"Walt, does your family hav any scrip's er books on demons er the likes? I'd be intr-.. I'd like to read 'em."
Drot nods in agreement to the conversation.
"All the paintins were at night, maybe we can bait the creature if we run out of leads."
"I think Gronder is on to something. The body itself didn't have any bite marks at all. I got a close look after you'd suggested it earlier. It wasn't just his blood that was gone either but everything. He was more of a husk than a dead body." Charlemange shivered. shivered.
"These paintings Tesswyn and Drot'ook found though, they were at night and next to the well? Hmm, so this wasn't the only time he'd seen Her, this woman.
So we have a potential place to check and when to go which is at night. Also the fact that she's captivating and may not be immediately lethal, given the multiple paintings. Although she did follow him here do she's not entirely stationary.
Well if nothing else we have today to try and learn anything else we can. Maybe we should talk to the sheriff and get a curfew set up to keep people from wandering around at night and we'll be the volunteers for the watchers. Who then should be the bait?"
"Seems like she's got a taste for older men. Maybe Walt can lure her out," Tesswyn suggests, idly picking at some dirt under her fingernails.
Charles glanced over to Walter.
"Well it's about as good as any other lead we have at the moment. Walter, do you feel like being the one to go?"
"Alas I do not have my home anymore. I left it to my wife when I entered the priesthood, and she sold it when she moved on. I stay at the chapel now, but I can ask if they might have anything that might help."
"I would be willing to try such a ruse. I am not sure if the culprit is demonic or fey, as the woman could either be a succubus or perhaps a fairy, like a dryad or a nymph. Either way, it has to be stopped before someone else is killed and their soul possibly lost from the Wheel."
Regulus nods. "Bait. A practicable scheme. Also investigate well." He points to Tesswyn "As suggested."
Tesswyn spends some time fencing the goods from the shopkeeper's house, then hangs around with Drot.
That night...
Walt and Regulus (and whoever else is joining) stay up well past dark sitting by the well.
At different times you can hear laughter echoing up. It's faint; a soft feminine laugh that you can barely hear even when holding your ear over the well proper.
Once, I'm the early hours before Dawn, you even saw a faint glow coming from down there. A chance from pitch black to a soft blue. It was only noticeable due to how dark it was. An hour later as the sun rose, you would have never seen it.
Just after dawn, a mournful wail can be heard across town. It's a woman's voice a few octaves too low - a voice some may recognize as coming from Malery.
Malery's only real "job" in the town is to keep the well maintained. She keeps the rope in good repair and keeps the wheels properly greased. She also runs errands for people in town.
You run to see what happened, and she's sitting at the crossroads crying over a dead body.
Another victim had been found, completely dried out and dessicated.
I didn't do it, she sobs, when she notices you, I didn't do it. She rocks back and forth, holding her knees in tight.
I'd probably keep the shop open for half the time it normally would be. I'd close up with the intention of keeping it closed for at least the next few days. After that I probably do some studying and follow up on Waltz Chapel Library.
"Everythin's gonna be alright Malery. We'll find who did this."
Charles had waited close by the well during the night to help ensure that there had not been any trouble. He'd surmised that with Regulus nearby the chances of anything happening to Walter unnoticed would be small. After several hours of hearing the faintest sounds of laughter but nothing else occurring, he eventually he faltered in his vigil and had been unable to keep his eyes open any longer. So he returned to his little home early to sleep.
He arrived following the sounds of the wailing woman and found she had already been met by Drot'ook.
He kneeled down in front of the form of the desiccated victim and looked him over, internally cursed himself for his own lack of vigilance.
Of course, it was foolish to assume this woman would go after only one victim at a time. She would have multiple possible targets.
He glanced over at Drot'ook and then at the woman. Suddenly his memory snapped into focus and he realized he'd met her before. Malery.
He studied her for a moment as she sobbed and he frowned. "It's alright. We believe you didn't do this." He thought back to what he'd heard the night before.
"Malery, you take care of the well directly. Tell me, have you noticed anything strange lately? Laughter when it's quiet. People coming by more often at night or even during the early hours. Or possibly a woman enamoring a number of men at night?"
Regulus listens carefully to the sounds then rushes to the scene when there is a scream. He examines the body but doesn't say anything while Charles is asking her questions. Multiple simultaneously lines of inquiry muddle the distraught witness. But in the back of his mind, he wonders Should go down into well... investigate directly...
What you did learn, however, was that demons could take nearly any shape or size and have such a wide array of powers and abilities that this could potentially be a demon. At least, it's not out of the question.
A demon is a disembodied spirit in the void, and only takes shape once it escapes the void and enters reality. From there, demons are typically pretty weak, but the longer they live the more powers they gain and the stronger they become. What powers they have is partially based on chance and partially based on the environment and those they kill. Demons grow and evolve based on their experiences.
