"Curious. Springy would you do the honors," Ethyl points to the crossbow the odd gnome carried.
After the chaplain is killed for a second time Ethyl suggests, ”I seem to be injured. Shall we head back? I have a treatment course planned and I’d rather do it in the safety of the chapel.” Before they leave she collects blood and tissue samples on the doppelganger and ghoul that was chained to the wall.
Back at the chapel
Ethyl gives a report to Winter, ”We found this gentlemen chained to a wall with a body between him and a ghoul. He seems to be insane. Only able to say a select few words, something about ‘Zandalus sees’. He seems harmless enough but we put him in manacles just to be safe. We found another doppelganger dressed in a doctor’s outfit, she was intent on killing us and was dissecting other dead specimens. She had captured a ghoul who claimed to be the chaplain of this chapel, we dealt with him. There was a body trapped in the rubble blocking the hallway it seemed to be some form of undead. We left it alone since it couldn’t reach us.”
Later at the chapel
Ethyl is seen spreading out her alchemist’s kit pulverizing, boiling, and decanting various substances. She seems especially interested in experimenting on the doppelganger flesh she collected, trying to tease out what allows it to change its form. Met with modest success she finally quaffs one of her creations, a clear red liquid that accelerates her own natural healing.
She mumbles, "I suppose a little scaring can't be helped."
When they reach the chapel, Amestri pulls Ethyl aside and inspects her wounds. "Your concoction seems to have done you some good. I can help speed it along a bit as well."
She then visits the small chapel area and sits quietly for a bit while the others get settled.
Winter eyes the man, "Those yellow robes? Haven't seen that since the revolt. It would make sense that he shouting something about Zandalus. He's practically worshiped by these people wearing yellow. They call themselves the Apostles in Orpiment." She hesitates for a moment before continuing, "Follow me, there may be something you all can take care of." She gestures for you to follow as she heads out of the chapel to stand outside the chaplan's office before a dingy curtain. "Beyond this curtain is a... well, I don't know what it is actually. It's probably better just to show you."
She pulls aside the curtain and exposes a wall but the wall here suffers some sort of otherworldly parasitism. A mass of stringy, yellow fungus stretches across the stone blocks. At its heart bulges and blinks a watery eye the size of a wagon wheel. "This is the only way to the rest of the asylum but we can't deal with it without causing a panic. We tried to shoot it but it cried out 'What am I become?!' It took quite a few hours to get the more excitable survivors to calm down enough that they wouldn't hurt themselves."
When Winter begins speaking, Amestri quickly returns to the group and follows her to the ... thing. "Intriguing. I've never seen anything like it." She walks closer to the eye and studies it closely, ensuring she stays an arm's length away. "You say it can speak? Has it spoken other than when attacked?"
Ethyl asks Winter while Ms. Batgali examines the strange thing covering the door, "Wait. Revolt?" Soon her own curiosity gets the better of her and she examines it as well.
"Have you tried burning it?"
Jagray is surprised at the horrid sight of the fungus but is at least glad it isn't another one of those foul creatures they had been fighting. This thing wasn't trying to kill them, at least not yet...
He looks it over trying to see if he recognizes anything that might be able to help them deal with it.
Endol moves forward to examine the creature hoping to recognize it's scent.
Bouncing ideas off of each other you recall a story in which spirits can affect the physical world in odd or unusual ways. This appears to be something similar but exacerbated by something unknown.
As you examine it, you can hear a faint sobbing coming from nowhere in particular but only within 10 ft of the eye. Also as you get close, you see teeth sprout from the pupil but retract as you move away.
Endol, the whole hallway smells of ammonia.
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"It asked 'what am I become' when they shot it...and it's an eye..." Amestri looks around at the group "I might be insane for thinking this, but does anyone have a mirror? Maybe it just wants to see ... or has to see ... what it has become." She looks down, and through her veil it can be seen that she is embarrassed for making such a strange suggestion. "It seems to be distressed and I'd like to think that finding a way to put it at peace is better than just attacking it or ignoring it."
Ethyl digs through her bag looking for a reflective object big enough for the thing. She matter of factly remarks, "It's a better idea than just trying to burn it away. And if the mirror doesn't work we can still try that."
Jagray gives Amestri a questioning look and just shrugs while adding "I donnea 'ave a mirror, sorry lass."
Also, is Winter right there still? Not sure if she heard my question or if I'd have to go ask her if there is one among her people.
"Winter may have something we can use, beats my stab it plan."
"York tells me there was a staff office in the halls north of here. The should be lockers there, hopefully they aren't too covered in rubble.
Ethyl picked at a stained bit on her white overcoat, "Shall we?" Once everyone was ready she headed back into the north hall where Winter indicated.
While they searched the area looking for a mirror or anything else of value she asked her companions, "This revolt do you know anything about it? I'm afraid I may have slept through it."
"I do not recall a revolt, but did you notice that Winter avoided mentioning it again once you asked. I think this side lost, and it seems like they use to be in power.
"Perhaps. I also don't recall a revolt, but I don't recall much of anything before we faced that doppleganger thing downstairs." Amestri searched through the partially crushed lockers along with the good Doctor.
"I see Winter's people more as refugees, like those that got caught in the middle of whatever happened, more than as a losing side. We need to ask her about that 'Zandalus' when we return."
