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Message: <blockquote data-quote="peteyfrogboy" data-source="post: 1116358" data-attributes="member: 5677">The Phantom of the Opera: Part 1Between the coinage they found at the temple and the sale of their excess items, the three companions had amassed a sizeable amount of money. Much of it was spent at Blackhammer & Sons replacing some of their old weapons and armor with more finely crafted gear. Parika sat in the common room of the Goodhearth Inn, working her way through a bottle of thirty-year-old Disanne red. Her performance at the antique dealer's shop had left a bitter taste in her mouth, but the fine vintage was helping to wash it away.The thief watched as Delthic came in from the street, dressed in his normal flashy attire. He was usually out performing this early in the evening; the absence of the tools of his trade piqued Parika's curiosity. The sight of Rachel descending the stairs diverted her attention, however.Gone was the heavy sailor's coat and breeches, replaced by a blue silk gown fit for any aristocratic debutante. The cut of the gown was less restrictive than the current fashion among the elite, but quite popular among sea captains and well heeled warriors. Parika guessed that there were matching breeches beneath the voluminous skirts in case the excess fabric needed to be jettisoned. A finely wrought sword hilt shone at Rachel's hip -- the perfect accessory for such an outfit.Floating behind like a shadow came Nevroth, clad in undecorated black doublet and breeches. The only ornament in the sea of dark velvet was a round copper pendant with a pierced uncial "M" -- the badge of a new-minted Journeyman Manhunter. The reward for finding Lucius was mere pocket change next to the treasures they had liberated, but the successful catch brought a boost to Nevroth's status. Parika smiled to herself; it amused her that the pirate hating lawman's closest companions were a buccaneer's daughter and a career thief.Rachel approached Parika's table. She looked just as natural in her finery as she did in her warrior's mail. "Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"Parika had forgotten about the "cultural event" the others had planned. She had little desire to sit through hours of dramatic monologues. "You go on," she said. "You can give me the highlights when you get back."***The Freeport Opera House had been bringing entertainment to the city for almost a century, including plays, operas, and orchestral performances. The current production of The Jolly Bootmaker was far from the best ever to grace the stage. "It's a new play," explained Delthic during the intermission. "You have to allow for a few rewrites as they work through the rough spots." Rachel shrugged. It was enough for her just to mingle with people more civilized than common sailors. Even so, she smiled as she looked down into the cheap seats. Sailors and laborers talked and laughed among themselves; they seemed to enjoy the ribald tale of the philandering bootmaker despite its questionable artistic value.The intermission seemed to stretch on for a long time. The audience began to grumble as they wondered about the delay. The complaints were cut short by a piercing scream that seemed to come from backstage. After a few moments of confusion, a small man -- no, a gnome -- stepped out from behind the curtain."Ah, due to some, uh, technical difficulties tonight's performance will have to be cut short. Please come back tomorrow night; I assure you that everything will be back in order by then." As the grumbling began anew and the word "refund" began to float in the air, the gnome blanched and rushed back behind the curtain.Delthic frowned. "That doesn't sound good. I should go talk to him. I hope it's nothing serious."The bard trotted backstage, followed by Rachel and Nevroth. Actors and stage crew huddled together in tight groups, talking worriedly among themselves. The gnome was pacing back and forth, pulling at his hair. As he caught sight of Delthic, he hurried over. "Oh, Delthic, it's awful! This sort of thing shouldn't happen to an honest gnome.""Calm down, Gorsky," said Delthic, kneeling so he could look the gnome in the eye. "What's going on?"The gnome pointed toward an area that everyone else seemed to be avoiding. Lying there was what appeared to be a body. "The leading man is dead, and on opening night! As if it wasn't enough to have that murderous ghost creeping around..." He seemed to notice Rachel and Nevroth for the first time and paused. "Uh, not that there's a ghost. Nope, no ghosts here." He turned back to Delthic. "What am I going to do?""That's horrible! Do you have any idea who did it?"Gorsky threw up his hands. "Who knows? I can't keep track of the comings and goings of actors. It's enough work just trying to keep this place from going bankrupt without having to worry about murders as well.""Maybe we can help you figure it out. Nevroth here is a Manhunter." He made brief introductions all around.The gnome peered at Nevroth. "Good heavens, I didn't know we had any of those around here. If you can solve this mystery , I'll pay you, uh, fifty crowns." The thought of parting with that much coin seemed to pain the gnome far more than the loss of an actor.Nevroth nodded. "I'll do my best." As Gorsky went off with Delthic to find something alcoholic to drink, Rachel and Nevroth went to examine the body. After a moment he stood back up. "I'd say he was strangled. Most likely with a rope."Rachel looked around at the various ropes and cords hanging all around. "That doesn't narrow things down much. We need to figure out who would have wanted to kill him."</blockquote>

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