Johari retrieves his thrown weapons, then draws his sword and hacks off the head in a single blow. Without comment, he grasps it by the (hair?), and also wipes his blades on the corpse. He appears ready to move back into the house...then realizes Zadok is right and they need to search the body.
"Flesh is temporary, and in the strange aeons of time, it will be dust. For now though, they hold value. Let us pay our gild."
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With three heads in hand, you march back to the barricaded corridor. You hear some movement as crossbows are again trained upon you until, unceremoniously, Zadok drops the doppelganger heads on the ground.
After a tense moment there's a bit of discussion until a man named York says, "Let them in." You're ushered through a side room that lets you get around the 3-foot-high barricade of broken furniture and fallen masonry.
Lanterns flicker upon the walls, casting shadows upon several closed doors. Standing before you is a stern, if nervous-looking, older man with short black hair and a goatee. "I can take you to someone in charge, but you're going to have to give up your weapons."
"Good idea York." Zadok enters. "Look, we've been doing the dirty work for two days. We've slain the foes that make you cower so."
Remembering that his cold rationality isn't the way to talk people into anything, Zadok looks over the others. Maybe the Doctor has honeyed words.
Johari growls at the notion of giving up his weapons. He furrows his brow, glancing at his companions questioningly, as he grips his sword-hilt.
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There's another tense moment as Johari growls, unwilling to release his weapon... and then the man relents, releasing a breathe he didn't know he was holding. "Sorry about that. Keep the weapon, you've proven that much that you're at least not on their side. The name is Vaustin York," he says the last, extending a hand to shake.
"I am, or I was, an orderly at this place. They decided that, with me having a bit of military experience, that I should be a Captain. I've not earned that, but I do take safety seriously. There's not many survivors left," As he talks, you catch sight of the odd person. There are definitely a few people holed up here, all looking worn and hungry.
After making brief introductions, he says, "Let's take you to meet Winter." He takes you into an adjoining area.
Improvised pallets are clustered beneath sculpted divinities, and cooking fires burn beneath cracked windows in this chapel. Panes of violet and blue stained glass form spiraling patterns between prisonlike bars, while dozens of candles flicker from modest alcove shrines.
More people mill about, though Vaustin leads you with purpose to a pale woman with jet black hair and differently coloured eyes. Wellstone and Deldhindon both know that this is called heterochromia.
"We've got a few new stragglers, Winter," York says to the women. "They brought three doppelganger heads, so I figure they should meet you."
She nods, not quite smiling. "Thank the Lady, and thank you too. Who knows how many are still out there, but three less is a good thing."
"I'm Winter Klazcka. You can think of me as the spiritual leader of these survivors. Since you've helped out with the doppelgangers, you can rest in this chapel and avail yourself to what little food we have. Our resources are incredibly scarce though, so please take only what you need. At least here you can get sleep without the nightmares..."
She says the word 'nightmare', and you have a sudden flashback to the dream you had while you rested...
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You stand in a now familiar deserted alley, the alley where you were slain before waking in a cell. An almost tangible feeling of silence fills the area, and you futilely reach out to try and touch it. Giving up, you wander the streets of this alien city pursued by creeping mists. Soon, a wall collapses, revealing a disproportionately small room. Inside, an ancient Keleshite woman sits on a stool at a simple table. She looks up at you, smiles benevolently, and says, "Trust must be earned by the Lady of Black and White."
Those words echo in your mind, but like most dreams are forgotten not long after waking.
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"... which, to be honest, it a huge boon. Nobody gets good sleep out there."
She pauses to offer you all a seat while she stands. "We're the only survivors who are sane, I would say, and you look like you have questions. But I've got too much to do as is, unless you can somehow help out. Besides, though you've done something to help us with the doppelgangers, you also helped yourselves. We've seen too much craziness here to just trust anyone, so you'll forgive me if I need further proof that you're on our side. If you can help, I'll take some time and tell you what I know. Sound fair?"
