Having drained his energy to a dangerously low usual, Tobias slept longer than he had intended.
He awakened with a little stiffness but in familiar surroundings.

Coming out of his brief nap was like surfacing from an icy well, dark and sudden and gasping for breath. Tobias sat up quickly, too quickly, his head throbbed dully. He needed further rest, but with the pressing matters at hand, he wouldn't enjoy that luxury. It was with that thought that a tingle of dread came over him. He glanced over at the window, which due to his magic he could see out, but nobody could actually look inward, seeing that more time had passed than he would have ever allowed himself under normal circumstances.

Getting dizzily to his feet, he called out to his company. "Dumoss! I've awakened... we'd better get to Town and get this over with." Tobias began to gather some things together, trying to fully awaken.

"Dumoss, there should be a bowl of fresh thornberries on the table, help yourself, you must be hungry." When the young wizard detected no sound, he called out, "Dumoss? Where are you?"

A sudden sickening sensation came over him. "Dumoss? DUMOSS!"

The elf was gone.

Tobias quickly called upon a bit of his magic, doing so without thinking, comfortable in his own tower that it would both work and help him determine some things.

"Alvar. If you've not yet departed, if you can hear my voice, I would speak with you..."


Casting the Second Sight cantrip to see if Alvar is nearby.

Seeing Tobias awake Elton said, "Dumoss left soon after you fell asleep."
"I tried to convince him to at least stay till you awoke.
He seemed to be fascinated by the belt and wouldn't listen to me."

"I laid Alvar out when he collapsed.  Hope you don't mind I used your blanket to cover him."

The bloody arrow was laying next to the covered body.

"If you can find him, Rolan of Bauer should vouch for my character to our Lord Math and Constable Ashwick.
Sir Rolan knows me well and that I would never kill one of our own folk."

"Vyria may not be as forgiving."
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:28, Sat 08 Feb 2020.

06:25, Today: Oracle rolled 10 using 1d20.  Alvar nearby?

It may have been the distance that the body had traveled or the magic around the tower but Tobias was unable to spot the spirit of Alvar nearby.

Tobias shook his head and ran a hand through his wild black hair. "I don't know how Vyria's going to react to be honest, she's been concerned over Alvar lately. This is going to be a terrible blow..."

The young wizard was troubled that Dumoss had left. That sort of recklessness was rash and uncharacteristic of the usually careful elf. Such out of character behavior was concerning.

"I only know of Sir Rolan," Tobias replied, "I don't know that I've actually met him, nor do I remember ever speaking to him." In fact, Tobias had been a recluse of late, and didn't really have any reason to interact with the few nobles in town. "Though I do recall seeing him with the Ol' Witcher Woman a time or two..." Which struck him as odd.

"Very well, I'll go look for him, perhaps he'll be in town. Let's go to the Sheriff now and tell our story. He'll probably take you into custody, but that's alright, you'll be safe there even if it is uncomfortable for a while."

Leaving Alvar's body where it lay, Tobias escorted Elton to Constable Ashwick's office in town.
It was solidly built and one of the few in town with a majority of stonework.

Watchman Russell was there and said Constable Ashwick was up at the Lord's manor.
He asked if there was anything he could do to assist and if you wanted to step inside to wait?

He wasn't sure when the Constable would be back only that he was sure it would be before dark.

Tobias found himself caught between a rock and a hard place. Landing on either would be uncomfortable. Waiting here could raise questions neither wanted to answer unless before the Constable, but leaving and heading toward the Manor House held its own set of pitfalls.

"This is a matter of some urgency," Tobias said as carefully as he could. "We'd much rather speak with the Constable himself. Perhaps we'll head toward the Manor and meet him along the way..."

Tobias glanced to Elton in order to gauge the hunter's reaction.

"It would be better to speak to Sir Braden directly. Less chance of a misunderstanding that way."

"We thank you for your time Watchman Russell but the sooner this is addressed the better."

Turning to Tobias, "Shall we be on our way?"

Tobias and Elton headed for the Lord's manor and as they reached the bridge over the river Constable Ashwick had just crossed.

He reigned in his horse as the two men hailed him.

Greeting you with a look of interest, "What brings the two of you this way?"
"I don't often see either of you and certainly not together, it must be something important?"

Traveling towards the square to see what stalls are in business today and what wears he may be able to find, Rolan comes rounding the corner of a small house and sees the gathered group at the bridge. The Constable on horseback talking to Elton and, is that Tobias? Rolan didn't know him well, having only seen him around occasionally and in passing.

