Case Review

Log Info

• Title: Case Review
• Emitter: Seldan
• Characters: Seldan, Malik, Ashes
• Place: A10: Temple District
• Time: Tuesday, October 20, 2020, 9:13 PM
• Summary: Seldan is waiting at the Temple District Fountain, and Malik joins him. Ash is blown in, her mind on Delilah's case, as is Seldan's. They talk, discussing what they know, the guard's intention's and ask Malik to review what they have laid out. He describes some theoretical magical analysis which would help, but there isn't enough time to find a specialist before the trial. He opines they have enough information to provide reasonable doubt, as long as Seldan can locate Ella. Ash laments that proving someone else, Norrington, did the deed would be a lot better. Seldan plans to have the Knight-Lieutennants questioned under truth magic, and if the court refuses such an above-board request, then what the group is facing will be out in the open and dealt with accordingly. They part ways, and Ash never got her slice of spice cake.

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The great plaze of the Temples is a social centre, both familial and divine. It is paved in brilliant, white flagstones and covered in benches and sitting areas. The heavy atmosphere of solemn divinity is often broken by laughter. Children are everywhere. The dieties Althea and Daeus exert their presence, man and wife, surrounded by their children, the architecture echoes their loving bond. Their temples stand prominent, surrounded by their children's temples. The presence of their grace is exhibited through the actions of their worshippers, the priests, acolytes, and servicefolk of all vestments who roam the plaze on one task or another.

At the Plaza's centerpoint and centermost point is the great fountain. Situated between the Temples of Daeus and Althea, its cheerful waters reflect the Sund during the day, and the Moon and Stars at night. It is oft a place for wisdom and lesson-giving. Frequently, one priest or another stands lecturing, surrounded by the curious and the faithful, delivering messages of hope or contemplation. At other times it is the anchor when the whole plaza becomes a landscape of celebration during a holy holiday. Almost forgotten are the darker times, when demons and the Fae Queen would launch their attacks from it.

Only a few vendors are seen in the plaza. The nearby temples provide most food or services. The persistent ones sell items of tribute for the various gods, as well as statuettes, memorials and tokens. Other offerings of sacrifice, such as candles or representative paper miniatures can be found. Towards the west, the great Bridge stretches across the Tornmawr, and to the east is the butt of the Redridge mountains. The plaza rests in the midst of it all, grand with Alexandria scale, its temples massive and magnificent.

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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  Appearing, in Order  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ashes        5'11"    177 Lb     Hobgoblin         Female    A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face                           
Malik        6'2"     195 Lb     Human             Male      A sandy-haired tsuran with blue eyes.
Seldan       5'11"    187 Lb     Human             Male      Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol.                      
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Fall is well underway, and the nights in Alexandria are turning chill. It is not long after evensong, and the air is clear, the stars unveiled in a glittering dance overhead, autumn leaves whisked this way and that in a chill breeze. The chill doesn't seem to bother Seldan in the slightest, although most of the denizens of this area are headed to their domiciles, whether that be the Temples or elsewhere. Even the Elunans are settling in, nearly always the last active church in this area of an evening.

One wonders where the gods of twilight and darkness practice.

His meditations and daily work done, Seldan sits on the edge of the fountain, gazing up at the stars. There is no sign of armor, only Reunion on his hip - a thing that has not always been present during the investigations - and his usual robe over shirt and trousers, their fabric seeming to ignore the seasons.

Malik wasn't there just a moment before. And then suddenly, he is, sitting beside Seldan on the fountain, the faint rush of air displaced the first indication that something is wrong as the magic of transport takes hold. There's a small bundle in his lap, wrapped in cloth, though he doesn't move for it just yet. His hood is up, the cloak that he wears thicker and more durable than his everyday fare, and the clothes brighter and more vibrant than the usual earth tones he wears -- a positively more tsuran look than usual. From the darkness of his skin, it seems that he's been spending some time in sunnier places.

