3 Portman Close

3 Portman Close

Type	Dungeon
Status	Explored March 908 TA
Location	Teufeldorf
Hex	5211
Campaign	The Ranger's Gate
Adventure #	142

What Really Happened

Carron Belsnickel is an accomplished toy maker and meticulous craftsmen and for the last sixteen years he has delighted countless children with his creations. Yet for all his success Carron is a sullen, depressed man that moves frequently - every so often he packs up his tools and toys and moves on. The timing of his move is always curious and usually it occurs shortly after the death of a child. A death caused at the hands of one of his toys, or so he believes.

Carron’s story began in 873 TA in the village of Everdoom. His father was an accomplished wood worker that specialized in furniture but in his spare time he crafted small wooden spinners, tops, toys and dolls for the local children. Like all boys in his village Carron and his twin brother Evan began to learn their father’s trade at a young age. Carron in particular showed real promise and he took a hearty interest in crafting toys. As the boys grew in age their father relinquished construction of all the toys crafted, leaving his two accomplished sons to fill that sparse need. There was talk of moving on to Freeport where a larger population would have a higher demand for their talents. In 889A TA, Carron’s thirteenth winter, the family had finally made the decision to move the following summer.

Unfortunately as the spring thaws began the two boys were playing along a nearby river in the Endless Forest and during their wrestling and play sword-fighting Evan was knocked into the river and went through the thin ice before quickly being swept downstream. Carron fled home and a search party swept the forest but Evan was never found and assumed dead. Unbeknownst to the family the young man struck his head and fell unconscious. Not far downriver a wandering woodsman pulled the boy to freedom. Fearing frostbite or hypothermia the woodsman hurried home to care for the boy.

For several months Evan struggled to survive and cope with his life, having no memory of any time before he fell into the river. Yet, a dark seeded hatred burned inside him that he couldn’t explain. As the months began to pass his memory returned at a ponderous rate and he remembered how he came to be in his current situation. At first he was eager to explain to his foster family who he was and that his family was but two days walk away but the more he dwelled on the matter the more he realized that not only did his family not search for him but it was his brother Carron that had caused his fall into the river in the first place.

Instead Evan chose to remain silent on the matter and stay in the care of the woodsman and his wife. Over time he became a troublesome boy. He often captured and killed small animals and showed no interest in working or learning an occupation. It was all his foster parents could do just to keep him out of trouble. Through it all Evan never revealed that his memory had returned and even let his foster parents rename him. Finally in 892 TA, on his sixteenth birthday, Evan murdered his foster mother with an axe after a particularly heated argument about his lack of desire to do his chores. He was surprised to find he felt no remorse over the murder. In fact the opposite was true, the act exhilarated him in ways he had never experienced before. Instead of fleeing he decided to lay in wait for his foster father to return, and when he finally did Evan brutally murdered him in a fit of excitement and rage.

Afterwards Evan fled hoping he could start life anew somewhere else. All alone he was excited for the possibilities and adventures life would throw his way. For two more years the young man roamed the Western Reaches working odd jobs to make ends meet, but killing his parents had stirred emotions inside of him that no other experience in life could replicate. Soon Evan was on the prowl for new victims and at his young age he seemed to find children to be the easiest victims. Evan soon found that he took an exceptional amount of pleasure in killing and over the course of the last two years he had refined his techniques and methods of operation, continuing to focus on children in particular. Each time he murdered a child he imagined it was his brother he was killing. It was by pure chance that on one of his outings for a new victim he stumbled upon his brother, Carron.

Carron never saw his brother on that fateful day in Freeport but the toy maker’s cart was swarming with children and parents alike gawking at the wonderful toys for sale. Evan lingered in the shadows watching, trying to determine how he could best punish his brother. Then an idea struck him. He picked out a family that had just purchased a doll and followed them home. That night Evan broke into the home and slew the parents as they slept. Afterwards he placed the hands of the new doll around the father’s neck. Those that investigated quickly determined that the scene was staged but when three more families turned up dead over the course of the next year all eyes began to turn towards the toy maker, Carron.

And so it began that over the course of the next sixteen years Carron moved slowly northward peddling his wares and hoping his next customer wouldn’t be the next victim. Evan continued to follow his brother and eventually he would murder again and the toy maker would be forced to move on yet again. For a while the toy maker assumed his creations were cursed and tried to give up the profession only to find he was ill suited for any other type of work. Further encouraging him was that stretches of months and even years would pass without and incident. Just when he thought everything was ok Evan would turn up, locate his brother and commit another murder. Thus far no one has figured it out.

