milliways_bar | plot-locked

"Ember shakes her head sadly at the tavern keeper's words and then gestures to the druid, saying, 'This is my companion Riswynn. He is also working with the coroner.'"

Viv doesn't have Ember say anything else, as Graverobber's question is a good one.

Dropping character as well, Viv nods to Sunshine and replies in her normal voice, "That would be wise. What would be the proper honorific for the tarvenkeeper?"

"Good suggestion, Sunshine," George says, making a note of the idea in case he ever does this again. "The tavernkeeper would be fine with Miss, Ms., Madame, or the like, but she'd probably just prefer Sagh, honestly."

It's possible George projects a little in his DMing.

"At any rate, she'll answer Riswynn's quesetion. 'Quentin Nary was a cooper, just passing through town on his way to the next village over. He was in the Bend that night and got into a bit of a row with someone. He was found the next morning on the road out of town, same as George here, slashed across the back.'

"The wizard woman answers, 'Depends on who you ask. Sagh thinks it was wild dogs, but I've seen livestock taken down by wild animals, and I'd almost believe it, but then Kathra Fengolve's cattle were slaughtered a few days ago.'"

Graverobber makes a tiny waving motion, as if to say 'hello' when Viv speaks to the tavern keeper. "I add, 'Sup?', when Ember introduces me," he says. "And then I ask, 'A row, huh? I don't suppose anybody overheard what they might have been fighting about?'"

"Hm, intriguing," Eden says, stroking his chin. Slipping back into the cadence of his character: "'And had the horse or the cattle been eaten at all, when they were found? Or were any of the cattle missing entirely?'"

Sunshine looks intrigued now, taking notes on a spare slip of paper. The knight a couple of weeks ago, Quentin Nary a week back, and George Gilly last night. Large slash across their backs, all killed about a week apart. And livestock attacked and killed a few days ago.

"Aldeyr thanks Eldariel, and excuses himself so he might approach the... there was a dwarven man a little ways away... I approach him and greet him with a nod, and say, 'Excuse me. I am Aldeyr Barorin. My fellows and I are being retained for the purpose of investigating the recent deaths in the area.'"

She smiles a little. Aldeyr is not telling the exactly the truth of their employment, but it's more honest to the spirit of the party's intent.

"'Have you perhaps noticed anything odd or any suspicious behavior from anyone lately? The knight recently died under mysterious circumstances, and now the village blacksmith as well, after coming to town, presumably for the market...'"

Viv has Ember nod encouragingly, and then George cracks his knuckles, because now things are getting good. He's sort of proud of this group for asking all the right questions!

"Right, so! Sagh says, 'It was only a scuffle really. Nary claimed the gods care nothing for common folk, and...well...Grimmund Daldrin gave him a black eye for his trouble. Grimmund's not bad, really. He's just...pious.'" George makes a face on the word 'pious' to indicate Sagh's feelings on the matter.

"And then the wizard woman...who's name is Henriette, though no one's bothered to ask," tsk, tsk his tone implies...but also he's tired of saying 'wizard woman' every time, "says, 'No, neither time. That's what makes me think it's connected. And wild dogs won't slaughter a whole herd like that. They're not like people that way.'"

And lastly, "The dwarf is more suspicious of strangers than the others have been, and when Aldeyr approaches, he's gruff and curt." George's dwarf sounds not unlike Hagrid. "'Don't know nothin' about any of that. I am sorry to see George go. He was a good man, but that's all I have to say about the matter.' And then he scurries off like a man...who's...late for something? Sorry, I didn't think that simile through before it started."

"Ah, fights over faith can be quite the trouble," he says with a faux-solemnity that it strains him to maintain. "Is there anyone else pious here that might have taken greater offense to such a thing? Enough to maybe do more than give him a black eye?"

Eden tilts his head, thoughtfully.

"So, something that kills like an animal but acts like a human, and started off on animals before upgradin' to killin' people," he murmurs. "I'll thank the wiza -- Henriette -- for her time and return to looking at the body. See if I can notice anything new now that I've got more information."

He rolls the dice. "I'm guessin' that's Investigation, which I haven't got any points in, and I rolled a seven."

"Minorly suspicious," Rae mutters, wry, about the dwarf. "After watching the dwarf leave... do I see which way he goes, by the way? I come back towards the conversation between Sagh, Ember, and Riswynn, and say to Sagh..."

Aldeyr's tone is a bit lofty, and a lot less considerate. The proper, polite words are there, but the assumption in the tone is that he'll be listened to. "'Excuse me, I do so hate to interrupt - I am Aldeyr Barorin, and I was just speaking to the dwarven gentleman who was here when we arrived. He seemed... preoccupied by something, and hurried off before mentioning his name. Do you know who he is?'"

"Ember doesn't quite roll her eyes at Aldyr but that's only because she is scowling."

"To Sagh, Ember says, hooking a thumb at the newcomer, 'With me, but I'm more curious about this pious guy. He trouble other times? He live here?'"

Viv finds she is enjoying Ember's curtness.

Everybody's talking to Sagh now, which is great for George. It was getting to be a lot to juggle.

"Aldrich doesn't notice anything more than the cause of death. Sagh gives the group a wry smile and says, 'I can answer two questions at once there. The dwarf you spoke with is Grimmund Daldrin. As I said, he's a good fellow, just a bit more pious than some round here, and he was well into his cups that night or he'd never have started a row. As for who's more pious? Hard to say. There's a lot of folks who go to chapel regular, but Father Daragor's always been more for community than religion, if you know the type.'"

