Sympathetic she says, ”I’m sorry. Do you know if Lowls was complicit in Melisenn’s activities? She must have been the one behind the disappearances. Did you find anything about what happened to the missing people?” Grimly, ”Dead like the Accuser I assume.”
Dervak tries to think. "There was the boy we rescued from the fort. Holissa. He made it home. Then there were Daelene and Asa, they were nobles and part of the cult. Tried to poison us. We killed them.
But there were a lot of bloodstains on the black monument stone under Iris Hill. I think Melisenn killed people there. We can go back and look for the remains."
He adds, "Oh, and Nemira Lowls, the Count's mother, she was some... monstrous thing... that could send her spirit out into the world. We had to kill her to."
"I am sorry for the carnage... but you would not want these cultists and abominations locked up in jails. Their foul gods might set them free all at once. I think it is better that we killed them."
"We did learn quite a bit about Lowls' activities. Need to look some more. We could try asking Melisenn with the, uh, dead-mind-reading-thing."
Mara listened to Dervak's account, including his confidence that she would be able to cure her blindness. She didn't feel so sure herself — it was something she'd never done before. I hope I can, mommy! I don't want to spend rest of my life blind!
She replied to Cesadia, "We don't know yet how much Lowls knew about what Melisenn was up to. We should be able to learn more when we look through Lowls' papers. I do get the impression that he is involved in some dark stuff.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to speak with Accuser Omari, Melisenn, Daridela and Nemira, and see what we can find out. I imagine that Omari will be forthcoming with information, the others not so much."
This town is just begging for me to run for mayor.
He slaps Dervak on the back.
Tje competition seems to be limited!
Cesadia raises an eyebrow when Dervak mentions the monument, ”Do you mean they found a third Star Stelae? I had thought it was destroyed. So the working theory is Melisenn was abducting people from town using these abominations. As a part of her plot she invaded Fort Hailcourse and shuddered it so no one would be able to oppose them.” She continues dryly, ”The bloodstains on the monument means she must have been sacrificing the poor people for some reason. Even if you can’t wring the answers from her corpse I think our troubles here are over.”
She leans back in her chair and slumps a little bit and then says, ”I apologize for my prickliness a few days ago. You did work with Melisenn before losing your memories after all.”
She pauses tapping a quill to her mouth and then continues completely ignoring Theo’s comment, ”With a dead Accuser found in his residence I don’t think Lowls will be able to return to Versex, or even Ustalav and live for very long. Do you plan on pursuing him once you find out where he went?”
By George, I've got it! My platform for mayor will be pursue this sin on our city and purge him as we purged his monstrosities!
The White Rabbit nods sagely in agreement.
Dervak nods at Theophilus.
"Yes. We will track down Count Lowls and I will cut off his head. He sold us as if we were property. I'll kill him.
We found some leads on where he might have gone among his notes and possessions. Lowls is looking for Neruzavin, a lost city. And he ordered supplies from an alchemist named Miacknian Mun in Cassomir. There could be more to find so we will continue looking."
Mara shuddered at Dervak's blunt statement of his intentions regarding Count Lowls. Still, she had to admit that it was looking like Haserton Lowls was very dangerous man.
She added, "He's also looking for a book called the Necronomicon. We found a letter telling him that it can found in the Qadiran city of Katheer, my father's hometown."
Cesadia nods, "Most of the vessels docked in Thrushmoor are coal barges and simple fishing boats. But if you can wait a few days I do know of a ship heading as far as Cassomir at least. Skywin Freeling captains the ship Sellen Starling a trade ship; I'll book you passage. In the mean time please get some rest."
Mara agreed with Cesadia, "I'm going to go to bed. I can't do much in my current state anyway."
She took off her cloak, and placed her axe and wands next to her bedroll, making a mental note of where everything was, in case something should happen during the night. She slept in her armor, which was reasonably comfortable, being made of mithril. She really hoped that she wouldn't have to spend another night blind.
Rowan had been quiet for most of the trip back. His recent brush with death was not sitting well.
”We’ll find a way to get you whole again, and then we will punish those who are behind this. I’m prepared to face whatever judgement awaits me at the end, for my part in this.”
The party rests without incident.
Dervak rises and seeks out his comrades.
"Back to Iris Hill? To read those notes and books? Oh yeah, let's see if Mara can fix her eyes. And the boy Brenton? Did we remove his curse?"
