|
 BULLSEYE BREWERY & TAVERN presents CASINO NIGHT! (Fri. July 8th) | |
| Posted on Thursday, July 7, 2011, 3:11 PM EDT by Exmortis (Sonoma) |
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| [ Discuss This Article ] |
| [EM Event] Murder Mystery Solved: Truth is found in the Serum! | |
| Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, 7:00 AM EDT by Exmortis (Sonoma) |
We met at the Guard Hall in Serpents Hold that fateful evening. Daniel waited near the front. He had a very serious look on his face. That was an odd sight as Daniel always looked serious but tonight more so than ever. He began his monologue in a grave tone.
Today we have a difficult duty. We have arrested and laid charges against Lord Farriot. We need to have a trial .Lord Farriot is in custody at the Court of Truth in Yew. We will talk to some of the witnesses. Ask questions but only when called on to do so. I have brought all the evidence we gathered. It awaits at court. After the trial we will all vote on his guilt .I do have one last potion
that we found when the shadow dweller was torturing the Chemist named Algenon. If we are not satisfied with how the evidence is explained, we may have to use it. It is a very powerful truth serum. So we must now go to the court.
As we walked toward the big front doors people were already passing judgment.
Miyah sang off with his head! And Ansatsu chanted - Hang him!
Inside, the sound of our shoes and boots echoes on the polished floor. Farriot sat alone on the defendant chair. It was time to begin.
Daniel Ravens looked solemnly at Farriot and asked in a very clear voice “Lord Farriot you are charged with the brutal slaying of Farley. How do you plead?
Lord Farriot stood and glared back. “This is ridiculous! Not guilty!”
“We will determine your guilt” stated Daniel Ravens
Lord Farriot’s nostrils flared as he spoke “All I did was help you. Point out who might have been guilty.”
Daniel Ravens spoke with a firm yet kind voice, “Yes very gingerly I will add. But now I ask you Farriot to go to the holding area so that you do not intimidate any of the witnesses.”
Farriot left quickly and silently with Cisco the Guards
Daniel Ravens informed each of the witnesses with their obligation and the penalty if they should not be honest. “If we determine that you are bearing false witness you will be tried for perjury and sent to prison.”
Here is a transcript of all I witnessed that evening.
l'il Min was the first to come to the stand. “This is an informal hearing right?”
Daniel Raven shook his head “no Min. This is formal .If we determine that you are bearing false witness we will have no choice but to put you in prison for perjury. Do you understand?”
l'il Min wrung her hands and nodded. “I will tell the truth as best as I can sir”
“Please state your name.” demanded Daniel
l'il Min: I am Min Rydeout
“Where were you the night Farley died?”
l'il Min: “I was at the Paddock. I always curry my own horse.”
Daniel Ravens: *nods*” Would anyone like to ask a question?”
Roach took out a parchment and quill and commenced to take notes.
Ansatsu: Did she see anyone with Farley?
l'il Min: No I was in the stable I was currying my horse. Colt saw me there. He made a comment about Tara arguing with Farley
Forrest: Was anyone else with you at the stables?
L’il Min: Colt can vouch for me. Yes He was there working.
Tetsuo: Was Farley known to be suicidal? And or taking anti depressants?
l'il Min: I honestly do not know. I am not a doctor.
Roach: What time of day were you at the stables?
L’il Min: Before dinner but after lunch. I had just trot my horse
Crixus: Kill all involved. That way ya know ya got the right one.
Queen Mum: Were you secretly in love with Farley?
Roach: good to know
l'il Min: WHAT? NO!!! : ewww!
Roach: hah
l'il Min: He was not a really good jockey
Queen Mum: *I think she protesteth to much.
SlaveIItheGame: Did Farley have any enemies?
l'il Min: I suppose Farley may have had enemies. I do not really know. He was always doing his own thing.
Tetsuo: I think this woman is lying!
Prof Cornelius: Did you hear anything unusual going on outside the stables?
l'il Min: there was a commotion, some arguing
Forrest: Who was fighting?
l'il Min: Colt came in and told me about Tara and Farley arguing.
SlaveIItheGame: Fighting about what?
l'il Min: I was too far away to hear. I was in the stable.
SlaveIItheGame: Colt didn’t tell you what they were arguing about? You didn’t ask?
l'il Min: No. Not sure if he knew.
Ansatsu: Did you see Farriot at the stables at all?
l'il Min: Not that evening but I have seen him at the stables before.
Thesus: Could someone have slipped item in the saddle bag without the lord knowing?
l'il Min: Slipped what?"
Thesus: Anything.
l'il Min: I doubt it. Farriot always kept his things close and he never let anyone close as he thought they were too valuable. He had everything initialed so no one would get his things mixed with theirs.
Thesus: So his bags where secured?
l'il Min nodded
Prof Cornelius: I'm curious if the animals seemed alarmed at the commotion going on.
l'il Min: Tara is very good with animals. She would calm them.
Daniel Ravens: Will you send in Colt please?
l'il Min: I wish I could be more help. I am glad you found the whip.
---------------
Daniel Ravens: *grumbles*: I'm not sure we learned anything new.
Thesus: Nope.
Miyah: I have a question, but it's not for Min.
Daniel Ravens: The others will be in one at a time - Colt then Tara.
Miyah: I want to know what sort of wounds were on Farley's corpse.
Prof Cornelius: Miyah, that's a good question.
Daniel Ravens: *nods* We know there were rope marks on his neck. We also know there was a large dent in the front of his helmet. He bled out from four holes in his abdomen that were spaced as the tines on the pitch fork we found at the scene. It's too bad we only have one truth serum.
Thesus: Think if he where arguing then the lord lost sight of his bags, maybe.
Miyah: What moron uses a weapon that has his initials on it? C'mon.
Daniel Ravens: Perhaps he did not mean to leave it at the scene. Perhaps he had not planned to use it at all.
Prof Cornelius: Miyah, excellent point.
---------------
Colt Walker: Hello Sir.
Daniel Ravens: Please state your name.
Colt Walker: I am Cauthrim Walker, they call me Colt
Daniel Ravens: Where were you the night Farley died?
Colt Walker: I was at the Paddock. Min was there too.
Daniel Ravens: Doing?
Colt Walker: Mucking stalls. It is my job.
Colt Walker: I swear Tara left the paddock before Farley did.
SlaveIItheGame: Is that your mempo on the table Colt?
Colt Walker: I do not wear a Mempo. No it is not mine.
SlaveIItheGame: Do you know whose it is? Have you ever seen anyone wearing it?
Colt Walker: No. *shakes head*
Thesus: What were you doing Colt at the time of the killing?
Roach: What were you doing at the stables and what time of day was it?
Colt Walker: I never left the Paddock. I was cleaning stalls and currying the horses - giving them oats. It was before dinner time. I have a lot of stalls to clean.
P s Y c H o: What did you and lil Min talk about when you spoke to her?
Colt Walker: I told Min that Tara had become angry. It was odd, Tara never gets angry. I told Min Tara pushed Farriot and Farriot laughed at her. Tara had a job in Skara so she left. Farley left with a man.
SlaveIItheGame: What did they argue about?
Colt Walker: I could not hear from the stall and I was working.
Ansatsu: What did the other man look like?
Colt Walker: He was big - looked strong.
Miyah: Does Farriot look wimpy and pathetic?
Colt Walker: LORD Farriot? NO! He is not wimpy. He is way too big to be a race jockey.
Thesus: Were you ever near the lord's horse?
Colt Walker: Ever?
Thesus: Yes.
Colt Walker: Yes, but not the night Farley died.
Tetsuo: Do you believe Farriot had any motive to harm Farley?
