The Sweet Smell of Death E

Summary Information
Synopsis: A murder mystery set in the legion town of Fobin. Originally written for Legionnaires, but anyone in town will do.
Relevant articles: Fobin
The Wooden Tankard Inn
The Feast of Halane
Date of the Adventure: 30 the of Agrazhar to 7th of Halane (during the Halean festival)
Number 1-5 players of mid-range skill.

Table of Contents

Introduction
A Brief Note on Time in H&#acirc;rn
Time Line
What Happened
Characters
Helen of Asarn
Trelvus of Yemala
Spunius of Bairtel
Master Merchant Cirus Daimel's Itenerary
Flotubrius of Bylin's Itinerary
Artivus of Odirim's Red Herring
What Lordai will Do If.
Jongur's Itinerary for the Feast
Terrius's Itinerary for the Feast
Silulus's Itinerary for the Feast
Portuna's Itinerary for the Feast
Naniula's Itinerary for the Feast
Grato's Itinerary for the Feast

Conclusions

Introduction

In the first week of Halane, there are feasts, festivals and caravans at every fort and town in the Thardic Republic. In Fobin the first week of Halane has become far more than just a feast for Halea - it is also a time when merchants can meet and plan out their seasonal travels. The last few days of Agrazhar are filled with local activities, preparations and arrivals.

The characters and what happens (in chronological order) are listed below. Clues include physical, magical and religious options. Since it's a fantasy game, I'm trying to cover all the various aspects and possibilities.

This adventure uses characters created with an excel spreadsheet based on H&#acirc;rnMaster Core rules. Names were generated using EBoN (The Ever changing Book of Names). It was designed to be as system generic as possible while still being useful within my own campaign.

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A Brief Note on Time in H&#acirc;rn

Technically the day is broken down into 4-hour watches, and not hours and minutes.

Hours Watch
0:00 - 4:00 First Watch
4:00 - 8:00 Second Watch
8:00 - 12:00 Third Watch
12:00 - 16:00 Fourth Watch
16:00 - 20:00 Fifth Watch
20:00 - 0:00 Sixth Watch

The month of Halane is the month of harvest - roughly August on the Terran calendar. The feast of Halane, during which this adventure takes place, is a harvest festival celebrating bounty, plenty and fertility. On H&#acirc;rn fertility, prosperity, luck and trade are all attributed to one godess - Halea.

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Time Line

30th of Azura
12:45 Flotubrius jumps off the wagon to study the river.
1pm Master Cirus's caravan arrives.
1pm Helen's wagon is boarded by black marketers.
1:05pm Helen's killed and her body is dumped.
1:10pm Helen's wagon arrives.
1:15pm Flotubrius arrives at Fobin (working his way along the river).
2:20pm Master Cirus leaves for the Green Gate Inn.
2:30pm Trelvus and Spunirus leave together. Trelvus goes to the Wooden Tankard Inn. Spunirus to the Horse's Hide Tavern.
3pm Flotubrius is accosted by legionnaires as he's coming up from the river.
3pm The thugs will move the wine from Cirus's encampment to the Wooden Tankard Inn, after showing the guards a forged bill of sale. They will tell the guards to tell Cirus to check with Lordai of Frilbro at the Wooden Tankard Inn if there are any problems.
3:30pm The barrels are emptied into bottles, and then modified using the washbasins purchased from Holvus the Woocrafter. Three of the six uniforms are smuggled down and placed in the barrels. Lordai will bring the other three to the thugs tomorrow.
8pm Trelvus, now drunk and returning from the Wooden Tankard Inn - meets up with Angus and is killed.
8:30pm Spunirus &quote;goes missing&quote;. He's taken into the Navehian Temple and placed on the alter 10pm - Bandit (the dog) discovers Trelvus's body midnight - Spunirus is killed.
12:00am The dogs of the local watch become very tired and thirsty. They return to the kennels and the more they drink, the more sick they become. After help from the doctor, the dogs are ready to return to work sometime after 2am.
1st of Halane
2am Remis dumps the body.
5am The body will be found either by legionnaires or passer-by.
6am Cirus is accosted by Lordai, they sit and talk.
7am The fair begins.
10am Cirus will leave the Green Gate for his caravan.

Beyond this point anything can happen. Each of the following characters has an Itenerary in which their plans and desires are listed. The reason behind the murders is not provided in this adventure. If the adventurers fail, this can be the start of a wonderful quest. If they succeed, then the adventurers have gained powerful enemies that could (at the GM's discretion) surface later.

