"So we believe, de'Aragon. Are there any other questions?"
Charles holds back on his follow up request until the latest question is answered.
"I am not entirely sure that my talents are best suited for such an investigation, but I will strive to do my best." Matthais says in way of reluctantly conceding to the Prince's request.
"We live in dangerous times Fredrico, and the prince must be sure of the loyalty of all who are allowed to remain in his territory. Others will be tested in the coming days as well, be sure of that."
"Excellent Theoclydes, is there a Mortal we should speak with at the City Guard or is that something that will be arranged for us?"
Turning to the others, "I propose we tackle our investigations together, it is always better to have multiple minds solving a problem..."
Simon nods in agreement, but remains silent.
Charles replies to Fredrico, "Should we not contact the City Guard while the evening is still relatively young. An eyewitness account might be best for a description of the acts performed..."
"Surely we also must study the place where the ritual took place. It would be wise to divide our efforts, if we are to success in this task."
"I believe what was said was success met with favor...well, then let me start us onto the path to success," Boldly, man, boldly. Few secrets will remain anyway. "I believe I witnessed this very murder. I was bringing it to the Prince's attention tonight in fact, or so was my intent. I did not interfere that night because I could not have done so without unveiling my own nature to what might have been human devil worshipers."
"What I saw was through a narrow slit at best, and certain gifts for enhanced seneses are not my forte, but.." He begins to name the area where it happened, and goes on, "Through that wood I saw a half dozen robed and hooded people. They hung the body of the sailor upside down, and inscribed symbols and marks in the floor. I tried to make out what the symbols were...but the slitting of the man's throat? The blood flowing from his neck appeared to be the ink for it."
Dragoslav tries to remember any occult rituals he read about when he was still in the Carpathian.
Charles too considers what was stated to ascertain if there was a Necromantic tilt to the ritual - Int+Occ
If pressed for details, he tries to relate the shapes of the symbols, whether they were stars or spirals or the like.
Dragoslav remembers hearing vague rumours connected to a few fringe cults among both mortals and kindred that made use of similar rituals. From what he can remember they were a way to channel power to a Kupala or an earthbound depending on the rumour. Some even claimed that it could be a two way exchange and those that performed such rituals could be blessed with otherworldly gifts.
Charles shrugs, "I am afraid I have no answers. If we are to spit our efforts, I will inspect the victim. Who wishes to accompany me?"
The tall man shrugs, I will.
"Yes, this ritual is indeed troubling. I insist we visit the place where the ritual took place."
As those assigned by the prince split into two groups one heads to the docks to inspect the warehouse, while the other party heads to the city watch headquarters where the body of victim is being held.
------
At the docks
The warehouse is still guarded by city watch and they don't seem keen on letting anyone inside.
"Halt, state your business here."
------
At the watch headquarters
Guards outside the headquarters stop anyone who comes near.
"Official business only, move along."
Charles approaches the Guards as if he belongs there, which he does, "Good evening, we are here on Official Business and must be allowed entry".
At the Docks, Alvaro knows the way and leads them there, then stops when the guard makes its presence known.
"My business? It's the docks I did not think.. oh, my word, has something happened? They don't waste their best guards on non incidents."
Watch Headquarters
"Official business from who" The guard says as he looks suspiciously at you. You don't look like lackeys of some petty merchant.
------
The docks
Indeed Sir, but I can't speak about it. Perhaps the Sgt can tell you something. Sgt Reyes? This gentleman would like to speak to you."
The Sgt stops talking to one of the other guards and comes over.
"Everything is under control here Sir, nothing to worry yourself about."
"Unless you would include Lord Cadava as a petty merchant, then you are correct".
"Is whatever happened here will affect the routine at the docks?"
Dragoslav rubs his chin, pretending to care about the docks' business.
watch HQ
"Of course not sir, please come this way."
You are ushered into the watch headquarters and quickly taken through the common room to stairs leading up the commander's office. Which is a lavishly decorated room that was clearly built while the city was held by Muslims and quickly had some Christian decorations added recently.
The commander is sitting behind a large desk that seems piled with endless amounts of papers. He is an older man with dark, greying hair, a short but obvious scar on the right side of his face. He is clearly an experienced soldier but has started to go soft in his new job. His clothes are expensive and fashionable but also practical and a longsword sits in a well used scabbard leaning against the desk.
"Gentlemen, I understand you are associates of Lord Cadava. Hopefully this fine night finds him well. What can I assist you with."
-----
at the docks
"Only if you had goods in this specific warehouse sir. The docks should be fully re-opened by dawn."
A nod to Dragoslav, then a glance at the Sgt,"Good to know, good to know, though I fear how it may dim business. All it takes is one witness describing crime in an area and ..well, I do not envy your job, good sir. Though if you wish to vent, you have in me an open ear my friend to. We're honest people you should trust"
His eyes lock on to the sgt.
Charles enters with his cowl pulled over his head, Let him think me a monk.
"Thank you Commander for your hospitality. My Lord is upset at the events of the previous night and has asked myself and my companions to inspect the remains for signs of who may have committed such a heinous act. If I and my companions could be given time to inspect the remains it may help us catch these loathsome villains. We shan't tarry here long and will be on our way once we are done.
