The Closed Eye (DM: Halford, Judge: garyh)

[Dunamin]

“Sweet madam, your keen insight on these matters are much appreciated,” Woe smiles back.

“We would definitely need to speak with Spinthresh as well, considering how close his position puts him with Arnest. A reminder that the matriarch has requested he is personally responsible for answering our queries might help on his reluctance to come out and play…”

[sblock=OOC]Don’t want to slow down the plot, in case Halford is holding off our arrival at Arnest’s chambers for Dodrige to answer questions.[/sblock]

 

[KenHood]

Since Woe shows no adverse effects to consuming the liquor, Palindrome helps himself to a glass.

"Instead of waiting for Spinthresh to come to us, let us go to him--and help him understand that a simple headache cannot compare to an I've-just-had-my-thumbs-cut-off-ache or chronic my-skin-has-been-flayed-and-someone-poured-salt-all-over-me-before-casting-flaming-burst-itis."

 

[Halford]

Dodrideg nods and escorts the group through the kitchen to a rather bleak stone staircase - which is rather obviously servant territory. Ascending three levels they move to the firts room upon a long corridor and the House Keeper knocks.

"Mister Sprinthresh?" She calls, exasperation evident in her tone.

"Have a heart dear lady and leave a man to die in peace, I have a trio of Allarian denba dancers clog dancing beneath my temples." Comes the muffled reply.

"I have the guests that you were supposed to be dealing with, the least you can do is answer some questions Mister Sprinthresh!"

"Very well, very well, tell them to make it quick!" The door opens to reveal a bedraggled man with an optimists combover in a pale blue night gown, the bags beneath his eyes are huge and he is covered in an unhealthy patina of sweat. One hand is constantly in motion rubbing at his temples and he grinds hgis teeth as the group watch.

 

[KenHood]

Palindrome casts Light, so that he can study Spinthresh's condition. (And it should hurt like Hades because of the headache. Heh!)

Dangling his new talisman (which happens to look like a piece of cobblestone tied with a bit a string) and muttering words of power, the young wizard scans Spinthresh for magical auras.

[OOC: Arcana check. (1d20+10=26)]

[sblock=Character Development] I reckon--once I level-up P--I'm going to dump the Diplomacy skill and replace it with something else. Maybe Perception. He's just too much of a jerk and too doggone inconsiderate to fit as someone that'd give a hoot about convincing people the polite way. And it seems to round out our party a little more. Tander does the nice. Woe does the smooth and smarmy. Palindrome does the mean. Too bad that one of us doesn't have Intimidate. We'd have all the bases covered.[/sblock]

 

[nerdytenor]

After giving Palindrome a minute to perform his arcane investigation, Tander steps forward to look at the old man, and stretches out his palm. A ball of white light appears, whereupon Tander pushes it into the wide-eyed gentleman's face, hoping to provide him with some momentary relief from his pain.

[sblock=OOC]
Healing Word or whatever...
[/sblock]

"I hope I've eased your pain somewhat, kind sir. Is there any help you can give us in our search for young Arnest? Lady Glasston is most concerned, and we'd like to resolve the situation as quickly as possible."

 

[Dunamin]

Woe observes the spellcasters working their craft, leaning against a wall and suppressing a yawn. Though he could care less about Spinthresh’s wellbeing as long as the tutor can cooperate and provide them with what information they need, Woe nevertheless gets the nagging feeling that he somehow ought to contribute.

Quickly dismissing the idea of a backrub (he's more familiar with the sensual kinds) and pep-talk (he’s more inspired by Kern’s combat drills), Woe employs the tools at hand. He reluctantly offers Spinthresh the drink in his hand.

“You look like you could use this more than me, old dog. It’ll get your spirits up and the color back in your cheeks.”

[sblock=Social roles]

Tander does the nice. Woe does the smooth and smarmy. Palindrome does the mean. Too bad that one of us doesn't have Intimidate. We'd have all the bases covered.