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What Happened

At the last turn before town, Master Cirus's caravan was mounted by 3 men intent on using it to bring stolen goods into Fobin, and eventually Coranan. Helen complained loudly and insisted Spunirus defend their master's honor. As she turned to beseech Trelvus for assistance, Spunius struck her from behind with the blade of his sword, killing her instantly. Trelvus stopped the caravan (supposedly to check his horses' hooves for stones) and when the coast was clear - Spunius dragged her body from the wagon to the nearby riverside, where he threw her bodily into the river. His compatriots took everything covered in blood (the salt bags and the bolts of cloth and her puzzle box) and threw it in the river as well.

They then proceeded to ride into the Master's preferred camping spot in Fobin's South Commons. After the wagon was set up and the horses tended, Trelvus left of the Wooden Tankard Inn. There he meets up with Angus (the bartender) who treats him like a long lost comrade. They share tales, and drinks until 8:30pm. Trelvus then heads back towards the Southern Commons, and Angus (who followed Trelvus) kills him with a dagger to the back. Angus pulls the body to the side of the road in the village square to the far north from the Caer. He takes Trelvus's purse, which contained his pay for working with the Black Market, and rifles the body. Angus is not against making a bit of cash on the sly.

The body should be discovered that night by a rambunctious dog named Bandit.

Spunius went the the Horse's Hide Tavern to get drunk. Unfortunately for him, Remis begins getting chummy with him and pours a poison in Spunius's cup. The poison makes Spunius unable to move, but kept him conscious. The body is transported into the Navehian temple and laid out for sacrifice that night. Remis is acting on George's orders, but has no idea what Spunius has done to be sacrificed to the Evil God Naveh.

Remis discards the body around 1am. About the same time as the legion dogs (which are out and about all night) take mysteriously sick from a smaller dose of the same poison used on Spunius. While Remis is suppose to discard the body in the river, he gets scared and hides the body in the woods just off the road (on the east side of the Caer). For this disobedience, Remis is given a choice: to sacrifice/donate his youngest child to the order for his error, or drink poison. If the PCs confront him about the murders (regardless of their intent), he will casually go to his workshop and drink the poison. The body of Spunius should be found after dawn the next morning.

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Characters

The characters are detailed according to H&#acirc;rnMaster Core rules. Names are generated using EBoN (Ever Changing Book of Names) with the Latin and Thardic Clan chapters. Units of measure are always in metric. H&#acirc;rnMaster stats are not listed for the victims.

For each murder victim, there are a list of clues which includes success ratings in one of four categories: Critical Fail (CF), Marginal Fail (MF), Marginal Success (MS) and Critical Success (CS). These results are always treated as cumulative. So if the character's actions result in a MS, read out the values for MF and MS. A CS results in a MF+MS+CS. In the case of a MF or CF, only those respective values should be read.

The cast is as follows:

Note: Lordai has three thugs in his employ. These three NPCs are left to the GM's fertile imagination.

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Helen of Asarn

She is a young journeyman mercantyler under the tutelage of Master Cirus. She stands 5´3&quote;, weighs 106lbs, has pale blue eyes and long blond hair that is always worn in a braid that comes down to just below her shoulders. She wears homespun dresses, travelling boots (knee boots) and a black linen cloak held closed by a silver circular broach (a gift from Master Cirus 2 years ago). Many found her unnerving as her blue-eyed gaze could hold the strongest of bullies or the weakest of young women with equal grace. She was developping into a master mercantyler, her specialities were perfumes and wines.

Possessions

Helen has a puzzle box that opens into a multiple-compartments. The box requires a successful skill check against puzzles, or a 5d6 Dex check. Inside the puzzle box is a bill of lading for the Halean church, 12 small dots of scented Ambergris (perfume base) and 4 metal sticks (Golothan Steel samples). Her personal possessions are in a small box in Master Cirus's wagon. They include: 3 robes, 2 cloaks, 1 broach (flower design), 2 daggers, 8 quills, 23 sheets of paper, 2 vials of ink. 8 candle stubs, a purse of 58d.

Clues to Helen's Murder

Personality

If anyone asks about her in the caravan, they may learn that she argued loudly with Trelvus the night before her death. She was trying to explain why Trelvus was always in debt and what he could do to get out of debt. All the members of the caravan were surprised when Trelvus offered to continue to drive Helen's wagon that morning, but the two were carrying on as if the argument had never happened.