Colt Walker: * shrug* They seemed to be friends but Farriot bet a lot who knows.
Forrest: Why was Tara angry?
Colt Walker: I do not know. She went to her appointment in Skara right after the argument. Things were busy. She never came back to the paddock; then she went to jail.
Miyah: Appointment?
Colt Walker: She was asked to calm horses in Skara. Isn't that where you first found her?
Daniel Ravens: Thank you Colt
---------------
Daniel Ravens: Anything new? *pats truth serum* We are going to get to the bottom of this tonight!
Ansatsu: There’s the shopper!
---------------
Daniel Ravens: Please state your name.
Xarra: I am Xarra Xawon.
Daniel Ravens: Where were you the night Farley died?
Xarra: I was at the track. *shivers and tears up*
SlaveIItheGame: Do you know whose mempo that is?
Xarra: I am so afraid, *stares* that was the one that was on the man.
SlaveIItheGame: What man?
Xarra: The one who pulled Farley down, the bad man.
Ansatsu: Did you see Farriot that evening?
Xarra: I do not know. I saw a big strong man. It might have been but I did not see his face. *points* He was wearing a hood and Mempo.
Forrest: What were you fighting with Farley about?
Xarra: *gags* He. I wasn’t I was at the Track. You have me confused with Tara. I am Xarra.
Daniel Ravens: Forrest?
Forrest: Was there anything between you and Farley
Xarra: We were to be married so yes I think there was.
Miyah: He did it to make you angry.
Xarra: Harold the announcer at the track told me that Farley did not plan to marry me. That he was moving. He told me that Farley planned to leave me. That did upset me.
Harold and I were at the race and we heard a noise. I turned and saw my Farley fall from the horse. I thought I saw a snake leap from his throat so I started toward him. Then we saw the man take out a pitchfork and the big man stuck a fork in him. Harold told me to hurry to Marrianne’s and get the guards to help. I ran there. I told her there was a problem at the track then the big man came in. He said we had a choice - die like Farley or take some money and keep our mouth shut. I like to shop so I took the money. It is better than a fork in the stomach I think.
Thesus: Is the lord a big man?
Xarra: Yes he is a big man. You saw him. He would never be a race jockey.
Forrest: What was the big man wearing?
Xarra: A blue hood and a Mempo.
Medea: Xarra I do not believe you. You lie!
SlaveIItheGame: Where is the big man now??
Xarra: *bows head* I do not know. I thought you caught him. *gets panicky* Please, tell me you caught him or he will kill us.
SlaveIItheGame: *shakes head*
Daniel Ravens: That's what we are here to decide tonight
Miyah: Wait a minute... his face was covered, and he paid you to keep quiet?
Xarra: Yes
Miyah: That doesn't make any sense.
Xarra: Miyah, he gave us money. He had a squeaky voice like he was disguising it. He said he would kill Harold, Marrianne and me.
Medea: Xarra u r not reliable.
Xarra: You are right Medea, I am not. I am also very scared and I miss Farley. I am mixed up.
Thesus: Think she said enough Daniel she is just talking in circles.
Xarra: ok.
---------------
Daniel Ravens: How much of that can we believe?
Ansatsu: She’s a woman, so, none of it.
SlaveIItheGame: She seemed pretty upset. And she just had been shopping a lot.
Daniel Ravens: New gloves.
Miyah: Nobody shops and is upset.
SlaveIItheGame: Sure they do.
Daniel Ravens: Especially with him leaving her.
---------------
Daniel Ravens: Please state your name.
Tara Vegan: Hello Sir, Tara Vegan.
Medea: Now Tara is vegan and wearing leather.
Tara Vegan: *nod* I am Vegan. *looks down* Oh I thought this was velvet.
Daniel Ravens: *clears throat* Focus Tara.
Medea: That’s crazy.
Medea: Vegans do not wear leather.
Daniel Ravens: Where were you the night Farley died?
Tara Vegan. I was at the Paddock at first and spoke to Farley. Then I went to a job in Skara Brae.
Ansatsu: Did you fight with Farley?
Tara Vegan: *lowers head* Yes. Most of you know I did.
Ansatsu: What about?
Tara Vegan: I am so very ashamed. I pushed Farley, that was so wrong,
Medea: Did he fall on a pike?
Tara Vegan: *frown* No! He bumped his head on a pole though.
Forrest: Do you like whips?
Tara Vegan: No Forrest I loathe whips.
Thesus: What you two talking about?
Tara Vegan: We were talking about his business with Farriot; the Burger shacks. I asked about the old horses.
SlaveIItheGame: How do u feel about Farriot? He kills foxes for fun.
Medea: Do did he kill the horses?
Tara Vegan: I asked him that and he laughed then said yes. He said he was going to eat my horses. I pushed him. I pushed his left shoulder as I am right handed. He laughed at me.
Medea: When he hit his head did he black out?
Tara Vegan: No he was laughing and saying I was such a wee girl. He told me to lift weights.
SlaveIItheGame: Do you know the "big man"?
Tara Vegan: I saw no big man.
Ansatsu: Have you seen anyone wearing a mempo?
Tara Vegan: Anyone? Ever? Yes.
Ansatsu: How about one talking to Farley?
Tara Vegan: NO.
Tetsuo: Were you ever intimate with either Farley or Farriot?
Tara Vegan: Ewww Farriot is a big overweight man. Farley was dating Xarra .We rode together. I enjoyed riding with him but it was more because I calmed his horse down.
Charly Dont Surf: Do you have a nickname Tara?
Tara Vegan: I do not know of a nickname.
Queen Mum: Do you think Cayne could have done this to protect his bet money?
Tara Vegan: Cayne? I doubt it. Cayne did not put high stakes on Farley once he won all the time.
Ansatsu: Do you think Farriot is a big Man?
Tara Vegan: Oh yes he is big he is rich and eats a lot.
Daniel Ravens: Thank you Tara.
---------------
Daniel Ravens: Ok that leaves us with Harold, Cayne, and Marrianne and of course Farriot.
*sigh* So many - but we are getting there.
---------------
Daniel Ravens: Please state your name.
Marrianne: Hello Mr Ravens. I am Marrianne.
Daniel Ravens: Where were you the night Farley died?
Marrianne: I was in my house, just north of the track. I was cooking, preparing for dinner.
Ansatsu: How did you find out about Farley’s death?
Marrianne: Xarra came running in. She was very scared. She said a big man pulled Farley off his horse and stabbed him.
Ansatsu: Was she alone?
Marrianne: Yes.
Ansatsu: Did you see a big man?
Marrianne: The big man barged into my home. He did not knock. He threatened us, and then offered us money to keep quiet. The big man said I could take money and keep my mouth shut or die like Farley.
Forrest: Did you take money?
Marrianne: *lowers head* I did.
Forrest: Why did you take the money instead of running for help?
Marrianne: I did not want to have a pitch fork put through me.
Medea: How did u know it was a pitchfork?
Marrianne: He would kill us the way he killed Farley, the big man said.
Miyah: How much money are we talking about here?
Marrianne: Does not matter.
Miyah: Sure it does. I want to know if the man was rich, like a Lord, or not.
Marrianne: about 100 000 gps.
Miyah: Wow! That's rich.
Medea: Who were u cooking for and what were you cooking?
Marrianne: I was making dinner. I do not remember probably stew.
SlaveIItheGame: Did the big man resemble Farriot?
P s Y c H o: Was the big man wearing a mask?
Marrianne: He was wearing a mempo and hood. *points* Exactly like those.
Ansatsu: Do you think Farriot is the same size as the man in your house?
Marrianne: About – yes.
Miyah: I want to know if the man was rich, like a Lord, or not.