When Mara awoke, communed with the spirits of her parents, memorizing the spell that she hoped would cure her affliction. Nervous, she prepared herself, then carefully recited the prayer. She blinked in the bright light as her vision started to return. As her eyes cleared, tears of joy ran down her cheeks. "Oh mommy, it's a miracle! I can see again!"
She memorized the rest of her spells, and healed her wounded comrades, including herself.
She ate breakfast and then set out to inform Winter that they had found what was presumably the body of Accuser Omari. "We also found a device that will let us talk to her spirit for a very brief time! What would you like me to ask her?"
1st lvl: Ant Haul, Cure Light Wounds x4, open slot
2nd lvl: Calm Emotions, Calm Spirit, Cure Moderate Wounds, open slot
3rd lvl: Speak with Dead x3
4th lvl: Threefold Aspect, open slot
When Mara sets out to meet Winter they meet half-way. Winter says, ”I was just looking for you. Cesadia filled me in on some details and I was hoping you’d show me to the body. I’ve received word from Mother Thestia and I will need to give a full report of what happened here. I’ll take what remains of Accuser Omari and head to Caliphas as soon as I’m able.”
Theophilus looks around nervously.
Road trip? I have so much to do! Ironing, sewing, washing, dithering while dryering, pressing, tailoring stuff! Extremely important; serious business!
The White Rabbit seems to be taking notes.
"We're heading over to Iris Hill now, if you want to come with us," Mara replied to the Pharasman Cleric.
As they walked towards the manor, she told Winter, "Cesadia is booking us on a ship headed towards Cassomir, in Taldor; it seems that Count Lowls might have gone there. I think he's up to something nefarious. Some of the papers we found indicate that it was he who wiped our memories!"
Winter smiles weakly, ”For what it’s worth I hope you find him.” She looks at Dervak and then to Rowan, ”Even if you don’t recover your memories it may give you some measure of peace.”
When Winter is brought to Omari’s body she starts performing rites to let her spirit pass on. ”Don’t worry her spirit will remain for a time in The Boneyard before she is judged. You’ll be able to question her before then. I imagine the Accusers will question her spirit as well.” After a moment of reflection, ”I think Mother Thestia will have me do it. It seems I will have a bright future as an Accuser.”
"Thank you for all of your help, Winter. In all of your training with Pharasma, did you learn anything about..."
Dervak hesitates.
"About casting out evil spirits and breaking curses? There is a ritual in a book that Zandalus had. Mara and Theophilus are trying to modify it to help me. Could you take a look and talk to them? Let them know if there is a holy place where it might work better, or a certain time of day or when certain stars are aligned? Special incense or candles that might help?"
He continues, "You see, I have a curse of sorts. Born with it."
”From what I’ve gathered, my memories may not be worth remembering. Better to try to look forward than back.”
Winter reviews the sections in The Chain of Nights and finally says, ”I do have some training in exorcisms but I have never performed one. What is the nature of the curse? The ritual seems to help with entities that curse you with nightmares. But now that you mention it I can see how it could apply to other entities that influence people in different ways.”
She frowns, ”I don’t think you should do it. It’s dangerous and could turn you into an oneirogen.”
Mara suggested, "Let's look through Lowls' papers in his study. Hopefully we'll get a better idea about what he's trying to do."
"I thank you for your concern, Winter. But this is something I must do.
The thing that haunts me is in my blood and in my soul. From beyond. The Dark Tapestry, maybe. For years it has told me to accept its power. And now that I have a way to banish it, it doesn't protest or tell me that I will fail. I think it wants to be set free into our reality. Maybe it has a body, or maybe it needs a host. I don't know. But we need, what, like a binding circle? And we need to be prepared to fight it."
Dervak is unused to speaking this openly about the Dark Whisper, but he is getting desperate. Winter seems like one of the few people outside the party knowledgeable enough to help, and she's leaving. He's already tapped into the entity's power more than he wishes, and he fears that as they get closer to Lowls it won't get any easier.
---
"Yes Mara, let's do that."
Winter sighs, ”If you do it today I will help. But I must leave town before nightfall.” Winter helps go through Lowls papers taking copious notes for her investigation. After 6 hours of work in Lowls’ private study you uncover the following:
Dervak reads through the notebook.
