The
Ingaran Adventures
Episode 41
“Confronting Drabat Finch”
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Lord Alexander: The Gauntlet of Athena
Lord
Issic:
Half
Human, Half Gold Dragon Warrior
Lady
India: A gypsy Bard/Shadow Dancer
Lord Phaidon: A
Tamer of the Beasts
Uisdean: An Awakened Panther
Cthaat: A young warrioress
Anathek Dar: Priest of Olanigan
Xorkilanthat: Ranger assistant of
Anathek's.
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The Time: Autumn, Drauj 5, 6th year, 8th Age
The Place: Talishar – The main occupation of Talishar's residents is fishing.
There are a small handful of hunters as well, and a few farmers have
cleared land to the south for small crops, although the forest is so thick and
fertile, it is a constant struggle to fight off the encroaching woods that seek
to reclaim the cleared spaces.
Drabat Finch had started to row away as Issic was talking to the smithy
about the number of murders that occurred and as Alexander talked to the reeve.
Phaidon was not sure Uisdean could follow Drabat, so he went behind one
of the buildings and coaxed a crow to him and sent the crow to keep tabs on
Drabat.
Issic asked the Smithy "So who do you know of that was
murdered?"
"Ritter Young, Hanna Thadson, Seit and Dar Whitnel, and a couple of
girls from a neighboring village." Red
Ginter, an Indorian blacksmith, was a hulking man with red hair in braids and a
bushy beard. He was intimidated by
the half-dragon, but was determined not to show it.
"And where did the murders of the girls occur?
Here in town or in there own town?"
"Out of town. In a
river."
"What river?" asked Issic. "And when did these murders
occur?"
"Kraun's River. I don't know, over the past few days."
"What do you know of the details of the murders?
How were they murdered?"
"Nothing. I know nothing."
Red Ginter turned his back on Issic and went back inside his smithy.
His two sons closed the door behind Red.
Phaidon returned and said, "Drabat is being followed."
Anathek Dar shrugged. "I am at a total loss as to what to do
here."
Phaidon asked, "Does anyone know what time of day the murders
occurred?"
"So they were in such a remote place or the body's were
hidden?" asked Anathek Dar.
"The bodies were found in their homes," said
"How about we talk to this Lasel Philis and then check out these
'Graven Ones'?" suggested Phaidon after consulting his panther, Uisdean.
"Thank you, Phaidon," said
"You can thank Uisdean for that idea," said Phaidon.
"Well, at least SOMEONE is thinking!" said
"What kind of weapon was used at each murder?" asked
Xorkilanthat, Anathek's assistant.
"Or razor sharp talons," said Phaidon.
"Claws would leave a more jagged cut than a man made
instrument," said Uisdean. It
was still strange for most of them to hear a panther talk.
When they reached the tannery, they found Lasel to be a friendly and
talkative woman whose hair was prematurely gray. She was overweight, and was
very friendly looking. Her hands
were rough and scarred. She was scraping some skins with a sharp knife. She was
wearing a leather working apron, and a belt with some standard leather making
tools hanging from it. She had a
homespun cotton tunic, and a long skirt, as well as a green bodice.
Uisdean nudged Phaidon. "<Ask her about the murders.>"
Phaidon nodded, then thought back, <"Ask her what
about the murders?">
Lasel looked up from her work. She
stepped back in alarm when she saw Issic.
She didn't look convinced, but she relaxed a bit.
"Thank you," said Lasel, warming up to
Uisdean smelled the presence of Drabat Finch - an old presence, he wasn't
here now, but he had been here recently. The panther moved over to
"Yes, yes I do. Do you
really like them?"
Phaidon added, "I do not ride horses often, but that is one fine
saddle."
Lasel said, "Thank you."
Looking at the leather pouch,
"Oh no, that is too much. Six
silver is all."
She said, "Oh, what I know wouldn't amount to a hill of beans."
"Ah," said Issic, "but a hill is often started with just
one bean. What so you know so that
we may begin the hill with your bean of knowledge?"
The woman looked startled.
"He has been in this building recently," said
"Not for days!"
"Within the past 24 hours, actually."
She looked stunned again. She said to Issic, "I know nothing!
Really!"
"Okay," said Issic, accepting her answer.
"I know nothing! He
wasn't here!"
Uisdean growled at her after she said she knew nothing.
The panther stalked towards her. She backed into a wall.
Leather straps fell from the holder behind her.
"I know nothing! He
wasn't here!" She was getting
hysterical.
Anathek grinned. "My bodyguard here is quite skilled at various
interrogation methods, however, I think we should ask her our questions once
more, but first…" He faced the woman; she was getting hysterical.
