid Stock in fully donning his armor in 2 minutes (ignoring all protests from Stock) If Micah yells them he assists in hastily donning.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+7=20 ; Wednesday September 20th, 2017 3:40:26 PM
Bartomus had made sketches of the project he had in mind and then gave some thought on how to incorporate that into a small storage chest. He was not cabinet maker, but he felt that he could ask for additional help from others in the Shields or craftsmen he knew about the Float. He sketched out a small multi-drawer filled cabinet, more akin to a spice cabinet, and took the sketch with him down to the main floor.
He came down and realized that the conversation was about dinner and where to eat. He hadn't thought about it, but he hadn't eaten most of the afternoon, and he was hungry. As he was about to recommend a night at the Ghost, there was a loud pounding at the front door that Sid answered. A haggered man was let in and it was obvious that he had been running, further accentuated by the gaggle of folks out in the roadway looking at the Shield's headquarters.
When he heard the call to arms by Micah, Bartomus simply turned about and walked back up to his room. He grabbed his glave, the sling bullet pouch and fastened it to the broad black leather belt that he was already wearing. He grabbed the grubby linen shirt with one hand as he took off the clean, intact one with his other hand. "No need to ruin another one of these, need to find something a bit more protective," he said to no one but himself.
He picked up his dagger, turned back towards the stairs and walked down to join the others. He sheathed the dagger and fasteed it to the same belt. "So, another mission, amongst the Merchants this time. Money, commerce, and the need for weapons, something is up." =============== Perception - 20
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) Wednesday September 20th, 2017 6:10:29 PM
"Elly love, I'm sorry, but it looks like dinner is going to have to wait," Sid adds.
DM Robert - "...I mean no disrespect but my experience with them is pretty...mixed." Wednesday September 20th, 2017 8:27:20 PM
Rodrigo takes the water and drinks deeply. "Much obliged. Well Sergent Lukas has got himself into a bit of a pickle, not of his own making of course. It seems that one of the owners of Rosebud Publishing has committed suicide." Rodrigo rises from the chair that was thrust upon him. "What probably is not spoken about too much, unless you are of rank in the guard, is that nobles on the float, do not commit suicide. Ever. Bad publicity. So what is going to happen is that they, and by that I mean the upper crust that run things, is that a murder was committed. It's Lukas's bad luck to have had it happen on his watch, that means he takes responsibility for having let a murderer slip through his fingers....or if he's unscrupulous, of picking someone to blame the murder on. Either way his career could hang in the balance."
Rodrigo moves toward the door. "We'd best get going. I can explain more on the way if you have questions."
Knowledge local 15 #1 Highlight to display spoiler: {He's right, you have never heard of any noble of the float committing suicides.....several have been murdered over the years.}
Knowledge Local 15 # 2 Highlight to display spoiler: { anytime nobility is involved in a crime the guard often try to find others to lead the investigation, that makes for an easy scrap-goat in case something goes wrong.}
Knowledge local 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {Rosebud Publishing prints a variety of books fiction, history, esoteric magic stuff, etc. Basically whatever the publisher think will sell. They distribute to the float but throughout the Wold. They also publish a weekly broadsheet (newspaper) of events and news of the Float.}
DM stuff - this module will run slightly different than what you are used to. Because it is a murder mystery I am not going to pre post knowledge rolls with the spoiler caption. Rather, if there's something you are interested in post what you are trying to find out and the appropriate roll. This could be either Knowledge based rolls, Perception checks (here's a clue, a magnifying glass gives a +2 to perception checks), Sense motive, etc. You are the detectives. The question is what sort of detective will you be remembered as...Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade, or Inspector Clouseau.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Wednesday September 20th, 2017 9:20:52 PM
Stohp, checking in on Braidoc, looks about at the potted seedlings and glowers in suspicion. "I didn't buy you seeds. What are you planting? So help me if you are continuing your experiments you will wish Crimson got you."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+4=8 ; d20+4=17 ; d20+4=13 ; Wednesday September 20th, 2017 10:25:40 PM
Bartomus listened as the man talked and remembered something. "Micah, I realize the Sergeant is your brother, but the few investigations done by folks like us, from the history I remember reading, ended up with the ones blamed for things."
He shrugged and looked at Micah. "I am not saying we don't do something, I am saying that we realize that us helping your brother will notch up the risks of what we are doing."
"Rodrigo, you said the person committed suicide, why did you all believe that? How did they die?" Bartomus asked ====== Knowledge Local/Float, 8, 17, and 13 - reveal 2nd
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Thursday September 21st, 2017 10:49:00 AM "Gah Zanderallen...not like that. I can do it. I really can." He doesn't actually slap away Zanderallen's hand as the Paladin helps to sort out his armor but he does look almost embarassed that he needs help. When he hears Rodrigo's story, he says, "He's already dead then? Maybe I don't need this after all. I don't see a problem helping here but, I must say I don't think any of us is particularly suited to investigating a murder..."
He waits a moment, looking around at the way the HQ was finished for them and then says, "At any rate, of course we'll help how we can...What do you know about the stiff or his business anyway?"
----------- Statline is updated again with Z's help with Stock's armor. No Knowledge Local...wishing I had more than Knowledge Nature right about now.
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] d20+9=16 ; d20+14=30 ; Thursday September 21st, 2017 11:43:15 AM
Dorbin remains in silent contemplation as he hears the news and realizes the group is likely going to be in trouble. If they show up, they might get the murder pinned on them if they can't find another way to prove the suicide or find another murderer.
OOC: Trying out knowledge, history (16) and linguistics (30) to see if Dorbin knows any more about this publishing company. Who owns it, how long it has been around, their overall reputation.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+12=13 ; d20+12=22 ; d20+12=14 ; Thursday September 21st, 2017 1:10:19 PM
Sid says some quiets things to Elly, kisses her hitches up his haversack. "Well then what are we waiting for!" He follows the procession out when they are ready.
==============================================
((All I need is a 3, right this should be easy))
Knoweledge(Local): Nat 1
Knoweledge(Local): 22
Knoweledge(Local): 14
((Sighs, yep, there we are.))
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 d20+5=10 ; Thursday September 21st, 2017 1:29:28 PM
When Micah hears Rodrigo's explanation, he relaxes, but only slightly.
"Lukas did say urgent, but it appears a little time for fully preparing may be prudent. And by preparing, I mean equipping fully expecting battle. Stohp, Zander, how many times do you recall being ambushed in the streets since we started the Shields?"
"Stock, the unreliable nature of the guard is one of the reasons my brother joined them in hopes he could bring more honor to the role. I hear the concerns that we could be the scapegoats. In fact, it is not out of the realm of possibilities that this is a move by Crimson, to accomplish exactly that or to lure us out of the Fence where we might be more vulnerable. Hence the arms and armor.
"I realize now that I was a bit hasty in my call to arms, as this is a personal matter to me. Your response is truly touching."
He pauses a moment, then shouts in his loudest voice, "Briadoc! Come down here!"
When Briadoc arrives, Micah nods in his direction, " I apologize for being so abrupt, but we have a bit of a crisis here. Do you know anything about any goings on regarding the Rosebud publishing company? Also, I have noticed you have been fairly industrious since your arrival. Would you perchance have and special concoctions or herbs that would be of use in solving a murder mystery?"
======== knowledge history or nobility to ascertain more about past non-suicides
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 Thursday September 21st, 2017 3:52:03 PM "You think this is bad, you should come help Micah and me put on our armor sometime. Makes you feel like a king having someone dress you." Coming back downstairs to hear what's going on he feels a little let down. "Well doesn't sound like they're in need of immediate head bashing, but never hurts to be prepared. I think I need more hands to count street ambushes with."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Thursday September 21st, 2017 8:47:18 PM
Stohp follows Briadoc out, still glowering. She is slightly diverted by MIcah's question and decides to wait for Briadoc's answer before sharing her discovery.
DM Robert - "Well doesn't sound like they're in need of immediate head bashing, but never hurts to be prepared.." d20+10=20 ; d20+5=6 ; Thursday September 21st, 2017 9:13:26 PM
Briadoc looks stunned by the accusations. He tells Stohp "Yes I have seeds, a variety of orchids, some herbs, and some roses. If you must know I'm endeavoring to cross breed and create a new variety of orchid, I think I'll try for black. Yes a Black Orchid, and I will have created, I shall become famous while cooped up in this brownstone. I think I need some beer." When Micah address him he is stunned. "I have not murdered anyone. I'm a simply botanist, a hungry one, do you have some beer and perhaps a sausage? Herbs do not kill people. Orchids do not kill people, well okay if you had a really bad allergy then an orchid could kill you, but it would require someone to prepare the stamen or perhaps the flowers themselves..." His head cocks upward, clearly he is trying to think about how this could be done.
Rodrigo smiles at the little guy. "New recruit?" He asks. "Well I'm not for sure on the whose and the what's. I was in the Rosebud book shop looking for some reading material." He looks around daring anyone to say anything. "What's wrong with reading a good book at night?" He then continues. "As I was saying, there were some shouts of murder and such, the guard came running through. I followed a bit but could not really get up to third floor. Still I was hanging around the stairs with some of those reporters, they weren't being let in either. When Joseph came out and said Hey Lieu, I mean Rodrigo, could you take this note to the Silver Shields down on the Fence level. Joseph is a corporal in the guard, I known him back a ways. So anyway, since I owed you I beat feet down here as quick as I could."
Rodrigo gets another drink of water and continues. "Let's see Rosebud Publishing prints a variety of books fiction, history, esoteric magic stuff, etc. Basically whatever the publisher think will sell. They distribute to the float but throughout the Wold. They also publish a weekly broadsheet (newspaper) of events and news of the Float."
Dorbin nods when Rodrigo speaks about the publishing house. He remembers hearing about them. Print quite the eclectic list.
He pauses again thinking. "Can't say I'm familiar with nobility enough to really know who the owners of Rosebud Publishing are."
Bartomus and Sid both advise that the group be cautious. Dealing with murder and the guard can turn sideways quickly.
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 Thursday September 21st, 2017 9:43:13 PM
(I don't think Vinnie would have any local knowledge so I'm not even gonna roll for that) "A murder mystery then? Cor you lot never said we dealt with that kid of stuff. Sasha and I may not know much about fancy pants noble types but we're pretty good trackers if I do say so myself. Take us to the crime scene and Sasha and I will sho what we can do."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Thursday September 21st, 2017 11:56:46 PM "Bookstore? Third floor?" Bartomus said trying to piece together what they were walking into. "Micah, suspect we don't all want to go rushing into the building if there are reporters and such about. Might give those reporters way too much to write about."
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Friday September 22nd, 2017 9:26:00 AM "Let's go people. There may already be a body but we should probably try to get there before another one hits the floor." Stock leads the procession out of the warehouse.
After a short way, he turns to Rodrigo and says, "I'm sorry Rod, did you mention how the supposed suicide happened?"
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Friday September 22nd, 2017 11:52:09 AM
Dorbin nods to Bart and says, "Indeed, we should figure out how we want to play this. We should either show up with our shields, announcing to the wold that we're on the job; or we should sneak in and not let anyone else know we're there..."
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 Friday September 22nd, 2017 1:15:06 PM "Good suggestion, Bart," agrees Micah. "Let us work on a plan as we head that way. Everyone ready to move out?' he asks as he starts to do so himself.
"I think, as a member of clergy I, could easily justify approaching and entering, unless my relationship to the sergeant is revealed, that might not attract too much attention. Lavinia, your skills might be good to have on the crime scene, but Sasha would have to hang back. Perhaps you could go masquerade as my assistant," Micah proposes as they travel.
"Dorbin," he inquires, "do you have the spell message prepared? If so it would be handy to cast on me and whoever else joins me. So we can keep the main group informed and call you in should the need arise."
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+4=24 ; d20+10=23 ; Friday September 22nd, 2017 2:08:54 PM
Sid looks at Rod closely before they go, not caring anything about nobility in general. He wants to trust him, but as they are going into a scene that will be confused and frustrated with possible bureaucracy, he decides to get in the mood of observant wallflower.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 d20+5=14 ; Friday September 22nd, 2017 3:19:36 PM
Coming down and hearing who is dead, Zander thinks back to his lessons while they march out the door. Book learning was never his strong suit but he remembers some of the noble families. Know:Nobility 14
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Friday September 22nd, 2017 4:12:53 PM
Dorbin replies to Micah, "Sorry, but I do not have that one ready today."
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 Friday September 22nd, 2017 6:53:59 PM
Lavinia frowns a bit but agrees. "Much as I love Sasha I know she can frighten people a bit. Still my sense of smell isn't nearly as good as hers so for the best tracking we'll need something from the crime scene, or we'll need to sneak her in somehow."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Friday September 22nd, 2017 8:08:12 PM
Stohp glares down at the tiny herbalist for a moment longer before taking a deep breath and trying to calm down. "... I'm sorry I yelled at you. I saw Crimson's plant people slaughter nearly everyone in the Trash, so I'm a bit edgy when it comes to strange plants."
Regardless of what he's growing it won't sprout in a day. She'll just have to make sure to keep an eye on him. Perhaps she can get Bart or some other herbalist to check in on him, ensure he is not furthering his mad experiments.
Once she's made her peace with him she heads out to see what the commotion is. "What's up guys?"
DM Robert - "What's up guys?" Friday September 22nd, 2017 9:29:19 PM "Sorry I don't know any of the particulars. Like I said I really didn't go up there. I can tell you most of the workers were gone. I guess they had Friday afternoon off." Rodrigo answers Stock.
The band gets ready to set out. Sid eyes Rodrigo but gets only the sense that Rodrigo has told you what he knows.
Bartomus worries about reporters on scene.
Micah tries to consider useful spells, unfortunately Dorbin does not have the spell requested.
Lavinia is sure Sasha can smell out the murderer.
Zanderallen ponders nobility, alas he realizes he doesn't have much to go on.
Stohp apologies to Briadoc and hurries to catch up with everyone.
Rosebud publishing Actually just looking at the merchant level it will be located between Trade Street and Road to the Top....so change the note to read that, not Wall Street... map
Rosebud Publishing is a large square building 300 feet on a side. There are other buildings/business on the east and west facing. The back leads into another street. The building seems massive, you would think 4 stories tall maybe. There is one set of double doors on the front of the building, to the left are two windows peering inside you see what looks like a book shop. In fact it is (A1 is the book store you can look in the windows and see a young man looking back out at you.)
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Friday September 22nd, 2017 10:13:20 PM "Well, now, do you want us to just walk about to see what we have around this place, Micah?"Bartomus asked as the came to Rosebud Publishing and held back a bit from the main building and group. He waited for Strohp as she came into sight, "Well, there you are, I was thinking we might check one of the new shops this way."
He jestered to the area past the shop corner on the east of the building.
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Monday September 25th, 2017 10:32:13 AM
As they walk up to the building, Stock is still squirming a bit, adjusting his armor. "Micah, if you don't mind I'll stick with you and pretend to be your bodyguard...come to think of it, I'm not really pretending."
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] d20+13=22 ; d20+14=16 ; Monday September 25th, 2017 12:36:26 PM
Dorbin will spot the book store right off and head over there. He will walk in and check out the books and ask the fellow there what's going on.
OOC: Dorbin doesn't have gather information, but he knows books and can talk the talk there with profession, librarian and linguistics, if that will help in any way to actually gather information and make the fellow there comfortable talking to him (Librarian: 22, Linguistics: 16).
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 Monday September 25th, 2017 4:09:17 PM
Micah nods to Bartomus' and Stock's suggestions. He gives the stalwart dwarf an approving look before replying, "That will be an easy story to sell, I think."
After giving the others a while to check out the area Micah, Stock, and Vinnie approach the Rosebud. If given the chance he will try to enter without hesitation, holding his holy symbol up in an attempt to avert any challenges to his entrance.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 d20+13=20 ; Monday September 25th, 2017 4:39:38 PM
Wanting to be less alarming Zander takes a moment to step out of sight and will his armor to look like regular clothes. Maybe something a well to do mercenary might wear to go with the fact that he is still armed. Once appareled he heads into the book store and tries to track down the young man looking out the window. "Hello fellow. Any idea what's going on here? Just saw some cleric barge in like he owns the place. And early there seemed to be a commotion on the street." ------------------- Diplomacy 20
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Monday September 25th, 2017 8:54:21 PM
Bartomus whispered to Stohp when she approached, "murder or suicide here of a noble, seems that Micah's brother is the investigator and wants the Shields to help. Something isn't right Stoph, suggest that we walk about the other side of the building to see if anyone tries to slip out that way."
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 Monday September 25th, 2017 8:55:41 PM
As they approach the building Lavinia turns to Sasha, who has been following as usual up to this point.
"Ok Sasha, I'm going to need you to stay behind for a bit, ok? Look don't give me those eyes you look very intimidating to most people and you dont fit in buildings very well. You don't even like buildings much. Look, go hang out with Dorbin, he likes cats." Sasha continues to look sad for a moment before nudging her head against Lavinia. Lavinia gives her a little kiss on the panther's forehead before gently pushing her in the direction of the bookstore.
"Look he just went into that building go see if he needs help" As the panther walks off Lavinia turns back to Micah and Stock and her demeanour begins to change. Her face at once turns serious and she holds herself in a much less relaxed position. She looks much less like an excited child and much more like a scarred veteran of a hunter. The change is a little unnerving.
DM Robert - "Hello fellow. Any idea what's going on here?" Monday September 25th, 2017 9:47:54 PM map
Bartomus tries to get Stohp to go with him to check out the surrounding shops. merchant level
There is a place called Critaceous' Certified Curios and Merabor's Infirmary (Shrine of Flower) nearby. The Curio shop is closed as it is after 5 on Friday. It does show that it has hours tomorrow. The Infirmary is mostly empty. A young female greets you at the door. "Hello, please be seated and fill out these forms. It's standard HIPA disclosure. This form is for you to list your symptoms and ailments, and any medications you are on. This form gives us leave to provide healing for you in the absence of your own physician. THIS form states that you agree to pay all costs over your insurance." She pauses. "There may be a slight wait, the healer is currently occupied."
Sasha cocks his head at Lavinia, because Dorbin has entered the building with everyone else. Please examine the map. The bookstore is A2.
Micah, Stock, and whoever, (Rodrigo seems to be tagging along still) enter... A1 - entering the wooden double doors, you see another set of double doors 25 feet in front of you. To the left (west) you note a single glass door. To the right a massive staircase leads all the way to the top floor. You can see there are two landings, so it is a three story building on the inside. You can see three doorways under the stairs. There is a guard standing at the base of the stairs. He see's your party and starts to salute but then stops. "Would you be the Silver Shields? Please go up to the third floor. Sergent Smith is waiting for you up there."
Dorbin enters A2, followed closely by Zanderallen. A2 - Rosebud book store. The walls are lined with wooden shelves featuring multiple copies of various books Rosebud has published. The same is true of two free standing wooden bookshelves. The tables near the center display an impressive tower of the most recent publication. "Heraldry, and it's Hidden Meanings. By Daniel Brown." There is a lone table in the south west corner. On this is last week’s broadsheet - The Weekly Bugle. The clerk greets you. "Hello! The shop's technically closed but the guard said no one could leave. So I guess you're welcome to browse. Please let me know if there is anything you're interested in. oh dang, I ended that sentence on a preposition, I really must work on that." His name tag says Aramis. "Oh yeah, gee that guy must be important. Not sure what's really going on here. There were some shouts from upstairs and then the local guards came storming in, then there was a bunch of guards...well okay one or two running in and out, then a whole bunch more guards came in."
We are not working in rounds here. IF you want to talk to the guard and proceed upward then put that in your turn. If you want to try to make side trips to explore rooms you may...or may not be able to.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm d20+4=6 ; d20+12=22 ; Tuesday September 26th, 2017 7:53:53 AM
Stohp nods to Bart's suggestion and circles the building. Once there she tries to find some out-of-the-way location to keep an eye on the back door of the book store. (6 stealth, 22 perception).
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+4=11 ; Tuesday September 26th, 2017 9:20:02 AM
Bartomus walked along with Stohp and headed around the building towards its northside. He had been in his portion of the Float in the past, but it wasn't one that he was most familiar with. He looked about and scanned the side street and when they came to what looked like the back of the building, he scanned the area as well.
========== Knowledge Float/local - 11
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+7=9 ; Tuesday September 26th, 2017 9:20:45 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: { Forgot the perception check, but um never mind. }
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+1=21 ; Tuesday September 26th, 2017 11:29:17 AM
Stock nods to the guard as he passes. As they get out of earshot he whispers, "I wonder how many people recognize who and what we are? That guy certainly did...maybe we will be able to call the rest of the group up here after all..."
When they finally do find Micah's brother: Stock watches the brothers greet each other closely. He introduces himself and very carefully pays attention to everything Sgt. Smith says.
