Session 11: Thinking Man

Date: Jul 9th, 2025

Summary

The investigation into Nalassa Hume's murder began with the party reviewing their evidence board and case notes. They recalled that the victim had crashed through a fourth-floor window at the Danoran consulate, landing on a spike fence after two gunshots were heard. A man with a goatee had taken papers and a gold necklace with a canary pendant from the dying woman before fleeing down an alley. The victim's boyfriend, Braden Sarkin, worked as a security guard at the consulate, and the couple had met at the Thinking Man's Tavern. At the consulate, Archie cast Fox's Cunning to enhance his investigative abilities before examining Nalassa's body. While Fredriche distracted Chief Julien LeBrix and Reggie spoke with secretary Tia Jedeau, Archie discovered multiple wounds on the corpse. The body showed glass cuts, fence punctures, two gunshot wounds, and a mysterious scalp wound that appeared to be caused by necromantic magic. In the victim's pockets, he found a bail certificate from a contraband raid and a receipt for mysterious items worth 2,450 gold pieces signed "DW," with "Silvio Diafeldman family" written on the back in different handwriting. The crime scene investigation on the fourth floor revealed inconsistencies in LeBrix's story. The security chief claimed he had shot Nalassa in the leg as she fled from stealing silverware in a supply room, then shot her again in the back as she flew through the window. However, Archie found no blood spatter inside the building where she was allegedly shot, and noticed that a rug in the gallery room had been recently moved. Fredriche observed that the consular's office door showed signs of recent lock picking, suggesting the victim may have stolen documents rather than silverware. When questioning staff members, the party discovered more inconsistencies. LeBrix claimed his argument with housekeeping staff was merely about cleaning up the blood, but head housekeeper Mademoiselle Flem revealed he was particularly passionate about removing the blood trail. The party also found an empty brigadeiros box from the Thinking Man's Tavern with only crumbs remaining, which they collected as potential evidence of drugging. In the alley where the goateed man had fled, Archie's investigation uncovered signs of a scuffle between two men. They found a deed for a canal barge with the Danoran Council seal, coagulated blood smears, and Fredriche detected traces of recently used electrical magic. The evidence suggested another man had chased the document thief down the alley, leading to a confrontation. The party then traveled to Bosun Strand, the docks district, to investigate the Thinking Man's Tavern. Upon entering the establishment, a minor earthquake tremor shook the building, causing brief panic among the patrons. Archie announced it was his birthday and bought drinks for everyone, while Fredriche had to show a fake ID claiming to be 42 when questioned about his age by tavern owner Tad Hilly. Reggie spoke with Helms Grimsby, a docker union organizer he knew from previous encounters, on the tavern's patio. Helms confirmed that Nalassa was a regular customer and mentioned that Barb, a longtime waitress, had been particularly close to her. He also provided crucial information about Deon Feldman, a riverboat pilot who had been hired to navigate a vessel called the Sylvio, which operated from a wharf rumored to be owned by a new crime syndicate called "The Family." Inside the tavern, Archie learned from Tad that Nalassa had purchased a couple dozen brigadeiros around 8 AM on the morning of her death, confirming she regularly brought these treats to her friends at the consulate. He also met Kenneth Rinus, a professor of archaeology and philosophy who revealed he had helped Nalassa write correspondence using fancy Chrysalis calligraphy. The party theorized that the brigadeiros may have been drugged to incapacitate people at the consulate, allowing Nalassa to move around undetected while stealing documents. The investigation had revealed a complex web of connections involving crime syndicates, document theft, and a cover-up at the Danoran consulate.

Scenes

Evidence Board Setup and Case Review

The party reviews their investigation notes and evidence board for the Nalassa Hume murder case.

Body Investigation at the Consulate

Archie examines Nalassa Hume's body while others distract security personnel.

Crime Scene Investigation

The party investigates the fourth floor of the consulate where Nalassa allegedly broke through the window.

Questioning Staff at the Consulate

The party questions various staff members about the incident and discovers inconsistencies.

Alley Investigation

The party investigates the alley where the goateed man fled after taking documents from the victim.

Evidence Analysis and Planning

The party discusses evidence from their investigation and plans their next moves.

Arrival at the Thinking Man's Tavern

The party travels to the Thinking Man's Tavern in Bosun Strand and enters the establishment.

Conversations at the Thinking Man's

The party splits up to gather information, with Reggie talking to Helms Grimsby on the patio while Archie and Fredriche mingle inside.

Npcs

Chief Julien LeBrix

Security chief at the Danoran consulate who claims he shot Nalassa Hume twice - once in the leg before she jumped out the window, then in the back while she was flying away. He discovered her allegedly stealing silverware and a gold egg from a supply room. Shows the party around the crime scene and becomes defensive when questioned about his argument with staff.

Tia Jedeau

Secretary at the Danoran consulate who appeared intoxicated and seemed to have information she was afraid to share. Reggie gave her contact information, sensing she wanted to communicate something important.

Braden Sarkin

Nalassa Hume's boyfriend who works as a security guard at the Danoran consulate. He is Danoran and described the victim's gold necklace with a canary pendant that was stolen from her.

