The noise from Coiger's room was indeed enough to startle Chellian from her sleep. Remembering well the nightmares from the night before the smith's daughter rose from her bed and quietly made her way to his door knocking politely.
Brother Coiger? are you well? I heard a thump She said loud enough to be heard through the door hopefully but not too loud. She didnt want to wake the house if she had just imagined things.
Yes! I'm fine! Go away! No! wait! Give me a moment." Coiger has been furiously jotting down everything he can remember about his dream in his ledger book by the glow of a light spell cast upon his holy symbol.
A long moment later, during which Chellian hears him moving about and possibly muttering to himself details of the dream that woke him, he bursts through his door in his night cap and gown (all in a charcoal gray of course). He looks a bit manic and disheveled, aside from his mustache--which is perfect as always.
She frowned and stood outside her door for a moment crossing her arms and shivering for a moment as a chill passed through her. When he burst suddenly through the door it was all she could do to not yelp.
I am confused are you well or not? She asked sounding just a tad bit snippish after all, her bad sleep had been disturbed and then she, well his words confused her and she didnt like being confused.
"Your dream--the one with the bloody handwriting; how much do you remember?!" He poises his pen above the ledger balanced on his forearm.
"Too tired. I should have done this yesterday." He mutters.
There was ... I was walking down some city street, there were... cobblestones and I heard something, in a dark alley, there was a muffled mad giggle, and then I saw... on the wall... the first part of my name Chell written in blood.
He swallowed her hand unconciously going up to her throat as she tried to remove the dryness from it. She shivered as well for a moment.
Pain... then i felt pain across my throat.. and then the blood on the wall... I.
She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest her hands rubbing her large biceps as if she was trying to warm them up.
I dont suppose that helps?
Coiger jots it all down. "And that is all? There is nothing else?" He waits for a reply and when satisfied by her answer he closes the ledger and says: "Thank you. It is nice to know that there is someone upon whom I can rely within our troupe. Good night."
He closes the door and returns to bed putting his beneath his pillow.
She blinked at the door for along moment after he closed it, Unaware if she should be happy for his praise or...well he was a strange strange man. She didnt think she would be able to sleep again after this but that remained to be seen.
The tall blonde maiden certainly looked like sleep and she had fought, dark circles were under her eyes. She stared at the coffee in wonder and with a slight frown. Her father never let her have any, said it was bad for a maiden to touch that dark drink. But then he wasnt here either.
Her eyes widened beyond belief and a surge of strange energy ran through her. Why... why in the worlds had her father made this strange dark ambrosia seem like an evil substance. She quickly finished one cup, then a second, working on a third while she finally took a peach.
Kitch half grins, half grimaces as the haggard looking Chellian comes in and downs the copious amounts of coffee. "Looking about like I'm feelin' Chellian lady." he says, before turning to see how Kendra responds to Sohar.
Kitch half grins, half grimaces as the haggard looking Chellian comes in and downs the copious amounts of coffee. "Looking about like I'm feelin' Chellian lady."
"Excellent!" Coiger says (almost gleefully). He opens his ledger on the table and draws his pen. "Tell me all about it."
Kitch turns to regard Coiger, his expression one of slight confusion, and you can practically see the wheels spinning in his head. He wants me to tell him about how I feel like Chellian. What's his motive? Why is he wanting to write down how I'm feeling? he thinks, and his eyes almost involuntarily darts around the room checking positions of people and exits. I don't even know these people! and just as his heart rate starts to elevate his brain catches up with the reality of the situation. Realizing Chellian looks as she does because she also had a terrible dream, he takes a steadying breath and begins to tell Coiger the tale.
"Twas like this, see- I were walking through this here town, Ravengro. The sun were up, sunny-like and shinin'. Everyfolk were happy as larks, kids t'were laughin, good foods cookin' and fillin' the air with their temptin scents... Then it all turned - jus wrong really, quick as a a fish. A mob, or as I thought it was, comes running like they were runnin from the Devils theirselves. But they weren't after me, they was runnin' away from summat. Kitch pauses, eyes far away as he relives the horror of the dream once more, at least from a distance this time. "Rats they were, couldn'a be countin them they were so many. Each person was pulled down, kids, dogs, men and laddies, all swallowed up by the mass of vile, screaming rodents. The blood, the horror -twas so real. I were too slow as well, pulled down like all the rest." He's rubbing his arms at this point, remembering those tiny jaws and claws. "When I woke I swear I still felt the pain of it, the burning of the havoc they wrecked on me afore I woke. Enough to make a fellow never sleep again that was."
The half-orc gets an strange look on his face and looks from Coiger to Chellian, "You been dreaming of rats too?"
Kendra waves her hand dismissively at Sohar's query, but her attention still doesn't quite engage. She speaks, but her gaze stays fixed at the window and her voice sounds far away. I'm fine. I'm fine. Just...I still need to decide what to do with myself. I desperately want the truth of my father's death, but whatever that truth may be, I still have to decide where my life goes from here. I'm just preoccupied with "what ifs" is all.
