The motley band that had gathered at the restaurant finally settles in on a strategy regarding the investigation of Aldern's townhouse, and return to its address. The scene is much the same as when they had previously arrived, minus the one group of lingering guards.
Zoli, Morythine, and Setsuna all approach the gate to the courtyard, attempting to look casual and as if they have every right to be there, and open it, the gate itself being unlocked. The courtyard appears to be well maintained, with several trees scattered throughout and a series of small paver stones leading up to the main doors. Aside from the main entryway, however, all the other windows and doors on the lower level of the three story home are boarded up.
Morythine slips the key into the lock, and the mechanism opens easily, and the double doors open to reveal a small dining area, with two individuals seated having dinner. The one facing you is the lovely raven haired woman from the paintings in Foxglove Manor, and the other has their back turned to you for the moment.
The woman gasps and drops her utensils on the table as she covers her mouth in fright. The man calls out, "What in the hell?" as he spins around in his seat, and the group is met with the familiar face of Aldern Foxglove, though for a moment he is shocked and angry, but as recognition sets in, he smiles and stands, "Ah! It's alright, my love! These are some of the heroes I told you about! The ones that saved my life in Sandpoint! Zoli! Morythine! What brings you to Magnimar?" He then pauses as something dawns on him, and he asks, "How do you have a key to my townhouse?"
__________
Zoli barely restrains a yelp! as she sees Aldren alive again--and the woman she's seen recently as a revenant alive as well.
"Lord Foxglove, I'm happy to see you...but concerned and surprised as well. May I ask you some questions that will likely sound odd? They may well help us to prevent a greater evil even than the one we saved you from in Sandpoint."
Aldern looks quizzically at the halfling. "Um...certainly...come in though! You are not strangers in my house! Iesha, my love, bring our guests some soup!"
She smiles and says, "Of course, hun," before departing out the far doors.
Aldern gestures towards the other chairs around the table for the group to join him.
"Thank you so much, and my apologies for the rudeness of our entrance. By the way, this is Setsuna, a recent friend." She pauses for a moment. Should we invite in Eugeni, Riley, and Tzefira as well? In a moment yes...but more people he doesn't recognize...I want to see if I can unravel more here, first.
She has a seat at the table and then smiles at Aldren. "Lord Foxglove, if you would be so kind...when do you last recall seeing us? And when were you last at your manor?"
"Any friend of yours is a friend of mine. A pleasure, Setsuna," Aldern says, offering his hand to the lady.
Aldern looks confused and says, "Why, the feast after the boar hunt, a few weeks ago. And if you have paid a visit to the Misgivings lately, I sorely apologize, that place is in a terrible state of disrepair. I plan on fixing it up soon, but Iesha and I decided that we should finish our renovation plans up here before undertaking that large of a project."
As you all move in and take seats, he asks "So where are the rest of the heroes of Sandpoint? I trust doing well?"
__________
"Ahh, as far as our group, I'm afraid we have some sad news to pass on. When we pursued the goblin raids to their source under Thistletop, Kala and Baern died heroes deaths to defend all of Sandpoint. It turned out the goblins were mixed up with some horrors out of olde Thassilon: a barghest and sinspawn and runewells. And all tied up in something to do with the sihedron."
Zoli pulls out her medalion and points to it when she says sihedron, and then pauses to allow Aldren to react. She then asks, "Do you by any chance know of anyone who seems connected to ancient Thassilon in any way?"
Aldern's face pales at the mention of the passing of the other heroes. "I'm...I'm so sorry for your losses. I never met this Baern, but Kala was a brave warrior."
At Zoli's question, Aldern shakes his head, "No ma'am. Never heard of anything of that nature."
__________
This...really is Aldren isn't it? But it can't be!! But he's so earnest, and helpful...but HE WAS A GHOUL. And Iesha had been murdered by him and became some revenant. There is still something strange and dangerous happening here...
"Thank you. I know Kala thought well of you too. By the way, Eugeni is still well although he's had a difficult road himself, and was just recently reincarnated as a halforc. It's still him of course, though appearances...well I guess sometimes they can be deceiving, eh?"
