| DM | Berillia politely asks a
well dressed man who the house belongs to. He appears to be a resident of the
area judging by his clothes and accent. |
| Man | That is the Linton
family home. Judging from your dress I assume you're looking for the
trademan's entrance. It's down that alley there. [Points] |
| Leanna | [Murmurs to the
others] Does anyone recognise that name?
Should we ask him who they are, or would that look a bit suss? |
| Narond | Thank you kind
Sir. [Waits for the local resident to leave]
[Turns back to the group] Yes I know that name.
House Linton are the second largest merchant house in the country, the house
is run mainly by the children of the current house head. They run one of the
biggest banks in this fair city. I seem to remember one of the chaps we
chatted to at the time of the procession believed that House Linton should
have been the ones to have sponsership, rather than House Hallonica. |
| Leanna | Interesting - so
on the frame theory, these could be the framers; on the marriage theory, it's
less clear... unless someone inside Hallonica was trying to poison the
relationship between them and Toney, but pin it on another major house?
|
| Dreylin | The plot
thickens. So we now have the two biggest Houses with tunnels into their
cellars. Is one trying to implicate the other, or are both being implicated by
a third party...? Shall we go knock, or should we investigate the tunnel first
and then talk to them tomorrow? |
| Leanna | Given the
suspicion that these might well be the culprits, do we baldly walk down the
front path or try something a little more clandestine? |
| Narond | I think that we
should investigate the cellars and the approach to the two houses in question
this evening, and follow it up tomorrow morning with a call to House Linton,
since we have had nothing to do with this house as yet, and we don't know
where they fit. I would be keen to see if they have a cellar entrance before
approaching them for a chat. We can then safely meet up with Harlon over lunch
for our report on what we have found. |
| Leanna | So where shall we
get into the cellars? Should we perhaps kill two birds with one stone and
search the toilets by the pub? |
| Dreylin | Um, do you not
trust Shianara, Berillia and I to have already searched the toilets...? We
should also bear in mind that even if either of these Houses were behind the
attack, the people who buried the body used the toilet exit to leave the
sewers afterwards.
By the way, we shouldn't forget we have possession of the rope used to
strangle Poppy, and also the dagger and the Hallonica ring... |
| Shianara | I think
perhaps I should take a closer look at those tomorrow... unless Narond wishes
to do so today? Objects always have their own little histories... [Smiles
once more]
I certainly don't see a problem with leaving this house until tomorrow.
Did anyone notice a difference between the different tunnels we were in? I'd
certainly be interested in seeing them again.
Back to the Silver Stag? |
| Dreylin | Well, I think
we should talk to someone in this house tonight.
Wait, let me justify that. At the moment we don't have a clear idea of what's
going on or who's responsible. It may be Hallonica, Linton, an as-yet-unknown
third party, or even Toney who are behind what could be a kidnap attempt gone
wrong or just a plain murder. Until we have more evidence, we can't assume
that Poppy Toney was the only target.
We know that the entrance to the Hallonica cellars existed before this
incident, but it doesn't necessarily follow that this house is the same. This
house could be a target as much as Toney was... in fact, someone might already
have been kidnapped! I think that at the very least we ought to make an
attempt to warn them about the potential danger. |
| Shianara | [Nods]
Certainly someone else could be in danger, so it is worth mentioning such to
the residents.
In any case we have after all been employed to investigate the murder, not
hypothesise as to who's responsible, and we have a perfectly legitimate reason
for enquiring about further evidence of cellar activity. However I think we
should give as little information away as is necessary; the less any potential
conspirators know that we know, the better. Of course, whether we can persuade
someone to let a group such as us into their cellars without giving away
information such as a murder, is another matter.
If there is a tunnel from this house, it would useful to know whether it was
dug from outside or from inside; perhaps we couldn't tell from the sewer side?
|
| Narond | I am still of the
opinion that we should look at the cellars first. I am keen to see what was
the other side of the gate to the cellars at house Hallonica, and it is
getting later.
[Turns to Shianara] We have indeed been employed to investigate the
murder, that means finding those responsible. Given the limited information at
present we have to resort to conjecture, but as more evidence presents itself
we should get a clearer picture. I also don't think we have a responsibility
to necessarily warn people that they may have a tunnel in their cellar. That
is likely to be a handy side-effect for those that do, and a free side-effect
too.
