Never fear, Sergeant, we will remove this 'thing.'" He then looks to the others, "Assuming the rest of you are going as well? I don't want to volunteer any of you who would rather not."
Grigor straightens from a slump and juts his chin out defiantly.
I'm getting that 'Thing', whatever it is... AND the Commander back.
After taking a quick pull from the flask, Valiard hands it back with a nod of thanks.
"Those other ones must have cast iron stomachs, or be slightly touched...that was gruesome. I think that I will stand outside of the tent and just listen in to what you all are saying." he says to Grigor.
Then, his eyes turned toward the brighter entrance of the alleyway, and the square beyond, he wonders aloud: "I wonder about what would cause this? Is it natural? Unnatural? How big is the creature that caused the hole? Is it as big as a stagecoach or the size of a dog?" A slightly hysterical edge creeps into his voice, "Or perhaps it just likes the taste of Raven?"
Thats 'Crows' Apothecary, 'Crows'..., he mutters at Valiard, focused on the ruins.
Grigor heads to site itself and starts investigating the ruins themselves.
Mireza continues to hum under her breath, seeming to pay no attention to the sergeant or the young priest. Are they going to go after it? The question floats through her head, dancing to the tune of the Varisian song. Something is burning inside her. Is it ... curiosity? The desire to lay her mismatched eyes on whatever it is that destroys life so completely and efficiently? What could wring the humanity out of a body and leave it formless and void? If the others go, she will go. She can be the sole survivor....
The group all finds itself outside, back to the cold rain washing over their faces, matting their hair to their heads. The buildings, in hues of purple, loom around the marketplace, as if gravity was pulling them towards the collapse...
You turn to look at the collapsed building. Its destroyed walls pours into the alley forming the only access to the rest of the building that belongs or belonged to Old Marshan...
As you lift the cordon blocking access to the alley, a young crow arrives running and, with a panting smile, gives Feldk a packages. The sergeant calls: "Hey Vachkov!"
He hands you a bag containing 3 potion storage boxes containing 10 potions of cure moderate wounds, five potions of lesser restoration. An ivory scroll case contains a scroll of see invisibility, a scroll of invisibility purge. Finally, a small pouch is labeled as containing a dose of dust of appearance.
As you all move in the alley, you see that the side of the single-story wooden house has collapsed outward into the ten-foot-wide alley, adding to the clutter and refuse. The roofs provide some shelter from the rain, leaving swaths of blood and gore on walls here and there. The hideous smell wafting out of the ruined building is as unplacable as it is stomachturning.
Perhaps the strangest is the huge spiral-shaped smear of blood on the wall opposite the partially collapsed building.
Sheltered by the rain, this ominous rune rises high on the side of the building, as if something enormous had used a broken and bleeding body as a brush to paint its mark...
He shudders at the thought, for it stands for the darkness between the stars where the forgotten gods are said to dwell.
This symbol, he remembers, is used by the heretical members of what are called the Old Cults...
Looking at the rune intently, he attempts to recollect what the odd symbol means. As he continues to look it over, he speaks on what he's remembered, regardless if anyone is listening. "This symbol relates itself with portals and the Dark Tapestry; and also stands for... the darkness between the stars and... where the forgotten gods dwell. Hm." Turning to face the others, "This symbol was used by those of the 'Old Cults'."
Valiard holds his hand to his forehead, shielding his eyes from the continual stream of water coming off of his head. He shakes his head as he sees the symbol on the wall and hears Iozef's explaination."
"This city is quickly becoming an unsafe place to live. What now? This building is a pile of twigs, there isn't any way to see what is in it that I know of. Are you all going to go follow the Crow Commander?"
The watchman takes the box and then gives the sergeant a look of gratitude... and then a salute.
As Iozef stares at the rune he pulls out the Dust Pouch and ties it carefully to his belt then hands the others 3 potion bottles each, 2 Cure Moderate and 1 lesser restoration. Once Iozef is finished, he too is handed the potion ration and Grigor also hands the scrolls to him for perusal.
scroll of see invisibility, a scroll of invisibility purge
Courtesy of the Watch, he grunts. Can you use these scrolls?
Iozef accepts the items from Grigor, "Thank you," and then takes a look at the scrolls. "This one here, yes, I can," he points to the second one offered. "But this one is of arcane nature. I am not sure any of us can use this one." He turns and looks around at the others. A look of curiosity forms as he eyes Mireza, "I know very little of who she is, but you may try asking her. Or possibly Windle." He hands the first one back to him.
"This city is quickly becoming an unsafe place to live. What now? This building is a pile of twigs, there isn't any way to see what is in it that I know of. Are you all going to go follow the Crow Commander?"
"The commander was one of the first men I met when I came to Carrion Hill," Mireza remarks, examining the blending shades of red that make up the spiraling rune. "It would be a shame not to know what happened to him." Which one of the dead Crows was its paintbrush? she wonders idly. Or was it someone else that hasn't been found yet?
