Constable Station in Blackchapel - Back - Early Evening -
The Monk's flying kick takes the creature in the face, the blow stunning it enough to loosen its grip on the remains of the Inspector. Bannock and Marco bloody the creature up staggering it but it is Khalid's spell that freezes the creatures head and causes it to fall over, a howl escapes its throat as it falls. Dead as the cadaver it was trying to steal.
The world flashes back to the group at that instant as many of the citizens start to come out of their homes to the sight of black smoke rising from the back of the Guard Station and the four of you standing over a set of most unusual bodies...
Constable Station in Blackchapel - Front - Early Evening -
Dunstan's strike brings the foe in front of hims nearly down but still the creature threatens him.
In a frenzy it seems, Dunstan does not reply to Derrick's query. Derrick's foe ignores the wounds he receives it seems, the magic of the creature is simply too powerful to overcome.
Wyatt runs in full bore trying to tackle the creature who strike at Constable Crier while Crier brings his blade up for a strike to the beasts head.
Both men miss and poorly.
Then the lead creature fighting Dunstan sniffs the air and howls, as one the three shoot back out of the front door from which the came, it seems in full retreat!
Crier appears to tired and a bit wounded and does not speak right away.
Wyatt lays his hands and chants softly and the Junior Constable that was struck coughs blood and begins to breathe normally again.
"Do any of the rest of you require assistance?" Wyatt asks.
Dunstan is taken aback, the last he saw and heard Wyatt was dead!
Marco grabs the corpse of the inspector and begins to drag it back to the station. He stops a memont to address the crowd.
Be wary, folks. These creatures 'ave set up shop among us, and they'd be the ones murderin' in Blackchapel. My mates an'me are figurin' out how deep this goes.
Constable Station in Blackchapel - Early Evening - Zook, Marco, Dunstan, Khalid, Derrick, & Bannock
The people still seem to be very curious as to the ghastly cargo that Marco and Bannock bring within the station. The sun is starting to rapidly descend in the sky, soon it shall be night.
Bannock snarls, "See to your own souls citizens lest the Divinity turn its watchful eyes upon you!" His words seem to disperse some but not all of the crowd, enough to get through.
Once you enter the back way, the other two Monks assigned by the Divinity catch up with Bannock, Marco, and Khalid and their brother nodding at the success of the endeavor.
The damage is significant, three Constables dead, one badly wounded, this station essentially destroyed. Constable Crier speaks to you all, Wyatt and the three monks assembled along with you. "It is obvious that these villains are not done yet. They wish to hide their nature from the populace. That said, I should think these killings might continue as well".
One of the Monks responds, "Our Orders from Master Qwinn are to return the corpse of this beast which they just attempted to steal back to the Temple. It would seem that we should make haste to do so lest they attempt to steal the body once again".
CRier turns to Zook and Wyatt, "Are the two of you with the Order as well?"
Dunstan leans on his blade, relieved that they were not overwhelmed.
"Wyatt is a friend of the Order, and of myself. He can be trusted, he's proven himself pure. Zook is a newcomer to our lands, one of many who've arrived through the mists lately. It seems doubtful that the creatures would disguise themselves as one so strange; I'm sure he's trustworthy as well." Derrick wipes his blades clean and sheathes them. "We should hasten this carcass back to the Divinity, with your blessing, Constable. With the station compromised, the Temple should be safe, considering the monks and paladins in number."
Marco tosses the body to the ground in Derrick's direction.
If they are good with you, they're good with me, mate. Here's yer body for delivery.
Constable Station in Blackchapel - Early Evening - Zook, Marco, Dunstan, Khalid, Derrick, & Bannock
Constable Crier puts his hand up, "My friends. I implore you to aid me in the streets of Blackchapel. Night has fallen, there are dangerous creatures on the loose and this Killer it seems is no one at all. After I help you escort the body to the Divinity, will you help patrol the streets?"
The Junior Constable looks exhausted and quite frankly frightened as he gestures at the bodies of the Jackalmen, "Should I burn the rest of these bodies in case they come back to life or some other ghastly thing takes place with them?!"
I will aid ya in yer patrols, Constable. First, we need to get the body to the holy noses.
