B'yelka waits as the others find their way out of the room. When the room is clear she looks at Dantrian. His distorted visage is strange, and yet it brings home the reality of his curse. Maybe I did take it too lightly... is this what he is to become? As the door is closed lightly she relaxes, a bit. Put him at his ease; I don't want this to be an argument.
"Mister Almaeus, we have a conundrum. Paucy knows what happened here. But we have been forbidden to speak with him. I have an idea that may get us access to the poor man. I don't know if he was forced to do as he did, or if he did it because he gladly follows Estovion's orders." She frets, smoothing her skirts with delicate fingers, "I want to enchant the guard so he will let me interview Paucy. If need be, I will enchant Paucy as well to get more honest anwers. The spell in question is one I learned the year after you left my family's service. It is not a hard control, but an influence. It affects how I am remembered if you will. It makes the subject see me a dear, dear friend." The Diva pushes back a single stray strand of hair, and finishes, "Should I charm the guard? Anton will say no, and I understand why. At the same time, we need this information. You have pointed out that we cannot move against someone without proper evidence. I want the evidence we know exists." B'yelka's dark eyes stare into Dantrian's, it is clear she has thought this out and her upbringing demands wants permission.
Janos watches Ashan take samples of blood and fold the parchment. He doesn't understand what the elf is doing, but he knows better than to ask about details of a ritual especially if it was magic. Alicia taught him to observe and learn even if he didn't understand.
Finally the Ranger glances at the corpses. "A pyre, huh? Ok, I'll get Delgros and Duristan to help gather some wood." He lingers a bit longer, watching the odd man. Then he slips away to gather the supplies.
"And if Paucy is too simple-minded to provide the evidence you want? What then?" Dantrian shakes his head. "Even that presumes Estovian has only placed one guard over Paucy. Your efforts might be better spent upon Estovion directly, B'yelka. Anton suspects magical compulsion behind Paucy's loosing the spider; I suspect something similar might be at work in the Warden. In either case, would the subjects of your spell be aware of what you'd done once its effects have subsided? We may be here for some days yet." The wolf-like alchemist regards his former student keenly, waiting for her to grasp the implications that might come, even with success.
"Would they be aware? No. Only if I made them do something that was against who they are normally, but if I present myself as an agent of their normal lord, then why would they say no?" She pauses, and says I am not willing to try with Estovion. When I tried to get close to him by normal means he brushed me off as if I were yesterday's news. He may be too driven to be affected by a simple spell."[/b] She switches back to the guard and Pauncy. "All I mean to do is get past the guard, speak to Pauncy. Do you think Pauncy is too, ah, simple to understand the implications of what he did? If you believe that, or you think the danger is too great then I will drop it." She smiles, but something about the curl of Dantrian's lupine grin puts her off.
"And if Paucy is too simple-minded to provide the evidence you want? What then?" Dantrian shakes his head. "Even that presumes Estovian has only placed one guard over Paucy. Your efforts might be better spent upon Estovion directly, B'yelka. Anton suspects magical compulsion behind Paucy's loosing the spider; I suspect something similar might be at work in the Warden. In either case, would the subjects of your spell be aware of what you'd done once its effects have subsided? We may be here for some days yet." The wolf-like alchemist regards his former student keenly, waiting for her to grasp the implications that might come, even with success.
The Halo of Dreams is a text about the Desnan faith, and its spread from Varisia throughout Avistan. The book contains, among other things, references to a sacred Desnan relic known as the Dusk Moth, a sacred Desnan relic hidden in the stonework of an ancient temple called the Stairs of the Moon. Legends speak of priests transporting the relic to the temple, but all knowledge of it was lost when the Whispering Tyrant conquered Ustalav and the temple was abandoned. On page 322, there is a highlighted passage.
Dantrian shrugs. "If you feel speaking to Pauncy is worth the risk, then by all means," he waves to the door. "There is little I can do to render aid, given my present state. Just-" he pauses briefly, obviously still frustrated with recent events. "Whatever you attempt, I urge you to be as discreet as possible, B'yelka. Ashan is proving to be uncoperative and disruptive, and I fear the attention he is likely to bring; we need no further scrutiny or attention from those here in the lodge."
Dantrian then looks down toward a chest at the foot of one of the beds in the room. He inclines his head slightly and a moment later Mosswick sticks his head out from the space behind the chest.
See if you might beat the Warden back to his chambers, Mosswick. Perhaps you can slip in behind him without him knowing. Stay out of sight, whatever you do, but observe him closely.
