Heavy storm clouds obscured the sun on this Gozren day. Though Spring had brought its resplendence in awaken flora and fauna which stirred animals and life to the land, Nidal remained a morose landscape. Though the journey had been long and twisting within craggy moors and sharp valleys, a band of 4 adventurers had reached their destination – a small barony named Karpad. As they drew within the community, they were greeted by braziers and torches which burned brightly chasing away any shadow despite it being sometime after noon. Karpad was a community comprised of thatch work buildings – 60 in total which converged around a center point – a wicked looking tree.
The crowd was immense! It seemed like every resident had been involved. Some carried tools from their trade,while others held weapons and waved them violently in the air. Various screams could be heard. . It was quite clear that three pallid figures were fitted with nooses and stood on a platform looking over the crowd. Their mouths were gagged and they appeared to be bruised and beaten. A large bulbous man walked about on the platform while casually tugging at the lever that would spell doom for the captives.
”Fellow brothers and sisters of Karpad, we've a problem!” he said while pointing to the captives. ”These freaks are responsible for tarnishing the greatness of our community. They're murderers, rapists, dealers in the dark arts and whats worse is that we welcommed them within our homes out of the goodness of our hearts only to be betrayed!” The crowd erupting in anger. ”Now, now folks, yer probably thinking, Lucien's gone made eh? Well, when your poor darlin of a daughter is taken and these smug shadowlickers just stare, you know they've gon and did wrong! We are going to make Karpad great again!” His face reddened as veins bulged on his rather swollen neck giving him the appearance of an elder boggard. he said offering the crowd what they wanted. Each citizen turned and panned the crowd for the brave or stupid soul who would accept the guard captain's challenge.
Having just arrived with his new...acquaintance, Dario, Prae witnessed the scene with a sense of disgust.
These creatures were blessed with the touch of the Lord's shadows, they must not be punished like this without fair reason.
"Come, Dario. We are called upon to intervene."
Drawing his dark cloak closer to him and gripping the handle of his spiked chain, he begins to move towards the ramshackle gallows, slipping his way through the crowd until he was standing directly in front of the stage.
"And what, pray tell, have these poor souls done to you, exactly?" his voice rings out surprisingly loud for one so non-assuming, attempting to draw the attention of the crowd.
@Prae: Yep, they are.
@Delyn: You've the hunch that the crowd is tense, armed, and if agitated could become hostile.
Lucien scans the crowd for the source of the voice. "Oy! If you've a piece to say, stand out like a man!" In that moment, the crowd shuffled revealing a man of marble encased in ebony spiked armor whose flank lay an onyx wolf. "Listen outsider, this ain't none of your business. I'd suggest you step to the side or you can join your friends here!"
In a test of strength, Lucien tapped upon light mace that dangled from its harness.
Zaitherin moved quietly through the crowd.
'I can see why the Lord in Iron chose me now.' She was thinking to herself, angry.
As she moved closer to the front of the crowd, she saw a man step up and confront the twit leading the crowd.
She finds a spot near the front, with her hood pulled down low, standing just behind a rather large man. She listens intently, ready to spring into action if needed.
The Professor looks up from scribbling his notebook. Prae had been describing various texts members of the Church of Zon-Kuthon had written about their faith. Most of these were unknown outside the church, especially to the common people. Kuthonites generally weren't a scholarly bunch, but a few had seen fit to release their thoughts on paper about the bliss of pain.
The dhampir was already striding forward as Dario takes in the crowd in front of them. He steps up near the pale man. "Uh, Prae. I don't think they're going to take kindly to you interfering."
When the man in black steps forward, Dario rolls his eyes. He tries to answer before Prae can make this worse. "Now, wait just a minute. We don't know them at all. We just got here." He peers up at the gallows. "But, what exactly did they do? You said they took your daughter? So where is she now that you have them?"
Lucien looked in abject horror as another voice from the crowd had challenged his thinking. He fumbled over his words as he couldn't think of a proper response towards the scholarly looking individual that didn't include racial tensions.
