Dark Powers |
Marco calls after the construct but it does not respond to his calls.
Do you want to attempt to obstruct its path?
Wyatt heads over to the woman and feels her neck, "She lives but she appears to be in some sort of shock!"
The mists in the street send eerie echoes of the constructs mechanical footsteps all around you.
Voices from other alleys may be near or far but as the mist rises it becomes harder to judge where the sounds emanate from. For once this evening they seem to be the sounds normally heard in Blackchapel and not bloodcurdling screams.
Dark Powers |
Marco, you arrive and see that Wyatt is correct. The woman is breathing normally, her face is simply twisted up with fright.
Her eyes come into focus and she seems to snap to, "What, what happened? I was walkin' and a monster come right at me..."
As she sits up, a patrol of constables come walking by. They turn to you, and the one of them states, "You should all get off the streets. Yer distractin' us from our jobs!"
Derrick Tramsen |
Derrick pauses as Dunstan speaks, but he snorts afterwards and shakes his head. "Look, mate, maybe you'll clear off, but I ain't so sure." He folds his arms and stares at the constables. "What's a likely coupl'a chaps like yerselfs doin' jus' strollin' down the streets, like, this time o' night? What wif all the troubles goin' about. An' if we heard this woman scream, you musta heard summat. How come you ain't come runnin' to investigate, like?"
Dark Powers |
Kensignton pipes up as well, "My friends and I were assisting this woman who was beset upon by a contraption you no doubt approved of to catch a killer that is your responsibility to apprehend. Here we find it scaring citizens witless and you come by and treat us like common thugs?"
The constable stops and stares hard at Derrick and Kensington, "We're patrollin' the streets for a killer. We did'n hear the screams sad to say as we had to run a few hooligans off of the streets who claimed they were threatened by weapon wielding maniacs!
A killer we'd be more likely t'find if we weren't standin' here being shouted at by you lot. Play the cultured gentlemen if ya' like but if you are wanderin' about Blackchapel at night, you are no doubt troublemakers.
I have a mind to report you to Inspector Logan and I will if I run into your sorry bunch again!"
Dark Powers |
The constable glares at Wyatt, "Another likely story from a plumed hat dandy! Yer all gonna spend a night in the clink if we catch you again!
With that the constables stalk away, obviously not interested in bringing you in, at least not yet.
The woman sits up, "Thank you thank you! I hate to impose but c'n you all walk me home? I live close by like and c'n offer ya' drinks for what ye've done fer me."
Marco Andrezi |
Marco stays out of the conversation when the constables arrive.
These guys know me. I just need top stay off their radar for everyone's benefit...
I'll be seein' ya to yer door, missie, but I canna' stay. Lookin' for a murderer with me new friends, n'at.
Derrick Tramsen |
Derrick makes a rather rude gesture at the constables after they turn to leave, and heaves a sigh. And we all bother wondering how a killer like this comes about, let alone how they remain on the loose.
He turns to the woman and offers her a hand and a smile. "Aye, no problem, miss. We're more'n happy to help. And, well, ain't safe to go walkin' about on yer onesie, innit?"
Dark Powers |
"Thank you. Sandra, Sandra Bartello is the name. The guards act like we c'n just stay off o' the streets. I 'ave bills to pay, my job won't work w'out me there n 'iffin I don;t show, it'll be given to the next girl", she explains as she walks several blocks to her apartment.
Sandra is in her mid twenties, red hair, quite pretty but clearly a bit downtrodden based on the condition of her dress and coat. Her boots have seen better days as well. Based on her dress you would say she is a bar wench.
She heads up a set of stairs in a building that is quite worn down with age and lack of repairs, she slides the key into her poorly made lock, "Won't you come in?" she asks politely.
Kensignton steps forward to get the door for her and follows her in, as does Wyatt.
Dark Powers |
Sandra rummaged through cupboards which appear nearly bare.
Finally she finds what she is looking for, a fine bottle of brandy.she pulls out enough glasses for each of you and one for herself, pouring enough for a shot. Into her glass the last of it is poured.
She raises her glass, "To you gentle sirs. I cannot know who may have found me had you not passes by, my thanks such as it is".
Dark Powers |
Sandra shrugs, "What do you mean? Violence is a way of life here, this murders' is a bit more frightening then th' others but not out of th' ordinary, I am no really sure why everyone is so up in arms t' be honest".
Gavin Entwhistle |
Gavin's thoughts echo those of the woman. How did I end up here in the first place, and what cursed fate awaits me on my journey home? Is this really a realm that need's the Light's blessing? True, it is dark and foggy, but these souls... they are... Perhaps that is it, they are so lost, so fallen from grace, that they need my attention most of all... yes, that is it... Gavin mutters something to himself in the corner before realizing he has quite lost track of the night's events.