"Indeed, we've kept kept Pharasma busy these two days." Zadok bows. "It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is
Zadok Obed Mlaştină. I would tell you more, but I fear my memory is a bit.... addled."
Zadok runs his fingers through his hair. "Indeed. My curiosity burns for answers. If help will lead me to those answers, then help you will receive."
Wellstone listens carefully as York, and then Winter, speaks.
After a moment or two in thought, he replies, I believe my companions to be quite sound of mind, he says, taking the time to introduce them to the Pharasmite, save for the stubborn holes in our respective memories. I, too, would know more of why we are here and from whence these doppelgangers have arisen. You have my services at your disposal, madam.
Sure, I'll help. Do I get to make anything bleed?
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"Quite the opposite, Johari. Though I suppose there's a way to put that muscle to use. Let me explain." Winter takes some time to explain each task.
"Two of my people, Airwynn Savoia and Bates Yopchick, are suffering from wounds that I haven't been able to fully heal yet. They are both currently resting on pallets near the altar. If you can help them make it through the night, they should be fine. But it's a razor's edge right now, and I'm worried." She gestures to where the two survivors are, which you spot easily.
"This place is an asylum, and there are legitimately ill people here. One of the former nurses, Naysa Walika, has her hands full with one of the former patients, Loic Ulsohnen. He's refusing to take medication, and it's a wonder he's not bolted out of here into danger. See if you can help her. But whatever you do, don't hurt the poor boy."
Winter points to several small fires set up about the chapel, where you can see cooking implements, collected water, and basic foodstuffs. "Some of my people are trying to prepare meals, but let's just say we don't have any cooks amongst us. I'm worried that good food is getting waste. If you can do have the knack, we could use the skill."
"Lastly, I can tell you that we have an endless need for firewood. We have enough broken furniture even, but we don't have the tools. We've one crowbar, and a work old handaxe. Put your back into some manual labor, and we can continue keeping people and food warm."
Johari helps with firewood, distributing his 4 throwing axes (not the best tool, but better than nothing) to other helpers—but making sure he gets them back in good order on completion
This will be after any other assists...
Wellstone's experiences in life do not lend themselves to honeyed words or curatives, but he knows a thing or two about preserving foodstuffs and using chemistry to enhance flavor. He makes his way to the fire pits, applying his knowledge.
Zadok takes a moment to surveil the lot of them before grabbing hld of one of Johari's axes. He takes the time to touch his armor and then spread the inherent power to others, especially the sick boy [ooc]Cast Resistance wherever he can, then chop wood.
Deldhindon considers the help that Winter requires for her assistance. None are particularly suited to his particular abilites. He thinks for a bit as the Doctor moves off to work with the food preparation. Perhaps there is something he can do.
As Dr. Quant works, Deldhindon augments his preparations with Prestidigitation, cleaning food for preparation, and enhancing the flavor and look of the food where seasonings are lacking.
Before heading to the woodpile, Johari makes his way to the sick ward. He looks about, and it's easy to find the problem patient. The slayer puts on a frown, and thinks for a bit--this will probably take more words than he's used to using at one time.
HEY! I hear you're sick. I hear you're giving the nurses here a hard time. They don't have the time to coddle you, boy. There are others who WANT help, and your selfishness is taking the nurses' time away from THEM. Smarten your ass up, and take your medication. Or don't--and get the hell out so you stop endangering others.
Zadok continues to try his level best to heal the sick.
It includes prodigious use of his cantrips and his best guesses on treatment
Wellstone tries to help Zadok.
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Johari hands Zadok a hand axe and the two walk over to a corner of the chapel. With proper tools, they are able to make easy work of the pile of splintered furniture and support beams. One of the guards who led you in, a man named Denman Winoparess, calls out to the two workers. "That's a big pile of firewood you've made. Didn't realize we had lumberjacks in our midst!" He grins, and offers them a sip from his flask. "There ain't much to be found, but this here whiskey will help ease sore muscles."