She suddenly turns to the gathered group. I'm dreadfully sorry to hear about everyone's awful nightmares. I'd have the house checked by Father Grimburrow if they hadn't afflicted Jominda and Kitch, too. Do you suppose these are some omen? Or just the result of dark thoughts surrounding the dark occasion?
Oh! And I meant to ask, were any clues found at the memorial statue yesterday?
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Sohar makes his warding sign when hearing about the dreams. "No, Miss Kendra, I do not believe 'em to be just dark thoughts. The dreams be too vivid, at least mine was. With a dark cult rumored, I wouldn't bet on those odds.
As for the memorial, someone used the blood to scrawl a 'V'. Weren't much more to be found with the lawman there."
"Speaking of dreams...." Coiger says aiming his ledger at Sohar.
Stares expectantly, pen poised to write.
She blinked at the intent way Coiger seemed to be staring at Sohar the cup of coffee slightly trembling in her hand.
You had a rough night last night too right Coiger here let me get you some of this coffee its oh by the light so good I almost feel like I didnt have trouble sleeping at all last night.
She said quite rapidly moving to the glorious pot of coffee.
You had a rough night last night too right Coiger....
Without looking away at Sohar he says: "Yes." As Sohar seems to be avoiding them, he locks eyes with Lyra as if to say to the decorative bird: 'Fine. You get him to talk.'
After taking a sip from the cup he is handed (as nothing about him moves an inch except his arm at the elbow and his fingers to clasp the no-look coffee cup pass and carry it from there to his mouth) his mustache involuntarily twitches.|
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While one can be certain that birds cannot shrug, Lyra's eyes widen and she ruffles her feathers as if asking What do you want me to do; you know I'm a bird, right? Without looking up or acknowledging Lyra's gesture other than a tightening of his lips, Sohar says, "I reckon we could go back to the memorial and see what we see. But otherwise, I still say our best bet is the prison."
"Agreed." Coiger says but not without a lot of reservation. He slams the book shut. "We should stock up during the day and then attempt it under cover of night."
While one can be certain that birds cannot shrug, Lyra's eyes widen and she ruffles her feathers as if asking What do you want me to do; you know I'm a bird, right?
Coiger harbors doubts about that. Well played bird, if that's what you are.
Kitch looks at Coiger, the temptation to wave his hand in front of the mans eyes itching at him slightly, but he resists, "I'm all for exploring that prison as well, gotta be some loot, as well as a clue or two I'm thikin'. Why the cover of night then?" he asks, referring to the prison exploration.
"The place will undoubtedly watched by the local authorities, now that we have tipped our hand. Fortunately, we'll have your eyes to guide us there."
Kitch nods absently as he considers Coiger's answer, "Interstin, well I'm all for not gettin' caught at what we shouldn't be about." he then turns to Sohar, "Which memorial is this your speakin of again, you sound like your expectin' somethin..."
Kendra wears a dubious expression as she considers the discussion to visit the prison at night. You wish to explore a famously haunted location...at night? Does that not...frighten you? I wouldn't expect anyone to be watching the prison. Especially since you're outsiders. Not many would truly care if...something happened to you up there.
"No, I'm not scared. However given the local government's view on keeping the ruins off limits and their threat to imprison trespassers well, you'll have to excuse me."
Kendra looks embarrassed for having spoken so bluntly. Of course. Well, hopefully we can make some headway with Old Grimburrow this morning and maybe we'll even find something useful at Alendru's school. The better prepared you are when you go, the better. I'll just go and prepare myself.
I do not look forward to going to anyplace haunted, be it during night daytime or anytime really but if its the only way to get in i guess it cant be helped."
Chellian said with a frown the cup of coffee slightly twitchy in her hands. She nodded to miss Kendra and looked to make sure she was ready as well, She was quiet again, mentally she was slowly working through the idea that they might be well chasing after spirits soon... She hoped the others knew how to deal with such things, all she knew of were childs tales and she didnt think those were accurate at all.
Kitch nods his desire to head along with everyone to the temple and see this Grimburrow, "I'd be likin' to find out more about the prison, guards and the like. Anyone in town we can trust with questions like that?"
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Sohar looks directly at Kitch, still avoiding Coiger's gaze. "Ole Grimburrow as much as said that the church has records of those that died, though he didn't seem too intent on helpin' us out with said information. Doubt much has changed since yesterday. Maybe if we tell 'im about the dreams people been havin' and we want to help? Otherwise, going to 'im again seems like just askin' 'im to alert the lawmen."
Sohar looks directly at Kitch, still avoiding Coiger's gaze. "Ole Grimburrow as much as said that the church has records of those that died, though he didn't seem too intent on helpin' us out with said information. Doubt much has changed since yesterday. Maybe if we tell 'im about the dreams people been havin' and we want to help? Otherwise, going to 'im again seems like just askin' 'im to alert the lawmen."
"True, but today we know what we are looking for." Coiger says placing a hand on his ledger. "Mostly." with a glance at Sohar. "If we can keep Father preoccupied, I might be able to sift through the records and find what information we need."