Finally, Uisdean couldn't hold himself back.
The panther spoke, saying, "If you do not tell us the truth woman, I
will rip out your throat."
She screamed bloody murder when the panther talked, and wet herself.
Xorkilanthat, Anathek's assistant, said,
"I wouldn't scream. You
wouldn't want to startle him."
She screamed again.
"I can smell Drabat in your place, woman," said the panther.
Anathek Dar asked Phaidon to kindly hold back his panther.
In far off Alisander, Ordiss Ool had received the information he wanted on
Issic. He pondered the move he must make against the half-dragon.
The half-dragon had physically touched him. He had to make a move against
Issic, or his people would not think him fit to lead. He had lost
face. But killing Issic would bring about the unwanted attention of some
very powerful people. He had to be sly. Looking over the
information, he had no idea where Ortenau or Anhartz Castle lay, but he had
heard of the Dinringer family. Aaron and Amyrella, his information
gatherers, believed Issic would eventually return to these lands. Perhaps
an ambush could be set there. Or should he proceed to Talishar? An
immediate hit would perhaps be better. He had less time to prepare against
repercussions if he chose that route. Speed is of the essence in a war,
and Issic had declared war.
He hated to
leave Alisander at this time. His work on Lord Nadam was beginning to pay
off, and he had managed to intercept another message to Itsitlawikanah. If
he left, perhaps a message would get through.
Then he had a
thought. Almost the day Alexander left the city, a horrible plague broke
out. The people were crying out to Athena for aid, yet they continued to
die. Alexander's disciples were powerless against this plague. Lord
Nadam was going to send an envoy to Talishar to ask for the return of Lord
Alexander to help with the plague. Perhaps he could join that
retinue. Or perhaps wait for Issic's return to Alisander, for he did not
think Alexander would return here without his strongest protector. Ordiss
Ool chuckled.
The reeve, from down the street where he was talking to Alexander, took
off running toward the tannery when he heard the screams.
Alexander followed on his heels.
Anathek Dar said, "Calm yourself woman."
She smacked Anathek and screamed again.
"Want me to pin her down,
Uisdean said, "Why waste the time with her hysterics?
If she will not tell us the truth let me rip out her throat."
She screamed again. Alexander
and the reeve burst into the tannery. Alexander
saw his party pressing in toward a large, friendly looking woman with premature
gray hair, who was screaming at the top of her lungs.
"I know nothing! He
wasn't here!"
"EVERYONE STOP!" commanded Alexander.
Anathek ignored Alexander, grabbing both of Lasel's arms and put her in a
chair, bringing her face to look directly into his face.
His eyes flashed red. "I
place in you the calmness that a true warrior experiences at his realization of
eminent death. The calmness of
Olanigan's bravery." He cast a calm
spell on her.
"What is going on here?" asked the reeve.
"I would like to know as well," said Alexander, pushing Anathek
Dar aside.
Issic asked the Reeve, "Why would two different people in this town
accuse this woman of knowing who the murderer is?"
The reeve shrugged, backing away fearfully from Issic.
Alexander cast zone of truth,
and asked Lasel, "What do you know of the murders?"
Lasel answered, "Drabat Finch did them."
"How do you know this?"
"I saw him do one." Tears
came out of her eyes.
"Which one?"
"Hanna Thadson."
"You should ask her why she is protecting him," growled Issic.
"Why were you lying to those that have been charged with the
protection of the town and the solving of this crime?"
"As he killed her, he told her, 'People shouldn't be named Hanna
unless there is a flower nearby.' I
lied because he threatened me."
"Have you told us the complete truth? Have you left anything out
that we should know?"
"Yes. Yes."
"Ask her if he admitted to any other of the murders," suggested
Issic.
Alexander nodded, "Did he admit to anything else besides the
murders?"
"No."
"Are you guilty of any crimes?"
"Yes."
"What crimes are you guilty of?"
"I cheated on my husband, may his soul be at peace, a few times.
I cheated customers. I have
cheated suppliers a few times."
The reeve coughed, "Uh, isn't this getting a bit far a field?"
"Yes it is; I am not concerned with those things. I just wished to
be sure she had nothing to do with the murders."
Alexander continued his questioning. "What have you left out that
you think we should know?"
"You should know that I am sorry.
You should know that he is tied in with the Graven Ones from the Sigil
Hearth. You should know that a
shadow has tainted this place. I also know..."
"Tell us what you know of this shadow and these graven ones?"
"Oh, well, I know nothing about the shadow or the graven ones,
really, other than rumors."
"What rumors have you heard about the shadow?"
