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The drizzle outside turns into a steady downpour it seems as you can hear the falling rain splattering outside.
Brannoc, who has been till now silently reading the wizard's scroll Klammar tossed him, gets up and walks over to the young man.
"Well," the Servant of Mystery says, "it seems that there are three spells written on this here scroll. They are identified as Armor, Chromatic Orb, and Light. I couldn't discern much more then their names. My apologies," he finishes and hands Klammar the scroll.
Brannoc turns to everyone else and comments, "As for myself, I will surely not be needing any healing potions. And I decline the wand. The powers the Lady of Mysteries grants me is more than enough."
As the Mystran priest speaks you can hear distinctly a very familiar voice from the common room below yell, "Where are those lousy adventurers! I've been assigned to baby-sit them for the love of the Mad God!"
"Ah, the ever-vigilant Sergeant Mordel has arrived," Brannoc notes with a wry smile.
Marcus:
"Ah good sergeant!" Marcus says walking back into the inn. He wrings out his cloak on the ground just outside the floor then hangs it up. "A lovely day is it not?"
Marcus frowns looking at the guard sergeant sideways. "Mad god huh? Interesting."
He laughs suddenly a grin on his face, "I've no doubt they are about somewhere, if they haven't killed each other yet." He then smirks, "But hey that would save you the trouble wouldn't it?"
Sergeant Mordel:
"Silence fool. I'm in no mood to tolerate your inane remarks. Where are the rest of the fools?" he barks.
Marcus:
"Probably upstairs hacking at each other I would guess. Why don't you go check. I think I'll wait right here," Marcus looks over at Kerrah. "Could I please have a drink fair lady?"
Sergeant Mordel:
"Stinking fop," the burly man mutters as he makes his way up the stairs.
Marcus:
Marcus laughs loudly as he sits down lounging in the chair. A smiling Kerrah brings him a drink. He kisses her cheek and pays for the drink plus a large tip. "Why thank you, my dear."
Zapan:
Walking down the stairs the Thayvian meets the Guardsman partway into the commonroom.
"Ah, Sergeant" he speaks quietly to the man "would you prefer our leetle discussion to take place in the room or down there?" he asks, nodding toward the empty front room on the establishment.
Sergeant Mordel:
The irate and wet man says with a sneer, "Move aside! What are you hiding up there eh? Let's go find out, shall we?"
Zapan:
The monk's attitude shifts to match the venom of the guard.
"Jees, -sir- let's uus just see what we're hiding up there. I'm sure that the people who were villing to assist in the investigation, fools or no, would be glad at your arrival." the last few words seem almost a curse..
His nose almost bunched in a sneer "Do lead the way, Sergeant"
Sergeant Mordel:
Not paying attention to the monk the sergeant walks up to the meeting room.
Marcus:
The noble suddenly chokes on his ale and leaps out of his chair sprinting past them up the stairs, his ale mug still in his hand, not spilling anything. He bursts into the room and then stops before the table and calmly picks up the bag of gold.
"Hmmm, nine of us then. Two hundred gold. That means twenty-two for everyone except me. I get twenty four," he says grinning. At the looks he gets his head comes up regarding everyone. "It was a joke!! There'll be two extra. Perhaps it could be used to get some info or something. Oh and the nice sergeant's behind me, " he finishes grinning. He then begins to put the coins into nine piles counting out 22 gold for each.
Zapan:
With a nod toward Marcus the Helmite follows the Sergeant up to the room, trying to burn holes in the man's back with his glare.
Andura:
The gold elf, who had remained quiet, but observant, watched the others without comment. As Marcus and Zapan made their way up the stairs to the meeting room, she stood up and with a sigh, followed.
Firrin:
The young priest, watching sergeant Mordel with a raised brow and a rather unfriendly expression on his face, gets up from his chair with a groan and makes his way upstairs.
Mumbling something about oh-so-important-cityguards, he grins at Zapan and says in a not so perfect imitation of his accent, "Mai, mai fellow man of the gods, whuu shoould be heving en attidude probleem wheen it coms to diel with thee gards?"
Brannoc:
The priest watches carefully as Marcus takes the bag of gold and starts to divide the gold danters into piles.
"Nothing personal mind you. Just making sure everyone gets their fair share," the priest says in way of explanation.