Reaching for the package, he hands it over to Seldan. "Hello, my love. The Pathfinder sends his regards. In the form of that spiced cake you seemed to take a liking to the last time you were there." A gentle smile. "I think he likes you." From the tone of voice and the smile, there's some secret joke in there, somewhere.

Ash, or more formally, Mourner Ashlee Ciaradh has been let out of evening prayers and turned to wandering. She enjoys the sombre, contemplative themes of the Vardaman rites, and a brisk wind and the growing twilight compliment them well. Autumn is not the season most associated with death, but the turning of the leaves and the change in the weather directs thoughts in that direction.

The gods of twilight practice up in the mountain, at least one of them, which is why her follower is heading downhill.

The ashen Arvec is a little cold, so she moves quickly. Her walking is mostly to automatic while she turns things over in her mind. The recent facts and general lack of information surrounding a murder and Delilah Velathor. Lost in thought and moving rather silently, she cuts an eerie figure in the gloom. Her threadbare clothes drape and flap around her, surmounted with the white skull tattoo that covers her face. She can seem like a skeleton or ghost. She drifts up just after Malik's awkward teleport and stops in front of the pair. They seem to be talking, so she waits.

And stares.

Seldan starts at the sudden figure next to him, gaze ripped from contemplation of the heavens to much more earthly matters. A welcome face, bearing welcome things, for little enough has he had of cake lately. Of any sort. A laugh bursts from him unbidden at the greeting, and the usual polite reserve that Ashes sees from him most of the time dissolves into warm affection. "Even so? Send to him my greetings, and my gratitude, when next you should see him." Pale blue eyes sparkle with whatever that secret exchange is, and he leans over for a brief kiss.

And that's when he spots the Mourner. Once the kiss is done, he straightens, formalizing some. "Mourner, Her light upon your path. Our time grows short, and it is in my mind that the Knight-Captain desires a swift end to the matter, ere the truth be revealed. I have other ideas, but would hear yours."

Malik accepts the kiss happily, that smile widening a bit at the brief exchange. "We'll go see him together, next time. I think he wants to get to know you better." A beat, and the smile fades some. "Mother too." He seems slightly *less* enthused about that particular facet. But it doesn't take him a lot of time to notice that they aren't alone, Ashes getting a nod of greeting and a pleasant smile. "Mourner," he greets. "If you're a fan of tsuran spiced cake, you should join us." A brief glance. "You might not get a chance at it later," he teases. But they clearly have business to discuss, so the wizard keeps mostly quiet for the moment, reaching up for Seldan's shoulder in a relatively mild display of affection.

Ash nods, facing the silverguard directly. Her posture is very straight, her arms hanging loose at her sides, one resting on her battered satchel. Her clothes, light, continue to flutter in the breeze. Her words are monotone, as if she's reciting.

"It does. The guards interfere in the investigation and evidence gathering. It's tampering. They fit the facts to their goal. The Knight-Captain desires a result, not the truth, and has help."

She pauses, looks over at Malik. The moment for introductions seems to have passed, so she doesn't. Her gaze returns to Seldan, "The facts prove Delilah didn't do it, but there are unknowns. We need information that points at a better subject or they will bluster the circumstantial evidence to be damning."

There was an offer of cake. She likes cake. Awkwardly she looks at the mage, holds out a hand. Her hand has bones tattoo'd on it. She stares at the cake, "I do." A pause, "Thanks."

"Such would please me, although not at once." Seldan returns the shoulder nudge with a warm, boyish smile and a warm laugh for the jab about the spiced cake. "It is true, I enjoy it a great deal and would be pleased to have some, perhaps a bit later." Although they are not indecent, there can be no doubt that the man who teleported in is someone very, very close to the paladin, and he confirms that by looking between the two. "Mourner Ashlee, my husband Malik Gitanos. Mal, Mourner Ashlee and I are working a matter of a murder, and our time grows short. I believe I have spoken to you of Knight-Captain Norrington."

