Synxol as you turn around again, nothing is revealed to your eyes. You notice that the door that is closest to the bookshelf and arcane supplies appears to be pulsing almost in time to a heartbeat.
You close your eyes for a moment and the door is a door again although a loud thunk can be heard, as if something is beating a person's head against the door, which is another double door.
Synxol glances back at the others, taking a moment to come to terms with the skeleton among them, and then moves to the door that pulsed.
Levelling his pistol he places the lamp at his feet and reaches out his newly freed hand and opens the door.
Assisi: one book holds your attention, a heavy leather bound book titled " Salem witch tribals first hand account by the Warlock Murphy."
Another book in a dialect of ancient Greek called Olympus and the scions of the gods powers. It seems that the Doctor holds more important books hidden from the public, now the "living" Vat creature.
The being from the vat keeps it's eyes on Jack, it's eyes boring into the depths of your soul and finding something hidden inside.
Synxol upon opening one half of the large double doors, you see two things; One of them is the human form of Desmond, which reverts to his true form, as the veil hiding the Boggle are no longer needed.
The other is a heart wrenching woman, her red hair tied back in a pony tail. You estimate that her red tresses still moving gracefully as her booted foot kicks the Boggle hard enough that you hear the sounds of bone snapping.
The scarlet haired woman is dressed in clothes that would be fit for a ship's captain and features an English parentage Although a slight cocoa hue to her skin tells another tale. She manages to hold an air of noblity, and could look Jack in the eye, which you notice hold a hint of silver to them.
" Are you going to keep mooning over by the door or are you with the Boggle?" Her voice says in almost perfect English, with just a hint of the African colonies, as if she spent many years living there.
Taking a back step when the door opens, Jack had glanced out the door taking in the sight of Desmond getting his arse kicked. Blinking slowly, he turns his gaze back to the half skinned man risen from the vat of goo.
"Yeah, Desmond be with us, so if ye be so kind as to stop beating up on my poor friend, that'd be great. And Desmond, don't think you won't be hearin' about havin' your arse handed to ya by a woman. I warned ye about us gingers," he adds with a friendly chuckle. Jack is facing the skinned man.
"So, is this half skinned man Doctor Frankensien, I presume? Or should I start screamin' and hittin' the thing wearing part of someone's skin? 'Cause, I think I be pretty close to the screaming part."
" NO! Step away from that creature, it shouldn't be awake ever!". She starts moving quickly, kicking the other half of the double door so she would have a clearer path to Jack and the vat creature.
" Break eye contact, 'twil start to be you!" She shouts as the vat creature skin starts growing again in rapid succession.
"Right, no looking in the eyes. Touch late on that warning," Jack says as he takes several steps back. Shifting his gaze, Jack keeps his eyes about mid chest level on the skinned man.
"What about touching? Be it safe to shove it back in the vat?"
Mooning?
Synxol shakes his head and refocuses on the Boggle.
"Desmond, would you be so kind as to explain what is going on?"
Assisi tears his eyes away from the books as... events erupt around them.
The brain is a wonderful tool, and Assisi's is quick to recover from its reverie. He figures the woman is Dr. Frankenstein's muse, or some such. He moves over to the doors and ensures the woman enters. Then he looks at Desmond, and shakes his head. He looks to see if it is a hall or a room they were fighting in, or some other kind of place.
"Enter, Desmond." Assisi nods as he moves to close the doors behind the boggle.
Then he turns to the redhead and asks, "Excuse me miss, I am Assisi. May I ask who you are?"
The boggle is no longer among the living or looking closer, no longer conscious. Upon visual inspection you note blood staining his teeth, the blood on his teeth is red like he had bitten something, or eaten something alive.
The woman's leather boots on the left leg have a boggle sized chunk torn out of them. As she reaches the quickly reforming creature, which features are taking the shape of Jacks' she draws a cutless from a scabbard on her back.
" Don't let the Doggleganger touch you! They take your form, then your essence, making them you. Introductions later, man of god."
She grips her sword in two hands and takes a swing at the creature who is rapidly changing shape into the Scotsman.
