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Urban Ranger
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Apolyton Duke of Off-Topic
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"Friends," Urban Ranger stood up, "this is a difficult announcement to make, but the evidence is unmistakably clear. The culprit is none other than Spacéd C’owboy. Remember that time when we were attacked by a Svirfneblin? That just says even the good could be coerced.
"By the code of paladins, he is required to vote publicly, if he votes at all. We have never seen him casted any votes publicly, which means only one thing. He never did vote. Why didn't he? That's because he knows that we are innocent, and he could not bear to lay false accusations on any of us.
"Lets look at the parchment. Here it says I write this asking for atonement. What kind of people look for atonement? Clerics and paladins.
"The Half-Ogre bard Gheneral Ludd. Who would he trust? Everybody trusts a paladin, even the most paranoid does.
"Spacéd C’owboy holy symbol, the Amnian cross of Helm, is missing. Did he lost it? Did he throw it away? Was it stolen? It doesn't matter. What matters is he doesn't seem eager to go look for it. What would a paladin be without his holy symbol? Unless, of course, he has already fallen, strayed from the path of his god.
"But, he still tried to clutched for it, which just says his heart is still with his god, even though his deeds have undone him. This makes perfect sense when you compare it to what's written in cipher on the parchment.
"The person who's responsible is Spacéd C’owboy. Unimaginable, perhaps, but the only logical conclusion. Perhaps he did not commit the actual murders, he allows Drows to slip in on his watch to do it. This seems reasonable, considering the way Siddiqui Il-Artir was murdered: it showed a great hatred.
"Since Drows can see in the dark, move about in this forsaken area quietly, and prefer to attack from behind, this can easily explain how the other murders were committed."
Urban Ranger turned to look at Joncha, "And Spacéd C’owboy rhymes much better with human-born than Jon Miller."
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DarkCloud
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of Lists
Jul 2000
time: 05:36
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The Histories of The Forgotten Realms LXII: Chapter V- Death by Drow
15-Nerul-13733
After using his ki-powers to decode the message, the Monk Joncha read it out for all to hear. Demanding that the killer admit his guilt now, or have his soul condemned to the never hells, he announced his intentions to all present.
Spacéd C’owboy crossed himself and cast his eyes downward, felling sorrow for one who seemed, at heart, good, but was be coerced by cruel drow and forced into his murderous ways. He also prayed for his own soul, now realizing that all the deaths were connected and that his God had led him astray. The others had not been meant to perish, he realized now. His error, the others errors, had contributed to innocent personages’ deaths. Feeling dismal, he felt like sacrificing himself to Helm to atone for his sins.
Joncha, speaking loudly yelled his suppositions above the mulling noise of the others- “The Killer, by evidence of this damning rhyming verse, can be no other than Jon Miller, our lone surviving Bard!”
Spacéd C’owboy gasped. The Ranger, Urban Ranger looked at him sideways, grumbling to himself- “That one might be feeling a mite guilty about escaping justice...” He looked at the evidence grasped closely in his hand. The coin with six seated figures surrounded by a wheel, the cross of Helm found beside Gheneral Ludd’s acid-burned body. Both pieces of evidence, including Spacéd’s blind insistence on executing people for their crimes implicated the man significantly. Thus, Urban Ranger voiced his vote.
Spacéd C’owboy trembled. “No. It was not I.” He shook his head.
“That fiend DrSpike must have stolen my coin!” Jon Miller pointed at the Human Rogue.
DrSpike trembled in fear. “I didn’t kill Gheneral Ludd.” He insisted.
“But you must have...” Spacéd C’owboy’s voice trailed off. His Bardic-ally couldn’t have done the deed- Jon was good- this Rogue was Neutral. Therefore, he was suspect. Spacéd spoke up... “I will state my vote-”
Octavius X, sulking in a corner cursed and refused to take any part in the voting. To his mind, they were all guilty; Spacéd and Jon Miller, and Chaunk, and DrSpike- they had all killed someone, he deduced. And so he would vote for none of them. He resolved to slink away into the caves and find some exit to the surface... by himself.
Trokair T’Shanbar mumbled something to himself and wrote out a name.
Chaunk, deciding to use his Sorceroic powers to increase the power of his vote, created a clone copy of his own determination, implicating Jon Miller in the crime.
Zopperoni too, fearing for his safety, implicated Jon Miller, joining in the pile, even though he secretly suspected the ranger, Octavius X. The man had found too many corpses to be completely innocent, he muttered.
