You approach Garhal Diamondgleam. He is frantically drawing in his book, capturing as much detail as he can from the angle he is at. The elven man is peering into the scene from the open front door and doesn’t seem to notice you walk up to him.

You notice heavy purple bags under his eyes from lack of sleep. His blonde hair looks dirty and unkempt but despite his dirty appearance, the man seems very happy, at least at this moment. His clothes are blotched with paint stains and different colours of ink. Most of his fingers are bandaged which may suggest that he draws to the point that blisters form and break. It is an admirable dedication to his craft.

Clearing your voice, the artist jumps away in fear. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” he exclaims. “I was lost to the world just now, my focus forced to the task at hand.”

Waving away his apology, you ask about his job. “Me? I just draw pictures to help the guards for later, in case they need the extra help. In fact, most of the time they don’t even call upon me,” Garhal explains. “It’s only recently they asked for my assistance with the scenes although I don’t know who recommended me.”

You inquire about how long he’s been drawing to be so talented. “I suppose I was always talented,” he tries to say modestly. “The Diamondgleam family have been artists our whole lives. There is a legend in my family that our art will transcend space and time.”

Rolling your eyes slightly, you ask about his opinion on this murder in comparison to the others before the killer also became an artist. “Well, the murders before this were grizzly, to say the least,” shrugs Diamondgleam. “It was like walking into the slaughterhouse of an unskilled butcher or hunter.”

“But now,” Garhal whispers in awe. “This is truly a work of art. The Yellow Star has truly blessed them.”

A sickening feeling starts to set within the pit of your stomach. This man sounds as if he is admiring this lunatic’s work. Does he not see that there is a corpse in there and not a statue?

Also, what does he know about the Yellow Star? According to the knowledge you received during your training within the Order of Chaos, only those who follow the King in Yellow took notice of the world-devouring star.

Acquired Clue: King in Yellow Worshipper?

You have met Garhal Diamondgleam, the famous artist helping the guards with the most recent serial killings. He seems to have some sort of attachment with or knowledge of the King in Yellow.

Is it safe to have such a person so close to the investigation? Who recommended him? Perhaps you can ask someone about this after checking out other things to get more information.

*WARNING* Once you have picked an option, you can not come back to change your option.

You walk away from Garhal and choose to:

Talk to Thaisen Moore, go to Chapter 9

Investigate the crime scene, go to Chapter 10

Roll a Religion Check (DC15) about the King in Yellow to learn more about his followers. If you pass go to Chapter 11, if you fail go to Chapter 9 or 10 if you haven’t done so already.

Try to talk to Garhal Diamongleam about his crime scene art. Roll a Deception or Persuasion check (DC 12). If you pass go to Chapter 12, if you fail go to Chapter 9 or 10 if you haven’t done so already.

You can try to force answers out of him now. Roll an Intimidation check (D14) using Charisma or Strength as your modifier. If you pass go to Chapter 13, if you fail go to Chapter 9 or 10 if you haven’t done so.

If you fail and have one of the following clues:

-Authoritative Captain

-Incompetent Captain

Go to Chapter 14.

Finally, you can do a three-part check to earn his trust and learn more about what he knows. First, you can roll an Insight check (DC14), a Religion check (DC15), and then a Persuasion or Deception check (DC12). If you pass go to Chapter 15, if you fail go to Chapter 9 or 10 if you haven’t done so already.

If you have already gone to Chapters 9 and 10 then go to Chapter TBA