============== Sense Motive 21
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Tuesday September 26th, 2017 11:55:48 AM
Dorbin picks up a broadsheet and looks at some books. He tries to continue the conversation with the fellow, "So who lives over there? How long have you worked here? Do you like this bookstore? What books can you suggest?"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 d20+13=31 ; d20+5=14 ; Tuesday September 26th, 2017 3:14:59 PM
Noticing the center display Zander continues talking to the clerk hoping to maybe use him to brush up on his knowledge on the nobles of the float. Moving to the center display and motioning towards a book, "That's a real shame you being stuck here. But the guard must have a good reason. I've always loved heraldry, any good nuggets in this book? Have you read it? Ever mention anything about a noble connected to the color crimson? Heard an urban legend once and always wanted to look it up." If Aramis is knowledgeable and open Zander continues to pump him for information about nobles, both crimson and the publisher. Failing that he will try to borrow a copy to peruse with Dorbin. ----------------- Diplomacy 31 Know: Nobility 14
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+12=13 ; d20+12=14 ; Tuesday September 26th, 2017 5:48:14 PM
Sid quietly holds back, letting the flow of the group swallow his movements making him virtually impossible to see. He takes one step towards the glass and his foot rolls out from underneath him. He yells and, hopefully, tumbles in the direction of his fall, keeping his ankle from being sprained or broken. Splayed out on the floor he moans a bit and tries to get up, "You know, I like books, let's just look at the books."
============================
Stealth: Nat 1
Acrobatics: 14(rolled a 2 that time. Whoo!)
DM Robert - "I wonder how many people recognize who and what we are?" Tuesday September 26th, 2017 9:12:23 PM
Bartomus and Stohp back out of the shire to Flower and continue their survey the neighborhood. It is pretty respectable place, filled with a variety of businesses, all closed. You note that these places are business where the owner does not live above the business. At the back of the publishing house you see a large wooden double doors. You notice a small sign embedded in the door. "All deliveries must be made between 9 am and 4 pm". There is a large brass knocker on one door. There is also a fire-escape. The fire escape goes up to the second floor where there is a landing and a window, there is also a landing and another window on the third floor. You can see a few more windows on what you assume is the second and third floor. From the spacing you think they may have some rather tall floors (about 15 feet or more between floors).
Dorbin questions the clerk, Aramis. "So who lives over there? Aramis looks a little bewildered, "Lives over where? Dorbin asks, "How long have you worked here? Aramis replies "Eight months, sir." Dorbin contiues, "Do you like this bookstore? Aramis beams, "I love books, someday I'll be writing them." Dorbin is relentless, "What books can you suggest?" Aramis replies, "Well if you love conspiracy based mysteries filled with murder, albino assassins, and more, then you just have to get Dan Brown's newest book Heraldry, and it's Hidden Meanings!"
Zanderallen piles on the questions. "That's a real shame you being stuck here. But the guard must have a good reason." Aramis nods, "I don't mind. I'm taking notes. I might be able to create some sort of guard procedural novel with what's going on." Zanderallen asks, "I've always loved heraldry, any good nuggets in this book? Have you read it? Ever mention anything about a noble connected to the color crimson? Heard an urban legend once and always wanted to look it up." Aramis pauses to thinks, "Not much really about heraldry in the book, it's more the basis of some plot hooks. I read it, it's pretty good if you're into conspiracy theory stuff. Never heard anything about a noble connected to crimson, that's probably not the color heraldry would call it, maybe red, rose, scarlet or something like that, crimson is more like blood, that's sort of negative, like the bar sinister in a heraldry symbol, means something like one of the ancestors was a bastard, or did something wrong."
Sid falls flat on his face and the guard at the bottom of the stairs barely contains a snicker. He reaches out and helps Sid up. "Better be careful there little feller." he says.
Stock whispers to Micah, but Micah seems strangely silent, perhaps lost in thought.
As you pass by the second floor doors...Perception 15 Highlight to display spoiler: {female voice "The press has a right to know!" male voice sounds a little worn out, "Look your own boss said to stay put for now and stop mucking about, so stay put. And don't be trying to go into there either."}
You arrive at the third floor landing and enter the double doors.The third floor opens into a large open office type concept. You see two L shaped desks in front of you and a doorway to the west. On the door it reads “Art Department”. A ways into the room you can see another guard, he is pacing (he is in the area between C6 and C7). He looks up when you enter and motions you forward. He appears to be in his late 20's maybe early 30's.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm d20+12=29 ; Tuesday September 26th, 2017 9:59:16 PM
Stohp sits and quietly watches the building for a bit. She's momentarily distracted by a furtive looking character in a funny hat, but he turned out to just looking for an address down the street.
While she's waiting and watching she looks for anyone else doing the same (perception 29). If the guard has already got someone watching the back door then there is little point in her and Bart sticking around.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Wednesday September 27th, 2017 12:44:36 AM "Well, not sure we want to go up the fire escape, but we probably should ask one of our more nimble Shields to check out the landings, just in case," he said to Stohp. "Should we try the back door and see what is in this area?"
Bartomus walked up and tried the door. He shrugged and and tried the knocker. "Let's see if we can get in this way."
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+8=22 ; d20+8=23 ; Wednesday September 27th, 2017 10:00:40 AM
Stock hears the commotion as they pass the door. A pensive look crosses his face and he whispers what he heard to Vinnie and Micah. He sees the guard ahead and also scans the rest of the room for any other people milling about.
He is still prepared to take close note of Micah's brother when they finally meet him. =========== Perception (spoiler) 22 Perception 23
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Wednesday September 27th, 2017 11:51:53 AM
Dorbin replies, "Oh, that does sound like a good book. I would certainly like to purchase a copy."
He continues the conversation with, "You plan to write a book? About what, do you know? Are you a good writer now?"
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 Wednesday September 27th, 2017 12:39:25 PM
OOC: I thought the bookstore and the publishing house were two separate buildings whoops. Sasha will still go with Dorbin though
Lavinia heads towards the guard when he motions towards them, but waits for Micah to make introductions
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 d20+4=19 ; Wednesday September 27th, 2017 1:22:31 PM
Micah is a bit unnerved by the fact that the Silver Shields involvement has been circulated. He realizes that Lukas must really feel in peril to commit the group without prior agreement.
Having heard it as well, he nods as Stock describes the overheard conversation. "The soup is going to get thick real fast, I fear," he whispers to his two associates.
He responds to the guard's summons, "Micah Smith and associates," he says with a nod to the others and a slight bow to the guard. "I believe we are expected."
He then leads in conspiratorially and queries in a whisper, "We have no idea what is going on here. Can you fill us in, unofficially, of course?"
========== perception 19
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 d20+13=21 ; d20+11=21 ; Wednesday September 27th, 2017 4:45:17 PM
For lack of any other pursuits Zander continues to pump Aramis for information. Working with Dorbin to mix in casual questions with more probing questions. "Interesting. Are there a lot of conspiracy theories surrounding the nobility of the Float? What do you know about some of the other businesses in this building? I heard there was a publishing business, Rosebud Publishing? Do you sell any of their books? Have you ever met the owners?" Not wanting to make the guy feel under the gun Zander works his questions around other small talk and general conversation. ------------------------- Diplomacy 21 Sense Motive 21 (Trying to get a read on Aramis)
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+10=17 ; Wednesday September 27th, 2017 5:57:45 PM
Sid smiles embarrassedly up at the guard, "Thanks, I've always been a bit of a klutz. You'd think I'd be used to it by now." While going through the bookshop he browses a bit before following the rest up to the third floor.
=======================================
Perception: 17
DM Robert - "I wonder how many people recognize who and what we are?" Wednesday September 27th, 2017 9:41:51 PM
Bartomus takes the knocker at the back door and knocks. However, long you wait...nothing happens.
Stohp stays on the lookout, and notes some lights at the upper window of the fire-escape and the second floor window at the fire-escape though those are very dim as though seen through heavy curtains.
Dorbin inquires about the book. Aramis replies, "Only 9 gold pieces sir."
Dorbin follows up with more questions. Aramis ponders. "I'm not sure, I have not really written anything yet. I'm waiting for some breakout idea."
Aramis turns to address Zanderallen. "Oh, that's not the setting, it's more a wold wide conspiracy, locations in Plateau City, Bone Town, you know important places." He pauses to laugh at Zanderallen. "Sorry sir, but geez, this whole building is Rosebud Publishing. They do the printing back there" thumbs toward the north, "the Weekly Bugle is on the second floor, and the main offices are on the top floor. We only sell Rosebud books here, that's why we're the Rosebud Book store. You see we have exclusive rights on first print runs. Of course we ship out to cities wold wide."[/b]
Sid walks into the book store with Sasha. Aramis screams and jumps for the counter (at the front of the store where the cash register is). "Don't you need a leash for that thing!"Not sure what you are looking to perceive...?
Stock lets the other's know what he overheard at the second floor landing.
Micah formerly introduces his friends to ... his brother. Micah is taken aback, slightly Lucas is looking worn, there are dark lines under his eyes. "Thanks for coming Micah. I'm in a pickle. It looks like one of the owner's of Rosebud publishing has killed himself. But it doesn't add up. His secretary keeps demanding it was murder. But the door was locked when we got here, we had to force it open. We found Lord Arlen hanging by a rope in his office. We cut him down and sent for a healer. But the priest of Flower that showed up said it was too late, he didn't have anything that could bring him back. You were always the smart one. I need help. I'm not sure how much you know about politics in the Float, but it's bad. Nobles don't commit suicide. I'm going to catch the blame for this unless you can figure out what's going on. I promise I won't involve you or the shields if you can't figure it out, I'll fall on my own sword if it comes to that. I've called in some guards I can trust. I've got everyone that was here when we arrived on the second floor, Corporal's Bardel and Walker are keeping an eye on them. Fortunately being Friday, many of the staff have already left by the time the party arrives. Lord Arlen allows..allowed... an extra long weekend during the summer months."
He pauses to breath "I've kept the priest of Flower in the room with Lord Arlen's body, and private Pluto is making sure nothing is disturbed. Oh and private Jones is at the bottom of the stairs, keeping an eye on the main door and the bookstore fellow."
He wrings his hands, "I'm not sure what how to proceed. We don't do much actual investigation in the guard, it mostly look tuff and enforce the law when we see wrong being done. They've never much developed any kind of investigation wing, guess because only grunts like me join the guard, I mean why would a wizard or cleric or what not want to join the guard, the pay's not great and neither are the hours. But I know we can get things turned around in the guard if we can get some real investigation going and not just arresting the ususal suspects and who ever we're ordered to round up." He pauses, "Sorry don't mean to bring out the troubles I'm having on you. But please help." He looks imploringly at each of you.
Rodrigo lowers his head. Perception 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { you can hear him faintly praying, "a fine man, in over his head, oh gods of Wold please give him the strength and help to work through this or he will end up like me."}
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Wednesday September 27th, 2017 10:40:42 PM
Stohp continues her stake-out, sitting and watching. She's starting to feel a little silly, she should have learned what the situation was before coming out here.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+7=8 ; Wednesday September 27th, 2017 11:06:58 PM
Bartomus walked back and looked up at the fire escape. He looked up at the escape. But, it simply looked like an escape. "Well Stohp, I suspect that we won't find anything here. But, not sure how we would look climbing about here. What do you think?"
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Thursday September 28th, 2017 11:47:35 AM
Dorbin purchases the book and starts glancing through it while the questioning and talking continue.
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 d20+4=19 ; Thursday September 28th, 2017 12:58:58 PM
Micah processes what he has heard then requests, "Please send someone to fetch the others. No point in subtlety now. Of course we will help you." He pauses for a moment, "Might as well take us to the office and bring the others in there when they arrive."
Before he leaves his current room, Micah casts detect magic and makes a scan of each room before proceeding to the next.
======= Perception missed it by....
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 Thursday September 28th, 2017 2:25:18 PM
Coming to the realization that this line of questioning isn't leading anywhere Zander welcomes the guard that comes to get him. Hearing what happened he speaks up, out of earshot of any of the guards except Lucas. "Good to see you Lucas, sorry that it's under these circumstances. Has anyone checked the body for poison or lingering magic? We just got back from a raid of a facility making mind control plant drugs. Even if Lord Arlen physically hung himself he might have been influenced by something."
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+8=28 ; Thursday September 28th, 2017 4:55:36 PM
Stock gives Lucas a long look "What do you know about this guy Arlen? Any known business or personal grudges? Besides running Rosebud, is he a part of any organizations? Was there a chair or desk or anything near his body that he could have climbed on to hang himself?"
In general Stock doesn't think much of the nobility and their ways. Very few of them have, in his experience, took their responsibilities with regards to the commoners very seriously. Arlen's relationship with his employees would have to be reviewed.
Convenient that the guy sent a lot of the staff home before he kicked the bucket. I guess it could be that the killer knew this and made it easier for him to make a get away.
=========== Perception 28
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 d20+12=29 ; Thursday September 28th, 2017 8:22:06 PM
Sasha cocks her head and looks at Aramis in confusion.
Lavinia steps up to Lucas and offers a hand in greeting. "Lavinia Thorngage at your service. I'm a tracker and hunter by trade and if theres anything to be discovered in that room I'll be the one to find it." She glances downstairs to where she left Sasha "If you'll please, my tracking companion is just downstairs and if you'll let her join me I promise we'll solve this mystery in no time"
DM Robert - "I wonder how many people recognize who and what we are?" d20+3=13 ; d20+6=23 ; d20+3=23 ; d20+7=18 ; Thursday September 28th, 2017 8:44:46 PM map
OOC please put in your post spells that are up, so like detect magic can essentially be up unlimited, but keep it somewhere in the post to help keep me honest.
Lavinia hears what Rodrigo mumbled but clearly has no context for its meaning.
Stock clearly hears what Rodrigo said, will he share it? For now he keeps it under his hat. He asks about Lord Arlen. Lukas thinks for a moment and then shakes his head. "Maybe some of the other employees could answer those questions, I understand the company is a partnership, another noble named Sir Stephan Imbry. I believe the partner is downstairs with the others. You've heard of him I presume? Sir Stephan Imbry was once a sub-commander in the Float army. He rose to fame briefly some 20 years ago when he thwarted an attempt by a group of thieves to take over the lower levels"
Rodrigo snaps his fingers and says, "Lord Arlen, yeah I know that name. He's a minor lord on the Float. One that actually works, well I guess worked for a living. He's known to have extreme temper, short 5 foot, 165 pounds, 55 years old. He was known to have a driving, fanatical, energy that made him both feared and respected in his field. That's all I can remember."
Micah takes a [u[quick[/u] look around...(since you're not declaring you are specifically searching an area... C3 and C4 are L shaped desks. They appear to have various work documents on them, but are fairly tidy.
C5 - This appears to be some sort of break-room. There is a sink with a hand pump on the cabinets to the south. There is a pot bellied stove nearby (the circle). There are two tables for eating.
C6 Probably a secretary's desk and some chairs.
C7 Another probable secretaries desk. You note there are more chairs in the area. The desk appears to be orderly, there are two journal/maybe appointment book like things on the desk.
C9 - Arlen’s office. The room is 30 by 35. There is one window in the room (a standard double hung type. It is high and narrow, going from 3 feet from the floor at the bottom, to 9 feet from the floor at the top), Micah notes that the window radiates magic behind the desk. It is open 6 inches at the bottom and 3 at the top (to provide air flow). There are drapes on the window partially covering both sides. Directly in front of you lies Arlen’s body, there is a rope around his neck, there is rope hanging from the rafter above and behind the body (the rafter the rope is hanging from is about 12 feet from the north wall so about 5 feet behind Arlen’s body, human), he’s been cut down from where he hanged. There is an overturned wooden chair nearby. His body is about 10 feet in front of the desk. The desk is 7 feet long and 3 feet wide, it appears to be made of mahagony. On the desk you note several papers, pens in ink wells, there is also a silver tea pot. On the east wall is a bookshelf holding a variety of rare books, on the west wall is a large velvet couch. It looks well used. In front of the couch is a low wooden ottoman that has a ceramic cup on it. There is a priest of Flower by the door. He looks mournful.
When Micah, Stock, and Lavinia enter Lukas sends the guard to fetch your compatriots.
Sid, Dorbin, Sasha, and Zanderallen come quickly up the stairs. Lukas shakes his head at Zanderallen's questions. "Unfortunately as I was telling Micah, the guard is not well equipped for investigations, we have no wizards and such to cast detect magic or detect poison. I'm sure it would be quite productive, I hope to save up enough money to purchase a magical device of some kind that could do that."
At long last the door to the back of the warehouse opens. Bartamus and Stohp see a female guard there. "Were you knocking. Please present proof of your status." The two quickly realize they are probably being asked what they are doing here, and present their credentials as Silver Shields. "Very well, please come this way, your leader has summoned everyone to the third floor."
Bartamus and Stohp pass through A3 - The printing room. Even with work done a few hours ago the smell of ink is still heavy in the air. There 36 printing presses in this room, all hand operated but able to print on two sides at once. Near each printer is an impressive wheel and pulley system that stretches rope from floor to ceiling. You can see that there are sheets of paper attached to these ropes. Knowledge engineering 10 Highlight to display spoiler: {- Upon closer inspection you determine that as each printer prints a page it is hung on the rope and pulled upward a few feet (leaving room for the next sheet). With this system each printer can print up to 15 pages and allow the pages to dry before being collected.} Near the back wall are wooden double doors. Each printer seems to have a pullout tray/table where typesetting is done. There are drawers underneath each printer with letters. Initial setup of a print job is probably long and tedious.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20=7 ; Thursday September 28th, 2017 9:05:34 PM
Bartomus walked past one of the presses, then paused to look to see if he could read any of the print visible on the press or the papers. None of it seemed anything he could understand. He continued onward through the press room.
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+1=10 ; d20+8=28 ; Friday September 29th, 2017 9:49:35 AM "Come on Vinnie, let's go take a look at the vic..."
Stock walks back to Arlen's office, assuming the others will follow. He greets the priest cordially and then continues into the room. "You any good at checking bodies for cause of death, Vinnie?"
Stock kneels down and begins checking Lord Arlen's body...
He then stands up and walks over to the desk, looking through anything he finds on the desk.
======== If Vinnie examines the body, Stock will Aid her with Heal 10 Otherwise, he does his best to examine the body by himself with Heal 10 Perception 28 on the desk/papers on the desk
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] d20+14=29 ; d20+6=11 ; Friday September 29th, 2017 12:08:54 PM
Dorbin makes his way up the stairs, stashing his newly purchased book in a pocket of his robes. When the arrive at the room with the body, he sees Stock go over to the papers on the desk and he heads that way as well. He will look over the papers, especially to see if anything looks different from the other papers (different handwriting, writing, etc.)(Linguistics: 29, Perception: 11).
Micah notes the window is radiating magic and goes over to look more closely while his companions check out the body. Unable to tell anything more than that it radiates magic, he beckons Dorbin over and asks, "Can you tell anything about the enchantment on this window? I can tell it is enchanted, but this is more your area of expertise."
While Dorbin is evaluating that, he joins the others at the victim. He takes his time to look for magical auras. After finishing that inspection he then examines his mouth and throat to assess the body's physical ability to speak.
======= Knowledge Arcana on window: 11 Heal 12 to aid Vinnie with inspecting the body. Extra Knowledge arcana should an aura be on the body:
With other areas being investigated Zanderallen goes over to the teapot. He checks to see if it's full and looks for cups that had tea in them, especially on the desk to see if Lord Arlen seems to have drunken any recently. Using his very limited herb lore from his healing classes he tries to identify what kind of tea and with a little smell and taste see if their are any foreign flavors if he's familiar with it. Then on a whim he concentrates and sweeps the office for sources of evil, focusing on the body especially. "We should check to see what was printing. Maybe somebody was trying to stop something from being published. Look if any of the papers have been gone through." --------------------------------------- Heal 15 Int Check (Alchemy/tea identification) : 8 Know: Nobility (on Sir Stephan Imbry) : 21
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 d20+1=18 ; d20+9=13 ; d20+12=26 ; Friday September 29th, 2017 7:18:00 PM
Lavinia will step into the room and assess it as a whole, seeing if theres been any sign of struggle. She'll ask Sasha to sniff out the cup and see if theres anything particularly strange about it.
Lavinia herself will investigate the body to see if theres anything off about it other than being dead and then look around the room.
=================== I'm more than 80%drunk so apologies for bad spelling, I'm relying on google chrome Sasha Scent = 19 Lavinia Heal = 13 Lavinia Perception = 26
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm d20+9=18 ; Friday September 29th, 2017 8:39:16 PM
Stohp quickly discovers that she is terrible at stake outs. Boredom sets in, making it hard to stay attentive, and she realizes that she should have at least gotten a basic idea of the situation before going out here. Fortunately someone comes to fetch them and she can abandon it.
