Episode 30: Derdin Murder Investigation

General Summary

24th of Vlaihr, 9:30 AM

The players leave the Lady's College to find Earl Niele Breyny sitting on a wrought-iron bench surrounded by his contingent of guards in the courtyard out in front of the College. Upon seeing them exit, he stands and motions them over to speak with him. The players walk through the perimeter of guards without interference and speak with the Earl, who begins by apologizing to the group for having to witness the discussion between Fay Mytersaal and Brimer Dadargo. The Earl asks for their take on what has been happening at the Lady's College, and they diplomatically inform the Earl they believe the College has been infiltrated by elements worshiping Chaos. They tell the Earl that a number of individuals from both Colleges have disappeared, and are being trained by this hostile group beneath the Daemarrel Necropolis.

The Earl again informs them that Brimer Dadargo is going to take 50 Armsmen below to eradicate the hostile forces, however he hesitates at taking anyone from the College to assist given their current problems. Kasek expresses his concern that someone high ranking at the College may be involved considering the infiltrators got close to stealing the Artifacts from the Vault of Sages, a location which is kept strictly secret by the Lady's College Faculty. The Earl agrees to keep an eye on the College, and also agrees to perhaps argue that the College dial back on its use of Undead Servants at the groups' suggestion.

The Earl asks whether the group has a particular interest in sparing the life of Balryne Myani, since the powers-to-be are currently attempting to decide whether to execute her given her involvement in the infiltration. Celindriel expresses concern that if her memory has been wiped, she has no memory, and there is no influence hanging over her, she would have a hard time killing someone who is essentially an innocent person. Kasek, Ceona and Feadog also argue that it would seem the Gods have a stake in the events that have taken place, and that as a group, it cannot be confirmed whether or not Balryne knowingly committed any crimes. Ceona suggests that regardless of whether she knew or not, it would be more beneficial to keep her alive to interrogate her for more information.

Kasek changes the subject and informs the Earl that they are aware of the recent murder of Mof Derdin, and asks if there is a possibility that they could examine his body and the crime scene. The Earl agrees, and upon giving instructions for his guards to move out, the group proceeds to walk under escort to the Town Guard Barracks. As they are leaving, Kasek notices Shanala Eloranae spying on them from a second-floor window in the College, and immediately ducks for cover upon realizing Kasek had spotted her.

As the group walked, Feadog asks the Earl if he has heard of anyone attempting to sell artifacts within Daemarrel. The Captain of the Guard reveals that they have heard no such reports, and the Earl explains to Feadog that anyone attempting to buy, sell, or trade artifacts must register with them in order for the artifacts to be checked. The Earl reveals that no legal individual has registered, and no illegal artifact sales have been reported. Feadog reveals that Mof Derdin was possibly on the trail of just such an individual, and they suspect the parents of Shanala Eloranae may have been attempting to purchase the contraband. The Earl asks for the details of where Shanala's parents are staying, but Kasek warns against questioning them out of fear of the parents fleeing. The group suggests using deception as a means of uncovering the parent's illicit activities, as well as the whereabouts of the illegal artifact salesman. The Earl agrees, but asks to inform him the moment they uncover anything regarding this individual, or any development with Shanala's parents.

Mof Derdin's Body

The Captain of the Guard leads the group into the Town Guard Barracks followed by the Earl, who leads them to a Morgue within the building. The Captain reveals the body of Mof Derdin, and both Kasek and Celindriel begin examining the body for signs of trauma. It appears that Mof Derdin was stabbed in the back 13 separate times, some by conventional weapons, while other wounds were made with an unknown instrument or perhaps by an animal. These wounds in particular have black bruising or staining surrounding the entry wound. Kasek, on a hunch, removes a vial of the Midnight Tears (Silver Raven Blend) poison and lets Saman see if he can match the scent of the poison to the wound. Upon seeing the mysterious black liquid, the Captain of the Guard grabs Kasek's arm and demands to know what is in the vial. After a moment of scrambling, the group produces a letter originally signed by Barriltar Bhandraddon giving them permission to be in possession of the poison. They explain to the Earl and to the Captain what the poison is, and how it had been used in both Hirane and Sestatrea. The group also agrees to give the Earl and Captain a copy of the antidote for the poison, which they happily accept. After spending a few moments in a failed attempt to determine the cause of the strange wounds to Mof's body, the party then asks if they can investigate the crime scene. The Captain orders two Daemarrel Town Guards to escort the group to the southeastern part of the town where Mof's body was found, and the group leaves the Town Guards Barracks under escort.