At first glance everything seemed normal, then he noticed the look on Elton's face. Elton was a close associate, he would even call him a friend. They had hunted together, drank together, told stories and enjoyed themselves. Elton was a good man, but the look on face was one of agony and regret which Rolan had never seen him wearing before. He made his way to the assembled group.

"Ho there, Ashwick! What seems to be the problem here? Elton, are you alright?"

Tobias flinched like a wary animal as the call came. He always felt uncomfortable of late when in the Town, even though most folks gave him wide berth and simply acted as if he wasn't there. Only when he glanced back over his shoulder did the Haggard's eyes see the fearful and mistrusting looks people gave him when they thought he wouldn't notice. They probably had reason to be afraid of things they didn't understand, but Tobias had grown up here.

His head turned suddenly in the direction of the caller, and a small bit of relief came over him. Isn't that the noble Elton said would vouch for him?

"Constable Ashwick, we have a grave and terrible matter to discuss with you, one that will surely upset some more than others, but will affect us all..." he glanced quickly toward the Inn where his sister was likely working even now.

"We'd rather not draw attention however until you are made aware of the situation." Tobias looked around to see if anyone else was paying them any heed, for surely in a small town such as this, on this side of the Wall, there were those busybodies whom had nothing better to do than watch and whisper to make themselves feel more important than they probably were.

06:50, Today: Oracle rolled 20 using 1d20 ((20)).

Cutting in before Tobias can say more, "We found Alvar's body in the woods while hunting deer."

After a glance at Tobias, "Tobias and Dumoss got there just as I found it."

In an earnest tone, "We don't want to start a panic over a murder but people need to be careful in the woods!"

Rolan is surprised by the comment and quickly asks Elton a slew of questions "The tanner? In the woods? Was he dumped there?" he looks the Constable and says "Ashwick, you've gotta get your men searching the area immediately. Elton, come with me, let's go speak to Vyria, she deserves to know."

And then the nightmare Tobias had once lived through began to happen all over again. The situation slipped from his control, what he'd feared might happen began to play out before his eyes as the first drop of water in a cascade was followed rapidly by the second.

He felt the magic within him flare to life in response. It was always eager, hungry and willing to manifest itself to solve problems the more difficult they became...

"NO! Please! Wait... I... You don't need your men Constable. I can explain everything... Vyria will be devastated but... just not here!" Tobias looked around once more to see what sort of attention they were attracting. "Just... come with me to my Tower, all of you," Tobias plead thinking it the best way to contain Rolan from spreading the ill-tidings.

"I-I have something to show you first. We brought Alvar's body there so we could come and find you Sir, and not cause worry and fear to spread through the Town."

"This is terrible news, I know, and believe me I want to be the one to tell Vyria, she'll have so many questions, but let us cross one bridge at a time... come with us, please."


The magic whispered in the mind of Tobias Draigh...

There are better ways to do this, much... easier ways...

Glancing from one to the other, from atop his horse.
"There has been a murder? Of the Tanner?"

His natural inclination was to defer to the other noble man but he needed the details that the commoners could provide.

Looking at Tobias with a shadow of distaste, "You say the body is at your tower? How did it get there?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:17, Wed 12 Feb 2020.

Answering Sir Rolan's questions.
"I was hunting a golden deer and found the body at the edge of a clearing."

"The Tanner looked freshly killed and I found Tobias," nodding in his direction, "and that Fae kid Dumoss there."

"Tobias talked me into moving the body to his tower."

"Didn't want any wild animals getting to it he said."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:17, Wed 12 Feb 2020.

Rolan shares a suspicious look with the Constable and says to the two nervous men "We can accompany you, but we'll not come alone. Something about this feels wrong, but I trust Elton, I know him well enough. We'll grab a guard from Ashwick's office and head over to the tower." he eyes Tobias was a look equal parts suspicious and inquisitive.

I don't about that Tobias he thought to himself Keeps to himself as far as I know, no one could vouch for a hermit like that.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:24, Wed 12 Feb 2020.

"Very well," Tobias said, trying to regain control. "Please choose one of your men that is conscientious about rumors in the community. At least until I can speak with my sister..."

The young wizard extended his arm in the direction of his tower, and turned to lead the way.

His mind was racing as they walked. He was torn between going along with Elton's variation of the events - Tobias had enough of his own secrets certainly - but was concerned about doing so for he was not the only witness... He was in a very difficult situation, especially regarding his own past and the terrible events which had taken place not that long ago. If Dumoss came back with a different story... Tobias determined that he'd wait for an opportunity, for what exactly he did not yet know.

