The two join the one at the back of the cadaver pool and one shouts Mercy, please.
The two join the one at the back of the cadaver pool and one shouts Mercy, please.
"You speak?! Then tell us what you are: living or dead? And by what manner you came to be here."
It begins to sob.
We were men once but now I am not sure what manner of monster we are now - Grimes, that pale gnome changed us some how - we cannot feel the beating of our hearts, we do not need to breathe and yet we are as you see us now. We are told that unless we recieve regular injections of some concoction that we will die the true death but not before our minds die and we slip into madness.
All of them huddle cowering together.
Emmett breathes a sigh of relief as the creatures surrender, then realizes, when Jaru asks, that indeed there is something strange and scary about them. Something different. He listens intently to their answers.
"He took you and transformed you? Now we need to find that Gnome and bring him to justice. He's the one who should stand in that dreaded wooden sculpture..." then he turns to Simeon, curious what the professor would have to say about such strange experiments.
We are dead! We can feel it already but... we also think, we walk... we talk but we are dead already - and I fear what comes next, because without the medicine we will go mad and become Zombies - thats what the tall one said, another one of them moans.
"The tall one..?" asks Emmett, his left eyebrow reaching for the sky.
Yes, the tall one - the one who said he alone had the secret to keeping us from becoming true zombies... but I don't understand how this can be. We are dead already yet we seem to have kept our souls or at least our thoughts.
Jaru pulls the others aside to confer quietly. "Grine was indeed a dark soul. May he be Judged soon. I would guess that 'The Tall One' is his partner, Vorstag. As for the undead, they are dangerous. It might be best to lock them in this tomb here until the necromantic potions ebb. Do not pity them. Though they seem intelligent, it is only cunning like that of ghouls. Only the KA remains here. Not their soul."
I might have read something once about this...
Simeon listens to the 'man' describe their situation, unable to stop thinking Such audacity, no fetters if morality or money...what they've accomplished...astounding!
As he thinks ,he feels Emmett's eye on him and he nods and clears his throat "What's been done to these men is astounding.... Uh...I mean abhorrent. Yes , let me think..."
-Posted with Wayfinder
There are dark dark rumours, normally from degenerate primitive Kellid tribes and other such indigenous peoples that Zombies could be created not just by foul magics but by means of certain extracts and formulas. Could it be that Vorstagg and Grines have been able to replicate the process? To make 'Alchemical' Zombies? If so then what stands before you are masterpieces. The 'subjects' are able to reason, talk, exhibit free will all while being 'dead'... and in this state it seems they are immune to priestly measures against the undead! How long could this state be preserved? What would be needed before these men devolved into something less than what they were now? Would further doses of the chemicals be truly efficacious in maintaining this state?
That in return for our continued life we were to guard this room against any who were not with Grines.
It's hard to tell if they were lying but they seem to be sincere.
"But- But what about your previous life? Your family, kids; your community and friends? You never felt like attacking your masters and regaining your freedom?" blurts Emmett with his gruff voice.
We have these but what could we do? If we are not provided the medicine - injections - we are told we would degenerate and be nothing more than dead beasts. Zombies in truth and name both.
Jaru lifts his crossbow speaking low to his living companions. "Zombies is all they are or will ever be. They are abominations. Destroy them or lock them away as further evidence against Grines and Vorstagg."
Argh! They mean to slay or imprison us!
They move to attack the party, no longer under the effects of the scare spell.
Given the distance, you guys can have initiative again, though these things move unnaturally fast through the water!
Party up.
"Just as well, they are an insult to Pharasma."
He fires his crossbow at the leader and retreats to make his stand at the top of the stairs.
"Stop you fool! I might be able to help them!" he all but shouts at Jaru, hoping the 'zombies' hear and pull up their attack
Then to the 'zombies' he will shout, "Hold! You probably guard the Gnome's laboratory and notes on your condition. Should I have access, I a learned man, may be able to reverse what has been done to you!"
Simeons voice is lost in the chaos.
Reverse aid another on Jaru's shot
His efforts are insufficient to stop Jaru's shot.
"Fall back everyone! Let's keep them locked until we resolve whether they can be saved!" shouts Emmett as he retreats and tries to close the door once his companions are out.
Noooooooooo!, they wail in despair.
You can pull out before they get to you and try to close the doors if you wish.
Nalun seems troubled by this new development, on one hand he deeply respects and shares a faith with Father Toth. On the other, he respects and values the opinion of the learned Professor Plavini.
Nalun backs up and allows Emmett to close the door.
I hope you really can help them Professor...
" I a learned man, may be able to reverse what has been done to you!"
Jaru gives Simeon a suspicious look, "There is no 'reversing' death. That is the way to blasphemy. I think that you show a bit too much interest in the dark arts, Simeon. It would be better to think on your inevitable judgement."
Curse you! they scream as the doors are pulled back into place May the gods curse you!
They bang impotently on the iron doors. Then stop.