Such is my hope, Mosswick.
Loosing a rasping giggle, the patchwork homunculus then slips from the room and furtively moves toward the warden's chamber, hoping to slip in unnoticed as his master desires.
After seeing that Drosil is ok, Anton has a sudden desire for a strong drink. He heads downstairs and into the sitting room where several aides are busy cleaning up the mess of the giant spider.He heads to a drinks cabinet and after checking the labels, selects a particularly strong Andoran Gin.
Can I pour you one? Anton says to the grey haired man still sitting in the room. Cilas, isn't it? Anton Klasnic. Are you alright after that thing?
"I came to you for advice, not condescension." B'yelka stands up smoothly, and goes to the door. She stops with her hand on the knob, "Because I respect you, and not because I am still a silly child." She opens the door just enough to step out, taking her time, showing that she is not fleeing this encounter. Errrr! So trying! 'do what you like, I am so helpless like this!' Her thoughts stop dead like a bird that was been struck by an arrow. He does need my help, but I need his too. She scoffs out loud at the absurdity, Which of us is the more selfish, I wonder?
* * *
B'yelka wanders downstairs and tours the gardens. Of course I will be careful! She notes how many guards are in the area, and around Pauncy's shed. If there's just one, I will give it a try...
As B'yelka turns to leave Dantrian adds, "And I offered you advice, B'yelka. I suggested you focus your efforts upon Estovion, which you then dismissed in the following breath." While there is yet a hint of tiredness in the alchemist's tone, his wrecked and throaty voice maintains an air of factual observation rather than judgment. "As you say, you are not a silly child. You are an adult, a quite capable one, and while we may disagree, your reasons and decisions are your own. If there was condescension in my words, it was not intended."
_____________
After gathering up the blood samples and stacking the dead like so much cord-wood, Ashan lingers outside in wait for permission to construct and begin a pyre. In the interim, he stands like some sort of watchful specter over the dead, examining each piece of bloodied, folded parchment carefully. Then, while he waits, Ashan begins casting incantations over the folded parchment stars, causing the blood to reveal personal information about each individual across the folded paper.
___________
Dantrian shrugs. "If you feel speaking to Pauncy is worth the risk, then by all means," he waves to the door. "There is little I can do to render aid, given my present state. Just-" he pauses briefly, obviously still frustrated with recent events. "Whatever you attempt, I urge you to be as discreet as possible, B'yelka. Ashan is proving to be uncoperative and disruptive, and I fear the attention he is likely to bring; we need no further scrutiny or attention from those here in the lodge."
Dantrian then looks down toward a chest at the foot of one of the beds in the room. He inclines his head slightly and a moment later Mosswick sticks his head out from the space behind the chest.
See if you might beat the Warden back to his chambers, Mosswick. Perhaps you can slip in behind him without him knowing. Stay out of sight, whatever you do, but observe him closely.
Such is my hope, Mosswick.Loosing a rasping giggle, the patchwork homunculus then slips from the room and furtively moves toward the warden's chamber, hoping to slip in unnoticed as his master desires.
[dice=Stealth]1d20+16
Mosswick finds that the lower library outside the Warden's chambers is now guarded by the lodge's two toughest looking mercenary guards. The door to the Warden's chamber is shut, and the homonculus can only assume the Warden is within. The guards fail to notice the little construct lurking behind the book shelves, but were he to emerge from cover he would surely be spotted.
After seeing that Drosil is ok, Anton has a sudden desire for a strong drink. He heads downstairs and into the sitting room where several aides are busy cleaning up the mess of the giant spider.He heads to a drinks cabinet and after checking the labels, selects a particularly strong Andoran Gin.
Can I pour you one? Anton says to the grey haired man still sitting in the room. Cilas, isn't it? Anton Klasnic. Are you alright after that thing?
Cilas looks at the gin. "Make it a single malt from Janderhoff, and you've got a deal. You may call me Margrave Sturnidae," he replies. The older man appears to be totally calm in the face of the recent trauma.
"I came to you for advice, not condescension." B'yelka stands up smoothly, and goes to the door. She stops with her hand on the knob, "Because I respect you, and not because I am still a silly child." She opens the door just enough to step out, taking her time, showing that she is not fleeing this encounter. Errrr! So trying! 'do what you like, I am so helpless like this!' Her thoughts stop dead like a bird that was been struck by an arrow. He does need my help, but I need his too. She scoffs out loud at the absurdity, Which of us is the more selfish, I wonder?
