Tybalt smiles and greet Miss Pemberton, politely inquiring to her health and the book she's perusing before heading further below decks.
Through the galley, with a nod and enquiry to the cook preparing the food. However as he moves further in his appetite disappears and he leans on the barrel with a dry heave. Taking a few moments for his eyes to focus. He waits for a second....
You are aware that Leandro is near the ship's stern at the moment. Tybalt is in the hold below.
It does not appear to be anybody you recognize.
Leandro nods to himself, surveying the pink planking. "Your pardon again. Who is the night helmsman? Were they here this morning for you to relieve?"
Since Tybalt is on deck, Dr Tovanarish goes to meet him
“I have discovered evidence of foul play amongst the tarps “
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Tybalt sends his fluffy barn owl to fly to the others whilst he stays with the barrel. Around the owls leg is a small note that says simply.
'Found something in galley storeroom. Please come.'
Argassa does not look at Leandro, but says, ”This helm is bound to me and I to it. It holds course while I sleep.”
Leandro and Dr. Tovanarish see the familiar sight of Tybalt’s owl carrying a note.
After speaking to Leandro, Dr Tovanarish sees the owl. He reads the note
“Tybalt needs us in the hold”
Leandro nods acknowledgement, then silently gestures to the stained deck boards behind the blind helmswoman and holds out the fingernail to the professor, pointing to the rail where it had been stuck.
The doctor examines the fingernail with a clinical eye
Dr Tovanarish looks at the Paladin
“I fear that young Raff will not be climbing the rigging in the near future. “
Leandro nods solemn agreement with the doctor, with a brief glance at Argassa.
"Let's go help the lad," he sighs, clambering down the ladder to the deck and continuing belowdecks. "I hope it's nothing too terrible. I sent him down there. We'll need to tell the Mate about Raff, too, assuming that's him and not someone else missing."
Tybalt is stood just outside the storeroom, his face a bit pale. Slightly blocking the doorway, he holds out a hand and says softly to the others.
"I found something,... It might be Rafe... I'm not sure." his words are soft. "You haven't eaten?"
Lowering his hand, he points out to behind the barrel.
Leandro peers behind the barrel with an expression of nausea and amazement. He says a swift prayer over the remains, then another.
"We'll need to ask Mate Swift about the details... like the mole. Could the poor lad have been flayed on the aft deck and brought down here? Or was he a monster in disguise?"
Dr Tovanarish looks over the skin. He doesn’t seem affected by the sight, but a slight clenching of his jaw can be noticed by anyone watching closely. He inspects the skin in situ, looking for any items of interest
Marta the cook looks with concern as two more passengers make their way to the galley storeroom, but she says nothing.
Upon Dr. Tovanarish's close inspections:
It's hard to glean much from the fingernail. It's not very long, and somewhat brittle from exposure or poor nutrition.
Having seen Raff around the deck yesterday, the flayed skin does not resemble him. This skin belonged to someone younger - barely more than a boy. You are not aware of any boys who were part of the crew.
The skin does not radiate magic, nor, to Leandro's knowledge, does it bear any religious connection.
“I believe it is time to alert the authorities to this crime” Dr Tovanarish says as he straightens his lean form, careful not to hit the low ceiling with his head. He murmurs a quick prayer to Pharasma and then turns to Marta
“Madame, there has been foul play committed in this storeroom. For the sake of your own mental equilibrium, I pray you do not enter until we can alert the captain and have him and his agents look at the scene”
"Two foul acts, then... Raff, and this youngster. I'll go fetch the Mate and Captain." The paladin squeezes from the storage area and bolts up the ladders, happy to leave the cramped and musty belowdecks. He seeks out Mate Swift and gains the man's attention, interrupting him if need be.
Speaking low, Leandro claps the man on the shoulder. "We've found what might remain of Raff - blood and tissue sluiced all over the stern behind the wheel. And we've found a worse horror in the galley storage. Come see if you like, but it's time the Captain hears. You've lost one man, and we may have a dangerous stowaway aboard."
"Ach - foul play? On the ship?" Marta asks incredulously.