"Zandalus was mute? He talked when we fought him. This city... is it the one shown in the murals when the cultists appeared through the walls in town? If this Neruzavin city is actually on Golarion, in our world, then I think we will need to go there.
The things that made the Star Stelae, that travel that way and worship those gods... they do not belong here. We should put an end to them if they have come to our world."
He looks at the map and manifest and scowls. "Quite the expedition. Of course the Count is going to get slaves. I will free them when I kill him."
Then he looks at the model of the ivory staircase with awe. "Theophilus... Mara... is this magical? It is incredible."
Winter comments, "Zandalus from what I understand was mute and withdrawn to the point that he couldn't take care of himself. It's why he was committed. He suddenly recovered and then led the patient revolt in Briarstone."
Patient Record: Ulver Zandalus
Male, Varisian descent, approximate age 47
Home suspected to be Rozenport, Versex County
Committed: 2 Sarenith 4685
Circumstances: Transferred from Pharasmin lamentations in Rozenport
Attending Doctor: Eliege Losandro
Zandalus exhibits complete withdrawal from society and an inability to care for himself in any but the most basic modes. The symptoms of his passive antisociality chronically present as mutism and blankness. Frequent night terrors result in brief but dramatic nocturnal outbursts, shouting, shaking, fear responses. Zandalus grasps the difference between sleep and wakefulness and typically recovers from nightmares quickly.
Treatment: Therapy, antipsychotic regimen, observation
Development: 2/4687 Zandalus proves to be a gifted and prolific artist. He has enthusiastically taken to using a charcoal drawing set to create dramatic but fanciful works of art, typically of surreal architecture and skyscapes. Art calms him in the wake of nightmare. He will be afforded basic supplies to continue such art therapy.
Development: 11/4702 A shift has occurred in Zandalus’s art. He has repeatedly almost perfectly illustrated one of the ancient standing stones situated at the northwestern corner of the
asylum grounds. As the isle’s shores are off-limits to patients, I do not believe he has ever seen the subject of his work. The significance or coincidence of this brooks further study.
Development: 3/4715 Count Haserton Lowls has taken an interest in Zandalus: first his art and now the artist. Lowls has become a repeat visitor, spending hours with my patient, but refuses to explain his interest.
The Final Entry
Oathday: Another unexpected call from Count Lowls. These have become so common and Lowls’s focus is so singular that they no longer leave me apprehensive. He requested to see me after his visit with Zandalus, though. He claims to have a theoretical solution for the poor man’s condition. I don’t know what the count and my prized patient have been discussing and Lowls again refused to share but I doubt that lordly amateur psychologist has truly hit upon anything of worth. Regardless, I’d be a fool not to humor my liege.
Starday: Lowls’s ”solution” was not at all what I expected. I have no clue where he turned it up, but on his most recent visit he brought along a copy of Valhadis’s The Chain of Nights, a near-legendary collection of psycho-arcane studies and treatments focused on dreaming. While I abhor arcane tampering, if there’s a permanent solution to Zandalus’s nightmares, it could be here. Lowls allowed me to study the text for the duration of his visit, but staunchly refused to leave it in my possession.
Moonday: Lowls has made me an offer: his copy of The Chain of Nights. All I must do in return is accept a handful of new patients, former associates of his that have suffered some unprecedented manner of group amnesia. The terms make me suspicious, but I can learn more of these curious strangers once they’re in my care. If it means the possibility of a cure for Zandalus and others, I welcome the bargain.
Toilday: The Chain of Nights is a marvel. It will take years of study to unravel all its possibilities, but already I’ve discovered a process by which chronic dreams might be drawn forth and disposed of like so much psychic gristle. Tomorrow our experiment begins.
Mara said, "I'm not ready to do the ritual today. I still need see if I can get some Healer's Gloves, and I didn't memorize the right spells."
She replied to Dervak, "Let me ask daddy. Daddy, show me if the model is magical."
She added, "If Lowls said it was important in his research, I think we should hang on to it. I wonder why he left it behind?"
It doesn't detect as magical
Theo looks at the others.
Desert or to desert; that is the question.
"That is strange, Mara. Maybe he left it here so he could come back to Iris Hill in his dreams? But that doesn't seem right, he doesn't care about this place. He just wants to find Neruzavin."