"Pardon miss, care te bless a foreigner wit' a bit o' knowledge, how commonplace are murders here? An' to ye, what stands out about this one?"
Dark Powers |
Sandra shrugs, "Blackchapel is dangerous donchyaknow? Criminals prowl the shadows and prey 'pon the innocent. It is the way of things, I guess it keeps the riff raff out of places where they don' wish to see 'em.
I guess what makes this different is tha' girls're robbed and beaten but not usually murdered, not like that". she swallows with a wide eyed look as if remembering something.
Marco Andrezi |
I live here, and I'm knowin' about the dangers of this district. Dunstan has a point though, doll. The murderin' is new. Do you know somethin' that can help us track down the culprit?
He sips at the drink he was provided earlier, and constantly looks out the front window to the street below.
Dark Powers |
She shakes her head, "No, I I I was just thinkin' how horrible her last moments must've been. I didn' know her but we all who live here tryin' to make a decent living have a kinship, you know what I'm gettin' at?" she asks looking at Marco as she responds.
Kensington grimaces looking deeply disturbed by Sandra's plight, "This place is even worse than I thought it was. Perhaps after we catch this murderer we may well should stalk the streets ourselves to bring some order here eh Dunstan? I'll have ant least another week of leave before I have to go back out again".
Dark Powers |
Unless anyone has an objection or wishes t say anything further to Sandra, we will proceed. I will give you all a day to check in before I move the plot along.
Dark Powers |
Your band steps back out into the night. Compared to the chaos of the evening thus far the winding streets of Blackchapel become quiet, too quiet.
Thick mist begins to roll into the narrow avenues and alleys making sight more then 15' ahead difficult at best.
Bong...bong...bong...bong...
The city clock has started to toll the hour of midnight, and the killer has not yet been caught or perhaps you hope the presence of so many on the streets has kept him away. On occasion you can hear chatter in the distance but the fog makes judging distance and direction all but impossible. Still, it is unlikely the murderer would be carrying on a conversation so loud to be heard so loudly even if not heard so clearly.
Bong...bong...bong...bong...
Curse this fog!
Visibility prevents you from seeing barely 10' in front of you now. The murder could be taking place beside you and you may not see it!
Bong...bong...bong...bong...
An eerie silence descends as the last echoes of the city clock fade away. The city is still for a heartbeat... then the shrill scream of a whistle splits the night! It is the whistle of the Paridon Constabulary.
Make a Perception Check DC 13 to identify where the whistle is coming from.
Dark Powers |
Dunstan is able to guide your group to the frantic whistles within less than five minutes. What is laid out before you is unlike any of you, even the most hardened of you have ever experienced before.
You get a clear view of the scene as most of the Constables on hand are too busy retching in the streets to do anything with the body.
Lying right on the doorstep of the butcher shop "Minced Meats" is the body of a young woman who has met a terrible fate. Her throat being slashed seems like a mercy compared to the way the rest of her body has been carved up...
Horror Checks Gentlemen. Tested by Intelligence DC 15 as you are confronted by a scene of terrible agony.
Marco, you make this roll at a Disadvantage as you recognize the poor victim. It is Annie Smitters, the woman you gave a few silver pieces to just the night before on your way home.
Anyone who passes the check may make one of two rolls:
1. Investigation to search the crime scene, and/or
2. Medicine to examine the corpse.
Marco Andrezi |
Horror: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Horror Disadv: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Marco doubles over right next to Dunstan. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.
No, no, no...that's Annie...
Derrick Tramsen |
Horror: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Derrick stops as he witnesses the horror, and while he doesn't vomit openly, he pales and stands quite still. What madness is this? What kind of monster would commit these atrocities? He can't be human... No man would do this... He staggers toward a wall and leans against it, shaking his head.
Gavin Entwhistle |
Horror: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
His stomach turns briefly in his gut, that turns icy cold. This most certainly was not the work of a man... he thinks to himself. As his companions turn aside, overwhelmed by the sight, he steps forward to the poor lass. Kneeling beside her, he gently takes her hand.
"May the Light of the Radiant Dawn shine upon you, may it bear you forth from this dark, loathsome place unto a shining, vibrant land gifted with all the joys befit one of Illandros' blessed. May darkness never chase your footsteps, Illandros protect."
can Investigation be used untrained? if so...
Investigation: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Dark Powers |
Gavin whether it is the optimism that has come through with you to this horrid place or the eternal spirit of fight present in all halflings, you are able to process this scene of horror where the others around you falter.
