Kyffin pulls the door shut when the gnome returns and eyes it, wondering if it could hold back whatever's out there. He keeps his blade in his hand as he waits for her report.... constantly watching the door.
Belzoni scurries back inside after the gnome girl drops from the roof in a panic. "Easy, little one, easy, tell us what you saw up there when you can collect yourself."
"Fog is bad. Stay out of fog! It burns! Burns and has... has monsters in it. Tall monsters. Not tall like you or you," she points at Kyffin and Belzoni, "tall like buildings. And like spiders, but with too many legs. Need to find another way." She then looks back at Tristain and shakes her head, "Do the jump? I jumped. Can you not jump?" She seems confused by the question and why he'd be asking, as if everyone should be able to leap thirty feet vertically in a single bound without a great deal of effort.
"'Gnome jumps.''Fog is bad.,'" Tristain writes on the chalkboard, underlining the word 'Monsters.' that he writes after it. "Well, that's good to know. This not-world world is small and interesting and covered in monsters, apparently."
Tristain, disappointed (and yet happy) that they did not find Debis body, goes to look in another place.
"Coming, are you?" Tristain asks the party.
Kyffin likes this place less and less, follows the corner-man to the next doors. "Ready?"
When everyone who's coming is in place, he opens them, with hone hand on the door and one hand holding his scimitar.
The guards -- apparently having been apprised by Winter that you're to be trusted -- allow you to enter again, and you make your way back into the protected area, heading for one of the untried doors.
Inside, a nest of cushions and linens squeezes between this room’s rear wall and a battered desk covered in folded paper animals. A sculpted emblem of a spiraling comet overlooks the otherwise ransacked room.
In the next room, candles array themselves before a violet wall hanging embroidered with the shape of a spiraling comet. A wall of bars divides the room, locking away a row of filing cabinets; its squat door of swinging bars appears to be locked.
"Is there a boy in here? A lad?" Tristain asks, looking around. He decides to look through the rooms more thoroughly, disappointed that he is balked by the wall of bars.
Perception - the rooms
"I wonder what's in those filing cabinets."
Belzoni investigates the folded paper animals and the nest of cushions and linens as he looks for signs of the missing child. "Paper animals seem like the mark of a child, maybe he's hiding in this mess?"
"I wonder what's in those filing cabinets."
Filing cabinets? Kyffin is immediately interested, and crosses over to them - or tries do. Still fearfully holding his blade, he pulls at the gate to see how securely it is locked. Assuming it doesn't budge, he looks to the others.
"Can anyone get this open? Or should I try to break it? Maybe the guards have keys...." He waits to see if any in the party can manage the lock before leaving to find support.
You don't see any boys here -- considering the situation, you suspect this room is likely used by some of the other folks you recently met.
The gate is indeed locked.
Heinrich starts when he sees the file cabinets. He moves over to them and begins rifling through them, looking for any paperwork on patients/prisoners.
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Heinrich is so focused, he apparently doesn't notice the set of bars between him and the file cabinets. The impact when he hits them is hard enough it leaves him seeing stars for a few moments.
Tristain doesn't have much more of an answer than Heinrich does...but thinks bonking his head against the bars is a good idea for the time being.
*bink*
*bink*
*bink* Tristain notes that the bonking sounds different against the metal bars.
Heinrich rubs his head. "Who put that here?!?" he mutters loudly. He pulls out a set of picks and begins working on the lock.
Tris, there's little of interest in either room that you could find.
Confusius, however, is able to make quick work of the lock, its tumblers clicking almost as soon as he puts his picks in.
The cabinets hold mostly papers, files of some sort that could take some time to go through (or could make for a nice amount of tinder for the others' fires). You also find three deep purple cleric’s vestments, a clean leather lash, and a box containing three scrolls and a slender wooden wand.
Two scrolls of cure light wounds.
One scroll of sanctuary.
It's a wand of lesser restoration with 7 charges.
Belzoni investigates each of the items removed from the cabinets.
"This scroll protects people from the attacks of the weak willed , I feel like it has saved me in the past, but I know not when or where?" The big man puzzles over the familiar script and wonders about his missing past.
When Heinrich miraculously manages to open the bars (probably due to Tristain's rhythmic bonking), Tristain will help identify the goods.
He scans the papers, and at the hint of magic, thinks upon the magics therein (Detect Magic), and begins to read and learn. He thinks he might be good at thinking and learning. Maybe.
He looks at the ones Belzoni fails to identify.
Spellcraft - scroll #1
Spellcraft - wand
Tristain will hand the scroll and wand off to others after explaining what he thinks they do, he has no use for them.
"Well, if that's all we have here, maybe we see what's behind that curtain," Tristain suggests.
Heinrich lets out a proud A-HA! as the lock clicks open and begins searching through the papers for anything that looks familiar to him.
