Round 2 action:
Enraged by the betrayal, the wizard unleashes an icy ray at his erstwhile companion Wyatt.
Derrick stares at the transformation of the Inspector for several more moments before turning away. Although for now he pushes it from his mind, focusing on the fight before him, the monk knows that vision will haunt him for the rest of his days.
At this moment, though, Derrick springs into combat, slashing away at one of the constables and following the blade with a punch from his other fist, wrapped around the hilt of another sword.
Round 3 action
Khalid will keep the ray trained on the bard.
Marco shakes his head and screams loudly as spittle flies from the corners of his mouth. His eyes are wide and he is overcome with a fundamental rage that the others have never witnessed. He bangs his rapier and sword together as he takes a direct route to the nearest constable to attack with both weapons.
Confused, Korgan will start trying to knock people out in an attempt to settle things down nonlethally.
,
Derrick's trained mind wrenches itself from the scene before him and turns to assist his comrades who appear to be just about overrun. The sword comes down in front of the Khalid in more of a defensive than offensive posture but his fist connects solidly with the seemingly deranged Wyatt.
Khalid's spell also strikes Wyatt in the left shoulder.
Korgan seems unaffected by the creature that has suddenly appeared before him, long adventures on Golarian have steeled him to this sort of strange circumstance. Seeing Wyatt, who showed him kindness, he strikes with the hilt rather than the blade of his weapon also connecting with the Bard.
Dr. Arturus seems to have no hesitation at attacking the Bard and swings wildly with both claws.
Claw Attack #2 . Damage .
The Constable sees that the battle is lost and drops his crossbow rushing through the dark streets and turning into an alleyway.
Wyatt, bleeding from several wounds, smiles at the assembled heroes and casts a spell, a wave of energy issues out from him.
Dunstan's solid strike brings the last Constable low, like the Inspector, the Constables form shifts into that of a medium sized gray creature!
Derrick, Khalid, Korgan
Marco
Arturus
Evil Wyatt
Dunstan
Derrick powers through Wyatt's spell and the strange events happening all around him. "Wyatt! Why?" He presses an attack on his former ally, using nonlethal measures by simply beating him with elbows and kicks.
or
Dr. Arturus is thrown back and lands near the body of the fallen Inspector.
As Derrick lashes out, a moment of clarity shines through the chaos of the fight, and he calls out to his comrades. "Strike without fear! These are foul creatures that can take others' forms. It isn't Wyatt!"
Khalid shrugs off the force of Wyatts spell and returns fire with another Icy Ray.
Derrick's strike appears to knock the creature out cold on its feet.
Khalid and Korgan manage to resist Wyatt's spell.
A feral snarl issues from behind Khalid, Derrick and Korgan a figure flashes by but it is not the Wolf-Were, it is Marco who sinks his blades deep into "Wyatt". Who staggers back further.
Spitting blood the creature grins, "Yer friend is dead, n y'll be next..."
It drops to one knee.
Khalid's spell strikes the creature squarely in the face and finishes it off wiping the smug look from its face. It too takes the form of the other two dead shapechangers.
Marco steps forward for good measure and stabs at it again with both blades a look of rage on his face.
Deep gulps of breath shake Marco's body as he stops.
Dr. Arturus stands from the spell that knocked him backwards.
"So, as you can see, I was not seeking to deceive you. The Inspector was indeed a shapechanger. A dangerous one at that. It seems your friend was replaced as well at some point".
He steps over to Kensignton who is still laying still ad places his clawed hands on the man's neck, "Your other friend has been slain..."
Dustan falls across his friend, not quiet weeping but eyes full of tears.
Rarer a truer or more brave a comrade than this, he says, his voice thick with emotion.
Marco spits and shakes his head.
Well, that explains some things, I guess. Was he our murderer, though?
The Dr. shrugs, "One got away so it would be hard to know whether it was him or a collective of them which is responsible. I have honored my bargain and aided you. I shall make my way with due haste away from this place. I suggest you do the same. If there are more of these beings they can be anyone".
Dustan does not try to stop his one time ally's departure. A deal was a deal.
But he was lost as to what to do next.
Derrick allows the doctor to escape. Part of him wonders if such a monster should be put down, but he doesn't like the idea of attacking it now, and given the changes he's witnessed in the world he thought he knew, perhaps it's for the best.
The monk sighs and closes his eyes. The image of the hairless gray creatures remains, and he opens them again with a grunt. Sheathing his swords, he looks around. "This is my home, so I won't run far. But perhaps it's best we leave before any other constables come across the scene."