[Looks mildly unhappy at the prospect of free information] It is also a
problem if we actually alert the culprits. |
| Dreylin | Um, I think the
culprits probably already know what's happened... and they must suspect that
someone would have found Poppy missing by now and contacted the guard, so
we're not exactly giving anything away.
[Focuses on Narond] I know you don't like to do anything that doesn't
have profit for you, but we Hin have a sense of civic duty. Besides, Captain
Harlon isn't likely to be impressed with us if someone from House Linton is
kidnapped or killed tonight because we didn't warn them that there's a tunnel
into their cellar they don't know about! |
| Leanna | That I think is
the clincher for me, we did agree with Harlon that we were going to go to all
these houses and warn the occupants, so that is probably what we should do. On
the other hand, given what we have found out so far, I think I would normally
side with Narond on this, as I certainly have misgivings about it. [Shrugs
and looks rather uncomfortable about the whole thing]
Let's go and knock on the door, for better or for worse... |
| Dreylin | The front
door... I'm not using any 'Tradesman's entrance'. [Looks towards the
departed local] |
| DM | You wander up to the
door. It's huge!
There appears to be a bell pull next to it.
On pulling it there is a sonorous ring from within the house. After a few
seconds a tall, sombre gentleman opens the door. |
| Butler | Can I help you?
|
| Leanna | I hope you can.
Is the master of the house at home? We are here on official Watch business
that may impact on the safety of this household. |
| Butler | The master is
indisposed at the moment, ma'am, but I believe Mr Astinius is in. I can see if
he wishes to see you if that would help. |
| Leanna | [Contemplates] Very well. I am sorry, I don't wish to
appear ignorant, but what position does Mr Astinius hold in the household?
|
| Butler | Mr Astinius is
the eldest son. |
| DM | The way he says this
implies that, while you didn't wish to appear ignorant, you managed it anyway.
|
| Leanna | [Puts on her
most winsomely halfwitted smile] Great, that'll be fine, thanks. |
| DM | He vanishes inside.
|
| Leanna | Interesting
(perhaps) that both heads of house have been out... |
| Narond | Though the butler
did only say that the Head of the House, Lucius Linton was indisposed. Not
necessarily not in. |
| Leanna | True. Just a
thought. |
| DM | The butler returns to
the door. |
| Butler | If you would care
to come this way. |
| DM | He steps back and opens
the door fully. You follow him into a large hall. It is a dark area gently lit
with a few candles. Corridors lead off in three directions and a staircase
spirals into the darkness above. Against one wall is an enormous portrait. It
shows an aging man and woman seated. Standing behind them are three young men
and a young woman.
At the base of the frame a large shield is carved, showing a pair of cross
arrows and a bearskin.
Arrayed around the room are a number of armed retainers. The butler stops.
|
| Butler | If you would care
to leave your weapons here. |
| Leanna | [Looks around
at the rest of the group for assent] Very well.
[Places her sword and shortbow on the floor, but leaves her shield slung
across her shoulder and leaves her dagger safely in her boot for the time
being] |
| Dreylin | [Deposits his
weapons likewise] |
| DM | The rest of you remove
your weapons. |
| Leanna | [Studies the
portrait] |
| Butler | [Looks at the
pile of weapons] Follow me please. |
| DM | He takes you through a
large wooden door into some sort of reception room. There are six seats - one
of them hin sized - arranged facing a large leather chair. In the chair is a
man in his mid-thirties. He is dark with a chiselled, almost pointed face and
a small beard. You recognise him as one of the three young men in the
portrait.
He stands as you enter. |
| Astinius | Do sit down.
[Sits down]
Now I was told this was something to do with the Watch? |
| Leanna | [Pauses
briefly] Earlier today, Poppy Toney was found murdered... |
| Astinius | [Frowns a
little but keeps listening] |
| Leanna | [Pauses briefly
again to study his reaction] ...and we believe that the culprits gained
access to her house via the sewer system. The reason we are telling you this
is that we believe that there may be also a tunnel leading to this house, and
it seemed prudent to warn you of the possibility of an attack on your own
household.