"Listen here, boy, and listen well" he said while leaning in, allowing the girth of his goiter bobble with each enunciated word. "Dem shadow-licking fetchlings have been plotting and making evil deeds since they've got involved in our humble community. I can't help but think their recent jobless situation from the Manor is part of their new plan of terror! Since then, shadow beasts have been nipping at our borders, this damn disease has been taking our loved ones and being that the Baron has all but abandoned us, duty falls upon me to set things right."
He had flustered over his words and saw how doe-eyed his fellow citizens were.
jeered the crowed.
"And to answer your question, 'boy, I'm the damn Guard Captain.".
Zaitherin's gripped her weapon, and squeezed it tightly. After taking a deep breath, she realized that while she would love to revel in battle, that course of action would lead to the death of these probably innocent fetchlings. Her hand detached from the hilt.
Steeling herself against her warlike urges, she spoke up.
"Hey! You fat sack! Just because someone looks different doesn't mean they are evil. It just means they are different. Why don't you try asking the Baron before rushing to conclusions? Or, Gods forbid, not make accusations just because you are a racist ass?"
She smiled inwardly. Even if he didn't rise to the bait, it was nice to get that off her chest.
'Still, he better not come after fetchlings just because we aren't human...'
Dario leans to one side to see the young girl standing behind the Guard Captain. He rolls his eyes. Well, she's got some spunk, but one slap from that mailed fist and she'll likely think twice about doing that again.
"Hang on young lady, no need for that kind of language." He turns back to the large man. "Captain, if you kill them, then you'll never know what happened to your daughter. Now, please. If they're guilty, there must be something on them or at their place that shows your daughter was there. And what is this about Shadow Beasts? We've just arrived on the road and we didn't see anything. Are they dangerous?"
A monstrous smile appeared on the guard captain's face as Zaitherin challenged him.
"And folks, this is why can't be trusted!" he said while pointing a mailed finger at Zaitherin. "Any moment now and the whelps gonna bite! But thats okay, live with scum and they'll take everything you have!"
He took a deep breath and looked upon the scholar. "I don't have to worry about that. Once these 3 and your friend are gone, the community will give up my daughter as well as the others who have disappeared. I suspect they're using the healthy to further the contagion."
Prae listened to the chaos around him, and prepared his response to the Captain.
"You see, fine sir, you actually asked if there was any of those 'shadow-licking friends' in attendance today. And, as the Umbral Court itself dispatched me to assess the situation of unrest here, I presume I would fall under that category."
His words are calm and cool, yet still loud enough to be heard over any noise the crowd is making.
"It appears that this small town has many problems that require attention, and the Court has been so generous as to provide my assistance in restoring order here. So why don't you let our shadowy friends here down, and let me investigate the situation properly?"
Zaitherin pouted a little, realizing that once again her fiery temper may have made things worse. She crossed her arms in front of her, and tried to make her herself look less threatening. The damage was probably done, but she was no stranger to subtlety.
Dario sighs. "Well, now you've done it. He's angry. And trust me, he can do horrible things when he's angry. Please, if he says he'll investigate he will. I'll even speak to the Baron on the town's behalf about whatever is ailing you all. I'm sure with he can bring in some proper healers."
Lucien Groy's demeanor shattered when Praetorix reaveled himself to be an agent of the Umbral court. The crowd responded in reverence and awe, lowering their weapons. Some averted their eyes while other took a step back. Groy, hoping to salvage the situation shifted his stance and trembled with his words.
"W-well, actually, there is a problem." A bead of cold sweat trickled down the large expanse of his face ending its journey within the folds of his bobbling goiter. "The Baron hasn't made an appearance in several weeks. Sometime ago, he had fired all of the manor's shadow-li, er fetchlings once the disease started. I would guess he knows something I don't." After saying his piece, Groy motioned towards his two cronies to release the trio of captive fetchlings.
