Baradlon's long pointy ears twitch at the sound of the sheriff's footsteps on the porch a moment before he knocks on the door. The elf's hand grips his crutc....sword, with more tenacity than normal. He doesn't move from his fireside chair as the door is answered.
Jaru inclines his head and stands aside, "Certainly, Sheriff. Welcome. We were just finishing breakfast."
Thank you, the man says simply, pushing into the hall. He takes off his heavy dripping coat and hangs it by the door... Then notices Jormindas woolen cloak also hung there - he reaches out and touches it lightly.
Then seemingly stealing himself he makes his way into the lounge room. Your cloaks and coats from last night are strewn around the lounge room to dry from your activities the night before and are dry or mostly dry now.
He stops at the sight, his face falling into a neutral mask and he deliberately moves past some of the clothing and then past the seated elf to stand by the fire, warming himself.
We've had it happen again... Blood on the monument, he says into the fire place carefully. I was wondering if you'd like to take a look. We've none of the crowds or commotion like last time.
Jorimida enters platter of food held in both arms and he looks up to watch her. Jorminda falters half a step when she sees him, flushing slightly and then with overly forced heartiness says Here is porridge and corn meal hotcakes, before giving the sheriff a jerky nod and moving swiftly back to the kitchen. The sheriffs face is blank but he is tense in returning a nod of his own... A nod she likely missed in her haste to leave the room.
He turns to face you all, Well, shall we?
The sheriffs bearing may have fooled your average villager, but the trained inquisitor of Iomadae is not so easily misled.
The swallow before the nod and the awkwardness of the Sheriff around Jorminda would normally mean...
Infatuation?!, she thinks, somewhat surprised.
Then she thinks on Jorminda's behaviour and notes that there has been the female equivalents... around Kendra!
Maybe that the 'guilty' behaviour - the flush, the speed to get out of the room, the evident discomfort from the young apothecary around this older suitor makes some sort of sense.
"If there is a chance of finding the culprit's tracks, then I will gladly go investigate with you."
The sheriff scowls moments after stepping out of doors and into the chill spring rain.
You find it easy to emphathise as the cold settles over you like clingy wet clothing. It is uncomfortable and vaguely unsettling.
At least you got to dry your outer wear out before coming back out again, he says darkly but doesn't seem to expect a reply.
The streets are quiet. It seems that everyone with business out of doors has gone already and those who normally would be out and about are staying indoors though you can hear children at play in the near distance.
Liar... No way did he come back.
Did so.
Did not.
He was outside the back door last night wanting to be let in! I saw him through my window.
Nu-uh!
The sound of their voices fades as they seem to move into the center of town.
"I don't know how blood manages to stay on the monument with all the rain lately. Have you been keeping an eye on Gibbs? He's made direct threats against some of our party now."
No Offense meant Father Toth, he says a bit brusquely, but there are varying stories about what happened in that inn. I trust Zokar of course, but there are people saying that your little halfling 'magicked' the cards and caused a fearsome disturbance - add to that accounts that your sallow pasty faced fellow cast some sort of enchantment on the crowd and its best that no one be getting locked up - there's a few people asking that it be your friends who see the inside of a cell.
He then looks worried, almost sick.
As for the blood? You need to see that for yourself.
Simeon watches the Sheriff enter, arms crossed, waiting for his 'news'. His eyes gleam at the mention of an other bloody missive on the town's monument, Curiouser and curiouser, what does it mean?
He gathers up his cloak, completely unaware of the tension between the apothecary and the Sheriff, or his dark expressions at the evidence of the group's sojourn in the night.
Perception
As he keep pace with the Sheriff, he overheard the children's conversation. Peeling off from the group he hails them "Children! Children! Remember me, I did some tricks for you at the fair? What was that you just said? Who was wanting back in? Don't worry, this will not get you into any trouble." he does his best to not look threatening
No Offense meant Father Toth, he says a bit brusquely...
Jaru looks dubious, "I hardly think any of the townsfolk are authorities in magic. Most could not tell a spell from a nursery rhyme. There are certainly strange things occurring here, but we are not the source..." Jaru stops as Simeon rushes off to chase down some local children. The tall priest visibly cringes at what will likely be another disaster.
As he keep pace with the Sheriff, he overheard the children's conversation. Peeling off from the group he hails them "Children! Children! Remember me, I did some tricks for you at the fair? What was that you just said? Who was wanting back in? Don't worry, this will not get you into any trouble." he does his best to not look threatening.
You cant see them, you imagine they are in the tangle of cottages across the road.
Diplomacy (spot check with +2 bonus for prev. performance)
Wots that?, kiddy voices ask in the distance.
Its that strange man... but he made some pretty butterflies.
A pair of little faces peep out from around the corner of a cottage, somewhat nervously, about a hundred feet down the road. If they'd not been loud you'd never have heard them.
What the hells?, asks the Sheriff exasperated. You go play with the children. I'll be down the monument. He walks off with any that will follow him.
