Episode 7 - Murder by Colors - Notes

DM Notes

The identities of the city council are concealed by colored masks. These masks are magical and modify the wearer's voice.

Mr. Red, Ms. Orange, Mrs. Yellow, Mr. Green, Mr. Blue, Ms. Indigo, Mrs. Violet.

Each council person is selected for life. From their ranks, a mayor is elected by the general public for a one year term. At any time, a member may resign from his or her life appointment.

After recovering the Dawn Ray, the party will be escorted to City Hall by Lieutenant Edward Chiles. He'll introduce the party to the Mayor, Mr. Green. Mayor Green will promote Chiles to the rank of Captain with the confirmed death of Russo. While discussing their reward, Lieutenant Thomas will arrive and whisper news of the death of Mr. Blue to Mayor Green. The mayor will bring Chiles into the conversation. After some discussion, they'll inform the players of the situation and ask them to investigate.

Agenda

The Asps are trying to gain political control of Dayton by replacing the city council members. A little over a year ago, they were able to get one of their agents in as Ms. Indigo. They've also successfully bribed and blackmailed Mr. Red.

Under the cover of the Dawn Ray being stolen, they successfully assassinated Mr. Blue. He was poisoned and it was made to look like a heart attack. Due to the timing of the death, the PCs are asked to investigate.

Evidence should point to Ms. Orange as the poisoner.

Background

Ms. Indigo, Lady Tracie Lyeser of Rosehome, is a high level Asp sleeper agent.

Four years ago, the

Three years ago she was appointed to the Dayton city council as Ms. Indigo. Since that time she's been cultivating information and blackmail material on the other council members.

The Crime

During the "night" when the Dawn Ray was stolen. Ms. Indigo set in motion a plan to replace several members of the city council.

Scene 1 - A Second Meeting with the Mayor

The journey back from the Asp hideout to Dayton is quiet. Exhausted from the long day of travel and Asp kicking, you bed down at the Grey Pause Tavern. After a good rest and a filling breakfast, you travel to City Hall to meet up with the Mayor.

When you arrive the Mayor is talking with Lieutenant Thomas and a courier. He gives a dismissive nod to the courier and then motions for the Lieutenant to join him as he approaches you. The Mayor is clearly stressed and likely still hasn't slept since the Dawn Ray was stolen. He's still wearing the same clothes and his blonde hair is a mess.

You're back! The Mayor moves with surprising quickness to Rolfwicke, grips him by the shoulders, pauses for a second, and then pulls him in for a hug. Lieutenant Thomas clears his throat and the Mayor releases Rolfwicke and takes a few uneven steps backwards. I'm sorry. It's been a long day. A strong scent of alcohol fills your nose.

As you know, my good friend and colleague, Mr. Blue, was found dead in his house during the Dawn Ray theft. He awkwardly motions to Thomas, Lieutenant Thomas here was dispatched to wake and bring Mr. Blue here, so we could discuss a plan… The Lieutenant steps in and interrupts the Mayor, a plan to figure out who is behind all of these disturbances. Regardless, I found Mr. Blue dead at his dining table. I immediately called for a squad of the guard and nobody else has been allowed to enter the house. Because Mr. Blue's identity was only known to a few, every member of the city council is a possible suspect. With that in mind, it's imperative that we use an outside party to investigate.

The Mayor has seemed to regain his composure, Thomas here will take you to Mr. Blue's house and assist you in any way possible.

Scene 2 - Mr. Blue's House

On your way to the house you pass through a few of the districts and a large open park. This house is a quaint little one story place near the city wall. From the outside it looks to only have a few rooms. A few guards are standing on either side of the front door. They straighten up once they realize you are approaching the house.

Lieutenant, Lady Blue arrived an hour ago, she's inside with Ashe and Dunwoody in the parlor.

Lieutenant Thomas gives a curt nod to the soldiers and opens the door. You step in and are immediately greeted with muffled sobs coming from your left. Ahead of you in the next room is a body collapsed over a dining table with a broken cup on the floor.

Clues
Mr. Blue's Body - Heal (DC 20) - Learn that Mr. Blue was poisoned. Probably his drink.

Poison Vial - Perception (DC 25) - Find the vial used to carry the poison.

Poison Vial - Nature (DC 25) - Determine the kind of poison used. "Ivy Death"

Poison Expert - Streetwise (DC 25) - Find out how to meet the poison expert at the Grey Pause.