Swift looks pale at Leandro's description of events. "Show me," he says grimly. "I'll need to see everything before I report to Captain Fletcher."
"Follow, then." Leandro leads the way to the quarterdeck first, pointing out the bloodstains on the boards behind the blind steerswoman. He then conducts Swift to the galley storage, motioning him forward to join Tybalt and the doctor in the tight quarters while the paladin remains behind to stay out of the way. "Not Raff, we think, but... someone. Something?"
"Ach - foul play? On the ship?" Marta asks incredulously.
** spoiler omitted **
Swift looks pale at Leandro's description of events. "Show me," he says grimly. "I'll need to see everything before I report to Captain Fletcher."
Dr Tovanarish seems preoccupied with the events and doesn’t notice anything awry with Marta
“Yes. And judging from the evidence, likely a multiple murder involving a supernatural factor”
Mate Swift briskly heads to the storeroom. A wave of shock and horror passes over him has he beholds the skin. He seems to have a strong stomach, however, and leans in for a closer look.
"Don't recognize him," he says gruffly. "You may be right about a stowaway, Sir Knight," he says to Leandro. "The captain will have to be informed. I'll see to it."
As Swift strides quickly back through the galley, Marta is clearly sweating, and her hands shake visibly. As Swift is about to go beyond the door leading to the rest of the hold, the cook breaks down. "Oh, I knew I shouldn't'a done it!" she blubbers. "But he seemed a good lad, on his way to Mordentshire, see? Said he wouldn't eat hardly nothin'. Oh, has somethin' happened to the lad? Tell me," she pleads.
A pale Tybalt walks forward and takes her hands in his and looks in her eyes, with concern and care. "It's alright Marta dearie. There might have been an incident...."
"The young lad, he wanted to go to Mordentshire. for any specific reason?" He wonders aloud.
Marta looks distraught as he she tells the story. "The lad seemed in a bad way. Hungry, dirty. Said he had some kin in Mordentshire, and getting there would be a way to get out of the workhouse in Port d'Elhour. I felt sorry for the lad, 'n tried to keep him hidden."
Mate Swift harrumphs at this. "Seems discipline's been gettin' lax hereabouts."
Marta goes on. "Well, when I didn't see 'im this mornin' for a bit o' gruel, I feared the worst, like maybe he's gone overboard with Raff. Oh has somethin' terrible happened to the lad?"
Dr. Tovanarish looks stern
“I fear that perhaps your kindness has allowed something evil on board. Looking at the evidence, I postulate that perhaps this stowaway urchin is some sort of supernatural predator “
"You're probably right about something terrible happening to Raff, though. How tall was the 'poor lad'? Well-grown, or a child yet?" the paladin asks, trying not to let his irritation with the woman show. It is the fault of this horrid land, not the woman. She was trying to be kind. This place warps all kindness to evil.
"Oh, he were more of a youth," Marta says, gesturing to about 5 feet in height.
"No sign of Raff, then?" Swift cuts in. "What else did you find?"
Dr Tovanarish points to where the skin is hidden
“A gruesome leaving. We didn’t disturb it. You should take a look at it, but be warned it is not for the faint at heart”
"And a fingernail and swath of blood aft of the wheel, up top," Leandro reminds him, "About where a watchman might stand."
"A struggle maybe?" Swift says to Leandro. "That doesn't sound good for young Raff, what with no one's seen him. Captain'll want to see folks on deck."
With a grim look, Swift heads up to the captain's cabin. After a few minutes, a grizzled man in a worn captain's coat and hat emerges, with Mate Swift behind him. The captain seems unsteady on his feet, and his features have a slightly jaundiced look. He slurs his words as he speaks to the assembled mass of crew. Professor Hailstork and Miss Pemberton stand to the side.
"Eh, seems we been lax hereabouts," Captain Fletcher growls. The smell of liquor on his breath is detectable even at some distance. "Good help hard to come by, eh? You gang o' good-fer-nothin' lagabouts'll be the death o' me. Stowaways? Folk missin'? I hear more o' this sorta thing and the lot o' you will be dumped at the next port." He turns away. "Swift - see that this is taken care of." He staggers back into his cabin and slams the door.