Sergeant Mordel:
The sergeant bursts into the room, his hand on his sword hilt and a suspicious glare in his eyes.
He quickly scans the room, and a rather unholy look enters his eyes as he sees Marcus counting the gold.
Marching over to Marcus he shouts, "There better be two hundred gold danters there! One less or one more and I'll drag yer hide to jail!"
Marcus:
The young noble looks at the priest and grins widely, and then an innocent look comes over his face. "Why that is very noble of you good Brannoc." When he is finished he double checks his amount and then puts the coins in his pouch, smiling at the sergeant at the door.
Marcus:
"Whatever do you mean good sergeant!? Why would there not be? Surely I would not have to take more than my fair share of the gold. You really should see a priest, they might be able to manage this temper of yours."
Zapan:
"Broought in for whaat?"
"Deviding the retained fee that Lady Belle paid uus in advance? Oh terribly illegal." the Monk espouses, following the irate man into the room, and taking up a position near the doorway, leaning against a wall.
Sergeant Mordel:
The sergeant just glares and says, "Put all the gold back on the table. I want you to count it in front of me so I know you aren't cheating the city."
Marcus:
The noble smirks and then places the money he had put away back out on the table and quickly begins to put the gold into piles of ten making sure that twenty of them are there.
Brannoc:
"Doesn't this seem a bit draconian?" Brannoc says with a pointed look at the sergeant.
"Lady Belle has already interrogated us. I think you were sent to HELP us and give us information. So shouldn't you be doing that instead of this useless activity?"
Marcus:
"Ah yes, but Brannoc...you have forgotten?"
"He is a guardsman, remember?" Marcus says with a wide grin.
Sergeant Mordel:
His face turns purple as he glares at the Mystran priest for a few moments.
Finally with a long sigh he mutters, "You're right. Get yer arses over here so I can give you the quick and dirty on this investigation."
Zapan:
The Monk's ears perk up as he moves in to make sure he doesn't miss a word.
Marcus:
Marcus grins taking two of the piles plus two more for twenty two and once more puts it in his pouch and then walks over ears wide open.
Sergeant Mordel:
He wipes his damp face with a cloth before starting.
"Well, this has not been the first murder with the calling card of the Shadow Thieves found on them. There have been four other separate murders in the past tenday before yesterday's killing."
"We have not had any Shadow Thief related incidents in Crimmor for quite a number of years. So this sudden influx of murders has the whole city concerned and some frightened."
"Personally, I have two theories on who is behind these killings."
Marcus:
"Well present them before us oh Sergeant Mordel. I may have an idea of one of them but for the sake of us all I am sure it should be said."
Zapan:
The first is....?
Sergeant Mordel:
"Well my theories are first that the Shadow Thieves are really carrying out the murders because of contracts or vengeance. The other is that someone is using the calling card as a cover for their own reasons for killing. Or perhaps the killing itself is a cover. That's what I think," the sergeant finishes.
Taking a look around he says, "Ye gods, nothing to drink? I'll be right back with a mug of good ale."
The burly soldier goes downstairs to get his drink, leaving the adventurers to themselves for a bit.
Brannoc mutters sarcastically, "How nice of him to ask if any us wanted something to drink."
Zapan:
"First things first. We definitely need to find out about those other murders. Who were they, and what they did. Because they're all connected, like they were all criminals who worked together in some capacity, or we've got random madman on our hands."
"And I'm feeling that it's not a madman. These is all tied together..."
Marcus:
The rogue smirks and then smiles as Kerrah enters the room with a tray laden with various drinks. "On the good sergeant, of course," Marcus says grinning widely.
Marcus goes to check the door to make sure that the sergeant is not close by. "Well when the good elf and myself went outside most of the evidence had been cleared, but we did find a set of footprints leading up the side of the wall leading onto the roof. It looked as if someone had walked up the wall. Magic anybody? Hopefully there is an easy way up, to search around."
Marcus:
"I agree. We need to find out what these murders have in common...or the victims rather. Some link of sorts. Also the prints leading up to the roof should be checked out. Hopefully they will lead us somewhere. Perhaps some should also check out the bodies of the slain that have not been buried.....we may find some more evidence."