You enter the house from the alley, going through the destroyed wall. The house is on a square plan, with three simple rooms. You first enter the living room...
The Living Room
This living room is in a complete state of disarray. Doors are smashed open and the northern wall, by which you entered has exploded outward.
The furniture is in shambles, and rain leaking in from multiple fresh holes in the roof has done little to wash away the thick layer of sticky black slime that seems to coat every surface.
The slime exudes a horrific stench; something like an open grave, burnt decay, the air before a thunderstorm, wet and diseased fur, and worse. Scattered amid the slime and rubble are body parts—too many to be from one victim and all strangely bloodless...
The Parlor
This room was once a cluttered but cozy parlor, but now the couches, bookshelves, tables, and other comforts are in complete disarray. The eastern wall is partially collapsed, including what once may have been a fireplace to the northwest. Here too lies the nauseous slime.
The Bedroom
What appears to have once been a library and bedroom is now in a shambles. Furniture is splintered, shelves and books smashed and torn, and everything is coated with a thick, stinking layer of tar-like sludge. A door frame lies burst open to the southwest, beyond which a flight of slime-smeared stone steps leads downward...
...into the dark.
So focused on the job at hand, that the smell doesn't phase him at all. Dragomir moves to examine and search each room.
Finally, after searching the wreckage of the Bedroom he draws his main sword and peers down the hole.
Mireza quickly pulls one of her scarves over her nose and mouth, but it doesn't prevent her already pale skin from going even paler. Her mismatched eyes widen as her feet stumble a bit in the gore.
Valiard presses a satchel of herbs to his face, covering his nose and mouth, the clean green smell absorbs and covers the stench enough that he is able to ignore the noxious fumes.
What is with these limbs? Are they from corpses...heh...they all are from corpses now, its just how old those corpses are that is important.
"These limbs...they look to be from bodies that were already corpses for some time."
Mireza's eyes flicker to the apothecary wanly. "There are many corpses ... underground," she manages to remark weakly. "In tombs and ... graves."
Iozef looks to Valiard curiously, "Are you sure? How long do you suppose?" He asks sarcastically, but then waves it off. "No matter, these bodies will be dealt with in an appropriate manner; when we have determined and dealt with this 'thing' that caused such a horrific scene." Noticing Grigor peering into the darkness, "Mr. Vachkov, will this be of use?" He pulls out his ioun torch. "It's quite handy, I find, when staying up all hours of the night, pouring over old records." Smiling at the thought, he moves the stone so it shines within the darkness and then peers in. "Hm. I can't seem to see a thing." He offers the gruff man the stone. "You may borrow this, if you wish. Or, I can cause an item of yours to hold its own light, if preferred. Which would be your preference?"
You can't figure what kind of story the slime tracks you noticed tell.
As for the stairs, it turns after a few steps and you can't see further. It seems though that this area had been cleared from numerous debris not so long ago.
Mireza, your cursory examination clearly shows that Valiard has it wrong. The bodies are all fresh. Looks like two crows, dismembered...
"These limbs...they look to be from bodies that were already corpses for some time."
Mireza's eyes flicker to the apothecary wanly. "There are many corpses ... underground," she manages to remark weakly. "In tombs and ... graves."
"But these bits and pieces," she goes on, bending down closer to the scattered body parts and pulling her scarf tighter over her face, although it does nothing to ward away the stench, "haven't been underground yet, although they want to go, to follow their brothers. I think we've found the paintbrush." She stands up and calls to Grigor. "Crow! You knew these, I think. Is there any way to identify them without their faces?"
Grigor barely glances in the direction of the bodies.
Not even their own Mothers could identify them, he says fatalistically. If they are Crow's, we'll be able to work out who they are by who was on the slate for patrol today and who doesn't show up for roll call... though any survivors would be bloody smart to not show up either.
He goes back to peering down the stairs and says, seemingly to Iozef, If you can send a light down those stairs it would be useful - oh and you may want to check out those books in the Library... its the sort of junk that wealthy people like to read when their lives are so boring that they think 'Demon Summoning' and wrestling with secret handshakes seems to be fun.
Iozef, you indeed now notice the peculiar choice in reading the destroyed bookshelves once offered. Though there is no "special" tome of particular interest or value, these are mostly hard to find books on various topics tied to esoterism: astrology, numerology, secret societes and ancient cults.
Iozef gives a look of interest, "Really? I shan't be a moment." He turns to head for the library, but stops just as he's about to leave, as a stronge urge to respond to the 'light' issue overtakes him. "As far as the light goes, Mr. Vachkov, I cannot 'send' the light anywhere, I must attach it to an item of some kind." Iozef looks for something on the Crow as a source. Noticing his sword, he reaches out and lights it up. "There. That should do it." He starts to head for the library. "Don't worry, if that's not preferable, I can place it elsewhere," he says as he walks away like a man on mission.