In a token of good well, Lucien Groy wiped his brow and commanded the crowd. "Nothing to see here folks. Everyone go back to your business." He then hoisted himself down from the gallows to look at the outsiders. While he addressed the party, he kept his eyes downcast at the Inquisitor. "Truth be told, we can use your help here. Folks are coming down with a plague, our leader is absent and well, nothing makes sense."
While Groy was busy, the trio of captive fetchlings enjoyed their new freedom and stared at the party in awe.
Prae didn't respond to the crowd, as he was used to the response, and his hands and pose shifted to reflect that he was back in control of the situation.
"We will need to talk to the Baron, of course. Where can he be found?"
Upon mention of the plague spreading, Prae takes a noticeable step back, but stays close enough to be heard.
"And what of this plague? What are the symptoms? Is it deadly?"
A now defeated Lucien Groy answered the inquisitor's inquery.
"The Baron can be found in his manor upon the hill," he said while pointing eastward to an outcropping of buildings and trees illuminated by braziers. Lucien stared longingly as if expecting for a sign to come from the hilltop but he was met with a bone chilling wind. "As for the disease, concluded it was something called tallowthroat. I dunno much else about it except," he said while gesturing to the large mass bellow his chin "afraid that I've got it as well."
Zaitherin watches, holding her tongue.
'I wonder where the Baron could have gone. Maybe he came down with this tallowthroat as well?'
Dario peers at the man's enlarged throat. "Hmm, I have a doctorate, but I'm not that kind of Doctor. Study of odd humors and strange illnesses was more Professor Grota's specialty. Jacqen could tell you what was causing a man to cough from halfway across a crowded tavern."
"And the Baron is absent? Someone in his estate should be able to summon healers from other towns. Why did he turn out the fletchlings when the disease started? Does it have something to do with them?"
Dario moves towards the three standing on the platform. "Hello, there. Do you know anything about this disease or what's happening in the Manor?" He begins to loossen their ropes and remove their gags. "My name is Dario."
Prae nods towards Dario, and continues his questioning of the Captain, specifically on the disease he has contracted.
"I happen to know a bit more about the body and what ails it. Perhaps you could describe your symptoms to me? And when did you first notice them?"
The party had converged on Lucien with their array of questions and inquiries regarding Karpad's latest news and its leader. Lucien tried his best to answer the questions truthfully for threat of the Umbral Court weighed heavily upon his shoulders.
"Well, I can't say that for sure. The Baron has not taken any visitors since the outbreak and not even I, guard captain of his watch can ask for an audience. I honestly don't know why he's acted so irrational. Though, I assume you can take it up with him if you have official business." He rubbed his sweaty palms together while preparing another answer. In regards to our healer, Father Miklos is along the south eastern part of town. You can't miss the temple."[/b]
Praetorix and Dario attempted to discern the guard captain's condition. "This damn affliction has gotten me perspiring like a damn toad. I feel feverish and at times, I wanna punch the block off any bloke looking me the wrong way."
Please roll a fortitude save.
Meanwhile, the captive family of fetchlings enjoyed their new found freedom. "You have my thanks, Dario. I'm Delia," said the scarred woman from the group "and these are my two brothers, Sergei and Marius." The men nodded in agreement and took a wary step from the preoccupied Lucien Groy. Sergei continued the conversation. "I know not of this contagion that the humans are scared of" he said while struggling to keep a correct tone. "My family has not fallen prey though our community has become the blame for the hamlet's plight." Marius then added to the conversation. "Rumor has it that the Baron intends to harkon the Midnight Lord for salvation and that the fetchlings are made to suffer."
"Well, Prae and I will try to help get to the bottom of this. We'll start with the Baron to see why he hasn't tried to help everyone. Then maybe we can try to find a cure for this disease."
"But, let's get you all home right now. I think we should escort you there just to be sure someone doesn't try to attack you again." He glances up to look at Prae.
You're good, buddy!