"Even so. I shall seek out her alibi, for it is in my mind that I shall find her with ease. If that is so, then it but adds to the store of evidence. This would I ask of you, since your eyes see more clearly than mine. To cast magic missile at a target, one must be able to see the target. Neither the victim nor the suspect possess a means of seeing in the dark, and she is capable of but four at once. There are no few in this city capable of five, including some who would do so for hire. She also does not know the greater form of invisiblity, and the lesser form will unravel should the target attack another in any way."

"Such would please me, although not at once." Seldan returns the shoulder nudge with a warm, boyish smile and a warm laugh for the jab about the spiced cake. "It is true, I enjoy it a great deal and would be pleased to have some, perhaps a bit later." Although they are not indecent, there can be no doubt that the man who teleported in is someone very, very close to the paladin, and he confirms that by looking between the two. "Mourner Ashlee, my husband Malik Gitanos. Mal, Mourner Ashlee and I are working a matter of a murder, and our time grows short. I believe I have spoken to you of Knight-Captain Norrington."

"Even so. I shall seek out her alibi, for it is in my mind that I shall find her with ease. If that is so, then it but adds to the store of evidence. This would I ask of you, since your eyes see more clearly than mine. To cast magic missile at a target, one must be able to see the target. Neither the victim nor the suspect possess a means of seeing in the dark, and she is capable of but four at once. There are no few in this city capable of five, including some who would do so for hire. She also does not know the greater form of invisiblity, and the lesser form will unravel should the target attack another in any way. Might you determine whether it is possible that Delilah saw Bethany, but Bethany did not see Delilah, if the wounds were in the front? Would you see what wounds from the magic missiles look like?"

Malik listens to the exchange between the pair, expression darkening a bit. "The guards in this city care very little for the actual law," he says. "Some few of them are honorable men. Many others are poor men, attempting to make a living in a city where it does not pay to be upright, and pays handsomely to look the other way and achieve quick ends for the people with more gold in their coffers. They can hardly be blamed for not bearing another's cross to their own detriment when not even their own ranks will come to their aid should they cross the wrong person. Gold buys more bread than an honorable reputation does, and giving the people in power what they want is a better way to ensure a long life than standing against the tide." But the question of the magic is asked to Ash, and so Malik goes quiet again, awaiting her reply, though he too is clearly musing out the possibilities.

"They looked like Magic Missile at the examination. Five, tight, here." Ash holds her hands to indicate a circle on her front. She lets them drop. "I could find someone to shoot meat, to compare. That might be a useful evidence demonstration."

Her lips tighten, not really an expression. Much of her facial movements are obscured by her skull marking and the rest are minimal. She focuses on the mage, nodding, "Hello." and "That's true."

Attention on Seldan again, "A bag over her head would work as well as invisibility. Assuming a plan, Bethany was followed the night of her murder. Someone might have seen the tail. More than one could have taken the opportunite. Bag and shoot."

"Even so." Seldan also nods to Malik's assertion. "The Knight-Captain has brought this individual up on false charges before, and has indicated his intention to see her put away by means fair or foul. I have crossed swords with the Knight-Captain in the past over this individual. It was also in my mind to seek a servant of the Alenthor household, to determine whether a connection between Bethany Alenthor and Knight-Captain Norrington existed prior to the writ."

He pauses, finally remembering to take the cake package from Malik, if the man allows it. "True. If it is a demonstration of magic missile that you desire as evidence, I myself am capable of five, as, I think, is Seer Merek. Such a demonstration may be had, if it is desired. No blood save hers was found at the murder site?"

GAME: Malik rolls Spellcraft: (18)+24: 42

Ash shakes her head, "No. And there was little. Like it was cleaned and then she bled a bit more. Mer-mer..." She hesitates, then continues, "Seer Merek used blood biography, I examined the area. We didn't find anyone's except hers. I don't know if we touched enough."