Once inside everyone starts looking around at various things that interest them. She's a bit at a loss as to what to do for a moment before an idea occurs. "Stock, maybe I've read to many murder mysteries but I've heard that rich folk like to make hidden passages. Wanna give the place a once over, figure out if any room is uncounted for? At the very least we might find a hidden safe."
The idea is for the pair of them to measure the dimensions of the building then compare that to those of all the rooms and thickness of the walls. If it all adds up then that means that there are no rooms that the group can't access, but if they come up short then there is space, and rooms, that are hidden. It will take a while to do though, so Stohp gets started regardless of Stock's response (carpentry 18)
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+7=25 ; Saturday September 30th, 2017 1:32:27 AM "Printing, yea Micah they have like dozens of presses down there in the back of the first floor. Couldn't get a sense of what they were actually printing though." Bartomus interjected as he came along after Stohp.
He nodded at Stohp's idea and began looking about the room more closely for something along the floor or ceiling that might indicate a poorly matched or aligned wall or door that was not readily visible. ======== perception 25
DM Robert - "I wonder how many people recognize who and what we are?" Saturday September 30th, 2017 11:07:10 AM map
Bartomus and Stohp conceive that there may be secret passages about. However, after several minutes of looking and checking measurements it is quickly evident that while a large building (300 by 300 feet) there is simply no economy in building a secret passage or room into a place of business. Unless of course you were to run an illegal business, which publishing is not, and often not always profitable in the first place. All rooms are lit with hanging globes that have Continual Flame cast on them.
(You may choose to explore any room or floor, just let me know your room/map co-ordinates for details on that room.)
Sasha, not being trained as a drug sniffing animal, sniffs but is really not sure what to make of anything.
Examining the body. Micah now sees that Arlen's body radiates magic, from a ring and a broach or amulet. Unfortunately you can not identify what One check failed on the body but 2 items, I will allow a second spell craft but you have to specify on what item
Heal check: 10 CHECK = Judging by the color of his face, the likely cause of death was suffocation, a result of the hanging. Arlen’s throat has been crushed, but his neck has not been broken. The rope has left rope has left cruel marks and deeply embedded itself in his neck. His neck is not broken. Strangling involves one or several mechanisms that interfere with the normal flow of oxygen into the brain: Compression of the carotid arteries or jugular veins—causing cerebral ischemia, Compression of the laryngopharynx, larynx, or trachea—causing asphyxia, Stimulation of the carotid sinus reflex—causing bradycardia, hypotension, or both.
Perceptions 25CHECK = Arlen was a small man, 5 foot, 165 pounds. The top button of his shirt is open. There are black ink marks on the tips of his fingers His clothing is somewhat dusty/dirty. There are no rope fibers under his fingers. You also find a set of keys.
Zanderallen (giving him the bonus of others on aid) Heal check: 20 check = It takes a lot of force to crush a neck to this degree.Your findings do not seem to correlate with just strangling from stepping off a chair. A long drop (4-6 feet depending on person) would break the neck. A short drop would show evidence of slow strangulation and while leaving marks on the neck, should not have left the deep marks you find.
Room - the rope is still partially hanging over the beam above (it was cut to get Arlen down). It stretches over the beam and then goes down to a steam radiator just under the window where it is tied. You note the window is double hung (meaning it can open from the top or bottom). It is very tall, about 10 feet so it goes almost to the ceiling. It is open 4 inches at the top and bottom.
Dorbin is engrossed with what he found on the top of the luxurious desk. on the desk is a manuscript of a novel called “A Knight of the Armies” There are numerous markups on throughout the pages. (Linguistics 20 CHECK- actually the mark ups do make it a better book). The markup ink is a light blue, that matches the ink on the desk (and Arlen's fingers).
Stock looks over the desk but finds it locked. Having made a good perception check and being a carpenter, Stock notices that Arlen's chair is 6 inches higher than normal, likewise there is a 6 inch foot stool under the desk. Probably to give a short man the advantage when talking with clients seated on the other side of the desk. The chair itself has 4 deep depressions still showing in the corners of the (butt) cushion.
Zanderallen examines the tea pot, there is still some tea in it, now cold. He doesn't know what to make of the tea (failed alchemy). Knowledge Noble CHECK = Sir Stephan Imbry - business partner, 47 years old, has money, Chief Editor, six foot four, above average in build. Human. Has a minor knighthood (for services rendered, not hereditary) - Stephan was once a sub-commander in the Float army. He rose to fame briefly some 20 years ago when he thwarted an attempt by a group of thieves to take over the lower levels.
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 d20+5=7 ; Sunday October 1st, 2017 3:18:06 PM
Noticing the two magical items on the body, he tries to discern what they are. After a moments concentration, he calls out "Dorbin, there are a couple of magical auras on magic items here, too. Again I think you might be better suited for identifying them."
Having discussed the injuries with Zanderallen and the others, he moves over the radiator and makes a careful inspection of the window and radiator.
[OOC: assuming the others share their discoveries.]
======= I was using wrong adder for identify. Unfortunately, even with +9 rather than +5, Micah doesn't learn anything.
Perception: 25 (Take 20 on radiator and window. Looking for signs that someone else tied the rope or exited this way.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Sunday October 1st, 2017 6:59:18 PM
Stohp finishes her examination and shrugs. "So much for murder mystery novels providing insight."
After a few moments thinking she goes off to find Micah's brother and ask him a few questions. Sooner or later they'll need to interview everyone who was on the premises, as well as people who knew the victim or might have motive. She asks the guard if they have asked anyone questions yet and, if so, what did they learn. She also tries to get a complete list of everyone being held in the building. She'll write it down so they can all keep track of them.
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] d20+12=17 ; d20+12=13 ; d20+12=21 ; d20+12=18 ; Monday October 2nd, 2017 12:07:44 PM
Dorbin quietly heads over to the window and looks it over carefully. When Micah calls him over to the body, he checks out the items, trying not to look at the face of the body.
OOC: Checking on window: Knowledge, Arcana: 17, Spellcraft: 13 Checking on ring: Spellcraft: 21 Checking on amulet: Spellcraft: 18
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Monday October 2nd, 2017 2:45:19 PM
Stock finishes checking out the desk and walks over to the Priest of Flower.
"I understand that you tried to resuscitate this guy...what else can you tell me about what you found here?"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 Monday October 2nd, 2017 4:30:28 PM "Interesting. These wounds on the neck don't match up with a fall from that chair. Dorbin you said the book was marked up? Is it finished? Because if I was going to hang myself I don't think I would do it in the middle of editing a manuscript. The mental state just doesn't add up. Can someone good at climbing take a look at the window. Look for marks that someone climbed in or out. Where are all the keys to this office. If this was murder and the murderer didn't leave through the window they would have had to have a key to lock the office behind them. I'm going to go start interviewing people. My people skills are much better than my powers of perception. Lucas, who was the last person to see Lord Arlen alive? I'd like to talk to them, and everyone else who had access to the office." Looking around for an office he can use for interviews Zander starts mentally preparing for the process as the persons of interest are being found.
DM Robert - "I understand that you tried to resuscitate this guy...what else can you tell me about what you found here?" Monday October 2nd, 2017 9:13:57 PM map
Micah looks over the window area. There is one window in the room (a standard double hung type. It is high and narrow, going from 3 feet from the floor at the bottom, to 8 feet from the floor at the top), behind the desk. It is open 4 inches at the bottom and 4 at the top (to provide air flow). There are drapes on the window partially covering both sides. (Perception 20 CHECK- you can tell that nothing has disturbed the drapes recently, there is still evidence of dust and cobwebs at the top. There are several layers of varnish on the window frame in this position resulting in the window being quite stuck in this position.)
Dorbin studies the window and determines there is some form of transmutation aura going on but he is not sure what. Unfortunately he cannot determine what the ring and amulet are, the ring radiates evocation, and the amulet radiates abjoration.
Stock questions the cleric of Flower. "oh hello, terrible tragedy. My name is Orvil Twill. I tried to cast a cure light wounds on him, but I'm afraid he is gone off to Lord Gargul already. I really didn't do much else, not my place, we just run a simply little hospital up here, you know treat various worker's comp injuries, the occasional cold or flue."
Lucas comes up, you can see that he has a notebook out and has been taking notes on what you've been doing so far. "Yes, everyone, most everyone is on the second floor in the library. There's Lord Stephan, Barbara Daneel-Lord Arlen's secretary, Nathan Wober and Franklin Andray clerks for the editors, Ernesto Norman is a writer, that was leaving as we came up, so we detained him. There's Aramis Dartmouth - clerk in the bookstore, Henry Higgins Holbert - Editor of The Weekly Bugle, and Pepper Plate a reporter for The Weekly Bugle. There are some empty rooms everywhere right now because everyone has gone home for the weekend."
Lucas continues, "We were summoned by yells of help and murder by one of the clerks, Wobler I think. He'd run out and was standing in the street. The doors were locked when we got here and everyone was gathered around it trying to get it open but the door was locked. We broke down the door to get to the body. We saw him hanging from the rafter and immediately cut it down and laid the body down. I sent Corporal Bardel to get a cleric. We tried to keep things like they were and herded everyone back out of the office. That secretary lady kept crying that it was murder. Sir Stephan said it was obviously suicide. I thought it looked like suicide but you know how that goes down with nobles in the Float, so I thought who could help me sort this out, and I thought of you guys."
"I tried to look around a things but we don't have a ladder or anything to get to the rafter."
Zanderallen assumes the keys are for things in the office, nothing has been tried.
Stohp comes back into the room after quickly eyeballing the layout. She has determined that there are no secret rooms to be seen. However, because she was do a VERY quick once over, she really didn't examine the contents of any rooms, and some doors were locked. She did peek into the Privy's, very nice, someone believes in the best in porcelain and tile.
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 d20+12=17 ; d20=4 ; d20+5=16 ; Monday October 2nd, 2017 10:40:05 PM
Sasha sniffs at the tea. It seems to smell like tea. She's not sure what Lavinias looking for. She resists lapping it up even though she's thirsty.
Lavinia looks at the body then looks up at the rafters where the rope was hung from. She's at first checking heights, seeing Miachs assessment that the height wasn't great enough to cause that damage. Hmm... Lavinia looks at the rope tied to the radiator. She looks at the quality and type of rope used trying to assess where it could have come from and checking the knot used. She wonders what kind of knots a noble type would know. It would take a decent one to hold a body up.
As she assesses the rope by the radiator she calls to Sasha. "Sasha darling could you sniff this for me. Does it smell like the noble guy tied this himself?"
================================== Survival=17 (if applicable) to see the types of knots used, based on the idea Lavinia would use knots in her ranger lifestyle Where the rope might come from=4 (no idea on the kind of check needed none of the knowledge seemed appropriate. So straight intelligence. Lavinia has none. Sasha scent=16 to see if she can smell the noble on the rope that's tied to the radiator
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Monday October 2nd, 2017 10:54:24 PM "Maybe we could talk with this Wobler and see why he thought it was murder, enough to come screaming out of the building to tell that to the whole world." Bartomus asked Lucas. "I am sure you all have tlked to the clerk, but I am wondering if we might do so to see if we can find any lead here."
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+1=5 ; Tuesday October 3rd, 2017 2:15:13 PM
Stock takes a long look at the cleric. "Hmm...Well, Mr. Twill, can you perhaps tell us who called you to come to the scene? Can you remember another case of a noble suicide?"
======= Sense Motive 5
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] d20+14=31 ; Tuesday October 3rd, 2017 2:52:07 PM
Dorbin explains what he has found and heads back over to the window. He engrosses himself in looking at the window and the auras there. He pulls out a small book and makes some notes and refers to some pages, carefully examining the pages and searching them.
OOC: Taking 1 minute to use field manual to see if he can discover any more about the magic on the window with Knowledge, Arcana: 31.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 d20+13=30 ; d20+11=26 ; Tuesday October 3rd, 2017 3:05:53 PM (OOC: I plan on talking to everyone that was in the building. Mostly the same questions but answers might lead to additional questions. I don't know how many people you want to handle in a post or how many diplomacy and sense motives checks I need to roll, I'll start with one and go from there.)
"Alright, I'll start with Lord Stephan." Commandeering one of the unused offices Zander begins interviewing every that was in the building in the order Lucas listed them. "Sir Stephan, I am sorry we meet under these circumstances but it is an honor to meet you. Now if you don't mind we've been called in to investigate Lord Arlen's death and I have some questions I'd like to ask." Using his best tact and charm Zander navigates the tricky business of a murder interview, reading his interviewee like a book.
1. When and where was the last time you saw Lord Arlen? 2. Who was the last person you saw enter Lord Arlen's office and when? 3. Had you noticed an change in Lord Arlen's recent behaviour? 4. What was Lord Arlen working on? 5. Is there any reason you can think of why somebody would want to stop that publication? 6. With Lord Arlen's death who inherits his share of Rosebud Publishing? 7. Do you know how Lord Arlen's office was set up? If so could you tell me if anything is out of place or missing or new? 8.(Mostly for Barbara and Wobler) What caused you to say this was a murder? ------------------- Diplomacy 30 Sense Motive 26
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 Tuesday October 3rd, 2017 3:11:43 PM
Micah shares what he observes about the window.
When Sasha approaches to investigate the radiator, he is surprised to discover that her presence seems normal to him. Instead of being startled by her approach, he grins and comments to Lavinia, "Nice thinking."
Something Lukas says raises a question which he shares aloud, "If Wobler was outside the office and the doors were locked so that he could not know what was happening inside, what would cause him to cry 'murder'?"
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+9=10 ; d20+10=26 ; d3=1 ; Tuesday October 3rd, 2017 6:17:02 PM
Sid starts looking around the office. He glances at the manuscript Dorbin found, but doesn't see anything interesting but a publication he would want to read later. He does try to find the name of the author however. He then looks over the desk for locked drawers and secret compartments.
==========================================
Perception: 26
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Tuesday October 3rd, 2017 7:57:31 PM
Stohp has the exact same thought as Micah, though he voices it slightly faster. "Agreed. We'd better to talk to this Wobler character. Something is decidedly wrong with that picture."
The Investigation
The Investigation
The Investigation
The Investigation
DM Robert - "Can you remember another case of a noble suicide?" Tuesday October 3rd, 2017 9:30:37 PM map
Sasha sniffs the rope she sits and licks her back paws.
Lavinia seems to think this means the scent on them is not Arlen's. Lavinia examines the knot work on the radiator. Rather simple but effective, maybe a bit overtied as if someone was not familiar with rope use or being a sailor. The knot around Arlen's neck is a simple slip knot, not a hangman's noose. Simple put the more weight put on it the tighter it got. There is still 1 foot of rope (from the knot) around Arlen's neck. The rest is still resting over the rafter (and then snaking down to the radiator).
Sasha begins walking around the room, like she is looking for something or maybe just checking things out more.
Bartomus muses about questioning the clerk. Lukas replies, "Well actually no, that sort of slipped my mind with having to break the door down and then cut down Lord Arlen. I had them all gathered up and put in the largest room I could find that would still allow them to be comfortable. They all agreed to wait in the library."
Stock turns on the cleric. "Oh yes, I was summoned by a guardsman, a corporal, I didn't catch his name." Twill thinks briefly. "No can't say as I remember any nobles committing suicide. But really the only nobles that come down to the merchant quarter are slumming and or trying to look important by buying expensive things."
Zanderallen decides to question a suspect. He announces his intention and starts to walk out the door. "Excuse, me but how do you want to proceed? Do you want to set up someplace up here to question the suspects....near the body? Or do you want to take one of the offices downstairs? Do you want one of the guards to bring you the suspects or do you want to introduce yourself? Perhaps I should introduce you to all of them and explain that you are leading the investigation?"
Micah asks why someone thinks it's murder. Lucas replies, "Well the secretary Barbara Daneel was saying it was murder, she was most emphatic, borderline hysterical I'd say."
Sid looks at the manuscript, and sees a name at the top, Ernesto Norman. He checks the desk drawers but finds they are locked. Didn't someone find some keys on the body?
Stock voices a desire to talk to Wobler. Rodrigo comments, "Are you going to split up and each question someone? That sounds interesting." You didn't realize that Rodrigo has still been hanging around in the background near the entrance to the office."
The Investigation
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Spell: Speak with Animals Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 Tuesday October 3rd, 2017 10:05:08 PM "You have something for me girl?" says Lavinia, casting Speak With Animals on herself as she follows the panther round the room. "Is this guys" she gestures to Lord Arlen "scent not on that rope? And what are you looking for?"
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Tuesday October 3rd, 2017 11:31:07 PM "Agreed Stohp and Micah, I saw we meet up with this Wobler and see what caused him to announce that the death was a murder." Bartomus said after giving a wry look at Lukas. "Let's go talk to him."
Bartomus turned towards the door and then looked back at Lucas. "Sergeant, we can go interview him right?"
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Wednesday October 4th, 2017 11:47:07 AM
Dorbin continues his minute-long investigation of the window.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 Wednesday October 4th, 2017 3:01:27 PM "Let's go meet everyone and get introduced and then we'll bring them one by one up to one of the offices near the body. Then I can get a read on if being near the scene of the crime makes them nervous. If anyone wants to aid in the interviews more heads are always better." Zander goes down with Lucas or one of the guards to meet the persons of interest. After being introduced Zander explains his intentions, "Hello everyone, I don't know if you've heard of the Silver Shields but we're an adventuring party that's been called in to help with the investigation of the death of Lord Arlen. Since you all were present in the building at the time of death we're going to need to ask you all some questions. So Sir Stephan if you wouldn't mind stepping up to one of the offices we'll get the questions started." Zander will then proceed with his list of questions.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) Wednesday October 4th, 2017 5:52:27 PM
Sid is careful and methodical as he looks at the locks, slowly looking for any traps that might spring, destroying evidence. "Ernesto Norman," he mutters to himself as a part of him searches his mental catalog.
=========================================
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+10=16 ; d20+14=17 ; d20+12=31 ; Wednesday October 4th, 2017 5:53:50 PM
Sid is careful and methodical as he looks at the locks, slowly looking for any traps that might spring, destroying evidence. "Ernesto Norman," he mutters to himself as a part of him searches his mental catalog.
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 Wednesday October 4th, 2017 8:50:06 PM
Before Zanderallen departs, Micah proposes a plan, "I think all of us should be present, including Sasha. Each of us brings a different perspective--and senses. Additionally, after we have interviewed each suspect individually, we can compare notes before interviewing the entire lot at once to see what shakes out. To make things more interesting, I can pray for the Zone of Truth spell that will give us a few minutes of falsehood free conversation when we have them all together."
He continues to halt Zanderallen's departure, by lightly grabbing his arm, "But first. Twill? Do you perhaps have Detect Poison prepared for the day? If not, would it be possible to fetch another from your temple who might be able to do so?" Micah thinks that it might not be unusual for a workplace healer to have that capability.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Wednesday October 4th, 2017 9:00:16 PM "Fitting all 8 of us in a room with a single person would be hard and rather intimidating. I suggest we split into a couple pairs, each interviewing someone. After an interview we compare notes and see what else we need to ask of whom."
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+8=18 ; Wednesday October 4th, 2017 9:58:10 PM Ooc what is in that space between C8 and C9? Assuming it is a closet or bathroom... Stock continues looking around the west wall of the office. He peaks his head in the small room and gives it a thorough investigation...
OOC sorry for the short posts this week...been traveling. Back home tonight.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Wednesday October 4th, 2017 10:11:30 PM "Gotta agree with Stohp," Bartomus said to the group. "Just two Taurs in the room is going to be seen as a bit crowding for a person. So, if we can break up the folks to be interviewed that might be both quicker and easier."
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Spell: Speak with Animals Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 Wednesday October 4th, 2017 10:42:31 PM "So you mean the dead guys scent isn't on that bit of rope? You're always so cryptic honey. And hmm you're right I think this room needs a more thorough searching" Lavinia turns to the others.
"I don't think Sasha and I would be much cop at interviewing folks, so we're gonna investigate this room summore, see what we can sniff out. Give a shout if you need us though"
Lavinia and Sasha are going to search the room top to bottom to see what they can find, and maybe see if theres a trail to be followed.
=================================== Could I take 20 in this situation? I'm not 100% on how that works. Lavinia Perception (Taking 20)=32 Sasha Perception (Taking 20)=25 Lavinia Survival (Taking 20)=32
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Thursday October 5th, 2017 11:58:31 AM
Dorbin, as he examines the window, takes notes in a small book. Then he stares out the window, apparently lost in thought.