One thing is certain - this most definitely isn't a vampire. Vampires typically take their victims away if they're going to kill them, so they don't get caught. If they attack a victim in town like this, they would just drink enough to sustain themselves and let the victim keep living. Although, these are crazy times, and it may not be out of the realm for a vampire to go crazy and just start leaving victims everywhere.
Even still, the mode of death doesn't match a vampires kill. These are dried out husks with paper thin skin. Something is wicking all the moisture out. A vampire shouldn't be able to do that.
You don't find anything out about the well. While it's possible something is living down there, there's nothing in the available town archives that would suggest anything. However, you do recall that there may be some more information with Archiletto family. They're the oldest and richest family in town, and they have a manor here. But they don't let just anyone in.
Malery sniffs.
I... Uhm. Yes. I no bout da Laffr. Da Laffr in th' Well. I ben hearin da laff for months. Ev'ry nigh I hear her laff.
Ths al my falt! she wails.
Malery spends almost every night at the well making sure people don't defile the well at night by pissing in it or anything else. During the day, she sleeps in the basement of Adan's house. Adan is the town carpenter, and he lives in a decent sized home with his wife and five children. He let's Malery stay in the basement out of generosity.
I shuuda say somtin' to som'un. I shuudda. I seen her once. Sh' caym up ouda th' well and try to kiss me. To kiss me! But I ran aw'y. I was scared o her.
Las nite, I seen her agin. She cum up louda da well, all glowin, and wen to da man. Da one who was kill yesserday. Th' not nice man.
I ask Glyssy t' mayk me a cloke. Thot I cud give it to her. Mayk her hapy. But her Glyssy ded! She ded!
Glyssy is Glyssandra, the local seamstress. She had a reputation for overcharging folks, being late on commissioned jobs, and not being particularly tolerant of children or misbehavior.
Once the team convenes and Malery is out of ear shot I will relay the information I have found.
"This demon might be using a different entrance, the well might 'ave an out somwere outside of town... I know some folks who might know a thing er two 'bout the well but it ain't gonna be easy talkin' to 'em. Might 'ave ta ask the Mayor fer'a favor."
Regulus comments "As an inorganic, I do not require ventilation in order to maintain my operation. Perhaps I could be lowered into the well to investigate immediately. If negative results, then pursue lead."
Gronder looks over at Regulus. "It's good of you to volunteer, but if something went wrong you'd be down there alone. I'm not sure that's a great idea." He strokes his beard as he thinks. "Not sure I can think of a better one, though. But I'd volunteer t'go with you. I am used to tunnels and such."
"We might as well all go down together," Tesswyn says, a tad reluctantly. "Just in case the demon sucks a few of you dry, the rest of us can whack her."
Despite her words, the girl wonders what use her stick could possibly be against a monster like that.
"Wait, you've heard this laughter for months and now you saw her but didn't say anything?!" Charlemange's eyes widened in surprise "Yes. Yes, you should have said something Malery. This was not a normal thing!" He put his hand to his face in frustration took several deep breaths to calm down.
"Look, no one can blame you for being scared. But if you let abominations go about doing what they're doing without at least informing others, then you let them have their way. You talk with a lot of people and you do errands for them. You need to let them know.
Promise me that you'll let us know, in the future."
Charles paced the area as the others discussed their plans.
"Well between the paintings and Malery's story about what she's been seeing there's no doubt that the abomination is down below in the well. Further, if what she said is true and it has been hidden here for months and it's starting to grow bold.
It's been allowed to linger here because of fear and a lack of communication. Drot'ook, I like your plan to inform the mayor. We may very well need a favor from him. Suitable weapons if possible. If nothing else, he should be made aware of what's going on.
I think going down there alone is a bad idea, even for you, Regulus. At least two of us should go, although probably more since we have likely found its lair."
He looked over at Tesswyn.
"You and Drot'ook worked for the magic shop, correct? Was there ever anything you found to be more likely magical than not? It could help us."
• A 20' rope that is said to be unbreakable. It hasn't been tested.
• A handful of torches () that are claims to last twice as long as a normal torch.
• A Seeing Potion
• A handful of Healing Potions ()
• A set of chain armor that is said to protect a wearer from falling; it will cushion the landif so the wearer is not hurt if they fall more than 5 yards. To your knowledge, it has not been tested.
*Potion descriptions can be found on Page 109 of the core book.
Walter is distraught with the thought of yet another Demon incursion to his little town. He is quite while the others talk of a plan, but determines that he will go with them and, with his belief in the New God and her Prophet.
"I too would like to accompany you to discover and destroy this foul Demon. Just let me go back to the shrine and gather my things."
Gronder quietly begins to check over his things, making sure he's ready. After securing his axe to his belt, and strapping his shield to his back, he looks over the others, ready to offer assistance as needed.