Simeon and any who would follow him take about a minute moving to the kiddies slowly and making effort not to startle them.
Simeon bends over near the kids, being as non threatening as possible and doing his level best to smile warmly. The uncustomary expression is a bit... unsettling.
Mommy said we's not to talk to strangers mister, says a little girl, the older of the pair. Maybe six or seven years old.
Are you here to do us a magic show?, asks her friend, a little boy of maybe five to six summers, and likely one for to have made claims about a visitor. That magic was really good stuff... but Da, he reckons you's a Nekidmanner.
He thinks then asks. Wots a Nekidmanner?
...
Those following the vexed and out of his depth Sheriff walk off down the road and are nearing the bridge.
Its one of the most uncanny things I've ever seen, he explains to any around him. Thank the Gods the rain kept most folks indoors - otherwise we'd have one or two of the young men or women hanging around it and gods only know what sort of panic would have been loosed. I think we MAY be able get some decent tracks - my deputies aren't letting anyone near it, but all quiet-like.
Simeon impatiently waves his hand behind him at the Sheriff's comment, then addresses the children.
Simeon manages to stifle an irritated glance at the girl, then focuses on the boy.
Simeon's eyes bulge a little at the boy's innocent remark, inwardly fuming at the boy's ingrate of a father.
"That's a term used in these parts to describe a man of learning and intellect...one to be respected.." Simeon intones solemly to the boy, guaging his and the girl's reaction.
"Now then, I could do a short magic show, but first you could tell me who came to your back door, young man." Simeon says softly, picking up a stone from the road, tossing it from one hand to the other, opening the destination hand to reveal ....no stone.
Jaru frowns at the wizard's lark and pauses to see where Lament goes as he means to keep an eye on her today.
Lament follows the Sheriff.
The sheriff walks you through the south of town to the monument.
A stick is shoved into the ground next to the body of a very large decapitated rat whose body has been broken and crudely crushed. The flesh has been blanched a very pale pink and any blood it held seems to have been washed away by the rain. The cut is an exceptionally clean one.
A moderately sized, maybe 2 inches high letter 'E' has been drawn on the stone work about 5 feet off the ground. Rain does not seem to affect it, nor the water that flows down the monument. It is as if the blood was oil or wax. The rats head lies at the base.
You'd expect that it would have been washed away. Vigilance carefully touches it and when his finger is drawn away some of the blood comes with it, seemingly clotted and nearly dry. He raises it to his lips and tastes it.
Can taste no alchemical substances and no oils.
Baradlon nods, and begins to search around the statue for tracks. It's a lengthy process so he warns the others back. "Please don't come near until I'm done looking. I don't want any of you to accidentally muddle the trail anymore than the rain has."
"That's a term used in these parts to describe a man of learning and intellect...one to be respected.." Simeon intones solemnly to the boy, guaging his and the girl's reaction.
So you're a Nekidman?, the little boy asks, all innocence.
The girl giggles.
"Now then, I could do a short magic show, but first you could tell me who came to your back door, young man." Simeon says softly, picking up a stone from the road, tossing it from one hand to the other, opening the destination hand to reveal ....no stone.
Elidal catches up with Simeon as he completes the stone trick.
Wow thats pretty good Nekidman, breathes the boy.
Nah, says the girl, unimpressed, He hid it in 'is hand or sleeve or something
The kids seem to think they are on to a good thing here and it looks like they've relaxed a bit.
We'll SHOW you who came visiting, I think I know where he is hiding - and then you can do a magic show for me, an' my friends, the boy says slyly. Deal?
Baradlon nods, and begins to search around the statue for tracks. It's a lengthy process so he warns the others back. "Please don't come near until I'm done looking. I don't want any of you to accidentally muddle the trail anymore than the rain has."
I think I can help you but take a look first, he says backing up.
The rat is very large but not some sort of deformed rat or dire rat.
Looking over the monument is easier and harder this time, no one to mess up the tracks but the rain makes it hard... very hard.
There is a clay smear on the footing... and then you look for holes in the mud that match the colouration - which takes a few minutes but you have some SUCCESS.
A boot print, filled with water for the most part but the clay on the edge of it? You'd swear its a match.
The boot is likely a males boot, a large male.
You can follow it a while but when the boot merges with the road near the posting pole it fades into a jumble of prints.
The sheriff watches you all the while, staying out of your way and letting you work.
That's about as far as I got, he says as Nighteyes stands.
I think if we help each other we may be able to get further. What do you say?
Meanwhile back at the monument a shaken Deputy Vester is being comforted by Deputy Riff.
I's got the evil on me!, he wails. I's gonna die.
Jaru looks curiously at Deputy Vester and gives a perfunctory benediction, "Not this year..."
"Why do you feel you are going to die?"
I's feeling a chilly grip around my heart every time I see my name here, he says distressed.
"I would be happy for your help if you are skilled," Nighteyes replies to the sheriff. His tone is neutral. He motions to the ground, waiting for the man's aid.