Nalassa Hume

The murder victim who died after falling from a fourth-floor window at the Danoran consulate onto a spike fence. She had been bringing snacks from Thinking Man's Tavern to consulate staff and was allegedly caught stealing documents rather than silverware. She was a regular at the Thinking Man's Tavern and was dating Braden Sarkin.

Mademoiselle Flem

Head of housekeeping at the Danoran consulate. A polite woman who was tasked with cleaning up the blood from the crime scene. She revealed that Chief LeBrix was passionate about cleaning up the evidence and seemed interested in Reggie.

Heward Steckham

The person who paid bail for Nalassa Hume when she was arrested in a contraband raid, as documented on the bail certificate found in her pocket.

Helms Grimsby

A docker and union organizer who is forming a Dockers Union to fight for fair wages and workers' rights. He sits on the tavern's patio staring at the ocean and drinks bourbon. He knew Nalassa as a regular at the tavern and has connections throughout the docks community. He has pride in Reggie becoming an RHC constable despite the general docker distrust of law enforcement.

Tad Hilly

Owner and proprietor of the Thinking Man's Tavern. Friendly and helpful, he confirmed that Nalassa was a regular customer who frequently bought brigadeiros, including a couple dozen on the morning of her death around 8 AM. He also revealed that Nalassa was dating someone named Brayden from the consulate.

Kenneth Rinus

Professor of archaeology and philosophy at the local university who specializes in dragon and demon fossils from Chrysalis. He's part of a group called 'the professors' who meet regularly at the tavern. He helped Nalassa write correspondence using his knowledge of Chrysalis calligraphy and formal writing styles.

Barb

A longtime waitress at the Thinking Man's Tavern who has worked there for many years. She was particularly close to Nalassa, treating her almost like a daughter. She would have more detailed knowledge about Nalassa's relationships and activities at the tavern.

Orc Sailor

A sailor presumably from Bor who reacts to the earthquake tremor in the tavern and is the first to order a free drink when Archie offers to buy rounds.

Deon Feldman

A local riverboat pilot known for his excellent riverboating skills. He was recently hired by someone to navigate the Sylvio, a small cutter. His name appears on the receipt found in Nalassa's pocket, and he may be connected to The Family crime syndicate.

Locations

Danoran Consulate

Foreign embassy building where Nalassa Hume died. Contains multiple floors with offices, supply rooms, and the fourth floor where the incident occurred. The party has limited time access due to sovereign territory restrictions.

Danoran Consulate Fourth Floor

The fourth floor of the consulate containing the consul's office (off limits), supply room where theft allegedly occurred, gallery room with broken window, and connecting hallway where the shooting incident took place. The consular's office door shows signs of recent lock picking.

The Alley

A nearby alley where the goateed man fled with stolen documents, showing signs of a scuffle between two men and containing evidence of the crime including blood smears and a canal barge deed.

Bosun Strand

The docks district along the east shore of Flint Bay, part of the city's trade culture and crime. Contains hundreds of warehouses, dozens of bars, taverns, gambling houses, and brothels. Home to craftsmen, artists, and money changers with shops around public squares. Currently undergoing construction for a great rail line station.

Thinking Man's Tavern

A tavern in Bosun Strand positioned at an elevated area with a good view over the bay. Features a patio overlooking the bay that seats about 10 people, and has a cobbled together statue made of driftwood and flotsam in the shape of a sitting man in deep thought outside the front door. Known for attracting intellectual and creative types, and famous for their brigadeiros confectioneries.

Family Wharf

A wharf location that is considered to be on the shadier side of the docks. Rumors suggest it is owned by The Family crime syndicate, and it's where the Sylvio operates from.

Spells

Fox's Cunning

Archie cast this spell to gain advantage on Intelligence checks while investigating Nalassa's body and the crime scene, enhancing his investigative abilities.

Items

Bail Certificate

Document from Parody Lake Police Station found in Nalassa's pocket showing she was arrested in a contraband raid and released on bail paid by Heward Steckham. Law required her to carry it until trial.

Receipt for Mysterious Items

Receipt found in Nalassa's pocket for a dozen items valued at 2,450 gold pieces, signed 'DW'. On the back, written in different handwriting, are the words 'Silvio Diafeldman family'. The exact nature of the items is unclear but they are measured in drams (16 or 48 drams each).

Gold Necklace with Canary Pendant

Nalassa's distinctive jewelry that was stolen by the man with the goatee. A gold chain with a tiny pendant shaped like a canary, as described by her boyfriend Braden.

Empty Brigadeiros Box

An empty box from Thinking Man's Tavern that contained brigadeiros, with only crumbs remaining. Some spots showed where someone had licked up crumbs. Collected as evidence for potential drug analysis.

Canal Barge Deed

A deed of ownership for a canal barge found in the mud of the alley, marked with the seal of the Danoran Council. Evidence of the documents stolen during the crime.

Brigadeiros

Brazilian Portuguese confectioneries that are the Thinking Man's Tavern's most beloved treats. Nalassa regularly bought these for her friends at the consulate and purchased a couple dozen on the morning of her death around 8 AM. The party suspects these may have been drugged to incapacitate people at the consulate.

Fake ID

A handwritten identification document that Fredriche carries, claiming he is 42 years old and featuring a little drawing. Used when questioned about his age for drinking at the tavern.