"Of course we'll assist in your patrol. We all must work together to protect these streets." Derrick looks to the Junior Constable and nods. "Put them to the flame. These monsters must never again see the light of day."
Constable Station in Blackchapel - Evening - Marco, Dunstan, Khalid, Derrick, & Bannock
The Constables stay behind with Wyatt to set the bodies aflame. Curious onlookers stand outside of the station as your group passes by but a few hard stares from Bannock and the Monks alike disperse the crowd easily enough.
This time, none interfere in your delivery of the body to the Temple. Between the shroud covering the body and the fear that has kept most bodies indoors, the walk is fast and uneventful. The Monks take the body at the front entrance to bring it to the hierarchy of the Divinity.
The lead monk turns to Derrick and Bannock, "Go Brothers, catch this murderer or murderers. May the Divinity watch over you".
You all stand outside when Zook speaks up, "Gents, I am going to follow the advice of the Priest and seek out the local wizard to see if he can help me home. Good luck in your quest but this is not my fight". So said, Zook walks into the mist shrouded streets.
Yet another walk across the city and into the now ruined Blackchapel Constable station makes the night grow longer still. The hour must be at least 9 pm before you finally arrive. Constable Nayth has returned to the grim news that Grimmolt, Freise and Payit have all perished.
"Well, the bell will not toll this night. Hopefully that will prevent the murderer, if he is still stalking the streets, to lose track of the time and not strike again.
Based on what has taken place I believe that I should go directly to the Mayor and request more men leaving the streets empty this night".
Crier has a sharp intake of breath, "Come off of it man, we cannot abdicate our responsibility in such a way!"
Nayth grimaces, "What would you have me do? There are three of us where there were eight! It appears that most of the Inspector's men were either deserters or monsters in disguise, perhaps it is best for the citizens if no one was patrolling anything..."
Constable Station in Blackchapel - Evening - Marco, Dunstan, Khalid, Derrick, & Bannock
Wyatt speaks, "No true. I can join with you three as one patrol and the rest of my companions can patrol as another group. We have all worn the manacles so we all know ourselves to be true men and not beasts".
Constable Station in Blackchapel - Evening - All Together
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Bannock nods at Wyatt's plan. "Indeed. Let us not let all criminals go unchecked for fear of a handful.
Though, I would propose that we all stick together. They have already proved capable of handling a moderate force. If we divide ourselves, there is no guarantee that one group could help the other, if the need arose."
I agree with Bannock. We need t'stay together from here on.
Constable Station in Blackchapel - Evening - All Together
Acting Inspector Nyath sighs, "Very well. We will need two patrols though so I'll go with your suggestion, Wyatt is it? One group is too easily evaded.
Have any of you weapons which can harm these bessts to split 'tween our forces?"
"Indeed we do. If the Constabulary has any weapons of cold iron, I'd equip your men accordingly."
Much like his companion from the Divinity, Derrick's gaze seems to take in all that exists, both material and intangible.
Constable Station in Blackchapel - Evening
Khalid:
Perception:
Investigation:
Dunstan:
Perception:
Insight:
Blackchapel - Night
Your group walks the streets which are more deserted than they had been even the previous few nights.
The night is eerie as the fog plays tricks on your minds and ears. Hours go by and all the while you hear nothing. BY what you assume must be 11 pm you realize why, the clock tower has been disabled all night, no updates from the chimes alert the city to what the proper time is!
Your group huddles together, throwing out theories as to where the murderer, assuming he is out prowling will strike next.
You race towards a series of alleys that make sense based on where past crimes took place, this series of alley ways is closed off from many main thoroughfares according to Derrick and would be the perfect place for a murder.
You arrive at the crossways to set a trap but the slick cobblestoned streets and the smell of copper in the air alert you to the fact that you are too late. You as many others this night no doubt, have lost track of time...
At your feet, is a young woman's body. It sits slumped against the wall throat slit so deeply that only the position of her body keeps her head on her shoulders. The look on the woman's face is sheer terror. Once again the murderer left his mark - the organs have been removed...
Marco dashes off after the sound of footsteps, but not before letting the others know.
