Southaven

Clues and Evidence

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Clues and Evidence - Trouble in Solaris

This document tracks all the clues the party can discover during their investigation, organized by difficulty and source.

Easy Clues (DC 10-12 or Obvious Observation)

Observable Behavior Changes

Clue: Theodric’s personality has notably changed in recent years

  • Source: Older nobles, longtime Church members, servants
  • Details: He used to be stern but fair; now he’s harsh and uncompromising
  • Quote: “The Luminarch I knew five years ago would never have suggested burning heretics without trial.” - Bishop Aldren Silverlight

Clue: King Aldric seems exhausted and paranoid

  • Source: Palace servants, Royal Council members
  • Details: Drinks heavily, paces at night, trusts few people
  • Quote: “The king barely sleeps anymore. I hear him talking to himself in the study.” - Palace chamberlain

Clue: Crown-Church meetings always end in argument

  • Source: Guards posted outside Council chambers
  • Details: Voices raised, doors slammed, neither side budging
  • Quote: “They used to laugh together after meetings. Now they can barely stand to be in the same room.”

Timing Correlations

Clue: The conflict escalated noticeably around 1262-1263

  • Source: Court records, meeting minutes, old servants
  • Details: Before that, Crown and Church cooperated smoothly
  • Timeline: Change began gradually after a certain point

Clue: Theodric’s evening prayers have become longer and more intense

  • Source: Cathedral staff, night guards
  • Details: He used to pray for an hour; now it’s two or three hours
  • Observation: Special incense is always used during these prayers

Medium Clues (DC 13-15 Investigation/Insight)

Verin’s Presence

Clue: Verin joined Theodric’s household in 1262

  • Source: Church personnel records, servant gossip
  • Details: A “gift” from a wealthy Church patron
  • Significance: Timing matches start of Theodric’s changes
  • Challenge: Connection isn’t obvious without other evidence

Clue: Verin is always present during sensitive conversations

  • Source: Perception checks during palace/cathedral visits
  • Details: He’s in the background, easy to overlook
  • Pattern: Whenever important discussions happen, he’s there
  • Insight DC 14: He’s deliberately positioning himself to overhear everything

Clue: People have trouble remembering Verin clearly

  • Source: Interviewing multiple witnesses about the same event
  • Details: Descriptions are vague, inconsistent
  • One guard: “Was there an assistant there? I… think so?”
  • Insight DC 15: This level of forgettability isn’t natural

Document Irregularities

Clue: Some Church edicts don’t match Theodric’s earlier positions

  • Source: Comparing recent documents to ones from 5+ years ago
  • Details: Handwriting is similar but not identical
  • Examples:
    • Earlier: “Justice must be tempered with mercy”
    • Recent: “Mercy for heretics is itself heresy”

Clue: Decisions made in evening are more extreme

  • Source: Analyzing timestamps on edicts and orders
  • Details: Morning decisions tend to be more moderate
  • Evening decisions: Often harsh, uncompromising
  • Pattern: Evening decisions come after the prayer sessions with incense

Clue: Theodric sometimes doesn’t remember signing documents

  • Source: Careful observation during Council meetings
  • Details: References to edicts he seems confused about
  • Quote: “When did I approve that?” - Theodric, quickly covering confusion

Theodric’s Mental State

Clue: Theodric seems most extreme after evening prayers

  • Source: Tracking his behavior throughout the day
  • Pattern: Mornings - relatively reasonable; Evenings - harsh and paranoid
  • Correlation: The incense is used during evening prayers specifically

Clue: His memory seems unreliable for recent events

  • Source: Asking him about same conversation multiple times
  • Details: Remembers distant past clearly, recent past is fuzzy
  • Symptom: Classic sign of memory-affecting substances

Clue: Other clergy notice he seems “clouded” sometimes

  • Source: Private conversations with concerned bishops
  • Quote: “It’s like he’s not fully present. His eyes are distant.” - Bishop Aldren

Hard Clues (DC 16-18 or Requires Specific Action)

The Incense

Clue: The ceremonial incense contains unusual ingredients

  • Source: Obtaining a sample and having it analyzed
  • Method:
    • Steal sample from Theodric’s chambers (Stealth DC 16)
    • Convince a servant to provide some (Persuasion DC 17)
    • Attend evening prayers and grab used incense (Sleight of Hand DC 15)
  • Analysis:
    • Alchemist: DC 17 Intelligence check identifies Deadlands herbs
    • Herbalist: DC 18 Nature check recognizes psychoactive compounds
    • Cleric with Detect Poison and Disease: Automatically senses something wrong

