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Post by Game Master on Mar 22, 2007 3:17:50 GMT -5
Tull knew the way to the girls house. It was on the Eastern edge of town nestled between the Old Kingdom River and a large hill (#7). It was of modest size, probably only a couple rooms and maybe a loft. A man and a woman (Tull pointed them out as the girls parents) were talking to a man in constable cloths, "Probably the deputy." Tull remarked. The girls father noticed Tull and motioned the group over.
The deputy looked over his shoulder and his face brightened. "Oh thank the Lord of Light. Constable Ritage said he'd be sending me an expert and his assistants. I must admit I'm in way over my head here. I'm at a loss. I'm deputy murdock. Which one of you is in charge then?"
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Post by homeskillet on Mar 22, 2007 9:15:33 GMT -5
" No one is in charge," Stone answers," We are a brotherhood." Stone begins to look around and bows to the parents. " I am sorry for your loss, but as gesture of our concern we would like to assist in finding your daughter." Stone rises, takes one more look about, motions to Mason to start looking for clues and returns his gaze to Deputy Murdock, bowing," Deputy Murdock we are at your service. I am called Stone, the man over there( pointing at Mason) is Mason, the dwarf is Sull and this good fellow is Tull," Stone rises," We would like to offer our talents to help you in any way."
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Post by Game Master on Mar 23, 2007 1:49:15 GMT -5
"Hey, slow down there, uhh, Stone was it? I need help but, ahh, official help. Know what I mean? I can't just let you men wander around if your not with the constabulary. Sorry friends but I'll have to ask you to..."
"Deputy Murdock." The father spoke in a manner that demanded attention.
"Uhh, Yeah Cette?" The deputy responded somewhat taken back.
"I am Nilla's father and if these fine folk wish to help I see no reason why they..." The deputy cut him off
"Sorry Cette. I have procedures. There is no telling what evidence these folks may disturb or destroy while trying to help. Only official Constables can change that." Murdock sounded regretful but firm in his decision.
"Then...then..swear them in or something Deputy! I want my daughter back and if Tull here and his Friends can help I want them to. Is that understood?" Cette seemed just as determined as Murdock and the poor deputy looked more and more out of his league.
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Post by sfliegel on Mar 23, 2007 9:33:11 GMT -5
The three marched quickly toward house of the kidnapping. They moved in silence until the house finally came into view. Lord Kursaville pointed to the house, "That's the house up there on the right."
As they approached they noticed a bit of activity outside of the house. Moving closer they found the front door was wide open and they could hear raised voices coming from inside.
They looked at each other for a moment, listening to the argument. Firebug whispred first, "There seems to be others trying to get into the crime scene."
Lord Kursaville replied, "We could use the help you know. Especially since we're down two people."
Siff began to push the two toward the door, "We'd better get inside before any evidence gets lost or destroyed."
Lord Kursaville entered first followed by Firebug then Siff. They first to catch his eye was the deputy who seemed to be arguing with what looked like the parents, a bald hippie, another human who looked out of place in even a small town like Garrotten and two Dwarves.
Lord Kursaville growled with his most commanding voice, "Deputy Murdock, what is the meaning of this?"
The deputy instinctively snapped to attention and the rest stopped talking to see who had spoken. "My name is Lord Kursaville, newly appointed Constable. Why don't you gentlement step outside with me? Deputy, you stay here with the parents, I shall return in a moment."
Kursaville, Firebug and Siff filed back out of the house followed by the other two humans and both dwarves. Once outside Lord Kursaville finally spoke, "Gentlemen, I'm not one to turn away help but I can not have you trampling over this crime scene. I can see that you are concerned and are eager to help, and that's fine. If you really want to help then we must do this in an orderly fashion and you will follow my direction, understood? Now how about some introductions?"
Pointing to his right Lord Kursaville continued, "These are my assistances, this is Master Firebug and this is Lady Siff. Who might you be?"
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Post by homeskillet on Mar 23, 2007 11:02:50 GMT -5
Stone bows to Lord Kursaville," First, I must apologize," Stone concurs," I meant no dishonor to your deputy. I was willing to follow all procedures as necessary. I never intended on creating the scene that appeared." Stone then rose looked over the other two, Firebug and the Lady Siff. She was almost as beautiful as Klarina. " I am Stone; Earthmaster," Stone says this with conviction," These are my brothers, Mason; Expert Tracker, Sull; Combustible Master and my good friend Tull; Master Guide. We come here to help this family become one again. Please allow us to help, our talents are at your service." Stone gives another quick bow.
