The City of Glasken - Party Alpha

[HereticNox]

"Still I'm going to search the room where the body was found, then the clerics private quarters. Something doesn't sit right with me, but I need to find out who was closest to the priest."

Still Marcus waits impatiently, lost in thought he seems almost dead to the world. While he waits. Lucius checks the door for any signs of forced entry, or recent repair.

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Search check for the door
(1d20+9)[18]
Search check for the room with the dead priest,(1d20+9)[25] I'm going to take 20 on that if I can.

[Rizban]

Aslynn leaves the room, visibly shaken. It takes her a few minutes before she can compose herself enough to tell the others what she has found.

Leila detects no magic other than the protective wards against scrying and divination she detected earlier. She finds nothing on the body of interest that hasn't already been discovered.

Marcus examines the door, and notices faint scratches, slight indentations really, in the paint near the floor as if a dog or cat had been kept in here at some point and wanted out... though they don't look precisely like that. Just inside the door, Marcus discovers foot prints that don't seem to match anyone who was around now. Unfortunately, the number of people who have recently walked in and out of the room without regard for evidence on the floor have obscured them to the point of uselessness.

Marcus searches the room but finds nothing amiss. A mug of lukewarm tea and a half eaten loaf of bread are the only things which seem out of place in the otherwise immaculate room. Cleanliness is next to Pelorliness after all. Suddenly, a small glint of metal catches his eye near the foot of the bed, just behind the priest's clothing trunk. On closer examination, the broken shard appears to be made of gold and probably part of a bit of jewelry or something ornately crafted.

[HereticNox]

Walking out of the room, Marcus pauses and turns to face the priest body. "Why would someone want to kill you. What were you hiding? That girl out there really loves, shame you had to leave her. I guess she just has to get used to the fact people will always leave." Suddenly he holds his tongue, I'm talking to a corpse. Must be losing my mind.. He then without a backwards glance proceeds out to meet the gather assembly.

[HereticNox]

Facing the assembly, Marcus excuses himself, "Please excuse me." with that he slowly heads for the door.

[Rizban]

The cleric holds out a hand to stop Marcus.

"Going where now? Wherever it is, not without an escort. There are still certain secrets we must keep to ourselves."

[HereticNox]

"That is fine, I have no desire in stealing your secrets." Turning to the group, if I need an escort. My escort needs an escort, anyone open for the job.?"

[Kartos]

Zims

Zims decides to leave the forensics to the others, choosing only to poke his head in the room for a brief moment when everyone else has had a turn.

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Spot - (1d20+1)[15]

Afterwards, the gnome decides to approach the cleric who seems to be making all the decisions at the moment.

"Zims, at your service," he says extending his hand. "I don't believe we've had a formal introduction just yet, and if you are going to be our employer it would certainly help to know who we report to."

Zims does his best to come off as friendly and polite, hoping to help calm the man down and possibly get him to divulge more information.

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Dimplomacy - (1d20+13)[27]

"We know you're only doing your job, but if you have any details that can help us it would benefit all of us to bring them to light."

In the back of his mind, Zims tries to think if he knows anyone outside the temple that might be able to shed some light on the priest and the robbers.

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Knowledge Local - (1d20+6)[11]

[Fuzzball]

Aslynn glances at the room and then steps toward Marcus. "I will escort you. Where would you like to go?"

[HereticNox]

"Well that would be fine, we're just going to out of the temple for a bit. We'll be close though, so it shouldn't take to long."

Opening the door for the cleric, and Aslynn. Marcus walks with the group. He isn't to fond of the cleric following him around. Suddenly Marcus points down an adjacent hallway, "Hey you stop!"
DM only

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Bluff check to make a distraction for to hide.

Bluff (Wow a twenty, the dice gods wish my plan to succeed.
(1d20+16)[36]

then to slip away, if I need to be more concise. Marcus is going to slip into the first place he could reasonably expect to hide him. Then he will wait till the priest and Aslyn move on.

Hide
(1d20+11)[16]
Move Silently
(1d20+11)[14]

Then I'm going to slip out to a nearby shady tavern, and try to see if their is any word on the street. Also If I can use a knowledge check, I want to see if their are any religious extremist in the immediate area that would have had a problem with the priest.

G.I
(1d20+3)[11]

Local Knowledge
(1d20+4)[12]

[Rizban]

The cleric's stern face softens slightly at Zims, but he refuses to divulge more useful information.

"I am Matthias, but I am not of this particular temple. Once an adventurer, no longer. I came to discuss certain matters with the clergy concerning things esoteric which to you would matter naught. As ranking priest in vicinity, it fell to me to solve this vile crime as well as oversee the temple until another is appoint High Priest here. It seems I have the most to gain by his death, but I'm not exactly considered... mellow enough to be appoint High Priest, nor would I honestly want the job.

