1. Journals

Session 03: The Dark Horse Den

Session

Continued from Session 02: The Card Lady

After getting a description of a possible suspect who was knocking on the door to Kappa Adolus's house the night of the murder, the group decided to visit Dark Horse Den.  They felt that there were three possible motivations:

  • Religious types (The Solari) upset about the play
    • Amos Crow also pointed out there was an argument between the local leader, Kennick and an unknown elven woman
  • Chalinus Maltinus, the actor that got shunted to the side
  • A threatening note that was posted on the door to Kappa's dressing room at the Gilded Stage, probably because of debts he incurred gambling at the Dark Horse Den.

Rather than go straight to gambling den, a detour was made to the theater so that Meriel Ravenstone could craft a disguise.  She was worried that her background as a stage magician (specifically doing card tricks) could cause problems.  While at the theater, she examined the two doors that were broken into the night of the murder.  One was opened with acid to break the lock, and the other was picked.  Meriel discovered that both doors were opened from the outside.  After gathering a wig and a few supplies, Meriel successfully donned a disguise.

The group traveled to the neighborhood of Darin's Folly to the Dark Horse Den, where they decided to enter one at a time.  There was an orc woman named Ursa working the desk in the lobby.  Further in, a ballroom with a slightly raised stage for an orchestra, but the room was mostly unoccupied.  Through a set of doors to the left was the gambling hall, with tables for card games, blackjack, and a roulette wheel.  Private rooms were upstairs.  Both the gambling hall and the ballroom had a staffed bar.  Tor'in noticed that one of the bartenders had some knives hidden under his shirt, and had the rough look of a mercenary.  Talking to Ursa, the group learned that a man named Tycho Jaskin runs the Dark Horse Den.

After waiting around, a man meeting the description given to Meriel was spotted.  After observing him inside for a little while, Amos and Zarin of Bluereed waited outside to catch the man if he left the building... which he eventually did.  Catching him partially by surprise, Zarin was able to use an illusion of a power demon to intimidate him into cooperating.  Learning that his name is Marzio, he confessed to breaking into the Gilded Stage by picking the lock, and leaving a note on Kappa's door.  He claimed that he didn't see Kappa or anyone else inside the building at the time.  He was sent to the local Seat of Law to turn himself in.

Continued in Session 04: The Apothecary.

Credits

Art from Savage Sword of Conan issue #7, with art by Patrick Zircher. Modified by the author.