You are undisturbed while taking the time to clear away some of the rubble in the aforementioned room, you find desks containing paper and writing implements. One of these desks also contains a wooden holy symbol of Pharasma, a small silver mirror, and a pair of gaudy red leather boots with cat skin lining. In a locker you find a set of grass stained hunters clothes with a well made silver dagger tucked into a belt sheath.
Ethyl gathers the things and hands Ms. Batgali the mirror. "Cat skin seems like it would be comfortable but ugh that color." She gives the room one last once over and then asks, "Let's go talk to Winter again. I have a feeling she knows more than she's letting on."
Amestri cringes while looking at the boots. "Mhmm. Agreed on that color." She shakes her head. "I'll head back and try this mirror while you talk to her." She grabs the small mirror and starts to head back to the chapel.
Ethyl follow Amestri back to the chapel area and asks Winter, ”What can you tell me about Zandalus and this revolt? I’d also like to know why you’re in the asylum, you don’t seem insane and I get the impression you’re not staff either.”
Replying to Ethyl, “I’ve never laid eyes on him, but some of the other survivors worked here before the uprising. They say Zandalus was a quiet man who suffered from horrible nightmares—a poet and artist whose art was disturbing, but who always seemed peaceful enough himself. All of that apparently changed, though. I'm a sister of Maiden’s Choir Cathedral in Caliphas. My associates and I were helping a Royal Accuser investigate strangeness in Thrushmoor."
Amestri, you make your way back to the strange fungus wall and produce the mirror. The eye turns to look at you and lets out a quiet moan before withering away quietly leaving behind a simple wooden door.
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Amestri walks back to the rest of the group and waits for Winter to finish before interrupting. "Good news. The fungus is gone. It was just a wild idea, I'm surprised that it worked but the mirror took care of it." She smiles and pockets the mirror. "Did this Zandalus lead the uprising or was he just a catalyst of some kind?"
"Is that all it took? There are definitely some strange things happening here. As far as the revolt, we can only assume Zandalus is leading them. I don't know of a group that holds someone in such high regard that isn't their leader."
"You're a clever woman Ms. Batgali. Not to change the subject but what's happening in Thrushmoor that warrents an investigation? And why would the trail lead here?"
Winter replies, "Haserton Lowls, the count of Versex, appears to have abandoned his duties as one of the nation’s rulers. Accuser Omari had reason to believe that Lowls had regular business here at Briarstone. She sent me along with other associates to investigate the asylum while she went on to Thrushmoor."
"I suspect if we want to get to the bottom of what is going on here, we will need to continue further into the asylum. Should me continue to the east now that the thing isn't blocking that door, or rest now and continue in the morning?"
"Ready to go now my dear."
As you make preparations to continue to explore the newly opened area, Springy looks to you with tears in her eyes. "I... I just can't handle all this you guys! I think I'm going to stay with the survivors until I can work up the courage to accompany you again. Hopefully I'll be more help to Winter and the others."
"My blade is at your service."
Jagray nods to the others "We should continue on."
Passing beyond where the fungus was growing you come to an entry hall. White tile, spiderwebbed with cracks, lines the walls of this cathedral-like hall. A prominent, oval desk faces staunch double doors, while hard benches and portraits of somber doctors line the walls. Regal stairs ascend toward a second floor, but rubble has crushed the upper flights, blocking passage. Lofty windows, gridded by bars, reveal yellow mist seething just beyond. There are double fis to the north and larger double doors to the south. Further east is another set of double doors in a south wall. There are also closed doors in a northeast section of walls.
Dr. Ermengarde walks up to the front door and comments, "It can't be that easy." She listens through the door before trying it.
Amestri joins her near the door, peering out the windows. "I suspect it won't be, but it may be worth attempting."
Listening at the door, you don't hear anything. That in itself is odd as there should be noise coming from the shadows of strange creatures that Amestri can barely see moving around just beyond the edge of the mists.
"I don't think this will be that easy, but let me open the door if this is the plan."
Ethyl reconsiders after Ms. Batgali points to the strange shapes, "Perhaps not the best idea after all, Endol. I'd like to know more about this mist before we venture into it. It could be poisonous when it's concentrated enough. We should limit our exposure until we know more about it."
Dr. Ermengarde moves to northeast door listens through it and lets brave Endol open the door if she hears nothing.
Dr Ethyl hears nothing beyond the door and waves Endol forwards. He finds it unlocked and attempts to push open the door but finds it doesn't budge.
Jagray moves to the corner from where Ethyl is checking the door, keeping an eye out for anything coming from further in the room.
"Jagray, can I get your shoulder over here, I swear this use to be easier."
Jagray nods and comes to try and help Endol force the door open.
You strain against the door but it doesn't move. The rest of the area is still eerily quiet.
"This silence is strangely distracting." Curious as to what might be keeping the door from budging, Amestri walks over to investigate.
Jagray shrugs "This one isna budgin'. 'Nother door on tha other side." He moves around the corner and points further down the room for Ethyl to take a look.
Dr. Ethyl moves to the door Jagray indicated and checked it over, "Of course." She let Endol open the door and if she found anything she let her companions know.
Amestri doesnt see any magical auras in the lobby area.
Dr Ethyl doesn't find anything on the door and waves Endol over to open it. Inside is what looks to be the remains of a janitors closet. The supplies have mostly been destroyed by the collapse of the western wall leading into the room with the blocked door. Inside the other room is a long desk, several chairs, a sideboard, and numerous once-stately landscape paintings barricading the door of this somber conference room. A toppled wall opposite the barrier undermines the room’s defenses, a point driven home by the masked bodies littering the ground.