DM Robert - "Can you remember another case of a noble suicide?" d100=43 ; d20+2=22 ; Thursday October 5th, 2017 12:07:50 PM
Stock checks out the door in the west wall to find a lavish bathroom. Leaving Arlen's office he goes into C8, the door is locked but he remembers the keys found on Arlen's body and goes back to grab them. A few tries reveals one that seems to be a master lock key for the door. C8 = This is a rather nice office. There is a bookcase on the west wall. There are several painted pictures on the shelves instead of books. There are also some books here as well. The window allows a good deal of light in, there are no drapes. It is the same style of window as Arlen's office, but there is no fire escape outside of it. The desk appears to be of a rich mahogany, the chairs are all wood and leather. There is a cigar box on the desk and it contains several cigars. Needed = appraise checks, perception checks, linguistics checks...
Dorbin finishes his examination of the window. It appears to have been magiked with a permanent form of mending and possibly something else. In essence the glass is not unbreakable (well it could be broken by sufficient massive damage).
Sid mumbles to himself Ernesto Norman, he seems to remember 1 that is one of the detainees downstairs, 2 that Elly was reading a book by him, she claimed it was an amusing tale of a romantic knight, (think medieval romance novel). Alas his distractions with remembering Ernesto have prevented him from being able to open the locked desk. He looks up to see Stock grabbing some keys from Arlen's pocket and heading out the door.
Micah asks brother Twill the important question. Twill brightens, "Why yes, would you like me to cast it?" He casts Detect poison, "Well that's surprising. The body, that cup" points to the cup on the ottoman in front of the couch, "and that teapot" points to the teapot at the desk, "all seem to be poisoned." He pauses thinking Wisely, [b]"I believe the poison is Oil of Tanget."
Bartomus, Zanderallen, Micah, and Stoph head downstairs to see the detainees... The Second Floor You enter through large double doors. The second floor seems large and spacious as you enter an area that is frankly open and looks unused. To the left is a door - over the top it reads “The Weekly Bugle”, to the north you see a single door and a double door, to the east you note to single doors near each other (you can’t see the privy door from here). You are immediately greeted by a guard and a female, human, 22. A spunky red headed reporter that is hanging around. The woman turns to you "Pepper Plate, Ooohh I know you guys I'm working on a story about you. You're the silver shields, What are you doing here?" She seems persistent in trying to get you to talk and to follow you.
The guard leads you to the double doors in the north. He opens them and manages to detain Pepper Plate as you enter. There is another guard standing in the middle of the room. Seated at various chairs, all spaced out, you note 1 woman, mid to late 20's, 1 halfling male, 3 men of various sizes. B6 - the Library; Library - Large room 40x70, richly appointed and spacious, the walls beneath a 15 foot ceiling are lined with well-filled wooden bookcases 9 feet high. Above the bookcases, the wall are decorated with swords, battleaxes, maces, shields of various designs. Several helms sit upright on the top of the bookcases. Flanking the door are two suits of plate armor, each holding in one gauntlet a 14 foot pike. The window draperies are heavy dark green velvet. Needed = perception checks (quick or taking 20, or pooling resources since there are several of you here) is detect magic up?, Appraise checks...
Lavinia decides to stay in Arlen's office and give it a thorough shake down. She looks up at the rafters and wonders how she can get up there. Bartomus gives her a boost to the rope which she climbs. She stays there several minutes to see what she can see. (Taking 20 to search the room is going to take awhile) Perception 20, a portion of the beam near where the rope hangs is free of dust but only on one side of the rope, that portion is several feet in length. Perception 25 There are no loose rope fibers on the beam, fraying of the rope, or signs that the rope was run over the beam as though he was strangled and then pulled up into a hanging position.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) Thursday October 5th, 2017 2:09:16 PM
"Hey Stock! Are those the keys to the desk? Can you bring them here for a moment?" If Stock comes closer he says, "Oh, and one of the detainees wrote a manuscript that his Lordship here was proofreading, seems more like a red herring, but I do hear that writers are a maudlin lot who can be tetchy about their manuscripts."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm d20+12=17 ; d20+8=26 ; Thursday October 5th, 2017 8:09:43 PM
Stohp takes charge, running her eyes around the room as she talks (perception 17). "Greetings all. My name is Stohp, I am a member of the Silver Shields. We have been called here to assist in the investigation of the unfortunate death that has occurred. I'm sorry for the necessity of detaining you here, but to know what happened we need to talk to everyone who was here when the body was discovered. Co-operate and we can hopefully get through this quickly and learn the truth behind this tragic event." (Diplomacy 26)
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Spell: Speak with Animals Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 Thursday October 5th, 2017 10:38:49 PM
Lavinia is going to continue her search of the room with Sasha.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+7=23 ; d20+2=5 ; Friday October 6th, 2017 12:36:50 AM "Yes, we are the Shields, Pepper," Bartomus smiled at the perky author asking more questions than the Shields had been able to ask anyone. "We can fill you in once we get done in here ok,"
He winked at the guard who held Pepper back from where the Shields was going and glanced about. Weapons were not his expertise, so he could't figure out whether the ones on display were cheap bric-brac or actual fighting tools. But, he did see the folks sitting in the room they were entering...he looked closer at those present.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 d20+5=13 ; d20+11=14 ; Friday October 6th, 2017 9:20:16 AM
Letting Stoph lead with her excellent introduction Zander takes the time to scan the room, first with his eyes and then with detect evil. He tries to be subtle about it but doesn't hide the fact he is observing them. If he detect a source of evil he will spend the time to concentrate and determine who it is and then quietly pass that info to Micah and then the others. He also whispers to one of the guardsman, "Bring Brother Twill in here, tell him we wish him to scan everyone here with detect poison, just to be safe." --------------------- Perception 13 Sense Motive 14
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+8=13 ; Friday October 6th, 2017 11:04:23 AM "One sec Sid!" Stock takes a long look through the other office, especially focusing on the desk to look for anything of interest in its construction.
He heads back into the main office and tosses Sid the keys.
======= Makeup post for Thursday
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Friday October 6th, 2017 11:30:15 AM "Maudlin? You mean like one of those stringed guitars...no that's a mandolin. Well anyway, I'm not much for reading...don't know how much that I can help there."
He stands behind Sid as he opens the desk drawers.
"Did somebody mention poison before?"
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 d20+14=27 ; d20+9=19 ; Friday October 6th, 2017 11:38:30 AM
[OOC: did Lavinia cast speak with animals or not?]
"Oil of taggit. That definitely points to murder, Micah says as he turns to Lukas. He then explains, " Oil of taggit causes unconsciousness. He was drugged before the murderer staged the suicide."
He muses aloud, "And the spell speak with dead will not tell us anything about the events immediately preceding his death because he was not aware of them. Still, it may reveal something, but first the interrogations."
Before they leave, Micah says to the ranger, "Let's hold Sasha in reserve then. Perhaps she might match the scent in the office with one of the suspects." He then joins the others going to the main room.
Micah understands what Zanderallen is doing as they enter the room. He, too, makes a survey of the assembly, but he puts most of his attention on Sir Stephan.
======= Heal 19 to recognize oil of taggit Sense Motive on Sir Stephan 27
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Friday October 6th, 2017 12:55:01 PM
Dorbin stays with Lavinia and continues the search.
DM Robert - "Did somebody mention poison before?" Friday October 6th, 2017 1:38:50 PM map
Stock Assuming your 13 was a perception check for the office you were in see's nothing of note in the office he's in when he hears Sid calling from the office where Arlen lays. He ambles over and gives Sid the keys he found. Sid tries them out and finds one that unlocks the desk. Just a reminder that the other office C8 has not been successfully or thoroughly searched. Please go back to the post on that room for what skill checks are needed
inside the locked desk: there are a bunch of files and papers. You need to make a Linguistics check. You find a very fine gold tipped quill, more inks, an impressive diamond ring in a jewelry box appraise check some wire clips, string, etc.
Lavinia continues her search of the room working her way around. She notes the couch's cushions have indentations, as if from long and repeated use, they would match Arlen's body laid out, perhaps he napped here often. She works her way around to the desk. examining Arlen’s desk chair, there are still 4 heavy intentions in the cushion of the chair. With practiced patience (taking 20) she notes these indention match the footstool’s legs and that the indentations are relatively fresh. You are not 1/2 through the room
Since Dorbin has not posted I'm assuming he has stayed in Arlen's office.
Micah tells Lukas about the poison and Zanderallen request father Twill to accompany them downstairs to the library. Lukas keeps writing in his notebook. You get the impression he's not only taking notes on what you find but how you found it.
Pepper Plates jumps at Bartomus's pronouncement and points a finger to him. "I'm going to hold you to your word. Oh boy an exclusive!"
Stohp's announcement is met with polite nods. Unfortunately she does not note anything more about the room. Introductions are made...
Zanderallen likewise does not succeed on a quick examination of the room. He does not detect any evil...as in no one is evil alignment.
Micah does not even bother to examine the room instead studying the people. It's rather glaring as Detect Magic is still up and he takes a minute. Once again the back window glows with magic (only for Micah)...
Sir Stephan Imbry - business partner, 47 years old, salt and pepper hair-medium length (like Aragorn in LOTR), clean shaven, six foot four, above average in build, human, he has a ring and circlet that glow magically. He seems unruffled - could just be lordly manners trying to remain above it all.
Barbara Daneel - brown haired, dark eyed, secretary to Arlen, human - she is 29 years old. She shows signs of having been crying, her eyes are red, she clutches a hanky.
Nathan Wober - round faced, balding, Hafling, 50 years old. Being a halfling rather on the plump side. He wears a ring that glows with magic. He seems pensive.
Franklin Andray - lanky, grey hair long and stringy, near sighted (wears little glasses perched on the end of his nose), human, 45 or so. He has a circlet that glows magically. He seems pensive.
Ernesto Norman - author, a bull-like brute with a hard, handsome face, he seems put out, he has an amulet that glows magically.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+7=10 ; Saturday October 7th, 2017 12:14:23 AM "So, Wober, I think Stohp and I need to talk to you," Bartomus said as he looked over the balding halfling. He caught the man's eyes and continued to stare at the man as he leaned forward. "So, maybe you could come with us."
==== Perception of 10...sigh
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+9=20 ; Saturday October 7th, 2017 2:14:49 AM
Sid carefully examines the papers, and says to Stock, "I don't know anything about poison, maybe one of the clerics do." Sid scrunches his face, "Wait, I think we have more Paladins then clerics right? Oh well, holymen then. Always loved to read, a good book is finishing a good bow, it might take some work to get there, but when you do, it all comes together beautifully. Say, do you know how much anything of these things would be worth. I can haggle a bit, but Elly does all the trades, oh, and be careful of the inks until we know they aren't poisoned. Good idea actually Stock."
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+8=19 ; d20=6 ; Saturday October 7th, 2017 3:07:26 PM "Never liked or had much use for poison. It's always been easier for me to just hit somebody in the face...I'm going to go check the other office out. I feel like I missed something. I'm guessing that's Sir Stephan's office although he may not want me poking around too much."
As he is inspecting the office, he opens the cigar box and (assuming it opens), picks one up and smells it. ====== Perception in C8 19 Appraise in C8 6 - It wasn't clear from your description what exactly needs appraisal or linguistics in C8 - Not that Stock has linguistics trained.
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 Saturday October 7th, 2017 4:34:44 PM Detect Magic active
"I realize this is a very upsetting situation for us all. Please bear with us as we help to find answers to what happened. If you would be so kind, we would like to hear each of your accounts individually," opens Micah. He then turns to the nobleman with a bow, "Sir Imbry, would you be so kind to go first? Please, this way." He gestures toward the door and nods to his companions to join him.
====== [OOC: I am a bit confused. I am not sure who of the Silver Shields is in the room with the suspects, what room that is, where Lukas, Rogrigo, and other guards are, nor what room is available for private interviews. Please help.]
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Sunday October 8th, 2017 10:19:44 PM
Stohp follow's Barts and the chosen victim... interview subject to a more private setting.
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Monday October 9th, 2017 10:29:02 AM OOC - I'll make a real post later but one of the challenges I have had with this module is keeping up to date with all of the leads and what we have learned so far so I made a shared google doc that we can all add to as we learn more. I think it will work out if we each just update it with anything we learn along the way.
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] d20+14=19 ; d20+11=15 ; Monday October 9th, 2017 1:15:23 PM
Dorbin, still in the room with the body, Sid, and Lavinia (I think), sees Sid open up the desk and he heads over to see what Sid is looking at (Aid another, Linguistics: 19; Appraise: 15).
OOC: I've tried to make it clear throughout to other characters (and players), but in case it was not, Dorbin is a bookworm. He's a trained librarian (Profession, Librarian: 13) and has silly Linguistics skills (14). He has some knowledge skills: Arcana: 12, Planes: 8, and History: 9. He has minor skills in jewelry (craft: 8, appraise: 11). If anyone sees anything related to those, please do feel free to call him over. At the same time, he has only 6 in perception and zilch for diplomacy or intimidate.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 Monday October 9th, 2017 5:55:01 PM
Moving with the first interviewee and Shields into one a larger room away from the other people Zanderallen leads the interview. "Sir Imbry, could you please give us an account of what happened from your perspective? Maybe starting from lunch or the last time you saw Lord Arlen." Zander will followup his account with the any of the following questions that weren't answered.
1. When and where was the last time you saw Lord Arlen? 2. Who was the last person you saw enter Lord Arlen's office and when? 3. Had you noticed an change in Lord Arlen's recent behaviour? 4. What was Lord Arlen working on? 5. Is there any reason you can think of why somebody would want to stop that publication? 6. With Lord Arlen's death who inherits his share of Rosebud Publishing? 7. Do you know how Lord Arlen's office was set up? If so could you tell me if anything is out of place or missing or new? ------------------- (OOC: Can I use the roles for the first time I tried to interview him? From the 3rd?) Diplomacy 30 Sense Motive 26
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+8=13 ; d20+8=17 ; Monday October 9th, 2017 7:44:29 PM
Stock puts the cigar down and then goes over to the bookcase. He looks at the pictures, purses his lips and sighs. ”Hmmph” Walking over to the other door in the room, he tries to open it. Once in the small room, he gives it a thorough look. —
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Monday October 9th, 2017 9:10:14 PM "So Wober, is it, how long have you worked here? How long have you worked with Lord Arlen?" Bartomus asked as he and Stohp walked the halfling towards one of the offices.
DM Robert - "Did somebody mention poison before?" Monday October 9th, 2017 9:11:07 PM map
Third Floor private Tiffany Pluto Stock Dorbin Sid Lavinia
Second Floor Zanderallen Micah Stohp Bartomus Sergent Lukas Rodrigo Corporal Walker (in the library) Corporal Bardel (second floor main) Pepper Plates (second floor main)
Stock goes back to C8 which is Lord Stephan's office. He notes the cigars are very fine, top of the line. and I'm granting a bonus for creating the clue list The books on the shelves deal with warfare and battles from around the Wold, mostly they are historical. Stock also notes that the paintings on the walls are actually fake. They are copies of originals, not bad copies but copies.
Sid and Dorbin look at the ring they found. Dorbin is able to identify it as an engagement ring, but he cannot set a price on it. Sorting through the papers takes several minutes. Various legal papers, (Linguistics 20) most notably one dated today, it appears Arlen is trying to dissolve the partnership with his chief editor Stephan, there is a clause about fiscal impropriety underlined. And a will giving 1/2 ownership of the publishing house to his secretary Barbara.
Lavinia finishes searching the room (with take 20) she notes there is something funny about the lock, but having no experience with locks she's not sure what. (Needs someone with Disable Device skills).
Bartomous and Stohp their huge imposing taurness manage to intimidate poor Wobler. They manage to squeeze into B7 - Accounting office this door is locked But Lukas unlocks it "Got these keys from Stephan when we bottled them up in the library." This room has two wooden desks and two chairs. The east wall is lined with wooden filing cabinets. There are a lot of papers on the desk, but they appear to be neatly stacked and organized. Wobler nervously takes out a piece of paper. "I I I've had to write things down to organize my thoughts. Arlen returned from lunch he was angry and seemed hurried. He snapped at Andray asking where Stephan was he was not back from lunch yet. Andray informed him that Ernesto was waiting for him, but he says let him wait. He went into office. After awhile Lord Arlen calls Barbara into office and and then Barbara told Andray to bring in Ernesto, who had been waiting in the library. Ernesto slammed the door into office when he entered. Ernesto and Lord Arlen argued, but we really couldn't hear what was being said because even though they were shouting the doors are very thick. Ernesto stormed out of the room. Then about 2:45 I started brewing Lord Arlen's tea in the break room. Sir Stephan returned from lunch and was informed by Barbara that Stephan wanted to see him. So Sir Stephan went into the office, then a few minutes later I carried in the tea. Sir Stephan left after about 15 minutes because Lord Arlen always naps from 3-4. About 4:15 Ernesto returned to see Arlen, but because Arlen is still napping and known to have temper we is told to wait in the library. Then before he leaves the floor Sir Stephan comes running in claiming he heard a thump from the library and comes up to the room. Sir Stephan put his head to the door and claims to hear sounds like Arlen is violently ill. I went with Stephan up the fire-escape and saw Arlen hanging there. I did pound on the window to no effect, Stephan reminded me that the windows were unbreakable and to fetch help. So I went back downstairs and started hollering murder because that generally brings the guards the fastest."
Micah and Zanderallen take Sir Stephan into B5 - the locked door reads Barny Smythe - Manager. Lukas rushes over and unlocks the room. This room is set up as an office. There are two chairs in front of a 3x8 desk. Both chairs are cushioned, one on the right is large enough for a taur. There are windows looking out onto the printing floor. The desk has drawers down both sides are locked. Lucas stays in the room to hear the interview. Sir Stephan speaks. “Yes I was doing research in the Library, heard a noise of some kind from upstairs (the library is directly below Arlen’s office). I think it was the chair following. I rushed up here. I went to the locked door and could hear sounds like Lord Arlen being sick. The door was locked from the inside. I ran outside and up the fire-escape but could not open the windows they were stuck. By then I could see Lord Arlen hanging and he looked quite dead.”
“Our meeting was a short business conference. I was given instructions to the format of three books we will be publishing. Entirely routine stuff, but if you want the details… I then left and went to the art department to check on some book illustrations, then came in here to the library to do some research, checking some of the points for a book of magic we’re publishing in the spring. I heard a noise from the north window near where I was sitting.”
"As I understand that Ernesto chap was in the office before me, he's got quite the temper. He apparently is not too happy with the edits Arlen is making to his newest manuscript."
Sir Stephan seems slightly put out, he really didn't answer your questions directly but more gave up the facts/details as he seemed to think they should be told. You get the impression he thinks very little of your status.
Micah's inclination is to look for the good in everyone, but he finds it difficult to think of Sir Stephan as anything other than a supercilious twit. However, his studied calm manner does nothing to reveal this low opinion to the supercilious twit.
He listens to what appears to be a prepared story and calmly asks,"Who killed him?" hoping to unsettle him.
If Sir Stephan sticks to the suicide story, he then responds with, "Then how do you explain the poison," intentionally avoiding any mention of where it was found or what type it was.
====== sense motive 26
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Tuesday October 10th, 2017 10:50:58 AM
Stohp listens closely to everything Wobler says, writing down notes. "So the last person to see Arlen alive was Sir Stephen. Does Arlen lock the door during his 3-4 nap? Who, if anyone, would have a key to unlock and enter the room?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm d20+7=17 ; Tuesday October 10th, 2017 10:51:58 AM
(Sense motive 17)
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Tuesday October 10th, 2017 2:20:36 PM
Dorbin shows what he has found to Sid. He says, "An engagement ring? Love is often a motivation for evil deeds. But look at this paper, Arlen was kicking this fellow Stephan, out of the company. Certainly that can provide motivation for murder as well. And since he was giving Stephan's share to this Barbara, I wonder if she was the intended recipient of this engagement ring."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 d20+11=14 ; Tuesday October 10th, 2017 5:28:08 PM
Zanderallen sits with Micah, watching Sir Stephan carefully as Micah tries to make him squirm.
---------------
Sense Motive 14
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+1=2 ; d20+1=2 ; Tuesday October 10th, 2017 6:27:46 PM
Stock leaves the other office and wanders over to find Rodrigo. He sidles up next to him and says, "You know, I heard you mutter something about 'a fine man, in over his head' before. Would you mind telling me what that is all about? Why are you sticking around anyway? Are you in the guard now? I thought you were some kind of...mercenary or something..." --------- Sense Motive 2 Diplomacy 2 Two ones...What are the chances of that? (My brain tells me 1 in 400)
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+9=23 ; Tuesday October 10th, 2017 7:37:24 PM
Sid examines the document and will closely. "Hmm"
=======================================
Linguistics: 23
DM Robert - "Who killed him?" d20+5=18 ; d20+4=13 ; d20+2=14 ; Tuesday October 10th, 2017 9:37:08 PM map
Second Floor Zanderallen - B5 an office questioning Sir Stephan Micah - B5 an office questioning Sir Stephan Stohp - B7 some sort of accounting office, questioning Wobler Bartomus - B7 some sort of accounting office, questioning Wobler Stock - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Sergent Lukas - B5 and office watching his brother work. Rodrigo - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Corporal Walker (in the library) Corporal Bardel - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Pepper Plates - the 'lobby' area of the second floor.