Even the wizard Khalid seems to have been effected, as he falls to his knees and dry heaves from the shock. Wyatt and Kensignton appear to be frightened but not as much as the others.
Your investigations reveal two things: first, there seems to have been no sign of a struggle as the contents of the woman's, Annie according to Marcus, bags have not been emptied out which you would expect were she to be fighting for her life and second there is no blood on the ground anywhere no bloody drag marks not even much blood on her ragged clothing.
Kensington Horror Check 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Khalid Horror Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Khalid Horror Failure 1d4 ⇒ 4
Wyatt Horror Failure 1d4 ⇒ 1
Derrick Horror Failure 1d4 ⇒ 3
Marcus Horror Failure 1d4 ⇒ 3
Dunstan Horror Failure - Major1d4 ⇒ 3
Dark Powers |
Dunstan your eyes scan the sight of Annie Smitters over and over again looking at every single stab wound is succession over and over again.
OK, make a third Horror Check DC 13.
Gavin Entwhistle |
Though a man of faith, Gavin is no skilled physician. Still, he takes time to try and make sense of the wounds, if nothing else than to perhaps determine what befell the lass.
medicine (untrained): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
His prayer and examination finished, Gavin pulls out his bedroll, and uses it to cover the corpse of the poor, unfortunate soul. Standing up, he looks to the crowd of terrified people, "pard'n, but who was it that found the lass 'ere?"
Dark Powers |
The Constables as well as the rest of your allies seem to snap out of their various states of horror as you complete your inspection of the body Gavin. Unfortunately you cannot glean more than the obvious, her throat was sliced and organs removed either could be the cause of death.
Everyone but Dunstan is free to act and talk again.
Dunstan seems to still be dazed by the experience, Kensignton walks over to him, "Snap out of it man!"
Dunstan roll Horror check again, DC 12 gain a 2 from Kensignton's encouragements.
One of the constables wipes his mouth, you are all pleased to see that this set is not the same set you had the altercation with earlier in the evening.
"I did, I was the one wot found 'er. I saw no one n nothin' else in the mists. May the Divinity have mercy on the poor woman's soul!"
The two other constables compose themselves on speaks, "I will run and get Inspector Logan!" he darts off into the mist shrouded night.
The other inspector closes in on the body again still a bit shaky, "These were precision cuts to be sure..." his voice trails off still clearly disturbed by what he is looking at.
Dunstan Gossington-Gorth |
1d20 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) - 1 + 2 = 2
Dunstan is unable to recognise his friend, so deep is his shock.
Getting all my crap rolls out of the way now... wait till combat I'll be rolling 19's and 20's
Wyatt Kyros |
"Agreed Marco, the pattern seems the same".
Wyatt approaches Dunstan and gets down on one knee singing a ballad to him to soothe his fears.
Let's say that Wyatt's effect assist in unhinging your mind from the Horrors before you Dunstan.
Dark Powers |
Kensignton offers a hand to help you up Dunstan, "Let's see if we can't find some clues in the area eh old chap?"
He leads you away from the body. Make an Investigation check DC 10. Dunstan.
Marco, you are pretty sure that Mort will be looking at this body, maybe this time around it makes sense to put pressure on the Inspector to allow you and yours to actually see the body this time.
Khalid as with the others after a few minutes you are able to compose yourself. Feel free to cast any spells you believe may assist with learning more about this scene.
Derrick breathing your way through the scene that still grips your mind you stare down the streets and through the mist you see the young constable along with Inspector Logan in tow.
I will allow you all to make a few more rolls or cast spells as you see fit before Logan arrives.
Khalid de la Poer |
Marco stays to the fringes so as not to overly engage with the constables. He says to the others,
Agin', No blood. that is odd, no?
Khalid nods to Marco, then kneels next to the body. "It is odd indeed. Now that we have an opportunity for closer inspection, perhaps we can divine more clues from this victim."
Casts Detect Magic
Dark Powers |
Khalid, the body has strong traces of Necromancy magic which are slowly ebbing away.
Inspector Logan closes in on the group, "I see you all have decided to stay involved eh? Well I for one am glad for the extra assistance.
Brent here tells me you arrived after he and my other constables found the body. He also tells me that only you" pointing to Gavin "kept your wits about you in the face of this gruesome slaying. Tell me then, what have you all found so far?"
Gavin Entwhistle |
Gavin frowns, "Wit' regret, far less than I'd like. While the Light 'as blest me wit' the gift to 'eal wounds, I lack greater knowledge of the 'uman form, so not much b'yond the basics. The lass 'as been cut to pieces, organs missin', yet stran'ly not a drop o' blood. D'finitely not a theft, bein' that all her 'ffects are still present."