"Well Winter, if you have to go, then I wish you well. There will be no exorcism today. And Theophilus, we will go to the desert soon enough, but we have to finish our work here. Speaking with the spirits."
Mara told the others, "I'm going to speak with Nemira. Who want's to come with me?"
She went up to the attic, with whoever else wished to be present. She told her friends, "Don't be alarmed — I'm going to change into my elderly self." After this surprising statement, she recited a prayer, appearing to age several decades in the space of a few seconds.
She prepared herself and held her human ancestor doll, saying, "Daddy, I need your help to talk to the spirit of Nemira Lowls."
She began the ritual to talk to the noblewoman's corpse. After ten minutes of careful incantations, she was ready to ask the first question.
"Nemira Lowls, inhabit this body once more and answer my questions!
"What caused your transformation into our current form, which is surely different from how you used to be?"
She waited for the answer, and then continued, "What was your relationship with Dr. Clymes Prett?"
Ellery follows Mara, very curious how this all works.
Theo watches helping as needed.
Mara is uncertain that this will even work since Nemira's head was crushed by a summoned crocodile. When she tries anyway something about her nature in life connects with the spell and the familiar ghostly form of Nemira's head manifests attached to her dead body. She shudders and her tentacles lazily undulate. She speaks answering the first question with a distorted far off sounding voice, "My son's hatter grew too powerful." She answers the second question, "Companion, colleague, and confidant."
Mara knew that she didn't have time to consult with her comrades about what further question to ask. Intrigued by Nemira's first answer, she followed up, "What is the name of this this hatter: the one that grew too powerful?"
Her face darkens and screams, "Theophilus Carter!" The ghostly head disappears and her body rests again.
"Well that is true," reasons Dervak. "Theophilus is responsible for being in her current form. A corpse."
Mara raised an eyebrow and glanced over at Theo.
Theophilus seems to be studiously studying his nails.
The White Rabbit laughs, rolling on the ground laughter!
Ellery smiles then makes some hand signs.
I believe that she may have taken your question literally.
Mara commented, "We will have to properly inter her body; we can't just leave it in the attic. First, however, let's continue our questioning."
She descended from the attic, all the way down to the basement, and the cult headquarters.
She prepared her ritual once more, this time for Daridela, the devotee of Xhamen-Dor. It was unclear how much useful information she could supply, but it was worth a shot.
Mara took out the apparatus they retrieved from the crypt
"Daridela, worshiper of the Innermost Blot, return to this body and answer my questions. What weakness does Haserton Lowls have, other than a fear of cats, that can be used against him in battle?"
After listening to the answer, she continued with the second question.
"How were you planning to restore Xhamen-Dor?"
Daridela's skin looks like it has begun to mold, patches of green and white sprout from her skin. Mara screws the two brass colored plates onto Daridela's withered temples and then attaches the toothed suction cup to her forehead. After winding the device for a minute nothing happens. Then Mara notices a toggle switch, she flips it and then winds the device again. Daridela's voice emits from the device in a metallic buzzing tone that makes it difficult to listen to, "He is weak like any man I suppose, but I haven't met him... yet." She responds to Mara's second question, "I refuse to answer." The confabulation plates go silent. No one sensed any deception in her first answer.
Mara put the apparatus away, disappointed but not surprised. She prepared her final ritual, in the hopes of learning something from the most important subject, Melisenn. After the necessary steps, the crone addressed the cult leader.
"Melisenn, leader of the local cult of the King in Yellow, I command you to return and answer my questions. Are any of the townsfolk that your group abducted, other than the youth Holissa, still alive?"
After hearing the spirit's answer, she asked her second question.
"How does Haserton Lowls travel to the Dimension of Dreams?"
Melisenn's head jerks awake and with a voice distance and hollow but still full of venom she responds, "Fed on and sacrificed all." To the second question she answwers, "Magic ancient, horrible, and glorious. I wonder if you can figure it out." Its obvious to everyone that while she's answering truthfully she doesn't intend to help you in this regard.
Mara followed up on her first question, "Where are the remains of the sacrificed villagers?" She had considered asking about the intricate model that Lowls used in his dream research, but figured she wasn't likely to get any useful information.
Melisenn answers with a question, "Did you know that Kuru are cannibals and that skum find marrow delicious?" Her body falls silent again.