Tenebrynn watches as people shuffle through the cabinets, "Are our names in the papers? Finding our names would be nice. Not necessary, but nice."
Kyffin is pleased they have some items that can help. He takes the two scrolls of cure light wounds and the wand if no one else will carry them. "I'll use these for the group naturally - but we should share things out if others can use them, in case one of us drops in combat." He offers the items to whomever wishes them.
Once that is sorted, he dives into the paperwork, searching for his name... Not necessary? It is quite necessary! he thinks to himself, hoping that somehow knowing his name will lead to a greater understanding of who he is.
There are hundreds of files in the cabinets, apparently ecclesiastical records documenting patients. There's not enough details here for you to be able to tell if some of them refer to you or not, at least from what your quick initial glance can tell.
That said, you did notice at least one reference you recognized, Winter Klazka, noting she was a sister of Maiden’s Choir Cathedral in Caliphas who had arrived recently to help a Royal Accuser's investigation.
Tristain will begin to sort through the documents until he is called away or someone else does something.
Perception
It's either this or beating my head against a wall. Literally.
"Ah, miss Gnome if you'll tell me your name, I'll keep an eye out for it." Heinrich says in a distracted voice as he riffles through files.
Tenebrynn blinks twice at Heinrich. "We don't know our names. Maybe instead look for something that fits our descriptions? 'Gnome.' 'Female.' As it is apparently an uncommon ability: 'can jump.' Stuff like that."
Belzoni takes a set of documents and starts sorting through the material. Every so often he pauses for a shift on watch, then resumes his task until the files are sorted.
As the others continue to rifle through the documents with increasing fervor, Tenebrynn offers with a shrug, "What about the missing boy? Paper will be here later. Boy could be in trouble."
You're making your way through the documents, growing more frustrated at the lack of any obvious references to yourselves, when Winter ends.
"Ah, Vaustin said you were in here," she says with a weary smile. "I just wanted to let you know most of us are going to bed. You're welcome to join us, though if you come into the Chapel later, please do so quietly so you don't wake anyone. You're also welcome to sleep here; Tolman says the kids seem to sleep better in the chapel, so won't be using it again tonight."
"It's nighttime? Wow. Okay...huh...I didn't realize it was that late...uhm...okay...I'll sleep here I guess. There are papers here and research to be done," Tristain agrees, making himself a bed.
"We can head out fresh tomorrow to find the boy."
Kyffin worries about the boy overnight, and fears that if he is indeed in the mist, he is beyond helping.
"Sure, we can rest here, but the boy should be our priority tomorrow." he sets aside the documents he was reading. "We should post a watch, just in case. Seems this place isn't exactly safe." he says obviously.
"I can take first watch." he offers, looking for a place to sit with a view.
Tristain snoozes, not knowing much about watches and besides, this room seems totally safe. Nothing can possibly go wrong, after all....and how could it be worse than what is happening now?
Though you sleep, the night is not restful, as strange dreams plague each of you.
You find yourself in somewhat familiar deserted alleys, wandering an endless, alien city pursued by 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, and whispers in a raspy voice: “The past sleeps in the doctor’s tome”
Immediately afterward your dream ends, and you awake.
You find yourself back in the same endless, alien city as you were in your earliest memory. Again the grimy cobblestone path splits. One route curves uphill, while the other recklessly descends. Behind, the yellow fog and the relentless sound of pursuit grow closer.
Again, the mist parts, now mere steps behind you. A mask of gray rags emerges, the familiar, terrifying human-like creature that killed you before. This time, though it seems surprised to see you. It cocks its head and floats forward. Just as it reaches out to caress your face, you wake, sweat covering you and gasping for breath.
You find yourself in the desert, the night cold all around you, stars twinkling in the otherwise light-less sky. In the distance, a pale yellow glow on the horizon shows the silhouette of a strange city, one that seems every so far away but yet somehow seems to be moving inexorably closer.
You realize you're hurt, but unable to get up from your seat to stanch the blood. You call for help, certain there's no one near to answer but not able to do anything else. Still, despite your fears, a strange shadowed figure emerges, one whose features you can't make out in the darkness and against the glowing city. It reaches out toward you, and you have a moment of fear. But it seems to mean no harm -- instead if fills a spoon with a liquid from a vial. It holds the spoon to your mouth, and the liquid almost seems to burn as you swallow, before the heat diffuses, filling you and -- you realize with a start that wakens you -- healing your wounds!
You find yourself wandering in an endless cloud of yellow vapor. Other shapes form and vanish in the mist, fleeting, unsettling things that refuse to be focused upon. After what seems like a lifetime, an exhausted-looking man with a ponytail of straight, white hair stumbles through the fog. He’s insane with desperation. He tries to pass you by and you reach out to stop him. He gapes and shouts, “We’re all lost here! We’ll never escape!” before rushing away. His ranting, “What have I done? What have I done?” follows him as the dream ends and you wake, heart pounding.
