"My thanks good lady, I promise you will find this gold well spent." Aodhán says as he takes the platinum.
As the newcomer enters the room and they are asked to investigate the suspicious nature of the fire, Aodhán begins to stand. After Houwlou asks his question, Aodhán clears his throat, then says "Perhaps we should allow Almah to return to her work, I'm sure she's got things she needs to complete and we can talk with Garavel outside, or in another tent perhaps"
"We are going to need some candor now that we are hired. It is important to know what threats you face and why you think there would be arson and a need for mercenaries."
Long ago Kelmarane - the village for which we are bound - was one of several in this area situated around a Battle Market, a huge arcade that attracted merchants, gladiators, actors, musicians and customers from throughout this realm. About 20 years ago, it fell, and my lieges the Pactmasters abandoned it to ruin. Rumors of plagues and evil curses abound, but in truth no one really seems to know why the village died. About two years ago, a pack of gnolls - the Kulldis tribe - inhabited the battle market and claimed Kelmarane as its own. The Pactmasters want the village back, and it is up to me to deliver it to them.
As to the fire, Garavel has told me he believes it was started deliberately, and his belief is enough for me to have the incident investigated. He was away from the camp on an errand for me when the fire started, and you had not yet arrived. Therefore, I know that neither he nor any of you started it. Therefore, you are the logical ones to investigate it.
You have unrestricted access to anyone in the party, including me, in order to further your investigation. Please wrap it up quickly - I'd like to be on the road to Kelmarane tomorrow, or the day after at the latest."
"Very well, gentlemen, where should we begin our investigation? I suppose we should have a look at the wagon itself and see if any clues can be gleaned from it."
stat block
Houwlou Groulenas - Male Olcán Ranger 1
Initiative: +1, Perception: +8(?)(+2 more smell/sound,+2 more vs. undead), Low Light Vision 60' (I think?)
AC: 17 (4Chain Shirt + 2Lg. Shield + 1Dex);FF16;T11
Fort: +2 Ref: +3 Will: +4
HP: 21/21
"Yes, I think examining the scene before any more trodding and tampering would be best. Then we should talk with Garavel about the people in the group."
On the way to the burned out wagon, Garavel gives you a brief rundown of the camp.
"There are 16 of us in the party, not including yourselves. Almah and myself, an expert on Gnolls named Dashki, a cleric of Nethys named Zastoran, four of the Pactmaster Guard, six unbonded Mercenaries and a pair of camel drivers. I believe you all have met most of these in the course of containing the fire. The wagon belonged to Eloais, a harrower hired by Almah about a month ago. There is a body in the wagon, I presume it to be his."
As he ends his summation the party reaches the shell of the wagon. The swirling breeze brings the smell of wet charcoal and ash laced with a more sickly sweet smell of burned flesh.
"He presumes that the body is the driver's eh? That seems like a simple and logical enough place to begin the investigation." Houwlou will sift through the wreckage until he finds the body.
stat block
Houwlou Groulenas - Male Olcán Ranger 1
Initiative: +1, Perception: +8(?)(+2 more smell/sound,+2 more vs. undead), Low Light Vision 60' (I think?)
AC: 17 (4Chain Shirt + 2Lg. Shield + 1Dex);FF16;T11
Fort: +2 Ref: +3 Will: +4
HP: 21/21
Aodhán will follow the others and once they arrive at the scene, he'll ask the others for a moment with the body. "I want to make sure of the method of its death" the Abhac says.
OOC
Aodhán will take 20 on the Heal check to determine the nature of death, if he can't: Heal (1d20+9=18)
"He presumes that the body is the driver's eh? That seems like a simple and logical enough place to begin the investigation." Houwlou will sift through the wreckage until he finds the body.
OOC
The body is presumed to be Eloais, the fortune teller/Harrower.
Physical examination of the ruined wagon reveals sooty ashes, a few broken bottles or potion vials, a cracked nonmagical crystal ball, and several pools of melted wax where candles must once have stood. Eloais’s charred skeletal form remains near the center of the wagon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by renau1g
Aodhán will follow the others and once they arrive at the scene, he'll ask the others for a moment with the body. "I want to make sure of the method of its death" the Abhac says.
It appears as though Eloais perished from smoke inhalation and exposure to heat. There are no signs of foul play.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scotley
Not particularly interested in toasted corpses, Keeland focuses his attention on other details of the fire scene.
Keeland catches movement from the corner of his eye and turns in time to see a mangy human with long, lank hair duck behind a nearby tent. He was plainly watching the search. Kecil taps him unobtrusively on the leg. "Did you see him?"
Location: columbia, missouri, u.s. of north america, terra, sol III, Milky way, third demension
Posts: 4,861
"blast it! of all the days to have forgotten to study Detect magic! that would have been perfect to look for any magical residue from foul play.Harumpf"
"There's a fellow lurking around that tent over there . . . looks like a rough sort. On the other hand, everyone in the camp is likely curious about us."
Keeland begins softly singing an old elvish folk song about questing for lost ancient lore, one of his favorites.
Houwlou draws close to Kecil and softly says, "You slowly start over to where you saw him, Kecil, and I'll circle around in the trees and approach from the other side of the wagon. Let's see is we can't find out what's going on here."
GM Mowgli
Just taking my new duties seriously!
Houwlou's stat block
Houwlou Groulenas - Male Olcán Ranger 1
Initiative: +1, Perception: +8(?)(+2 more smell/sound,+2 more vs. undead), Low Light Vision 60'
AC: 17 (4Chain Shirt + 2Lg. Shield + 1Dex);FF16;T11
Fort:+2 | Ref:+3 | Will:+4
HP: 21/21
![LoF - A Merc's Life [IC 01]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/iconimages/playing-game/lof-mercs-life-ic-01-a_ltr.gif)
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