The Crime Scene

The group is lead to an alleyway in a run-down portion of town along the southeastern wall of Daemarrel. The buildings are sporadically occupied, and the residents are quite poor and anti-social. The guards point out the location where Mof was found, which is obvious from a faint red staining that is still present on the gravel path. As the group investigates, the guards talk idly by themselves without interfering or taking any particular interest in the group's efforts.

Kasek is able to make out a two sets of tracks other than Mof's and determines that Mof either met or confronted an individual in the alleyway which led to a struggle. A second set of tracks is discovered to have approached Mof from behind, before giving the indication that the individual hastily retreated back towards the center of town. At this point, the guards ask if the group needs anything else, and after the group admits that no further assistance is needed, the guards decide to leave. Ceona begins knocking on the front doors of a couple of buildings, but only one individual answers -- an old man hard of hearing, and not very interested in cooperating with Ceona's line of questions. Disappointed in not being able to glean any useful information, Kasek instructs Saman to attempt to find the scent of the individual that had approached Mof from behind. Saman picks up the scent and leads them to an intersection closer to the center of town before losing the trail. Kasek leads Saman back to the crime scene and begins again, this time putting him on the scent of the individual Mof had confronted.

Saman picks up the trail, and leads the group along the eastern wall of the town heading north before coming to an intersection where the scent drops off. As the group begins walking back, they peer down an alleyway and see the Elvish Servant Girl of Shanala's parents walking with a piece of paper apparently attempting to follow directions for an address. The group immediately hides and attempts to remain unseen as the Servant makes her way down a series of alleyways. They quietly follow her and eventually come to an alleyway where they see a door closing with no sign of the Servant, and it is assumed the Servant entered the residence of a single-story feldstone building.

The Artifact Dealer

The group investigates the building for additional entrances and exits other than the front door they initially observed. The group is unable to search the back of the house as the adjoining homes are so close that they are unable to fit down the sides and behind the building. Celindriel uses her Lantern of the Rat Lord and summons the familiar -- a rat -- who she then instructs to circle the entire building as she peers through its eyes. No additional exits or entrances are found, and the windows are fixed in the side of the building -- they would have to be broken in order to access the interior.

The group takes a moment to listen to the door, and hear a female and male's voice along with footsteps. It becomes apparent the figures inside are approaching the front door. The group prepares themselves, however Ceona's armor alerts the individuals inside to the group's presence just as they were preparing to unbar the front door. The door can be heard quickly being secured, and the group decides to break the door down and rush inside. After a few attempts, the front door is battered down.

Finding the Enemy

The group enters the house to find themselves in a foyer, and a second door is seen at the end of the hall. The group immediately races to the door and attempts to open it, only to find it securely locked and barred. After a few attempts -- with all notion of surprise now gone -- the group triumphs over the door. Kasek moves into the next room which appears to have once been an office, but now is used to store furniture and other odds and ends. As Kasek moves through the room, he unknowingly triggers a net trap which falls and restrains him. Celindriel dashes forward to find a third door, which she immediately begins to lock-pick. However, as she reaches the door, a pressure plate is felt depressing under her foot, and three out of four darts immediately sink into her backside. Luckily she manages to resist the poison the darts had been dipped in. The rest of the group enters the room and begins bashing down the remaining door. The female Elf Servant can be heard hysterically yelling "What do we do?!?" in a panic from behind the door, as a male's voice is heard telling her to shut up.

Ceona, having had enough of the doors thwarting their advance, casts Shatter originating from behind the remaining door sending wood splinters into the group's faces. As the dust settles, Celindriel looks up and immediately see two daggers thrown at her from one individual (Eddul Meren), and a crossbow bolt being fired at her from another (Spy). She manages to bat the first dagger out of the air, but the second one strikes her in the shoulder with the crossbow bolt also striking her in the chest. Kasek watches the arsenal fly through the doorway to strike Celindriel somewhat apprehensively as he struggles to free himself from the net. The Spy manages to reload quickly and releases another bolt, striking Celindriel and knocking her unconscious.