Daniel Ravens: That was a good question about the money. But she did have a good point, it was better than a pitchfork.
Ansatsu: Money...Pitchfork. Yea I take the money.
Daniel Ravens: We'll question Farriot last.
Daniel Ravens: And if we need we have the serum.
---------------
Daniel Ravens: Please state your name.
Harold Chansero: Good day sir. I am Harold Chansero.
Daniel Ravens: Where were you the night Farley died?
Harold Chansero: I was at the track. Xarra was with me.
Tetsuo: Are you intimately involved with Xarra?
Harold Chansero: No, but I wish I was.
Tetsuo: I heard that.
Harold Chansero: We saw Farley riding with a big man who pulled him off his horse. At first we were thinking it was an accident but not sure. We heard some yelling but were too far to make it out. Then we saw the pitchfork. *shivers*
Medea: When did u see he had died?
Harold: When the fork went into his stomach. St..st..stabbed him - blood spewed. I yelled to Xarra to hurry to Marianne’s.
Tetsuo: Was he FAT big...or STRONG big?
Ansatsu: Were you Jealous that Xarra preferred Farley instead of you?
Harold Chansero: I really liked Xarra.
Tetsuo: Was this man big as in FAT...or big as in STRONG?
Harold Chansero: A bit of both I think.
SlaveIItheGame: Can you tell us ANYTHING about this "big man"?
Harold Chansero: He wore a Mempo and a hood.
Medea: How did Tara manage to push him over if he was big and strong?
Harold Chansero: He was very strong but Tara pushed Farley not the big man. Farley is a Jockey. Not as big as other men. Farley did not fall over from what I have heard.
Harold Chansero: He knew where Marrianne lived as he ran there after he heard me say to Xarra to go there. He knocked me down and told me he would kill Xarra if I said anything.
P s Y c H o: So he was in your circle of friends?
Harold Chansero: Hmm how odd. It just occurred to me he knew Xarra's name.
Forrest: How did he know where she lived?
Forrest: If you didn't know who it was.
Harold Chansero: Yes how did he know? He must have known us.
SlaveIItheGame: Perhaps Xarra hired him to kill Farley.
Harold Chansero: Why, Xarra loved Farley?
Harold Chansero: Well he knocked me down.
Medea: Tara knocked him down.
Harold Chansero: Tara could not knock Farley over even though Farley is a small man.
Tara was not there. Tara had gone to Skara after arguing with Farley before Farley went on his ride.
Daniel Ravens: Bring in Farriot.
Harold Chansero: Yes sir.
---------------
Daniel Ravens: Ok lets get to the bottom of this.
SlaveIItheGame: Farriot knows what happened.
Daniel Ravens: *can't wait to get him up here*
Lord Farriot: There, am I free to go now?
Miyah: That's not good enough.
SlaveIItheGame: Lord Farriot - L.F.
Lord Farriot: That is me. All my things have my initials to keep people from stealing them.
Daniel Ravens: Do you still claim to be not guilty of killing?
Lord Farriot: I am not guilty. Farley was my partner.
Daniel Ravens: Would you say that if we gave you truth serum?
Lord Farriot: *smirk* No such thing as truth serum.
Daniel Ravens: I have some here. Made by an associate I once had.
Lord Farriot: well: I have a ‘erm ‘problem with some fluids.
Daniel Ravens: *waits*
Lord Farriot: Gives me hives.
Daniel Ravens: So you would refuse to take a truth serum?
Lord Farriot: I will tell the truth. I am a lord.
Daniel Ravens: What shall we do? Should he take the serum?
Roach: Bake it, solidify it.
SlaveIItheGame: Make him take it.
Thesus: Hives is better than dying, Milord.
SlaveIItheGame: Refusal = jail.
Miyah: Are you sure it's truth serum? Where did you get it?
Daniel Ravens: Yes Miyah I am sure. It was made by an old acquaintance of mine, a very talented Alchemist.
Daniel Ravens: Should he take it?
Ansatsu: Take it. Everyone lies.
Tetsuo: Make him take it...if he doesn’t break out he’s lied.
Moxxi: I think he should explain those fancy clothes he's sporting.
Lord Farriot: I am a Lord. I like argyle.
Daniel Ravens: Yes or no!
Cuttles: Yes.
Moxxi: Yes he should drink it.
SlaveIItheGame: YES.
Thesus: Yes.
Daniel Ravens: I say take it. They say take it.
Medea: He is innocent.
Daniel Ravens: Now drink.
Lord Farriot: *hic*
Miyah: He's gonna barf.
Moxxi: Drink!
Lord Farriot: Oh this is awful.
Lord Farriot: *spits*
Daniel Ravens: Side effects.
Daniel Ravens: Now did you Kill Farley?
Lord Farriot: *burp* *is embarrassed*
Daniel Ravens: Focus Farriot. Now did you Kill Farley?
Lord Farriot: Did I kill Farley? *thinks out loud - Technically it was the whip around his neck…hmm…I pulled him off with the whip around his neck * Not really, no.
Daniel Ravens: Did you help this to happen?
Lord Farriot: Help? Hmm, no I did not help. Help is not the right word. *thinks out loud again - seems to be weighing his answers in his hands - Not really help, instigate, maybe.*
SlaveIItheGame: Did you put the whip around Farley’s neck?
Daniel Ravens: Where you there and did you witness his fall?
Lord Farriot: Not witness.
Queen Mum: Do you know who actually stabbed Farley?
Lord Farriot Yes I do know, and I did see it. Yes! Yes!!
Daniel Ravens: What did you do when you saw him fall?
Lord Farriot: Oh when he fell from the saddle, I jumped off my horse.
Lord Farriot: *feels he goofed*
Daniel Ravens: Did you call for a healer?
Lord Farriot: *covers mouth*
SlaveIItheGame: Did you stab him with the pitch fork?
Lord Farriot: *stares and tries hard not to answer but feels compelled too*
Lord Farriot: Yes.
Tetsuo: Were you wearing that mempo the day Farley died?
Lord Farriot: *thinks aloud - It may not have been that exact mempo.*
SlaveIItheGame: *GASPS*
Ansatsu: GUILTY!
Kraz: KILL HIM!
Jocelyn: *facepalm*
SlaveIItheGame: GUILTY!
Daniel Ravens: *points to the blood stained Mempo*
Daniel Ravens: Is that yours?
Lord Farriot: *looks*
Lord Farriot: *thinks it might not be - he bought his off the rack* Could be.
SlaveIItheGame: Off with his head!!
Lord Farriot: Oh I like my head.
Ansatsu: Do you know where Marrianne lives?
Lord Farriot: I have been there. I knew her husband.
SlaveIItheGame: What was your motivation to kill Farley?
Lord Farriot: Farley was leaving Trammel. He was taking my burger business elsewhere and he took all my meat supply. Without Farley I had no horse meat. He would not bend on it.
SlaveIItheGame: Farriot has admitted to killing Farley!
Forrest: Who hired you to kill Farley?
Lord Farriot: Hired? No one, Farley stiffed me.
SlaveIItheGame: Business deal gone bad?
Lord Farriot: I invested millions in that. He deserved to die, little fox that he was.
SlaveIItheGame: You DO like to kill fox - DONT YOU?
Lord Farriot: Oh, *smile* yes, I hunt foxes in Tokuno all the time.
Ansatsu: Did you give money to Xarra and the others the day Farley was murdered?
Lord Farriot: Just the little gold diggers.
Lord Farriot: That potion is not truth serum.
Queen Mum: Is Tokuno a good place to buy a mempo or a hood?
Lord Farriot: Yes it is, can get some nice ones there. It has many fine shops with Mempos and hoods.
SlaveIItheGame: We have the killer, the motive, the location and the weapon. I think this case is closed.