Sid examines the documents but it is only up to interpretation as to what "fiscal impropriety" means to wit...all cases of actual or suspected theft, fraud, defalcation, or other irregularity involving organization assets. And to do that you may have to examine the 'books' which could mean finding the accounting department. Sid fingers Arlen's keys that he still has...
Dorbin muses that love is often a motive in murder, although so is financial gain, and revenge. But definitely some leads here that may need to be shared with the others.
Lavinia seems to be staring at the door lock still, pondering what to do next perhaps? Sasha gives Lavinia a big wet lick across the face.
Micah leans in and lets Sir Stephan have the tough question. Sir Stephan sputters, "Killed, how do you know he was killed he committed suicide, why he hung himself with a rope." He sits up in his chair. "What poison?" Micah only Highlight to display spoiler: {You get the sense that the his calm is practiced, though that could just be his noble airs}
Zanderallen thinks that Sir Stephan certainly doesn't act like a conspirator or hoodlum, what have you.
Stohp continues to question Wobler. Wobler replies, "Well I guess so, though I do remember that when Ernesto left the first time, he stopped in the break room and I did hear the water running briefly. And I guess, well yes it would have to have been Sir Stephan that left Lord Arlen's last, then he also stopped in the break room briefly for a glass or water I presume, because the faucet was running again. See my desk is across from the break room, everyone figures a hobbit should be in charge of tea and coffe, and maybe an afternoon snack, or maybe a mid morning pick me up, so that's part of my duties you see." Wobler seems nervous and perhaps is rambling.
Stohp does not let up on the little feller and continues to question him. Wobler bobs his head. "Oh my, yes, he always keeps the door locked when he naps, when he's not in the office, sometimes when he is in the office if he's working on a new edit or book deal, he's always afraid some other publishing firm will steal a book out from under us. Nobody has a key to his office not even Barbara."
Stock sidles up to Rodrigo and attempts to chat him up. Rodrigo turns to him. "You're not from the Float I take it? The Guard on the Float are under staffed and ill trained. If they try to enforce laws against those with power, like nobles or the wealthy, well things don't go well. As the saying goes Money talks. Let's say I've had some experiences in the past and leave it at that."
Rodrigo stops talking as Pepper Plates comes up. "Hey, I don't know you two. Are you part of the Silver Shields or just off duty guards trying to score some trickets from our shelves?" She eyes the two of them.
Rodrigo smiles and thumbs over to Stock, "He's a Silver Shield little lady. Me I'm just an innocent bystander caught up in the mess and the guard won't let me go."
Corporal Bardel barely suppresses a snicker at Rodrigo's comment.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+9=21 ; d20+10=25 ; Tuesday October 10th, 2017 9:50:26 PM
Sid walks over to the other office, and pockets the documents and the key. He begins looking around, listening if anyone has any insights, but doing his own check of the office.
=====================
Perception: 25 Linquistics: 21
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+5=10 ; Tuesday October 10th, 2017 11:51:26 PM "Wait, wait," Bartomus injected into the conversation. "If you couldn't hear the argument with Ernesto, how could Sir Stephen hear a thump? Where on the floor was Sir Stephen in relationship to the door and your office when hesupposedly heard this thump? Oh, and while we are at it, who did Ernesto talk with before and after he left Arlen's office?"
Bartomus tried to lower his voice and look tough, but his uncertainty undercut any effort to intimidate the nervous hobbit.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm d20+8=26 ; Wednesday October 11th, 2017 9:17:19 AM
Stohp nods at Bart's point and smiles encouragingly to the Halfling, playing good cop to Bartomus's bad bad cop attempt. "I know we look scary, but we're hear to help. Just answer as honestly and fully as you can and we can hopefully get to the bottom of this." (Diplomacy 26)
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] d20+6=7 ; Wednesday October 11th, 2017 11:36:17 AM
Dorbin goes with Sid to help look for financial accounting documents (perception: 7).
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+1=17 ; Wednesday October 11th, 2017 2:11:22 PM
Stock holds out his hand and introduces himself. After they exchange pleasantries, he takes the opportunity to ask Ms. Plates a few questions: -What have you heard about what happened? -Whether she calls it a murder or a suicide, Stock will follow up with asking if it makes sense to her that it happened like that -Does it surprise you that there was an incident involving Lord Arlen? -How well did you know him? -Do you know anybody who had problems with Lord Arlen? -Other than just owning the place, what else does Lord Arlen involve himself with? -Did you see anybody enter or leave his office right before the incident? -Why were you in the building? It seems like most of the staff was gone... ========== Sense Motive 17
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Spell: Speak with Animals Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 Wednesday October 11th, 2017 7:50:53 PM "Phew Sasha this is taking a while. Still I can't help feeling we're missing something here. Keep sniffing girl I'm sure something will turn up"
Sasha and Lavinia continue to comb the room. ================================================== OOC: Sorry for the radio silence home life has been kind hectic and I lost track o'time
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 Wednesday October 11th, 2017 7:58:30 PM
Deciding to let him stew Zander dismisses Sir Stephan, hoping to throw him off any game he could be playing. "That will be all for now. We'll call you back if we have further questions. Thank you." He signals for Lucas to bring in the secretary.
DM Robert - "We'll call you back if we have further questions." Wednesday October 11th, 2017 8:40:28 PM map
Second Floor Zanderallen - B5 an office questioning Sir Stephan Micah - B5 an office questioning Sir Stephan Stohp - B7 some sort of accounting office, questioning Wobler Bartomus - B7 some sort of accounting office, questioning Wobler Stock - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Sergent Lukas - B5 and office watching his brother work. Rodrigo - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Corporal Walker (in the library) Corporal Bardel - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Pepper Plates - the 'lobby' area of the second floor.
Lavinia stares at the lock, there is a tiny switch on the plate, the side that would be in Arlen's office. Sort of like a toggle. Sasha sits on her haunches and watches. Lavinia thinks she needs to seek out a companion that may have some form of experience with locks. (ie you need someone with Disable Device skill to look it over.0
Dorbin and Sid walk out of the room you need to declare what room you intend to visit and search/investigate without that I'm assuming you are staying on the third floor. They go into Stephan's office C8 There is a bookcase on the west wall. There are several painted pictures on the shelves instead of books. (Appraise required). There are also some books here as well. (Perception 20 or linguistics 15 these books deal with history and warfare of the wold.) The window allows a good deal of light in, there are no drapes. The desk appears to be of a rich mahogany, the chairs are all wood and leather. There is a cigar box on the desk and it contains several cigars (Appraise required). The desk is actually empty of any papers, there is a bottle of fine brandy and glass in one of the drawers.
Zanderallen dismisses Sir Stephan. "Ah good, I can go then?" says Sir Stephan. Sergent Lukas clarifies, "You may return to the Library Sir Stephan." Lukas escorts him out of the office. Zanderallen looks over at the quiet Micah.
This seems like scene from the Hobbit, but instead of 3 trolls going to roast some dwarves, there's two Minotaurs grilling a halfling.
Bartomus and Stohp continue to question the clerk. Wobler smiles and nods at Stohp, and continues, "Sir Stephan said he was in the Library. The back part of the Library is directly under Lord Arlen's office. I guess he may have heard Lord Arlen's chair fall over, when he jumped off the chair I guess. And Ernesto talked with Franklin Andray as his desk is closest to the door and certainly to Barbara, he always tries to talk to her. If you know what I mean. But as far as I know Barbara has always been all business with him."
Stock takes the opportunity to question Pepper Potts. -What have you heard about what happened? "Seems Lord Stephan died, it's up in the air if its murder or suicide. What do you know, hey I'm supposed to get an exclusive from that big Minotaur." -Does it surprise you that there was an incident involving Lord Arlen? "What incident? Or are we talking about the death? You guys think it was murder!!?" -How well did you know him?"He's the bosses boss. Don't see him much. I guess we could try to look up some details in the Morgue...that's what us reporter types call back issues of the paper." -Do you know anybody who had problems with Lord Arlen?"Geez, he can be a stickler to work for, perfectionist, driven, one of those type A personalities you know, all work no play. He was making a name for himself in the publishing industry. But he was generally respected I guess." -Other than just owning the place, what else does Lord Arlen involve himself with?"All work no, play...unless you're saying something was going on! Ohh gossip, but we need to verify to print, what do you know? -Did you see anybody enter or leave his office right before the incident?"I was in the Weekly Bugle office, so can't rightly say." -Why were you in the building? It seems like most of the staff was gone..."When you're a cub, that's new, reporter working for Henry Higgins Holbert, Editor of the Weekly Bugle, you get stuck on the weekend shifts and nights when no body wants to work. Plus you have to work extra hard to get a byline and make a name for yourself."
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+4=8 ; d20+10=28 ; Wednesday October 11th, 2017 10:11:28 PM
Sid looks at the painting and scrunches his head. "Wardd's undies, I was never good at these things. Better at books, locks, and bows." Sid goes over to the books and picks up one ((My linguistics was over 20, do I know the author or the subject matter?)). He sits down in the desk chair to read and when he is done he looks up at the window and down at the floor. He looks to see how the chair normally sits with the desk, if there is just wood there will be marks or grooves, stone will have some scuffing after years, and carpet or a rug with have normalized indentions. After looking them over he goes over to the drapeless window to see what he can of the outside.
===============================================
Appraisal: 8 Perception: 28
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Wednesday October 11th, 2017 11:49:12 PM "So, if the door was locked, how did folks get in to the room to cut him down?" Bartomus asked, his confusion as to the story was evident on his face. "Tell us a bit more about this Ernesto guy, what's his role in all of this and why would he be upset with Arlen?"
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 Thursday October 12th, 2017 7:30:17 AM
Micah nods agreement as Zanderallen dismisses the nobleman.
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] d20+11=28 ; d20+11=26 ; d20+6=23 ; Thursday October 12th, 2017 12:12:19 PM
Dorbin carefully looks over the pictures, then heads to the desk. Once there he looks at the cigars and then says out loud, "No papers at all? This doesn't seem right." He then carefully looks around the desk and the area around the desk for hidden areas, trap doors, false bottoms, or anywhere else papers and books might be hidden.
OOC: Appraise for pictures: 28; appraise for the cigars: 26; searching perception: 23
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+1=2 ; Thursday October 12th, 2017 12:16:06 PM
When Ms. Potts starts asking about the possibility of a murder, Stock just blows right past the comment, totally ignoring it. "Thank you, that is very helpful. I can understand needing to hustle when you are new. When I was a new journeyman carpenter, I had to do the same."
He continues questioning her: -You know what's strange? Some of the more magically inclined Shields found that the windows are somehow magically reinforced to make them unbreakable. Have you heard anything about that? -What can you tell me about Mr. Holbert? -Is he a very demanding manager? -Does he work directly for Sir Arlen and Sir Stephan?
----------------- OOC The entire time, Stock is doing his best to avoid giving anything away. I've included a bluff check in case she starts pushing (ANOTHER NAT 1! Makes me question the randomness of the roller!)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 d4=3 ; d4=3 ; d20+13=26 ; d20+11=12 ; Thursday October 12th, 2017 5:45:42 PM
When Lucas brings Barbara in as he asked Zanderallen notices she seems very distraught. Acting, and actually being, sympathetic he tries to go easy on her. "I'm very sorry for your loss but I'm afraid there's some questions we need you to answer to help us solve this case. Could you please give us an account of the day, giving special attention to the times you saw Lord Arlen throughout the day?" ------------ d4s are misclicks Diplomacy 26 Sense Motive 12
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 d20+5=9 ; Thursday October 12th, 2017 6:17:15 PM Detect Magic[i] active
Micah shrugs his shoulders at Zanderallen, then nods to Lukas, "Might as well proceed with the next interview." While waiting he renews [i]Detect Magic and makes a cursory examination of the office they are in.
=========== Perception 9 to search the office
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Thursday October 12th, 2017 8:31:50 PM
Stohp thinks she remembers the guards saying they had to break in, but she doesn't interrupt Bart; best not to let the suspects see them at odds with each other. Thinking over everything said, she can't think of anything else to ask the Halfling for now.
DM Robert - "We'll call you back if we have further questions." Thursday October 12th, 2017 9:04:34 PM map
Second Floor Zanderallen - B5 an office questioning Sir Stephan Micah - B5 an office questioning Sir Stephan Stohp - B7 some sort of accounting office, questioning Wobler Bartomus - B7 some sort of accounting office, questioning Wobler Stock - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Sergent Lukas - B5 and office watching his brother work. Rodrigo - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Corporal Walker (in the library) Corporal Bardel - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Pepper Plates - the 'lobby' area of the second floor.
Sid examines the books. They are ( linguistics 15) books deal with history and warfare and tactics of the Wold. Clearly a military man would have loved reading these. They all appear to be read. Some have little marginal notes in them like, "not likely", "only if they fall for it", and the like.
He finds nothing of interest in the desk. It really is empty of paperwork, as if Sir Stephan did not do any or had just packed up everything....though the cigars and alcohol is still here. Maybe he was more the mouth piece of the business.
Dorbin looks at the painting carefully. (Appraise 20 - while good, these paintings are actually fakes of some well known works of art and why would you make fakes of well known works.) This certainly doesn't fit with the fine desk, cigars, and alcohol in the room.
Lavinia stares off into space.
Stohp and Bartomus continue to question Wobler. "Well when the guard came they put some shoulders to it and broke the door down. Ernesto is a bit of a bully. I think he envisions himself as the character he writes about, you know, great warrior, instant ladies man, etc. When things don't always work out that way he sort of has a temper."
Stock continues to question the reporter. -You know what's strange? Some of the more magically inclined Shields found that the windows are somehow magically reinforced to make them unbreakable. Have you heard anything about that? "Oh the whole building's like that. Lord Arlen is a stickler for security. Thinks someone is going to rob us of a new find or a first edition. There are a lot of rare books and such in the library."
-What can you tell me about Mr. Holbert? Henry Higgins Holbert - Editor of The Weekly Bugle. Henry human, 43 years old, is of average build, with salt and pepper hair. He has a gruff demeanor and is always demanding rewrites of his reporters because it needs to be done better.
-Is he a very demanding manager?"Very. But he's perfectionist like Lord Alren."
-Does he work directly for Sir Arlen and Sir Stephan?"Lord Arlen, Stephan is just a knighted fellow so he's sir." Misinterpreting his failed bluff. "Say are you trying to get fresh with me? You wouldn't have to try to hard you know." She bats her long eyelashes at him.
Micah looks at the rear exterior window it does glow magically. The other two windows are normal and look down into a printing area. The desk drawers are still locked.
Micah and Zanderallen ask Barbara to tell her story when Lucas brings her in. " I know that Arlen was at lunch with his lawyer. He returned from lunch angry and seemed hurried. He snapped at Andray asking where Stephan was he was not back from lunch yet. Andray informed him that Ernesto was waiting for him, but he told let him wait. He went into office. After awhile Lord Arlen called me into office and and then I told Andray to bring in Ernesto, who had been waiting in the library. Ernesto slammed the door into office when he entered. Ernesto and Lord Arlen argued, but we really couldn't hear what was being said because even though they were shouting the doors are very thick. Ernesto stormed out of the room and went into the breakroom. I peaked in to see Arlen and he waved me away saying everything was fine but to make sure and bring up Ernesto's contract from account. That he wanted to look over it again after his nap. I saw Sir Stephan returning from lunch and told him Arlen wanted to see him. So Sir Stephan went into the office, then a few minutes later Wobler carried in the tea. Sir Stephan left after about 15 minutes because Lord Arlen always naps from 3-4. I went down to accounting and got Ernesto's contract and put it in my desk drawer. About 4:15 Ernesto returned to see Arlen, but because Arlen is still napping and known to have temper I told him to wait in the library. Then before he leaves the floor Sir Stephan comes running in claiming he heard a thump from the library and comes up to the room. Sir Stephan put his head to the door and claimed to hear sounds like Arlen is violently ill. Wobler and Sir Stephan left the room. I pounded on the door and kept calling Arlen's name."
She pauses to catch her breath. "I know it was not suicide. I know I have no material evidence, I just knows him. I mean, well, we were talking about getting married last night. I was reluctant because he’s a noble although minor, but I'm a nobody, just a secretary. Also Arlen has had death threats from authors in the past and seemingly put them aside and went on with business as usual. Why then should he commit suicide when there was no current death threats."
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Spell: Speak with Animals Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 Thursday October 12th, 2017 9:26:17 PM
Lavinia stares deeply at the lock, and then into space.
"Hmmmm don't think I have anything in my arsenal that could help me with this" she says, thinking hard.
"Guard the crime scene honey I need to go get someone else. Someone with a very particular set of skills. I'll be right back"
Lavinia runs off to go find Sid, who she recalls was still on this floor somewhere. Sasha curls up and goes to sleep.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Thursday October 12th, 2017 9:55:16 PM "So, any reason you can think of that Arlen would want to kill himself? Why would he be arguing with Ernesto?" Bartomus asked, he shot a side glance at Stohp trying to hide his frustration.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) Thursday October 12th, 2017 11:44:16 PM
Sid continues to stare out the window letting his mind chew abit on the facts before him.
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+8=23 ; Friday October 13th, 2017 11:00:22 AM
When he realizes Ms. Plates' misunderstanding, Stock blushes. "That will be all Ms. Plates. Please join the rest of the witnesses."
Stock lends a sideways glance at Rodrigo, hoping he wasn't listening and hurries back up the stairs to the third level. Upstairs he turns left, attempting to avoid the rest of the shields so that they do not pick up on his discomfort, and walks into the Art Department. He sits down in one of the chairs and looks around.
Silly girl...well, might as well take a look around while I'm here
========= Perception 23 in room C1
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] d20+6=13 ; Friday October 13th, 2017 11:55:53 AM
Dorbin continues searching the desk and surrounding area for any hidden compartments. Then he moves on to the bookcase, looking for hidden books, a book with a hidden compartment, or anything else hidden there.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) Friday October 13th, 2017 1:02:55 PM
"I feel like I'm missing somethings Dorbin. How are you doing and what can I do to help?"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 Friday October 13th, 2017 6:12:06 PM "Barbara, you were standing there right next to Sir Stephan. Did you ever hear any sounds from inside his office? Think very hard it could be important."
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Spell: Speak with Animals Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 Friday October 13th, 2017 9:18:28 PM
Lavinia heads to Stephan's Office, hearing the voices of Dorbin and Sid coming from it. She pokes her head in.
"Hey lads is this a good time? I need someone with those little metal things you use to jiggle locks with and I don't know who to ask. Do either of you have any?"
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 d20+13=17 ; d20+14=26 ; Saturday October 14th, 2017 12:27:06 AM Detect Magic active
Micah sympathetically listens to Barbara's story. When she finishes, he quietly asks her, "Who knew his marriage proposal to you and who would resent such a proposal?
=========== Diplomacy 17 Sense Motive 26
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Saturday October 14th, 2017 10:29:58 AM "Or, for that matter, why someone might want to kill him?" Stohp adds.
DM Robert - "We'll call you back if we have further questions." Saturday October 14th, 2017 11:26:43 AM map
Third Floor Dorbin C8 - Stephan's office Sid C8 - Stephan's office Lavinia C9 - Stephan's office Stock - C1 - Art department. -- private Tiffany Pluto - C9 Arlen's office Rodrigo - somewhere on the third floor.
Second Floor Zanderallen - B5 an office questioning Sir Stephan Micah - B5 an office questioning Sir Stephan Stohp - B7 some sort of accounting office, questioning Wobler Bartomus - B7 some sort of accounting office, questioning Wobler -- Sergent Lukas - B5 and office watching his brother work.
Corporal Walker (in the library) Corporal Bardel - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Pepper Plates - the 'lobby' area of the second floor.
== Dorbin and Sid continue to search Sir Stephan's office but have determined, there's nothing further of interest to find here.
Lavinia comes into the office and asks if either Dorbin or Sid, have any lockpicking skills to come and look at Lord Arlen's door lock. Something doesn't look normal.
Stock comes up to the third floor and turns into the ART department. C1 - the art department. Each of these cubicles contains a large table with a chair that is on rollers so that it can be moved around the table as needed. The tables contain vices and other devices set into the table to hold a plank of wood. Examination of these tables reveal that they hold wood working planks - used to create pictures that can be put into a book with a printing press. There are wood carving tools at each of the tables. Hint, nothing of note here.