The Master liked Helen, and never seemed to mind her open criticisms about his methods and the way he tricked the gullible, like Trelvus, into service. Despite of her harsh words, most believed she liked the Master. Speaking openly and honestly was just her way.

Itinerary

Her intent was to spend much of the festival with the Halean temple, trying to sell her perfumes, many of which were her own creation. She intended to give the iron rods to Senator Asarn Nordaka when she reached the city of Coranan. They are proof of an advanced metallurgy process now in use in Golotha. She had not been able to ascertain if the new metal was created in Golotha, or just imported; but she was able to find a supplier who could manage to supply her with 10lbs of ingot a year for a reasonable price.

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Trelvus of Yemala

Trelvus is a tall and lanky man, standing just over 6´5&quote; and weighing 180lbs. He drove for Master Cirus on and off over the last 5 years. Occasionally he'd spend a season in Coranan, or Golotha, thus missing 1/2 the trip. He was a quiet man who got along well with the other drivers and the guards. He had some skill with a spear and dagger, and apparently was a freed gladiator from Golotha, but he spoke very little about his past life. He liked to drink and gamble and was looking forward to coming to Fobin, believing he'd be coming into money in the Town - but treated it like a big secret. Everyone assumed he was smuggling something he would sell in Fobin. He had a crass sense of humor and carried a grudge against Helen. It was rather strange that he agreed to drive her wagon on the 30th of Agrazhar.

Cirus hired Trelvus and took him away from a life in a rural village. For that alone, Trelvus is forever grateful for his wage is now three times higher than the little he made at home. He's been with Cirus for eight years and loves his job. He has no understanding of teamster politics and sticks it all out because he gets paid and still gets to see his family in Onrein every few years.

Spunius learned of Trelvus's debt and offered Trelvus all the money he would need if he helped. Trelvus agreed, but after the last fight with Helen, his agreement was conditional upon her death. Neither Spunius nor Trelvus knew, exactly, why Lordai wants with the barrels.

Personal Possessions

His personal possessions are all in one large bag. They include: 2 blankets, 1 change of clothes, 1 set of sandals, broken, 1 dagger (blade needs repair), a sharpening stone, 2 new candles and a tinderbox.

Clues to Trelvus's Murder

Personality

Trelvus is 5´9&quote; tall and of average weight and build. He is of average complexion with brown hair and blue eyes. His hair always seems plastered to his scalp in a dry, limp fashion. He tries to be loyal to Cirus in all things while still remaining forthright and honest. He is a devout Peonian who hopes his master's occasional duplicity will not lead towards an untimely demise.

He hides his money in his possessions, trying to hoard as much as he can to give to his family. Unfortunately he never seems to manage. So when he arrives home Master Cirus lends him as much as he can, which he works hard to repay in a timely fashion. While Cirus does make sure Trelvus has enough to enjoy most fares, he's always in debt to Master Cirus. Helen had been trying to explain his predicament to him, but he regularly refused to listen.

Trelvus was never one to give up a grudge so easily. Over the past year his friendship with Helen has been souring. The last time they talked, he stormed away from her in a murderous rage, others in the caravan had to work hard to keep Helen from following him to try and explain. Cirus is aware of Helen's opinions, but does nothing about it - saying publicly that if Helen could help reduce Trelvus's debt, everyone would be better for it.

Itinerary

He intends to go to the Wooden Tankard Inn where Lordai will pay him 300d for his work with Spunius. He believes he'll then have to split the money with Spunius. While he's never met Lordai or Angus before, he thinks he has to go and get the money because no one will suspect him of Helen's murder as they were once friends.

He plans to spend lavishly in Fobin during the feast and has admitted to dreaming heavily of the festivities within the Halean temple. Cirus had a few chores for him to perform during the feast (delivering goods to outlying areas), but nothing that would take up more than an hour or so of his time. Like the other drivers, he would have acted as a guard and slept under the wagons unless he could convince Cirus he was not needed.

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Spunius of Bairtel

Spunius stood 6´2&quote; and was bulky at 258lbs. He was a legionnaire who served full time with Master Cirus in return for Cirus paying his scuttage with the legion. He signed onto the caravan in Coranan in the spring. He was skilled with sword and spear, and carried a round shield instead of a tower shield. He wore bezanted leathers on duty, but had recently purchased two new tunics for the fair. He had black hair (worn short) and brown eyes. He seemed to get along well with the others, but was only just beginning to gain trust and friendship. Most considered him cold.