As for further details, you've already discovered most all that I was able to find. Other suspicions or conclusions of mine would only cloud your judgment, and I will not do that. It is not Pelor's way to force the light of understanding on others. It's better if they come to that point for themselves."


As Marcus tries to slip away, the guards are preoccupied with trying to figure out who he just yelled out. Aslynn, however, was not convinced, managing to follow marcus out. The two of them enter the closest tavern, which is but a block away. It is a bawdy place, filled with loud cheering and off key singing. A large fountain near the back flows with what appears to be wine. All of the chairs seem to be upholstered in leopard skin, and short goat like creatures you have not seen before seem to be simultaneously functioning both as wait staff and revelers. There is a large stage in the back where people in large masks act out a mock ritual human sacrifice, though it's quickly apparent that no one has ever actually been slain there. It is then that you realize you wandered not into a typical tavern but a temple dedicated to Dionysus, god of wine, revelry, madness, and the theater.

Asking around, you get little information, most of the patrons being drunk at the time. You also get several other theories on what happened, ranging from starving peasants to demons. You think you might be able to get more reliable information for people who are less drunk.

The sheer number of religions in the area means that there are bound to be religious extremists of some kind, though you do not know who could possibly be responsible.

[HereticNox]

Marcus sighs and approaches the bar. His search for information wasn't going well, and growing annoyed at this own ineptitude. Marcus engages in some self critism.Maybe I'm losing my touch... Sitting down at the bar, his gaze finds one of patrons unconscious on his stool. Catching the bar tenders attention, Marcus points to the man,"I'll have, whatever he was having.", turning to rest his elbows on the bar. Marcus watches the spectacle of the drunkards in all there revelary. Turning his head, he lazily chats with Aslynn , "Sorry we had to slip out so quickly, but we aren't going to get anything done with the priest breathing down our necks." A little crease of worry forms on his brow as he continues, "What I'm really worried about is that it might be an inside job."

As the bartender returns with his refreshment. Marcus flips the bartender a gold coin, and not forgetting his manners, "So would you care for a drink? It's on me. Anything you would like, as the temple has a rather large selection.

[Rizban]

The bartender gives him a quizzical look as if surprised at Marcus' request. A minute later, a large stone... something is set before him. It's hollow like a mug but vaguely shaped like a mountain. A dim reddish glow and what appears to be smoke seem to be emanating from within it.

"Not seen many a human can handle one a dese wi'out callin' ta morgue. Tell ya wut. Ya drinks i tall, it be on ta house." The bartender laughs, and several of the goat men gather behind Marcus cheering him on.

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Drinking it is going to require a Fort save... or two.

[HereticNox]

"Oh its glowing...how novel." Grinning lifts up the mug and begins to sip. Shuddering slightly as the strong liquid burns his throat, Marcus laughs a bit. "This probably won't end well." Taking another sip, Marcus raises his glass to the goat men behind him, "This is why I don't ever come here, you always talk me into something ridiculous." Continuing to sip his drink, Marcus turns to his companion "What are your thoughts on this whole thing Aslynn?"

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Fort Saves, this is going to be hilarious.
(1d20+3)[19]
(1d20+3)[6]
(1d20+3)[11]
(1d20+3)[13]
(1d20+3)[16]
(1d20+3)[8]

Hopefully I don't need anymore

[Rizban]

As Marcus finishes the drink, he gets a horrible case of the hiccups. After every few hiccups, a bit of smoke escapes through his mouth. Occasionally, he can taste blood... He also becomes quite drunk.

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(-2 Dex, -4 Int for awhile) Once during the next few hours, you can use a breath attack (2d6 acid damage) vs 1 target (DC13 Reflex for half). You can flavor it any way you want, but it's probably either really bad breath or a bit of the drink coming back up.

Also, you might want to seek medical help so the Dex and Int ability damage doesn't become permanent ability drain...

[Qooroo]

"If I may, I'd like access to a schedule of the high priest's recent activity - who he's had meetings with, what he's been up to, that sort of thing."

[HereticNox]

After finishing the drink, Marcus stomach burns in an unpleasant way. "I don't feel so good *hick*, what was that?" He sways slightly in his seat, unable to hold himself steady.

As a fit of coughing overcomes Marcus, a small amount of blood flies into his hand. His face paling at the site of the blood. His stomach painfully burning, Marcus grips his stomach and promptly falls off of the stool in the process. Lifting himself off the floor, he manages to get himself back onto the stool.

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Who serves a drink that does permament drain like that.

A little over the top, but I take it you don't want us to do anything like this in the campaign.

Message received, hopefully Aslynn will use his restoration spell on me. If not off to the hospital we go.

[Rizban]

Temple of Pelor

"I'm sorry to say that he never kept written logs. He had quite an excellent memory and never relied on note keeping." The cleric shrugs and wonders how much longer the party is going to examine the body... he was starting to need a trip to the latrine.