Zoli pauses again. "He should be outside in fact, with two other friends we can introduce you to. Morythine, why don't you go let them know that Lord Foxglove and Iesha are home, and invite them in too."
"Of course! Tell them to join us! Iesha! Three more bowls for more guests!" Aldern calls out.
As everyone gets settled around Aldern's table, Iesha returns with a tray of bowls, each filled with a fine smelling potato soup. She greets you all warmly as Aldern says, "Iesha, my dear, this is Zoli, Morythine, and," pausing as he gestures to Eugeni with an uncertain look, "according to Zoli, Eugeni? The rest, however, are new friends that I have not had the pleasure of meeting. thus far, but am honored to make your acquaintances."
Riley makes a big smile when introduced to Aldern and Iesha. "Hello! I see the reports of your deaths have been greatly exaggerated."
As the trio enter Aldern’s townhouse, Morythine once again dons the macabre flensed flesh of the stalker’s mask .
Morythine, why don't you go let them know that Lord Foxglove and Iesha are home, and invite them in too
Loathe to leave Zoli alone with their resurrected enemy, Morythine nonetheless complies. Drawing the hood of his cloak over the mask so as not to appal Tobias or the newcomer, Tzefira, he returns to the others.
“Aldern’s in there – or perhaps his shade. He’s invited us inside. Be prepared for treachery. Here’s a trick to unnerve him.”
With this Morythine activates the magic of the stalker’s mask, taking Eugeni’s furred form as it appeared before the ranger’s reincarnation. He returns to Zoli and Setsuna’s side with whoever follows him.
Spell prepared: 1st level: magic stone, obscuring mist (domain), protection from evil, remove fear
Orisons: bleed, detect poison, guidance, virtue
I don't care to indulge the "Rule of Cool,"
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A bit startled by the fact that Aldern is very much alive and not undead, Setsuna defaults to her mother's manners training and both automatically and graciously takes his hand.
"A pleasure to meet you as well, Lord Foxglove."
Once the gears in her head start turning, Setsuna starts thinking rapidly to herself.
What? WHAT?! Isn't he supposed to be six feet under?!"
"Yeah, It's me...." Eugeni says, looking uncomfortable. Last time I saw you, you were trying to eat me and I was shooting you in the face. This better start making sense fast.
"My death?" Aldern asks at Riley's statement. He begins to reflexively greet the canine appearing version of Morythine as Eugeni, when Eugeni himself speaks up. Aldern's face grows more confused, as he looks to Zoli, then to the duo of Eugeni's, and asks, "I'm sorry, I thought Zoli said you had passed...and been, reincarnated? But here you stand before me as if nothing were wrong, with a half-orc claiming the same name? And you all say that I had died? I think I need to hear this story. Please, have a seat and join us for dinner while you tell the tale."
__________
Zoli yelps when she sees the furry Eugeni she's familiar walk in--Did he reverse it, somehow!?--and then she sees how the others are looking at him and realizes (shaking her head):
"That's Morythine, playing around. I'll explain more. First though...
"Here's the thing...we're in Magnimar investigating what people are calling the skinsaw murders: brutal slayings where the victims' faces are flayed off and sihedrons are carved into their skin. Have you heard anything about this? Do you know anything about what's been happening or who might do such a thing?"
Aldern shakes his head. "I've heard of them. Everyone has. It's terrible. Never heard of this 'Sihedron' though. If I had any ideas about who might have done it though, I'd most definitely let the authorities know, if nothing else to make sure they arrested the vile things responsible before they get to me or my wife!"
Iesha speaks up and says, "I do hope so. It's so terrible what is going on. How do you all like the soup?" she asks.
"OK, I'm going to tell you more of what's happened in the last few days. We investigated these murders in Sandpoint. Clues led us toward the Misgivings and so we headed that way. As we ventured near we were attacked by ghouls. When we got inside...this is going to be hard to hear but you need to hear it:
"We encountered a tormented ghost of Iesha...kept bound to this world by having been murdered by you. When we got to the caverns beneath your home we found you, undead and insane, surrounded by ghouls...and found you wearing a mask made of the flayed skin of the murder victims."