"Speaking to the servants would help. Knight-Captain Norrington acts like a Vampire's thrall. In Blar, it was people like him who happily mastered our race. Until we killed them all. And their masters. Bethany's murder might have killed two birds, one stone, or it might be only to have a plausible motive for Delilah."

"Do magic missiles spread, can this be used to determine a range?"

Malik is quiet for a moment, sharing a glance with Seldan, though he's clearly considering what they said. "There are other ways to prove such things," he tells the others. "An attack by such a spell leaves telltale signatures. The edge of the magic is finer than any blade you could imagine, and the way it moves is different than that of an arrow, or a blade. An arrow or blade has to displace the material around it in some way, often tearing fabrics or bending and bowing metal. The edge of the magic is keener than any blade, and slices through all things rather cleanly. Metal, bone. A dagger will break a rib, shattering it in small ways, even if sharp, whereas the magic will sever it as cleanly as a sanded board. And there are rare magics that can be used to trace the signature of a particular caster, if you're familiar with it -- or allow you to recognize the signature again, if you see it, though I can't guarantee that such things can be found in this city. They're closely guarded, and even still require a keen eye and a good memory, as well as a knowledge of spellwork and magic. It's no easy feat. But prove-able beyond a doubt to those versed in arcana."

Seldan's returned look to Malik is accompanied by silence for a moment, but he turns back to Ashes. "I fear that we have not the time to search out such magics. The trial begins the day after tomorrow. It is in my mind that I have sufficient proof that Mistress Valethor did not do it, do I seek out but one or two more pieces of information. This will I tell you - each of the missiles seeks a target. If there is but one, all missiles will strike the same target. If no blood save hers was found, then it is shatteringly unlikely that she was the caster, as she is capable of but four missiles."

"I'm not that good with magic analysis." Ash says, "Those details are good. Is it possible to shoot four, then a single, to create the same effect if close enough?"

She looks away from Malik and towards Seldan, "The things I am good at aren't evidence, more hearsay. You will find Ella. I'll look at the roof. Elyanna seeks Donna and the Writ. You will question the servants. Is there time still, to questioning his Lieutenants, to evaluate their guilt in this manner? Should something else be looked at?"

"The dragonspitter evidence still confuses me."

Malik nods. "It sounds like you have all the proof you need to free the accused," he agrees. "Which seems to be the important part. The rest of it can come as it comes, with what tools you have. If you meddle in someone's plan, chances are they're going to take notice of you, and try to prevent you from doing so again. You may not even need more advanced techniques. You might just need but wait." At the mention of a Dragonspitter, his eyebrow raises a bit, but he considers the other question. "It's possible that it could be two castings of one spell, but unlikely that someone would go to so much effort. If the spell didn't finish them off, then a dagger would suffice just as well, and not leave so many signatures. I think it probably unlikely that someone would take the time to do so twice, especially for a single attack that would require a modified casting." He shrugs a bit. "It's just not prudent, really."

Ash turns and stares at Malik thoughtfully for a moment. "Elyanna suggested that. The guards said they felt Delilah got flustered and decided to switch to a loud, obvious, attention getting method, instead of a dagger. Rocks being in short supply in alleyways. Help me with this, perhaps you can explain... something. Silverguard, stand and assist me." Her words are monotone, but it sounded like an order. Some hint of military training showing perhaps. Mentally the mourner is kicking herself, some other words needed to be there. Is it okay to say them late? Perhaps it is okay to say them late. "Please."

Once Seldan is standing, she takes a piece of chalk out of her satchel. She glances over at Malik. "First shot. Entrance." She steps up and makes a chalk mark on the front of Seldan's clothes. She reaches up, adds another one coming out of his right shoulder. "Exit wound." She crouches, marks a spot on the flagstone in front of her, "Bullet recovered by Guards."