Taking a bit of a chance, Tobias gave Rolan a slight nod when he thought Elton wasn't looking. Yes, something IS wrong, he hoped to convey.

"I'm thinking the Fae are involved because that deer seemed magical and Tobias said that they had followed it from town."

"It might have been leading us to the body."

"Those Fae are a sly bunch and Dumoss is one of the Dark ones. Hard to know what game they are playing."

Constable Ashwick looked as if he was considering the situation.

"If there is a murderer about we need to apprehend them as soon as possible.
Not sure who would want to kill the tanner. While he raises quite a stink, the job is important."
"In fact, he will be sorely missed and I can't think of anyone that would want him gone."

"Since Watchman Potter lives just on the way, we can bring him with us. He knows when to hold his tongue."

"Come along then."

Kneeing his horse, he started towards Watchman Potter's house.

"Very well Constable, we'll follow you there, and then I'll lead all of you to my Tower. Let us go quickly before townsfolk take notice."

Tobias pulled the hood of his cloak to shade his face and provide a bit of obscurity from whence he might consider his options. He hoped the nobleman would be considerate of the truth. Dumoss wasn't here to defend himself, and Elton was painting himself into a corner. The young wizard was choosing his words very carefully as well as being carefully curative of what he was not saying... at least for now.

Rolan kept his distance from the Wizard as they made their way. He had known of the man, of the poor past that would rival his own that this man had suffered, but still didn't trust him now. He knew that the Tanner was engaged to Tobias' sister, which made him all the more suspicious.

Elton, on the other hand, he knew well. But the man was so on edge. Rolan kept close to Elton and spoke to him as they walked, trying to pinpoint the cause of his anxiety. This wasn't the first time he'd seen a dead body, why was he so fearful?

Speaking in hushed tones to Roland, "I should have guessed there was Fae trickery involved."
"There are no golden deer in these woods, as you know."

"To have it suddenly show up and from town even, it's just not natural."

"While I respect the Fae and try to stay out of their business, I don't know how they got involved with the tanner being killed."

"Makes you wonder if someone else is next."

Watchman Potter hadn't started spinning clay yet and joined at Constable Ashwick direction.
He agreed to be discreet and followed along after retrieving his spear.

While a few townsfolk watched the group go by, none followed to see what was going on.
There were whispered conversations started between those they passed.

Once they got to it, the tower looked as it usually did.

Tobias had been reluctant to bring the Constable and the nobleman to his tower. He entertained no guests, even his own sister. Dumoss came from time to time, but besides the elf, there were few other visits. To lead them here now would reveal something intimate about himself... and his growing magical power...

The young wizard raised his staff and spoke a word in the language of Magick. The battered but stout door opened of its own accord, revealing only a dim burgundy glow from within.

"Please, come inside, I'll show you the body of Alvar."

Tobias led the way into his abode.

Inside, the layout of the rooms were nothing like they'd been the previous time Elton had been here. Instead of the shelves of materials and tomes, there was a simple table with a few scrolls, a pair of chairs, and a bed upon which rested the body. Tobias's monthly ritual allowed him to alter the characteristics of the Tower, making it larger or smaller according to his whim. Hidden away were the Tower's true treasure, the lost library and its collection of irreplaceable books and records.

He gestured to the body...

Always nervous around the chaos of magic, he geld back and let the authorities enter first.

He whispered to Roland, "See dead like we found him."

Constable Ashwick made a show of examining the body while Watchman Potter glanced nervously in from the doorway.

A trained eye could have noticed that the Constable was no coroner. He checked for a pulse and breath from the body.
He was able to determine that rigor mortis had begun to set in and stuck his finger in the arrow hole.

"I can confirm that he is dead and the cause of death was an arrow to the heart."

"Was the arrow in the body when you found it?"

Looking at Elton and Tobias he asked, "Were there any tracks or signs that the body had been drug to where you found it?"

"Had you noticed anyone else nearby in the woods?

Rolan inspected the aging tower closely as they approached. Like the Watchman, he was hesitant to enter the tower at first. But eventually shook off his paranoia and entered the chamber, joining the others in inspecting the body.

At the Constable's assessment, Rolan shakes his head "A horrible way to go, abandoned in the woods with no friends or family. Has anyone told his wife yet?" Looking to Tobias "If I recall correctly that's your sister? Would you like to take her the bad news, she could likely do with a friendly face now more than ever. Elton and I can search the site where he was found and look for tracks or signs of Fae."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:52, Fri 21 Feb 2020.

"There was a normal looking arrow that we pulled out."