You're in a large hallway, doors opening in several walls into other rooms which you can see are filled with lines of desks. At each, a yellow-clad students sits. They turn to watch you, but seem to never make eye contact, shying away from looking directly at you.
Looking around the hall, you see it's filled with monstrous portraits. A closer look, however reveals that they're not paintings at all, but rather mirrors -- your face distorted in each into some sort of monstrous visage that you can't stand to look at.
Lucky, Confusius and Gnome Girl, you wake haggard and unrested, your eyes grimy with lack of sleep .
"The dreams alone will kill a man if he can't rest. We need to find a way out of this place and these mists." Determined and tired, the big man prepares for the day's adventures, but his thoughts remain on the dream. The Doctor's Tome, where would I find the doctor's tome?
Tenebrynn shakes her head ruefully as she wakes, nodding glumly in agreement with Belzoni. "Fog is bad here and bad in dreams too. All very bad." As the group rouses and prepares for the day, she offers, "We should check to see if lady and chained man from yesterday are still ok when we leave to look for the boy. Kind of left them behind."
Heinrich awakens with a gasp. "It... nearly got me again. What madness is this?!? What devilment haunts me!" He begins to choke and sobs, shaking back and forth and moaning loudly.
Tristain wakes up foggy (but not as foggy as others).
"Ugh, did you guys have bad dreams too?" Tristain complains, unable to focus until he wakes up more. "This place is a place of bad dreams."
Tristain fumbles out his chalkboard (upon which he writes things he knows) and writes 'Bad Dreams.'
Eventually, he pushes himself up and begins to dig in his meager possessions for food.
"Do we have food?"
Weapon Equipped = None
Silver Blanch, Cold Iron Bolts = 10/10
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +3 Damage: Str +3
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +1 Damage: +0 (Str +3 thrown)
Blessings (4/4) (DC 13)
Fervor (0/3) (1d6)
Spells (Caster Level 2, Concentration +4)
Once Per Day (12): Prestidigitation
Zero (12): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
First (13): Divine Favor, Divine Favor, Shield of Faith
"It was... unpleasant." Kyffin begins, "But it was good in the end. All in all, I've had worse, but perhaps I was lucky. We should find a way out of this place if we can."
He rummages through his pack. "I have some rations, but not enough to go around. Still, I'm happy to share." He pulls four packets of rations out of his bag and offers them to anyone who needs it.
He stretches and prays fervently to Sarenrae to survive this day, and help those in greater need than himself. When he has finished his morning obligations, he stands, packs up his blanket and bedroll and is ready to go.
"We'll come back to these documents, but first the boy, and perhaps the woman and man, though I must believe they've rejoined the group by now." he hopes.
"Ayep," Tristain says, cleaning up his bed and munching on some of Kyffin's rations. "Thank you, Kyffin. I'll repay you one day."
Tenebrynn paces restlessly as the others kneel and bow and eat and fuss, the events of yesterday having shaken her more than she cares to admit. Her eyes light up as everyone looks to be ready to head out and she pulls the group forward with her eagerness to be on the move, "Check on 'praise praise' man and broken leg lady first. Then explore and look for boy. This is good. Goals."
HP: 21/21
Nonlethal:
AC: 15 (13 T / 12 FF)
Fort: +6 // Ref: +6 // Will: +1 (+2 vs illusion)
Burn Accrued: 0/6
SLAs: dancing lights [ ], ghost sound [ ], prestidigitation [ ], speak with animals [ ]
Ongoing Effects:
Warden of Nature: +1 to hit/+2 dodge bonus vs aberrations, oozes, vermin
Foe of the Strange: +1 to saves vs aberrations, -10 to confusion results
Heinrich finally comes back to himself, his sobs quieting. "I am... This is not a dream, is it? Tell me it is not and I shall believe. For in those terrible dreams, something lurks and hunts and..." He stands and composes himself. "I found nothing in the papers to tell me what I am doing in this place. It is clear this Winter knows something more here, but we must gain her trust. Let us look for the boy's brother. I believe we have not gone this way yet?" He points toward a direction they haven't tried and marches that way, letting action substitute for confidence.
Your preparations set, you head back to the area where you left the pair. However, when you arrive in the room, you're startled to discover the man laid out on the table, chest open and strips of skin flayed off his sides!
Two grayish figures -- clad in the same hospital uniforms that the old woman was wearing -- seem to be "operating" on the poor man, with about the same efficiency as the first "woman" you remember encountering.
They seem surprised to see you and then one growls.
"They came back, Latchke! I told you they would. Ah well, more to experiment on. Perhaps the ghouls will like gnome flesh more?"