"Second shot" She moves the chalk towards Seldan's eye, hesitates and simply points with it, "Entrance wound." She walks around behind him, makes a chalk mark on the back of his head, "Exit wound." She crouches and makes another mark on the flagstone, "Bullet recovered by Silmeria, taken immediately by the guards."

The marks on the ground aren't too far apart. "Body, lying on top of them, the blood from the head had pooled and hid the holes. One shot seems like she was lying down, then executed. The other, she would have had to be upside down?"

"Two castings is possible, but without a second target, the missiles will seek the first, and there would have been eight wounds, not five." Seldan nods to Malik in agreement. "It is even as he says. Better to use the firearm, which was the second weapon. I know little of firearms, and leave the matter to those who know more. It will suffice us, I think, to establish that the accused was not the killer, and indeed was not present at the time of the murder, although we can readily also establish to the magistrate that the Guard charged with the investigation at the very least failed to do proper diligence. More may be possible, and I shall make the attempt." At Ashes' request, he does so, allowing himself to be used as demonstration.

Malik watches the demonstration, curious. The archer knows something of ballistics, after all, even if he's less familiar with the gobber technology. He cocks his head to the side, considering. "Without seeing the scene for myself, I can only speculate," he offers. "But the spell itself is limited in the amount of damage it can do. It's often enough to inflict injury, but rarely to kill." He looks at the marks on the ground, running the simulation through his mind. "So, I see two possibilities. The first is that the assailant used an opening volley of magic from the front, striking the woman as shown," he says, reaching for his chest. "As a means of defense, she turns her back to the assailant, attempting to turn -- but someone is behind her, preventing her escape. Someone short, so they have to fire upward. He takes a step back. The force knock her backwards, sending her spinning back in the direction of the initial attacker as she falls, leaving her on the ground, facing them once more -- and a shot to the eye to finish the job that a spell and a single bullet couldn't do quickly enough."

"Or," he muses, "the spellcaster is also versed in the weapon, and there is a single attacker. But I think that less likely. Spellcasting and gobber technology both take a fair amount of time to master, and unless someone is on the same path as me, is rarely a good combination. Even if they were on the same path as me, the tech in question wouldn't carry the same sorts of benefits. It would be -- strangely wasted effort, I would think. If she was attached by a spell and a dragonspitter, the most likely scenario is one attacker for each weapon, versed in their use." A cough. "Or at least, one presumes."

Ash stares as Malik explains, finally nodding at the end. "That's why I keep thinking two attackers, also. Perhaps bag first, magic missle, then dragonspitter. Magic missile one person, bag and dragonspitter the other."

"We weren't able to examine the scene until after the body had been removed, and they had taken Delilah's weapon. The magic missile didn't kill her. If she didn't die from the dragonspitter shots, what else killed her. Well, something discoverable with an autopsy. Poison. She stepped out for air, could her drink have been tampered with? Is this worth looking into?"

"It may for this purpose suffice to indicate that the Guard's indication of the family's wishes made it impossible to determine such." Seldan turns around to face Ashes, tilting his head at her and impatiently brushing a lock of hair from his face when it falls into his eyes. "Mistress Valethor wields both spell and dragonspitter, but is not accomplished enough a spellcaster to have been the caster of the spell that injured Lady Alenthor. To be both requires one of considerable power, as you have said. It is therefore much more likely that there was more than one assailant, as you have said."

Malik nods. "Then it seems that you have all the proof you need to show that there is considerable doubt that the woman accused could be the one who actually committed the offense, unless she has somehow managed to hide the true extent of her talents, even from magical scrutiny. No mean feat, that," he muses. "I would think any magistrate would have to consider such evidence compelling, should they not be in someone's pocket. And if they are, you could always ask that they make their assertions of impartiality under magical oath. You have the sway in this city to accomplish such a feat, and there is no impugn to their reputation to do so presuming that they truly wish the people to see that justice is being served fairly. Should they refuse, then you have all the more evidence you need that the woman is being treated unfairly, and the ear of nearly everyone in the city after the events of E--" His voice catches in his throat, a hand reflexively going to the scar on his neck. "For your service to the city." And then, to Ashes, "And your expertise with the dead and its causes should prove invaluable. To go against your word would be to go against the church itself, something I think highly unlikely, given how much the people of this city rely on the protection and services of the Mourners."

