Dunstan...
I say my good man... Oh sorry - good woman
He recovers quickly.
The group spends a long day canvassing Blackchapel and the effort yields some clues.
A procurer for a Nobleman named Jack states that the killer is unequivocally a woman, "She is taking vengeance on those more beautiful than she. She is a woman of means as I have heard tell of coaches near the murder sites, in this district, who but a Noble could afford such a luxury?"
A scholar who frequents the Twin Sons Pub states that he has studied the murders, "They began 156 years ago. Every 13 years there is a series of six such murders, all young women - all mutilated. I believe the murderer to be a member of the Royal Family, this is the real reason the murders are never stopped. The library has little on the details, as if the relevant articles have been removed. Again who else could do so but a member of the privileged class? I know where you can find copies of papers describing more details". He leans in near you all whispering, "Stop by my offices tomorrow and we can discuss this at greater length, I fear too many ears to discuss more".
As day turns to night, one of the local ladies of the night, all of whom have been quite tight lipped about these murders, mentions that you may want to see Felicia Sweet as she may know much being very active in Blackchapel trying to get girls out of this choice of lifestyle.
"Felica Sweet eh? Where might she be found?" Khalid asks the local woman.
The girl directs the group to search for Falicia Sweet in Shadewell near Hyde Park.
As your group moves away form the girl and the last rays of the sun die in the sky, the ever present mists of Paridon begin to roll into the alleys of Blackchapel. You soon leave the worst of the mist behind as the wide streets and space between the buildings in this neighborhood make visibility much easier.
You arrive at the address you were given and Kensignton raps at the front door. You hear set of footsteps come down the stairs and a shade raised with the face of a handsome middle aged woman peering out at you.
She opens the door slightly ajar and asks, "How can I help you gentlemen?"
We are in search of answers good woman, about some of the horrible things happening in Blackchapel of late. We know of you most excellent work among the errr... women of the night and hope that we might speak with you?
The woman pauses at the door and remains silent. She closes the door and you hear a latch click.
Opening the door again she waves you all in, "None of you appear to be with he watch, so what is this all about then?" she asks as she heads through the small foyer into a sitting room.
After receiving entry to the home, Marco bows to the lady, then smiles broadly as he says,
We have some questions for you about the mollies in Blackchapel that you've been aidin'. I applaud yer efforts, but I'm sure you've noticed they been gettin' themselves killed in bad and bloody ways. I'm hailin' from the Chapel, and me and me friends are of a mind to put a stop to the killins. I was hopin' you might wanna tell us about anythin' you may have heard or know on the subject, missus.
Felicia shakes her head, "These poor girls. I have tried all I can to dissuade them form working the streets. They believe that danger simply comes with the territory and certainly from the black eyes I have seen on many of their faces I can see the truth in their words.
This is different and I cannot make them see that. Whoever this madman is, he is not looking for a cheap thrill. This being is evil to the core.
I am thankful that so many of you wish to help and I will certainly aid you if I can. So far though, none of the girls have told me any particulars of these, incidents, they call them.
Certainly if I hear anything I will seek you out Marco. The Divinity knows the Guards are inept. They are on the streets all night long and cannot even catch colds!
Is there a place that I can reach you all if I hear something?"
BUMP
Wyatt responds, "Leave any message for us at the Twin Sons Pub. An easy enough place to be reached at all hours of the day. Thank you Milady. We are off to catch a killer once again".
As you close in on the museum steps you hear the clang of blades off to the side of the building.
Stepping around to see what the devil is going on you see an odd sight. Standing in the mist filled alley two creatures you believe to be werewolves stand toe to toe blades whirling, dipped in silver deadly to their kind.
The sight here in the middle of Kenabres is unusual to say the least!
Before you can step in or alert the authorities, the mist fills the alley and billows out towards you.
You lose sight of the buildings and try to step away thinking it may be a trick of these creatures seeking to get the jump on you. You bump into a solid surface right behind you. Your hand grasps a brick building cold and slick as if wet.
Somewhat disoriented, you have no idea how a wall ended up behind you you step forward and as the mists part, you realize you are not in Kenabres any longer...
Your band, Kensignton in tow travels through the cobblestoned streets of the city again alert for a killer. The sun has just set and you have much ground to cover.
The streets are noticeably emptier than the previous night though the sounds of footsteps in the distance echo off of the buildings alerting you to the fact that you are not the only ones out this night.
A patrol of constables, now familiar with all of your faces, barely glances your way as they walk their beat.
After nearly two hours of walking over the same routes from the previous nights and surveying the murder scenes you are all tense.
Kensington shakes his head, "This is damned frustrating, I wish we could just find a foe to bring to heel!"
Just then mist billows from one of the alleyways. Thick and cloying, it obscures the vision of all of you. It seems to fill the entire street with its presence and as suddenly vanishes leaving whisps and little more around your ankles.