Brannoc:
"I agree. Perhaps when the 'good' sergeant returns we can suggest that we all go investigate the murder scene again. Although with the weather I'm surprised you found anything at all," he says with a nod at Marcus and Alorn.
"Ah, thank you my dear," Brannoc says with a smile as he is served a drink. "To the health of the 'good' sergeant!"
Zapan:
"What we need to do is get the assistance of the local clergy, and have them call up the spirits of the deceased. We can ask then ourselves once we've done investigation into the other killings. But yes, definitely investigate the rooftop you said?"
Marcus:
"A good idea I agree, but what of the cost? I doubt we have enough gold to cover the expenses of the casting. Perhaps we could promise services in return for services. Though I would refuse to indebt myself to any church but that of Mystra."
He nods, "The rain washes away what traces that had not been already cleared except for footprints leading to the roof of the adjacent building. I think investigating these might be important."
Zapan:
"Not to worry, the Clergy of Helm would have a vaunted interest in this matter, and I can assure you of their assistance, as I am a representative."
The monk grins as you notice that his nigh-intolerable accent has completely slipped away, and he now speaks common as any native Amnian.
"If memory serves, there is no local Temples or Shrines to Helm, but there is one in the next city over. Maybe having the city dispatch a runner to bring back a priest would be advisable. No now of course, but later on in the future."
Marcus:
Marcus nods smiling.
"Yes then that would be a good idea, though it might take some time. We do have some of that I think, but who knows how much for sure."
Dedreck:
"Evil? By all means friend dwarf. What do you mean when you say evil? Is it anything like being dishonored?"
Klammar:
Klammar, who has been studying his scroll, looks up.
"Nay. It can cause one to be dishonored, but it is more than that. It is mostly the state of mind of hurting others or doing a deed unjustifiably."
Klammar:
The mage scoops his gold off the table and puts it in one of the pouches on his belt.
He smirks, then says, "Twenty-two more gold. That leaves.. forty-nine thousand, nine hundred, and twenty-seven to go."
Dedreck:
The barbarian rubs his chin.
"So this is to cause pain and suffering on others for no reason." A puzzled look crosses his face, " How can you live with such strange customs? Is life not difficult enough without one trying to injure other for no reason. The mighty Wulfgar taught the tribes this. We were nearly destroyed in a senseless war. Through Wulfgar and his friends Drizzt and Bruenor we learned the faults of our ways. That is why I am now traveling the world. I want to learn about these customs. Please tell me more."
Klammar:
"Well, we have what we call laws. They tell us what is allowed and what is taboo in our society. For example, murder would be punished. As, generally, would thievery."
Tem:
The dwarf is surprised by the question. And looks at the barbarian without saying a word for sometime. He takes a deep breath and speaks.
"Not really like being dishonored. Evil is more like... a decision made by all people. Very large groups of people actually, like the ones that make a country. They decide what is good, what someone is allowed to do in public. And what is evil, bad, what is not allowed to do in public. Killing someone just for the fun of it is evil. Stealing, taking something that is not yours without paying or trading for it, is evil."
He thinks a bit more. "Just stay close to me and I'll keep you out of trouble."
Dedreck:
"I thank you Tem. I think you and Klammar may be the first real friends I've found outside of my home."
Dedreck stands and extents his arm, "It would be an honor if the two of you would accompany me after we have dealt with this dishonorable warrior."
Klammar:
Klammar bows his head. "I would be most honored to do so, but I have some... things to deal with. I am sorry."
Marcus:
"Well as you know, my offer still stands," Marcus says grinning at him.
Dedreck:
"You are a strange man Marcus. You seem willing enough to help, but your eyes seem to hold a different story. Tell me what do you hope to get from this."
Tem:
Tem shrugs. "If I don't get any leads into the location of my ancestor's axe, I'll follow you."
Marcus:
Eyes’ shining the nobleman looks at Dedreck.
"Well I suppose I am in it for the excitement. I enjoy things such as this. Besides I am curious as to what killed those two people, who they were, and why they were killed. I think that whoever killed them is evil. I don't like evil."
Klammar:
"Most of us don't. But I assume you want some sort of payment, if you did indeed help me with that 'offer' of yours."