Watch the Shadows

Feadog manages to get a Healing Word cast on Celindriel bringing her back to consciousness, and then frees Kasek from being restrained by the net with some expert swordplay with his rapier. Saman teleports beside the two individuals within the room and attacks the Spy, taking a bite out of his leg. He screams out in pain as Celindriel then rushes up to the door frame and shoots at the Spy with her longbow. The arrow misses, wedging itself into the stone above the Spy. She tucks around the corner out of view from the two inside. Kasek enters the room and notices the Servant Girl lying unconscious close the entrance of the room, obviously having taken the brunt of Ceona's Shatter spell. He decides to attack the Spy with his Heavy Crossbow, which strikes and knocks some of the wind out of him, but the Spy remains standing. Kasek begins immediately reloading his heavy crossbow while taunting the two enemies.

Suddenly, a dark Shadow appears from the corner of the room and reaches out at Kasek. Kasek freaks out and yells out to the group as the Shadow misses and then recedes back into the darkened corner from which it came. Eddul Meren draws two shortswords and rushes at Kasek, managing to miss an opportunity attack from Saman. Eddul lands two out of three attacks on Kasek and smirks tauntingly at him. Ceona moves up to the Servant girl and successfully stabilizes her from dying. She then casts Spiritual Weapon which appears as a maul above the Spy's head and attempts an attack, which misses. She then backs herself protectively into a corner after hearing Kasek yelling at her to beware of the shadows.

The Spy manages to reload his crossbow and fires on Kasek which misses due to Saman nipping at his heels. He looks frantically around and dives under the table, hiding from view. Feadog moves up to where he is able to see the action within the room and casts Vicious Mockery on Eddul Meren, who fails his save. Feadog then gives inspiration to Kasek before moving back out of sight. Kasek produces the Wand of Web from his inventory and casts Web on Eddul Meren, who successfully resists the web effects. Kasek quickly downs a Potion of Healing as Celindriel then dashes back into the fray taking up a flanking position behind Eddul Meren. She attacks with her shortsword making a good hit, and then swings with her dagger which unfortunately misses. Saman takes up position beside Eddul Meren, biting his leg and sweeping Eddul off his feet forcing him to go prone.

Suddenly, the Shadow reappears from the corner of the room and swings at Kasek. Kasek feels the Shadow's hands ghost through his torso, and suffers 4 points of damage and loses 4 points of Strength. Kasek sways slightly, not feeling well from the effects of the attack before the shadow disappears back into the dark corner it emerged from. Celindriel sees the creature and makes a successful history check recalling information about the Shadow and attempts to warn the others to its capabilities. Eddul Meren manages to get back on his feet and makes three attacks at Kasek, two of which hit. Kasek winces from the pain, but manages to stay on his feet.

Ceona takes up a position beside Saman and casts Inflict Wounds on Eddul Meren which unfortunately misses as he deftly dodges her attack. Ceona sends her Spiritual Weapon to make an attack on the table the Spy hid under, but it glances off the wooden surface without inflicting much damage. The Spy emerges from underneath the table and attacks Ceona with his shortsword which successfully connects, but Ceona immediately retaliates with Wrath of the Storm, immediately killing the Spy with vengeful lightning. She grins with satisfaction as he dissolves into a pile of dust.

Feadog emerges from his hiding spot and casts Dissonant Whispers on Eddul Meren, who fails his save causing him to immediately run towards the back of the room which provokes opportunity attacks from Kasek and Celindriel. Both manage to land blows and he winces from the pain as he's compelled to retreat before the spell's effect ends. Feadog moves back into his hiding spot, rather pleased with himself.

Saman attempts to bite Eddul, but is unsuccessful. Celindriel positions herself beside Eddul and attacks with her shortsword and successfully hits with a critical hit, handily dispatching Eddul with a flick of her Elvish shortsword. The group then begins to look nervously at the shadows in the room wondering where the Shadow might be hiding. The Shadow immediately emerges from the same corner and reaches out to strike Kasek again, successfully striking him for 10 points of Necrotic damage and reducing his Strength by an additional 3 points. The Shadow disappears back into the corner unseen by the others. Kasek casts Cure Wounds on himself, healing for 11 points.