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Post by sfliegel on Mar 23, 2007 17:08:25 GMT -5
Lord Kursaville stood with his hands on his hips, "Well okay then. As along as the four of you follow my directions then I think we will get along just fine. Sull is it? If you are an expert tracker, then I want to find where, how and which way our kidnappers entered and left from. And you're Tull right? You seem familiar with the family, I want you and Lady Siff to get as much detail as you can about the the families' current history, enemies or anyone with an axe to grind. See if they have had any recent threats. Stone and Mason, I want you two to check out the neighbors. See if they heard or saw anything out of the ordinary in the last couple days. Try not to give up too much info, you don't know who you'll be talking with so don't tip your hand. Master Firebug and myself will investigate the girls room and check for clues there. Are there any questions?"
Firebug raised an index finger, "Lord Kursaville if I may add something. Master Tull, if you are close to this family, we will also need to know about any friends that Nasha has and how to contact them. Also, I'll need to know if she has any favorite toys or something that she usually has with her and if it were left behind when she disappeared."
Siff introduced herself to Tull as they walked toward the door and shook hands. Kursaville and Firebug also moved back into the house. Kursavile approached the deputy, "Son, I think we can handle things from here. Constable Ritage will need you back at the station. Before you go please let me have the case file, notes and anything you have collected so far."
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Post by homeskillet on Mar 23, 2007 17:19:20 GMT -5
Sull is laughing like a mad-man. Even though he would love to follow in Mason's footsteps this mistaken identity was too much for him. Stone quickly hushes Sull's laughter. Stone walks over to Lord Kursaville, taps him on the shoulder to get his attention and says," Lord Kursaville, there seems to be a mistake. Mason is a Ranger and a skilled outdoors man. Sull is a master with combustibles. It wouldn't be a good idea to have him looking entry and exit clues. It may be wise to have him help Mason since the two have gotten along so well since our last job. Also, when did the girl go missing?" Stone smiles.
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Post by sfliegel on Mar 23, 2007 17:31:30 GMT -5
Lord Kursaville frowned as he stratched the back of his head, "Well, I must have misunderstood with your introductions. I meant no offense of course. Please Sull, if you'll accompany Stone to interview the neighbors and Mason I ask that you then examine the grounds for footprints."
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Post by Game Master on Mar 25, 2007 3:11:55 GMT -5
****The Family****
Tull the halfling leads the priestess Siff with introductions. "Lady Siff, this is Master Cette D'encre and his wife Emmi."
"Hello Master D'encre, Emmi. I am a Priestess of Light and wish only to find your daughter Nilla and return her to you." Siff assured them. Could you tell us what happened and if you have any ideas who may be behind all this?"
"My lady we know only that she was taken two nights ago from her bed. She sleeps in the loft up there and the small window does not open. The front door was still locked when we awoke at dawn to tend to the Barons fields." Master Cette explained with frustration.
"We no not what happened! OH, I never should have gone to the Madam! She predicted a bad omen for our family this month. To think I thought it was when Cette lost his pitch fork and was forced to buy another. Oh how foolish." Emmi wailed in despair while Cette comforted her.
"Madam?" Siff prompted.
"We have a fortune teller here in town." Tull explained when Emmi could not. "She's quite good. She predicts bad weather, higher taxes, raids, if a couple with child will have a boy or girl. That sort of thing."
"I see. Master Cette, please. I need you to think hard. Is there ANYONE who you may have slighted or begrudged of late who may wish ill will to any of your family? Even something you feel is nothing may be of importance." Siff continued with a calm and gentle voice.
"I ahh, well I accused Master Moonhaven, our neighbor of taking my pitchfork. He had always admired it. I apologized the next day though when I realized how foolish the remark was." Cette started. "Then there was the Baron's Field Master. He was quite put out with me when I lost my Pitch fork. I'm rather good with it you see and he was forced to assign me to stacking instead for a full week while Master Halfhelm forged me a new one."
"Don't forget Tull's Uncle Jhessil." Emmi added after collecting herself some. "We have run up quite a large tab with him of late I'm afraid." pause "Sorry Tull." she added after she said it.
"No need. Siff asked for anything no matter how insignificant." The halfling assured them.
"What do you think will happen Tull? Deputy Murdock seemed to think we might receive a ransom note of some kind but its been two days!" Emmi asked in desperation.
"We'll find her Emmi. We have some pretty diverse skills in this group and Lady Siff's as well I'd gather." Tull reassured the emotional Emmi.
"Thank you Tull. If that will be all I'd like to lay down for awhile."
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Post by Game Master on Mar 25, 2007 3:32:00 GMT -5
****The Neighbors****
Aiko quietly asked deputy Murdock just who the neghbors were.
"Oh, there are only two homes to the east of the D'encres cabin. We're at the outskirts of town you know. The one right next door belongs to another farmer named Moonhaven. He's an exiled elf or somesuch. Doesn't like to talk about his past. Anyway he won't be home. You can find him out in the Baron's field till sundown. Its over behind the castle. He's tall with long wavy hair the color of straw. The second house up is owned by a local trapper by the name of 'Fox'. Don't know his real name. He's in and out all the time. He was skinning some animals he'd caught yesterday when I talked with him. Said he'd been out of town and had just got back." Murdock wished Stone and Sull luck before leaving to report to Constible Ritage.