"I meant, if there was some evidence like a bottle of poison, with 'Property of Norrington, do not steal', at the Gilded Seahorse. Or he's well known in the Dark Market." Ash says, her monotone covering any sarcasim. She might be attempting a joke. "Elyanna measured Delilah's firing and reloading speed. She may not be capable of the swiftness of the shots either. Proving she couldn't commit the crime is good, providing evidence that points at another is better."

She looks over at Malik, "The guards seemed very confident that all these facts we discovered could still be bent to prove their case." There is a pause, while she stares quietly at Malik. She has a skull for a face, everyone who looks at her, sees death. Everytime she looks in a mirror, she's reminded. "I would never violate her or her wishes. Our examination was not very dignified."

"It is true that establishing the true killer will aid us a great deal. It is in my mind that I know who gave the order to murder Lady Alenthor, and the Knight-Captain moves the trial up, that we not be given opportunity to prove it. I give little regard to the confidence of the guards, for may in truth a facade of confidence be used to deter one's opponent in battle." Seldan appears to be unmoved by the Mourner's remark, and had directed another silent gaze at Malik while Ashes was talking. "For is not the claim of an open and shut case sufficient to deter the inquiry of most? Still do I well take your meaning." He reaches out to place a hand on Malik's shoulder when he rubs the scar, but says nothing of it. "It is in my mind to demand that the Knight-Lieutenant answer before the magistrate, under magical scrutiny, what his or her orders were concerning the investigation, and who gave those orders." This last, he lowers his voice to say.

"The dead care very little for dignity, I've found. That's a concern of the living who mourn them. At the very least, no corpse has ever complained to me about a lack of dignity in their death. Though many ghosts complain about a lack of justice." A smile to Ashes. "Though I suppose you would know better than I what the Gray Lady commands of the living when it comes to the dead." And then, a look back at Seldan, and a wan smile there. "I'm alright, love. Just tired, I think. The difference in the position of the sun when travelling by magic tends to make one weary, no matter how many times it happens." He reaches up, putting a hand on Seldan's shoulder. "I think I'll head home, and call it an early night. I'll see you when you return?" More a question than a statement, really, given how pressed for time they are.

"I can't cast those spells. Can the Speaker?" Ash asks, then turns her attention to Malik, "Can you? Are you independent enough the court would allow you to cast truth spells, or will we have to get a third party? Oh, you're leaving. Have a safe teleport." She looks back at Seldan, "A bluff, a feint. I understand."

Then she stands there, uncertain what to say or do next. She's full of things she doesn't know how to express, and wants a smoke. Not that it will help much. Her familiar appears at the collar of her neck, then encircles it like a choker. It's a rather large house centipede. It runs around her neck a couple times then tightens up. She gently touches him on the head.

Seldan smiles at Malik, and reaches up to cover that hand with his own. "The magistrate will doubtless employ those capable of doing so. I have little fear. Still ... I would accompany you, Mal. I weary of a stone cell, and tomorrow is time enough to return. Dare we seek the house, or do you prefer another place?" He gently disengages long enough to grab the spiced cake from where it had been left on he edge of the fountain.

Ashes gets a steady, but odd, look as he moves to return to Malik. "Fear nor, Mourner. We will find what is needed."

"I think that we can brave the house for a night," Malik says, though there's a glint in his eye. "Unless you prefer to go back to where we lived prior to that?" A sly smile there, a shared secret between them. "Perhaps the cooking got better? I suppose it depends on which you fear to sleep in the least." A nod to the mourner, and he's off, letting Seldan decide.