Zoli takes a deep breath, looking at both Aldren's and Iesha's faces.
The two nobles listen carefully, and grow more disturbed as the tale continues. "By the Gods!" Iesha says in a shocked tone.
"I don't know what's worse, the description of us as undead, or the fact that these murders were going on in Sandpoint also!" Aldern replies.
__________
His suspicion of Aldern only growing, Morythine drops his disguise as Eugeni’s previous incarnation. As the appearance of the furred aasimar fades away, the dhampir peels the flayed fragments of the stalker’s mask from his face.
"That's Morythine, playing around. I'll explain more. First though...
“Last time you saw Eugeni looking like this, you tried to tear his throat out. Why the change of heart? You were also wearing this fine mask,” Morythine says, holding up the grotesque flayed skin he has just peeled off his own face. “Recognise it?”
“You don’t seem overly surprised about the murders in Sandpoint. I’m not convinced by your protestations of ignorance and innocence. If you really are Aldern, why is your stack overrun by haunts and ghouls? And if you’re not Aldern, then what are you?”
Spell prepared: 1st level: magic stone, obscuring mist (domain), protection from evil, remove fear
Orisons: bleed, detect poison, guidance, virtue
Aldern looks at the mask with disgust, "I can assure you I've never seen that thing before in my life. And I haven't seen any of you in weeks, not since the feast after our boar hunt."
He sighs and adds, "About my manor, I knew there were rumors of it being cursed, but I had considered it just some childish scary stories. I haven't been there in quite some time myself, but if what you say is true...perhaps so are the tales...Did you happen to remove those abominations?"
"Also, I had been worried since these murders continued that it had to be more than one person doing all this...and that it may spread to Sandpoint. Your story just confirms my fears..."
__________
Riley seats himself and ventures, "Perhaps it's a case of mistaken identity? A different fellow named Aldern who became indebted to the Brothers and became a ghoul who happens to own a townhouse here in Magnimar."
He sniffs at the soup, and if there appears to be meat in it, he declines. "I'm afraid I've just eaten. And, I don't eat the flesh of animals. After you've watched a troll disembowel itself in front of you, you lose the appetite for it. Meat, I mean. Well, disemboweling too, I suppose. Very messy."
He looks at the faces at the table. "And likely not the appropriate topic for dinner, even though we've just been talking about ritual murders and ghouls."
"Aah! Lovely!" He says as he digs in.
Morythine whispers a prayer to himself before tucking into the potato soup .
Your story just confirms my fears..."
"Best explain those fears fast, then." retorts Morythine.
"...that the murders are beyond the walls of Magnimar?" Aldern says quizzically, thinking he had explained them already.
"Is something the matter?" Iesha asks as Morythine incants his spell.
"Is something the matter?"
“Indeed there is. This soup is poisoned and you are ”
Morythine springs to his feet and lunges towards Aldern.
Spell prepared: 1st level: magic stone, obscuring mist (domain), protection from evil, remove fear
Orisons: bleed, detect poison, guidance, virtue
"I knew it!" Eugeni says, drawing an arrow and firing into "Aldern's" face.
"Ulp," Riley offers, and looks down at his bowl. Then he looks at the others, to see who else might have tried the soup.
Zoli--still full up on squid ink noodles--opts for the wine. She is just about to touch it to her lips when Morythine makes his accusation. "What?!? You can't get rid of us that easily!"
In a flash she drops her goblet, draws her scimitar, and slashes for the throat of the "Aldern" in front of her.
____________
HP 44/44
Luck 6/7
Panache 3/3
Charmed Life 3/3
Buffs luck (round 1/3): +2 to hit, damage, skill rolls, saving throws;
Given the size of the group and her unfamiliarity with the Foxglove family, Setsuna decides to keep quiet. However, having always been a sucker for the stuff, Setsuna opts to scan the wine for poison; however, Morythine beats her to it. Upon hearing his accusation, Setsuna's survival instincts go into overdrive. A shroud of shadows quickly envelops her form, and Setsuna draws her sickle.