* * *
B'yelka wanders downstairs and tours the gardens. Of course I will be careful! She notes how many guards are in the area, and around Pauncy's shed. If there's just one, I will give it a try...
_____________
After gathering up the blood samples and stacking the dead like so much cord-wood, Ashan lingers outside in wait for permission to construct and begin a pyre. In the interim, he stands like some sort of watchful specter over the dead, examining each piece of bloodied, folded parchment carefully. Then, while he waits, Ashan begins casting incantations over the folded parchment stars, causing the blood to reveal personal information about each individual across the folded paper.
___________
#1 -
Who are you? The Markiza Welgory
What are you? (Gender, race, profession/role) A human female, wife of the wealthy trader Mr. Welgory.
How was your blood shed? A spider tore my throat out in the Ascanor lodge's sitting room.
When was your blood shed? A few minutes ago.
#2 -
Who are you? Ostrovach
What are you? A human male. A trained hunter, and lover to the Markiza Welgory these past two seasons.
How was your blood shed? A massive spider ripped my rib cage open with its fangs.
When was your blood shed? A little while ago, ten minutes maybe?
#3 -
Who are you? Belik of Courtaud
What are you? A male halfling, steward of the Ascanor Lodge and Estovian's spy amongst the guests.
How was your blood shed? The giant tarantula from the beast pens bit me!
When was your blood shed? Just a few minutes prior to now.
Janos watches the man's spell and his eyes widen as the blood-stained writing appears. He reads each of them, then turns back to Ashan. "We already knew that. What other information were you hoping for?" He turns back to re-read the last entry.
"Wait, Belik was Estovan's spy amongst the guests? Well, I guess it was something we had suspected, but now we confirmed it."
Anton doesn't bat an eyelid at the man's apparent chiding for addressing him commonly.
As you wish Mangrove. he replies, searching for the correct malt. This should do.
He pours the man a drink and hands it to him
Terrible business. Will you be staying on at the Lodge after encounter?
Dantrian looks up from the book Ashan had pilfered from the warden briefly, a frown creasing his face as he shakes his head at Mosswick's projected question.
No, there is little need to risk discovery by the guards, Mosswick. Thank you for trying.
He glances at his clawed hand then, covered in silver fur, as he slowly curls his fingers back into a tight fist. The alchemist's eye flash yellow and a feral grin curls his upper lip for moment as he looks up at the door, but the episode passes quickly and with a shake of his head Dantrian returns his attention to the book and the scant writings regarding the so-called Dusk Moth contained within.
---
Disappointed he let his master down by not arriving at the warden's chamber quickly enough, but not willing to upset him further with disobedience, Mosswick slips away quietly, avoiding notice from the two burly guards. Once outside though, the plucky little homunculus flits up the exterior of the building and scouts around for any windows that might look into the Warden's chamber.
Anton doesn't bat an eyelid at the man's apparent chiding for addressing him commonly.
As you wish Mangrove. he replies, searching for the correct malt. This should do.
He pours the man a drink and hands it to him
Terrible business. Will you be staying on at the Lodge after encounter?
"For the time being. I am awaiting the arrival of a friend. Though, he is much delayed. I am more than a little worried that something horrible befell him on his way here." the Margrave replies. "I wonder, you and your companions didn't happen to see any sign of a lone man traveling to the Lodge on your way here did you?"
Dantrian looks up from the book Ashan had pilfered from the warden briefly, a frown creasing his face as he shakes his head at Mosswick's projected question.
No, there is little need to risk discovery by the guards, Mosswick. Thank you for trying.
He glances at his clawed hand then, covered in silver fur, as he slowly curls his fingers back into a tight fist. The alchemist's eye flash yellow and a feral grin curls his upper lip for moment as he looks up at the door, but the episode passes quickly and with a shake of his head Dantrian returns his attention to the book and the scant writings regarding the so-called Dusk Moth contained within.---
Disappointed he let his master down by not arriving at the warden's chamber quickly enough, but not willing to upset him further with disobedience, Mosswick slips away quietly, avoiding notice from the two burly guards. Once outside though, the plucky little homunculus flits up the exterior of the building and scouts around for any windows that might look into the Warden's chamber.
[dice=Perception]1d20+5
[dice=Stealth (new one, if needed)]1d20+16
Mosswick fails to find any windows.
Throwing up his little hands in defeat, Mosswick retreats back to his master's side.
During her tour of the gardens B'yelka sees the shed and the two guards. Something occurs to her, and she decides to act on it.