Wellstone and Deldhindon gather around a campfire with several of the survivors. Although neither brings skill as a cook, the doctor's creative use of alchemical interactions and the arcanist's ability to 'cheat' with magic make the food somewhat tasty. A few people try it and... well at least nobody is spitting the food out. It's progress.
When Zadok and Johari finish making firewood, they split up. Zadok meets with Wellstone, and the two move to attend to the wounded. Johari goes to see about doing some 'coercion'
The slayer finds a woman in a nurse's attire struggling to keep a man's attention. "No no, stay still Loic. This is the safest place you will find. Your sister isn't out there. She's with you, but only in spirit. Remember? We talked about this." When Johari walks forward she's quick to say, "Don't hurt him! He's.." before the most savage berating comes out of the big man. Cowed, the nurse is finally able to give Loic his medicine. The nurse, who introduces herself as Nayla Walika, chastises Johari about his approach but is otherwise very grateful.
Zadok and Wellstone find themselves two patients named Airwynn Savoia and Bate Yopchick. Airwynn has a broken arm and several broken ribs, while Bates has bite marks all over his body. Airwynn winces as the doctor tends to his wounds. "Easy there, that- ooh! That hurts!" Zadok spends several moments tearing strips of bedsheets, making makeshift bandages for Bates. The young boy twitches now and then, and a young girl named Mura silently watches Zadok.
Two hours have passed when Winter Klazcka visits each of you, offering a cup of tea. Gathering you all around a campfire, she is all smiles. "I have prayed, and the Lady provided. Thank you. Now I will do my part in guiding you all. I get the sense you have many questions. I can probably answer some of them. What would you like to know?"
Where are we? Who are we that we are in this place? What's happened to our memories?
Zadok adds only a few thoughts, not wanting to overwhelm her, "And what happened to bring this chaos about?"
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Winter rocks back on her heels at the barrage of questions. She takes a deep breath, and begins.
"You're in Briarstone Asylum. It’s a hospice stuck on a rock sitting in the Danver River-a convenient place to forget inconvenient people. As to who you are, I’m sorry but I don’t know. You wouldn’t be the first ones to lose a piece of themselves here. If you were patients, there must be some record of why you were committed," She pauses to put another piece of wood on the campfire. "As to the chaos, I might need to back up a bit."
"I'm a sister of Maiden's Choir Cathedral in Caliphas. My associates and I were helping a Royal Accuser investigate strangeness in Thrushmoor. Haserton Lowls, the count of Versex, appears to have abandoned his duties as one of the nation's rulers. Accuser Omari had reason to believe that Lowls had regular business here at Briarstone. She sent me along with other associates to investigate the asylum while she went on to Thrushmoor."
She takes a sip of her tea before continuing. "When I got here I met with Doctor Eliege Losandro. I met her only once and she seemed like a capable administrator... but then the revolt happened. a patient led an uprising. It wasn't like any riot I've ever heard of, though. It was more like a religious movement. Most of the northern halls are now held by robed patients who call themselves Apostles in Orpiment. Those we've encountered are fanatically devoted to a patient named Ulver Zandalus. But I can tell you that since that day things have been very strange."
"Those names don't sound at all familiar. I feel like I should know them though. I feel like I should have a body of knowledge to go with my mind and my thirst for knowledge. MY level of ignorance is painful.... It's like you switch to a foreign tongue when using the proper names. I'm sorry."
Most of us are sane enough now, why should we have been sent here? If there are records of why, where the hell's the records room?
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For some of you, memory stirs...
To Johari she says, "Any records would probably be in the northern areas of the asylum."
She looks you all over. "Does that help? Do you have other questions?"
"No. You've been the greatest source of enlightment in our time since the fugue began. We may, however, have questions upon our return. Might we impress upon you more later? Exploring this place is less than leisurely, and we may need a place to which we can return for repose and recovery."
