Chapter 1: The Body

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Dec 15, 2024 12:47 pm
The warrior nodded in agreement with the feline, "Agreed. It would seem deliberate - unless he happens to be the owner. But I see no clues to their origin."
Dec 16, 2024 2:38 am
You do not recognize the symbol. As you console the woman and investigate the bodies, you hear the distinct sound of metal armor-clad people approaching the area, seemingly in a rush. After a moment, you see a five-member watch patrol appear, crossbows drawn. They survey the scene, and then look at you. "What’s going on here?"
Dec 16, 2024 12:10 pm
Eril stepped forward to address the patrol, "Good day, Eril Whitebath II, priest of Adhelmus Oxda. We all responded to the cries of this woman and upon arriving found this pack of dogs menacing her. They had already killed this man..." Eril motioned to the man on the ground, "So we dispatched them in order to protect her, we have done some initial investigating to try and find the identity of the man but have not been able to as of yet" his tone and cadence showed that he'd given such reports before as an initiate at the church. Straight, to the point, direct, it was the best way.
Dec 16, 2024 12:16 pm
Lunori clears his throat, his feline eyes glinting with a hint of mischief as he prepares to speak.

"We were drawn here by a loud, distressing cry. Strangers we may be, yet fate entwined our paths. Upon arriving, we found this unfortunate man beset by ferocious hounds. Thanks to our valiant efforts, we vanquished those savage beasts and saved the day."

As he speaks, Lunori gestures towards the man's lifeless body and the defeated dogs, his voice resonating with both gravity and a touch of theatrical flair.
Dec 16, 2024 12:49 pm
Aldezar does not speak, allowing the others to speak with the guards, he hangs back observing.
Dec 16, 2024 3:31 pm
Breg kindly remains silent as well.
Dec 17, 2024 6:41 pm
Still recovering from her injuries, Zirah also holds back and allows others to speak. She is worried about the turn of events, though.

When an opportunity presents itself, she'll ask the guards and others. "Is this a common, or historic occurrence? Have packs of dogs been attacking anyone else in the city?"
Dec 18, 2024 1:58 am
One of the guardsmen, presumably the patrol leader, checks the body of the man, frowns, and covers it with a tarp. Three others begin collecting the bodies of the dogs, stacking them in a heap. The fifth guardsman departs the scene with an air of purpose. The patrol leader rises and addresses all of you. "We'll need statements. No, it is not a common occurrence. Hope Park is known to be home to a lot of animals, but wild dogs are not among them, and the animals here have seldom attacked anyone who didn't molest them."

The woman approaches the guard. "My name is Marina, and these folk saved me. I was walking home through the park, as I often do when I came upon this pack devouring a man on a bench. When they saw me, they turned on me." He dutifully jots down everything she says without comment.
Dec 19, 2024 4:49 pm
Zirah nods, the excitement of the event gradually fading away as she is able to regard the events with some neutrality. "I can attest to the dogs' savagery. I was almost a victim myself. Though I admit to instigating the battle to get the dog away from the lady here."
Last edited December 19, 2024 4:50 pm
Dec 19, 2024 9:18 pm
Aldezar had stood quietly, but hearing the guards assumption on the dogs. "I would not assume they are wild. All of the dogs have the same small brand. Would indicate they have the same owner or trainer, perhaps that they were bred together."
Dec 20, 2024 7:05 pm
The guardsman stops writing. "A brand, you say?"
Dec 20, 2024 7:36 pm
Aldezar walks over to the nearest dog, shows the guard the symbol of the cracked human skull on the left hip. "Same mark, on the same spot for all four dogs. None of us recognize it, but these animals all came from the same place. Mean anything to you?"
Quote:
You notice that each dog bears a small branding mark on its left hip; the mark resembles a cracked human skull.
Dec 21, 2024 11:29 am
Lunari looks with care the sign trying to recall if he seen it before.

Rolls

Knowledge (all +4, +8 if history) - (1d20+4)

(17) + 4 = 21

Dec 21, 2024 8:56 pm
Lunori, you recognize it as a gang marking, but which one you don't know. The guardsman notes the branding in his log, along with a sketch of the brand.
Dec 21, 2024 9:05 pm
Breg gazes hazel eyes upon the branding.

Rolls

Knowledge (Local) (Int) - (1d20+4)

(19) + 4 = 23

Dec 22, 2024 3:52 am
OOC:
Same as Lunori. It is definitely a gang sign, and you think it is the sign of the Skullcrackers, a relatively minor gang in the Great City. You've heard very little of the Skullcrackers. They mostly remain undercover and keep their membership and recruiting methods a secret.
Dec 22, 2024 4:35 am
Having given his statement already, and the others filling in the report with the brand on the dogs, as well as Marina's own statement Eril felt that the guards would have enough to go on in order to track down the owners of these dogs were there any and bring them to justice.

"Is there anything else you need from us? This whole affair was harrowing for some I am sure"
Dec 22, 2024 8:08 am
"I believe it is a gang marking, but I cannot for my 9 lives remeber which one!"
Dec 22, 2024 12:56 pm
Aldezar looked at the feline and nodded, "A gang mark. That would make sense, they like to mark their members and property. Dogs are used as guards and sport, so what are these doing here?"

Looking over at Breg, "You searched the man, found nothing, no tattoo or gang markings?"

"It is possible this is an accident, a group of gang hounds gets loose in the park, but what if that man was targeted by whatever gang this is."
Dec 22, 2024 4:57 pm
Breg did a cursory search, looking for identification, of which there was none. He did not find any unusual tattoos or marks on the man's arms or hands, but he did not have time to thoroughly check the entire body before the guards arrived.
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