Vaclav adds, "They were impersonating Lord and Lady Foxglove. Foxglove was the chief ghoul in the pack we fought. We were hoping that you or one of your acolytes could speak with them to learn why."
"Skin stealers, they normally lurk in the swamps to the south-east," she muses. "Rarely are they anything but another's catspaw. I see your reasoning, but we are busy." She takes out a scroll and offers it to Vaclav. "This is the spell you need, as one of Erastil's priests I am sure you are competent to to use it, Brother Vaclav - and you'll save my sisters the time and trouble. Ask your questions wisely."
Vaclav takes the scroll. "Thank you, Abbess. We will try to use this wisely." A second later he asks, "How many questions can we pose?"
He starts to pivot away, when another thought occurs to him. "Ma'am, what should we do with the bodies? Can you send someone to pick them up? It might start a panic if we drag them here through the streets."
***** WHen V and T get back to the townhouse ****
"The abbess gave us a scroll to speak with the dead. We will have questions to ask. It might be best to figure them out ahead of time. Any ideas?"
"Hmm... Maybe why where they imitating the Foxgloves? What was their objectives? Who is their boss? Where is their hideout?"
"Yeah, maybe they know where this sawmill is, and why people are getting killed."
2 questions, and she will send some people along to deal with the bodies when they can be spared - just lock the house when you leave.
Aylmora watches the proceedings with interest but can think of nothing to add to the discussion.
Vaclav listens to the other's suggestions. "I think we can find the Sawmill in the Magnimar Registry or on the tax rolls. Their boss is a good question. And where he or she resides. Are we agreed those are the questions to ask?"
"Oh and we have only one scroll of speak with dead. DO we ask the fake Foxglove or the fake Aesha."
"Fox glove, and go with those questions."
"Sounds good to me. Ask away, Brother!"
Vaclav unrolls the scroll and looks at it searchingly.
Scroll Deciphering v DC 23
He stares stupidly at the paper.
Vaclav recites the sonorous words and the air in the house grows chill.
Will Save (DC14):
The corpse draws a sucking breath, though the eyes stay glazed and dead.
"Ask your questions," the corpse speaks, it's voice is dead and sullen.
...By the gods that is creepy...
Thanadros frowns in response to the corpse.
Gornak grimaces, but says nothing and lets Brother Vaclav do his thing.
Encouraged that the thing is responding to the spell, Vaclav asks the first question, "Who tasked you to impersonate Lord Foxglove and lie in ambush here?"
Vaclav then asks the second question, "Where can we find this ~answer to the first question~?"
"He who declares the law's iron tangles ordered it," the puffy, misshaped lips declare, after a momentary pause.
"Seek him where the water splits the wood at the behest of seven murderers," the creature spits out, it's tone spiteful as it fades.
"Great. It answers in riddles. DO any of you have any idea of what it means?" Vaclav asks the others.
"Hmm, I think the second riddle was that the person we seek is at the saw mill... seven murderers... I don't like the sound of that... Declares... Iron tangles... Perhaps a law maker? leader of the guards? A judge?"
"I agree about the mill. We must find it and investigate. "He who declares the law's iron tangles -- you probably have it right Thandros, but who? There are many lawgivers in this city from petty magistrates to the highest court to the mayor himself."
Intelligence Check (Aylmora):
"Well, didn't the fake-Foxglove mention Justice Ironbriar? It would fit, wouldn't it? Plus he'd be in the best position to divert anyone close to finding the truth."
"Sounds like we need to find this Ironbriar..."
Vaclav nods. "You're right. So we're looking for Ironbriar and this sawmill. Which do we tackle first?"
"We can go to the sawmill and check it out first. then we can go and speak to Ironbrian... If he isn't already there."
"If there are murderers at the sawmill, we should try to stop them," Gornak agrees.
"Then the sawmill first, " Vaclav agrees.
There are many sawmills on Kyver's Islet in the mouth of the Yondabakari River, and the Seven's Sawmill transpires to be one of these. The four of you gather at the isle, and see that the mill is a five-story building built on piles out on the water. The ground-level floor is actually the second from the bottom, and a jetty fronts one side of the building and half of the river-ward side. The only door visible from the shore is accessed from a flight of steps that descend down the shore to the lowest level, though there may be other entrances on the river-side of the building.
Gornak prepares by manifesting a 5 pp Metaphysical Weapon and a 4 pp Thicken Skin.
Thanadros manifests his own powers.
"Ready to go? You wanna lead the way big guy?" He says as he readies his bow.
Thanadros keeps an eye out for trouble as they approach.
No-one else seems to be about. Evening is falling and other than the sound of machinery within the mill, it's quiet. In the distance boats pass by on the river, and there are other workmen at mills a few hundred yards away, but they pay you no heed.