Lucien Groy snapped back to his usual self and brush the scholar's hand away. "Fine, go with the Baron. Selfish prick probably doesn't know about the disappearances." With struggled effort, Lucien hoisted himself down from the gallows and stomped away giving any citizen a terrorizing look if they crossed his path.
Meanwhile, the rescued fetchlings seem more at ease with the absence of their tormentor. Marius offered the group a direction towards their home. "Ours is but a marginalized community along the waterfront known as ."
"Please, let us escort you there. It's personal for me, so I'll see you safely home."
She tries to appear friendly, and offers a hand in friendship.
"Careful, my dear friend", he says to Dario, "I wouldn't want you to be tainted with this...disease of his."
Prae makes sure to make eye contact one more time with the Captain, ensuring the man knows that he's not exactly pleased with how he's acted.
"May your suffering lead to further understanding." he says simply, as a farewell.
Stepping aside from the rest of the group, Prae seems uninterested in the fate of the fetchlings, but prepares himself to leave with them nonetheless.
"Shadow, guard these fetchlings." he commands, absently waving his hand towards the trio.
"Let's get on with it, then. We have things to...investigate here."
Dario looks over to Zaitherin and does a double take. "Wait, you were that girl that stood up to the Captain. Are you coming too?" He moves down off the gallows, leading the fetchlings to the ground.
He peers at the girl. "You're a fetchling too! Do you know them? Are you part of this village?"
"Yes, I'm a fetchling, and no, I'm new in town. The Lord in Iron wanted an agent in town, and for some reason I was chosen. I assume now it's due to my race. I'm here to resolve this...situation."
She crosses her arms.
"So yes, I'm coming too. Someone needs to protect you lot while we figure out the source of this bizarre plague, and the whereabouts of the Baron!"
Dario thinks for a moment. "Hmm, well if you will escort these folks home, Prae and I can go to the temple to see what they know." He spots the Elf who seems to be tagging along. "You, would you go with her? Keep these fetchlings out of trouble. We can meet back here in an hour if you're interested in checking on the Baron."
Zaitherin nods at Delyn.
"Excellent. Let's see them off."
She turns to lead, anticipating that there may still be hurt feelings. Then, of course, she realizes she has no idea where she is going.
"Uh...which way is home?"
"Now that that's settled, let's move on with it, Dario. Come, Shadow. We have much to learn here yet."
He then heads off towards where the temple is located, assuming that he can either see it from here, or was given direction by the Captain.
Praetorix, Dario, and the hound named Shadow bound for the temple where the Midnight Lord was worshiped.
A graveyard surrounds this austere, spired temple, and imagery of skulls and chains is carved in riotous profusion onto the tombstones and black stone edifice. Mausoleums line the edge of the cemetery, each
emblazoned with the Boroi family crest and dozens of names.
The Temple of Zon Kuthon is the second largest building, barely in comparison to the Baroi estate. Chants and humming could be heard from within the sacred temple as patrons slowly entered and left. A large bald man bade farewell to a patient with fresh blessings. She was a middle aged woman who clutched her arm which bore a lattice like scarification that bled bright crimson. "Do keep in mind the Midnight Lord's blessings!" said the large man. The priest seemed to be in his mid thirties with a row of silver piercings which ran along the ridge of his nose. A facial tattoo marked his otherwise marble like skin.
Delyn and Zaitherin escort the trio of fetchlings towards their home which lies along the south eastern section of Karpad beyond the bridge overlooking Dimar's Way within a community known as Shade Row. The disparity between both cultures is palpable. The fetchlings dwelt in ramshackle hovels while the recognized citizens had proper wooden homes and curb appeal. Shade Row was more of a sub town complete with a tavern, general store, and simple services which kept their shadow tainted community barely thriving. Yellow eyes darted from every corner as the party made their way to a shack which stood at the end of the cul-de-sac.
It was a building which seemed more like a tenement, possibly a large dormitory for Karpad's half breeds. It is here that a woman with the air of importance approached the party.