And so, when all the votes were collected, the group decided and pronounced death on Jon Miller. The diminutive Bard shrank from their accusations, denying them at first. Then, before Joncha could destroy him with a flurry of blows, Jon suddenly rose up and admitted it all.
“Yes,” he cried. “It was me.”
Spacéd and Urban Ranger hissed in amazement, hearing Jon’s admission.
“Yes, it was.” Jon shook his head. “You were right, Joncha. That was my writing and my pen. I had hoped to disguise my intent- but I suppose I really wanted to be caught. The music is a part of my soul nowadays, it even worked its way into my admission. I probably shouldn’t have killed Gheneral Ludd- then he would have been implicated by the words as well- should they have been found... and I probably should have kept better watch on the words- but maybe I WANTED to be caught. Do you understand what these past few weeks have been like for me. I have been wanted by the DROW. They have watched me and threatened me and came to me in the middle of the night. I have been doing their bidding and killing innocent men and women. Do you understand?” He regarded them all with a level, sad gaze.
“When I traveled here from Amn, I was separated from my good friend the Paladin. When he went up to sleep, I continued to perform at a tavern, to pass the time. Then, following a dark hooded man who told me he knew where I could find some quick money performing at a rival bar across the town, I found myself captured... by Dark Elves!”
“A tear came to the Bard’s tender eyes. “They threatened me. They knew who I was and they knew of my family- my wife, my three children, my little daughter. And they threatened to destroy them if I did not do their will... They knew my plans, to destroy Sschindyrlryn... and the wanted to stop myself and Azoun. Therefore, they told me that I was to kill as many adventurers as I could before we reached the city- I panicked, I accepted their offer... Thinking to perhaps betray them.
“Then, traveling into the cavern, I sighted the Drow, just before they caused a rockslide, injuring the Great Mage Tuberski Majere... But I said nothing. However, the action frightened me, and I knew that they would hold true to their word. So, for survival, I slipped out of my covers during the night, stole Ljcvetko’s axe and slit Nucleaus’ throat.
“The next night, I strangled Jonny, but was sighted by Octavius and Spacéd... Praying that they would not recognize me, I utilized my bardic skills and HID in plain sight, melting into the background and covering my heat with my hood- thereby foiling Octavius’ infavision. Then I sprinted away into the night.
“The third night, I and Gheneral Ludd, traveling at the aft end of the party, spoke together... After the Kuo-Toa were destroyed, I fell back further and began playing a note... Soon enough, the Gheneral was entranced and charmed, and obediently walked into the pool, destroying himself. However, when I drew my lute from its holder, I must have dropped a coin... a coin with six figures on it, a coin of Amn... and the piece of parchment that you all hold now.
“On the fourth night- I led Siddiqui to the tree groves, knowing that he had not seen them earlier, and knowing that he, being a Druid, would wish to see the grand trees grow... therefore, when his back was turned, I killed him, slitting his throat with my knife... However, an Illithid, a Mind-Flayer soon called to me, warning me that the Drow were not pleased with my progress thus far. I replied that I had killed one adventurer each night. The Illithid did not believe me, he thought I was tricking his reading of my mind... so, reaching into my pack, I did the only thing I could, I nailed Siddiqui’s corpse to the tree, leaving it as a beacon for all Drow to see so that they would know my work.”
“Bah, I am the most Cursed of the Gods... May they have mercy on my Soul.” Jon threw up his arms in despair. Joncha, with a swift flick of his wrist, shattered Jon’s collarbone, sending him to the ground. With a kick, he launched the Bard into the air, then punched his nose, sending shards up into his brain. Seconds later, Jon Miller- the Curséd Bard, lay dead at the foot of the Mushroom-Tree.”
Joncha looked at the man, shook his head and left, leading the group down into the grove.
The Forestry and Adventuring Log of The Half-Elf Octavius X
... I had been prepared to leave the party, but with the Assassin slain, I decided to hold to the group as they continued their adventures. After destroying a pack of Drow hidden in the grove, we continued on until we beheld Sschindyrlryn. At the Drow city, one of our number, the Dwarven Ranger, Urban Ranger came down with a strange affliction... One which none of us could determine. Collapsing and perishing, seemingly fending off some superior will, he died. Then we saw his tormentor. Looming before us, at seven feet tall, its head touching the cavern ceiling, stood a foul Illithid, its tendrils moving in wicked patterns underneath its face, its mind trying to lock with my own.
I resisted the Mind-Flayer, while Joncha launched himself against it, slaying it with a Flurry of Blows. Then I was free. Silently, I thanked the angered Monk for his work. He accepted it without a nod. Urban Ranger had been a friend of his, as dear as the Great Tuberski Majere. He was haunted.