It seems likely the Inspector or one of his Constables was the Killer, you may want to search their bodies to ascertain what they had on them as if they carry a murder weapon that would go a long way towards exposing this crime.
The last one of the Dopplegangers getting away may stop these murders or it may not...
Marco begins to carefully, but quickly, searches the bodies.
I'm with ya, Derrick. We can hide the bodies, or just leave them here. We need to move fast, though.
Khalid nods. "We have no idea how far these things have infiltrated the police force here. Best to make ourselves scarce, I think."
The Vistani man stops for a moment and asks his friends.
"Do you think there was ever really a Wyatt Kyros? Could the real Wyatt be captured out there somewhere?"
Derrick pauses at Khalid's question, but he nods after some thought. "I recall meeting Wyatt, at least in passing, years ago. His parents were victims of these types of killings the last time they occurred, if I remember rightly. And he was younger then. Unless these creatures have been planning for this sort of encounter for a long time.... No, I would guess Wyatt fell victim to them after they realized our involvement." He sighs and mutters a brief prayer for the bard's soul.
"If he's only captured, right now we have no idea of how to find him. But one of the brothers at the Divinity suggested contacting a sage of some kind, a man knowledgeable in these things. Williby is his name."
Marco finds a set of hand crossbows on both of the doppelgangers within a pouch for each are also a few vials of some sort of substance that is clearly not a potion. The Inspector's short sword is a masterwork weapon and during combat and appeared to exhibit some magical properties. Finally, each one had a short sword of regular make.
While Derrick does not know where Williby is, the name does ring a bell for Marco. The man lives in Blackchapel close to Riverside. He frequents the Twin Sons Pub.
Marco shows the items to the others and grabs the Shortsword of the Inspector for himself. He then drags the bodies of the others into the alley.
I know where we can find Williby, Derrick. I'm not t'sure what these vials are, but these shortswords are well-made. I took the Inspector's shortsword.
Dunstan picks up his comrades body.
I want to get him back to his parents - his family was close to the mayor. Let's get off the street and make attempts to contact the mayor.
As a final measure of 'proof' Dustan decapitates one of the 'creatures'.
Someone bring that - we'll need it.
I agree, I am pretty sure I can find Williby after we get the body off our hands.
After dragging the bodies of the Doppelgangers into the alleyway adjacent to the street battle the group makes its way through the streets of Blackchapel into Riverside and finally into Shadewell where Kensignton's family makes it residence.
The mist shrouded night cloaks the group until they reach the neighborhood which is the pride of Paridon. Where there were no guards or people on the streets here it is impossible to avoid patrols at least without great emphasis on stealth.
Almost immediately your group is spotted perhaps due to the load that Dunstan carries or perhaps due to the vigilance o the Constables here as their charges are much more well thought of, indeed are those who own this city, versus the citizens of Blackchapel.
A group of three Constables approaches you pointing at the deceased Kensignton's body, "You lot. Stop where you are, what happened to that man and what business do you have strolling here in the dead of night?!"
Oh... shit, Dunstan mutters, body of dead friend bleeding down his back.
Do we run?
Marco whispers, No, Duncan, tell them our friend was mortally wounded while aiding the constables in tracking the murderer in Blackchapel. We return him home for final viewing and rest.
Glad we are to see you constables!, hails Dunstan.
We were jumped while trying to track the murderer of Blackchapel and my friend, my commrade at arms took an arrow to the neck! What aid can you offer us?
The Constables eyes narrow and he looks at your fallen comrade, "By the Divinity it's Kensignton! The murderer who did this will pay. Come quickly, we shall escort you where you wish to go simply lead the way!"
Khalid nods to the constables. "That is very kind of you officers. We wish to take Kensington back to his family. It has been a long night and we are in need of rest."
With the assistance of the guards, not that you need it in these deserted streets, you quickly head to Kensignton's parent's house. His family is as wealthy as advertised as the house is a three story mansion complete with a wrought iron fence.
Standing at the gate is a guard who looks disturbed by the crew rushing in his direction, "What the devil is all of this then!?"
The Constable scoffs, "Move out of the way man, can you not see we have the Schutz's son here with us mortally wounded?"
The guard swallows hard, "Terrible just terrible. I hope the ripper didn't get him. Sorry to say it but the Schultz's are not home. They left a few days ago and have yet to come back. I can get you in the house if you like..." he states solemnly.
Please. At least let us lay him out!