"Nothing. I heard Drabat
mention something about the demon god while he tortured poor Hanna.
He said a shadow had tainted the land and that blood would fix it."
"What else did he say?"
"Then he asked her where a flower was. He tortured her for
hours."
"Did she ever tell him anything?"
"She couldn't. The
tongue was the first thing he cut out."
"Does anyone else have any questions for this poor woman?"
"What demon god was mentioned?" asked Issic.
"What demon god was mentioned?" asked Alexander for him.
"I don't know any demon gods. He
didn't give a name." She was
still crying. The reeve looked
nervous. Phaidon received a message
from the bird that was following Drabat Finch.
Phaidon asked, "Alexander, may I speak to you real quick?"
"Yes," said Alexander. "No one is to harm this woman while
I speak to Phaidon."
Phaidon whispered to Alexander, "Drabat is headed back to town.
He landed somewhere else and talked to a person with lots of tattoos.
He is also sharpening a rather large knife."
Alexander asked, "What is your name woman?"
"Lasel Philis."
"Lasel Philis, you have committed crimes; your inaction has caused
the deaths that could have been prevented, but I am not going to judge you. You
must judge yourself and try to make amends, for one day you will stand before
Hades' Judges in Tartarus and they will not be as kind to you as I am."
Lasel Philis started crying. Alexander
walked out of her home, followed by the others.
Uisdean gave a final look around as he left the tannery. The panther
noticed a signet ring on the table, and beneath it, a piece of paper with the
name Richard Dalby on it. He
communicated that information to Phaidon, then asked
"He is a vampire we hate. Why?"
"There was a letter with his name on it at the tanner's place."
"You need to tell Phaidon immediately!"
"I have. Do you know
anything about fey creatures?"
"A little."
"How there can be so many more humans than fey creatures?"
"Fey have a hard time conceiving, and most of their babies are
females."
"So you have multiple partners; what is wrong with that?"
"Most of the females do have multiple partners."
"Sounds like a good deal to be a male fey!"
"Good point!" said Uisdean.
Alexander Maximus waited for the others outside.
Anathek Dar said, "Okay, we have a little to go on. What information
do we have about the other murders? Does
anyone remember their names, since the victim's name was important this
time?"
Phaidon said, "He is almost back to the docks, Alexander."
Alexander asked, "Reeve do we have enough evidence against
Finch?"
"Yes," said the Reeve.
"Let us arrest him as he arrives then."
"But he has always been so friendly and kind."
"Issic, after he has left his boat I want you to fly onto the dock
behind him so he can't escape."
The reeve said, "Also, he spent his early years as a mercenary
warrior in Drychtnoth."
Alexander saw Finch's boat on the river, headed toward the docks.
"I am sure we will be able to handle him."
The reeve said, "Let me get some folk together.
We don't want strangers doing this if it must be done."
Alexander said to Issic, "Try to scare him towards us."
Issic flew out across the river and circled back in behind Finch's boat.
The reeve threw up his hands. "Doesn't
anyone listen to me? I
don't want strangers to handle this!"
Alexander said, "They may be present Reeve but if this man was a
mercenary then everyone else should stay back. I wouldn't want them getting
hurt."
"Honorable Reeve," Anathek started. "Was any of the
victims known to have ever seen an elf or be related to a special lineage or
some such thing?"
"An elf? An elf?
Aye, Drabat was an elf-slaver, I hear." The reeve excused himself
and ran off to get some folks.
Alexander said, "Anathek, You are not to touch anyone in the town
when I am not with you. These people are mine to protect and I will not have you
rough handling them like they are Drychtnothian slaves.
Do you understand?"
"They are your people," said Anathek.
A horde of townspeople gathered around the docks as Finch pulled in his
boat and climbed up on the dock. The
reeve stepped forward. "You are under arrest, son."
Finch pulled out a rune-covered dagger and rammed it into the reeve's
belly, then shoved the reeve into the lake.
Finch took a defensive stance, and all could see the dagger's runes glow,
and the dagger dripped with poison. The
reeve started to go under the water. Xorkilanthat
cast water walk on the reeve, but the
unconscious leader was unable to take advantage of the aid.
Issic dazed Finch, and the fisherman tried to pull the pilum out of his
gut, but he couldn't concentrate. The
dagger fell limply out of his hand.
Alexander had pulled his weapon out of the dying Finch, but was unable to
stabilize his wounds. Finch was
going to die. Issic flew to the dock
from the shore, but was unable to help the priest.
Phaidon ran up through the crowd of people around the reeve and managed
to help Finch, keeping him alive enough for Xorkilanthat to cast cure light wounds. Issic
quickly searched Finch for any other hidden weapons or items.