"It was around here somewhere. Ah! Here is is"

The resizing of the room had moved it but, it was easy to find once looked for.

Holding it up, "See, looks like a regular hand made arrow. Nothing special about it that I can tell. The head came off when we were pulling it out."

He offers it to the Constable.

"You want it for evidence?"

"Yes, I'll take that arrow."

Addressing Roland, "Take Watchman Potter with you and have Elton show you where he found the body."

He then called out, "Watchman Potter, I need you to go with Sir Roland and Elton. They will show you where the body was found. Help them look for anything that may tell us who did it."

"I'll gather the other hunters in the area and see if they know where the arrow came from.
There may be something about it they recognize."

To Tobias, "If you don't mind keeping the body here until we learn more, I would be grateful.
Also, if you could speak to your sister, maybe she would know of someone that would want Alvar dead? Let me know as soon as possible if she has any idea who might.
Tell her we will get to the bottom of this and justice will be served."

"A moment Watchman, let us speak." Tobias called to Potter outside the Tower. He pointed toward the door and uttered, "à sealladh"... the door seemingly blended in with the wall and was no longer there.

Tobias sighed wearily and sat down in a tall-backed chair, the one he'd fallen asleep in after arriving at the tower with the body. He wiped a hand across his face as if the making of a certain decision was, perhaps, one of the most difficult things he'd ever done.

"Constable... there were witnesses to the death of Alvar the Tanner. Two of them. They will tell you the truth of what really happened. I was one of those witnesses. Elton is... he's afraid. He's afraid of what the Town will think of him. He's afraid that he'll not be believed that this tragedy was an accident. But if the truth does not come out now, it will cause much more grief to all those involved at a later time... That is why we're here, in my Tower, where no ear may overhear through the thick walls and impenetrable magicks imbued in these stones..."

"Elton, I beg of you to set the story straight, admit you're not being forthcoming with the Constable and your friend, Rolan... tell them the truth... or I will."

"Tell them the truth of whose arrow that is, tell them the truth of the tracks in the clearing turning from those of a deer to those of a man, tell them who loosed the arrow, in error and of no ill intent... tell them Elton, for now is your chance, ...or I will!"

The weight of the young wizard's own tragedy seemed to settle upon him at that point. He'd wanted to do the same thing, to obscure the truth, thinking it less painful for those involved, but in the end only making matters worse. He empathized with Elton, but knew that he'd have to face his sister with a lie if this wasn't resolved now.

At Tobias's words his face blanched white.

"I shot a deer! It bounded into the woods. The arrow in Alvar could have been anyone's!"

With an accusing look he turned directly towards Tobias.
"Did you see the arrow from my bow hit Alvar or like me did you just find the body at the edge of the clearing?"

"The more I think about it the less I am sure it was my shot."

"If it was my shot, it was certainly not intentional!"

Preparing to bound off with the Watchmen and his fellow hunter, Rolan was taken by surprise when the walls closed around him, locking him in. He reached for the dagger on his hip and looked to Tobias. Hearing the man's calm words, he relaxed somewhat. Looking to Elton, he prodded "Let me get this straight. You shot a deer, it bounded off, then you found Alvar's dead body where you believed the deer to have gone? Elton, you're a skilled hunter, you know how to follow a wounded deer. Did you find the corpse where the deer should have been?"

He took a step towards Elton and stared intently at the hunter.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:13, Mon 24 Feb 2020.

Looking directly at Sir Roland, "Yes, I found the body in the direction the deer went after I shot it."

"I stopped looking for the deer when I found the body."

"At first I thought that I may have missed the deer and shot Alvar by accident but, the more I recall what happened, the more sure I am that I hit the deer and didn't miss."

Gesturing towards Tobias, "From what he said, Tobias himself can confirm there was a deer and not a man."

Earnestly to everyone present, "We can go look for the deer's trail."

Rolaan looks at Elton for a moment and then sighs and says "Aye, Potter with come with us, Elton, and we'll go check out the area. Ashwick, you've got this from here? Meet back at your office in town?"

Tobias sighed and shook his head, why is he doubting himself?

"You're an expert shot Elton, you take game with precision and mercy. Alvar must have died nearly instantly. But we both know you were shooting at a golden deer. The fact that it was some sort of enchantment is beside the point. You didn't know you were shooting Alvar, you were simply taking a rare specimen. Dumoss and I both saw the shot, it struck the deer and then the transformation was broken. We also both saw the deer tracks leading into the clearing, and saw that the few steps taken after being shot were those of a man. Be truthful Elton and it will work out, mask the real events with half-truths and it will cost not only you, but many in the Town much more pain..."