The Histories of The Forgotten Realms LXII: Chapter IX- Eye of the Beholder
27-Nerul-13733
...After many days spent exploring the Underdark and after joining with several other adventurers who had made their way toward Sschindyrlryn, the Adventures arrived at that cursed city, noticing that it teemed with nothing, not life, not anything.
Feeling eerie, they started exploring, splitting up into groups of three.
It was then that they discovered the citadel’s great secret, and the secret for the increased Drow raids.
The Drow had been searching for some escape, for some place to survive after what had happened to their city. Seemingly, some all-too-important Wizard had accidentally brought forward a creature of untold evil, and untold strength to do his bidding, and the creature had overpowered him, then bent the city to its will.
This creature was not a demon. And no, this creature was not a devil. No. It was none of those things. It was much worse than all of those things could ever be.
It was a beholder.
A demon-beholder
A demonic-devilish-planar beholder.
The most powerful beholder known to man.
Seeing the creature, the Adventurers cowered in fear. Opening its eye, the creature blinded them all with searing light and negated all magics aimed at it.
Spacéd C’owboy, still seeking redemption for his faulty witchhunts against false Assassins, led the charge with a mighty shout, heading straight between the Beholder’s pulsing tendrils and tight-grasped swords. His God kept him self, Helm knows how, and he reached the foul creatures eye, then started slashing.
Trokair T’Shanbar, dazed by the blast and drained by the anti-magic wall, nearly collapsed under the onslaught, but he fought the urges and did his best to stand upright.
Octavius X, the Half-Elven Ranger, shot arrow after arrow into the Beholder’s pulsing eye, all to no effect.
Zopperoni and DrSpike, the Rogues snuck in, burying themselves under the beast and piercing it from behind.
And all the while, Chaunk smashed at and scratched at his latest invention, a gigantic light-amplifier, constructed so as to blind Dark Elves (so accustomed they are to darkness), but which he now noted could be used against this beholder, this creature of light... as a mirror. If only he could get the thing to work.
Joncha, watching Chaunk, sniffed disapproval, but hurtled himself into the melee, doing battle with the beholder’s tendrils- tying them together as best he could.
Things began looking grim for the party. Spacéd C’owboy had been caught in the creature’s maw. Only his strength and his sword, positioned between the upper and lower jaws, kept him from being crushed alive... And those would not be enough, for the creature’s gigantic tongue came forth in a torrent of speed to wrap itself around his puny form and drag him into its gullet. Octavius had been noticed by the beast and even then, a tendril moved toward his unnoticing arrow-firing form. Zopperoni and DrSpike were summarily crushed by the gigantic beast. And Joncha was wearying at his tying.
Then Chaunk made his move. Fixing the mirror, he jumped into the light and reflected it back at the creature. The creature screamed, spitting the Paladin from its mouth, recoiling from the battle and batting Joncha aside into a tall Drow building.
Trokair T’Shanbar then recovered and recited the spell he had been preparing for battle with the Drow, the one he had been studying the entire Adventure- the ‘Master Magus Fireball”- a spell that would immolate everything in its path. Concentrating, he fired the ball, over Spacéd’s head and straight into the creature’s horrible eye.
The beholder exploded.
Trokair collapsed, nearly dead with exhaustion.
Minutes later, the survivors rallied to his side. Blood was dripping out the side of his mouth and his life was ebbing away. Spacéd, hobbling to the man’s side, knew there was only one thing he could do to save Trokair’s life- and so he did it. Sacrificing himself, Spacéd transferred his life energies, laying his hands on Trokair’s ebbing substance and dooming himself to death.
The Magical Scrollbook and Journal of the Great Trokair T’Shanbar
... I find it strange that I am writing this here. I should by rights, be dead by now. Between the Assassin, the Drow and the Beholder, I should have been killed many times over- and yet- I am here.
I do not claim to be an eloquent speaker, or a great wizard- nay, I may have cast a great spell, but at great cost to myself and the others. I am no great wizard. I write this now, only by aid of an assistant. Casting the spell, my hands shriveled under the impact of the force and I can write no more. No. I am not great.
But, in Azoun’s eyes, and in the eyes of Cormyr, as well as those of all Faerun, we- the adventurers who survived (and those who did not) were all great.
Without Spacéd’s sacrifice and reckless charge, we would all be dead. Without Chaunk’s mirror, I would never have cast the spell. Without Joncha’s brutal fighting, we would all be dead. Without Zopperoni and DrSpike’s ultimate sacrifices... all would be dead.