He had a masterwork longsword, two other, mundane daggers, a sigil ring
bearing Richard Dalby's arms, and 34 gold pieces.
Alexander stumbled away from the dock toward the reeve, who lying
unconscious, his head in
"Is there are jail in the town?" Alexander asked, in the
general direction of the townspeople.
"Aye," said one man. He
pointed to a small brick and wood building.
"Who would have the keys to it?"
"There are no keys. Just
throw him in, close the door and pull down the latch.
It can't be opened from the inside."
"Issic, carry Finch to the jail, please."
Alexander walked over and looked inside the building.
He didn't think it would hold Finch for long.
Issic came up behind and deposited Finch into the cell.
Alexander summoned again the power of Athena, and enchanted Finch so that
he would have to remain in the make-shift prison.
150 exp for all characters
Current Adventures in Inzeladun | Darkness Comes to Talishar
Cthaat Angartha, the female human guard who made
a knight by Issic, Warrior 1: CR -; medium humanoid (5'2"); HD 1d8+4+3; hp
12; Initiative: +4 (Improved Initiative); Spd 30 ft; AC 14 (flatfooted 14, touch
10); Attack +3 (1d8+2 longsword or 1d10+2 halberd); AL NG; SV Fort +7, Ref +3,
Will +3; Str 15, Dex 11, Con 18, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 13
Skills: Sense Motive +2, Intimidate +5, Jump +2
Feats: Improved Initiative, Endurance
Equipment: Scale mail, Halberd, Longsword
Reeve
Dallen Styne, Fighter 5: CR 5; medium humanoid (5'8"); HD 5d10+10; hp
42; Initiative: +5 (Improved Initiative); Spd 30 ft; AC 11 (flatfooted 10, touch
11); Attack +10 (1d10+5 bastard sword); AL NG; SV Fort +6, Ref +0, Will +0; Str
16, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 13
Skills: Climb +11, Jump +11, Diplomacy +5
Feats: Improved Initiative, Exotic Weapon (bastard sword), Weapon
Focus (bastard sword), Power Attack, Weapon Socialization (bastard sword),
Cleave
Equipment: Masterwork
Bastard sword (kept in his house in a chest), full plate and large metal shield
(kept in his house in a chest)
Notes: Fought
for Alisander in several campaigns in his youth. Retired with full honors.
In his fifties.
Drabat Finch, fisherman, Warrior 4: CR 3; medium humanoid (6'2"); HD 4d8+6; hp
23; Initiative: +1; Spd 30 ft; AC 14 (flatfooted 13, touch 11); Attack +8 (1d8+2
masterwork longsword), +5 ranged (1d4 dagger); AL CE; SV Fort +6, Ref +2, Will
+1; Str 15, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 12
Skills: Swim +9, Jump +4, Listen +2, Profession (fisherman) +5,
Spot +5
Feats: Alertness, Skill Focus (fisherman), Weapon Focus (longsword)
Equipment: Masterwork
Longsword, studded leather armor, two daggers, +1 dagger coated with
purple worm magic poison enchanted with the madness effect, 34 gold pieces.
Red Ginter, Blacksmith, Expert 3, CR 2; medium humanoid (6'3"); HD
3d6+6; hp 19; Initiative: +3; Spd 30 ft; AC 13 (flatfooted 10, touch 13); Attack
+5 (1d8+3
masterwork longsword), +5 ranged (1d4 dagger); AL NG; SV Fort +3, Ref +4, Will
+3; Str 16, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 12
Skills: Craft (blacksmith) +10, Craft (armorer) +8, craft (weaponsmith)
+8, Profession (blacksmith) +10,
Spot +6, Listen +6, Knowledge (metallurgy) +8, Handle Animal +7, Appraise +8
Feats: Alertness, Skill Focus (blacksmith), Skill Focus (Craft -
Blacksmith)
Lasel Philis, Tanner, Expert 1, CR -; medium humanoid (5'3"); HD 1d6; hp 3; Initiative:
+3; Spd 30 ft; AC 10 (flatfooted 10, touch 10); Attack +0 (1d4 dagger), +3 ranged (1d4 dagger); AL
NG; SV Fort +0, Ref +3, Will +1; Str 11, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 15, Wis 8, Cha 12
Skills: Craft (Leatherworking) +8, Profession (Tanner) +8,
Spot +4, Listen +4, Handle Animal +3, Appraise +6, Use Rope +7, Ride +7, Bluff
+5
Feats: Skill Focus (Tanner), Skill Focus (Craft - Leatherworking)