She saunters over to the guards, her stride sure, but not hurried. "Oh, hello boys, I was wondering if you could help with something. I am a fan of Ustalavic poetry and wanted to know if you could tell me who wrote this particular piece." Without giving a chance to reply, she begins reciting,
"They hasten, still they hasten,
From the even to the dawn;
And their tired eyes gleam and glisten
Under north skies white and wan.
Each panter in the darkness
Is a demon-haunted soul,
The shadowy, phantom werewolves,
Who circle round the Pole."
As her words wind 'round she pushes her will into them to sieze the minds of the guards.
Once she sees they are ensnared, she finds words to match the meter, but give a new intent.
"When I return at dusk,
stand aside and let me speak
to the rat-skinner within.
This task is simple, not to peek,
Spoken to me, not a whisper
to be heard. Of the warden,
not a thing to be known."
She waits for them to nod their acquiescence before turning away, smiling. See, not a helpless little girl at all!
Quietly, Ashan places all but one of the paper talismans into the makeshift funerary wrappings of the dead. Belik's talisman is kept in hand, and Belik's small corpse, wrapped as the others are in bed linens, is removed from the pile of bodies. Ashan slowly hoists the halfling's corpse up and over his right shoulder, then turns to Janos. "This one has more to say," the masked elf indicates before moving to walk back into the lodge with Belik's corpse in tow.
______
Anton's glass hovers halfway to his mouth as the Margrave mentions his friend, now missing en route to the Lodge.
I will not lie to you Margrave Sturnidae, I fear I may have bad news to deliver.
We came across the body of a man in the woods. It didn't appear he had been there too long but we had no means of identifying him though he carried an invite to the Lodge. It was illegible though it seems too much of a grim coincidence that you are awaiting your acquaintance.
Janos watches Ashan pull the halfling's body from the others. "You intend on stirring his spirit?" The ranger has a grim look on his face and he bites his lip. "I can speak to the nature spirits but people spirits are generally beyond me. They're so much more...complicated. I've seen Alicia do it before though only in a dire circumstance. Do you think we really need to do this?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Ashan pauses, Belik's corpse over one shoulder. "Unless we plan on leaving? No. I fear nothing will remove us from this location short of a answers."
During her tour of the gardens B'yelka sees the shed and the two guards. Something occurs to her, and she decides to act on it.
She saunters over to the guards, her stride sure, but not hurried. "Oh, hello boys, I was wondering if you could help with something. I am a fan of Ustalavic poetry and wanted to know if you could tell me who wrote this particular piece." Without giving a chance to reply, she begins reciting,
"They hasten, still they hasten,
From the even to the dawn;
And their tired eyes gleam and glisten
Under north skies white and wan.
Each panter in the darkness
Is a demon-haunted soul,
The shadowy, phantom werewolves,
Who circle round the Pole."
As her words wind 'round she pushes her will into them to sieze the minds of the guards.Once she sees they are ensnared, she finds words to match the meter, but give a new intent.
"When I return at dusk,
stand aside and let me speak
to the rat-skinner within.
This task is simple, not to peek,
Spoken to me, not a whisper
to be heard. Of the warden,
not a thing to be known."She waits for them to nod their acquiescence before turning away, smiling. See, not a helpless little girl at all!
** spoiler omitted **
One of the guards is unaffected by B'yelka's trick and angrily shakes his partner free of the fascination. "Your witchy tricks won't work on us woman. I suggest you leave and never come back to this shack, or I'll be forced to take violent action against you. The warden has commanded that this place is off limits to everyone, even uppity foreigners who don't know their place..."
Anton's glass hovers halfway to his mouth as the Margrave mentions his friend, now missing en route to the Lodge.
I will not lie to you Margrave Sturnidae, I fear I may have bad news to deliver.
We came across the body of a man in the woods. It didn't appear he had been there too long but we had no means of identifying him though he carried an invite to the Lodge. It was illegible though it seems too much of a grim coincidence that you are awaiting your acquaintance.
"Oh no..." the Margrave replies. "May I see the invitation?"
Of course.
After looking at the invitation, Graydon pales. "It is indeed the one I sent to Echtmoor. This is a most troubling confirmation. You must excuse me, I have just lost a very close friend and I feel the need to be alone. I must also begin making arrangements for the recovery of his body and personal belongings."
As you wish, sir. I'm sorry to have to bring you this news. Why was he travelling alone through such dangerous lands? Is there anything you can tell us about these woods or the wolves that inhabit them?