"Case solved. Trapper did it. He lie about being out of town. Probably skinned the girl. Poor little Nilla. We go kill this Fox now Stone?" Sull asked with a completely straight face.
Stone looks about quickly but it seemed no one else had heard Sulls odd comment.
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Post by Game Master on Mar 25, 2007 3:48:09 GMT -5
****The Print****
Mason began looking around the house for tracks of any kind. He wasn't expecting much. It had been two days with neighbors, the deputy and most likely the parents as well roaming around looking for the girl. The weather had been dry so no chance of a good mud imprint. Just dust and grass. He looked for anything out of the ordinary, occasionally looking at the outside of the house at windows, roof and walls for any sign of trespassing. He found partial prints everywhere. The mothers, the fathers, the deputies. All going here and there crossing each other and making in a nut shell a mess. Then just as he was about to give up, he saw it. A boot print. Sturdy work-boot. Not real deep, narrow imprint. The man was slight of build or young, or a woman. It was two days old and it didn't fit the three sets of prints he had already identified. "Could be our man." Mason whispered to himself as he often did while alone in the forest. He tried desperately to find more of the unidentified boot prints but to no avail. He marked the spot by stabbing a stick into the ground beside it and wrapping a small piece of cloth around the top to find it easily. Mason moved to stand behind the print and outstretched his arm in an invisible line to see the direction the person was headed. Following his hand Mason looked directly at the D'encres home. More importantly. He was looking at the tiny loft window.
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Post by Game Master on Mar 25, 2007 4:06:48 GMT -5
****The Loft****
With case files in hand, Lord Kursaville led Firebug upstairs where the D'encres said the little Nilla slept at night. The Case file was pitifully empty. The deputy had wrote down interviews with both neighbors, looked but found no forced entry, discerned no threatening people or anyone wishing harm on the family. The little girl was simply gone without a trace. deputy Murdock wrote a comment on sitting things out until a ransom note arrived. Then he felt he could move forward.
The loft was small. Both men had to stoop over at the waist to walk around the little area. A tiny circular window was at the center of the wall close to the ceiling. The roof was low however and It could have been reached by Nilla with ease. A quick scan showed that the window was not built to open and still secure in its housing. Mason could be seen in the grass looking intently at the ground. The room was sparse. A straw mattress, a thread bare blanket filled with holes, a small, wooden, three legged stool that most likely also served as a table was off in a corner. The wall above the bed had charcoal drawing of a landscape. animals, the sun, a cave, trees and hills dotted the wall with no rhyme or reason as children often do. Three stick figures stood outside a house as well, one small and two larger. A small wooden bow lay at the foot of the makeshift bedding.
"Her prized possessions are to be found in that trinket box according to the mother Emmi." Kursaville stated.
Firebug lifted the box and set it on the stool. "we should probably document our findings for reference later." Firebug suggested as he opened the tiny, fragile latch. It was paper thin and almost bent off in Firebugs hand. Lifting open the lid, Firebug scanned the items. A charcoal pencil warn down to a small nub. A small piece of blank parchment. The poor girl probably couldn't bring herself to use it and drew on her walls instead. He thought. I copper piece, a couple small rocks of a pretty orange color and a "What the?"
Firebugs exclamation made Kursaville jump. "What? What is it?"
Firebug stared at the figurine. It was a little wooden figure of a man. It was burnt over a good portion of its surface. And looked startlingly familiar. Firebug franticly patted his body until he found his own figurine. It was still there safe and sound. "I don't..." Firebug saw differences now. The man was similar but definitely not an exact copy of his own lucky charm. Still the piece was unsettling to look at.
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Post by homeskillet on Mar 25, 2007 12:05:33 GMT -5
****The Family****
Tull took Emmi's hand and patted it compassionately, to comfort her, he turned to Lady Siff," Do you have anymore questions for Emmi, Lady Siff?"
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Post by homeskillet on Mar 25, 2007 12:15:45 GMT -5
****The Neighbors****
Stone quickly ushered Sull outside and once he was comfortably outside and alone with Sull he began tutoring his friend," Sull. I know it is difficult, but we just can't jump to the end. We have to begin at start. You may be correct in your idea, but we must first make sure. Sull, please, think with your heart. The family does not want to hear of skinning right now. We are investigators, not seers. We need facts, not guesses. So let us start with the trapper and then Moonhaven," Stone smiles," all right, brother?" Stone begins walking toward the trapper's house.
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Post by Game Master on Mar 25, 2007 13:42:06 GMT -5
****The Family**** Tull took Emmi's hand and patted it compassionately, to comfort her, he turned to Lady Siff," Do you have anymore questions for Emmi, Lady Siff?" "No. Lets wait for Lord Kursaville and Firebug outside." |
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