They do.

In reply to GM (msg # 226):

I take that to mean "no noises are audible"

In a woman's voice, I call out the maids name as a question, like: "Lillian? I let myself in."

Oh, I think I see what you're doing. There is no response.

In reply to GM (msg # 228):

Same voice: "I'll just leave the basket, here. Feel better?!"

Then wait a minute and close the door while remaining inside, in case he dropped the silence.

There is no response. A moment later there seems to be almost a skip in the silence. And for a split second you hear a quick high pitched tone. You realized that it is scream whose sound was heard mid scream for the quick interval. The changeover of the spell did not coincide with anything you did.

In reply to GM (msg # 230):

Fergan points up the stairs, holds up three fingers, signals a count of three, drags his finger across his throat, waits for nods of understanding, then counts three and runs up the stairs behind the guards.

In reply to Fergan (msg # 231):

If they are looking to me to lead, I will--Just trying to make sure this is seen as an official action.

The three guards comply and you all silently go upstairs and go through the door.

You see The maid stretched naked over the bed, silently screaming, blood running from cuts all over her body.

The Lordling is leaning over with a knife.

I notice order:

G2
G3
G1
Fergan
Lordling

Surprise round

Guards attack, but the room is cramped. The first moves up and attacks, the second tries to attack past the first guard, and the third attempts an attack reaching over the bed.

Their swords don't have reach, so I am going to say partial cover and disadvantage for the one attacking past the guard, and disadvantage for the one attacking past the bed.

G2 and g1 hit with short swords for a ttotal of 9 damage.

Fergan turn.

In reply to GM (msg # 233):

I squeeze by the guard in the bottom left into the empty square, throwing open or breaking any window I pass on the way and yelling "Guards!", then Hex the lordling (Charisma), and then Eldritch Blast him: 19 to hit, 8 damage.

The guards continue to hack away at him, two scoring hits (ignore dice results, there were some advantage disadvantage errors which I accounted for and looked at the raw dice).

Lordling takes 8 damage.

Your turn. If you were to guess it looks like he has 1hp. Surprise round and botching initiative was a real killer for this guy...

In reply to GM (msg # 235):

Tried an EB again: 12 to hit, 4 damage.

Fergan launches another eldritch blast, which glances off the Lordling's chest with a loud *clung*. He is obviously wearing some kind of armor which does not register in his appearance.

Finally gathering his wits, he pulls out a vial of clear liquid, unstoppers it and the liquid rises from the vial and forms into a shard of ice which then zooms at Fergan. It strikes Fergan, then explodes into shards of ice.

(I rolled saves for everyone already, you saved, the guards did not)

Fergan takes a total of 12 points of damage (you are level 2 and didn't up your hp yet, you have at least 15, though), two of the guards drop and one hangs on.

G3 steps closer to the Lordling, and being more wary of the magical foe, instead of attacking outright, tries to distract him for you (help action, you have advantage on next attack).

In reply to GM (msg # 237):

Concentration Save (Hex): Made
EB to-hit: 16
EB+Hex Damage: 7

Ok, you blast the Lordling and he crumpled to the ground. His appearance changes, revealing similar garb, but with a breastplate and similar accoutrements. Tubling off his head is a plain leather skullcap. His skin also changes, taking on a pale/dry hue/sheen. He coughs up a little blood on his turn.

The remaining guard, let's say the og guard, not one of the house guards, goes to strike the downed Lordling, but thinks better of it, and instead cuts the bounds of Lucille who promptly faints from blood loss and mental/physical exhaustion.

One of the downed guards breathes steadily, while the other coughs up blood.

In reply to GM (msg # 239):

Ok--I want to stabilize the innocents, first (You can roll for me or have me roll--either way).

Second, I want to secure the lordling (sheets, maybe?)

Third, I want to strip the lordling of his possessions and pile them up. If anything looks crazy interesting, I might want to try to Sleight of Hand it into my belongings.