"No touching, got it," Jack replies, trying to not be distracted by the thing that was rapidly copying his very form.
"Alright you, pretending to be me, that be enough of this nonsense. There only be enough room for the real me, not some kinda copy. So back in yer vat and go back to sleep," the big Scot growls, his cheerful demeanor sliding away. "No? Dinna feel like listening? That be fine, I got a solution for ye." Jack grey eyes reflect the lantern light almost like two red dots.
Given that the creature was still trying to reach out for Jack, he quickly explodes into motion. His metal walking stick screams through the air, seeking his own half formed features upon the doppleganger skull.
"OIE!!!" Jack's deep baritone voice suddenly feels the room. "Desmond! Get off yer scaly arse and be getting over here! If you be moving quick, maybe I be letting you eat the copy of me."
The creature's head caves in right along with have being separated from it's shoulders. The boggle is still out to lunch from this realm of awakening.
The doppelganger finally goes down for the final count, the doppelganger's form reverts to a solid grey form.
"Call me captain Ayisha of the Father's Bones."
Synxol moves to examine Desmond's wound, wondering if there is anything that can be done.
Assisi's eyebrows at the woman's declared name. But he goes to join Synxol in helping the Boggle. He has a little training in healing people, not impossible monsters, but he presumes there are some similarities to their physiologies.
He kneels next to Desmond and does what he can to help him.
"Right, thanks for your help Captain, it be very welcomed. I be Jack the Red, that be Mister Syn and that be the Brother. Not looking to jinx our luck, but what be yourself doing here?" Jack glances at the Boggle.
"Other than beating up in Desmond. Oh, friends you might not want to be within arms reach of oil' Dessy we he be waking up. I be betting he'll be a touch upset." Jack says with a warm grin.
" Well I would have left it alone but I've worked with the Doctor before. As for the boggle, well he ate my first mate tonight, who was escorting Frankenstein's Misses."
Captain Ayisha puts on a pair of gloves, and starts to drag the remains to a vat filled with a clear liquid when she tosses the head in the vat which, starts to churn. A hissing sound can be heard, along with a small cloud, the captain steps back to the side of the vat and throws a lever which opens up a hidden flute in the ceiling.
As for the boggle, he is still breathing, you guess that he has a few broken bones if you were going to use the human body as a point of reference. You also guess that after a half mile you would be in the sewers.
Synxol turns to the others, trying to get a read on how they feel about this situations, then addresses the captain, "Would you mind explaining what is going on?"
Jack was just as in the dark as the others, and the shrug of his massive shoulders sends that message along to Synxol.
"I think that be a good plan. If I had known this would have been part of the job," the big Scotggestures around the room. "I'd have thrown Walker in the bloody Thames."
Captain Ayisha gives a small sigh at the mention of Walker turns to the three of you after disposing of the Doppleganger, throwing the gives that she was wearing in the vat with the rest of the corpse she shakes her head.
" Alright so I take it you are working for Walker and as usual he kept things pretty close to his chest. Years ago Doctor Frankenstein created something that he should have had no business creating. Long story short he hired my ship to hunt down his creation, the good news we were successful in stopping it. The bad news is that someone fished it out from the waters of the Arctic circle, although only in pieces, as it was crushed by the waters I'm guessing."
She gives as shudder as memories of that even still seem to haunt her, if this is true, then she must be older then her appearance shows. " The Doctor managed to bring his wife back, from where ever she was at, he also had created a vessel to hold all of his knowledge, in case something was to happen to him when he resurfaced from where ever he goes."
" That Vessel's name is Simon Brockalow who spent time traveling the around the world, working on the Doctor's research in bringing his wife back who, finally woke up a few years ago. Since I've been paid to ferry the Doctor and his friends around, as has my family over the years, we try to look out for those that hold the purse strings."
Captain Ayisha gives a shrug, knowing that she is rambling slightly she makes her way over to one of the beds where, she sits down and takes off her ripped boot, hissing slightly as the frayed leather slides over her wounded leg.