Clue: The incense is prepared only by Verin

  • Source: Cathedral staff, careful observation
  • Details: No one else is allowed to handle it
  • Verin’s Excuse: “The Luminarch’s prayers require specific sacred preparations. Only I know the proper ritual.”
  • Insight DC 17: This level of secrecy is suspicious

Clue: The incense ingredients come from suspicious suppliers

  • Source: Investigating Church purchasing records
  • Requirements: Access to records (breaking in, bribing clerk, or royal authorization)
  • Discovery: Suppliers have connections to known cult fronts
  • Trail: Can be traced back to Deadlands region

Verin’s True Nature

Clue: Verin’s background story has inconsistencies

  • Source: Thorough investigation of his past (multiple days of work)
  • Method: Talk to people from his supposed hometown, check Church records
  • Discovery: Timeline doesn’t quite match, some “witnesses” don’t exist
  • DC 18 Investigation: Spot the subtle discrepancies

Clue: Verin receives coded messages

  • Source: Staking out his quarters or intercepting his mail
  • Method: Stealth surveillance over several days
  • Discovery: Dead drop locations, coded letters
  • DC 17 Intelligence (Investigation): Recognize cult cipher patterns

Clue: He has cult symbols hidden in his quarters

  • Source: Searching his private chambers (very risky)
  • Location: Cathedral servant wing, guarded and monitored
  • Required: Stealth DC 18 to break in undetected
  • Discovery: Small black star medallion, journal in cipher, cult materials
  • Risk: If caught, party branded as thieves/heretics

Clue: Magical aura reveals something wrong

  • Source: Detect Evil and Good, See Invisibility, or similar magic
  • Result: Verin registers as “wrong” somehow
  • Details: Not obviously evil, but unsettling
  • Note: His magical forgettability might interfere with divination

The Conspiracy

Clue: Other cult agents are watching Verin’s operation

  • Source: Counter-surveillance, tracking suspicious individuals
  • Discovery: Multiple people watching the palace/cathedral
  • Pattern: They’re not targeting Theodric—they’re protecting him
  • Implication: This operation is important enough to warrant backup

Clue: Forged documents bear Theodric’s seal but aren’t his handwriting

  • Source: Expert calligraphy analysis (requires specialist)
  • Method: Compare disputed documents to known authentic ones
  • DC 18 Investigation: Spot subtle differences in penmanship
  • Evidence: Some edicts are definitely forgeries

Clue: Theodric has been drugged before—this is a pattern

  • Source: Medical examination by skilled healer
  • Method: Examining Theodric directly (with his permission) or analyzing his behavior medically
  • DC 17 Medicine: Identify symptoms of long-term alchemical exposure
  • Discovery: Hair/blood samples would show trace compounds

Very Hard Clues (DC 19+ or Extreme Risk)

Verin’s Journal

Clue: Verin keeps a detailed record of the operation

  • Location: Hidden in his private quarters behind a secret panel
  • Requirements:
    • Break into quarters undetected (Stealth DC 18)
    • Find the hidden compartment (Investigation DC 19)
    • Not get caught for 30+ minutes of searching
  • Contents: Complete documentation of poisoning, timeline, cult plans
  • Language: Written in cult cipher (DC 20 Intelligence to decode)
  • Risk: If Verin discovers it’s missing, he immediately accelerates final plan
  • Value: This is definitive proof of everything

Clue: The cult’s final revelation protocol is already prepared

  • Source: Intercepting cult communications, captured agent interrogation
  • Discovery: Documents ready to expose Theodric at optimal moment
  • Details: Letters to nobles, evidence compiled, witnesses prepared
  • Implication: The cult always planned to burn Verin as a pawn

Physical Evidence of Poisoning

Clue: Theodric’s body shows signs of long-term toxin exposure

  • Source: Medical examination by very skilled healer/alchemist
  • Requirements: Theodric’s cooperation (unlikely) or examination of hair/nail clippings
  • DC 19 Medicine: Identify specific toxin profile
  • Discovery: Years of cumulative exposure, not acute poisoning
  • Evidence: Can definitively prove he’s been drugged

Clue: The incense burner in Theodric’s chamber has residue buildup

  • Source: Chemical analysis of the burner itself
  • Requirements: Access to chamber, remove burner or scrape sample
  • DC 19 Alchemist Tools: Identify complete compound mixture
  • Discovery: Exact formula used, including psychoactive agents