The Sheriff gives you a nod.
He seems to know what he is doing and you are able to cover more ground working together. About 10 feet beyond the crossroads )and its posting pole) another track from the same boot is picked up - heading into town. It is as water filled as the others, leading you to think its from the same time rather than a more recent print.
I's feeling a chilly grip around my heart every time I see my name here, he says distressed.
Jaru barely restrains an eye roll. "Um, yes, something tells me this is not an omen for you, Vester."
Vigilance seems confused at the blood and frowns.
Magic?
He tries cleaning some of the blood off and is successful, which seems to confuse him more.
So you're a Nekidman?, the little boy asks, all innocence.
The girl giggles.
For a moment Simeon looks from boy to girl, at first unsure how to respond, then consiously controlling his anger, smiles hideously and says "Indeed, ha ha!"
We'll SHOW you who came visiting, I think I know where he is hiding - and then you can do a magic show for me, an' my friends, the boy says slyly. Deal?
Simeon returns the boy's sly grin with one of his own, and waves the boy onward "Deal. Lead on..." he spares a quick look over his shoulder at Elidal, shrugs then follows the boy.
The kids lead you up the road and into the towns center where a small group of children and gathered around the edge of the pagoda.
See!, says your little guide triumphantly to the girl, tole you so.
Here boy... come out, one says.
I know!, says another, I'll use this to fetch him out, and shoves a long pole under the pagoda...
There is a jerk as the pole is ripped from the childs hand and Old River shambles out from under the pagoda towards the children, his throat flapping open, dead eyes intent on the group.
The children sensing now that something is wrong, begin to scream.
"BACK, CHILDREN, BACK!" Simeon shouts, leaping forward to place himself between Old River's animated corpse and the children.
He brandishes his staff at the undead canine, keeping it at bay until Elidal can assist.
Old river
Kids
Simeon
Elidal
So Heros then the hound of the dead then kids.
Combat map is up... move yourselves on it.
Elidal launches a charge and sinks her spear deep into, and through the dogs side but it ignores the inquisitor.
Spear Charge
Damage
Simeon moves close but is unable to interpose himself between the mud caked figure of Old River and the child, nonetheless, he brandishes his staff at the undead canine.
Old River focuses on the wizard and launches itself at his throat.
Bite
Damage
Conversion?
Bite
Damage
Simeon's moment of selflessness quickly become one of terror as the un-dog leaps and latches onto his shoulder, it had been aiming at his neck but he'd twisted away at the last moment, otherwise....Simeon would rather not think about it.
As it were, sheets of Simeon's blood stained his alredy stained clothes and the half-maw of the once faithful mutt.
Beating the beast away , Simeon swings his staff weakly...
Attack
Damage
Sanity check, DC 13 lose stablility
Disabled (0 Hit Points)
When your current hit point total drops to exactly 0, you are disabled.
You gain the staggered condition and can only take a single move or standard action each turn (but not both, nor can you take full-round actions). You can take move actions without further injuring yourself, but if you perform any standard action (or any other strenuous action) you take 1 point of damage after completing the act. Unless your activity increased your hit points, you are now at –1 hit points and dying.
Simeons blow hits but fails to do anything of damage to the undead hound and then he passes out, bleeding from his wounds.
Elidal stabs it again. The hit is a mighty one that punches through the dog again without killing it or dropping it. The, dog, moved beyond pain and the effects of all but the most grievous injuries is a remorseless killing machine.
The child on the ground continues to wail.
Old River, old blood and corrupt fluids oozing out of the wounds it bears, turns its attentions on Elidal.
The kids scream and adults are beginning to emerge - shouting, screaming and looking either horrified or angry depending on their state of mind. Some start to move towards you, crude tools or weapons in hand.
Know (Religion)
Elidal realises that the hound, animated by dark magics and unable to feel pain or be disabled by all but the most savage of blows needs to be cut apart. A job likely better done by her sword.
Elidal can now act. Simeon can make a stabilisation check.
Her iron hard talons sink deep into the bones of the canine zombies skull - The force of the blow is enough to literally tear the head off the dogs already weakened neck!
The creature drops and twitches and then is still.
And then chaos erupts as the area is mobbed by screaming, shouting, crying villagers.
Some villagers tear off looking for the sheriff.
Disabled (0 Hit Points)
When your current hit point total drops to exactly 0, you are disabled.
You gain the staggered condition and can only take a single move or standard action each turn (but not both, nor can you take full-round actions). You can take move actions without further injuring yourself, but if you perform any standard action (or any other strenuous action) you take 1 point of damage after completing the act. Unless your activity increased your hit points, you are now at –1 hit points and dying.
Stabilize Check DC 10
He raises it to his lips and tastes it. Can taste no alchemical substances and no oils.
Jaru grimaces with distaste at the tiefling's methods of investigation. "Is it just blood?"he asks. He takes a look around the monument for anything that might have been missed.
It appears to be just blood, yes. I cannot account for why it remains against the rain.