Evan has taken great pride in the pain he has caused his brother over the years but he has finally tired of the game. Soon he plans to end Carron’s misery and finally reveal himself. His desire for murder is still strong though and he worries that deep down he needs Evan, a thought that usually drives him into a fit of rage...

3 Portland Close - the Mathers House

3 Portland Close - Ground

3 Portland Close - Upper

The Present Day - March 3, 907 TA

A carriage with the green and purple raven of the Barony of Guildford pulls up in front of 9 Nightingale Way.

You've heard about the murder, then. Happened at 3 Portman Close - right off of Haddonfield Row in the Old Town. Right behind The Three Tuns Pub where I might have been having a nightcap with a friend. The husband and his little daughter, Mathers is their surname, came running into the pub near closing time. He was screaming bloody murder.

We rushed over the home - modest brick affair - old and small. Well, I've been on the battlefield in my youth, but this scene made my blood run cold.

The house at 3 Portland Close is typical of townhouses in Old Town.

Carolanne Mathers, the girl’s mother. Clad in a nightgown and slippers she lies on the small bed, her eyes wide with terror. There is little in the way of disturbances in the scene indicating she was caught by surprise. More peculiar is that there a small wooden and fabric doll has been placed on her chest. The doll’s hands have been placed on her neck to simulate the act of strangulation. This is how she was found. The shutters to the window have been broken, I think whoever killed her slipped in unnoticed at night and murdered her. The girl and father were asleep in the next room, apparently the daughter had nightmares last night and slept with them; the two of them heard nothing.

A foot and a half tall the doll is made of a small wood body and head, both wrapped in painted fabric to resemble a little girl. Her hair is comprised of fabric locks and the hands and feet are fabric as well. The father believes the doll to be cursed intends to destroy it. Right now, the Crown has the doll as evidence.

This is not a crime of passion or drink or money. This was a crime of sickness. And, here is why I am talking to you:

• I talked to Beck Mathers, the father, while we were waiting for the constables to show up. He had no idea who would commit such a crime. He did tell me that the doll had been purchased a few days ago at the Toymaker's shop on Market Street - near the west end at Lamplighter's Way.
• The toymaker is a man named Carron Belsnickel. A man, ahem, in my employ. He makes special playing cards for me, and special card cases, and other devices. But, his true love is making toys for the children. He's really brilliant at it.
• But, his past is a problem. Born in Everdoom - from a toymaking family.

When he first arrived here last year I heard rumors that his toys were cursed, that everywhere he traveled people died, and in strange manners. Still, rumors being what they I decided to befriend the toy maker and learn more about him. I asked him for dinners and spent much time speaking with him. What I determined was that he was a sad man with much loss in his life. I could not see him killing, though I continued to watch him for some time. After a while it became apparent that he was no killer and his toys didn’t appear to be cursed, as the rumors and stories would have me believe. In fact the opposite seemed true, the people here embraced Carron and the children loved his toys. Now that someone is dead I find myself in a bit of a bind. You see, my daughter Margaret has taken a liking to Carron, in fact she hopes that they can eventually become more than friends. She has always been a sucker for those that need redemption.

The Proposition

If you could solve this murder, I would be in your debt. If there is something in my power to do for you, I would.

