The party travel through Mab and Ingrast to Felric's Redoubt. A group of Elves from Ingrast (who are apprently looking for bandits matching the party's description) stop the party at bow-point and demand to search through the party's things. The party consider their options and grudgingly allow their things to be searched.
Fireday the 3rd of Prounus
The party eventually arrive in Felric's Redoubt and find an inn. They learn at the inn that there have been several murders, and all seem to have been done by the 'Fat Man'. They also know that a knight from Order of the Knights Equinus is here investigating the murders.
Waterday the 4th of Pronus
Some time is spent gathering information, one of the crime scenes are investigated, and an attempt is made to convince the city watch (resulting only in increased suspicion of the strange Elf which wanted to help the local authorities solve their internal problems). They do learn that another murder happened yesterday, also attributed to the Fat Man. They also learn that the murderer is called the 'Fat Man' because the food in each victim's pantry has been gorged upon. Eventually they wind up at the Knights Paeso where Thorhal announces they have been sent from Belm to help. They are directed to the Knights Equenis where they meet Sir MacFlin. He accepts and welcomes their help, and shares his knowledge with the party.
There have been three murders. The first was a retired woman, Cenwin, about a month ago. The second and most prominent was the Bishop Belfric, who was murdered in his manor four days later. The most recent happened yesterday, when a suspected magician called Elfred was killed.
All three murders have several things in common: The murderer killed each victim by cutting their throat. After killing them, he always raids their pantry and gorges as much as he can, making a huge mess in the process. In the Bishop's case this was an enormous amount. Sometimes the killer tries to hide the evidence or clean up the murder scene. Belfric was found on his bed with covers over his head, and Elfred's body was dumped in a rubbish pile and his rug was missing. There are never any witnesses. Cenwin and Elfred lived alone, and the Bishop had given his staff the day off. The killer seems to have walked in and walked out unhindered and unnoticed. No valuables are ever stolen.
It's late, but upon request Sir MacFlin takes the party to Elfred's house, the crime scene being still relatively fresh. It seems things have already been cleaned up. Laen tries to get his wolf, Fang, to track the killer's scent, however after only one day the smell has already faded, and Fang is confused about what to do. The ever-opportunistic Xavier notices that none of the valueables have been stolen and takes a small statuette from the mantelpiece (worth 70gp).
Iceday the 5th of Pronus
The party investigate the other crime scenes. Unfortunately most of their enquiries turn up loose ends thus far. No special secret trapdoors are found. To Lyam's extensive knowledge, no documented monster exists which behave as the Fat Man. Even the church's attempts at divining the killer's location have failed. The party is disheartened and powerless.
GM's Notes:
- Obstacles Overcome:
≈10 elven bandit hunters, CR3 => 1600 each@lvl4, 1500 each@lvl5
Xavier = 13666XP + 1500XP = 15166XP, (3% to level 7, new level!)
Laén = 14766XP + 1500XP = 16266XP, (21% to level 7, new level!)
Þórhal = 13604XP + 1500XP = 15104XP, (2% to level 7, new level!)
Lyam = 6800XP + 1600XP = 8400XP (60% to level 5)
Fjidor = 6800XP + 1600XP = 8400XP (60% to level 5) - Location, Location:
We played at Floriano's place for the first time. I finally invested in a printer, so I had *most* of the mateirial that I needed with me. It just means that instead of me scrolling through pages to find character names etc, I flip through pages to do it. - On Murder Mysteries:
This is my first DnD murder mystery. I sensed during the game that the players were becoming anxious for something to happen, and that they were starting to yawn uncontrollably. I spoke with two of the players whilst walking home and confirmed my impression. The players want to get in there and solve the mystery, but all of the clues haven't surfaced (yet?). Many of their efforts were for naught. I'll think on it and see what can be done. At the very least, I'll skip forward over the fruitless nothing-will-happen-anyway parts.
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