" Viktor thought that his usual suppliers were acting strangely, and through some means, found out that someone had been sending spies out to steal his research into his first creation. Simon got in touch with me and we came to port, Simon wanted Viktor's wife out of London, so I was going to take her to Wales. Your 'friend' decided that after finding out where Viktor's back up lab was at, to have a little snack."
Ayisha glares of the boggle, while tending to her leg, " Didn't know that a bloody Boggle was in the sewers or else we would have taken another route. Now why would you know the Skata ? Boggles' are tough critters, Assisi they prefer to act like trap door spiders; in order to ambush their 'prey'. Also what or who are you hoping to find?" She inquires while appling first aid to herself.
While mentally digesting what he had just learned, Jack calls silent for few long moments. As the captain bandages her wound, the Scotsman looks between the boogle and sailor/pirate.
"Well, it be possible that your first mate being a snack might be slightly my fault. Desmond and I have a deal," Jack scratches under his chin. "I clean up the surface of Whitechapel, and takes care of the murders and general scum that slips into the sewers."
The big Scot pauses again to glance at the boggle. He shrugs his massive shoulders and looks back at the captain.
"I guess I feel a sense of kinship with the big Beastie," Jack shrugs once more. "I just be the hired muscle to keep these among the living." A roguish grin lights up the big Scots face.
"Empty Night, I guess I can see the need for.... person for removing bodies, I'll have find another first mate, now I take it your looking for the Doctor give me a few and I'll take you to his hideaway." Captain Ayisha says while putting the finishing touches on her bandages.
Synxol and Assisi both learn a few things about boggles, they have scales which are covered in mud or other liquids, a tail that you guess would help them with swimming like a crocodile and seem to have a durability that is quite impressive. A human would have most of their ribs broken, a broken leg, and likely laid up for months if not a year. Desmond has two broken ribs and will be walking with a limp for a bit, but the boggle is unconscious for a number of hours.
Assisi wonders if they can trust this woman, but the best course seems to be to let her lead them to the Doctor. They would have to wait for Desmond to wake, though, for he is far to big to be carried.
He nods in agreement, while continuing to look around the laboratory, though avoiding going to close to the vat. It is a most interesting place. He wonders about the Church, and all the knowledge they have suppressed, claiming it to be the work of the Devil. He was brought up with all that as canon, yet he harbours many doubts.
Synxol considers the woman's words and then nods, "Please lead on Captain."
"Oh, we did encounter two others that be looking for the Doctor. A giant Persian bloke and some nutter that turned into..., well, a werewolf. She howled and something howled back," Jack says, looking up from where he was standing by the Boogle.
The boggle isn't going to go anywhere, unless you are able to drag something that weighs over a 1000lbs. Captain Ayisha finishes up with her first aid, you notice a small chest underneath the bed, she pulls out a pair of boots and trousers, quickly changes into them since, her old pair was too damaged to keep walking in.
"At your tempo Captain," Jack says. The big Scot had been looking at the Google's claws. Desmond being out cold was the best time to examine the creatures natural weapons. Jack was allies with the night lizard, not out of blind faith, but because the creature was a natural hunter.
The boggle's claws remind you of a tiger, you guess that they are retractable with 8 or more inches in length. A deadly creature to say the least yet, the ship Captain took Desmond down....
With a hiss of pain and perhaps just a touch of annoyance, Ayisha opens the door that you had entered into the room. She leads you to the other door, pulling a key from a belt pouch and unlocks the door. After the rest of you enters into the room she closes the door and leads you along another 200 ft, reaching a dead end.
Pulling a silver key that glows blue and whispers a few words that you make the hair on the back of your neck stand at attention.
Synxol attempts to discern if magic was just used, and if so what specific spell was involved.
Synxol: The spell is an old one, but you know that a number of wards have been disarmed, and the key seems to be an activation phrase trigger for a specific lock. The wards would you guess would stop all number of "people" from moving anytime soon.