Divine Revelation

Clue: A god directly warns of the corruption

  • Source: Divine intervention (DM plot device or high-level cleric magic)
  • Method: Vision, direct communication, or angelic messenger
  • Details: Elandria herself might be trying to warn her faithful
  • Message: Cryptic but clear—her Luminarch is compromised
  • Challenge: Getting Theodric to believe divine warning contradicts his own “divine” certainty

Clue: The Cathedral itself feels wrong to faithful

  • Source: Very high Insight or Religion check in Cathedral (DC 20)
  • Sensation: Divine presence is muffled, prayers feel hollow
  • Implication: Corruption is so deep it affects sacred space
  • Insight: The poisoned incense has been contaminating the air for years

Special Investigation Techniques

Timeline Construction

Method: Compile all dated events into chronological order

  • When did Theodric’s behavior change? (1262-1263)
  • When did Verin arrive? (1262)
  • When did Crown-Church conflict escalate? (1263-1264)
  • When did specific policies change? (Document by document)
  • Pattern: Everything traces back to Verin’s arrival

Witness Interviews

Key Witnesses:

  • Old servants who knew Theodric before 1262
  • Bishops who remember his earlier teachings
  • Guards who’ve been posted at Cathedral for years
  • Scribes who handle Theodric’s correspondence
  • The “wealthy patron” who “gifted” Verin (if they can be found)

Red Flag Answers:

  • “He’s always been like this” (from recent hires—Verin’s allies)
  • “I don’t remember” (victims of Verin’s forgettability magic)
  • “You shouldn’t question the Luminarch” (zealots or intimidated)
  • “Actually, now that you mention it…” (genuine witnesses)

Surveillance Operations

Following Verin:

  • Extremely difficult (Stealth contested vs. his passive Perception 19)
  • He takes anti-surveillance precautions
  • Might lead to cult contacts or dead drops
  • If he spots surveillance, he’ll act to eliminate watchers

Watching Theodric:

  • Easier but still monitored by guards
  • Can observe behavior patterns
  • Notice evening personality changes
  • See when Verin is present vs. absent

Magical Investigation

Useful Spells:

  • Detect Poison and Disease: Incense registers as harmful
  • Zone of Truth: Won’t help with Verin (he believes his cause is righteous)
  • Detect Thoughts: Might reveal Theodric’s confusion or Verin’s duplicity
  • Scrying: Can watch Verin remotely (if not warded)
  • Divination: May provide cryptic warnings
  • Commune: Gods might answer questions about the corruption
  • Legend Lore: Could reveal Verin’s true identity

Magical Defenses:

  • Verin has Nondetection cast regularly
  • Cathedral has anti-scrying wards
  • Some spells might alert Verin or Theodric to investigation

Putting It Together

Minimum Evidence for Conviction:

To prove the conspiracy, party needs:

  1. Proof of poisoning: Incense analysis or medical evidence
  2. Proof of Verin’s involvement: Journal, cult connections, or witness testimony
  3. Proof of effect: Theodric’s behavior changes correlated with evidence
  4. Motive: Connecting Verin to Black Star Cult

Convincing Theodric:

Much harder than convincing others. Requires:

  1. Overwhelming evidence he can’t deny
  2. Gentle approach that doesn’t shatter his faith
  3. Time away from Verin to clear his head
  4. Medical treatment to detoxify
  5. Support from trusted clergy he respects

Convincing King Aldric:

Easier, but he needs:

  1. Solid evidence, not just theories
  2. Plan for dealing with aftermath
  3. Assurance Church won’t collapse
  4. Path to preserving Crown-Church alliance

DM Notes on Clue Distribution

Pacing:

  • Session 1: Easy clues, establish something is wrong
  • Session 2: Medium clues, point toward Verin
  • Session 3: Hard clues, confirm the poisoning
  • Session 4: Very hard clues, complete the picture

Player Agency:

  • Don’t gate-keep crucial information
  • Multiple paths to same discoveries
  • Reward clever thinking with easier access
  • Let players feel smart for connecting dots

Red Herrings:

  • Include false leads that seem plausible
  • Other suspicious characters (not involved)
  • Coincidences that look like patterns
  • Misdirection from Verin’s counter-intelligence

Flexibility:

  • Adjust DCs based on party composition and approach
  • Reward creative investigation methods
  • Don’t require every clue—let players solve with partial information
  • Be prepared for players to discover truth earlier or later than expected

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