Wandered Roads 13

Wandered Roads of Varisia
Session 13
July 14, 2012

Campaign Timeline

Murder She Wrote

Fireday, 7th of Lamashan

After 3 days, the rain had finally stopped, and with the morning sun came the Sheriff of

Sandpoint. Belor Hemlock approached the gathered heroes (Kalin, Calina, Daellin, Ehlyna and Vexeron. Samad was busy with guard duty and Ellie was off wandering around somewhere) while they ate breakfast in the Rusty Dragon Inn. Ameiko, the owner of the tavern, noted the serious look on the Sheriff’s face and stepped away to give the group some privacy.

After his usual offers of thanks, he again asked the party for help. He explained that there had been some murders and he was worried that it was more than he and his town guards could handle. He was concerned that these murders were the beginning of something bad, like what had happened 5 years ago with Chopper and the Late Unpleasantness. He was also concerned because several things about these murders pointed to involvement with the heroes themselves. When the party agreed to help, the sheriff deputized the entire group and told them they had the full support of the sheriff, the town and the mayor.

On the way to the murder scene, the Sandpoint Lumber Mill, he explained that this was in fact the 2nd murder in the last few days, and that he had hoped that the first one was just an isolated incident, but after examining the most recent scene, he determined that they were connected and it was highly likely that more murders would happen. Once at the Sawmill, the party reconnected with their new companion, Samad the Foxtooth, who had been tasked with guarding the mill with some of the other mercenary guards. At the party’s request, the Sheriff had him join the group to act as a direct liaison between the party and the sheriff.

The sheriff also revealed a blood soaked note that had been pinned to one of the murder victims. The note was addressed to the Dwarf Ehlyna and read “I do as you command, my master!” and signed by “Your Lordship.” The sheriff reiterates that he does not believe that Ehlyna or the group is anyway involved in the murders, but that the note could cause distrust if it was made known to the public.

One of the foremen of the lumber mill, Banny Harker, was found dead this morning by his partner, Ibor Thorn. The body of local girl Katrine Vinder was also found. Harker’s body was mutilated and hung from hooks on the wall and upon his bare chest a 7-pointed rune symbol

was carved by a sharp blade. There is a stunned silence as everyone recognizes the symbol as one they have seen many times recently, most notably as the symbol on the medallion that Ehlyna currently wears around her neck. The man’s entire lower jaw and most of his throat were also removed from his body. There were also quite a few shallow scratches on his body. Katrine was found spread about the lower level of the mill, her body apparently having been torn apart by the large saw blade used to split logs into lumber.

The sheriff described the scene of the original murder scene to be similar, though it contained 3 bodies all mutilated identical to Harkers with the carved rune on their chest and their lower jaws missing as well. He also indicated that a potential witness to the first murder had been found, but he showed signs of insanity and had been taken to Habe’s Sanatorium a few miles outside of town for treatment. The sheriff showed the group a note that was found at the crime scene that indicates that the three men were lured to their deaths.  The note was addressed to Messrs. Mortwell, Hask, and Tabe, the names of the deceased, and read “A deal has come about that I need capital in. It involves property and gold, and though I am not at liberty to tell you the exact details, it will make us all rich. Come to Bradley’s Barn on Cougar Creek tonight. We can meet there to discuss our futures.” and was again signed by “Your Lordship.”

The party examined the crime scene and found a few clues such as bloody handprints on a suspicious axe embedded into the floor and muddy footprints that were present inside the mill as well as outside on the pier. The strange smell of rotted meat was present in certain areas as well.  Kallin was able to make contact with the spirits of the two deceased, but was not able to confirm much other than the two of them had met at the mill to pursue an ongoing secret love affair they had been involved in. During the investigation, Samad became violently ill with dizziness, fever and nausea and began retching and vomiting to the point that he could not walk. He was taken to the Cathedral and Father Zantus examined him and declared that he had contracted Filth Fever, no doubt from the incident with the demonic dire rat several days prior in the ruins under the town. He was easily cured of this disease by the priests divine magic and the investigation continued.

Ibor Thorn was interrogated and Kallin attempted to speak to the spirits of the first 3 murder

Brodert Quink

victims, but no information was gleaned there. Others spoke to the local sage, Brodert Quink, who was an expert on ancient Thassilon and possibly had some insight as to the meaning of the 7-pointed rune. Quink was happy to help and excited to be involved in a murder investigation. He explained that the rune embodied the 7 virtues of rule (wealth, fertility, honest pride, abundance, eager striving, righteous anger and rest) as well as being associated with the 7 Thassilonian schools of rune magic (abjuration, conjuration, enchantment, evocation, illusion, necromancy and transmutation). He went on to explain that the rune, called the Sihedron (Sy-dran) Rune, had over time, come to represent the 7 mortal sins (envy, sloth, lust, wrath, pride, gluttony and greed) and that the combined magics of each of the 7 styles of magic made for very powerful energy and was often used as symbol or mark by the Runelords.