Thesus: Was Farley killed in self defense?
Lord Farriot: Hahahahahaha!! Like the pip squeak could hurt me – hahahahaha!!!
Daniel Ravens: All those who find Farriot guilty stand to the right.
Ansatsu: Guilty!
Daniel Ravens: All those who find Farriot innocent stand to the left.
Lord Farriot: Help me escape and I will reward you.
Thesus: You dug your grave.
Daniel Ravens: GUILTY: We have decided!
We have no King or Queen to see over this trial. The law says that Death is the punishment for Murder. Therefore we sentence you to the Guillotine.
Lord Farriot: Now hold on, if I die I will lose an important part of my life. I am a Lord.
Daniel Ravens: Come with us.
SlaveIItheGame: dun dun dun
Katrina: My, my, my, and his head gonna come off – finally!!
Daniel Ravens: It's time.
Lord Farriot: That looks sharp.
SlaveIItheGame: I got his torso!!
Daniel Ravens: And he's dead: I need to have everyone return to the Court of Truth one last time to do a final Inspection of all the evidence.
As we inspected the evidence for a final time someone in the group announced that they had double clicked Farley’s whip and received a duplicate in their backpack for solving the crime. So everyone in attendance did likewise and enjoyed receiving a reward for their efforts. At the end a flash of blue light appeared followed by an explosion of fire and Farley’s whip vanished right before our eyes!!
--------------- ---------------
~Shadow Riter
|
| [ Discuss This Article ] |
| [EM Event] Murder Mystery: A Farriot is caught! ... June 16th Edition | |
| Posted on Friday, July 1, 2011, 4:00 PM EDT by Exmortis (Sonoma) |
Tara had been released. Everyone agreed that she could not have been the one to murder Farley. What had surprised me most was how concerned Xarra had been. Why was Xarra visiting Tara to convince her that she had been innocent? Once again things had not added up. We all agreed that we should try to get more information from all the other suspects.
After speaking to most of them we finally got some new information. Xarra was not her usual shoppy self. When we approached she got all teary.
“What did you see?” demanded PhYcHo
“Please do not do this. I cannot say. He will kill me.”
“Who will kill you?” questioned Ansatsu
“I do not know. He was a big strong man. I never saw his face. It was covered with a mempo.”
Harold’s story seemed to concur.” Xarra and I were at the track. I wanted to tell her about Farley going to Tokuno to set up a burger place. Farley made a circle around the track when we heard a commotion. Then he was off his horse. We started toward the two riders when we saw a pitchfork. The big man in the mempo stuck it in Farley. I told Xarra to go to Marrianne and get the guards for help. She ran.
We were threatened. The man in the mempo threatened to kill her if I talked. He told me to stay away from her. So I hoped that Marrianne and Xarra had already gone to the guards and I hid for a while.
Marrianne was the next person we spoke with. She seemed relieved that we had let Tara go.
“Look we do not know who you are looking for. But both Xarra and I were offered money” stated Marrianne.
“Did you take the money ?” Asked Allister
*lowers head* “Yes. I needed it to help cover expenses.” She answered regrettably
“What expenses are those?” inquired Cuttles
“My husband had just made improvements to the track before he died. And there was the funeral cost.” Marrianne stated
“You wanted to keep the track? Is that it?” questioned Hatshesput
She nodded “It was a way for me to stay close to him. It was his dream - Our dream.
The beautiful horses, Min will never forgive me. I will never forgive me.
“So we are looking for a man? Colt? Harold? Farriot? Who? Cayne?” Jocelyn interjected eager to get to the bottom of the crime.
“I do not think Harold, he was with Xarra. And Colt never really leaves the stable. Once in a while but...”
“Anything else you can tell us?” Moxxi asked in a kindly way
“He was a big man and he was wearing a Mempo. Oh, and a hood. He disguised his voice.
We wandered over to the paddock and stable where we usually found Colt. He was in the stall as always. He worked hard. To our delight Min was also at the stable.
“Thank you for freeing Tara. She is too sweet to hurt a thing.”
“Have you found his whip yet?” Min added impatiently. Farley always had his whip”.
“Look at first we suspected each other. Then we were afraid for each other. We were confused. We do not usually see death at the track. We are telling you what we can now’ added Colt.
Miri, Talia and Skid Mark had thought about all the evidence. “You know when we were at Farriot’s farm last, Farriot was strangely absent. He was to stay there. I think we should talk to him again.” One of them remarked. Taylor agreed and Queen Mum made a gate so that we did not have to walk.
Sugar smacks and Charly don’t surf ran into the big farm house. As they turned to leave, one bumped into Swifty. “He is not here? What should we do?”
Swifty looked about and saw Daniel. “Well?”
Daniel thought for a brief moment. “What does Farriot like to do?”
A chorus of Hunt, Hunt foxes, Steeple chase ensued from Ressar wej, Masta Blasta and Mystik.
Lucky charms reminded us that he hunted in Tokuno; A good place to also buy a mempo.
We all agreed to search for Farriot. Lexmark and Kupoking lead the way having stated that they remembered where Farriot had brought us to hunt the first night we met him.
Farriot was a robust strong man who was full of energy and had a joy of living, his own living. He loved to hunt foxes and to bet on the horses. He was very likeable and had always seemed eager to tell us about the others relationship to Farley. He had been a good help. Clym wondered aloud if maybe he had been too helpful. Ixtab thought perhaps he was being framed. Cyanide and Jocelyn kept everyone grounded. “Let’s find him, talk to him, and find out.”
We arrived safely at the place where Farriot hunted. He had made a nice little shelter area for himself where he could camp. He was not there when we arrived so we took the opportunity to look around. A light blue hood was thrown on the floor and his saddle bag sat beside a bedroll. LF was etched into the Flap that covered the bag. Dance peeked in. “Oh Look there is a Whip in here. I wonder if it is Farriots Whip.”
Queen Mum took a peek. “I would think so. It is definitely one a jockey might use.”
As we looked around, Farriot arrived. He took one look at us and galloped away as fast as he could.
“Well that was suspicious” remarked Dipswitch. Dralnu and Drakara agreed and suggested that we pursue him.
Elf Sandy ran to the east and finally found him hiding beneath a shrubbery. “Why did you run?”
“I ran because I am innocent. Why are you chasing me?”
Draconic Mayhem piped in, “We were not chasing you. We were at your home waiting for you. You ran.”
Daniel looked at Farriot. “You were told to stay near your house. Who else knows where you hunt?”
No one. Farley used to hunt with me, and a few of you. But I usually hunt alone. Why do you ask?”
“Because,” began Daniel, “there is enough evidence at your place to place charges.” He held up the saddle bag. “LF??? Is this yours?”
“Of course, I initial all my good things so no one steals them.”
Farley’s whip is in it. “I must charge you with the Murder of Farley. We will give you a fair trial.”
We escorted Farriot to Yew prison and spent the following week writing our concerns and questions down. It did not take long to decide that we wanted to ask several people questions.
------
~Shadow Riter
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| BULLSEYE BREWERY & TAVERN OPENING on SONOMA (Fri. June 24) | |
| Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 2:55 PM EDT by Exmortis (Sonoma) |
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| [EM Event] Attention Royal Guard and Concerned Citizens | |
| Posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 11:03 AM EDT by Exmortis (Sonoma) |
Attention Royal Guard and Concerned Citizens! We have received an anonymous tip that needs to be investigated. Please meet at the Serpents Hall Counselor Hall Wednesday (6/15) at 6 pt.