Tesswyn explains which objects might actually be useful.
"Take what you want. If any of those things actually work, it might actually let us survive down there."
She dons her leather armor and packs her lockpick, just in case.
Gronder looks up at Tesswyn's mention of armor. "I'd be glad to make use of that, even if just for now, assuming it'd fit. I have my shield, but I was short on coin to buy any body armor. But if someone else needs it more, no argument here."
Regulus considers carefully. "This depends entirely on the next of kin. If the man had no kin, these items would pass to the state and therefore could be used for the public good in this manner. They could additionally be commandeered by anyone with authority. If we wish to use them, we must speak with the major first. Recommended. Usefulness of all items probable."
As time goes on and the town wakes up, more and more folk gather around the well to see what all the commotion is about. When the mayor shows up, he gives his blessings to you the equipment. With Mr. Braidon gone, seems only fitting it would pass to his employees. He ain't got no one else.
The sheriff makes an appearance, too. Mighty fine of you folk to volunteer for this. We'll tie down the rope and hold it from this end.
When the mayor announces that Tess and Drot get the items, a click of mild confusion sounds in Regulus' head but then he comments "Simplifies." and helps the rest get down into the well.
Gronder looks over to Regulus. "I'll be right behind you." He makes ready to climb down.
Malery reels at the comments by Charles, her face horror struck as she realizes the consequences of her silence. I'm sory! she wails, tears dripping off her cheeks. I didn no!
She promises to speak up in the future, and then runs away. It's days later before you see her again.
You prepare to descend into the well. The “indestructible” rope is secured to the well cover, and drops down into the well. It does not hit the water.
Regulus is the first to climb down. The rope seems to support his weight. The rope drops down about 20 feet (it's maximum length, minus a few for being tied off), and he does not see the water line.
Someone suggests dropping a torch down, and as it drops, Regulus can see a passageway just above the water line, cut into the side of the wall of the well. Has it always been there? Did the drought reveal it? Or is it fresh? No one really knows how old this well is.
The passage is about ten feet further than your rope extends. The opening itself is just above the water line; the water almost touches the bottom of the tunnel as it extends away perpendicular to the well.
Given the mayor's endorsement, Regulus dons the chain mail.
Regulus eyes the distance to the passage and feels the sides of the well, considering whether or not he thinks he could climb down to the opening. He calls up to the others while untying the rope from around his torso "I will attempt climbing to the opening. If I fail, I will have difficulty leaving the water. Please lower ropes for me as it would delay my purpose to spend several days in the water."
Your plates scrape along the tunnel walls leaving indents and scratches in the dirt. The tunnel extends some distance; how far do you want to travel before headed back up to inform the others?
"Shall we pull you up!?"
Drot yells down the well.
Regulus tries to climb back up to the rope, but slips and falls into the water. Fortunately, it's only a few feet deep and he's able to try again. Eventually, he makes it to the rope.
You heave and pull and manage to pull him up out of the well, where he tells you his experiences.
"We'd better all go down the tunnel together. Come on, let's get this over with," Tesswyn says nervously.
Regulus nods. "Affirmative. Appropriate course of action. Descend with care. Falling greatest risk."
The rope doesn't go all the way down to the tunnel, so someone has the bright idea of using excess rope to rappel down one at a time. It works, and you all manage to get to the tunnel in safety.
The tunnel itself is barely wide enough to fit Regulus. Those skinnier than the clockwork has little issues, but it's still cramped.
The walls and floor of the tunnel are caked in dust. As you crawl through it, the dust kicks up causes those who breathe to cough and sneeze.
discovers some bits and copper pennies in the dust.
Tesswyn puts an arm over her face as she coughs, trying to keep from breathing too much of the dust. She's already regretting going along with this mission. But her eyes pick out the glittering coins among the powder, and she stoops to snatch them up. Well, that makes things a little better.
Squinting in the flickering torchlight, she stays in the middle of the group.
Regulus plods on in front, paying little attention to the dust. Must destroy source of economic destruction...
Gronder tromps along behind Regulus, feeling quite at home in a small, cramped tunnel. A few times, he has to catch himself to keep from humming a jaunty tune.
Barely fitting through the tunnels as he proceeds, Regulus hears Gronder's humming with confusion. Purpose of musical performance at this time? Uncertain...
"This is a tight squeeze..."
This orc is feeling a bit claustrophobic and the walls are rough. He's been through worse...
Noting the mention of dust when Regulus came up he grabbed some cloth and tied a bandanna around his nose and mouth.
Charles came down last. He grimaced slightly as his boots got wet but he focused his attentions on the task ahead and entered into the mouth of the cave.
"Truly, cugh, no one knew of this place?" he found himself wondering aloud before an abrupt coughing fit struck him as he inhaled the kicked up dust a little too deeply. The already too cramped space did not help things as he started to despise the idea of being underground.