Riley leans back in his chair, satisfied that everyone else seemed to have been too paranoid to have actually eaten anything. He quickly casts a spell to nullify the toxins he ingested.
“Indeed there is. This soup is poisoned and you are treacherous curs!!!"
Morythine springs to his feet and lunges towards Aldern.
"I knew it!" Eugeni says, drawing an arrow and knocking it to his bow.
"Ulp," Riley offers, and looks down at his bowl. Then he looks at the others, to see who else might have tried the soup.
Zoli--still full up on squid ink noodles--opts for the wine. She is just about to touch it to her lips when Morythine makes his accusation. "What?!? You can't get rid of us that easily!"
In a flash she drops her goblet and draws her scimitar.
Given the size of the group and her unfamiliarity with the Foxglove family, Setsuna decides to keep quiet. However, having always been a sucker for the stuff, Setsuna opts to scan the wine for poison; however, Morythine beats her to it. Upon hearing his accusation, Setsuna's survival instincts go into overdrive. A shroud of shadows quickly envelops her form, and Setsuna draws her sickle.
Riley leans back in his chair, satisfied that everyone else seemed to have been too paranoid to have actually eaten anything. He quickly casts a spell to nullify the toxins he ingested.
Tzefira, unsure of what has just developed, opts for protection and incants a quick spell. A field of energy shimmers around her briefly before vanishing.
As the group attacks, Aldern and Iesha both snarl at the group, clenching their teeth as their faces and bodies begin to distort. Soon, all facial features are gone as they are replaced entirely by unsettling whorls and slits rather than facial features. Their clothes seem to melt away into their flesh, and what now stands before you all are a pair of hairless, leathery skinned bipeds.
As they shift, they both seem to grow euphoric with the thrill of battle, and make quick feints that manages to throw Morythine and Tzefira off balance.
As the chaos ensues, the one that had been Aldern lashes out with a strike at Morythine, which the dhampir narrowly dodges. Tzefira, however, proves not to be as nimble. The one that appeared to be Iesha delivers a bone cracking slam into the woman's ribcage, eliciting a grunt of pain and what sounded like a rib breaking.
As the creature swings for her, Tzefira responds by chanting a quick word and waving a hand to become vapourous and insubstantial, allowing the attack to harmlessly pass through her.
As her form coalesces back to normal, the sylph frowns, unable to move away from the time being, decides to wait a moment to see if such a space will become available.
Riley blows a shrill whistle through his teeth, instructing Olympus to flank the outer creature with Morythine. It swoops in and attacks. Meanwhile, inside, Riley draws his scimitar and slashes at the one attacking Tzefira.
Unable to grapple the monster, Morythine instead lashes out with his fists in a one-two combination. Both blows smack into rubbery flesh, but fail to do the damage the dhampir expects.
Spell prepared: 1st level: magic stone, obscuring mist (domain), protection from evil, remove fear
Orisons: bleed, detect poison, guidance, virtue
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As their form shifts, Zoli exclaims "Gahh! I recognize these things from Thersiat's tragicomic opus, The Ugliest Ugothol in Ustalav! They're hard to hurt without something to cut or stab--and if they manage to hold you down they'll suck your blood. We're not going to give them a chance to do that though, are we?"
With that she brushes her lucky Thassilonian button while lashing out with her scimitar. She swings true, slicing deep into the Faceless Stalker's belly.
_______________
HP 44/44
Luck 6/7
Panache 3/3 (-1 if attacked)
Charmed Life 3/3
Buffs luck (round 1/3): +2 to hit, damage, skill rolls, saving throws;
Eugeni fires the arrow that he knocked, as well as three more, aiming for the most wounded creature first. His skill is such that he somehow manages to ignore how crowded the room is, and still shoot decently.
Seeing a chance to further her group's numerical advantage, Setsuna closes her eyes and begins calling forth aid from another plane.
As the one that had been Aldern falls to the onslaught, the other wheels around and bolts through the back door, knocking it nearly off its hinges as it bursts through them. It darts around the corner and into the alley as fast as it can.