Kitch speaks up, starting to feel eager to be out and about, to do something productive, "Well Miss Kendra here's sayin' we can be Visitin the good Father and then on to the Alendru place afterward. Lets be gettin on, I say."
"If there's nothing else?" Coiger says with a last glance at Sohar. He snaps up his book, gathers his things, and hammers one more cup of coffee before they leave.
Once outside, you find a chagrined looking Morgrym standing at the road, smoking his pipe and looking up when the door opens. He coughs, turns to Coiger, "Too shamed t' come back last night, after me cowardly exit. I'm sorry fer running off on ye when that thing dropped on yer back. Never much cared fer spiders. They gimme the willies, t' be honst. Though on reflectin' I also dinna' want t' miss it wit' me pick an' givin' ye a new hole in yer shirt. Or yer lung, kidney, stomach, what have ye."
He falls into step with the group once they are off, leaving a trail of pipesmoke in his wake, and helps to hold the door open for everyone when they reach the temple of Pharasma.
So, Kurkorikt, Morgrym, Chellian(?), Kendra and Coiger, head out to visit the church. On the way Coiger stops by Zokar's for more good bourbon. Coiger also surreptitiously checks to see how well Zokar (or anyone else he runs into) slept the night before.
As the party steps out into the crisp morning air, an intangible buzz of energy suggests that all is not right. A gaggle of gossipers stands at the side of the road in the direction of the Harrowstone monument west of the Lorrimor home.
A passing pair of women look at you all suspiciously and drop their voices to an excited whisper.
"Morning. Brother Coiger, I'm with the church." He introduces himself, flashing his Pharasmin symbol again like it was a badge.
"I couldn't help, but overhear. You mentioned some miscreant has killed an animal and marred a monument? We've been working with the Sheriff to find these hoodlums. Please explain to me what you know."
The women appear astonished at Brother Coiger's interruption. And quite embarrassed. Well...um...yes, sir. The monument to the Harrowstone warden and his guards was desecrated again, as yesterday. Animal blood was splattered all over the place. And the letter "V" redrawn, but with an "E" this time, too. "VE" it says. Or at least so it's told, sir. We were going down to peek now, if the Sheriff hasn't blocked it off yet, that is.
At that, both women shoot a guilty glance at Sohar before bustling away.
Chellians eyes widen when Morgrym returns with his story.
Ugh! there where spiders?!? I'm glad I didnt go, I probably would have knocked you over to flee... I ...they... Spiders are bad.
She finished the last part barely above a whisper.
Her eyes narrowed at the woman and she didnt hesitate to loom... and loom a lot.
The nerve, they thought you might be responsible Sohar because you are an elf, Do you want me to go drag them back here to apologize, I totally will, they ought to. She growled slightly annoyed her hands still shakinga bit with coffee jitters.
She nodded firmly to the elf letting it go for now, but she glared at the retreating women folk almost as if she were memorizing what they looked like... just in case she ran into them again. She almost didnt hear the question Sohar had asked she was so intent on her scowl.
"Ye're a wise'un fer thinkin' so, lass," Morgrym comments to Chellian.
He thinks better of calling "Boo!" in the faces of the women, and instead simply spits to the side of the road and continues stumping along. "Maybe best me, Sohar, 'n Chellian head over to th' monument whilst Coiger 'n Kitch head t' the temple. If'n we show up first thing 'n they'll no' think it was us what did this - no criminal gonna show up that quickly to the crime scene!"
Kitch heard the women's whispers, but the others seemed to have things well in hand. At Morgrym's suggestion Kitch nods, "A fair plan I say, though I'm hopin to examine the monument at a point. Those that'r goin' can ya ask bout the Prison sneaky-like? Guarded? Visitors allowed? Maybe actin like yer wishin it'd been guarded when poor Lorimmor met his end there?" and heads off to investigate with Coiger.
The sheriff ... perks right back up when he goes on to suggest visiting Harrowstone. Now, dammit, I know y'all are outsiders, but why ya gotta go pokin' the dragon at every turn? Ya can't go up there. Hellfire, y'all are determined to get locked up today. Go...have a drink or something. At that he turns away grumbling and ambles over to his deputies and starts cursing and shouting his frustrations at them.
"Bah, if'n the Sheriff be there, he'll jus' tell us again t' stay away from th' damn place. But if'n he's no', then we'll talk to any o' 'is boys about jus' tha', then."
[dice=Perception]1d20+10
"Ye're a wise'un fer thinkin' so, lass," Morgrym comments to Chellian.
He thinks better of calling "Boo!" in the faces of the women, and instead simply spits to the side of the road and continues stumping along. "Maybe best me, Sohar, 'n Chellian head over to th' monument whilst Coiger 'n Kitch head t' the temple. If'n we show up first thing 'n they'll no' think it was us what did this - no criminal gonna show up that quickly to the crime scene!"
"Fine, fine. Just don't stir thin-- What am I saying? Kendra, Kurkorikt, we will just have to rely your manners and constitution respectively to keep the good father preoccupied."