Someone's on the run! Come!
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Bannock sees little more than a dead body, and his head is too clouded by a gathering red fog of battle to see anything more than what's in front of his face.
But then Marco takes off like a shot! "Eh? What harries you, man?"
But never one to count caution as chief amongst his advisers, Bannock starts running, hot on the rogue's heels.
Derrick races into the crossways with the others, a sinking feeling in his gut telling him that they're too late again. He takes in the scene quickly, recognizing the woman with revulsion before noticing the blood trail and, finally, the footsteps. He hears this last as he bends down to the corpse, to inspect something clutched in her hand. And as Marco and Bannock take off running, sudden understanding dawns in the young monk's eyes and he leaps to his feet after them. "To the estates!" he says, just loud enough for them to hear. "The nobles' houses! That's where the killer lurks! This way!"
Derrick
Bannock - Advantage
Dunstan - Advantage
Marco - Advantage
Khalid - Advantage
Blackchapel - Night
Marco begins to run and his allies, now starting to trust each others instincts, follow suit.
Marco chugs after the potential assailant.
Derrick is shaken by the realization of the newest victim's identity, but he pushes that thought aside as he gives chase to the apparent killer.
Khalid Con check
Blackchapel - Night
After a few blocks, Dunstan Khalid and Marco fall behind the pace. Perhaps their combat earlier in the night took more energy than they realized. Derrick and Bannock continue to give chase when they see the man climbing a fire escape on the back of a building. As they start to ascend, the man transforms into a large bat and begins to fly away!
Once again, the murderer has made his escape, this time though his tendencies have given him away as Derrick has an idea as to where he is heading.
As your group goes back to the scene of the crime, you find that Wyatt, Crier, Nyath and the last Constable have already arrived on the scene. Crier picks something out of the dead woman's hand.
Wyatt casts a spell illuminating the alleyway and giving the corpse an eerie look indeed causing Derrick to shudder.
The note is incomplete and states:
...............................personally..........
...............................diversions have been
..........................this year's entertainment
..................are fine performers. And so I can
assure you. Mrs. Elsworth, that my party will be as
splendid as always. My servants have done up each
room in a different theme. The event promises to be
even more spectacular than the gala I held last year
which I am sure you remember to be..................
events indeed, moved only by........................
unforseen incidents.................................
will not dissuade...................................
your and............................................
Accompanying the letter is a seal pressed into the back of the paper, it too is incomplete.
I don't recognize the seal, but a part was bein' planned.
Derrick looks at the seal and thinks back to his studies over the Divinity's books on the history of man. "I think I know this seal. It's House Bloodhaven." Derrick looks up with a fierce expression. "I think we've got ourselves a hideout for our killer."
Aye, we should be havin'at it, then.
Khalid strokes his beard. "Indeed. It seems House Blood Haven is throwing a party of some sort. Should we crash it and make a spectacle or would we be better served posing as guests and infiltrating the event?"
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Bannock scoffs. "It is not the way of the Divinity to skulk about like a burglar in the face of evil. Let all who would condone such a den of iniquity tremble in their pompadoured scarfs at the tread of righteousness. To pose as guests would be to enter into their game, a game of intrigue that we already know they play with skill. We have beaten them with our STEEL already, so let us fight in the method we know they can not stand against!"
I like yer vigor, Bannock. But how's about some of us enter as part o' there team and lie in wait fer the rest of us to crash the party? Mayhap we can get the lay o' the land to best use our skills, eh?
Blackchapel - Night
Constable Crier grimaces, "That party is two nights hence. Approaching now may be for the best but do we not need rest? We have been at it for nearly a full day now..."
Derrick pauses for a moment, and looks to his brother in the Divinity. He feels he knows what Bannock will say.
"Rest is important, doubtless, Inspector, but so is life. The longer we let such a creature wander the streets, taking victims by night... It seems no matter our attempts, we cannot stop the creature by patrolling the streets. We know now where it makes its den. If we must rest, we will rest, but if we can stand and fight, we should do so now."
Khalid shakes his head. "I am nearly out of spells. I am willing to keep moving, but I will only be able to help in a limited capacity."