Then I want to turn to OG guard and say the following, in my own voice:

Hopefully that proves my worth. My guess is that you have a missing persons case on your hands with the original lordling, and that opens up the mystery of why this thing was here doing...this...in the first place. How do you want to handle this? I prefer to work in the shadows, but I have shown you who I am and my anonymity is in your hands.

We can wait for the guards, and I will answer them truthfully or falsely--whichever you would support.

I can escape and you, alone, can wait for the guards, coming to find me later.

I can escape with the lordling and torture an answer out of him, both to make him suffer for what he has done and to determine why he has done it.

I'm open to ideas. This is your life and profession we are dealing with, here, and you have been a friend in this quest, so I don't want to do you any harm. I could not have done this without you three, but you in particular. I only ask that, if possible, you keep these...powers...a secret. They are new since my run in with him and I do not understand them or their nature, yet.

I screwed up with the dice roller again, but I got all good rolls for you and the other guard, so everyone is stabilized.

The other guard sees you pocket the cap and a wand, but doesn't flinch. There is also a sack of platinum which raises his eyes.

"Lets do this, you go and I will tell the truth, a man, possibly in disguise approached me about hunting down a killer. I followed along while off duty and we caught the murderer in the act. None of us knows who you really are, and I don't care to put you in a bind. We'll keep to the truth. But... Maybe you can pay me a visit with some of that coin for my discretion...? Then maybe we can work together in the future."

In reply to GM (msg # 241):

Fergan tosses him the whole pouch.

You're a good man.

Any papers? Something to indicate why he was interested in heraldry? In the area? Etc?

He did not pack up his room at the manor. He left quickly in order to follow the maid.

In reply to GM (msg # 243):

Got it--That's where I hurry to. I bring word to Darin that his people are wounded and need help.

In reply to Fergan (msg # 244):

Scratch that. I want to hang back to make sure my man gets backup.

In reply to Fergan (msg # 245):

Like, on the street. I say:

I'm going to go outside so I am not here when your backup arrives. If I see you leave this house alone, I am going to assume it is him unless you are able to tell me how we met.

I then gag the lordling and take up a position within sight of the house outside.

Ok, you do so, you see backup arrive. You here the guard begin to explain what happened. You see the Lordling get dragged out, in manacles, and gagged, and blindfolded, because who knows with magic users, but still unconscious. There are calls for a healer for the woman and other guards. It is about to get hot in the area with more guards and investigators.

In reply to GM (msg # 247):

Ok. If a crowd is gathering, I mill my way into them and then try to disappear. Heading to Darin's house to give him the news and search the lordling's belongings.

Darin asks about what happened and his guards.

You find notes about heraldry of the region, maps, etc.

A treasure box :

Coins:
2100cp
1300sp
30gp

(Add value if all coinage and express in marked platinum, with any remainder in gold, silver, and copper)

Gemstones:
1x Carnelian (opaque red-brown).
 Value 50 GP.
2x Chalcedony (opaque white).
 Value 50 GP.
1x Chrysoprase (translucent green).
 Value 50 GP.
1x Moonstone (translucent white with pale blue glow).
 Value 50 GP.
1x Onyx (pure white).
 Value 50 GP.
1x Quartz (transparent smokey gray).
 Value 50 GP.
1x Star rose quartz (translucent rosy stone with white star-shaped center).
 Value 50
1x Pearl (opaque black).
 Value 100 GP.

A mace, and a shield, but in very good condition and ornamental.

Also, I forgot, a kris dagger at the crime scene, but you probably left that there.

Also fine clothes.

In reply to GM (msg # 249):

I can't get my sheet up to date until I know what I can take.

Fergan goes to chat with Darin, taking the notes about heraldry with him, but leaving the valuables (ideally behind a locked door).

Under the assumption that the guards will come looking, I don't want them to arrive and find a looted room that Darin or his staff would have to answer to. I ask Darin's advice about what to do with the goods, and then ask his specific opinion about what someone with papers about these heraldric symbols might be doing? Passing themselves off as a lord? Looking for a specific house? Etc. Or maybe a lead on someone who might know?

I can always take them back to the library.