He is Lordai's man in Master Cirus 's camp. He is there to organize the theft of wine barrels and has convinced Trelvus to help. He knows Lordai will probably have Trelvus killed rather than paid, but that did not bother him. He has no idea why Lordai wants the barrels, and doesn't care who gets hurt in the process.

Possessions

Personal belongings are stored in Helen's wagon. They include: a full set of bezainted armour, a leather cloak, leather knee boots (of the non-legion variety), 2 tunics, 1 wide leather belt, a belt pouch (empty), a Navehian holy symbol (well worn), oil for his armour, a blanket, a backpack, and 2 spears.

Clues to Spunius's Murder

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Master Merchant Cirus Daimel's Itenerary

He and his 3 caravans prefer to make camp just north-east of town. They arrived in town around 1pm. By 3pm he's at the Green Gate, where he takes a room. He will return periodically to his caravan during the day, but intends to smooze with friends, eat well, get a good night's sleep and be at his caravan at dawn on the 1st of Halane.

When he's at the Green Gate, he'll be approached by Lordai, who will try to convince Cirus to carry illegal cargo into the city of Coranan. He won't tell Cirus what he'll be carrying. By now Helen's body should be found by the legionnaires. Lordai will recommend Cirus go to the Caer to collect her body. Her death, Cirus will be told, was just a show of the Black Market's resolve in this matter. They will continue to kill Cirus' men until he gives in. Then they will kill Cirus and use his death as leverage against another merchant. Lordai will then give the man a purse of money (81d) - for the sale of his wine.

Cirus will give in to the demands once he learns that Trelvus and Spunirus are also dead. If the legionnaires even seem to be guessing in the right direction around Cirus - Cirus will tell them all he knows and beg them for protection and assistance.

He will see Helen interred by Peonian and Halean ceremonies north of the city, and for that he will spare no expense. For Trelvus and Spunius, he will see them interred, properly, but at a minimum of expense; hoping they suffer for their evil, but not wanting to endanger his own soul in the process.

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Flotubrius of Bylin's Itinerary

He jumped down from the wagon around 12:45 to examine the river closely. His job is to survey the River Thard to try and find more suitable fords and ports for the guild of the Mangai. He think's its a fool's errand, but is willing to do the work for the money. He has been working on a set of highly detailed maps of the River Thard (north bank) from Golotha to Fobin. That's his excuse for being so close to the river's edge and the Caer.

He spends his days with the wagon throughout the festival, acting as an assistant to the journeymen, and a gopher for everyone else. He expects to do a lot of running back and forth for food, water and other goods from town. He's hoping to get a meal at the Green Gate Inn, but doubts he'll have the time.

Red Herring

Flotubrius wears two medalions. One is a holy symbol to Save K'nor, and the other (he says) allows him to measure distances accurately by eye. The other also has a geas placed upon it which forces Flotubrius to fulfill his contract with the Guild of the Mangai in Coranan. The geas has no time limitation, but will make him unwilling to pick up any other contracts or ventures until his contract with the Guild of the Mangai is done. He does not know about the geas and assumes it is, instead, his long dormant conscious forcing him to complete this ridiculous task.

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Artivus of Odirim's Red Herring

Artivus is a big talker. He knows how to rally a crowd and awe them with tales of daring and adventure. He is also very good at detailing conspiracies that may (or may not) be based in fact. While he loves performing before an audience, he has no factual information upon which to back up his stories. He's heard of the Black Market running goods from Golotha to Shiran (who hasn't), but he has no clue how its done. Having Artivus telling his tales around the PCs as they try to sniff out the truth is a perfect Red Herring. While this is also a great way to tell the PCs some of the common lore their characters may know (that the player does not) - they will have to separate the wheat (factual good information) from the chaff (outright lies, exaggerations and flights of fantasy).

Itinerary

Artivus will be forced to watch the caravan and the goods for sale whenever his master is not present. This means he must sleep in one of the other wagons throughout the night. He considers himself fortunate, unlike the guards who will sleep beneath the wagon to scare-off possible thieves.