"You heard the captain," Swift says to the crew. "All be on the lookout for somethin' foul about. Anything amiss, and you come straight to me, hear?"
Dr Tovanarish stands to the side of the crew, looking for any odd reactions to the captain’s speech. His medical eye picks out the cirrhosis-induced jaundice evident on the captain’s face. After the crowd has dispersed he attempts to find a quiet moment to address Mate Swift
“I am somewhat concerned about the Captain. If we have a predator on board, it will exploit every weakness. I need some truthful information from you. I do not judge, it is not my place. But, as a physician, I can see that the captain is unwell. Does he drink to excess? I ask this not merely to gauge his health, but to discover if this is the normal state of things. If this is a new development, then it could be brought on by interaction with our mystery fiend. If this is his normal mien, then I will pursue other avenues of investigation “
"Ain't ever seen him sober," the first mate confides. "Not that you'll encounter none here what'll speak out against 'im. I'd give the captain a wide berth... but won't speak no more of it."
"Whatever it is that was wearing the boy's skin... could it be wearing someone else's now?" Leandro wonders aloud.
"Ain't ever seen him sober," the first mate confides. "Not that you'll encounter none here what'll speak out against 'im. I'd give the captain a wide berth... but won't speak no more of it."
Dr. Tovanarish nods to the mate
“Your loyalty does you credit, sir. I thank you for your honesty, and be assured that I will hold our discussion in strictest professional confidence. I wish only to prevent more of the crew from suffering Raff’s fate”
After rejoining the party, he ponders Leandro’s question
“I would be of the opinion that it is very likely. The issue we face with such a creature is that it can camouflage its existence. Also, we are in a very bounded environment. The creature will not be far away, and it has a limited selection of victims to feed upon. We must be very vigilant “
Tybalt comforts and reassures her that she did nothing wrong allowing the youthful stowaway aboard despite the consequences of her actions. Complimenting her kind heart, there's an honest attempt to make sure she's not too upset by what's happened.
However he does stay with his companions. "Although it could be the stowaway changed or had some sort of parasite. We should also be aware it might be something completely different."
Tybalt agrees with the doctors assertation of vigilance.
"Magical transmogrification is possible or some sort of were-creature? As you say there's not much space on this ship, could it still be hidden? Should we search?" Tybalt wonders.
"If it's wearing someone else's skin, how would we even find it? We have strength and assurance in numbers. Anyone who has been isolated was possible prey... or a new disguise." The paladin's mind leaps to the thought of the Captain, locked alone in his cabin all trip.
Tybalt is fairly certain that were-creatures do not shed their skin, but rather remake it each time they transform.
Dr. Tovanarish is familiar with a few creatures that can wear skins - the fey skin stealer, the powerful undead ecorche, and rumors of aberrant creatures that stalk swamps and wear the skins of others. It is hard to discern, without direct observation, what particular sort of creature might have used a discarded skin.
Dr Tovanarish looks thoughtful, then stern
“There are several possibilities that this could be. Without more information I cannot be sure “
He looks around at the group
“We could stay together and wait until it comes for us, or we can attempt to flush it out. I am in favor of the latter. Without an idea exactly what this creature is, we could end up sailing on a ship full of its spawn. I am a man of action. I say we investigate the ship as best we can”
"We have a responsibility to find this creature before it is allowed to run loose in Mordentshire, as well. I agree with the doctor. We must do our best to find it."
Res staggers slightly to join the group, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Damn this constant swaying, how can your stomachs handle it?" he asks. "I think I'm finally getting my sea legs. I overheard your plan as I approached. I agree with the Doctor; we need to search this ship to find whatever foul creatures or creatures are on it before we put it into port. We could split up into two groups to cover more ground quickly."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Disguise(CHA):+5
Heal(WIS):+12
Intimidate(CHA):+6
Knowledge(INT)(Religion): +11
Knowledge(INT)(Dungeoneering): +11
Knowledge(INT)(Planes): +11
Knowledge(INT)(Nature): +11
Perception(WIS):+12
Profession(Herbalist)(WIS):+12
Ride(DEX):+4
Sense Motive(WIS):+12
Spellcraft(INT):+11
Dr Tovanarish goes through the crew methodically, interrogating them as to their actions last evening. He asks to take their pulse while asking them, noting if any demur. If asked, he will state he can tell a lot about a person’s truthfulness in the beat of their pulse. While he distracts them with this gambit, he uses his medical knowledge to look for any signs of outward abnormalities .