Source: Sonoma EM Website |
| [ Discuss This Article ] |
| [EM Event] Spring Summer festival | |
| Posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 10:57 AM EDT by Exmortis (Sonoma) |
It is true! In the Northern Hemisphere it is once more Spring almost Summer! Come out Friday June 17 to decorate the picnic area for Spring/Summer fest. Only donate things that you do not mind if they get returned or not. A list of other events will be posted here after the opening ceremony Friday!
We look forward to seeing everyone!
Meeting time is 6 PT 7 MT 8 CT 9ET
Source: Sonoma EM Website |
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| [EM Event] Artistic Talent Wanted | |
| Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, 7:29 PM EDT by Exmortis (Sonoma) |
Ultima Online is proud to have have many talented, artistic and creative players. This being the case, we are proud to announce that we will be highlighting player’s creative talents using the UOHerald site to display submissions from you, our players! For the month of June, we’ll be highlighting those of you who are skilled at drawing, sketching, vector art, digital art, and paintings. Submissions that adhere to the following rules will be accepted and put in a gallery for viewing at the UOHerald website. So get those brushes and pens out, dust off your tablets and canvas, and put your imaginations into high gear!
RULES
1. All submissions must be made to your primary play shards EM, via email as an attachment.For Sonoma this is [email protected]
2. All submissions must be received by 11:59 PM EST, June 30th 2011.
3. Submissions must be related to Ultima Online; please include a brief description of what your work is depicting in case there is any confusion.
4. Submissions must be made by a valid email address so if there are any issues, correspondence can be initiated.
5. No submissions will be accepted containing content inappropriate for a PG-13 movie. (Ultima Online is rated T and submissions should reflect that.)
6. Submissions must include the name by which you wish to be recognized for your submission.
We’re looking forward to see what all you Sonoma players can come up with, and everyone else as well! |
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| It's time to ruffle some feathers... KFC Battle!!! (Saturday, June 11th) | |
| Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, 7:24 PM EDT by Exmortis (Sonoma) |
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| [EM Event] More strange and upseting events for Captain Bob and Amonos | |
| Posted on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, 11:20 AM EDT by Exmortis (Sonoma) |
Asmonos and Captain Bob sat at the big desk. They were swamped with all manner of problems. Things like the robbery of the Museum, the goats at old Oz’s house, the missing Silverware from the foundry, brigands stealing from that Gargoyle, and now “zombies” seen in Tokuno. Bob looked at Amonos and commanded.” Send out some scouts. We need to know what is happening.”
Source: Sonoma EM Website |
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| [EM Event] Murder Mystery: A Nightmare of the Headless Kind ... May 26th Edition | |
| Posted on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, 10:33 AM EDT by Exmortis (Sonoma) |
 [EM Event] Murder Mystery: A Nightmare of the Headless Kind ... May 26th Edition
Brig Din Em the Mage, Buck, Angelina and Ixtab sat in the front row waiting to hear what Daniel had to tell us today. We had all been working hard to solve the mysterious death of the Jockey Farley but we were no further ahead. Ivester and Draconic were wondering if we should hold Tara’s tribunal tonight. It was a possibility as no one really thought she could have done it.
Daniel entered from the west side of the hall. He asked if we had been practicing our sleuthing. Oh that was right, we were all in training. Seemed like a lifetime ago that I signed up to learn the skills needed to scout, spy or investigate. My mind had been very focused on finding Farley’s murderer.
“Has anyone brought any food to Tara? Fresh fruit or vegetables?” ask Daniel “We know she is not guilty and many of you were worried about her. Jocelyn, Dipswitch and Curiner all shook their heads.
Then Jocelyn piped up, “I suppose I was thinking there might be a jailor there doing that. But Mum brought her cookies!”
“She is Vegan so as long as there was no egg or butter in them. Who knows what is in jail food? We will see about getting her in better quarters later today.
Now, Min brought up some points last time that I would like elucidated. I want to be clear about these issues she brought up. I understand she has been pensive and sitting about the race track. Shall we talk to her?”
I said absolutely at the same time as Dipswitch said yes indeed so we set off to find L’il Min.
Daniel must have a wonderful "Eyes and Ears" network. It took no time for us to find L’il Min on the North side of the track. She sat staring into space.
Cinderella walked up to her and sat down on the adjacent stool.
“Hello Min.” she said in a quiet voice.
Min looked around as though noticing our presence for the first time. Then she crossed her arms “Have you released Tara yet or are you still going to have the Tribunal.”
Dalila Pointed out that a tribunal would help Tara see that she was innocent as well.
Min looked very distraught. “Tara did not do this. I tell you. You should be looking for Farley’s whip.”
“Why are you so sure about the whip?” Inquired Lucky Charms
“Because If Farley had been riding, like colt said, He would have had his whip.” stated Min emphatically.
Dalila then asked, “Do you think Colt was telling the truth?”
“I do. I told you I saw Farley’s Body when you first discovered him. He had marks on his neck.” She confirmed her story from the week before.
Lucky charms wanted to know more about this. “You said his neck looked like it had rope burn. Did anyone else see this?”
“Rope burns really hurt.” Observed Jocelyn
Min sighed, “I believe Harold saw that too. He was also at the track when the body was found.”
We glanced around but Harold was not in immediate sight.
It was Lucky Charms who finally found him and asked him to come speak with us. As the two approached we could see that Harold rolled his eyes. “Did you release Tara? I can not believe anyone would blame her.”
Daniel Ravens frowned. “We did not blame her. She confessed. Now do you remember marks on Farley’s neck?”
“Yes but I did not think much of it. Could have been love bites you know?” He seemed to be dismissing the evidence.
Tiny looked right at him. “L’il Min said rope burns not Love bites.”
“Could have been, if I had been looking I might have thought that.” He responded.
Cyanide wondered aloud, “Why weren’t you looking?”
“I was talking to Cayne. I wanted my money back. Go ask him. He is at home right now.”
Neptune concurred. He had seen Cayne when he was searching for Harold.
Cayne stayed in the plaster house just south of the tracks. When we arrived he was eating a roasted bird and hot potatoes. The aroma filled my nostrils and my stomach grumbled. Daniel quickly told me I needed to learn to control that as a noise when one is spying could have fatal consequences. I nodded in agreement.
Lavis looked at Daniel and said, “This story does not add up. Last time we spoke to Harold he said he was with Xarra and Cayne was in Trinsic.”
Miri said, “Indeed we need to talk to Cayne!”
As we entered Cayne’s home he jumped up to greet us. “I am so glad you are here! My other book has gone missing. The one I had just finished with my odds written in it. I keep very careful record of these books. I think it was stolen.”
“Who would steal it,” questioned Lexmark, “and why?”
“Any number of people who I have odds on or against would. Not Tara, she is in jail still, Xarra, Farriot, Marrianne, Everyone.”
Draconic Mayhem was puzzled. “You kept odds on Xarra? I thought you were dating her! I am shocked!”
“It was from before. It is an old book. I think it was Farriot.”
“Why Farriot?” Demon Spawn asked.
“He had the most to lose. Go search his place.”
We agreed to go to Moonglow. It seemed strange that Farriot was a target now. Were they trying to push suspicion on him? Perhaps Frame him. Or was it truth. We needed to find out. Miri kept hoping one of them would speak out and be honest. I agreed.
Farriot had been told to stay near his home but he was no where to be found. Rasesar Wej took out a lock pick and soon we were searching through all of Farriot’s things. Daniel had asked that we do a careful but thorough job. He did not want Farriot to know we had been there. I remembered our lesson “cover our tracks!”
Rasesar Wej was in the bedroom when we heard him say “very interesting.”
“Did you find something?” several others muttered.
Chocolate Moose responded “a journal in the corner there.”
Neptune nodded “book beside the bed” he raise one brow, “Interesting!”