Heinrich grabs some of his materials and mixes a few chemicals in a bottle, throwing at the grey guy that spoke!
for fire damage! Splash damage is 4, with Reflex DC 13 for half!
Round 1, Init 20
"What? No! NO! NO! NO!" Tristain runs behind Walter in fear. "We're not here for that! No! Irori help me!"
Tristain's mind blooms open, revealing a holy effect to his cries.
Round 1, Initiative: 16
Weapon Equipped = Scimitar
Silver Blanch, Cold Iron Bolts = 10/10
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +3 Damage: Str +3
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +1 Damage: +0 (Str +3 thrown)
Blessings (4/4) (DC 13)
Fervor (3/3) (1d6)
Spells (Caster Level 2, Concentration +4)
Once Per Day (12): Prestidigitation
Zero (12): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
First (13): Divine Favor, Divine Favor, Shield of Faith
Kyffin draws his scimitar as he charges into the room, shocked by what he sees. He brings his scimitar blade down on one of the so-called doctors. ’How dare you!” he shouts.
(bless, charge)
Tristain: 20
Kyffin: 16
Heinrich: 9
Antagonist: 9
Tenebrynn: 7
Belzoni: 4
You all feel a surge of warmth and renewed confidence despite the man from the cell with the starting corner's cries. It's quickly dimmed though as the bomb falls well short, the doppelganger leaping back to avoid the worst of the splash.
The half-orc charges forward, blade cutting deep, and drawing an oath of fury. The doctor doppelganger stares at Walter for a moment, and he feels a touch of doubt creep into his brain , and then the doctor slashes out with its scalpel, the sharp blade easily slicing skin, hurting much more than the relatively minor wound should .
The other steps up and her fingers suddenly extend into claws, one of them slashing across Walter's throat, though her overconfidence causes her to miss with the second hand.
Dr. O: 11
Dr. L:
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Seeing his bomb miss, Heinrich freezes for a moment. "No, no no no! I cannot, I need the other one. The other one will take care of this." He mutters to himself and pulls out a flask. He drinks deeply of it, choking it down with a spluttering cry.
Suddenly Heinrich is changing, his form growing and writhing and shifting and in a second, he is bulkier, thicker of brow and heavier of hand. His eyes glow with a malevolent intelligence as he looks around.
"Damn time he let me out." the man's deeper voice mutters. "Stands to reason it'd be for violence." He raises thick fists curled into hammers and smiles. "Let's be violent, then!" he steps ten feet to the south, fists raised for battle.
Tenebrynn gasps then rushes in, snapping quick questions at Heinrich's changed self as she darts past, "You are different? Are you a doppleganger too? So much is so wrong in this place!" She doesn't wait for an answer before sending a tumbling ball of air and detritus crashing toward the nearest doppleganger.
HP: 21/21
Nonlethal:
AC: 15 (13 T / 12 FF)
Fort: +6 // Ref: +6 // Will: +1 (+2 vs illusion)
Burn Accrued: 0/6
SLAs: dancing lights [ ], ghost sound [ ], prestidigitation [ ], speak with animals [ ]
Ongoing Effects:
Warden of Nature: +1 to hit/+2 dodge bonus vs aberrations, oozes, vermin
Foe of the Strange: +1 to saves vs aberrations, -10 to confusion results
Bless: +1 to hit/+1 vs fear
Point Blank Shot: +1/+1
"Sorry, shortstack. This is the real me. The weakling's just flesh clothing. I don't got no other forms I can take. Well, 'cept dead, I imagine." The hulking brute chuckles at his bad joke.
Round 2, Init 20
"Gah! I don't remember you from the cells near the starting corner! What are you!?" Tristain cries at not-Heinrich.
Tristain puts down the hammer and uses his mind to fling it at Dr. O.
to hit; (-combat,+bless)
bludgeoning damage
HP: 13/13
AC: 12
Round 2, Initiative: 16
Weapon Equipped = Scimitar
Silver Blanch, Cold Iron Bolts = 10/10
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +3 Damage: Str +3
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +1 Damage: +0 (Str +3 thrown)
Blessings (4/4) (DC 13)
Fervor (2/3) (1d6)
Spells (Caster Level 2, Concentration +4)
Once Per Day (12): Prestidigitation
Zero (12): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
First (13): Divine Favor, Divine Favor, Shield of Faith
Kyffin gets slashed and he looks back to see if anyone is coming to join him. Seeing most crowd around the doorway, he grits his teeth and digs in, happy that some new person has joined the group. He hopes they're not dopplegangers.
As a swift action, he uses his fervor to heal himself a little of the damage the two 'doctors' have caused.
He then takes a 5’ step to the west to get out of flank. He then brings down his scimitar, hoping to end his foe before it ends him!
(bless, charge)