And that makes me melancholy to think of it...
We should never have been so hasty to condemn those whom we did with Helm’s blessing. For our actions were not blessed. None of us came out of the Underdark whole in body or whole in mind. Many were dead. And, if we had not executed the others so hastily, doing the Drow’s own job for them, we might have been able to defeat the Beholder and the Drow with a minimum of effort.
Sigh. As it is now, the Drow have retaken their citadel, but their raids have ceased. The beholder is dead- but so are many souls...
THE END
Specific Hints and Voting Order will follow (there were at least 20 hints, so this might take some time...)
(...in the end- it was Chaunk’s special that won it for you guys...)
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DarkCloud
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of Lists
Jul 2000
time: 05:36
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Hints
Day 1
*Jon Miller quote:
was perversely hoping that our "Great" Wizard would die so that he could sing an epic about the instance, |
*Jon Miller also sings a song. (Important later)... shows he doesn't like elves in the song.
*Ljube has to sharpen his axe (It was used.) When it turns out that he isn't guilty, this implicates a thief who stole the thing.
*quote:
Pronouncing the man dead, Spacéd rose, showing all the body, which had been sliced not with drow blades or scimitars, or sucked dry by spiders, or with a shattered mind by an illithid, but with an axe, cutting straight down the center of the neck- not levied like a bludgeon, but used to slice, so that the blood would not spurt. |
Exhonerates the Barbarian. Only a thief, roguish character would slice with an axe instead of chopping.
Day 2
*quote:
Octavius X spotted a quick-moving figure |
Bards, Rogues move fast. Octavius X exhonerated somewhat since he claims to have seen the assassin running from the scene.
*quote:
Inspecting the body further, Octavius noted that the face was contorted in a mien of supreme horror as though Jonny had tried to cry out before he perished. Looking at the man’s neck, Octavius assumed the man had been strangled, but he realized- it could have been magic- the man had disappeared into the shadows, evading even Octavius’ elven night-vision... Maybe there was some invisibility involved here? |
Jon used the Hide Feat here.
*quote:
Meanwhile, Spacéd C’owboy, his voice dry, called for Helm to bless them all and to guide them in the discovery of this second murderer and to put him to rest, for, “There is no place in Helm’s laws for revenge... and the man... or woman who slaughtered this poor halfling was driven by an unlawful desire- we must have order-” |
Exhonerates Spaced... Chaos is the opposite of law. Jon Miller is Chaotic Good.
Day 3
*quote:
>... The amazing rock-smasher-aparter cannot be constructed as of this time. The drawings are complete, yes, but the other adventurers insist on pressing on, not putting any faith in my invention, the fools. How dare they disregard Gnomic inventions. Of course they explode every now and then. Of course they cause death to people from time to time. But they are inventions! they cannot be perfect the first time. If only I had time to revise my invention, then I could utilize it to lead the group to freedom- bah, the fools. |
chaunk actually wants to leave- therefore he can’t be the assassin... who would want people to be in a contained space.
*quote:
...All the groups held together in support of each other- Tuberski’s aides, Joncha and Urban Ranger standing by his side, and the Amnian’s Spacéd C’owboy and Jon Miller discussing the murders most foul, Jon Miller tearfully composing an ode to the fallen and leaning on Spacéd C’owboy’s shoulder for support.
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Jon Miller feeling guilty.
*quote:
Suddenly, before the Paladin could state the choice of the group and decry the guilty party, a Drow dart whizzed by his and Jon Miller’s heads, striking the Wizard, Tuberski Majere and bringing him low. |
Drow are ordering Jon Miller to hurry up with his work.
*quote:
Joncha dully suggested that the Gheneral had quarreled with someone and met a bitter end for it, but we all wondered- just who could have pushed the gigantic Half-Ogre? Who would he have trusted? There were none others of his race in the party, and none left for Anauroch. What had caused him to drop his guard? |
There may be none of his race... but there is another Bard who he might have trusted... and the magic users were at the bakc of the party during the Kuo-Toa fight.
Day 4
*quote:
The Histories of The Forgotten Realms LXII: Chapter IV- Death by Drow
15-Nerul-13733
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Foreshadows and gives hints for deciphering the code.
*The code itself was sing-songy and rhymey.