Ansatsu’s eyes sparkled “Yes THE Journal.
We wonder if Cayne put it here while Farriot was off hunting.
Neptune pointed out to everyone “last entry say keep people away from Xarra!”
Draconic Mayhem knew we were getting close. “Let’s go to Xarra!”
“Sounds like Xarra is the key.” Agreed Ansatsu eagerly.
Daniel Ravens looked at us and said, “I think we need to talk to Tara and get her some food. Could be that Xarra is the key but it is getting late and I want to be sure Tara is alright. Besides we know where Xarra is. She is in Trinsic, Shopping.”
Tara was still in the Yew prison. We traveled there magically and quietly climbed the stairs. At the top in an area for visitation we spied both Xarra and Tara. This was a great opportunity for us to practice our sleuthing skills as well as gain perhaps valuable intel. I could not help but wonder why these two very different women were together.
Cyanide was surprised too “ah HA~!” he put his finger to his lips. “Shhhh!”
“This looks promising,” whispered Neptune.
“We should sneak up and kill them both” said Lucky.
Katrina shook her head “uh oh. Listen.”
So we did. And it sounded much like this:
Tara: *puts face in hands*
Xarra: I am going to break you out. You did not do this! You are too gentle.
Tara: I could have done it. You heard me I pushed him.
Xarra: Tara where did he bump his head?
Tara: at the paddock!
Xarra: I mean did you push him from the front or back? where did he hit his head
Tara: I pushed his chest he hit the back of his head.
Xarra: See there. The dent in the Helmet is in the front. and he was stabbed too!
Tara: Stabbed? Is that why they kept asking about my pitch fork? Well if it was not me then who?
Xarra: I saw Tara! I saw! I am so very afraid! He knows I did! He threatened me.
Tara: Who saw! What did you see? I am confused here. Who is threatening you?
Xarra let out a small sob and spoke very quickly He said he would kill me then gave me money to say nothing. So I shop and I say nothing. I have nightmares all the time now.
Tara: Me too. What do you dream?
Xarra: That all my purchases animate and slap me around. Imagine very hard!
I could not help but close my eyes and imagine. I opened my eyes when I heard
Katrina screamed “Snakes! I dream of snakes.”
Miri started bustling Tara and Xarra into the back saying “The Guard will protect you!” the room was in chaos.
Tara screamed “Oh my!” as a frantic Tailor rushed in and took a stab at her with his sewing needle.
Beautiful designer dresses swooped around us, the sleeves flailing at our faces.
Death Hunter, Masta Blasta, Dance and Cinderella were skirted with fancy clothes. They prepared spells to unravel the danger.
Nora, P s Y c H o, Rameka Rhana and Snowflake felt hemmed in the corner but Trix and Victor danced about like laundry blowing on the line.
Weeeeeeeeeee, Angelina, and Wolfman were doing their part to change the pattern of the assailing outfits. It truly was a designer dress nightmare.
Brig Din Em shouted, “Vas An Ort” and “In Mani Ylem.”
Cinderella kept battling even though she looked ill.
When it was over I looked out the window. More fabric billowed around the jail. We bounded for the stairs summoning our best pets and preparing weapons and spells.
Our swords ripped through them. They seemed to be losing sustenance.
Cyanide tried to shank the mob with his dagger like a true spy might, but alas no luck.
And then it was all over.
Xarra met up with us once the demon dresses were all ironed out.
“I think you should tell Daniel that Tara is Innocent and tell him about tonight.”
We agreed and head back to the Training Hall.
Daniel met us and told us, based on the conversation we overheard, that he did not think Tara was guilty and that we needed to convince her too that she did not do it.
We have no king, no queen, we need some of you to sit in on the tribunal, have a meeting and release Tara.
~Shadow Riter
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| One Flew Over the Harpy's Nest | |
| Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 8:15 AM EDT by Exmortis (Sonoma) |
There have been some strange happenings around Sosaria as of late and no it is not my fascination for orc jelly on my toast. I mean various stories are floating around about citizens being so happy that they have lost all inhabitations and fear.
There was a report out of Yew that a young man descended into the depths of Hythloth and began to play musical chairs with the Balrons. I don’t think they appreciated him sitting on their laps and the outcome was not in favour of the young lad.
There was also a beautician from Moonglow who decided it was a great idea to head to Deceit and perform a makeover on a Lich Lord…well let me put it this way the beautician was the one who got a facelift literally.
The most insane act I heard was out of Magincia of a father who brough his whole family to the corrupted forest for pony rides on Nightmares. I don’t think it was good times on the ponderosa when little Eric tried to lasso the beast.
There has also been talk of Oracles in Luna and around the Yew moongate who are so joyous that it is sickening. They keep going on about some juice being served up at the Journey’s End tavern in Moonglow. We need to get to the bottom of this and investigate these happenings! Something must be done right away because this can’t go on!! Everyone get off their behinds before this gets out of hand!!! I will catch up to you all once I finish my toast and orc jam.
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| [EM Event] Murder Mystery: May 19th Edition | |
| Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011, 4:09 PM EDT by Exmortis (Sonoma) |
As I entered The Guard Hall in Serpents Hold I saw many of the Sleuths already gathering. Mr Immy Flow, Katrina, Helen, Queen Elf Sandy, Mirria, Jocelyn, and Nora all stood around the back feeding their pets and chatting about the possibilities. Helen had not been investigating so they quickly filled her in.
“We have apprehended Tara” said Jocelyn “so she is not able to shop for a while. We have her in custody in Yew.”
“She confessed to a crime,” remarked Katrina. “But she is the Vegan not the shopper.”
“Oh right! I get them mixed up!” confessed Jocelyn.
Queen Mum and Miri joined us. Mum provided a quick snack of milk and cookies before we started our investigation. As we ate Mum commented, “I don think she dun it.”
This was echoed by Charly don’t Surf, Malfoy, Queen Elf Sandy and Moxxi.
Queen Elf Sandy added “remember she was alive when she left him. Maybe we should release her.”
“We kept her because we hoped that Colt or if not he, the real killer would come forward or leave some hint. Did Colt get in touch with any of you? Did he post on the Tavern wall?” asked Daniel
“Not I” answered Moxxi
“Since last week?” questioned Jocelyn “Nope.”
“Nay” Miri added.
Darth Waynebo, Vitamin, and Lavis the Mage also agreed that they had not heard or seen anything since last week.
Daniel Ravens was thoughtful, “He must know that Tara is in Jail. Let’s see what he has to say. We need to listen carefully.”
Charly Dont Surf agreed, “Sounds good to me”
It was a long way to the Sosarian Stable so we opted to travel through a gate. Outside of the stable we could hear multiple voices inside. There seemed to be a bit of an argument going on. The front gate was open so we all walked in. Standing in front of the stalls were
Colt Walker, Harold Chancero, Cayne Padopocit, L'il Min Rideout and Marrianne. This was the first time we had seen them all together. Usually they chose to avoid each other.
Nora interrupted and said “hello.”
Marrianne responded in a terse tone, “Oh! You are back. Please go away.”
We told her we could not go away until we finished our thorough investigation.
“You are ruining all our lives putting a nice girl in jail.”
Daniel found that confusing. ”Didn’t you Marrianne accuse her just last time we met?”
“Well I changed my mind. She would not hurt anyone. I figured you would be able to deduce that.” Marrianne frowned.
“She made a confession. We had to act on what we were told.” Daniel informed the haughty woman.
“The girl is confused - ask anyone. She could not have done it.” stated Marrianne emphatically.
Everyone in the stable agreed.
“Then who do you think did it” asked Vitamin.