"This I know from experience..."

In anguish, "It was a deer!"
The tears start welling.
"I never would have shot if I had known it could have been Alvar."

Burying his face in his hands, "I didn't know. I didn't know!"

With a gesture towards Elton, "Are you telling me that Elton here killed Alvar?"

The initial surprised look turned to a frown, "Is that what I'm hearing?"

Turning towards Tobias while still keeping an eye on Elton, "What is this about a deer and what does it have to do with the murder"

Rolan steps forward and places a hand on his fellow hunter's shoulder "You must tell us the truth, ELton. There can be good end to this if you don't speak your truth." Allowing the man to rest and turning back to Constable Ashwick, Rolan answers him with a sigh "If I'm hearing this right, it would appear Elton hunted down a maajestic prey, a Golden Deer, something never before seen in these woods. As he downed the beast, a spell broke, and the deer transformed to reveal Alvar, dead by Elton's arrow. If what Tobias says is true, and I haven't cause to doubt him, then Elton is innocent, and whoever casted such trickery in the first place is the one who must be hunted down."

"Murder... that's your word Constable, not mine, not Elton's. There was no murder. There was a terrible, tragic accident... one which may have more sinister roots. The fact is that Elton is innocent. Perhaps he was duped, but he's certainly no murderer..."

"Dumoss has taken it upon himself to investigate the... unnatural circumstances. I've tried to keep Elton calm, but he's - understandably - terrified of what the townsfolk will think and say about him. I believe that's why he's having trouble with parts of his story..."

Tobias looked at the Nobleman, "With your vouching Sir, Elton will be spoken well of before the town. Due to my own... past, some of the townsfolk will certainly be suspicious. This is why we came in search you you. Your word carries weight on behalf of the innocent."

The young wizard rubbed his temples wearily. This was as much human interaction as he typically had in an entire week, and though he felt some minor sense of control of the situation here in his own Tower, he did not wish for his guests to stay any long than absolutely necessary.

He also fretted about how to break the news to his sister...

Through his hands he choked out, "I shot a deer and then found Alvar dead with an arrow that looked like mine."
More firmly he said, "That's the truth."

"I don't know how it happened."

Facing Sir Rolan, "On your word and from the description, I can accept that this was an accident."

In a stern tone to Elton, "I'm sure that Alvar's family will hold you accountable Elton and will expect you to pay the wergild even if it was an accident."

Turning to look directly at Tobias, "Do you have any idea who or what was behind this transformation of Alvar into a deer?"

"We can't have this sort of thing happening to others."

Rolan sighs, this was abnormal at the very least. He nodded to the Constable and said "This will require continued investigation, but I will vouch for Elton here and now, and I will pay the Wergild, Elton has a family to look after and he doesn't appear responsible for this." he paced for awhile, thinking of the horror that Elton must be feeling and then said "Ashwick, why don't you take body back with your watchmen and have it kept at the guardhouse until Elton, Tobias, and I can speak with the family and prepare a proper burial."

Everyone hears a thumping coming from the wall on the side of the room where the door and Watchman Potter had been earlier.

There was a muffled, "Constable! Constable! Are you OK?"

"Very well, I'm relieved that we understand each other and that the truth of what's happened is understood as well."

Tobias muttered a strange phrase and gestured at the wall with his staff. The room suddenly appeared as it had when they'd all entered, leaving one to wonder if the disappearance of the door had just been a figment of the imagination.

"Elton, you've done nothing wrong, save for trying to excuse certain facts and displace yourself from blame through obfuscation of the truth. Stick to the truth. I know you're scared. I, of anyone, understand this. But realize that you'll only cause more grief by muddying the waters."

The young wizard then stood and ran a hand through his bedraggled hair. "I suppose now's as good a time as any. Let's go see my sister."

In a commanding voice, "Watchman Potter carry Alvar's body to my office then, go get Old Man Fossor. Tell him he will need to dig a grave for Alvar."

"Elton, you will help Watchman Potter carry the body then wait at the office till I return."

"I will go inform Lord Math that we have lost our tanner and how it happened. He will decide if all is settled on this death."

Looking to Sir Roland, "Expect a summons from Lord Math when Alvar's family hears of what happened and that you will pay for his death. May take some time as they live at Willow's Edge but you can be sure they will be expecting payment."

Looking between Tobias, Elton and Roland, "If any of you know of another tanner that might move here, let me or Lord Math know. Several craftsmen depend on having leather."

Rolan nods and agrees to the Constable's requests. With this done, he's prepared to see the Alvar's family.