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Leandro accompanies Dr. Tovanarish to avoid taking up too much of the crew's time with multiple questioning. While one crewmember is examined by the doctor, Leandro will chat up the one waiting for his turn, pleasantly telling stories and trying to relax the person.
While they chat, Leandro will observe them for anything that strikes him as off about the person, if they meet the criteria for any fiendish beings he might know of.
Finally, after Dr. Tovanarish has questioned them, he presents his silver longsword, holding the hilt in one hand and the blade in his gauntled off-hand. He asks them to rest their palm on the silver blade and state the following:
* I do not know any more than I have already told about events last night.
* I know nothing more than I have told about the disappearance of Raff.
* I know nothing more than I have told about a possible stowaway onboard.
* I know nothing more than I have told about fellow crewmen who are not acting like themselves.
If they don't answer truthfully or declare that they have more information, he follows up with them. If they refuse to lay their palm on silver, he definitely wants to know why.
Volidrian has been trying to stay unnoticed as much as possible, trying to observe without being observed.
"I will attempt to see how the crew conduct themselves when they believe themselves to be in secret. They may reveal things to each other that they wouldn't to strangers. Do not fear overmuch for my safety going alone, the killer will not find me easy prey."
Whilst the doctor and Leandro do their interrogation, Volidrian does his observation from the shadows; Tybalt decides for a different tack.
Finding, or buying a bottle or 2 of grog, Tybalt will try to have drinks with the crew (& Miss Pemberton) - attempting to get to know them with humour and charm, slightly jovially bemoaning his fellow companions & their queries, whilst trying to wheedle information & befriend these newcomers.
Tybalt will even let the more sensitive shipmates, especially the ladies, pet his owl friend.
since it doesn't seem like lycanthropes, could this creature be like a selkie or fey that sheds it's skin & uses a wrap to turn human.
And he does attempt to ascertain if there are any weirdness with the crewmates, but his bar for weirdness is high.
Recalling the professor is a man of few words, and not one to indulge in banal chit-chat Res is direct in his questioning of their fellow travelers. First asking their thoughts regarding the recent disappearances, and then following up with direct questions about their recent activities on the ship the past few days.
While questioning them, he also looks carefully for any bruises, scratches, or wounds that the victim may have inflicted on their assailant when being attacked.
If any statements ring false, his demeanor hardens, and he takes a more accusatory tone with his questioning while putting his hand on his greatsword
All told, these long conversations with the crew and passenger take hours to conclude. A sense of frustration is palpable among the crew over having to ask so many questions.
Marta, of course, remains inconsolable over her feelings of responsibility for unleashing some horror upon the ship's complement. She answers questions readily, and seems sincere in her regret. She takes some time to sit and chat with Tybalt - about idle things, really. It seems to calm her down somewhat.
The rest of the crew seems largely impatient, especially Mate Swift, but he seems confident in his account of himself. The helmswoman Argassa is characteristically difficult to read, while the wise hand Alcien seems eager to help with the investigation, even going so far as to share his own accounting of many of the other crewmembers' whereabouts last night. It is as if he sees himself as another investigator and wants to share notes with Leandro in particular. Still, he seems genuine to your inquiries.
Miss Pemberton seems particularly shaken by these events, and stays close by Dr. Tovanarish as someone who might be able to make some sense of these horrors for her.
Professor Hailstork is aloof as ever, displaying particular impatience with any questioning about himself. His answers are evasive - often answering questions with more questions. To Res's particularly acute judgment of character, he seems to be hiding something, and seems unable to offer any account of his own activities after everyone else hit their bunks the night before. He shows no fear of Leandro's silver blade and touches it readily, but Res and Leandro are confident he is lying.