He is a fair barterer, and is willing to sell anything the master has in stock, and take orders for anything else (assuming the person is willing to pay at least half the price and wait 3 months for delivery) while the master is away. He knows where Master Cirus keeps his money, and even has a key to the chest. He would like to visit one of the inns, but will probably make do with sending someone off to get him some food during the day.

He will gladly converse with anyone who approaches the wagon, but always with an eye towards a sale. Legionnaires will be blessed with a less heavily-laden sales pitch, but they will still be pitched at almost regardless of the topic. He will mourn Helen, but admits thinking of her as a friend more than anything else. The other two might as well be strangers for all he cares - he is sorry to hear they died so horribly, but it does not seem to affect him.

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What Lordai will Do If.

If the empty barrels are discovered, he will insist that the ones already be loaded go to Geishtei. He will tell all who ask that he sent them to Rusna (in the opposite direction). He will accuse Master Cirus of breaking a bargain, saying he bought the wine fare and square. What he shipped to Rusna is his affair and no one else. His paper work says they were filled with grain. It is very odd for grain to be shipped by Barrel, but Lordai will claim he suddenly had eight barrels and no sacks - and so used what was at hand.

Itinerary

On the 30th of Azura, Lordai will send out three thugs to help waylay Master Cirus's wagon and take the barrels. This was arranged months before, when Master Cirus last passed through Fobin on his way to Golotha. It was then that Spunius was hired to find some way of infiltrating Master Cirus's caravan - as it is so trusted along the High Corani Road that few would search it for Black Market goods.

He has six Red Guard armour suits which he must smuggle into Coranan, and after months of puzzling he has at last come across a method of doing it. He intends to take the barrels he had an agent of the Black Market offer Master Cirus in Golotha, empty them in the Wooden Tankard Inn, put a washbasin in the top to hold some wine, and beneath the washbasin - he will store the suits.

On the afternoon of the 30th, he and his men will struggle to put three of the suits into three of the barrels, and then return them to Master Cirus's camp site - telling anyone who's curious that the wine was returned at Master Cirus's insistence.

On the night of the first, Lordai will bring three barrels to the Wooden Tankard Inn and load those with the last three Red Guard armour suits. These will all then be sent to Coranan when Master Cirus leaves. Other than convincing Master Cirus to join the plan, Lordai intends to socialize, mingle and avail himself of the local courtesans. Few may notice that he has no interest in going to the Halean temple. Friends of the priestesses may learn that he is a Naveah and therefore not welcome to partake in Halean's bounty.

Jongur's Itinerary for the Feast

Jongur will look after the horses when the drivers want to go visit the Halean temple, or look after the stalls when Artivus wishes to go elsewhere. If Cirus tells him of Lordai's plan, Jongur will take it upon himself to try and protect his master by taking the fight to Lordai. Unfortunately, if Angus is still around - Jongur is no match for Angus in a fight, and will die rather than give in; if he has a choice. Jongur is friendly, but not very talkative. The others in the caravan will only remember he has a reputation for bad luck after the killings begin.

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Terrius's Itinerary for the Feast

Once the horses are picketed and fed, he intends to go to the Halean temple. He will return some time each day to check on the horses and the caravan, as much to assure they have not left without him - as anything else.

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Silulus's Itinerary for the Feast

She will divide the duty with the other guards, taking her few nights (or days) off at the Halean temple.

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Portuna's Itinerary for the Feast

Portuna will tag along with Silulus for so long as the older girl will let her. When left to her own devices, she'll probably go drinking or just hang around. She gambles, but takes no pleasure in it and dislikes singing or telling stories. Most describe her as a craftless-homebody. She will support Silulus in whatever mischief she gets into.

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Naniula's Itinerary for the Feast

Like everyone going to Fobin, she hopes to spend time at the Halean temple. But she also wants to do some shopping for local crafts.

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Grato's Itinerary for the Feast

He will do everything in his power (and budget) to live a the Halean temple for so long as the troupe is in town.

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Conclusions

As with all adventures, this one could go several ways. Depending on the success of the PCs one or more NPCs could be brought to trial. Thardic law allows any PC to question and interrogate (even torture) any slave or freeman. A citizen and equestrian may be questioned, but not tortured without permission from the Senate in Coranan.

1 Refer to Flotubrius of Bylin for more information.

2 Hidden Knowledge is a form of magically protected knowledge. There are spells to try and find the knowledge, and the hidding weakens with each person that figures it out.

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