Though we would also be interested to hear your thoughts on the matter if you would be so kind as to indulge us".
While not attempting to be overbearing, he stands silently behind Charles to give the other more of an air of authority.
At the docks
"To be honest Sir, it was pretty bad. Like fell enough that we contacted the church. I think they said a specialist was being sent from France."
----
At the HQ
"The events of last night are troubling to any god fearing soul and further evidence that we must purge the faithless from Christian lands. One of the watch Sgts can take you to the remains. It is disturbing and unnatural. The supernatural is at work here gentlemen, I can feel it; someone is doing the devil's work. The Bishop will say a special mass and sprinkle holy water to cleanse the area."
Fredrico due to the information you have the occult roll is difficulty 7.
Charles nods, "Of course".
Once he arrives at the body Charles looks to the soldier, "LEAVE us. We shall let you know when you come back and retrieve us".
Dominate - Command DC Target Current Willpower -
Charles then begins to ritual to see through the dead man's eyes. He drops blood upon the dead man's eyes from his own wrists, then with his hand over the man's eyes he begins to concentrate...
At the docks
"To be honest Sir, it was pretty bad. Like fell enough that we contacted the church. I think they said a specialist was being sent from France."
"Oh no doubt you'll be of great help. No doubt you've made copies of the scene and any matters that would indicate darker powers at work for the specialist to go on? Notes and such." He is glad he's suggestion for this man to trust them seems to have taken, "How about we assist you and go in to look around ? An extra set of eyes you can rely upon."
Watch HQ
Charles sees a dark street, then suddenly being mobbed and dragged back into an alley. He falls to the ground vision shaking as he hears a loud wack then things fade out. Suddenly the vision is upside down and slowly swaying side to side. He can hear the victim trying to talk, but a gag in his mouth prevents speech.
"Make sure there is a bucket to collect the blood, spilling could mess up the circle."
A hand grabs his head.
"Make the cut here, short and deep. A long cut will spray blood everywhere."
He can hear the blood drain as his vision fades out for a final time.
--------
At the docks
"They took the body and notes away Sir, and washed the scene. The Bishop is sending someone to bless the site and sprinkle holy water."
He takes you inside the warehouse.
"Here is where the body was found, hanging upside down completely drained of blood. Some of which was used to create a circle and series of runic marks. We have no idea what happened to the rest of the blood."
Dragoslav concentrates on his senses, investigating the warehouse. Although it was cleaned, something must have left.
Alvaro mutters under his breath when he gets in, letting Dragoslav know where in the warehouse he saw what and who. Of course, his own look about in the here and now will require more standard senses.
Well, that and darksight.
Charles relays what he sees and hears to his comrades now that they are alone, "It seems that these cultists created a circle so they are using or at least believe they are using magic..."
At the docks
When Dragoslav an Alvaro pauses to examine things in closer detail he can see that the wooden floor is lightly stained in the shape of the circle and symbols that were painted in blood.
"I have gotten everything I can from this, shall we find the others and begin to compare notes?"
Dragoslav compares what he sees and what Alvaro told them. Let's see...
As the group as the docks is finishing, those from the watch headquarters arrive.
Dragoslav's more intense study shows that it isn't directly tied to cults he has heard of back in the Carpathians, though there seem to be similarities. In addition to being a power conduit it would seem to be contributing to some kind of unbinding or unshackling.
"Interesting," mutters Dragoslav. "Where would mortals obtain this knowledge?"
He checks if there are any mortals around and shares with others what he learned.
"These mortals found a troubling ritual indeed. I heard rumors about such rituals. It seems, they found a way to channel power to a Kupala or an earthbound, depends on the rumor. Some even say it is two way exchange, and those who perform this ritual are blessed with otherworldly gifts."
He shakes his head. "But that is not all. Now that I saw the circle and the symbols with my own eyes, I think there is some kind of unbinding. That is much more troubling. We should return to the Sheriff at once."
"Unfortunately, my investigations did not allow me to uncover the identities of these cultists. However, I am quite sure that I could identify their voices should I hear them..."
"Interesting," mutters Dragoslav. "Where would mortals obtain this knowledge?"
He checks if there are any mortals around and shares with others what he learned.
"These mortals found a troubling ritual indeed. I heard rumors about such rituals. It seems, they found a way to channel power to a Kupala or an earthbound, depends on the rumor. Some even say it is two way exchange, and those who perform this ritual are blessed with otherworldly gifts."He shakes his head. "But that is not all. Now that I saw the circle and the symbols with my own eyes, I think there is some kind of unbinding. That is much more troubling. We should return to the Sheriff at once."
"Well, thanks to your learned brow we have more than we went on. If these cultists did indeed hope to unbind something, maybe it's time to look into old tales of what might have been here before. There are always plenty of old tales... now sorting out which of them have merit, that will be the tricky part." A chuckle, "Perhaps I'll run into a very learned sot later and ply him for a few of those stories."
"I doubt we will find anything more of importance here. Lead the way."
"I come as a guest and cohort, I'll leave as a guest and cohort," The roguish Lasombra assures Fredrico though I do wonder if I should make some suggestions on his security?