Quickly making his way to the library, his ioun torch floating above his head, he scans through the books. "Fascinating. These could prove quite useful." He takes a moment to see if there is any information within that might shed some light on the 'Old cults' and the 'Dark Tapestry'.
Valiard trails after Iozef into the library. He moves among the books and papers, pulling out a book seemingly at random, thumbing through it then replacing it on the shelf, shuffling through whatever papers lay strewn about.
Iozef, the books are in really bad shape. From the looks of it, they don't really have any clear and definite knowledge. You'd have to study them for a while to perhaps discern something.
Valiard, after your search, you can tell the room doesn't hold any hidden place.
Realizing it's gonna take too much time to peruse the books, "Will come back to collect them. There is no time to gather them now." Iozef plants the books back very carefully, turns and nearly runs into Valiard. "Excuse me, sir. I did not see you there. When it comes to books, I have a tendency to immerse myself and tune the world out around me. It's a gift." He smiles. "Have you found what you are looking for? Well, no matter, either way, we shall await you." With that, he gives a nod and takes his leave, returning to the others.
As he makes his way back, "Ah! Mr. Vachkov. Is that light upon your sword fitting enough? Let me know if not. Oh and did you query..." He looks to the changeling, "Excuse me, madam, it appears I do not know your name. I am Iozef Kolnikov. And you are?"
"I ... am Mireza." She offers her slim hand cautiously and seems to stumble over the introduction, although perhaps it is only the sickening stench in the ruined building that is affecting her.
Valiard frowns a bit at Iozef's brusque departure, but follows him back into the room with the others.
Mesmerized by the oddness of the woman, Iozef quickly gathers his wits and takes her hand gently, bowing his head in greeting. "A pleasure to meet you, Mireza." Realeasing her hand, he turns back to Grigor, "Now, Mr. Vachkov, did you query Ms. Mireza about the other scroll? Nevermind, I shall. If you would, please sir, return the scroll to me." As Grigor hands him the scroll, "Thank you, sir." He nods. Turning back to Mireza, "Madam, do you practice in the arcane? Take a look at this and see if this is something that could be of any use to you?" As he hands her the scroll, Iozef takes a moment to see if he can recollect anything he could possibly know about one such as her.
Mireza takes the scroll quizzically and gazes at it intently for a few seconds. "This means nothing to me," she says lightly, handing it back to the priest and turning away.
Holding his mace so that it illuminates his path, the Taldan walks through the living room without any visible sign of discomfort. Lady of Graves, judge them well.
"Yes, Iozef. I can use that scroll, thank you." He takes the scroll and tucks it into a belt pouch. He follows the dour watchman to the stairs going down, bending over to examine any traces on the stone. "Do you know who lived here? I didn't think Marshan was interested in such things."
After a careful examination of the stairs, Windle shakes his head. "Look here, on the walls, where the mortar is disturbed and the slime has been forced between the bricks. Whatever came up had to squeeze its way through here."
"And I'm not at all sure that it had feet, as such. Gregor, what do you make of these marks?"
Mireza stumbles back toward the alley, hoping to find fresher air. Leaning against what remains of the wall, she looks up at the bloody rune again for a moment, before taking a few steps toward the street. "You! Crow!" she calls sweetly to Sergeant Feldk. "The crushed men in the tent, were they with Commander Garus or already dead when his company arrived?"
The crow, startled, yells back: "They were all with Commander Garus!"
"Two," she says to herself, pointing two fingers to the tent, "and two." She points her two fingers toward the living room of the crushed house. "How many Crows flew in?" she calls back to Feldk. "Including the Commander?"
Iozef shrugs from what little he can remember of her, figuring she is probably one and the same.
As Windle seems to be studying the bodies as Mireza did, he looks at him curiously. "What are you attempting to ascertain of these bodies, Mr. Thetra? Barring that is a legal question, of course?" He asks with a bit of sarcasm.
The inquisitor's amiable facade is unshaken. "Only whether they were the result of the creature's depredations here, or if they were brought here postmortem. The legal question, such as it is, revolves around the degree of culpability of the owner or owners of the building."
"Wait...what?" Valiard goggles at Windle. "I don't understand, why do you care? I thought the mayor just wanted this mess cleaned up. I thought the owner of the building was dead...I certainly hope that they are dead or hale and fled...and not simply dragged down into the dark by whatever this slime thing is. Did you ask the Raven's who owned the building? If not, we could simply walk to the other side of the square and ask, some of the neighbors should know."
Iozef looks to Valiard confused. "Sir, have you not been listening? No matter, the elder gentleman Mr. Marshan recently purchased this building and was in the process of renovations. The 'mess' the mayor wished us to clean up, is to remove the 'thing' that did all of this." He motions at the destruction. "And lastly, they are called Crows. Not Ravens. It would be wise to address them properly. Mr. Vachkov takes issue with improper protocol," he explains. Realizing he doesn't even know the man's name, "Pardon me, sir, but I fear I do not know your name. I am Iozef Kolnikov." He nods in greeting.