Marcus:
"No... like I said it will be rewarding in other ways. I require no monetary payment at all from you."
Klammar:
"No monetary payment? A favor, then?" the mage asks, as he searches through his packs for something or other.
Marcus:
"No Klammar. Do not worry about it at the moment. I do this with no expectation of anything in return."
Marcus meanders over to the table picking up the wand and looking carefully at it for a minute. He then sets it back down and picks up one of the flasks.
"Wow, not many greedy types. Well I will claim one then," he says putting a flask in his backpack.
Klammar:
Klammar looks at the scroll again. He sets it on a table and turns to Andura.
"Chromatic Orb is yours. I cannot use it."
Klammar:
"As you say." Klammar seems to be hesitant to believe the fact that Marcus would wish for no payment.
Marcus:
Marcus looks at him again and grins, flipping the wand at him.
"Here catch. Why don't you hold on to this for the time being."
Klammar:
Klammar tucks the wand under his belt. "All right, will do."
Klammar shoots a questioning glance at Andura.
Marcus:
"Well you may want to discuss it with her, but her horse seems rather nice to me. Very useful protection. We'll see of course."
Klammar:
"Indeed. It seemed a very intelligent horse, to me."
Klammar pulls the wand out of his belt, murmuring, "Now what were those words?"
Marcus:
Perhaps I will go and ask her sometime," he says grinning.
Klammar:
Klammar carefully sets the wand on the table and murmurs, "Lauress Duor?"
Marcus:
Marcus shrugs, "You're the one that's going to shoot it."
He sits down on one of the chairs putting his feet up and lounging. "Like the Lady said, it should be used sparingly."
Klammar:
"Right. Use sparingly." Klammar tucks the wand back into his belt.
Marcus:
"Or on anything big," says the grinning nobleman.
"Wands are always easier to find than a new life."
Klammar:
"I really have to agree," Klammar says with a smirk.
Marcus:
Marcus sips his ale and nods. "Life is a most precious thing. Unfortunately the gods do love to take it away."
Tem:
Tem stretches and leans toward Marcus and Klammar. "Loress or Loriss for one and that with followed by Duon for two."
Klammar:
"I thank you. That sounds correct, to my memory." Klammar once again slides the wand into his belt.
Alorn:
Alorn, who has been quiet since he came in from the little investigation walks over to the table and takes up a healing potion and puts it in his backpack. He then retreats back to a chair. He seems preoccupied with some thought.
Brannoc:
"Well that leaves just two healing potions. Don't fight too much over them mind you," the Mystran priest says with a twinkle in his eyes as he watches the moon elf take an iron flask.
"So exactly how are we going to go about this investigation? We check out the footprints in the alley like Marcus said? Or go around trying to learn the identities of all the victims?"
Rubbing his chin Brannoc mutters outloud, "And are you sure those were footprints on the walls Marcus? The rain should have washed them away I think."
Alorn:
"Yes," Alorn says "it was footprints.
"I have followed enough tracks to know one. As for where to start I would suggest the roof. Even though there's not much chance we'll find much, but it can be done fairly quickly if we don't find anything, and if we find something I'm sure it will be of some use"
Zapan:
"Alorn, a question. Were the prints boot made, or were they made by bare feet?"
Alorn:
"Boots I believe... why?" he looks curious.
Marcus:
Marcus smiles, "There are nine of us. We could do numerous things at once. A group of the more agile among us could investigate the footprints, another could look into the victims. If we so chose to be very ambitious yet another group could look into clerical aid in speaking with the departed souls."
Klammar:
"I agree with Marcus," Klammar murmurs, "there are nine of us, we could easily take on two jobs, or even three. As I said before, I know a few people in this area. I'll have to check if they're still around though. They may be of some help."
Marcus:
"Yes it would be much faster and we could get thrice the work done in the same amount of time," Marcus says casually waving his goblet through the air as he speaks from his lounging position.
He then takes another drink grinning.
Tem:
Tem shakes his head.
"Before you all go on half-thought plans, why don't we hear what else the sergeant has to say. At least, he certainly has the info you seek about the victims."
Marcus:
"That brainless twit hasn't the mental capacity Ao gave a toad. I'll wait for him if he ever gets his head out of his ale mug and returns......and it never hurts to plan."