Rodrigo ambles up to the third floor and walks to the back offices. "How are things going? You know I've read some mystery books. Aren't you guys supposed to meet up and share clues now and then?"
Meanwhile down on the second floor. Micah and Zanderallen continue questioning Barbara. She pauses and seems to think. "I can't say that I did. Actually Sir Stephan was at the door before I could get up from my desk. And by the time I did he was already making his proclamation." She turns to Micah. "I don't know. I told him it was not really proper with our social station. But he said he didn't care and had no heirs so what does it matter." She beings to cry but you can tell they are the tears of someone that has mostly run out of tears, and thus it has more of the soft little hiccups of someone upset but clearly without the energy to go on.
Bartomus and Stohp continue on Wobler. "I don't know sir. He seemed his usual self. In fact you could say that the last few month's he's been more chipper....at least when he comes in, in the morning. But seems more his usual cranky self after working several hours, and especially after meeting with Gorkin Rasmulov the head accountant. I hope we're not in any financial troubles. I have no idea why Ernesto and he were arguing, though honestly there are a lot of authors that argue with him, but they keep coming back to publish with us. I don't know of anyone that would want to kill him. Really I hope the publishing industry is not so cut-throat as that." He pauses. "My that was an unfortunate choice of words wasn't it?
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+10=25 ; d20+14=26 ; Saturday October 14th, 2017 11:44:43 AM
Sid looks at Lavinia and says, "Oh, I can use the little jiggly things for locks. Lead the way!" Sid goes back into C9 and looks at the lock that he is shown and tries to do his thing.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Saturday October 14th, 2017 2:15:02 PM "Alright Wobler, I think we might want to let you head back to the group and maybe we can get a chance to talk to the other Shields, compare notes and such. They might have a few questions for you though." Bartomus looked at Stohp and shrugged with a "your witness" look.
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 d20+13=30 ; d20+14=27 ; Sunday October 15th, 2017 12:47:49 PM Detect magic active
Micah puts a comforting arm on Barbara when she begins to cry. She feels for her grief and knows no words can provide any comfort, so he offers the best he has, a caring human touch for support. After a moment he nods to Lukas and aids her to the door.
Once she is gone while awaiting the appearance of the next witness he says to Zanderallen, "I doubly hate this. I hate that we are adding to her pain and I hate that even though I think she is telling the truth I have to entertain the notion that she may not be."
=========== For next witness Diplomacy 30 Sense Motive 27
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Monday October 16th, 2017 8:36:27 AM
Stohp stretches as best she can in the small room. "We should probably compare notes with the others before interviewing anyone else. They may have learned something important we should ask about."
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Monday October 16th, 2017 1:23:54 PM
Dorbin, not knowing anything about locks, but knowing there is nothing more in the room, tags along with Sid and Lavinia.
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Monday October 16th, 2017 4:31:40 PM
Stock wanders back to Arlen's office to look for some of the others. As he walks in he stops at Private Pluto, "I don't know...what a mess. What do you think? Seen anything or heard anything since you've been posted here?"
He sees Vinnie and Sid walk toward Sir Stephan's office and tags along. "You guys seen anything suspicious?"
DM Robert - "You guys seen anything suspicious?" Monday October 16th, 2017 8:59:00 PM map
Third Floor Dorbin C8 - Arlen's office Sid C8 - Arlen's office Lavinia C9 - Arlen's office Stock - C1 - Arlen's office. -- private Tiffany Pluto - C9 Arlen's office Rodrigo - somewhere on the third floor.
Second Floor Zanderallen - B5 an office questioning Sir Stephan Micah - B5 an office questioning Sir Stephan Stohp - B7 some sort of accounting office, questioning Wobler Bartomus - B7 some sort of accounting office, questioning Wobler -- Sergent Lukas - B5 and office watching his brother work.
Corporal Walker (in the library) Corporal Bardel - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Pepper Plates - the 'lobby' area of the second floor.
== Sid looks over the lock. He discovers that the lock is one of a new type, it does not need a key to lock. It locks all the time. It would require a key to unlock, or if on the inside could be unlocked by pulling on the the switch and holding it while opening the door. So in essence if you pulled the door closed behind you it will lock.
Dorbin notices Rodrigo standing out in the main floor area of the third floor. Rodrigo appears to be looking around.
Stock asks the guard if she's seen anything suspicious. Private Pluto shrugs, "The whole thing seems off kilter now. Just with the few things I've witnessed you lot finding out. We really need some kind of academy in the guards. Something more than just teaching you how to swing a sword or club and how to intimidate people."
Lavinia looks on as Sid examines the lock. Sasha starts yawns and moves out into the lobby area, looking around.
==
Bartomus dismissed Wobler. The little halfing scampers out. You can hear the guard out in the 'lobby' area direct him back to the Library. You can also hear Pepper Plates asking him what was asked of him.
Stohp stretches and looks around the room realizing this room was not searched, they just appropriated it for questioning.
Micah dismisses Barbara. He is truly torn about her. He awaits the next witness and realizes he had not told his brother who to bring.
Zanderallen appears to be speechless, or perhaps lost in thought after Barbara's testimony.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) Monday October 16th, 2017 9:25:11 PM
((So are we on the "Open Side" of the lock or the "Locked" side))
Lavinia (Carissa) HP:45/45 AC:20/16/15 CMB:5 CMD:20 Spell: Speak with Animals Sasha HP:21/21 AC:19 Monday October 16th, 2017 9:27:01 PM
Whilst Sid fiddles with the locks Lavinia continues her thorough search of the room.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+7=8 ; Monday October 16th, 2017 9:46:15 PM "I don't think we have much to go on from him...Think that it's odd that the guy heard that chair downstairs, we might want to check that out. Also think we need to ask those folks he mentioned why they were arguing with boss." Bartomus looked about the room as he talked and it all looked like paper and files. Nothing that could kill anyone.
He waited in the doorway to let Stohp weigh in on what would be the best next step. "We are going to want to get Micah and Zander in on what we should do next too."
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Tuesday October 17th, 2017 1:44:21 PM
Stock fills in Sid and Lavinia on the little information he has found out and bends down to pet Sasha. He then heads out to find the 'taurs and the holy men. Finding Micah and Z first, he says, "What's new? Learn anything from any of these guys?"
He fills in the two of them on what else is happening in the building with the Shields and then says, "Seems like we need to talk with this Norman character...you guys know anything about him?"
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Tuesday October 17th, 2017 2:55:41 PM
Dorbin wanders over to Rodrigo and says, "See anything useful? Any ideas?"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 Tuesday October 17th, 2017 4:18:42 PM "I agree Micah. You know all these people but one are innocent and most of them liked or atleast respected Arlen. And we have to make them go over every detail surrounding his death. Let's take a quick pause to gather up in Arlen's office and go over what we've all found. Then come back and finish the interviews." Telling Lucas of the plan and inviting him to join them, Zander gathers everyone together in Lord Arlen's office to share their findings.
"Anybody have any theories? Sir Stephan is looking highly suspicious. He also seems to have the greatest motive and the only opportunity. He was about to get dismissed, could have poisoned the tea and positioned the body before Arlen's "nap" time, and then later claimed to have heard a commotion in Arlen's office clearing himself. Nothing concrete but a lot of circumstantial evidence." Zander looks round at his fellow Shields and at Lucas to see what they have to say.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+14=23 ; Tuesday October 17th, 2017 5:36:24 PM
Sid looks at the lock and door and tries to open it if he is on the outside, or opens it if he is on the inside.
===============================================
Disable Device: 23
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 Tuesday October 17th, 2017 6:00:00 PM Detect Magic active
Micah nods agreement with Zanderallen. "Good idea. A comparison of notes and a break from these interviews," he adds as he departs with him.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm d20+12=19 ; Tuesday October 17th, 2017 7:59:23 PM "The chair thing should be easy enough to check." As she speaks, Stohp looks around the room to see if they're anything interesting (19 perception). "Lets let the others know about the arguments so they can follow up then we can do a little experiment. Just put one of us in each room, knock over the chair a few times, see if we can hear it."
DM Robert - "See anything useful? Any ideas?" Tuesday October 17th, 2017 9:28:26 PM map
Not going to put people in different places since you are all gathering together. So I'll explain, wait there's no time for that, I sum up.
Sid, Arlen's double office doors would open into his office. Thus anyone in his office could always leave. But to get in you'd need a key. Also the doors have been busted open, interesting the wooden jam broke, the lock is still good to go.
Rodrigo looks around on the third floor and points out C5 "This looks like a breakroom, but it's pretty fancy with running water and a stove, this must be where the tea was made." Hint = What rooms have failed to be searched or searched but those searching failed?
Stoph looks around the room they were using and discovers that this is the accounting office of Stevens and Tate. They seem to be processing receipts for pre-purchase and distribution for a title called Engleton’s Folly. (Knowledge History). This is NOT the office of Gorkin Rasmulov the head accountant that Wobler mentioned Arlen had been having frequent meetings with. hint = Why would Arlen be meeting with the head accountant....what was underlined in the business contract with Sir Stephan.
Lukas peaks in on the meeting. "How are things going? This seems like murder, but I know that to prove murder you need, Motive, Opportunity, and Means. Do you think you're on to something yet?"
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Wednesday October 18th, 2017 12:02:16 AM "Well, Stohp, should we go tell Zander and Micah that we struck out and could get the Wobler to sing a coherent tune?" Bartomus asked with a wink. He started towards the hall and stopped when he realized that Stohp was not behind him. He turned back and looked into the room. "What's keeping you? Find something here?'
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] d20+6=19 ; Wednesday October 18th, 2017 9:56:15 AM
When Rodrigo describes the break room, Dorbin heads in and starts checking out the tea making area. (Perception: 19).
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+10=26 ; d20+9=19 ; d20+2=21 ; d20+14=27 ; Wednesday October 18th, 2017 6:05:41 PM
Sid follows Dorbin into the breakroom and has a look around himself.
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+8=14 ; d20+5=19 ; Wednesday October 18th, 2017 7:01:23 PM
After hearing what some of the others had to say about their investigations, Stock heads down to the library. As he walks up to the room, he remembers that this is where all of the suspects are hanging out. He stops in the doorway and looks around.
So this is where that Stephan fellow was hanging out...
Stock looks up at the ceiling, trying to judge how soundproof it might be...
============= Perception 14 on the library...looking to see if any books are obviously out in addition to the usual search of a room Profession Carpenter(?) 19 on judging the soundproofing of the ceiling - judging if Stephan could have heard anything from upstairs
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 Wednesday October 18th, 2017 7:54:51 PM "I guess let's go finish the interviews. Let's go interview the writer Ernesto." Heading back down the office they'd been using Zander calls licas to bring in Ernesto. "So could you please give us an account of you day here?"
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 Wednesday October 18th, 2017 8:14:14 PM
Micah looks at his brother in dismay, then looks pointedly at Zanderallen.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm d20+12=21 ; Wednesday October 18th, 2017 8:27:41 PM
Stohp hrms to herself. "Just noticing the room for the first time. It's some sort of accounting office. Did the guards search the whole building thoroughly? We should probably do that, see if we turn up anything interesting."
She leads the way back to the library and, after sharing what they learned about the arguments, does a quick search of the room (perception 21).
DM Robert - "See anything useful? Any ideas?" d20+2=22 ; Wednesday October 18th, 2017 8:54:50 PM map
-- private Tiffany Pluto - C9 Arlen's office Rodrigo - somewhere on the third floor.
Second Floor Zanderallen - B5 an office questioning Sir Stephan Micah - B5 an office questioning Sir Stephan Stohp - B6 Library Stock - B6 Library Bartomus - open area on second floor -- Sergent Lukas - B5 and office watching his brother work.
Corporal Walker (in the library) Corporal Bardel - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Pepper Plates - the 'lobby' area of the second floor.
==
The party meets briefly and exchanges information.
Stock and Stohp go into the Library and nonchalantly look around, Corporal Walker notices what you're doing though and tries to help out. (I'm going to use aid another so between you Good Job.) B6 - the Library; Library - Large room 40x70, richly appointed and spacious, the walls beneath a 15 foot ceiling are lined with well-filled wooden bookcases 9 feet high. Above the bookcases, the wall are decorated with swords, battleaxes, maces, shields of various designs. Several helms sit upright on the top of the bookcases. Flanking the door are two suits of plate armor, each holding in one gauntlet a 14 foot pike. The window drapes are heavy dark green velvet. (perception 20) Also, you note there are some empty spots on the book shelves and upon closer examination, these spots don’t have a lot of dust and the wood looks fresher (as though preserved from dusting/dusting/age by something having covered it up) (perception 25) Upon inspection, all the weapons are filed blunt, what once may have been good weapons have been rendered useless. one of the foot pike’s has been recently disturbed, the gauntlet and pike do not show the same amount of dust as the rest of the armors.
Dorbin and Sid look around in the break room. C5 - the breakroom. Mostly this is for the art department. But is also where Wober’s makes Arlen’s tea everyday. The cabinets are filled with glasses and cups some have names on them. There different bags of tea, sugar, honey, spoons, and the like. There is a sink with a hand pump on the cabinets to the south. There is a pot bellied stove nearby (the circle). Cabinets hold various tea jars, honey, some sugar, spoons, and the like. There are two tables for eating. (Perception 20 - you find a small glass vial in the trash can here, there is a cork as well.) Alchemy required.
Bartomus notes that the door they came out of says "Subscriptions and Shipping". There is a another office nearby B8. It simply has the word "Rasmulov" on the outside of the door. Pepper Plates comes over to Bartomus. "Remember you promised an exclusive. Now to save time I can go ahead and start taking down some information from you." She smiles and bats her eyelashes.
Lukas looks back at Micah, "What?" Then heads out and brings in Ernesto.
Zanderallen prompts Ernesto for his 'story'. Ernesto stomps in and throws himself into one of the chair. He's a bull-like brute with a hard, handsome face (not happy, surly speaking when spoken too). You realize that while he's human, there's some orc in the family tree. He's about 28 years old. He has an amulet that radiates magic. "My story. I'll tell you I wanted to strangle the little jerk, or slap him silly. Whichever was handiest. I’d just read the galley proofs of my latest novel, “A Knight of the Armies”. The beak-faced little name-of-a-dog had butchered it. I told him I wouldn’t have it published that way. He told me that he’d bought the rights and I had nothing to say about it. We exchanged words. But since I didn't have a copy of the contract on me I went out. I was boiling mad and went into the break room to splash some water in my face. But I left him alive. I wanted out of the place. I went to see a lawyer but he said he wanted to look over the contract so I had to come back here to get it. I seem to have misplaced mine copy." He crosses his arms and stares at you through squinty eyes.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+12=20 ; Wednesday October 18th, 2017 9:56:09 PM
Sid pulls out his bedroll and cuts a wide square of fabric out of it. Holding it to cover his hands he picks up the vial and the cork and shows it to Dorbin. "I found this in the trash, do you think this was what the poison was in? Do you know anything about poisons? I don't."
Acrobatics(To handle gently and keep any fluids left in the vial): 20
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Wednesday October 18th, 2017 10:11:51 PM
Noting the empty spaces Stohp starts paying sharp attention to the bookshelves. In particular she pays attention to the organization of them and what kind of books are around the empty spaces; with luck and perhaps a few questions she can determine exactly what is missing (This shouldn't take a perception check, it's just reading titles & stuff). The pike is also interesting; blunted weapons make perfect sense, no one wants a foolish accident happening, but what on earth could the pike have been used for?
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+7=22 ; Thursday October 19th, 2017 12:17:56 AM "Sure thing," Bartomus smiled at Pepper. "This is a really busy place, lots people coming and going and it seems that there are some pretty passionate writers that love their work. Now, need to get a sense of who some of these folks are, so I will catch up with you in a bit."
He recognized the name on the neighboring door and walked over to it and opened the door. He looked about the office. ==== Perception 22
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] d20+12=27 ; Thursday October 19th, 2017 8:25:40 AM
Dorbin looks at the vial and pulls out his notebook, flipping through a few pages. He says, "I don't know about poison much, but I've read about a few magical ones..."
OOC: No Alchemy, but knowledge, arcana, 27 is the closest I he can get.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) Thursday October 19th, 2017 11:13:12 AM
"Who do you think would know?"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 Thursday October 19th, 2017 7:37:24 PM "Thank you for your statement.", Zanderallen motions to the guard, "Please bring in Franklin."
"Franklin could you please give as an account of your day here?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Thursday October 19th, 2017 8:26:10 PM "These guys seem to be really into weapons, armor, and war...I can't say I don't understand it; it's probably the only kind of book I'd read. I wonder what was on the shelves that was taken away?"
DM Robert - "Who do you think would know?" Thursday October 19th, 2017 8:59:11 PM map
-- private Tiffany Pluto - C9 Arlen's office Rodrigo - somewhere on the third floor.
Second Floor Zanderallen - B5 an office questioning Franklin Micah - B5 an office questioning Franklin Stohp - B6 Library Stock - B6 Library Bartomus - an office B8 -- Sergent Lukas - B5 and office watching his brother work.
Corporal Walker (in the library) Corporal Bardel - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Pepper Plates - the 'lobby' area of the second floor.
==
Dorbin and Sid look at the vial. They contemplate what to do next. Perhaps that cleric is still around. (he is but not on this floor)
Sasha shays into the room and sniffs at the vial. "Meowr rowl mewe merowl." The cat seems to be trying to say something. Unfortunately Lavinia seems lost in thought....and her speak with animals spell has by now worn off.
Zanderallen dismisses Ernesto and brings in Franklin Andray, a lanky, near sighted human about 45 or so. He wears little spectacles and a magic circlet is upon his head. His desk is at C3. "Well I was going through some correspondence with our distributors in Plateau City. Lord Arlen returned from lunch he was angry and seemed hurried. He snapped at me asking where Stephan was. Really it's not like I'm Sir Stephan's secretary. In fact Sir Stephan really needs to get around to hiring a replacement, I have several resumes at my desk." He realizes he went off on a tagent. "I informed him that Ernesto was waiting for him, but he told me to let him wait. He went into his office. After awhile Lord Arlen called Barbara into office and and then Barbara came over and told me to bring in Ernesto. Really just because I'm closest to the door. Anyway I went down to the library and told Ernesto to come up. Ernesto went into the office. Not sure what went on, I'm the furthest away from their and I was trying to get work done so I could enjoy the weekend. Then Ernesto came out of the office and went into the break room for a minute. About that time Sir Stephan returned from lunch. Really I mean just because you're a partner you can take 3 hour lunches." He quickly puts his hands over his mouth. He then continues. I'm not sure what went on after that, was busy with the correspondence, we have a new book coming out soon and details need to be arranged. Late in the afternoon I saw Ernesto come back. He walked through to speak to Barbara. Then Sir Stephan comes running in claiming he heard a thump from the library and comes up to the room. Sir Stephan put his head to the door and claims to hear sounds like Arlen is violently ill. Wobler and Sir Stephan went out of the room. I tried opening the door but it was locked of course. Barbara was pounding on it and shouting frantically. Then the guards come in and break down the door. We all saw Lord Arlen just slowly swinging there."
Stock and Stohp continue to survey the Library. They note the carpet and recall that Lord Arlen's office was carpeted as well. Stohp looks around at the shelves. Unfortunately the books do not appear to be in any sort of order. You estimate that about 1/4 are publications of Rosebud. The rest look older, quite older. But they are all variety of books, fiction, non-fiction, all sorts of genres.
Bartomus gets away from Pepper Plates and closes the door behind him. He examines B8 - Head accountant - Gorkin Rasmulov. This room has a single wooden desk. There are wooden filing cabinets lining the east wall. The south wall has a small cabinet. Inside the cabinet is a large accounting type book. (Linguistics or Perception 20 Success!) - it is an accounting book of the volumes in the library. There appears to be several notes in the margin denoting volume now missing from the Library. There are 32 books missing, which according to the entries comes to about 21,000 gold pieces as some of them appear to be rare. You also find a note from Lord Arlen asking Gorkin to find a reliable appraiser or art to examine several paintings around the office.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Friday October 20th, 2017 12:24:52 AM
Bartomus looked through the large book. It was leather bound with a set of golden embossed lines. He flipped through the book. He realized that he had found something and kept reading. Why was this one book here, in this room?" He asked himself. He finished reading the book and then closed it. He needed to show it to Zander and Micah.
He tucked the book under his arm and exited the office. He left the office, being sure to close the door behind him. "Micah, Zander, Hey guys," Bartomus yelled down the hall. "Where are you folks?"
