Actually sheriff, I do not think that having Erin with us while we check the farm out is a good idea
"Let us head to the Sanatorium first since it is on the way. Then we can head down to the farms."
"Aye. Maybe we can learn more!"
The party prepares their horses at Goblin Squash and head out again along the Lost Coast Road. An hour or so out of town you take a left off the Lost Coast Road on the north side of Cougar Creek. You follow the narrow dirt road to Habe’s Sanatorium.
The squat, stone building that serves as the sanatorium has three floors under a stout, stone-flagged roof, and is built in the lee of the limestone escarpment known as Ashen Rise.
There is a veranda that steps up to the front door. The boards squeak as you walk upon them. It takes several knocks before someone comes to the door. "I am sorry but we are very busy with important work at the moment. We do not wish to be disturbed," a human male calls out from behind the front door.
It is important that we talk to one of your patients here.
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The door cracks open. The man takes and looks at Hemlock's note. The unfriendly attitude of the man behind the door changes, "This is a critical juncture in our treatment. Why don't you come back in a couple of days." He returns the note and shuts the door. You hear it lock.
We are looking into a set of murders, and we cannot come back in a couple of days. If we do, the murderer may get away.
"We will not harm the man. We only need to see and talk to him. We have a cleric with us, who can help."
Kelvin, out of sight of the door, takes his locksmithing tools out and looking around at the group, mouths I can get us in if diplomacy doesn't work
But after another moment or two you hear the door unlock. "You are?" A man opens the door and looks at the party. After Stone introduces the party, "I am Doctor Habe. The man is not well. I did get a name out of him, Grayst Sevilla."
The man reluctantly opens the door and lets the party in. You are in a room with a table and three chairs. You are coming in from the west. There is a door both north and south. A pull cord hangs from the right. Normally you would come in and pull the cord to announce your arrival, but the place was more locked up. Doctor Habe steps back toward the South door. He looks nervous. Two strange humanoids, large with horns on their heads are with the Doctor both in front of him to his left and behind him. They are Tieflings. From their similar appearance, you can guess they are brothers. "Gurnak. Go retrieve our newest guest," the Doctor orders the Tiefling behind him.
As you wait, you notice the place is stark clean with white washed walls and ceilings. Small windows 4 inches or 10 cms wide are open allowing fresh air to enter. But the fresh air does not mask the strong incense aroma in the place. The incense odor is almost sickening.
Eventually Gurnak brings the man. Grayst Sevilla’s skin is pale and looks gangrenous, his hair wild and eyes milky white.
Grayst is mostly nonresponsive, wrapped as he is in a straitjacket.
Our thanks Dr. Habe
Brandark looks over at the man as he is brought up.
This man is in the advanced stages of Ghoul Fever, and will die without treatment
As the door opens, Kelvin puts away his lock smithing tools. He is not happy being in this place, and so keeps to himself and lets the others to the talking to the doctor and the man. He keeps a watchful eye on Dr. Habe and the "guards".
Stone is unable to discern any more from his examination.
Grayst looks at Stone, relaxes and begins to mumble, "With razors....with teeth....the Skinsaw Man is coming."
He sees Elektra and his mumblings become somewhat more coherent, “He said. He said you would visit me. His Lordship. The one that unmade me said so. He has a place for you. A precious place. I’m so jealous. He has a message for you. He made me remember it. I hope I haven’t forgotten. The master wouldn’t approve if I forgot. Let me see… let… me… see…” The mad man pause and becomes excited, “I remember. I remember. He said that if you came to his Misgivings, that if you joined his Pack, he would end his harvest in your honor.” Grayst collapses on the floor with a low moan.
As Stone bends down to try and cure Grayst from the Ghoul Fever , the man's low moan rises to a shriek.
Surprise Round
Elektra's diviner ability gives her a sense that Grayst is about to attack and the one he is after is her.
As Grayst mentions the Misgivings, Kelvin pauses for a moment, then "that is the name that the locals have given to Foxglove Manor"
"Isn't that the name of the young noble that we went boar hunting with after the attack on the town?"
When Grayst begins to attack Elektra, Kelvin draws the dogslicer and attacks the man.
Moving back before he springs him Elektra hides behind Garreth.
The party was gathered along the North wall.
As Elektra moves behind Garrath , Grayst, tearing off his straight jacket with incredible pent up force, moves to attack Garrath .
Round One
A bit startled by the rapid change to a ghoul, Brandark grabs his axe off his back and attempts to drive it into Grayst's spine.
Garrath siezes his Greatsword and attacks the man, "Abomination! You will not harm her.
Power attack -2/+4 hit/damage, Furious Focus ignore Power Attack to hit penalty for first attack of the round. Superstitious +4 Save Bonus
Brandark moves quick to strike Grayst.
Elektra remains behind Garrath.
Stone manages to get a Scimitar into the madman.
Kelvin moves onto the front table and flanks the ghoulish man with Brandark. Ripnugget's Sword cuts into vital areas. Grayst begins to fall, only to be finished off dead by Garrath's blow.
"I had no idea he could break through his straight jacket like that. I have never seen anyone do this. Please forgive me," Doctor Habe is visibly upset by the turn of events. He steps to the South carefully watching the Sandpoint Deputies response.
Knowing that Diplomacy and Intimidate are better handled by others in the group, Kelvin does not say a word to the doctor. He does however, wipe the dogslicer clean on the ripped straight jacket and glare at Doctor Habe.
"Sheriff Hemlock brought Grayst to me in that condition. I just thought the man was mad," the Doctor looks visibly shaken.
"You are a specialist of the mind... not the body. Now it explains some of his delusions."
But that still does not explain why you waited so long to give him help.
Brandark cleans his axe before placing it back in his scabbard for it.
The nervous Doctor responds to Brandark, "I offered him all the usual treatments. But his type of madness, I could not cure."
"But the worst part of it is.... I have an enemy. Someone undead, or the ability to create or control undead. And a morbid fascination for me. That is not an easy combination."
One can see the implications bring deep furrows in her head.
Garrath moves to loom over the doctor while he shakes the gore from his blade, never letting his glower leave the doctor's gaze.
Brandark continues to listen to his protestations.
Brandark puts his axe away
Shall we go see what is up with the manor.
Erin Habe will look at Stone, "No. I have never had a patient before that was bitten by a Ghoul. The madness was truly unworldly." The Doctor begins to calm.
"We have another place to visit. Thank you doctor!"
Outside Elektra will shake her head.
"How can anyone so learned be sooo ignorant. A well never forget the way of undeath is rightly so known to a restricted few. Otherwise.... "
So you did know he had ghoul fever?
"Not until your friend here mentioned it," Habe points to Brandark.