HereticNox

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When you serve a deity of drunken revelry, you have to constantly concoct stronger, and stronger, and stronger drinks, because the devout worshipers tend to build up a tolerance to the alcohol.

Also, you have like 24 hours to get a cheap "hangover cure" or something. Shouldn't be too hard to avoid it. But that's what happens when you kill brain cells and damage your liver...

[Qooroo]

Temple of Pelor

"I'm sorry to say that he never kept written logs. He had quite an excellent memory and never relied on note keeping." The cleric shrugs and wonders how much longer the party is going to examine the body... he was starting to need a trip to the latrine.



HereticNox

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When you serve a deity of drunken revelry, you have to constantly concoct stronger, and stronger, and stronger drinks, because the devout worshipers tend to build up a tolerance to the alcohol.

Also, you have like 24 hours to get a cheap "hangover cure" or something. Shouldn't be too hard to avoid it. But that's what happens when you kill brain cells and damage your liver...

Ark frowns. "Alright, I've done all I can here. Shall we all designate somewhere to meet up later?"

[HereticNox]

Turning to the bar man, "Hey you...you got a cleric or sonething."



DM

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Of course following that logic, the priests of Dionysus surely have that spell available for a cheap price. The followers would be dead without it. (can only take so much intelligence damage before you die)

Are the services available to the public?

[Rizban]

Tavern Temple of Dionysus

The barkeeper grins and points to what appears to be a small alchemist's shop set into the wall just past the end of the bar. There a thick steel bars on the service window, but the woman inside smiles and waves at you. Having been informed beforehand that a new patron had ordered a Volcano Sacrifice, she's been expecting Marcus' visit.

[HereticNox]

Why does it have to be so far? Giving his slurred thanks to the bartender, Marcus stumbles his way across the establishment. Blending in perfectly with the other patrons, Marcus makes his way to the iron bound window.

Leaning on the counter to steady himself, Marcus smiles a bit. His eyes are glassy and he sways back and forth,Never ever coming here again. "I had whatthat guy had. *hick*....got anything for it"

[Rizban]

The petite woman twirls a small vile of thick, yellow liquid between the fingers of her right hand before saying in a voice dripping with seductive sweetness, "Mayyybe..."

It's then that Marcus realizes she's a nymph and, like all the patrons in the temple, slightly drunk. Fortunately for Marcus, she has her Blinding Beauty ability suppressed.

"What's it worth to a cutie like you?" She giggles as Marcus' heart begins to race.

[Kartos]

Zims

"Not to worry," Zims says as he gives Matthias an almost comical salute, "we're on the case!" Zims turns to the others that were hired as he goes over the name of Matthias in his mind.

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BardicKnowledge about a priest named Matthias - (1d20+3)[6]

"Why don't we meet back here?"

[Rizban]

Temple of Pelor

"I'd prefer it if you don't use the temple as your base. It would be better to not draw attention to yourselves as being associated with investigating this murder too much. It might draw unwanted attention from whoever did this."


Kartos

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Zims can recall nothing that Matthias hasn't already revealed about himself.

[HereticNox]

"uhh...Whatever you want." Smiling, Marcus heart is beating rather fast. Usually he would issue a smooth line, and flash a winning smile. The alcohol wasn't exactly helping, but Marcus can't help but grin."You like todance? We could dance a bit,...but i probably need that first. How much is it, for a cutie like me."
I'm going to give the bartender another gold piece.

[Rizban]

"Well.... for you.... a mere 10 gold. As for the dance, you'll have to wait until I get off work." She winks coyly at Marcus and slightly purses her lips.

[thorgrim29]

From behind the drunken man comes a cultured, slightly posh, clearly amused voice.

Now then, that's just mean, you sell the drink for 1 and the cure for 10?

The nymph smiles as she recognizes one of the regular costumers. He is a very tall young man, classically handsome, with laughing blue eyes and a shoulder-lenght chestnut ponytail tied with a silk ribbon. He is dressed as per the latest fashion, wears a dagger on a belt from which a fat purse hangs, and the cloak behind him is slightly too clean to be of mundane origin.

Tell you what, give it to him love, and I'll sing you a song I hope worthy pf you stunning good looks and proverbial generosity

diplomacy: (1d20+16)[30]

[HereticNox]

Marcus turns to face the new comer."You seem like a *hick* nice guy..." Marcus eyes focuses on the newcomer, before slowly slipping out of focus. "Tha name's Marcus..."

DM

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Can I get a reading from empathy, I think it should be active for about another hour or so.

[Rizban]

"Now, you know I would, but it'd take more than a song to cause me to take gold from my god. You should know that, Adrian. Tell you what though, I'll cut it down to 7gp."

HereticNox

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He seems like he's genuinely trying to help, though not for the sake of helping but so that it makes him look good to gain favor. The pride is unmistakable.

[HereticNox]

A goofy smile grows on Marcus' face, and handing the money over to the nymph Marcus manages to spurt out, "Thank you."