Trash - Perception (DC 15) - Letter from an adulteress to Mrs. Blue's about her affair with Mr. Blue.

###Scene 3 - Grey Pause Tavern

Poison expert.

Ivy Death Poison - Diplomacy (DC 20) or Intimidate (DC 25) - Suffocates victims. Deprives them of the ability to breath.

Ivy Death Recipe - Diplomacy (DC 20) or Intimidate (DC 25) - Pricey. Choking Ivy is hard to find in this part of the continent.

Ivy Death Buyers - Diplomacy (DC 20) or Intimidate (DC 25) - Sold it to a woman about a week ago.

###Scene 4 - Ms. Orange's House

###Scene 5 - Mr. Red's Office

###Scene 6 - Ms. Indigo's Hideout

This nondescript house would be forgotten by many a passersby. But Mr. Red's directions led you directly to this door.

Encounter - 1,150xp
Ms. Indigo - 300xp
Asp Guards [x2] - 300xp
Asp Assassins [x3] - 375xp
Asp Wizard - 175xp

Clues

Ms. Orange & Mr. Blue's shouting match

Poison Vial (Blue's House, Orange's House, Red's Office)
Perception (DC 25)
Nature (DC 20)
Arcana (DC 20)

Red's Ledger (Violet's Possession)

Letter from "Indigo" to Mrs. Blue about affair with Mr. Blue (Blue's House, Orange's House)

Mr. Blue's Body (Blue's House)
Heal (DC 20)

Poison Expert (Grey Pause)
Streetwise (DC 25)

Skill Checks

Interrogation - Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Insight

Dungeoneering, History, Religion, Thievery

Knowledge Checks
Common (DC 15)
Expert (DC 20)
Master (DC 25)

Locations

Mr. Blue's House (BH)
Ms. Orange's House (OH)
Mr. Red's Office (RO)
Ms. Indigo's Hideout (IH)
Grey Pause Tavern and Inn (GP)

People

Mr. Red

Information

• Overheard Mr. Blue and Ms. Orange having a shouting match in Mr. Blue's office in City Hall.

Alibi
With Mrs. Violet working on a draft of law to increase taxes on imported goods.
Actually killed Mr. Blue and planted evidence to frame Ms. Orange.

Clue bonuses
Red's Ledger (+5 to check)
Red's Poison Vial (+2 to check)

Actions
Convince Mr. Red to rat out Ms. Indigo. (Diplomacy or Intimidate DC 25)

Ms. Orange

Information

• Had an argument with Mr. Blue, in Mr. Blue's office in City Hall.
• Knew Mr. Blue was having an affair.
• Thinks Mr. Red is having an affair with the same woman.
• Hoping the adulteress isn't Mrs. Violet.
• Found draft of adulteress' letter at City Hall.

Alibi
Sleeping.
Actually was sleeping with Mrs. Violet at Violet's house.

Clue bonuses
Blue's Poison Vial
Orange's Poison Vial
Draft of letter from Adulteress to Mrs. Blue (+2 to check)

Actions

Mrs. Yellow

Alibi
Currently in Carwenhen with the Olivian Republic.

Mr. Green

Alibi
Working with Ms. Indigo in City Hall coordinating a response to the theft of the Dawn Ray.

Mrs. Blue

Information

Alibi
In the Temple of the Ithquenti praying to the Protector of All for the safety of the city.

Clue bonuses
Letter from Adulteress to Mrs. Blue (+5 to check)

Actions

• Intimidate Mrs. Blue about knowledge of affair. (DC 20)

Ms. Indigo

Information

• Heard an argument between Ms. Orange and Mr. Blue in Mr. Blue's office in City Hall.

Alibi
Working with Mr. Green in City Hall coordinating a response to the theft of the Dawn Ray.

Clue bonuses

• Red's Ledger (+5 to check)

Actions

Mrs. Violet

Information

• Heard argument between Ms. Orange and Mr. Blue.
• Has a ledger from Mr. Red showing suspicious expenses.

Alibi
With Mr. Red working on a draft of law to increase taxes on imported goods.
Actually was sleeping with Ms. Orange at Violet's house.

Clue bonuses

Actions
Inform Mrs. Violet of Ms. Orange being prime suspect (+10 to checks)

Other Stuff

Lidra, Yoweth Svitrani of Dayton
Lady Bel (Orange)

Red - 10