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Friday October 20th, 2017 9:03:01 AM
Dorbin holds out his hands and tells Sid, "You stay here, don't move that thing. I'll go see if I can find that guy who identified the poison earlier." Dorbin then runs off to attempt to find the person who did identify the poison before and get them to come back to Sid to see if this is the same stuff.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+15=33 ; Friday October 20th, 2017 2:27:59 PM
"Thanks Dorbin! Well, that makes it easier for me I guess." Sid starts thinking about bow construction.
===================================
Craft(Bows): 33
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 Friday October 20th, 2017 6:22:16 PM "Thank you for your statement."
Hearing his companions calling him Zander dismisses Franklin and goes to find them. "What did you find?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Friday October 20th, 2017 7:42:51 PM
Stohp goes over what everyone has found in her mind. "So far the most likely suspects are Sir Stephen, because he saw the victim last and was going to be dropped as a partner, and possibly Ernesto, due to the loud argument from before. I think we should do a thorough search of any office or rooms those two have on the premises."
She double checks the legality of searching people's rooms with the guards, then recruits Wobler to help her find her way around and does a thorough search of Sir Stephen's stuff (take 20 for 32 total).
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Saturday October 21st, 2017 2:45:59 AM "Got something here to show you Zander," Bartomus replied as he saw Zander in the hallway. He hefted the accounting book and waved it at Zander. "need to show this to a few others, but it seems that some of the very rare volumes in the collection here have gone missing. Need to get some sense as to who discovered that."
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 Saturday October 21st, 2017 11:00:37 AM
Micah continues to let Zanderallen take the lead.
DM Robert - "Who do you think would know?" d20+3=13 ; Saturday October 21st, 2017 11:23:15 AM map
-- private Tiffany Pluto - C9 Arlen's office Rodrigo - somewhere on the third floor. Second Floor Zanderallen - second floor meeting Micah - second floor meeting
Bartomus - second floor meeting with others Stock - B6 Library -- Sergent Lukas - B5 and office watching his brother work.
Corporal Walker (in the library) Corporal Bardel - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Pepper Plates - the 'lobby' area of the second floor.
== Dorbin runs downstairs and finds the priest in the library. He grabs him and rushes back upstairs. Once it's explained what's happening he again casts detect poison. "Oh my yes that indeed has some traces of poison in it." He examines it and thinks for a moment. "However I don't think there's enough there for me to really know what poison it was."
Sasha walks around the third floor and takes a swat at Lavinia.
Sid wonders briefly...did he see a book about arms and armor in Stephan's office?
Stock wants to search some rooms. However, Wobler tells her that Ernesto does not have an office in the building. Most visitors wait in the outer office upstairs near the secretaries desk. Ernesto was sent to the Library because Barbara did not feel comfortable with him sitting for long periods in the outer office near her. He takes her upstairs to Sir Stephan's office where she encounters Dorbin and Sid in the break room. They tell her what they've found and that Sir Stephan's office has already been thoroughly searched.
Bartomus shows the accounting ledger to Zanderallen and Micah. Going over it everyone can see that it is more of an inventory book and that indeed there are several books being marked as 'missing'.
I want to re-emphasis the note about the paintings and having them re-appraised. This goes partially to flavor text. But in a city where there are few windows because of building being built butted up next to each other, the need for bright cheery or thought provoking paintings to be hung on walls is important to many houses and business. It is perhaps commonplace so that your characters don't always look at or for paintings in passing. But when you look around again you note that almost everyone room has some painting hung on it.
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 Sunday October 22nd, 2017 10:12:03 PM
After comparing notes, Micah asks, "Did anyone do a thorough search of Arlen's office? Is it possible there is a secret entrance into the room that we are not yet aware of? "
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+7=26 ; Sunday October 22nd, 2017 11:55:31 PM
Bartomus shrugged at Micah's question, "We've been with Wobler and then I walked into the office next to where we interviewed him."
Bartomus looked about the meeting room to get a sense of its furnishings. ============= Perception roll - 26
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) Sunday October 22nd, 2017 11:57:14 PM
Sid places the deadly package on a table in the breakroom and thinks hard. He makes sure that the other shields now about the book and the notes of Sir Stephen in case that is relevant.
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Monday October 23rd, 2017 10:55:58 AM Sorry I missed on Friday. Not sure what happened. -------- Stock wanders back up to the main offices, hearing about the finding of the poison in the breakroom. "Anybody have any idea what this Oil of Tagget does anyway? I'm guessing it doesn't straight up kill unless in huge doses right? So if it was used to just knock out Lord Arlen, somebody...or multiple people...strong enough to string up the stiff would have been needed...Didn't that Wobler guy say he made the tea?"
Stock heads back down to find him in the library.
"Wobler? Which of you is Wobler?" When he steps forward, Stock sizes up the clerk. "Would you please come with me and walk me through the steps you followed brewing tea this afternoon?"
========== I already failed the appraise check on the paintings I think, so I'm out for that one.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 Monday October 23rd, 2017 3:07:37 PM
Hearing Sid's discovery of the poison in the break room Zander thinks aloud. "We know from witness accounts that Wobler brought in the tea to Lord Arlen. It appears to have been poisoned while it was in the break room. Ernesto was in the break room right before that as well. So either of them had the best opportunity to poison the tea. But that still leaves Sir Stephan as the only one who could have hung Arlen after he was knocked out from the poison. Is it possible any of them are working together?"
"And if the tea was brought in while Stephan was still there why didn't he have any? Or if he did why wasn't he affected? I think we need to put a little pressure on Stephan to get some more answers. Care to help ruffle his feathers Lucas?"
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Monday October 23rd, 2017 7:50:37 PM
Dorbin stands with Sid a bit confused. He says, "Any other ideas, Sid?"
DM Robert - "Any other ideas, Sid?" Monday October 23rd, 2017 8:57:35 PM map
-- private Tiffany Pluto - C9 Arlen's office Rodrigo - somewhere on the third floor.
Second Floor Zanderallen - second floor meeting Micah - second floor meeting Stohp - second floor Bartomus - second floor meeting with others Stock - B6 Library -- Sergent Lukas - B5 and office watching his brother work.
Corporal Walker (in the library) Corporal Bardel - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Pepper Plates - the 'lobby' area of the second floor.
== Micah asks about secret passages. Yes the offices were searched thoroughly. There is not a secret passage.
Bartomus looks around B5. Looks like some sort of manager's office. This room is set up as an office. There are two chairs in front of a 3x8 desk. Both chairs are cushioned, one on the right is large enough for a taur. There are windows looking out onto the printing floor. The desk has locked drawers down both sides. He finds a name plate that says Barny Smythe - Manager.
Stock asks Wobler to go upstairs and take him through the steps of making tea. Unfortunately to do that he will need to get the tea pot and cup. Would this disturb evidence? Or does Stock just want to know how he makes the tea? Not sure what you are shooting for here.
Zanderallen thinks the tea was poisoned in the break room. But if you recall Erenesto was in the break room while the pot was probably going, and Sir Stephan went into the break room momentarily after exiting from Lord Arlen's office.
Sid remembers that Micah said Oil of Tanget was used as a knockout poison.
Rodrigo speaks wanders down and manages to get in on the conversation's with everyone at some point in time. "So we're not sure who poisoned him, either Ernesto or Sir Stephan. But we do know the following. 1-Someone at some point recently stacked Arlen's footstool on top of Arlen's overhigh chair. This gave the person 3 feet off the ground. 2-the beam is 10 feet off the ground. So a person 6 foot or taller could then easily reach the beam. 3-Arlen was short barely over 5 foot tall. 4-one side of Arlen's clothes were very dusty/dirty. 5-Part of the beam near the rope, for about 5 feet was clear of any dust. 6-Sasha the cat has been sniffing around upstairs, got a hit off the rope and maybe something off the poison container, but she has not sniffed anywhere or anyone else. 7-Arlen was having some sort of inventory of the companies rare books and paintings done. 8-He went to see a lawyer and had Barbara being made new 1/2 owner or whatever in the company. 9-He had underlined a section in the current partnership agreement about fiscal ....fiscal something or other, that amounts to stealing as a justification to end the partnership or something right? 10-um, are there other clues to think about perhaps?"
Lukas nods his head. [b]"I think Stohp and Stock made some other discoveries in the library."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Monday October 23rd, 2017 9:45:26 PM "Could we ask Barbara who's handwriting is noting what is missing in the ledger there?" Bartomus asked the group. As he waited for an answer, he began trying to open the desk drawers more of out curiosity than anything else.
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Tuesday October 24th, 2017 9:10:13 AM
Dorbin asks Lavinia, "Have you had your cat check out smells on the suspects yet? Maybe it can find a match to what it smelled on the rope and the body earlier."
OOC: If Sesha/Lavinia is not available, perhaps Emily can stand in for the larger cat...
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Tuesday October 24th, 2017 11:19:28 AM "Don't worry about grabbing the tea pot and cup, Mr. Wobler. All I want you to do is run me through the steps you followed in making the tea. We are trying to determine when there was time, and how much time there was for somebody to tamper with it."
As he leads Wobler upstairs, Stock is lost in thought. The one thing I don't get is why one side of Arlen's body would be dirty...seems like an important clue that I just can't place.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 19 d20+11=17 ; Tuesday October 24th, 2017 3:50:44 PM "You raise some good points Rodrigo. I think we can put together the scenario of how he was killed. After taking the poisoned tea Arlen would have been knocked out. His killer then used the chair and stool to throw a rope over and haul Arlen's body onto the rafter, thus the dust wiped off the rafter and unto his clothes. All they would have had to do then was push his body off, the longer fall would account for the severe injuries to his neck." Waving Micah and Lucas to follow him Zanderallen moves back to the library to bring Stephan in for another interview. "Sir Stephan, we have some additional questions for you. When you were talking to Lord Arlen his tea was brought in. Do you normally take it with him?" Zander watches carefully for any change in Stephan's demeanor. ----------------------- Sense Motive 17
Micah (Zachary subbing for John H) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 d20+14=34 ; Tuesday October 24th, 2017 3:54:42 PM
Wondering how much evidence his brother would need to be able to make a conviction stick against a noble, even a lower one such as Sir Stephan Micah has his worries. But knowing they would have to pursue this case to the end, wherever it ended up leading he prepares himself for the interview. Letting Zanderallen lead the opening statements he silently observes, his eyes looking deep into Stephan's soul. ------------------------- Sense Motive 34 (nat 20)
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+6=26 ; d20+10=15 ; Tuesday October 24th, 2017 8:08:48 PM
"Ok, so we know that the Oil was used as a sedative, so either he was moving and fell onto something dirty, or something dirty got him, grabbed or covered, on one side as he was moved to the location of his hanging... say, could the dirt be printing power or ink or something of that nature?" Sid looks around thinking about the weight and force it would take for someone to drag a from any position and hang it and starts looking for those signs of disturbances.
Sid considers the dirt. It was not printing powder or ink. It was straight up dirt/dust. (In fact if Lavinia were still 'conscious') she would be able to confirm it's the same type of dust from the other parts of the rafter. With the engineering check Sid considers that a drop of three feet or so may have done the damage to Arlen's throat. Now if the chair is 18 inches high ... how much would he have had to jump? A mending spell would certainly help, because then the rope could be joined together again and you could see how far off the ground he was.
Stock has Wobler walk him through the tea making process. From what he understands, Wobler would start the pot going and go back to his desk to work, he could hear the pot from there easily. Then he would take the tea and put it into the water to steam for 5 minutes. Again he would go back to his desk and glance over paperwork. Then he would load the tray and take it into Arlen's office. Normally Arlen will leave his door slightly open and he would just walk in. Today he had to knock because the door was closed and Sir Stephan was in there.
Dorbin tries to talk to Lavinia....to no avail. Sasha walks around his legs. (Most domestic felines hunt by sight, larger cats can hunt by sight and smell. I will allow someone to attempt handle animal to take Sasha around for more scenting.)
Bartomus tries to open the drawers to the desk. He finds they are locked. Not sure who has the keys he goes into the library and talks to Barbara privately. He shows her the ledger and note. As he does Zanderallen comes in and summons Sir Stephan. Barbara looks over the book and says the notes in there are in Gorkin Rasmulov's the accountants. The note asking to find a painting appraiser is in Lord Arlen's writing.
In the Library, Zanderallen summons Sir Stephan. He notes Stephan eyeing Bartomus and Barbara. Zanderallen gets the feeling something is upsetting Sit Stephan. Once they get back to the office Zanderallen tears into him. Micah notes that Sir Stephan seems somewhat distracted until Zander lets him have it. Micah notes that his eyes snap back into focus and then he looks up to the right (eyes only). He then answers, "Of course not, Lord Arlen drank his tea by himself. It was his habit before taking a nap." Micah and Zanderallen need to make a perception and heal check.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Wednesday October 25th, 2017 12:05:48 AM "Barbara, help me understand something," Bartomus leaned forward as he asked the secretary his question. "Why would Lord Arlen being looking at getting the paintings appraised? Which paintings?"
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Wednesday October 25th, 2017 8:47:51 AM
Dorbin notices that Lavinia has fallen asleep in a chair. He nudges her to try and wake her. Then he goes over to the large cat and orders it to search for smells. He points to the hallway. He notices he is completely ignored by both Lavinia and the large cat. He sighs.
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 Wednesday October 25th, 2017 3:48:34 PM
Stock thinks over what he sees Wobler do...
"Would anybody have had enough time to tamper with the tea while you stepped away?"
Then...
"Do you remember seeing anybody hanging around in the breakroom while the tea was steeping?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Wednesday October 25th, 2017 6:42:19 PM
Stohp listens in on the clue list Rodrigo sums up. It's very helpful, and something he says catches her notice. "Wait, Arlen is covered in dust, and the area around the noose is dust free? Sounds like either he was up there himself or someone knocked off all the dust down onto his unconscious corpse before tying the rope. Perhaps to keep themselves from getting dusty."
Micah (Zachary subbing for John H) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 d20+9=12 ; d20+4=16 ; Wednesday October 25th, 2017 6:54:20 PM
Tag teaming Sir Stephan Micah takes the lead on the next question. "Could you tell us what your conversation with Lord Arlen was about this afternoon?" ---------------------- Heal 12 Perception 16
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 23 T: 11 FF: 22 CMD: 19 d20+5=21 ; d20+4=9 ; Wednesday October 25th, 2017 6:58:01 PM
Sitting back Zander watches Stephan's reaction to the probe. ------------------ Heal 21 Perception 9
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+1=5 ; d20+12=18 ; Wednesday October 25th, 2017 7:26:06 PM
"This does not make sense," Sid says as he looks up at the rafters. He looks at Sasha, "Are you a good kitty?" She ignores him and he exhales, "Well you are a cat." He looks around to see if he can climb up something to see the top of the rafters.
==========================================
Animal Handling: 5 Acrobatics: 18
((Stupid low rolls))
DM Robert - "Any other ideas, Sid?" Wednesday October 25th, 2017 9:38:05 PM map
Third Floor Dorbin C9 - Arlen's office Sid C5 - break room Lavinia C9 - Arlen's office Stock - C5 breakroom Stohp - third floor outside Arlen's office? -- private Tiffany Pluto - C9 Arlen's office Rodrigo - somewhere on the third floor.
Second Floor Zanderallen - B5 questioning stephan Micah - B5 questioning stephan Stohp - second floor Bartomus - B6 Library
-- Sergent Lukas - B5 and office watching his brother work. Corporal Walker (in the library) Corporal Bardel - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Pepper Plates - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. ==
Micah and Zanderallen continue to question Sir Stephan. Micah notes Sir Stephan is certainly tall, over 6 foot easily. Zanderallen surmises that for an older person (say mid 40's) he certainly seems to still be in robust health. Sir Stephan replies “Our meeting was a short business conference. I was given instructions to the format of three books we will be publishing. Entirely routine stuff, but if you want the details… I then left and went to the art department to check on some book illustrations, then came in here to the library to do some research, checking some of the points for a book of magic we’re publishing in the spring. I heard a noise from the north window near where I was sitting.”
Zanderallen scratches his head briefly, and wonders, didn't he say he heard a thump on the floor like from a chair following over.
Bartomus questions Barbara about the paintings. She replies, "Why I'm not sure, except for the Library and prints shop almost all the rooms have at least one painting. I know that Lord Arlen is...was, a sort of patron of the arts. He thought that employees should be able to look at something other than a bare wall."
Dorbin ponders what to do next.
Stock questions Wobler. "Well really? Poison? I don't know. Wow, maybe well I guess Ernesto was in here alone for a minute maybe while the tea was brewing. Other than that only myself and then Sir Stephan went in here briefly after coming out of Lord Arlen's office."
Stohp wonders about the dust on Lord Arlen's clothes. Perhaps she needs to take a closer look at it to determine how it may have gotten there.
Sid wonders how to get up to look at the rafter. Rodrigo and Private Pluto offer to boost him up if he wants to try and stand on their shoulders.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Thursday October 26th, 2017 1:18:35 AM "Barbara, would there be an inventory of the paintings?" Bartomus looked about the room they were in and then back at her. "How about you and I go on an art walk, let's see what we can find regarding the paintings."
Bartomus looked about and asked, "Which way to the library?"
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Thursday October 26th, 2017 9:19:32 AM
Dorbin stays with Sid and tries to help him examine the rafters more as well.
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+8=16 ; Thursday October 26th, 2017 1:18:37 PM
Stock takes Wobler back to the library and finds Zanderallen and Micah speaking with a well dressed man he takes for Sir Stephan. He walks up to the group and gives the noble a long look (Perception, see below). During a lull in the conversation (without introducing himself) he say,
"What's the deal with the fake paintings in your office? Seems like you should have the real stuff..."
--------- Perception 16, looking for signs of dirt on Sir Stephan's clothing and hands.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 23 T: 11 FF: 22 CMD: 19 Thursday October 26th, 2017 5:59:45 PM
Zanderallen pauses as Stock barges in. He thanks the break in, hoping it might help shake Stephan. Especially an accusation like that. "Fake paintings? Could that have been why Arlen was looking into company finances? Know anything about that?" While Stephan is looking at Stock, Zander exchanges glances with Micah with subtle gestures to Stephan's build.
Micah (Zachary subbing for John H) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 Thursday October 26th, 2017 6:06:20 PM
Micah sits back, letting Zander and Stock have their turn at Stephan. So much seemed to be pointing at Stephan, could it be too much? Were they overlooking something? He muses as he watches Stephan's reaction to the next questions.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Thursday October 26th, 2017 8:20:42 PM
As Bartomus found his way down the hall, he saw Stock go into one of the rooms and Bartomus followed after only to hear him ask about fake paintings. "Wait, what, the paintings are fake? Arlen had been working to get them appraised to see their values.
Bartomus looked to see if Barbara was still following behind him.
DM Robert - "Wait, what, the paintings are fake?" Thursday October 26th, 2017 8:59:21 PM map
Stohp - third floor outside Arlen's office? -- private Tiffany Pluto - C9 Arlen's office Rodrigo - somewhere on the third floor.
Second Floor Zanderallen - B5 questioning stephan Micah - B5 questioning stephan Stock - B5 questioning Stephan Stohp - second floor Bartomus - B6 Library
-- Sergent Lukas - B5 and office watching his brother work. Corporal Walker (in the library) Corporal Bardel - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. Pepper Plates - the 'lobby' area of the second floor. ==
Bartomus is actually in the Library with Barbara. Barbara leads Bartomus out of the Library and starts taking him to various rooms and hallways. Bartomus needs to make an Appraise check and a knowledge Local check.
Stohp....appears to be going into some sort of trance with Sid, and Lavinia.... perhaps there is something in the air of Lord Arlen's office.
Rodrigo and Private Pluto manage to stand on some of the office chairs and get Dorbin to climb. Rodrigo actually stacks the footstool from under Arlen's desk onto Arlen's raised chair. He is less than a foot below the rafter at that point. That's a HINT. Dorbin needs to make an acrobatics and then a perception check.
and if Sid wakes up he has to make the same checks.
Stock, Zanderallen, and Micah need to make Sense Motive checks....and Stock needs to make a straight Intelligence check. Sir Stephan looks at Stock in what could be interpreted as surprise at the unexpected intrusion. "Fakes? Whatever do you mean. Why those paintings were purchased by Lord Arlen, are you saying he's been duped?"
Bartomus barges in at the doorway. His comments add to the tensness of the scene. Barbara speaks up over Bartomus's shoulder. "Arlen never bought fakes or duplicates or anything that was numbered, he only bought one of a kind originals, no matter if it was a great painter or a starving artist." Bartomus can make a sense motive check.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+2=15 ; d20+4=8 ; Thursday October 26th, 2017 11:20:28 PM
Bartomus walked about with Barbara and took a closer look at the paintings. He could get a sense of the skill and craft associated with what he was seeing. He couldn't place the people though, and that was frustrating. "Miss Barbara, you may have to help me understand who these are?"
