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.
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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.
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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.
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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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