… And when they combine forces, they become the Ultra Mystery-Solving Squad!
Heh, that's actually a pretty sharp overview of the gang.[/sblock]

 

[Halford]

[sblock=Magic]There is faint aura flickering around Sprinthresh's temple, an aura of enchantment illusion and divination.[/sblock]

The tutor covers his eyes wincing in evident pain as Palindrome shines light in his eyes - which are bloodshot and tinged faintly yellow. Spluttering he snatches one of the proffered drinks and downs it, offering Woe an appreciative wince.

"Your pardon gents, I had every intention of showing you around myself, but wen I tried to find my way to Mistress, Miss, uh, the younf elven lady who works for the, uh, well the..." He stops abruptly and clutches at his head in obvious agony.

"Stars, I will speak no more of her, talk to Adie, she's got no brain to ache."

"MISTER SPRINTHESH!" The house keeper snaps furiously.

There are footsteps on the staircase behind the group and moments later a doe faced girl with wide innocent eyes emerges. She hurries over to Miss Dodridge and puts the house keepers bulk between her and the strangers.

"She wasn't there Miss Dodridge, but there was a man, only hes not anymore Miss, or he is, but he's not a man." She blinks and peers at the party. "Is a dead man still a man Miss Dodridge? I don't think so, but then I am always wrong."

 

[Dunamin]

“Bloody buttocks of a boar’s gore!”

A dam holding back a flood of conspiracy speculation bursts somewhere in Woe’s mind, and he fixes a stare at the newly arrived servant girl while tensing up to action.

“Listen here, doll, you need to take us there right now. And on the way you explain exactly what you saw. Was that a plain old corpse or was the dead man up and about? Were there more deaders than one? You see any signs of forced entry?”

Urging his comrades and Adie ahead, Woe leaves a few snap instructions for Dodrige and Spinthresh.

“Alert the city guard to the elf girl's premises. You speak with any senior officers, pass on that Jules Chinua’s kid tells them to lock it down tight. And for the love of – well, me - get us that elf’s name written down on paper!”

[sblock=Suspicious amnesia]The key character of our investigation supposedly has a significant other, but neither of those closest to him can remember her name or who she works for - the matriarch, Dodrige, Spinthresh, and probably Adie.
Now she’s gone when we come investigate, probably with her superior too. I think we have us a prime suspect, guys.

Metagame-wise, I’m guessing the magic aura around Spinthresh’s head has something to do with these mysterious strokes of amnesia.[/sblock]

 

[Halford]

“Listen here, doll, you need to take us there right now. And on the way you explain exactly what you saw. Was that a plain old corpse or was the dead man up and about? Were there more deaders than one? You see any signs of forced entry?”

"It was a shiny corpse, one of the tin men and he only had half his eyes - there was a big hole. I just walk in same as usual Miss @#$$%% was gone away and there was blood all on the ceiling, but it was writing blood, a bit pretty." The girl looks up at Miss Dodridge's horrified expression her lip begins to tremble and she begins to whimper softly until the house keeper envelops her in a hug.

[sblock=@#$$%%]You clearly heard the girl mention a name, didn't you? It was, err, started with an M? Maybe, or was it a Q? As you mentally probe the problem you begin to feel a knot forming in your mind and the promise of pain to come is evident.[/sblock]

 

[Dunamin]

[sblock=Names amiss]

You clearly heard the girl mention a name, didn't you? It was, err, started with an M? Maybe, or was it a Q? As you mentally probe the problem you begin to feel a knot forming in your mind and the promise of pain to come is evident.

[/sblock]

Woe furrows his brow as the name escapes him, giving a puzzled look to his fellows and realizing they seem to have the same problem. He lays the matter to rest in his mind for now and focuses on the task at hand.

“Either Arnest’s date is having a spontaneous fit of creepy decoration sense today, or that one-eyed armored corpse with bloody graffiti means trouble.”

Woe impatiently shifts his weight from one foot to the other while the girl gets her (nearly absent) wits together, before taking a moment to realize that Adie might need comforting before she can be of use.

“Right, right, terrible stuff that, I’m sure, and all the more reason we need to get moving while the trail is hot. Hugs and kisses are for after the hero saves the day, dove. Let’s go and we’ll sort this whole mess out in a jiffy.”