Would you, therefore, allow us to examine your cellars? |
| Astinius | That's very
serious. Poor Poppy. And she was such a popular girl. |
| DM | He picks up a small bell
from the side of the chair and rings it. He turns back to you. |
| Astinius | I'm afraid it
would take you hours to search. Our cellars run rather deep. |
| DM | The tall servant sidles
in. |
| Astinius | Have the guards
search the cellars. Thoroughly! There may be an entrance of some sort.
[Turns back to you] I'm sorry - where are my manners? I am Astinius
Linton. Tell me. How was she killed? |
| Dreylin | [Pipes
up] Dreylin Willowbark at your service. Will you let us know if your
guards discover anything? We'd very much appreciate the opportunity to examine
the scene...
[Glances across to the others] As for the incident, it appears that the
intent may have been kidnap rather than murder. As you've no-doubt surmised,
access was gained by tunnelling into the cellars. |
| Leanna | I am not sure
whether Captain Harlon would want us to prejudice his investigation by
disclosing that at this point; I hope you will understand?
[Frowns slightly and opens her hands in a conciliatory gesture] Did you
or any of your family know Miss Toney well? Did she, or House Toney, have any
enemies that you know of? |
| Astinius | [Turns to
Dreylin] I'm sure we can let you know if we find anything. I'll have to
send a message as I'm certain they won't finish a thorough search until some
time tomorrow.
[Sits back for a moment] I barely knew Miss Toney. Obviously I'd seen
her at various functions with Mendel but we spoke only occasionally. A sweet
girl though. She will be missed. |
| Leanna | Well, that's very
helpful of you. I guess we should be leaving you to it in that case, unless
any of my companions have any more questions. We are staying at the Silver
Stag, or you could contact Captain Harlon of the Watch.
[Looks around] Just one more thing then... can you think of any reason
why any of your family would be a potential target of the same kidnappers or
murderers, other than the obvious monetary one? |
| Astinius | In this city
anything is possible. |
| DM | He looks like he's about
to continue when the door opens and a young man sweeps in. He is a few years
younger than Astinius with shoulder length, brown hair. Although the hair is
different you also recognise him from the picture. |
| Corwyn | Asti, apparently
someone's killed Poppy Toney! |
| DM | He notices you.
|
| Corwyn | Oh, I'm sorry I
didn't realise you had company.
[Turns to you] Corwyn Linton. Pleased to meet you. |
| Leanna | Likewise. My name
is Leanna Polymnia, and my companions and I have just brought that same news
to your brother; we have been commissioned by the Watch to look into some
matters relating to the case. Might I ask where you heard the news? Did you
know Miss Toney at all? |
| Corwyn | I knew her a
little - social functions, that sort of thing. I just heard from a man at my
club. It's all over the city apparently. What brings you here? |
| Leanna | Well, to cut a
long story fairly short, a tunnel was discovered under Poppy Toney's house,
and we believe there may be a similar tunnel leading here... [Slightly
pauses] ...and therefore came to warn your household of the potential
threat. We were just discussing with your brother why anyone might wish to
harm any members of your family, and whether you can shed any light on why
anyone might have wanted to harm or kidnap Poppy. |
| Corwyn | There's always
politics in this city. But with Poppy, I suppose it could have been more...
personal.
[Looks slightly uncomfortable]
Oh Astinius, I assume you have the guards searching the cellars. |
| DM | Astinius moves his head
a fraction which seems to be his attempt at a nod. Corwyn seems satisfied by
it. |
| Leanna | I see... or more
accurately, I don't! You can be sure that any more detailed information you
could provide us with will be treated with the utmost discretion, sir.
|
| Corwyn | There were
rumours that she may have been... involved... with another of the houses. I
really can't say more than that. |
| DM | He lapses into a
thoughtful silence. |
| Leanna | [Clears her
throat quietly] We may have heard a similar rumour... Without going into
the specifics of the rumour itself, could I perhaps ask you if you know how
well that rumour was received among the other houses, your own included, if
that isn't too impertinent a question?
[Smiles as innocently as she can] |
| Berillia | Berillia
Ankale, of the church of Valerias. If you are implying the kind of...
involvement... that my fellow priests are credited with causing, then there is
quite a possibility we would stand accused of meddling in politics and setting
up the situation leading to this turn of events.