“Maybe it was Cayne. Seems he has been dating Xarra ever since.” Voiced Marrianne
“Hold on there! I was in Trinsic that night.” Retorted Cayne
“Can you prove that?” Questioned Marrianne
“You know I can not. Xarra was not there.” snorted Cayne right back. He eyed Harold with distaste.
“She was with me. We were talking about Farley winning. I told you, Cayne, I was innocent.” Harold quickly added.
“You should have stayed away from her.” Threatened Cayne
“She needed to know that I was suspicious of Farley. I was trying to help her!”
Min had enough, “Stop bickering. We all know it was not Tara!”
Once more they all agreed. I wondered what they knew. How could they all have been so sure? Daniel was sure too. He kept saying he believed Tara was innocent.
“I think Tara is innocent too SO! If you know something now would be a good time to tell us. Otherwise Tara has incriminated herself.”
Colt looked up. He had been staring at the hay on the floor. “He left the paddock with a man. They were on horse back. I did not see him. I only heard their voices.”
Min was also eager to add information. “I saw Farley after he died. He had marks on his neck. They looked like rope burns. Where is Farley’s whip?”
Queen Mum wanted clarification. “You mean his riding crop right?”
“No, he used a whip!” Min looked like her nostrils could not flare any bigger. She found it appalling that anyone would whip their horse.
Harold, who should have known something but tended to keep quiet about the incident, added “We should talk to Farriot about the burgers. Or you should. Go!”
We agreed and headed away.
Farriots’ Farm was in the warm south area of Moonglow. He had just gone inside to sip an iced tea and relax. He looked at us and in his usual jovial tone welcomed us.
“Hello” he smiled, “Hey, how are the forensic specialists tonight? I was relieved that you apprehended the killer. It’s always the one you suspect the least.”
He shook his head. “Tara always seemed like a nice girl.”
Daniel got to the point. “We have questions about your Burgers, specifically about your business with Farley.”
“Why, you already arrested Tara?” snapped Farriot much less cheerily.
“We have only detained her. We have made no charges yet. Please answer the question.” Demanded Darth Waynebo
“Yes! Farley and I were in the burger business. I was annoyed that he reneged on some of the supplies.”
Cocoa stepped in. “Would you have killed him because you were annoyed?”
Farley was shocked by the question. “I did not kill him! We were chums. You do not kill a friend over a few Gold pieces.”
“How much did you lose?” Stammered Jocelyn
“A couple hundred thousand. Not enough to kill over. Well Xarra and Marrianne might. The gold diggers!” He replied smugly
Jocelyn frowned. “I’d say couple hundred k is a significant amount, nothing to sneeze at.”
Remembering what Min had said at the stable Daniel added, “One last thing. Do you know where Farley keeps his whip?”
“It is my lunch time. GO question a real suspect. Or put Tara on Trial.” Farriot had dismissed us.
Daniel informed Farriot that we were not finished and that Farriot was not to leave the facet.
With that we had seen most of the suspects, all except Xarra. We wanted to be sure Harold’s and Cayne’s stories could be substantiated so we head to Trinsic.
Trinsic was bursting with new spring flowers. Hues of pink mauve and red colored the sandstone path. We head toward the Tanners where Tara had been last we saw her. Sure enough she was still at the shop. She was reading a book at the desk.
Xarra *eyes the lynch mob* “I suppose you are all happy now. Nice girl arrested? Tara is nice. She is Vegan you know? She would not hurt any animal not even a human.”
So we asked her “Who then? What do you know?”
“I have no Idea who did it. I was with Harold that night. We saw nothing. I wish we had. Maybe we could have prevented it.”
“You know” said Miri, “If you all would cooperate, maybe Tara would not have been arrested.”
When we returned to the Guard hall Charly and Malfoy both stated that they thought Farriot was hiding something. Jocelyn agreed. Malfoy considered how content he seemed that Tara was in Jail. “Maybe she is his scapegoat!”
Both Ixtab and Lavis nodded. They had been very attentive throughout the questioning.
Queen Mum also was in agreement. “I think he wants to see her go to trial. He knows more then he is saying.”
Daniel agreed and we planned a Tribunal for the following Thursday. Although there was lack of evidence Tara would remain in the jail. Kali agreed to bring her warm food so that we were not cruel to her. Since Tara seemed to think she needed to atone for pushing Farley, for now, she would remain a guest of the realm.
~Shadow Riter
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| [EM Event] Murder Mystery: A Suspect is Detained - May 12th Edition | |
| Posted on Monday, May 16, 2011, 10:10 AM EDT by Exmortis (Sonoma) |
I awoke the day after speaking with Tara and headed out to find Daniel Ravens. He was reading from a stack of notes but looked up the second I approached him. We discussed Tara and he shook his head.
“It was no accident.” He told me firmly. “But I am curious why Tara might think it could be. I am certain the other sleuths will want to know as well.”
He rubbed his chin, nodded, then stood and headed toward the meeting place.
As we entered the room we found Lord Darth Waynebo, P s Y c H o, JINX, Rasesar Wej studying the evidence. J-B, Ixtab, Cuttles, Angelina and Mirria sat in a group discussing all the motives and evidence we had gathered so far.
Daniel began, “have you thought about who did this crime? We need to apprehend a suspect. The citizens are getting upset and worried about a murderer being free!”
Jocelyn fidgeted and in a weak voice apologized. “I have been very busy Daniel.”
Daniel quickly recapped all the evidence.
“So far we know that many people had motive. Xarra was a woman scorned.
Afraid her beau was going to run off to Tokuno with Tara and leave her alone with her shops.
”L’il MIn had worked hard to train as a Jockey. She kept losing to Farley when she felt she should have been the victor. She found out that Farley was cheating.”
He pointed to the sugar that sat on the platform with the other items we retrieved from the crime scene.
“But Min is little. Would she have been strong enough to knock him down? Farley was also small, as most fast jockeys are.”
”Cayne had made bets on Farley that he would not win 100 in a row. Would he have ensured his bets? Why is Cayne playing Farley now? Could he have been so jealous that he wanted to be him?
What do we know about Farriot? He is very friendly and he likes to hunt foxes.
Colt seems like a good farm hand. He was / is in love with Tara.
If Farley really was going to run off with Tara would he have tried to stop it?
Could Tara have hurt Farley and Colt tried to cover for it?
Harold is always at the track. How is it that he did not see anything?
I doubt it was Marrianne. She would likely have got a farm hand to do the dirty work for her. Although if she had pushed him …she might have had Colt or Harold take care of the corpse. I think we should make some kind of arrest. We need to figure this out.”
Jocelyn felt that Xarra was innocent. “I think she prefers shops to people. If you get in her way of something she wants to buy – perhaps. I do not think that was the case here.”
Queen Mum nodded in agreement.
“The dent is very large and the helm was very well made.” Daniel remarked while directing our attention to the evidence again. “I am not sure any of Xarra’s little baubles would make that big a depression.”
Devlin Darthmoore presented a theory. “What if she drugged him and he fell over? And then she picked up the pitch fork?”
Mirria thought about that. “Ahh, but wouldn’t one find a way to lose the murder weapon after the deed is done? We found it right under him.”
Prime nodded “could he have fallen on the fork?”
P s Y c H o piped up, “He could have fallen off the horse onto the pitch fork then the horse kicked him in the head! He might have been thrown from the horse as a result of the sugar.”
Prime and Queen Mum agreed but Jocelyn shook her head. “Too many coincidences I think.”
P s Y c H o retorted “Horse was wild. The sugar made the horse go wild. No murder!”
Jocelyn conceded “hmm true - I suppose that could have happened.”
“We must be sure. We need to keep asking until we are.”
We head out to talk to Xarra first. It was always easy to find her, as Trinsic was her favorite shopping place. We found her talking to the shop keeper at the Tannery.