After the words have been whispered, the wall shimmers and a key hole been clearly noticed and the key shoots from her hand into the slot. The key turns by itself and then leaves the key hole and back into her hand, the wall slides into the ceiling revealing a 50x50 size room, perhaps bigger. On the west end of the wall (left) more surgery tools then you could name and their use eludes you. A number of tests look like they are in middle of being run, various notes can be seen on a small writing table. The center of the room has a glass cylinder tube (10x10) the tube looks like it is 5ft thick, it looks like it could survive quite a bit of damage.
Runes run down one side of the glass tube, that hold a light glow illuminating the room, along with gas lights can add to the ambiance of the room. A metal platform can be seen in the north corner, you imagine that it is a quick escape if needed, or it might hold another function. The East wall (Right side from the door) bares a map of the world that looks like it painstakingly drawn and updated. A small book shelf holds some books and stacks of notes, another writing table and a rather comfortable chair. A human skull with tattoos or perhaps more runes is on a shelf above the table, the skull has an orange glow in it's eye sockets.
Doctor Frankenstein can be seen walking back and forth, reading from a book, humming Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott from Johann Sebastian Bach, his hair is drawn into a noble's tail. His clothes are well crafted, if out of fashion by a few decades, a dueling pistol along with a rapier on his belt is notable a glass holding wine or brandy can be seen floating behind him.
The Skull opens it's mouth saying in a brisk German accent " Sir, it seems that the captain wench has brought a few friends."
Assisi looks around the space with awe and some fear. This man has been at this a long time, and seems to have mastered a variety of dark arts.
He speaks up. "Doctor Frankenstein? We have been looking for you. This is Synxol and this here is Jack. I am called Assisi Cappucino."
Not sure what else to say, he looks at Synxol and whispers, "What now?"
Synxol slowly moves his bag, filled with a number of the good doctor's books, behind his hip.
Leaning in he whispers back to the brother, "We were just to locate him, but we might as well have a drink while we are here."
Jack shrugs his massive shoulders at the other two men.
"Don't be looking at me, I be hired to help ya find the doc," the big Scot says, looking at the doctor, he nods to the man. "So, "Tada!" he be found."
Jack didn't think it wise to upset the Doctor on his home turf. He had been feeling a bit out of place when they entered the first hidden lab. The second one, hidden by what he guessed was magic, left him feeling a bit like a confused child.
Doctor Frankenstein turns, the book he is reading moves towards a table behind him of it's own accord. Facing the four of you the first thing that stands out is while his apperance might be of a man in great health and apperring to be in his mid forties, is the weight of his gaze. This is a man that has spent years searching for knowledge and the burden of that can be measured, his eyes are blue and while there is a number of crows feet at the sides, they still hold a glimmer of youth.
His clothing would match that of someone teaching at Cambridge in fact his manor is that of a professor, a hint of his old life before seeking answers in the dark, he smiles at you without a hint of malice. " Greetings, perhaps the three of you can tell me who started you on this journey. I am quite curious to that fact, since it shouldn't be the church of the Vatican; they branded my reports as heresy, after so many years of assistance as well. Where are my manors, come closer I should have tea and a number of other finger foods." His voice is warm, not the chilling voice that one imagines from 'necromancer'.
"I was initially approached by a man who identified himself as 'Walker'." Synxol digs out his chosen tobacco-delivery device and works it in much the same way as he had his pistol.
Glancing up for a moment he considers adding that he had sensed no negative intent from Walker, but decides instead to let it go.
"Walker? Small, bloody city. I was hired by a man calling himself Walker to keep Assisi safe and escort him to you," Jack says, turning his head to look at Synxol.
The big Scot gives a quick description of the man that had approached him. Middle aged, seemed fit from an active lifestyle. He kept a short, well maintained beard, both beard and hair were salt and pepper colored, and he was wearing well tailored, but didn't particularly stand out. Jack also remembered that Walker wore a bowler hat, but didn't remember seeing anything that made Walker pop out in his memory.
"That be sounding familiar to you Synxol?" Jack asks the young lord as he was preparing his pipe. The big Scot eyes can't help but wander to the tattoo or rune covered skull that spat something out in German.
Assisi figures it's his turn to explain, not that he has a lot.