Simeon gazes frankly back at Jaru's suspicious look, "You sound like one of the mob, Jaru. Destroy that what you don't understand. Yes, I agree , these fellows cannot be freed as they are. But, they were transformed against their will! I cannot in good conscience leave them to rot without trying to use my skills and knowledge to help them. " he says, talking quickly, "I acknowledge that my interest in , as you call them, the dark arts gives you pause. Believe me, it gives me pause at times as well. But, as our good departed friend Lorrimar knew only too well, to know your enemy is to defeat your enemy. "
He pauses to listen to the cries from the 'zombies' on the other side of the door, "We have no idea what these men have been turned into. None of your blessings had an effect. So are they 'dead' or undead, as you assume. I think not, merely different. No so far a circumstance from our esteemed client, the Beast."
Having said his piece, Simeon steps back, frowning at the holy man.
Jaru knows the clever wizard will easily beat him in any debate and instead turns his anger on the shouting dead. "Do not call the God's attention to yourselves! They would blast your vileness from this plane!"
Taking a breath to gather himself and smoothing his robes, Jaru turns back to the others. "Simeon may be correct about our client. I am poorly suited for untangling such logical puzzles, however, I sensed he was capable of empathy and remorse unlike the undead mockeries behind the door. We should take our evidence to his defender and then get some rest before our hopefully final investigation tomorrow."
Yes. We should definitely move forward, who knows what Masters Vorstag and Grines have prepared for us now. Nalun says, eager to get his two allies and ?friends? to agree to something before they come to blows over their differences.
Miss Elidal, this way right? Nalun says, hoping that everyone agrees to leave for now.
The Chymic works have been explored. The mongrel men give you no trouble and only look worried and discuss with each other what their fates will be... how will they survive now?
The Church may be of help... or maybe even the Crooked Kin? Would Kaleb Hesse take them in?
Simeon nods at Jaru's statement, forcing himself down from high dudgeon to merely annoyed.
"Yes, our main goal has been achieved. We've uncovered evidence that someone else was responsible for his so-called crimes. Though personally I'd wish to investigate what the Gnomes have been doing here, that must wait." he says, looking Jaru right in the eye, adding a respectful nod to his opinionated friend.
"Yes, yes!" Jaru replies, tired and still in a somewhat sour mood. " Master Keppell and I agree Master Hesse may be a better contact for the strangers. The Saeranites are better known for charity. Pharasma minds the newly born and aged, but tends to leave all in between to their own Fate."
"Agreed. Let's get the evidence in first. But I'm worried the Gnome might come back while we're away..."
"For certain, we must take those... skins..." says Emmett with a short shiver.
You pack up the skins and move to Keppel Gustav's office.
Th... this is gruesome but some g...g...good evidence, he says. He will arrange for some men to secure they chymic works. He advices that time is of the essence. The trial will start in two days time and you have yet to search the town of Herstag for clues.
You w... w... will move on this first light t.. tom... tomorrow? Yes?
First light yes.
"Indeed! " Simeon says, "Warn your men that the chymists are not to be trifled with. Dangerous, indeed !"
Simeon then retires to his room, opening up his spellbook, re-evaluating his choice of enchantments, given his relative ineffectiveness this day.
You w... w... will move on this first light t.. tom... tomorrow? Yes?
"We had hoped to contact a friend to see if he could help find a new home for the strange servants which the chymists had enslaved, but that may have to wait until after the trial. Just make sure that they are well treated until then." Having done what he can for now, the tired priest retreats to his quarters to get some sleep.
Emmett looks to his companion after the meeting: "I thought we may want to speak with that lying runner we caught earlier. I wouldn't be surprised she knows a lot more than she claims. Might be that us telling her we broke the factory shake her up a bit..."
You rest and sleep very well indeed.
"We can cover more ground if we split our errands," Jaru suggests. " I will take care of the church business while you address Mr. Hesse. I do think he is a better contact for the chymical workers, but I can broach the subject with the Church if you wish."
Jaru arrives at the impressive Pharasmite temple in Lepidstadt and is granted access to the Matriarch of Prophesy (the three major leadership roles in the temple cover the three aspect of Birth, Death and Prophecy).
Welcome Father Toth - it would seem that you are a long way from home. I am Mother Szabo. How can I be of assistance?
---
Kaleb Hess and the Crooked Kin flock around you, happy to see their friends.
Kaleb insists on sharing a drink with you. What brings you here my friends? Oh, before I forget... I am somewhat alarmed. If you are helping defend the Beast then I think there is danger for you. The mob grows and there are some that talk about mob justice - taking the Beast themselves and driving it from the prison to the Burning Man.
Emmett finds some of the watchmen outside indulging in smoking pipes. No stranger to this tradition he joins the guards and asks after his prisoner.
He is told that the prisoner was freed by orders of Senior Watchman Oleg. The guards on duty do NOT look happy about it.
She went and clawed up Huberts throat badly. How he survived I don't know but he's with the Pharasim priests now - he'll make it. How that bastard could think of lettin' her go I've no idea
Oh I've an idea or two an' one of them goes 'clink' an' th' other moans prettily, says another guard dourly.