On the edge of the jetty is nailed a sign:
"Keep Out
Except those on Official Business"
Our business is official. Vaclav muses.
"We should find out about exits on the water side. It will do us no good if they are miscreants here and we merely chase them from this place. We need someone to question."
" Aylmora, you'd draw the least notice wandering back there, I think. DOn't take any chances, just get a look and come back. Will you go?"
"Of course." Aylmora slips away from the rest of the party and steps lightly around the corner of the building, then returns a moment later.
"One large door, facing the river," she reports.
"Probably a loading door with warehouse space behind it. What do you all think? In through the small door or in through the large? Or do we split up and go in through both at once?"
We should stay together. Lets head though the small door. just incase we need to retreat, we don't have water to our backs. Care to lead the way Gornak?
"You bet!" Gornak hefts his giant hammer and shoulders his way through the small door.
"Then let's go. May Erastil grant us success."
Vaclav considers their likely scenario. There are probably offices behind the small door. The bow wouldn't be the best weapon. Besides Aylmora and Thanadros could take care of any open space encounters better than he. The cleric takes his mace in hand and steps into line behind the half-giant.
As you descend the wooden steps the sound of wheels and machinery become more pronounced. When Gornak opens the door, the din is almost deafening. Byoknd the door is a place of mist and noise. Four immense waterwheels churn steadily in the northern part of this large room, while to the south, whirring belts of leather, gears, pulleys, and thick ropes spin and grind, using the eternal motion of the river below to power pistons that rumble along the southern wall.
"Hey you!" A voice bellows from among the machinery, "you can't come in here! No visitors!"
Vaclav taps Gornak's shoulder for the big man to go right, while Vaclav takes a left along the catwalk.
"Where's the owner or manager? We need to talk to someone about Lord Foxglove's account."
Thanadros stays quiet and lets Vaclav talk. His hand ready to pull his bow at a moment of trouble.
Several workmen converge on Vaclave and Gornak.
"Foxglove? Never 'eard o' the name. You'll wanna talk to the boss upstairs, mate," one remarks, approaching Vaclave.
Another appears in front of Gornak.
"Don't go no further, big guy!" he warns, gesturing at churning wheels and grinding gears. "You might be covered in tinplate, but this 'ere monster don't care nuffin for that. Take a wrong step an' you'll be expensive scrap-metal!"
Sense Motive,
Vaclav notices the man's jaw jerk at the name Foxglove and the cleric slightly tightens on his grip on his mace.
"I'd be very happy to speak with your boss. Lead on." Vaclav takes a step forward and gestures with his mace for the man to go back the way he came.
"Uh...yeah. Let's go talk to the boss," Gornak agrees uncertainly.
"It's this way," the man talking to Vaclav says, pointing at the door behind him and stepping closer...
...and striking out suddenly with a war-razor, as his friend does likewise to Gornak. Because Vaclav saw it coming he is NOT flat-footed.
Attack on Vaclav: Damage:
Attack on Gornak: Damage:
Initiative for the workmen:
At the man's first aggresive movement, Vaclav activates his ring of force shield and swings the invisible shield directly into the man's path.
"Friend, that was a mistake. We're on a mission from Cardinal Rochefort and have the backing of the City Guard. Stand down now and you won't make an express trip to the Boneyard."
Initiative
When they attack with their War Razors, Thanadros reflexively responds in kind, letting lose an arrow at each of them!
Hawkeye | | | Crit: 20/x3
Deadly Aim, Rapid Shot, Focused, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Psionic Shot, Offensive Precognition +, Offensive Prescience
Confirmation | |
Init:
Gornak steps back and bashes with his hammer, trying to do nonlethal damage for now.
confirm?
Aylmora:
Gornak 20
Thanadros 19
Aylmora 16
Workmen 11
Vaclav 10
Gornak cannot hit the man next to him (Vaclav is at his back), but swats the second like a fly. Collapsing the man tumbles into the churning water and the wheel drives him under, the froth turning red.
Thanadros drives two shafts into Vaclav's attacker, and he falls stone dead.
Aylmora lets loose a surge blast at Gornak's attacker:
Attack: Damage:
...and he reels, staggering, but doesn't fall. With one hand he drags on a mask of crudely stitched skin, and reaches out to touch Gornak:
Touch Attack: Damage:
Vaclav's next...
Thanadros' shafts startle Vaclav as they swish past him, on their way to the workman's heart. He whirls to grin thanks to the archer and takes in the scene. The narrow walkway, the angles prevent a direct move to aid Gornak. Vaclav drives his mace into the workman's back and leaves it there. Then he moves steps over the body, drawing his bow and fitting an arrow as he goes.
Longbow ... damage