"I have met no Walker. I was fooled into coming to this great city... er, the great city of London above us, on the premise that I was to translate a book. The book was real enough, and authored by you, but the real reason for my trip here, as I soon discovered, was to work with these gentleman in finding you. Also, so you do not get the wrong impression, I took my vows as a novice in the Holy Church of Roma, but I no longer consider myself one of the order. And though I do still serve the church, I am currently in a very small crisis of existence, as I have found... how shall I say... irregularities in the stories and doctrine of the same Church. So do not consider me a mouthpiece or lackey of it, but rather more of an employee."
Synxol nods in response to Jack's question.
Jack and Synxol, Walker had no malice in his words or the slightest berring that he had hostile intent for the Frankenstein. The man seemed to be juggling a lot of different things in the air, without much effort, or a chilling thought: he was balancing the books so to speak. As if something had caused the scales of this world and the world of shadow to be unbalanced, the man was a puzzle piece that without more information, wouldn't be solved.
Doctor Frankenstein nods at all three of your words, barking out a heartfelt laugh at Assis's words. " Assisi, as long as your faith is true, then the Vatican's view points can be buggered. Think about it this way, if the church let normal folk learn more about what is around the corner, how much panic and unrest would happen? Most people can barely wrap their heads around the fact of Elves. As for Magic, well she's been around for a long time, she might wain, but she'll come back sooner or later."
Walking back over to the table he pulls out a bottle of whiskey, along with a bottle of wine. Muttering under his breath a platter of cheeses, tea wafers, bisects, fresh bread, and thin slices of ham appear on the table. Snapping his fingers, five sets of plates and tea cups are brought into being.
" Come on, it isn't often I get to talk to folk that aren't trying to kill me for something or for my work. Ayisha please join us as well, as for Walker well, his story isn't mine to tell. I will say that Walker wants to make sure that I don't go where I'm not allowed and as a sometime ally, he keeps on eye on what I'm doing."
Doctor Frankenstein pulls out two wine glasses and takes a seat, his smile is infectious, as you see that the man does have a bit of levity to him.
Synxol finds a seat and moves to imbibe heavily, as is his norm.
Assisi holds the chair for Captain Ayisha, and after she sits he seats himself. He's unsure what is to follow, but he has seen a great number of things he would not have believed only hours ago.
To Dr. Frankenstein he asks, "Where are you not allowed to go?" He's not sure he wants to know the answer.
Pausing for a few heartbeats at the sudden appearance of the foodstuffs and presumably magically created dinner ware, Jack freezes half way to sitting. Glaring at the food that wasn't there a second ago, the big Scot, shakes his head slightly, muttering "Bloody weird," as he sits.
"So, before the discussion of the educated men begins, I be having a quick question for ya Doc," the massive Scotsman. Jack selects a healthy smattering of the offered magic food as he speaks. He takes the liberty of assisting the doctor as he opens the bottle of wine, Jack opens the bottle of whiskey. He felt the need for something a bit stronger than wine. Once pouring himself a healthy shot, he offers to pour for whomever is looking for a little liquid heat.
"Did you make the big bloke who carries the heavy stuff? Or is that another freakish giant like that Ebon bloke?" Jack pauses for a few moments and glances at the other two. "Speaking of the giant Persian, his body be cooling in your study. Up in the manor."
" You three will someday find out where I am not allowed to go... besides the royal palace." He says with a grin pausing long enough to take a swallow of wine, he shakes his head at Jack's words. " To answer some of your questions, yes I did create Simon using magic hard work and a lot of my experiences, sufface to say that when I require... rest, Simon get's go explore. He has his own moral compass and even his own soul, or at least I think he does, he is for intents and purpose his own man." He stops to finish his glass of wine, along with a number of wafers.
" As for the mess upstairs, the giant's corpse if it is a creature of Shadow, then the local constable forces will just see a large man. It seems that I am in your debt." He stands up from his chair reaching into his pocket to pull out a gem which is made from a garnet, his voice rumbles unintelligibly for a few moments, then says to the gem " Yes, it is a mess up there. I require your services to clean up the inside of the house, do not destroy the house in as a method of tidying up."