"Hello," she said while cautiously extending a hand, "I am Ionela Zagrev, I am the mayor of this community. May I ask outlander, what trouble have my people caused? If it pleases you, do not approach the Baron for these troubles." The Mayor tried her best to appear apologetic and diplomatic given the nature of the situation.
Zaitherin nods in agreement.
"This is disgraceful. Not that I mean that against our people, Madam Mayor, but rather that the humans have let it come to this. Frankly, our people are related, and rather than be treated as beloved cousins, fetchlings get kicked aside like a manged beast!"
She stops to take a deep breath, obviously trying to calm herself.
"My companion and I are at your service. I will do my best to keep your interests in mind as we conduct this investigation. I can assure you I won't turn a blind eye to our people. And if it comes to it, I will defend you will all the strength my Lord has granted me."
Dario blanches at the woman leaving the temple. For all he had studied about the Kuthonites, he never had grown accustomed to seeing their work first hand. There were things he would do for research, but the he could hardly fathom choosing these practices otherwise.
He removes his hat as a sign of deference to the man, and glances to Prae. He looks up at the impressive temple. "Magnificent structure. I would most like to see the inside."
He refocuses on the priest in front of them. "Sir, my friend and I have just arrived and we're learning of this plague the town is suffering from. Tallowthroat is it? We'd like to know more. Is Father Miklos here?"
Prae bends his head reverently as the woman passed, knowing she had been given a blessing. Seeing his companions' reaction was disappointing to him, as he had almost come to see the half-elf as a convert, misguided though he may be.
"Dario, be more respectful. That woman has received quite the gift from our Lord, and it is not to be disdained."
He looks up at the temple, his eyes searching for anything amiss.
"It is certainly bigger than most temples in the Inner Sea, although the ones in Pangolais dwarf it in size and magnificence. I wonder if this poor priest has ever visited a true holy site to Zon-Kuthon."
Drawing closer to the priest outside, Prae drew his spiked chain, and wrapped it around both of his arms and extended them towards the man, a ritual of greeting he had been taught by the church.
He is oddly silent, waiting for the priest to respond to Dario's questions before introducing himself. He wanted to see if his story would differ after he told who he truly was.
A guarded smile flashed across the Mayor's face. She hadn't expected that the outlanders would have respect and interest in her community's plight. Rather than break down in tears, she stood proudly and accepted their humanity. ”You...are...the first ever to express care and concern for my people. The citizens of Karpad could learn from your behavior.” she said carefully with articulation. ”I know not what is the cause of the plight except that my people remain immune. I can assure you, this is no foul magic on our part. The Midnight Lord wouldn't suggest such a pittance nor would he approve the kidnapping of the townsfolk. I suspect that there is something else afoot.”
The Mayor walked around the party, sizing them up for their worth. She seemed proud that they hadn't felt fearful or resented within the fetchling community. ”I do know this, all but one fetchling has been fired from the Manor. His name his Gavril and I suspect that the Baron has a special interest in him.”
The priest offered a slight smile and raised a small salute at the professor. ”I am he.” A silver chain caught the priest's interest. In turn, he also produced a similar chain, one that had been throroughly used but well maintained. He wrapped his chain and used the free space to clasp with Praetorix. ”Welcome, brother, I am Father Radu Miklos” he said with reverence, ”The Midnight Lord smiles.” After his introduction, Miklos' chain had drawn some blood. ”While I wish to exchange pleasantries, I have a community in need of his blessings. A terribly plight is consuming my time. Please come inside and we can talk.”
Miklos withdrew his chain and secured it within the folds of his robes. ”This way, please.”
She bows respectful to the mayor at her kind words.
"Of course, Madam Mayor, just glad to help. As to this Garvil, is he at the Manor still? Or does he perhaps venture down occasionally? I'd love to speak with him."
Dario follows Father Miklos inside the temple. He glances around at the decor, both eager to see the religious art and anxious as what the Midnight Lord would show around his temples.