We need to know to prevent this. In the name of sweet vengeance, know that
any information you impart to me will not travel any further, except to the
ear of Patriarch Chen at the church here in the city. |
| DM | Corwyn looks at Leanna
and Berillia but doesn't say anything. |
| Astinius | Oh come on
Corwyn, you're too polite by far. The word is that a member of one of the
other houses was rather taken with young Poppy but that the affection was not
returned. Not really an issue for the Valerian priests you see. How true this
is may be difficult to gauge but it was widely believed by both myself and the
girl's family. I couldn't presume to comment on the other houses of course.
|
| Berillia | This is
generally known where it needs to be, I take it. I'm relieved to hear it.
|
| Leanna | Well, thank you
both for your time, you have been most helpful.
[To the rest of the party] If nobody has any more questions for the
time being I think we should not impose on these gentlemen's hospitality any
longer.
[Tries to hide her eagerness to get back to the Stag in time for last
orders...] |
| Berillia | [Nods her
assent] |
| Dreylin | [Looks to
Corwyn] Well, if you have nothing to add, then I guess we'll be on our
way. |
| Narond | [Nods his
agreement] |
| DM | Corwyn and Astinius
accompany you to the door and see you out into the night (after letting you
collect your weapons).
The snow is getting quite thick and a harsh wind has begun to whistle through
Darokin's streets as you make your way along them. |
| Berillia | To the Stag
then. It's been a long day... |
| DM | You head back through
the bad weather and eventually make your way to the Stag.
It is packed with people trying to get out of the cold and the hearths are
blazing. Harry is behind the bar desperately trying to serve ten people at
once and the barmaids are weaving between the customers as they collect plates
and cups and deliver others.
Harry waves as he sees you but the buzz of conversation drowns his greeting.
As you pick your way through the crowds you see that a few tables are free at
the furthest points from the fire. |
| Berillia | [Moves to
sit at one of the tables] |
| DM | You do. |
| Leanna | [Grins] So,
whose round is it?
[Goes to the bar to get everyone a drink]
[On returning] What's the verdict on this evening's investigation then?
|
| Berillia | Anders,
[Looks around and lowers her voice a bit] is a complete... gah!
But having said that, I have to feel sorry for him. On one count, anyway... a
bit... |
| Narond | [To Leanna]
Thanks.
[Looks at Berillia] Anders was an interesting man, but we appear to
have generally drawn a blank with our overground investigations. Into the
sewers again tomorrow? |
| Leanna | [Nods] Fair
enough. I guess we'd better make it an early start to make sure we've got time
to clean ourselves up before meeting anyone of importance. |
| Narond | You have somebody
important to meet? [Nudges and winks] |
| Dreylin | We shouldn't
forget to go past the wine merchant and find out who owns the Trouscan
estate... |
| Narond | Damn, nearly
forgot about that, definitely a good idea. |
| Berillia | [Sighs at
the prospect of more smelly sewers] On the grounds that A.H. is very
unlikely to have been involved, given his reaction today, shall we make our
first line of enquiry down there the Linton entrance?
We don't really know that much about either of them - besides, there was a
third brother (or whatever) in their painting who we didn't meet at all, not
to mention various people's fathers... |
| Leanna | Fair enough. Yes,
it's the fathers that I'm interested in... No, not like that, Narond.
|
| Dreylin | We definitely
ought to try and talk to the head Hallonica, but didn't Narond say earlier
that the brothers pretty-much run Linton House. I'm guessing Harry could give
us some more info when he's not quite so busy... |
| DM | Harry is not quite so
busy now. |
| Berillia | [Attempts
to catch Harry's eye] Think you'd be best to deal with this Narond - you
know more about the Houses than I do... |
| Harry | [Wanders
over] |
| Narond | Harry, I presume
you have heard of the tragic news? |
| Harry | I think everyone
has, master Mael, and there's many a story about who's responsible too.
|
| Leanna | [Conspiratorially] Oooo, sounds interesting! Do tell...
|
| Harry | Well, some say
that her father had her killed for falling pregnant to a soldier. Some say
that she killed herself as she was pining for a lover. But most... most say
that House Hallonica had her done in for turning down their son's offer of
marriage. [Raises his eyebrows] |
| Dreylin | [Feigns
surprise] Anders!? Now who wouldn't want to marry him? |
| Berillia | [Thinks
about putting her hand up] |
| Harry | Have you met the
boy then? I've heard the rumours but never had the opportunity to see if they
were true. |
| Leanna | [Lowers her
voice slightly] We had the dubious pleasure of his company earlier, yes.