Random Townsfolk Reaction Table

1. Knows that Carron Blenickel once fled from another village after a mysterious death several years ago.
2. Believes that the mother was killed by one of the evil spirits that live in the Old Graveyard north of Teufeldorf.
3. Has no opinion on the matter or those involved, doesn’t know Carron at all.
4. Has heard rumors that Carron and Margaret Guildford are lovers. Believes the killer is probably the Old Hermit who lives near the Orc Gate or perhaps the spirits of the graveyard.
5. Knows Carron and could never imagine him committing such a foul act. Believes the death is more likely the fault of the father.
6. Worry’s that other families will be next, is considering moving to another part of town.
7. Worry’s that Carron will kill again and is convinced he is the culprit and that his “evil’ toys are the cause of the crime.
8. Considers Carron a good friend and while he is despondent doesn’t believe the toy maker is capable of such an act.
9. Believes the mother was intentionally killed, sacrificed to ward off an ancient family curse.
10. Feels the murder was most likely a family affair and none of their business.
11. Believes suspicious people have been prowling about lately and they most likely are to blame for the killings.
12. Says little or nothing and acts suspicious, mainly because they believe the new arrivals in town are the ones to blame (the characters).
13. Has heard rumors that Carron has moved about a lot in recent years. He refuses to linger in any town for more than couple years, or so they say.
14. Blames the murder on the mysterious woodsman that lives near the graveyard and is rumored to conspire with the spirits of the graveyard.
15. Has no opinion on the matter but sadness for the family.
16. Saw a suspicious man prowling around town the other day, a man they didn’t recognize. He was arriving from town late at night from the woods, in the direction of the old cemetery (this was Evan on one of his scouting trips into town).
17. Saw a man that looked a bit like Carron one evening in town, which was surprising considering how little the toy maker gets out. It was dark so they could have been mistaken (again this was Evan).
18. Has a sister who lived in Greyheath where four families were murdered over the course of two years, everyone believed Carron, or his toys, were responsible. Is deathly afraid of the toy maker.
19. Saw Evan one night and actually mistook him for Carron. After a closer inspection he assumed it was just a case of mistaken identify and left the man alone.
20. Saw Evan the night of the murder. Got such a good look that they actually believe it was Carron. In fact they believe Carron possesses such magical powers that killing makes Carron young again. Since Carron hasn’t been outside for a few days there is no evidence to the contrary. Is in great fear of the toy maker and is considering moving to Old Town immediately (this can only be rolled once).

Interviewing Margaret Guildford

Any time the characters accuse Carron of being a murderer or suggest his toys may be cursed Margaret flies into an angry rage and demands they leave her presence. Furthermore she will suggest that if word of this is spread about town the characters will face banishment or even face arrest.

Should the characters press Margaret too far about Carron, she will “relent” and explain, rather curtly, that Carron simply couldn’t have committed the crime because he was dining with her while it occurred. This alibi is false, and Carron will dismiss it if shared with him, but Margaret will do her best to make it seem plausible, explaining Carron’s denial of it as a sense of guilt that one of his toys was involved, empathy for the parents, and feelings of the like.

Speaking to Carron

Approaching Carron about the crime may result in a surprising encounter. Carron is well aware of the mysterious deaths associated with his toys. In fact he has long assumed he is cursed. Any character that attempts to speak with Carron will find the toy maker is despondent and withdrawn and not in the least bit shocked to hear about the death of the girl, though he will be quite sad about it.

Anyone that speaks with the toy maker will learn little. A DC 15 Perception check is enough to suggest that perhaps Carron knows more than he is saying. A subsequent DC 12 Intimidation skill check will be enough to force the toy maker to reveal the past history of horrid deaths left in his wake, all because of his cursed toys. Still Carron makes no apologies. He loves nothing more than creating toys and making children happy. This last incident is enough to finally push him to consider again thoughts of suicide. At this point Carron will almost welcome incarceration or even death. He will not resist arrest, will not offer any information without prodding and will not resist if the characters attempt to have him hanged.

Any character that presents information about a younger version of him or any other theory about the deaths will be met with a blank stare and denials. Carron in his heart fully believes he is cursed and nothing more. Until the mystery is solved Carron will remain in his distraught state knowing that as long as he lives people will continue to die.

The Toy Shop

The Toy Shop Map

Carron, The Toy Maker

Tucked away off the main square is the small, humble toyshop. Most of the time the doors are closed and a hand painted, wooden sign hangs on the front door indicating that the shop is now open. When Carron is of mood he opens his toyshop and customers find the small building is occupied by hundreds of toys and dolls.

Room 1: The Shop

The front room is cluttered and constricting. Spinners, dolls, wooden carts and animals occupy every inch of the place. The only wall space left open is where a window is located and the two doors, one that enters the building and another that allows access to Carron's workshop in the back half of the building.

Room 2: The Workshop

Carron’s workshop is located behind the showroom. The small cramped space is neatly organized with blocks of wood and fabric stacked neatly from floor to ceiling. Two sturdy work areas occupy the remainder of the room. Chisels, knives, saws, drills and other hand tools are stored on the walls. A worn wooden stool is the only place to sit. In the far corner a ladder leads to the loft, where Carron sleeps.

Room 3: The Loft

Upstairs the loft is nothing more than a simple room with a cot, several heavy blankets and some storage for clothing and food. Carron rarely leaves this room and used candle remnants lay everywhere. The loft reeks of human sweat and stale musty air. There is no ventilation or windows. The space is altogether gloomy and dreary.