==== Appraise 15;Knowledge local 8
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+9=10 ; d20+12=23 ; Thursday October 26th, 2017 11:43:21 PM
Sid is lost in thought on the mechanics of everything and leaps upon onto the chair. He ponders what all that he has seen.
=================================================
Perception: Nat. 1! Acrobatics: 23
HERO POINT: I have three and an Int of 18. Sid is smarter than I am and I'm just not putting it together. Oh great GM, I petition thee for the boon of Inspiration, that I may cross the challenge that this frail player character now faces.
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] d20+2=15 ; d20+6=19 ; Friday October 27th, 2017 9:26:31 AM
Dorbin watches Sid jump up on the chair and tries to help Sid out. He points out a few places on the rafters, trying to get Sid to see where he is pointing and looking (acrobatics: 15, perception: 19).
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 Friday October 27th, 2017 1:28:58 PM
Micah thinks they are close to solving this, but it is all speculation. Sasha's keen nose might be able to finalize it, but he has lost track of she and Lavinia.
He blinks his eyes as a solution suddenly occurs to him. Thank you Domi he thinks as he goes in search of Dorbin.
Finding him in the office, he approaches and asks, "Dorbin, the murderer probably did not count on his scent being traceable. I was so focused on our jungle hunter, that I totally missed we have another hunter among us. Would Emily be willing to help us track down the murderer?
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] d20+4=16 ; Friday October 27th, 2017 1:51:07 PM
Dorbin replies, "I have tried that, but she isn't really getting anything so far, sadly."
OOC: Yeah, I tried to use Emily before, but it didn't work as Lavinia's cat is more reliant on scent.
Random int check: 16
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+1=10 ; d20=6 ; Friday October 27th, 2017 2:38:23 PM "I guess maybe calling them fakes is going to far...maybe he mentioned to you that they are replicas though right?"
So many holes to fill in...like how somebody got into Arlen's office to hang him and then got out again...This guy Stephan doesn't feel right to me but I can't find any reason behind any of it.
========= Sense Motive 10 Intelligence 6 I feel so dense...The clues are all there but are not quite adding up for me.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 23 T: 11 FF: 22 CMD: 19 d20+11=22 ; Friday October 27th, 2017 5:40:24 PM
Zander sits pondering and stumped. He thought they could put the whole case together, but there was no evidence to back any of it up. Unless Stephan convicted himself. He briefly weighs the options and then decides to tighten the screws. "Did you know Lord Arlen was investigating someone here for fraud? That could have been why he was killed" Zander leans in towards Stephan as he discloses the information. -------------------- Sense Motive 22
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm d20+12=30 ; Friday October 27th, 2017 6:09:44 PM
Stohp looks up from what she was doing. "I think I'm just going to start searching every room. We have missing books and a container of poison to find. Finding either might help pinpoint the guilty party."
Since Stephon's office has been searched, she moves on to Arlen's office (take 20 for 32 or 30 if take 20 is unavailable).
Je Accuse!
DM Robert - Tick tock Friday October 27th, 2017 11:00:11 PM map
From somewhere in the office a bell tolls. You realize it is a large clock tolling the sound of 9 o'clock ... have you really been here for over 3 hours?
Lucas hears the bell toll. He looks around nervously. "We need to hurry up. The captain is probably going to come by any moment now."
Micah finds Dorbin as Dorbin's cat bats him in the leg. Emily goes over to the rope where it is tied to the radiator below the permanently open (by 4 inches) window at the lower panel. She touches her nose to it and bats it with a paw. She then walks out of the room and gives him the eye . . . the come with me or I'll pee in your shoe eye. Dorbin and Micah follow. Emily jumps on the table where the vial of poison sits on the piece of cloth. She touches her nose to it and lays her paw on it. She then jumps down from the table and ambles out of the room. Dorbin knows better than to let her go alone at this point and follows again. Emily scampers down the stairs and goes into the second floor. She trots down to the library door, currently closed. Dorbin opens it. Emily wanders around briefly and then puts her nose to the 14 foot unsharp pike, the one with not dust on it, she pats it with a paw. She wanders around more, seemingly to look for something but not finding it.
Ernesto pipes up, "Hey I thought we threw that cat out once already. Get rid of it, I'm allergic to cats."
Emily turns her head to look at him and then turns around ignoring him and twitching her tail. She walks out of the room...she goes to the office next door, and paws at the door. Dorbin opens it. Inside is Zanderallen, Stock, Lucas, and Sir Stephan. Emily goes over to Sir Stephan and hisses at him.
Stohp declares she is going to thoroughly search every room. But Rodrigo says, "I'm pretty sure the rooms up here have been pretty thoroughly searched already." Stohp seems dejected and slumps down. Then remembers she was going to look at the dust on Lord Arlen to see how it got there. Her search reveals that it did not fall there, it's more as if when you take your sleeve and try to dust something off. So obviously his whole side was rubbed on something as if to clean it.
Sid stands on Rodrigo's back, as he stands on the stacked chair and foot stool. Sid is easily 11 feet off the floor (by this head height). He looks at the beam, and notes a section a little over 5 feet long, about as long as Lord Arlen was tall, wiped clean of dust and dirt.. He looks over the beam, noting it is almost a clean shot to the slightly open window (remember Arlen's window is open at the top and the bottom by about 4 inches). He notes that the beam 12 feet from the window.
Stock ponders Stephan not feeling right for the accusation....though he also remembers the very expensive cigars and brandy in Sir Stephan's office. And the leather chair certainly looked comfortable, clearly Sir Stephan is someone that enjoys the finer things in life. How well does the publishing industry pay?
Bartomus stares at the paintings asking Barbara who is in the pictures. She shrugs her shoulders then asks, "Wait a minute, the inventory clearly shows some valuable books missing, and you say that the paintings in Sir Stephan's room are forgeries? But how come he has more than one? I thought Lord Arlen only had 1 painting put in each room, and Sir Stephan has a window, granted it looks out onto another building, but you can look up and see the sky. Or at least the magically represented sky on the top of the level. Somethings very fishy here. I'd like to go back into that room where Sir Stephan is."
Zanderallen continues to question Stephan. He notes that Stephan's eyes darted back and forth as the paintings were mentioned, he licked his lips before responding. "Fraud? What sort of fraud could be done at a publishing house?" Is that a drop of sweat on his forehead?
The door opens again and Dorbin and Micah are at the door. Emily panders in, walks up to Stephan and hisses at him.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 Friday October 27th, 2017 11:49:52 PM "Sure thing, Ma'am, sure thing." Bartomus looked back at the painting and shrugged. "Let's head back." Bartomus walked along with Barbara and looked about. "Zander, Micah? Where are you guys at? We got an odd question?"
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+9=14 ; Saturday October 28th, 2017 2:29:04 PM
"Ok lads let me down." Once on the floor Sid goes to the window and pulls the bottom sill up, being cautious of traps. He then sticks his head out of the window and begins to look for a picture frame or picture(taking 20). He starts by looking down, and looking for containers it might have fallen into, then he examines the sides, the other building and overhead.
=================================================
Perception(Find trap triggers): 14(Well, I didn't botch) Perception(Find Picture Frame/Picture out of a frame: Taking 20
((I have an idea and will post again later, after work tonight, but I have questions: 1 - Is the beam wide enough for a well perched individual(Meaning they have their balance) to sleep or be unconscious on? 2 - How quickly would the tea act?))
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) Sunday October 29th, 2017 1:58:10 AM
"Dorbin," Sid says as he looks out the window, "Lord Arlen was on the beam that we just looked at. That's why he was half dirty. It didn't make sense to me why that would be the case, but if he thought someone was replacing his original works of art with forgeries, then a way to verify the theft would be to perch somewhere that someone was unlikely to notice, like the rafters, and catch them in the act. It seems to me that whomever it was that drugged him, either got him just before he lay in wait, or just after he was caught. Actually, that second one makes more sense. He was caught in the act, and then drugged tea was sent to him and then he was hanged. We should verify that the will, the markups on Ernesto's draft, and the book of notes on war and the use of arms are all of similar or different hands. Drat, I really thought I would see an expensive piece of are chucked out here somewhere for pickup later."
((Long day. Cold, tired, and brain finally am work-wrok. Let me know if not English I speak.""))
DM Robert - Update Sunday October 29th, 2017 10:18:17 AM
The paintings being replaced by forgeries happened after he had discovered books missing from the library. If you recall the inventory on the books missing was already ongoing when he asked for the paintings to be appraised.
He only suspected the paintings being replaced...
Sid you cannot open the window in lord arlen's office, it has been laquered into it's permanent position, possibly making it a fire code violation.
According to Sir Stephan and Wobler they went up the fire escape to look into the office from accessing the window in the Library. So that window does open and shut.
Looking out the window in Arlen's office you notice that the railing of the fire escape opposite the window appears to be warped slightly. (As in for those of you that have chainlink fences in back and the neighbor kid keeps hopping over in a certain place how the upper bar will warp slightly after repeated use.) Though in this case maybe warped by someone standing upon it.....why would they do that. Of course standing on it would enable a taller person to possibly be able to reach the open part of the upper window.
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 d20+14=24 ; d3=3 ; d20+14=21 ; d20+14=27 ; d20+14=21 ; d20+14=16 ; d20+14=28 ; d20+14=33 ; d20+14=31 ; d20+14=20 ; d20+14=33 ; Sunday October 29th, 2017 6:59:14 PM
Micah has been finding it difficult to keep up with the mystery. Despite knowing his brother's desperation, he finds it difficult to not bear Lukas ill for drawing them into this as this is not what they are skilled at.
Micah asks Lukas to summon the Silver Shields and gather them in a private room while keeping all the suspects together again in the common room. He hopes that perhaps with the help of Domi they can pull this all together.
Once the Shields are assembled, he allows Lukas to stay but dismisses anyone else.
"All right. Theories anyone?"
After everyone shares what they have found and deduced, he proposes the following plan, "If we allow me some time I can pray for a spell that prevents any one from telling a lie within 20 feet of me. I can also gain the ability to ask the body of Arlen two questions. He probably did not witness his murder as he was unconscious, so I am asking for suggestions of what other questions might prove helpful.
"Once we gather with the suspects, I will cast the truth spell and ask direct questions to each. We need to cover the exits in case anyone bolts. Also, anyone who can should cast detect magic and look for means of avoiding the effects of the spell.
Assuming everyone agrees, Micah prays for the two spells. Before joining the Silver Shields and guards with the suspects, he casts Detect Magic and Zone of Truth. After entering the room, he positions himself in the middle ensuring that no one is further than 20 feet from him. He then explains, "I am about to cast Zone of Truth. No one can lie while under the effect of the spell. While one can refuse to answer a question, doing so would effectively be an admission of guilt. Let us begin.
He then goes through the motions of casting Zone of Truth to see if anyone will try to disrupt his spell.
He then asks each in turn. "Did you murder or assist in the murder of the person we refer to as Arlen?" If they answer negatively, he asks "Do you know--not just suspect--who murdered the person we refer to as Arlen?"
The order will be as follows: Rodrigo, Barbara, Wobler, Aramis, Holbert, Sir Stephan, Ernesto, Pepper, Andray and anyone else among the suspects. [OOC: in case I overlooked someone.] He also studies them to evaluate their veracity by mundane means.
=============== OOC: pray to fill open slots for 3rd level Speak with Dead and 2nd level Zone of Truth Time required is 15 minutes. Duration of ZoT is 5 minutes. It will be cast right before they enter the room.
Rodrigo (SM 24 ), Barbara (SM 21); Wobler (SM27), Aramis (SM21); Holbert (SM16) Sir Stephan (SM28),Ernesto (SM33); Pepper (SM31); Andray (SM20); spare (SM33)
Having been sick two weeks ago, away on an unplanned business trip with limited opportunity to access the internet last week, jet lagged and gone most of today, I haven't thoroughly read most of the posts, so I apologize for any discrepancies or oversights.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Sunday October 29th, 2017 11:01:53 PM
Stohp gets increasingly annoyed as she's informed "well we already searched that". "Well where haven't you searched? Cause I found some glaringly obvious clues when I looked in some places, while other places you wait until I'm done to point out you checked it already."
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Monday October 30th, 2017 9:05:19 AM
When the group gathers, Dorbin says, "Well as Emily has clearly pointed out, Stephan is guilty. I've never known Emily to be wrong about such things, even if I've never actually been involved with a murder plot before. Did you all see what she pointed out about the rope, the poison, the pike, and Stephan?"
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 34/34 AC: 13 (11+2); Perc+7;Heal+8 d20+7=13 ; Monday October 30th, 2017 9:27:34 AM "You may want to ask whether they were the one stealing the books or art?" Bartomus tossed into the mix of discussion with Micah. "Someone could have been helping with that and not necessarily be the one who murdered him."
Bartomus then watched as the employees were brought in before Micah once his spell was in place. Bartomus kept his glave ready and tried to stay focused. ========= Perception 13
Stock (JonM) HP: 56/56 AC: 20/14/17; CMB: 8; CMD: 21 d20+8=12 ; d20+1=8 ; d20+8=18 ; Monday October 30th, 2017 1:56:09 PM
Hearing Micah's plan, Stock can't help but think: Boy oh boy, imagine trying to solve a mystery in a world that doesn't have clerics that can force you to tell the truth. He chuckles, and then re-focuses on the task at hand. "Let's see, once somebody appears guilty, you can ask if they worked alone or with a co-conspirator."
As Micah begins his circuit of the room, Stock will stand next to Sir Stephan and pull out his hand axe decorated with dwarven runes. He starts picking his fingernails with the axe and quietly speaking sotto voce, his head barely turned toward Sir Stephan, "fake paintings, expensive missing books...and an expensive taste in cigars, brandy, and furniture for you Sir Stephan...I thought you came from money...I guess money doesn't last though...nothing does. Not even personal freedom sometimes..."
========== Intimidate 12 Sense Motive 8 If Stephan looks like he is making a run for it, Stock is prepared to drop his axe and grapple Sir Stephan 18 vs. CMD I swear I haven't rolled higher than 10 this entire module. Are we sure the die roller is working :)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 23 T: 11 FF: 22 CMD: 19 Monday October 30th, 2017 2:33:06 PM
As Micah prays for the spells Zander organizes all the evidence into a theory. "Let's look at motive. Right now the clearest one is cover up fraud and theft of the manuscripts and paintings, which Sir Stephan was being looked at for, and also being removed as a partner. His world is about to come crashing down. Or it could be Ernesto, mad about his work being torn apart by an ogre of an editor. However the method being poison and a suicide cover-up the man who is into military strategy and planning seems the more likely candidate. Moving unto means. We know Arlen's tea was poisoned, several people had access to it at various times, including Stephan and Ernesto. It was known Arlen took his tea and then napped in his office for an hour, so easy access if one could just get in. Which from the railing on the fire escape it looks like somebody got in the upper opening of the window. A fire escape which was accessible from the library where Stephan was during Arlen's nap. We can tell by the dust that Arlen was hauled unto the rafter and then pushed off with the rope around his neck to make it look like a suicide. A rafter which a tall fit man, such as Stephan, could have easily reached with the chair and stool. Leaves the office by the window and goes about his way. I don't see how Stephan would have missed someone climbing out the window when he went to check on Arlen's office, unless their wasn't really a commotion because Stephan did it. The only problem with that is unless Stephan condemns himself all that evidence is circumstantial at best. I would think you would need more than that to convict a noble in this city. But maybe all together it's enough. Most of that could have been done by Ernesto, or some unknown party who's already left the building from the fire escape." Tired of talking and hoping Micah gets something a little more solid with his spell casting, though some part of him wonders about the ethics of such a practice, Zander wills the glamer effect off his plate mail, covering the library door as a fully plated paladin of Domi.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+4=19 ; d20+12=24 ; Monday October 30th, 2017 7:48:26 PM
"I agree with you Z, that's about where I am in all of this. Stephan seems to be the key here and Ernesto seems a red herring in it all." Sid pulls out the manuscript, the book Stephan was reading and the new will to verify handwriting to see if they were made by those that were supposed to have made them to be sure.
===========================================
Int: 19(To add to that goup Int I don't think we made)
Linguistics: 24 (Handwriting analysis)
DM Robert - I've gathered you all here because one of you is a murderer. Monday October 30th, 2017 8:54:28 PM
Micah prepares his spells. Everyone waits in anticipation...except Sir Stephan who seems relaxed and perhaps a little smug. Rodrigo (SM 24 ), "I didn't do it. I'm pretty sure Sir Stephan did it." Barbara (SM 21); "I didn't do it. I'm not sure who did it, but I know it was not suicide." Wobler (SM27), [b]"Oh my, I didn't do it. But it seems someone has been up to something with the poison and all." Aramis (SM21); "I'm not involved. I don't even know what's happening." Holbert (SM16) "Innocent. How is this going to affect the paper?" Sir Stephan (SM28),...smiling smugly, "I am innocent of this dastardly deed. It was probably Ernesto." Ernesto (SM33); "I didn't kill him, sure I wanted to beat him up and force him to let me out of my contract. But I never got a chance." Pepper (SM31); "Oh boy murder. I'm not involved. Let's have the details!" Andray (SM20); "I am not involved. I don't know everything that's been uncovered so I really couldn't say for sure."
Sid points out Emily's scenting. He notes the writing is the same on the documents.
Zanderallen points out all the details as Stock menaces Sir Stephan.
Rodrego snaps his fingers. "That's it! The only thing that was missing was how it was done. Sir Stephan was the only one tall enough and strong enough to lift Lord Arlen onto the rafter. He was probably waiting for Arlen to roll off on his own. But as time was ticking down Arlen hadn't moved, he probably over drugged him considering Arlen's small size. So he grabbed the pike and went up the fire escape. He then used the pike through the top of that widow and shoved Arlen off the rafter."
Stephan snaps his head around. He is clearly rattled by Stock. And Zanderallen's pronouncement about motive is too close to the truth...a truth that could only be delayed so long. "You can't prove anything! I took these things long ago," he taps his ring and circlet, "So you can't use any truth spell to make me talk!" He claps his hands over his mouth realizing what he said. He then drops his head. "Okay I did it. Arlen found out I stolen several books out of the library and sold them, plus I'd been having the paintings faked. I needed money, moving in the circles of nobles when you come from the streets means you have to impress more, the publishing business is not enough to keep it going. But I would have gotten away with it if not for you kids and that darn cat!"
Lukas steps forward and takes Stephan into custody. "Thanks Silver Shields. I could not have solved this without your help."
Lukas relieves Stephan of his circlet and ring and hands them to the Shields. "Take this as payment, though I may need them for the trial...or your testimony."
You take Ring of Mind Shielding and Circlet of Persuasion.
Barbara as now sole owner of Rosebud Publishing gives out some more rewards - the group is given a free subscription to The Weekly Bugle, which grants a +2 circumstance bonus on knowledge local checks in the future (but only on things pertaining to the Float).
The group will be granted use of the Library for 1 week. This will allow arcane magic users to copy down up to 2 spells from the books in the office.
Everyone gets 900 experience points.
---------------------------
Tomorrow starts a new campaign.
Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:35/35 CMD:14] Tuesday October 31st, 2017 7:21:06 AM
Dorbin pets Emily and says, "Good kitty."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) HP: 48/48 AC: 23 T: 11 FF: 22 CMD: 19 Tuesday October 31st, 2017 2:46:31 PM
Shaking his head at the turn of events and the strong-armed confession, Zanderallen's poor opinion of the city guard only worsens. How were they supposed to keep order in the city when they weren't even given basic support? How hard would it be to get some clerics and wizards on the payroll. Some small part of Zander wishes he'd been more into learning, a wizard with a little bit of training could run circles around the city guard. Quashing such un-paladonic thoughts he gets ready to go back home with the others, thanking Lucas and Barbara for the reward.
Micah (John) HP: 46/46 AC: 23/12/23 CMD:17 Tuesday October 31st, 2017 6:21:59 PM
Micah is relieved when he hears Stephan's slip. He suspected he had magical protection but was not sure how to separate it from Stephan. He nods at his brother and departs with the Shields.
On the trip back he keeps his own counsel glad to be done with that mystery.
Sid (Andrew) HP: 34/34; AC: 17/15/13; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) d20+10=28 ; Tuesday October 31st, 2017 6:27:34 PM
Sid browses the library for books in OHW, halfling, and about engineering and borrows a few volumes before he leaves.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 38/38hp AC: 19/13/15 CMB: +8 CMD: 18 +2 vs grapple, disarm Tuesday October 31st, 2017 6:50:16 PM
Stohp is rather surprised at the sudden ending of the investigation. She thanks the officer for the reward and leads the way back. This was an interesting distraction, but they have more important things to worry about. Her mind quickly returns to Crimson and how to bring him into justice.
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