*quote:
After discovering the strange message, we all stood around, attempting to decipher its contents. Lady Anita Blake and the Gnomic Sorceror Chaunk immediately offered their assistance, but then, the Paladin Spacéd C’owboy loomed over us all like a demon parting the mist, his chest notably clean and open without his Amnian cross of Helm to grace it in its majesty. Parting the two and striding into the center of the party, he read the votes and announced who “Helm had determined” must perish for their crimes. The Lady Anita Blake screamed out in outrage when she heard that her name had been chosen. Before collapsing in a faint, she prayed to her Gods and to her Lady to save her from this travesty. Nevertheless, as she was unconscious, Spacéd grimly instructed the Bard Jon Miller and the Monk Joncha to lift her body and throw it into the acid pools. Everyone averted their eyes and warded off the splash. |
Very ironic- irony- Jon charmedGheneral Ludd in... and he throws in anita- how sweet 
irony- joncha had the theory... and now he works with the killer.
*quote:
Then, the woman was dead. An eerie silence prevailed over the group. The Paladin shifted uncomfortably, nervously fingering his neck where the cross had been. Jon Miller put an arm on his shoulder and bent to whisper something in his ear. The Paladin shook his head, his eyes fixed on Jon’s cross, then turned and left. Jon shrugged. |
Jon also has a cross. although Spaced's is indeed the one in the pool (dropped when he chased after Spike), the cross nevertheless points at Jon somewhat too.
Jon is also feeling guilty here.
*quote:
Looking out, they saw spread before them, the plains of the Underdark, the mushroom trees, the black forest and the blind creatures walking around, eating fruit and shining forth unnatural light from their bodies. Everyone stood in awe of the sight. Jon Miller even comprised an ode to the event for the party to remember their first sight of it by. |
since Siddiqui wasn’t there to see it- jon told him he’d show him something later in the night and siddiqui, cynically followed and was killed. Jon had to stab him up to display him for the drow.
The End
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DarkCloud
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of Lists
Jul 2000
time: 05:36
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Voting
---
ROUND 4
joncha- Jon Miller, Trokair
Spaced Cowboy- DrSpike
OctaviusX- ?
Zopperoni- Jon Miller, Octavius X
Urban Ranger- Spaced Cowboy
DrSpike- Jon Miller
Chaunk- Jon Miller (counts twice)
jon miller- DrSpike
Trokair- Jon Miller, Spaced Cowboy
JON MILLER (negates 2 votes for him- 3 come against next turn)
Spaced Cowboy- 1 vote
DrSpike- 2 votes
Chaunk- 2 votes (special invoked)
Jon Miller- 4 votes
---
ROUND 3
joncha- Anita Blake, Trokair
Spaced Cowboy- Lady Anita Blake
OctaviusX- Chaunk, Trokair
Zopperoni- Urban Ranger, Spaced Cowboy
Imran Siddiqui- chaunk, trokair
Urban Ranger- DrSpike, Zopperoni
DrSpike- Anita Blake
Anita Blake- ?
Chaunk- DrSpike, Anita Blake
jon miller- DrSpike, Zopperoni
Trokair- Chaunk, Zopperoni
Anita Blake- 3 votes
Dr Spike- 3 Votes
Chaunk- 3 votes
Urban Ranger- 1 vote
---
ROUND 2
joncha- Tuberski, Trokair
Spaced Cowboy- Tuberski
OctaviusX- ?
Zopperoni- Urban Ranger, OctaviusX
Imran Siddiqui- Chaunk, Trokair
Urban Ranger- Zopperoni, DrSpike
DrSpike- Urban Ranger
Anita Blake- ?
Chaunk- Tuberski, DrSpike
General Ludd- Chaunk, Spaced Cowboy
jon miller- ?
Trokair- Tuberski, Zopperoni
Tuberski- ?
Zopperoni- 1 vote
Chaunk- 2 votes
Urban Ranger- 2 votes
Tuberski- 4 votes
--
ROUND 1
joncha- OctaviusX, joncha
Spaced Cowboy- Ljube Ljcvetko
OctaviusX- Ljube Ljcvetko, General Ludd
Zopperoni- Urban Ranger
Imran Siddiqui- Chaunk, Anita Blake
Urban Ranger- DrSpike
DrSpike- Urban Ranger, DrSpike
Anita Blake- ?
Ljube Ljcvetko- ?
Chaunk- Zopperoni, DrSpike
General Ludd- Spaced Cowboy
Jonny- Chaunk, DrSpike
jon miller- Ljube Ljcvetko
Trokair- ?
Tuberski- ?
DrSpike- 1 vote
Zopperoni- 1 vote
OctaviusX- 1 vote
Spaced Cowboy- 1 vote
Chaunk- 2 votes
Urban Ranger- 2 votes
Ljube Ljcvetko- 3 votes
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17-06-2004 07:39
poll. 
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