|
| Dreylin | [Indicates an
empty chair] Why don't you join us, we could use some local knowledge...
|
| Harry | [Sits down]
So how did you hear the news? |
| Dreylin | [Leans in
conspiratorially] Well, this goes no further... but the noises in the old
woman's cellar were the sounds of digging! Someone's been digging passageways
into and out of the sewer system, and in the course of investigating we came
across the body. Captain Harlon's very busy at the moment, so he's asked us to
help with the investigation - and that's how we met Anders. So we were hoping
that you could fill us in with some local knowledge of the Houses and the
current political situation so we've got a better idea who might be involved.
|
| Harry | [Looks
impressed] Well that's a turn up. Hmm. Well. As you know, Poppy is the
niece of Mendel Callister, who runs Toney House. They're small by the
standards of the Great Houses but that still makes them very important in the
City. A year ago, or so, there was talk of an alliance between Toney and House
Hallonica. Now they are very big and getting bigger all the time so you could
see why Master Callister would be interested. The whole thing fell through of
course. Anders Hallonica saw Poppy Toney at one of the Ambassadorial dances
and decided that he would rather like to have her as a wife. She,
unfortunately, had met him and so said a rather firm no. Now here the story
gets a bit sketchy. Rumour says that Anders was a bit firmer with Poppy than
she liked and that it came to blows in the end. Either way Callister and
Bertram Hallonica have a very public row about the whole thing and the
alliance is well and truly over.
[Sits back] |
| Dreylin | Interesting, so
suspicion has naturally fallen first at Anders' door.
[Ponders for a moment] Which other houses might have the most to gain
if Hallonica were discredited by such an incident? |
| Harry | All of them one
way or another. Narrowing it down might be difficult. Let me see... Al-Azred
are in direct competition with Hallonica over trading rights in Selenica. But
they have very little power in the City itself. Linton generally stay out of
this sort of thing but Hallonica has been threatening their second place
status among the Nine. There are rumours that the president and Bertram
Hallonica don't get on so that means that Mauntea may be involved.
[Thinks for a moment] Of course it may not be one of the houses. There
are other organisations in Darokin. Perhaps even the merchant's guild itself.
|
| Leanna | Do any of the
city's organisations have links with Karameikos? |
| Harry | Not that I know
of. Although the DDC must have all the usual links. |
| DM | Darokin Diplomatic
Corps. Very famous. They act as negotiators and ambassadors throughout the
world. |
| Dreylin | Hmmm. Well I
guess that doesn't get us any closer...
[To the party] What about the wine?
[Turning back to Harry] I don't suppose you'd happen to know who owned
the Trouscan Estates winery? |
| Harry | No I don't. You
could try one of the wine merchants on Vintner's Lane. |
| DM | A small argument seems
to break out in one corner of the inn. |
| Harry | Excuse me.
[Shuffles off] |
| Leanna | So what was the
plan for tomorrow? Go see wine merchant, meet Harlon, meet up with the Lintons
regarding their cellars? |
| Berillia | Sounds
reasonable - particularly if this plan doesn't involve walking through sewage
at any point... |
| Narond | Generally sounds
right, but I thought we were also going to investigate the sewers to see what
might be happening underground in person. You do realise we have assumed that
they intend to get into cellars, and that those markings could be on there for
an entirely different reason. |
| Dreylin | Well I want to
have a poke around in the tunnels again. Definitely want to see if there's any
evidence of people using the Hallonica one, and I think that we should see
what can be seen of the Linton one too.
Maybe we should split up... if some of us were visiting the Lintons while the
rest were exploring under their house... |
| Berillia | [Nods]
It's probably easier if we don't split up. If we end up finding out
different things and then forget to tell each other about it, [Looks
vaguely in the direction of Narond and Dreylin, remembering the events in the
Hallonica cellars...] we'll end up losing more time than we gain. Plus
there's always the possibility of some of us running into the Red-Headed
League in person... |
| DM | In the corner Harry
shows a surprising amount of strength by picking up one of the arguing men and
literally throwing him out. He wanders back over to you and sits down.
|
| Harry | Hm. Seems this
murder has got tempers up. Some defending but most saying it's time to bring
Hallonica down a peg or two. |
| DM | You finish your drinks,
bid goodnight to Harry and head to bed. |
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