George takes a quick drink before adding, "At this point, Oswald is starting to get restless, and he'll come over to where the group is gathered. 'I think we've wasted quite enough time here. The day is getting on, and we are no closer to Ser Thames' home.'"

"I look morally affronted at Oswald, as a good and noble Lawful Good dwarf does sometimes," Graverobber deadpans. "And I thank Sagh for the information before I turn to my comrades and ask -- low enough that Oswald can't hear me, ideally -- 'Should we stay here or keep going? As much as Oswald is a giant walking stick up an ass, I wonder if we might learn more at Ser Thames' home if these are all truly connected'."

"'I'm not sure Oswald is going to take no for an answer,' I remark," Eden says, folding his arms. "'And it sounds like they're all connected. Something started off killing animals, and then switched to killing people, starting with Ser Thames. If he was a civic-minded type, he might have been investigating the animal deaths beforehand.'"

Sunshine glances over her notes, considering the choices before them.

"Aldeyr replies, quietly, to the group, 'Should we not at least see where the attack happened before we leave? Ser Thames is weeks-dead - he's not exactly going anywhere - and George Gilly died mere hours ago. The trail of blood leads behind the...'" Rae glances over her notes, "'...Graymoor Bend, and there may be some information to be gleaned from the scene of the crime.'"

Sunshine doesn't know if it's exactly in-character for the aloof sorcerer, but Neutral Good is still Good, dammit, so she has Aldeyr add, "'And something should be done for George Gilly, in the meantime. His body should not be left lying out in the open.'"

"Ember nods thoughtfully, considering both ideas. Then says, a low tone as well, "Perhaps we can do both if we split up? Those who remain with the body might be a distraction for Oswald while the others take a quick look."

"I am a skilled tracker and am used to reading how prey has been killed. Perhaps I could be of use in examining the scene of the crime?"

George leans back slightly to let them work out how they want to proceed.

(And he's just going to refill on pizza while they're talking.)

"Splitting up might not be a bad idea," Graverobber muses. "Maybe the folks with good investigation skills stay here to keep digging with George, while the rest check out the Ser Thames situation."

He checks over his character sheet and spell lists before adding, "My investigation abilities don't amount to much and my spells won't help track blood trails, so I don't mind going ahead with Oswald. Though, I do have Speak with Animals and a good Research background, so that may come in handy later, especially if we want to look into the animal killings."

"I don't have much in the way of tracking skills either, so I can go along with Oswald and check out Ser Thames' home, too," Eden says. "And s'not like you won't know where to find us when you're done."

"Though do we know the way to Ser Thames' place?" Rae asks, wry, as she checks her character sheet. "We're not from 'round here, as it were."

"I've got insight and perception bonuses, but not investigation... How does this sound: Ember and Aldeyr go take a quick look at the scene of the attack, to see if there's anything that might be found there. Riswynn and Aldrich distract or delay Oswald a bit, and maybe ask Sagh what is normally done for the dead around here, or if she or someone could arrange for the body to be taken care of before it is... buried? Cremated? Whatever the tradition here is." Rae isn't sure how these things work.

"Even a quick look at the freshest crime scene might give us clues about the recent deaths, but we probably shouldn't split up for long."

"That is a wise course of action," Viv states. "Are we agreed then?"

[ooc: Going to assume everyone nods their assent and move forward. Let me know if your pup would dissent!]

"Great," George says, once everyone seems to be satisfied with the plan. "So...Ember and Aldeyr, I'll need an Investigation check." He thinks that's how you say it? "So, give us a roll and see what you get. And the rest of you...give it your best shot distracting Oswald and interviewing Sagh."

"Ah, so I'm on distraction, then? Great," Graverobber says before glancing at his character sheet again. "Okay so my Intimidation modifier ain't bad, so here's what I do..."

He takes a deep breath, taking in a long inhale before barking: "YOU WILL LET US INVESTIGATE AS WE SEE FIT SO HELP YOU GOD."

And then he immediately grabs a die to roll an intimidation check. "...eight. Adding in three for my modifier, so...eleven."

"Time for my bard skills to shine," Eden says, upon being told that he's on the distraction team.

He raises his hands, summoning his keyblade -- held like a guitar, with the handle where the headstock would be and the teeth of the ornate key where the fingerboard would be -- and strums. Despite there being no strings, it does actually make a noise like a guitar.

It's not necessarily good guitar music. Aldrich might be a bard, but Eden's not.

"Ohhhhh," he starts singing. "There ... once was a poor man named Gilly.
Whose demise was remarkably killy.
He was sliced in the snow,
And we don't even know,
Who even would want him dead, really."

He figures that's Performance, so he dismisses his keyblade (putting a merciful end to the music) and rolls the dice.

"I got a six," he says. "Minus two, so four."

Nobody ever said Aldrich was a good bard.

"Sh-shiva wept," Sunshine manages to croak. Between Graverobber's shouted demand and Eden's frankly amazing performance, Sunshine is thoroughly caught in a fit of giggles. Her hand shakes with it as she rolls her die for Aldeyr's Investigation check.

"Um... heehee... I rolled a seventeen, and with... plus two for Investigation - ooh, nineteen."

Viv turns to stare at both performances and attempts a smile. This is not an aspect she encounters with online games and decides she should attempt to set up or join a face to face game like back home. Perhaps with her new super hero friends. It could be a good team bonding experience.

"That is amusing. Both of you are playing well and in character. Ember looks at the area with Aldeer's shoulder...I roll a 17 as well with a +1 modifier, making it an 18."

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