" Now I am correct in guessing that they were looking for me, or perhaps my latest work. So now that I know a little of your character and how far you three are willing to go, I might have some work for you in the coming days. I'm sure that Synxol here is interested in the how and why of magic. What are you two interested in? If it is something that I can share with you I shall, at the very least I will answer a number of questions that the three of you could have." Frankenstein might not be the most social of people, as if he is a bit out of practice. The food is rather good, made fresh just a few moments ago, the wine tastes like it has been aged to perfection, along with the whiskey as it is a fine single malt scotch.
Synxol perks up, "What can you tell me about magic doctor?"
" I imagine quite a bit, most folk are asking the usual 'you've created the greatest sin. Join us and we will rule the world.' Or, tell me how you created your creature." He finishes with shake of his head.
" It all depends on your reason for learning magic my boy, it is always a difficult path. More knowledge and a teacher wouldn't hurt your chances against your next encounter of the weird."
" Magic was much more powerful ages ago, but time has marched on slowly eroding away at the bases, much like the tides erodie stone." Frankenstein stops to refill his glass of wine.
" While careful guardians protected the knowledge of the Art, we have still lost much. True wizards are around, as are true Priests of faith." He stops to sip his wine while looking at Brother Assisi.
" Magic can be a tool, like your flintlock, used for protecting others serving a higher purpose. Or the purpose of guarding your own life, in the hands of the cruel it can be a terrible and frighting tool. With knowledge comes a price, a weak mind can be brought down in madness and never recover."
" What can you tell me of magic? Your answer maybe different from my view point." He finishes with a smile that a professed gives to a promising student.
His fingers formed a tent before him, index fingers caressing his top lip, "My knowledge is virtually nil about the arcane arts, sadly."
Synxol asks, "Tell us about this work you spoke of."
The thought of being rewarded with wealth was about as interesting as the mating habits of dung beetles to the young nobleman.
Hoping for a bit of a story from Synxol's knowledge of magic, was a bit disappointed the young Lord was just as much in the dark. When Synxol made mention of the Doctor's work, Jack made a sour face.
"Some of the us be trying to eat," the big Scot says looking serious for a few moments. A grin cracks Jack's face. "I be a little curious about that me self. Not that I need details or anything," Jack says with a light hearted chuckle.
" Oh I'm sure you have an idea or two about what I created, that mistake is taken care of. As for Simon, well he might be a well spliced magical creature, a blend of a golem and a magical creature. As for notes on how to create something like that the answer to that is no, not at this time or perhaps anytime soon. The last thing this world needs is more mistakes or losing control and something that was created in a higher purpose of knowledge." He finishes, the jovial tone in his voice had faded into steel.
" Now that as for another works, I brought my wife back without bringing back the remaining Black Death. Magic can do much, but it isn't a cure all, it might have been a long time ago though. We are not able to know due the fact much has been lost so who knows, besides having all the answers would be a very dull existence." Frankenstein's humor returns as you notice an orange tabby that looks like it weigh's thirty pounds and is almost the size of a small wildcat. It snags a piece of meat off his plate and jumps back off his lap.
" I'm sure I could go on for a quite a while on small odds and ends which would perhaps bore all of us. I've gotten off topic, hmm... Ah yes Simon, now I will say that I had to put a portion of who I am into his creation and using my old notes and avoiding some of my old mistakes." His eyes lose some of their glimmer as his greatest horror plays in his mind.
Setting down his wine the young lord leans back in his chair, fingers interlaced on his lap, very near his pistol, "And what pray tell might we do for you doctor?"
Assisi eats his food quietly so as to listen to all the conversation about magic, an other various and sundrie things.
He occasionally glances at the Captain, as he finds it hard not to. He wonders if she is married...
Captain Ayishia gives you a wink Assisi noticing you watching her and goes back to watching the verbal sparring match between Frankenstein and Synxol.
" Well what I want is simple, how would you three like to track down who sent the wolves at the door?". Frankenstein asks with a grin.