[Adventure] Murder Most Foul! (Judge: EvolutionKB)

[KarinsDad]

"Ah yes, I see. Well, Frederick is getting a bit old these days and his mind seems to be going a bit. He gets confused on what people tell him. Poor thing. He has been with the family for ages. I do not know what I will do when he is gone." he says wistfully.

Suddenly his face perks up "Murder? There's been a murder around here? I haven't heard about any murder. You must tell me everything about it." Ladoran leans forward in his chair, his face full of expectations.

As Ladoran leans in his chair, the side door opens and Frederick and a large fat Hobgoblin, also in servant's clothing, walk into the room. Frederick is struggling with a large pitcher whereas the Hobgoblin is carrying a very large tray in one hand and a carrier with mugs in the other. The tray is full of sweat meats, cheeses, and fruit. Conversation gets quiet for a moment as the servants lay out food and drink, the pitcher holds a spiced mead. Then, conversation resumes as the servants leave again. Ladoran digs into his food with gusto.

"Please eat my friends. Now, tell me about this murder."

 

[Velmont]

Artemus sits down and listen to the conversation. As he is offered food and drinks, he doesn't touch any of them. Ladoran first impression was made for Artemus, and he didn't like it.

 

[RickRoll]

Tirial accepts the offered seat, although she is slightly put off by the demeanour of their hosts. She will follow the half-orc's lead and avoid the food.

 

[dimsdale]

Knoepf eyes lock onto the food. "Excuse me sir, but I'd be more than happy to take you up on the offer of the food. I haven't eaten all day, and quite frankly, I could eat a horse." He grabs a plate food and devours it. "Ahhhhhh, much better. Thank you." He then sits back and states. "Now, if everyone has finished eating, I will tell you about the murders." He gives a brief description of everything the group has learned about the murders so far.

 

[KarinsDad]

"That was an interesting tale. I'm not quite sure why you think the murders were committed down here in Khyber's Gate if the bodies showed up in Menthis. Nor why, ... you said Merrick thought I was involved and that's why you came here? To interrogate me? How exciting!" Ladoran says with a big smile on his face.

"I was wondering why your friends weren't eating. I thought they were just being, well, uncultured. But, they think I'm the murderer!" he exclaims.

"They think I am going to poison them. Well, that's ok, more food and drink for the rest of us. One never knows when a meal is the last one someone sees for a while." Ladoran laughs as he drinks some more mead.

"Ok, interrogate away. Course, I'm not sure I can help you. I am, how do they say it in the mystery rags? a ..., a dead end. Yes, that's it. So, what do you want to know?" Ladoran asks, leaning forward, evidently intrigued by the entire concept.

[sblock=OOC]
Remember, anyone can attempt a skill check at any time. This is still part of the skill challenge, as was Merrick, but Hasifar didn't attempt any.
[/sblock]

 

[Voda Vosa]

Hasifar ends up his plate and takes a drink at the mug he was given "To be sincere with ya, yar place seems much more refined. At least we are all sittin' and not pushed around by minotaurs. So ya got my vote of confidence. Merrick said actually tha' ya were behind the whole thin', and that ya'r some kind of illusionist or shapeshifter, and tricked his men to try killin' us. He also pointed out tha' ya have a warforged workin' fer ya, tha' was followin' us. Perhaps all tha's just rubish, but I'm puzzled as what ya think about all tha'" asks the sorcerer, placing his straw in his mouth after finishing his drink.

Bluff: 23

 

[dimsdale]

After Hasifar speaks, Knoepf replies with questions of his own.

"Please don't take offense of the others not eating. I understand their concern as they, as well as I, don't know you. Furthermore, what is prevent you from slipping anything in our food?" He looks the host sternly. "However, I simply couldn't wait any longer, as your spread of food was too irresistible." Knoepf chuckles.

"Enough of my ramblings. Can you shed any light on who might have ordered the attack on us or identity of who we might have followed to lead us to this area? It's obvious that someone doesn't want us meddling in their affairs."

ooc: insight roll on whether or not the host is withholding info or lying to us
22

 

[Farce]

Boruuk remains quiet during the questioning, his own ability to influence others was average at best. He was a decent listener though and followed the conversation along with interest. The goliath didn't take an offered seat, but rather remained standing off to the side.

[sblock=ooc]
Aid Another - insight (1d20+3=11), just barely [/sblock]

 

[KarinsDad]

"A warforged you say. In my employee? Not likely. Those mechanical monstrosities are an offense to the gods. House Cannith should be wiped from the face of Eberron for bringing those to life. It's worse than undead. I have said it before and I will say it again, Warforged are scourges." he replies. This is the first time that he has serious this entire time and Knoepf thinks that he is being sincere on this topic.

"As for who attacked you, I have no clue. If it was Merrick's men, then most likely it was Merrick that attacked you. This fairy tale about illusionists or shapeshifters does sound far fetched, doesn't it?" Ladoran asks. Although his words sound reasonable, Knoepf thinks there is something he is not saying.

"Let me ask you fine gentlefolk a question. What do you expect to gain with your investigation? You cannot take what you know to the Watch since not only are some of them corrupt, but so far you have not appeared to have acquired any proof. Say, just for hypothetical example, that you found out that I were the killer. What could you do about it? Tell the Watch? Tell the Lord Mayor? Who would believe you? Without evidence, it would appear that you are just wasting your time. Even if you were to know the identity of the killer, what could you do other than stand idly by while he strikes again and again in the shadows of the night?"

 

[Voda Vosa]

"Watch? No sir, we would just..." Hasifar passes his finger throw his throat "Shrrrik! This killer has slain a baby girl, if we are to have a confirmation of his identity, there will be nothing more humane to do."

Bluff: 27