The group then made arrangements to ride out to Habe’s Sanitarium to speak with the witness to the first murder. On their way out of town, the Sheriff asked if Ehlyna would join him at the garrison so they could go over some questions he had to help maintain her innocence in the murders in case word of the note address to her ever got out. She agreed, stating that she didn’t want to go on a horse ride to the country anyway.

After a short ride, the group arrived at The Saintly Haven of Respite, better known locally as Habe’s Sanatorium. The squat, stone building that serves as the sanatorium has three floors under a stout stone-flagged roof, built in the lee of the limestone escarpment known as Ashen Rise.

The doctor, Erin Habe, begrudgingly allows entrance to the building because of the parties

newly deputized status. The inside of the Sanatorium is pleasant.  All doors are simple wooden ones, and a brisk sense of cleanliness fills the place—floors are scrubbed and walls are freshly painted white. The somewhat sour smell of burning incense abounds—a scent that Habe explains he has found soothes most deviant minds. Habe and his two assistants escort the group to his patients room. He explains that the man, Grayst Sevilia, is in a very delicate state at the moment, very emotionally unhinged, no doubt due to the horrific murders he witnessed recently. The only thing Habe has been able to get out of the man were incoherent ramblings about “too many teeth” and “razors” and the cryptic warning “The Skinsaw Man is coming!”

When allowed to see the straight-jacketed man, he is indeed in the grips of insanity. He appears both physically and mentally sick. He becomes very agitated when questioned and enraged because “he told me she would come. He told me the Dwarf would come and I

"The Skinsaw Man is coming!"

should give her a message.” He goes into a rage about how much he “hates her” and is “jealous of her” and wants to “kill her!” He is indeed talking about Ehlyna, but fortunately she had remained in town with the sheriff. Eventually he divulges some useful information about the “Skinsaw Man” but only after Calina crouches down and pretends to be Ehlyna. Grayst tells her:

“He said. He said you would visit me. His Lordship. The one that unmade me said so. He has a place for you. A precious place. I’m so jealous. He has a message for you. He made me remember it. I hope I haven’t forgotten. The master wouldn’t approve if I forgot. Let me see… let… me… see… He said that the bodies you are finding are signs and portents; that when he is done, you shall be remembered forever and the Misgivings shall be your throne!”

The deranged man then ripped out of his straight jacket and launched himself at Calina screaming bloody murder. Calina was able to dodge his attack and knock him to the ground as Daellin used his Elvish magic to levitate the man off the ground. The orderlies quickly subdued him and restrained him again as Dr. Habe ushered the party out, complaining that they have greatly upset his patient.

Once outside, the group debated their next plan, coming up with the idea of camping out near the Sanatorium to wait for the eventual return of the Skinsaw Man, but their plans were interrupted by blood curdling screams coming from back inside the building. Everyone rushed back in to see Grayst, now even more sickly looking, attacking the orderlies and the doctor. Habe yells out, “I am sorry, I should have known better! This man has been afflicted with Ghoul Fever! I knew it, but I thought I could help him. Please save us!”

The man, deep in the throes of Ghoul Fever seemed to make short work of the two capable orderlies. Some of the party engaged Grayst, attempting to subdue him while others attended to the wounded orderlies and doctor. The man was quickly taken out, again by Daellin’s levitation magic. The doctor says that it is apparent that Grayst has not fully succumbed to the evil sickness yet and that if he was tended to by Father Zantus quickly, he may still be saved.

Continuing Story Summary

This time the continuing story saw no love, sadly. It's hit or miss some times.

Characters Present:

Kallin Hawkril, Half-Orc shaman and budding Priest of Pharasma - played by +Daniel Ernst
Calina - Varisian Human archer and scout - played by +Carol Coburn
Daellin Silvanthalas, Elven Farstrider Ranger - played by +Ben Lipe
Vexeron, Human wizard - played by +Greg Grady
Ehlyna Fuzziface - Dwarven Warrior - played by +Jodi H
Samad Aldhul, Human ex-mercenary - played by +JeCorey Holder
Ellie - Halfling Finder of Things - played by +Megan McCarron

and +Jason Woollard as the DM