The Shadow of the Envoy
In Realm of the Crown, only one thing is spoken of today: a daring theft, carried out almost before the court's eyes. The culprit worked cleanly, but not without witnesses — and the witnesses, at last, have begun to talk. Before you, one by one, will stand Luca the Squire, Ilinca the Baker, Brother Anselm, Sava the Bell-Ringer and Ban Radu the Silent. Among the things spoken of in whispers are the locked chest, the amber necklace, the ceremonial crown, the broken lantern and the signet ring. Few files have tested so many investigators; untangle the threads, catch the lie, and pronounce your verdict.
Suspects
He polishes the knight's armour and dreams of a sword of his own. For a coat of arms he would do almost anything.
1.72 m
right-handed
green eyes
brown hair
She weighs flour to the gram and people at a glance. No one stays in her debt twice.
1.62 m
right-handed
brown eyes
chestnut hair
He has copied manuscripts for forty years. He knows what every one of them says - including the forbidden ones.
1.75 m
right-handed
brown eyes
greying hair
He has rung the cathedral bells on the hour for thirty years. He sees the whole city from above and forgives nothing he sees.
1.83 m
right-handed
brown eyes
greying hair
He has never uttered a needless word in his life. Sadly, nor a useful one for investigators.
1.81 m
right-handed
grey eyes
grey hair
Locations
the great stable
It smells of hay and hurried departures. Horses give no testimony.
the Golden Boar inn
Wine watered down and rumours diluted with nothing. The rooms upstairs ask no questions.
the guild forge
Anvils, tongs, and a fire that never goes out. Many small metal things vanish here.
the customs cellar
Sealed crates, thick ledgers, and air that smells of undeclared goods.
the hunting lodge
The royal cabin in the heart of the forest. Far from the eyes of the court - which is exactly what suits some.
Objects
the locked chest
Three padlocks, two rows of straps. Fresh scratches around the hinges, not the locks.
the amber necklace
Beads of golden resin strung on a silk thread. The thread is broken and hastily reknotted.
the ceremonial crown
The "wearable" copy of the true crown. At least, that was the idea.
the broken lantern
The glass cracked, the wick burned to the end. Someone needed a lot of light, fast.
the signet ring
The crest has been filed away almost completely. Almost.
Motives
fear of exposure
Groaza de a fi dat în vileag, care împinge la orice.
revenge
O datorie de sânge pe care numai fapta o mai șterge.
the inheritance
O avere așteptată, pe care numai o moarte o desparte de mână.
ambition
Setea de a urca, chiar peste trupuri, spre o treaptă mai înaltă.
a debt of honour
O făgăduială care cântărește mai greu decât viața.
Open the Grid (below) to solve the case, with the testimonies at hand.
Touch a cell: blank → ✗ (excluded) → ✓ (certain) → blank. Each pair of categories meets exactly once.
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Verdict
The culprit always lies; everyone else tells the truth.
- The traces left at the scene show it plainly: the culprit handled the ceremonial crown.
- In the Chancellery's ledger it stands in black and white: the suspect with grey eyes was in the place where the rooms upstairs ask no questions.
- Luca the Squire declares under oath: "I handled the signet ring".
- The chancellor deduced it coldly: if the suspect with green eyes handled the ceremonial crown, then the tallest suspect handled the amber necklace.
- The chronicler notes drily: Sava the Bell-Ringer was driven by the inheritance, whatever the court may say.
- One thing is certain: the ceremonial crown and the customs cellar do not share the same match for suspects.
- In the Chancellery's ledger it stands in black and white: the hunting lodge and fear of exposure go together.
- A maid whispered it at confession: Ilinca the Baker was at the guild forge.
- In the Chancellery's ledger it stands in black and white: Luca the Squire was driven by revenge.
- In the Chancellery's ledger it stands in black and white: Ban Radu the Silent handled the broken lantern.
- The gate guard swears: the signet ring and a debt of honour go together.