Where once stood the Halfling Gavin Entwhistle there is now not a trace of him. Before any of you can begin to contemplate the meaning behind this odd phenomena a scream pierces the night.
Perception
Perception
I say! Whats happening? Its over there!.
B$*~##*s! Where did that come from?
After the nights long walk, Khalid jumps back to attention at the sound of the scream.
"Show yourself!"
"Um... hello?"
Dunstan and Derrick lead the charge towards the sound of the screams as Khalid, Kensington, and Marco follow along as Wyatt falls behind noticing something off in the side of an alleyway.
As your group arrives just a few blocks away a young woman brightly dressed stumbles out of a nearby alley. She clutches her stomach which is stained red with blood! Her other hand is outstretched.
"Help! The madman's after me!" she cries.
From the alley a deep, hoarse voice calls softly, "Come back and meet yer fate lassie".
Wyatt though aware of the danger stops as he notices a man down the alley whose clothing is quite out of the ordinary in Paridon,
Drawing his rapier he approaches the stranger, "Who are you man?!"
Korgan holds up a pair of placating hands.
"Easy, easy," he says. "My name is Korgan. I was somewhere else, then I saw some kind of canine swordfight, then the fog went 'whoosh', then I was here, then you happened. If you can make any more sense out of that series of events than I have, I'd love to hear it."
Derrick draws both his swords and instantly steps to the mouth of the alley, intentionally placing himself between the woman and whoever--or whatever--is beckoning her. "Come meet your fate, monster," he growls.
Fear or
Initiative
Khalid hangs back in the street, waiting to see how things play out.
Initiative - 1. Derrick .
2. Marco.
3. Dunstan.
4. Kensignton.
5. Dark Powers.
6. Khalid.
Wyatt cocks his head and stares at you Korgan, "Fascinating, our Halfling friend claimed to have arrived here in a similar manner. Now he disappears and you arrive. I fear I have little time to help you in sorting this out, a killer is on the lose and we need to apprehend him. If you are a man who values human life aid me, if you are not, wait here and I will retrieve you if I survive!"
With that he dashes down the street around the corner.
Korgan stands for a moment, stunned, with his mouth agape. Presently, he gives his head a little shake and hurries after the man.
Derrick walks down the alley slowly, his guard up and his energy focused. He whispers a mantra from the Apex and breathes deeply, opening his eyes to the night and preparing to defend against any attacks.
Marco moves quickly down the alley drawing both weapons, but he stays to the shadows attempting to hide himself.
Khalid casts spider climb on himself and heads up the wall of one of the buildings that creates the alley, hoping to get a good vantage point.
Derrick as the inky blackness become the familiar shades of distinctive grey you see a well dressed man in a top hat holding what appears t be a sword cane standing in the alley. As Marco moves in the man reacts to his presence seeking to strike your ally...
Kensington grabs the woman, "Fear not young Lady, we shan't let this cur harm you further!"
Khalid you are able to begin scaling the wall with ease.
Wyatt races through the streets until he reaches his allies at the mouth of a nearby alleyway.
Initiative
Khalid you are able to begin scaling the wall with ease.
Dunstan draws his pistol and lets off a shot at the figure.
Pistol for
Villain Attack vs. Marco - Advantage . Second Roll . Critical Hit Rapier Damage + Surprise Attack Special Ability - .
Villain in Disguise Attack vs. Kensignton - Advantage . Second Roll .
Hit Needle Damage + Surprise Attack Special Ability - + Serpent Venom .
Kensignton Poison Save - Constitution .
Kensignton HP = 15/30.
Marco HP = 2/19.
Dunstan's shot goes wide of the mark ricocheting off of the wall of the alley.
As Marco moves down the alleyway the villain moves forward and lashes out from the darkness slicing Marco across the neck with a vicious cut! .
Marco stumbles backwards but he is used to such alleyway brawls.
Khalid as you begin to scale the wall you see the woman that Kensignton has rushed to stab him in the neck with a needle! He is stunned by the blow and seems slow to react to the blow.
At that moment Wyatt and a man none of you have ever see before rush onto the scene.
Marco gathers himself and attacks with both weapons.
Marco uses his bonus action to disengage after his attacks to the Bard's position.
I am in need of healing.
His initial riptose jabs through naught but mist. The second stab strikes home causing the villain to grunt in pain.
As he tumbles backwards through the alley and past Derrick, Marcus sees the telltale sign of blood on his blade. Human or not it bleeds so it must be something that can be slain!
As you arrive Korgan you see the woman stab one of the men in the neck with a needle and he recoils in pain spasming oddly.
Initiative:
1. Derrick.
2. Marco.
3. Korgan
4. Dunstan.
5. Kensignton.
6. Dark Powers.
7. Wyatt.
8. Khalid.
Derrick rushes forward to help his old friend, beginning with a thrust at the creature using his silvered sword.
As soon as the stab goes through, he pivots, slamming his heel into the creature in a vicious kick.