"What do you know about this plague, Father? And have you spoken to the Baron since all this started?"
The Mayor nods while Zaitherin converses with her. "Gavril should still be in the manor. I have not seen him since the incident." She looks about at the other fetchlings who have been watching with caution.
Father Radu Miklos regarded the Professor's inquiry with haste as he was approaching an ebony table with tools. "Well, the disease is of a recent nature. I haven't seen anything like this before." He gestured the pair towards a room where several penitents reclined on hard thrones that were shackled to the ceiling and floor. On a nearby table rested several devices and ritual looking tools that were needed for the treatment. "They seem to be suffering from the following symptoms - extreme perspiration, dilation of pupils, swollen throats, agitation, stress, and anxiety. I've seen it among several others. Thankfully, the Midnight Lord provides..." he said while wiping the brow off a citizen who was showing beginning stages of tallow throat. Miklos produced an ebony tool wrapped in fine silver lacquer that had a pointed tip. With a small gesture, an incision opened revealing pus that exploded with pressure and blood. A few words and dark magic sealed the wound relieving its pressure and returning the man to normal.
"No, I haven't seen the Baron since the incident. I'm certain that he has been within the confines of his manor. I do hope that he is alright but alas, my hands are full tending to our flock." The patient carefully left the chair and left the room. "Now, Professor, I am busy as you can see. Unless you need a blessing from the dark lord, I must tend to the inflicted."
"Uh, no, no blessing required. But what do you know of the fetchlings role in this? Are they to blame for the disease?" Dario grimaces as he watches the priest drain the pus from the man's neck.
"Wait, what incident? Did something happen to the Baron?"
Father Miklos didn't suspect the Professor to continue the conversation so quickly that he was caught off guard. In an effort to be productive and multitask, Father Miklos motioned the Professor to the nearby table where another patient lay waiting. She was a woman in her mid 30's that looked the part of a farmer or tanner presumably. Horrific burn marks and unnatural scratches ran along the length of her torso.
"Well Professor, it came without notice that all of the manor's fetchlings were expunged from their post and sent back to Shade Row. The citizens and the fetchlings have cultural tensions but this action was unprecedented. The disease followed shortly after. If it was my guess, the people think that the fetchlings are to be blamed for this malady. "
Zaitherin looks to Delyn. Seeing him silent, she continues to take the lead.
"Have you anything else to tell us....maybe in private?"
The mayor notices Zaitherin's concerned expression and looks around slowly as if she was looking for something. A brief motion from her hand signals the pair to follow her. After a moments walk, they entered a small looking hamlet whereby the Mayor closed the door and asked her guests to sit. The chairs were sewn from river weeds and arranged in a circle, 4 in total.
"None of this would have ever come to pass if Iozif hadn’t died so tragically. Had he been baron after Stepan’s father died we’d all be fine. Now he, his father, and Henric are all buried in the Boroi crypt. Some help they’ll be to us from there.”
The Mayor's golden yellow eyes widen at what had transpired. "Please, you mustn't spread that knowledge. Our community is already subject to a looming genocide. The humans fear that tallowthroat was a fetchling curse."
Zaitherin looks grim.
"So I heard. Not a very understanding lot, to be sure. I think maybe the timing isn't coincidence though. It's more like a planned event, to coincide with the disappearance of the Mayor."
She makes a gesture like she's sewing her mouth shut.
"The secret is safe with me. I promise I will look into this for you. I made acquaintance of a few others back at the attempted hanging, and together we will make it right."
Dario nods grimly. "Yes, it would seem that they blame the fetchlings. To a violent degree, even." He turns back to Prae. "Well, it seems the Baron's place is at the heart of this. We should pay him a visit to see what's going on there."
"Thank you, father, for all you have done. Continue your work, for the Umbral Court appreciates your faith."
With those words, he turns away from the father and his companion, and begins to walk out of the temple.
"Come, that is what we will do. This Baron needs to answer a few...questions."