“Hello again she said.” *stares at Daniel* “I am not shopping. She stated smugly.”
“We have some questions for you“ stated Prime.
”Xarra who do you think might have wanted to hurt Farley?” inquired Angelina.
“I think Harold might be guilty He is always there. Why did he not see? He would have seen something. He had a thing for me. That is motive. He was saying slanderous things about Farley too. Now I am tired of this. Go ask Harold.”
Angelina observed “thinking she's protesting a lot and pointing a lot of blame.”
“Maybe” said Daniel “or maybe we should talk to Harold again. It is odd that she is pointing a finger.”
Prime wanted to take Xarra with us. He thought we should keep an eye on her but we all agreed that she would not wander far from her shops in Trinsic.
Harold was not at the track. He had wandered over to the house just to the south. There he sat eating a hearty bowl of stew. We told him what Xarra had said and gave him a chance to reply.
”I know Xarra thinks I was slanderous to Farley. Thing is I’ve seen a lot of great jockeys. It was clear to me, Farley was suspicious. Saying truths is not slander. He was not the best jockey. As we have discovered, I was right. I never knew of the sugar, I would have disclosed it. I would not have let Min lose because of cheating. I really have nothing else to say.”
His statements were true. Farley was only successful because he had cheated. We wondered if this news really might have made Min seek vengeance. Harold doubted it but told us Min had gone to the stable where her horses had once called home.
Min had earned her nickname L’il Min just by being herself - Tiny. She stood 4’ 10 inches tall. The top of her head could just be seen over the top of the stall rail. When she heard the gate open she turned and watched us approach.
“Hello. It is a nice day.” She said with a wan smile.
Morgan Ironwolf bit down on some hard candy and asked “You feeling less sad then?”
“Yes I am feeling less sad and angrier now.”
“About the sugar?” asked Darth.
“No not about the sugar, about Farriot. I thought about it. Why would he want a retired horse ranch? He is into bigger, faster, stronger stallions and prizes. He is about winning.
He is like his partner Farley. Now that was another thought, how could they be partners if Farley was moving? And what kind of Business were they in? I wonder if Marrianne knows.”
Miri thought it would be good to get all the people in one room. It seemed to her that they just kept blaming each other. Nonetheless we trod back to the race track to find Marrianne.
“Oh! Hello again. More Questions I presume.”
“Yes, about Farriot.”
“Oh I am not a fan of the old geezer. Farley got along with him. They were partners in a business. I did not know at first, but rumor is he had a burger joint.”
“GAH!” exclaimed Miri.
Jocelyn wanted to know about the burgers. “Burgers?”
Marrianne fidgeted as she explained “A place where they cook meat and put it in nice rolls. Serve them with BBQ sauce.”
Prime reasoned “so we know why he wants retired horses.”
Devlin licked his lips, “Yum, horse burgers!”
“Well I guess it could have been old horse meat. Oh. *sigh* I think Tara did it! Oh NO! She would do anything to protect her horses. In this case I think Tara would be capable of murder.”
Miri Frowned. “Where is Tara?”
“I think she is taming Dragons in Destard.”
I could not help but wonder if Tara did kill Farley. Not that she seemed capable to do it in cold blood. She had asked if it could have been an accident and Marrianne had just confirmed that the horses would be motive for Tara.
When we arrived in the Destard cave Tara was quietly talking in the ear of a very large dragon. She was patting its forehead and telling it how noble he was. Sadly the other dragons were not so gentle toward us. Rasesar and Chocolate Moose quickly murmured spells to protect themselves. Jocelyn ordered he own dragon to protect and kill any that attacked her. Hatsheput and Devlin screamed there own special kinds of magic while Miri knocked an arrow.
Tara looked around at the mayhem “You are killing them. Nooo! Please stop. They are such gentle beasts.” We continued to do whatever we needed to protect ourselves. Tara seemed immune to them. Perhaps she really did have a special gift with animals.
She screamed at us to be heard over the melee. “Come outside. I will talk. Just stop killing them!”
Outside Tara was very meek. “You want to ask me something don’t you about Farley? What do you want to know?”
Prime got right to the point. “Did you kill him?”
Charly added, “You know we have been looking into Farley’s death.”
Devlin asked “We want to know if there is horse in the burgers! I love horse burgers.”
Tara started to shake and get woozy. I was not sure how long she would be able to stand. Then she seemed to get strength from with out. She stood a bit taller and spoke.
“I think I did it. I am guilty” she sighed loudly.
The entire group started to chatter.
Charly said “You think?”
Devlin observed, “You don’t sound sure.”
Queen Elf Sandy wondered, “You kill someone for eating horses.”
Snowflake thought it was all lies.
Tears welled up in Tara’s eyes but she would not let one fall.
“I was so very angry. I did not mean to kill him. I was shocked about the burgers.”
Miri thought about that. “I suppose I might if it was Llama!”
“I would not eat llama either. I am a Vegan!” She bowed her head and continued. “The worst of it is I was not even sad when I heard he died even though we were friends before. I felt betrayed.”
Charly was taken by that. If Tara had killed Farley, how was it she heard he died? So she asked, “How exactly was it that you killed Farley?”
Devlin on the other hand was not sure he could trust a Vegan. “So you are telling us you do not eat horse, or any burgers?”
Talia had another thought, “how do you know about the burgers?”
“I can only answer one at a time. I pushed him. I have never been so angry.”
Miri nodded. “Then it was an accident.”
“I pushed him at the paddock and he fell and hit his head on a fence post.”
Devlin was so surprised. “You do not even drink milk because of animals and here a friend dies and YOU ARE NOT EVEN SAD! You Bully! Horrible!”
Tara had to agree. “It is terrible that someone dies. That makes me even sadder. That I had no sadness about this! But he was killing the old horses. He was not a nice man.”
Angelina asked “Why didn’t you tell someone?”
And Jocelyn stated “We don’t kill folks cause they aren’t nice.”
Cuttles scolded,” He was still a human. Geesh!”
Tara answered Angelina, “Well I did not know I killed him yet. He was staggering and cussing at me. It is not like I did it intentionally but he must have got a concussion from the bump on the head. I would not have left him if I knew that.”
We asked if he was alive when she left him. She nodded. “He was alive but that does not make me less guilty. Take me to jail. I am ready for what ever my punishment might be.”
“We will,” remarked Devlin, “you don’t talk to him. You just resort to violence. You stabbed him with a pitch fork!”
Tara looked confused? “What pitchfork? There was no pitchfork.”
“We found one. Perhaps it was Colt’s.”
“A lot of people have pitchforks to garden or clean stalls. Colt takes very good care of his.”
Miri pointed out that someone could have come along after Tara left. None- the- less we decided to take Tara to Yew to hold for questioning.
We headed back to the Guard hall in Serpents Hold to try to piece everything together.
“It does not make sense” said Prime. “She says she did it but she really is not sure. He was alive when she left him. She said she pushed him. Lots of folks have pushed someone when they were angry. She honestly was confused about the pitchfork.”
Miri agreed “she doesn’t really know what happened. I believe he was alive when she left.”
“I think she knocked him out but someone else finished the job,” Interjected Cuttles.
Then it dawned on Prime. “She said she did it at the paddock. Didn’t we find Farley at the race track? That is quite a distance apart.”
After much discussion we had all agreed that someone else had taken advantage of the accident Tara caused.
Cyanide suggested that if Farley was already weakened then the stable chick might have been strong enough.
While this is a possibility none of us were willing to give up suspicion on the others. Perhaps it was Colt after all. He admitted to loving her. He has pitchforks. Perhaps with Tara in jail he will step forward.
~Shadow Riter
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