"The setting is beginning to focus. Ustalav I know. I know we are here in Ustalav."
Royal Accusers...I know of them. Secret police of the Ustalav crown, empowered to ignore, or cut through, the hierarchy of the nobility.
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Winter nods, though her words try to temper what Johari says. "You aren't wrong, though you can imagine that many see authority in a less than flattering light. Royal Accusers do benefit from their ability to cut through red tape, and it allows for things to actually get done. One need only look at the decadent rot that fills Taldor to know sometimes one needs to take away obstacles so that you can do the right thing."
To Zadok she adds, "Of course you can ask questions. If something comes up and I can provide an answer, I will. And feel free to rest here. There are magics in this chapel, I think. It's the only place people can get a good night's sleep."
"This does lead me to something else that I wanted to discuss with you all. Simply put, I know we can’t stay here. We need a way out. All things considered, you seem able enough. If you can find some way for us to escape, some route that doesn’t lead straight into that terrible fog, I’ll see that the Royal Accusers reward you well." She looks to you all imploringly. "Please, you have to help us."
"In this our goals are aligned. I seek answers, and I think they're ultimately be found elsewhere. For now though, let us explore the northern areas."
Zadok will take a solid look at whatever... it is.
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The hall ends just beyond the dingy curtain, but the wall here suffers some sort of otherworldly parasitism. A mass of stringy, yellow fungus stretches across the stone blocks. At its heart bulges and blinks a watery eye the size of a wagon wheel.
Both Zadok and Wellstone hear the sound of faint sobbing perhaps ten feet away.
This situation is most perplexing. I am intrigued, if for nothing else than to learn more about who I am. Very well. We know where we need to go. One minor point of order before we proceed though. Our friend, Johari, and myself are not in the best of shape to carry on at the moment. Still rather beat after all the altercations required to bring us here.
Deldhindon takes a peak down the hall as well.
Zadok continues to wrack his brain as more of his memories return:
Johari looks intently at the large, creepy eye. He steps forward, and blows hard against it--to see if it reacts as a "normal" eye would.
Zadok points to the side rooms in this hall. "We've not seen beyond these doors. More insane survivors?"
Zadok studies the eye a fair amount while awaiting an answer to his question. He asks it for a name in more than a half dozen languages....
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One of the guards, who is standing outside a door, answers Zadok. "These were the Chaplain's office and his personal shrine and records room. Now we keep the youngest ones safe in the office. Nurse Tolman keeps them occupied with crafts. The shrine we leave be."
Zadok speaks at the eye, using the various languages he knows. It simply stares at him.
"you'll excuse me for prying, but would you.... allow us into the shrine? I'd rather NOT let it be. Anything can help."
"If ever there was an item whose reputation belies its true power, it is the file cabinet."
Hoping to get lucky about the eye, Zadok begins a meticulous search, losing himself in the every aspect of the object, from the feel of the wax, to the smell of the paper.
Before leaving, Wellstone will look to see if there's a way to hang a cloak over the eye on the wall. It's disquieting.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As Zadok reaches through the all of bars trying to access the file cabinet, Wellstone holds his hand up — which the mentalist appears to ignore — and sets to the lock on the bars with a bemused smirk on his face.
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Wellstone tries a few of his more obvious tricks with the lock on the door. When they don't work, he settles in for the long haul. It takes twenty minutes, but he finally hears a satisfying click.
Zadok pours into the room, hungrily working through the contents of the filing cabinets. He finds that the cabinets contain ecclesiastical records for many of the patients, some that he has already met and many more that he has not.
One of the cabinets here holds three deep purple cleric’s vestments (suited for a priest of Pharasma), a clean leather lash, and a box containing three scrolls as well as a wand.
Zadok pours over the files, desperately looking for his name and the names of his fellow amnesiacs. He handles the magical items with near reverence. After a few minutes of handling the items, he shares his findings.