Thug B'yelka drops a mocking curtsy at the ruffian, "As you say, and the Warden will be pleased to hear that you are as stalwart as he had hoped. You have passed your test, if you are smart you may reap the rewards of his gratitude." She smiles winningly and turns to go, "Or, do you imagine yourself more clever than your betters?" Without waiting for a response she walks back to the lodge. That did not go as well as it could have...
* * *
The Diva comes back inside, not at all embarrassed by her foiled plan. It was not meant to be, is all. She sees Anton coming out of the sitting room and smiles. "Dear Anton, when will we be leaving this droll place?"
Soon I hope, my lady. At the moment I do not know which is more dangerous, - the Lodge or the Woods.
Dantrian and Ashan are working on leads, but It seems are answers are out there with the wolves. I just hope Dantrian can hold on long enough for us to find them. How are you holding up?
"For the time, I will be fine. At least I have the best of company." She smiles and takes his hand in hers and says in a conspiratorial whisper, "But tell me of your investigations! Mine have fallen flat, as if the guards are ensorcelled to resist enchantment, truly!"
If they are immune to your charms, sweet lady, then I know There is something evil at work here.
He says with a grin and a squeeze of her hand.
Oh but in all seriousness they are no further advanced than your own. I don't think I have the disposition of an investigator. People seem willing to talk to me but I don't seem to have the knack of piecing the parts together.
He sighs.
That man we found in the woods was a friend of the Margrave's. I have just returned from giving him the news but the man is fairly unreadable
I'm sorry to have to bring you this news. Here are the items of his we were able to recover. Why was he travelling alone through such dangerous lands? Is there anything you can tell us about these woods or the wolves that inhabit them?
"Thank you, Anton. This means much to me. In fact, I insist you accept a reward along with my gratitude." The count opens his pouch and extracts two notes of legal tender. He hands them to Anton. "These may be exchanged at any bank in Ustalav for the sum of 2,000 gold crowns." The count then says, "I do not know why he chose to travel alone. I know little of these woods other than as a place I go to get away from the politics sometimes. Forgive me, I cannot thank you enough, but I must retire." He nods to Anton, clasps him on the shoulder and then leaves.
"How long will this take, Ashan? We need to do this quickly. There were only three bodies, it won't go unnoticed for long."
Unable to shake the feeling that he and the others are slogging through mud and making little progress, if any, Dantrian pinches the bridge of his nose as he sits at a now too small desk in his room, his hulking form bent over the book liberated from the warden's chambers. Shaking his head and closing the book with an air of frustration, he takes a breath before turning to Mosswick.
See if you can find the others, Mosswick. Bring them back here, if you can.
Nodding excitedly, the tiny servitor zips out of the room and around the grounds, looking for the others.
Coming up Anton and B'yelka hand in hand, Mosswick flits up before their faces with a wide grin. Nodding encouragingly, he points to the pair then excitedly up toward their rooms. He then clasps his hands together, then slowly folds them open and studies his palms, as if reading a book then points up to the rooms again.
Once the Desnan and the Diva grasp his intent, Mosswick flits off to find the others, repeating the same gestures for Drosil, then for Ashan and Janos. Though with the latter, he points earestly at the body Ashan is carrying then back at the other wrapped bodies, shaking his head vigorously. He points then to the sun, then traces an arc down to the horizon before pointing back at the bodies.
Ashan hesitates, head tilted to the side. "Unnoticed by whom? The absentee warden who keept himself locked in his tower while screams of terror assailed the lodge directly below him? The guards he has stationed to keep a simpleton behind bars? Or perhaps the three remaining, traumatized residents?" There is a waning patience in Ashan's tone.
Taking a step toward Janos, Ashan's voice lowers in conspiratorial tone. "When I went into the Warden's office, he was acting without any evident surprise at the screams emanating from below. He only started by my emergence. Belik's very blood belied his true nature as a "spy" among the guests. A threat was given to us to leave. Were it not for the simple fact that I am dependent on earning your trust, I would assail the Warden's tower with the wrathful spirits of those his incompetence had slain at this very moment. At first all I had were suspicions, but now...." Ashan motions to the corpses left behind. "How many more bodies of proof will this trust require?"
Ashan takes a knee and lays Belik's body down. "The Warden is obviously responsible for this and I cannot fathom why the others delay their efforts to detain and question him. I have tried to take action for them, yet no matter how many efforts I take in attempt to provide us forward momentum, resistance abounds. We have the book, we know our destination. I say damn the Warden and this insufferable lodge and all its people. We should discern the ruin's location and go there."
Then, even quieter, "Damn them too if they will not accompany us."
________________