Eventually the Shadow reappears as the group continues to search for the threat, reaching out to attack Celindriel who is holding her attack in case it reappears. She successfully slices the Shadow with her weapon as the Shadow's hands ghost through her causing 6 points of Necrotic damage and reducing her Strength by 2 points. The Shadow attempts to slink back into the shadows, but both Ceona and Kasek are able to see it as it attempts to hide. Ceona sends her Spiritual Weapon over to attack, and strikes with a critical hit, dispersing the Shadow into oblivion.

The Artifacts

Celindriel begins searching the room for anything of value as Kasek begins looting the bodies. Ceona also begins searching the other rooms to see if there is anything of value. Celindriel and Ceona don't turn up anything, however Kasek manages to find some items on the bodies and the Elf Servant. Kasek also spots a familiar tattoo on the wrist of the Spy which he instantly recognizes as the emblem of the Nightshade Tracers. Kasek also finds a bag containing three rings and a compass. One ring has a sapphire with a golden band that has an unnaturally blue glow about it. One ring has a ruby that seems to swirl with an energy that pulses. The third ring has a blue-gray rough-hewn stone set with a silver band. The compass is silver with a golden needle that continually spins with a slow motion. The group determines that these must be the artifacts that they had been looking for and decide to take a short rest to regain their strength. While resting, Feadog plays a Song of Rest to hasten their recovery. In addition, the players decide to attune to the items to learn what they are as they rest. Kasek attunes to the Ruby Ring, Feadog attunes to the Sapphire Ring, Ceona attunes to the Blue-Gray Stone Ring, and Celindriel attunes to the Compass. They each learn their items to be the following:

Kasek - Ring of Free Action
Feadog - Ring of Instant Attraction
Ceona - Ring of the Luddite
Celindriel - Compass of Treasure Seeking

As Celindriel attunes to the compass, the needle stops spinning and eventually points in a specific direction which leads outside the house. Kasek takes this opportunity to reveal that the Spy is a member of a Bounty Hunter Group that he used to run with in Bhaevor. Kasek doesn't suspect he was in Daemarrel for him, but was perhaps doing some sort of work regarding selling the Artifacts. Ceona takes one of the extra bedrolls found in the last room of the house and wraps the Servant girl in it so as to not arouse suspicion when leaving the residence. The group begins brainstorming on what should be told to the authorities regarding the fight, and during the discussion Kasek is struck with psychic damage. The group looks at him confused, and Kasek is unsure as what just transpired to cause the damage. After another short bout of discussion, Kasek is struck again with psychic damage. Immediately suspecting that the items found are cursed, Kasek, Ceona and Feadog all attempt to remove their rings. All but Kasek are able to remove or drop their items without difficulty, however Kasek's ring remains firmly fixed to his finger. They immediately agree that they should proceed quickly to the Lady's College to have his item removed just as Kasek is yet again struck by psychic damage.

To Be Continued in Episode 31

Rewards Granted

Looted from the Spy: x1 Shortsword, x1 Hand Crossbow, x78 Crossbow Bolts
Looted from Eddul Meren: x1 Ruined Studded Leather Armor, x2 Shortswords, x5 Daggers
Looted from the Servant: 20 gp, 15 sp, 13 cp and a list of directions to Eddul Meren's location
Looted a Ring of Free Action found in a bag on Eddul Meren
Looted a Ring of the Luddite found in a bag on Eddul Meren
Looted a Ring of Instant Attraction found in a bag on Eddul Meren
Looted a Compass of Treasure Seeking found in a bag on Eddul Meren
Acquired two bedrolls
Players advanced to Level 4!
Kasek awarded an inspiration point by group vote for his role in this Episode!
One group inspiration awarded that can be used once by anyone in the party!

Missions/Quests Completed

Discovered Mof Derdin was murdered and investigated his body and the crime scene.
Discovered the Eloranae Servant Girl actively searching for the Artifacts Dealer.
Discovered, and dispatched, Eddul Meren who was in possession of what is believed to be some of the stolen Artifacts from Sestatrea.