The zombie reseals its fate when it deigns to attack the dhampir for its suffered bolt. The cigarette may burn hot at the tip, but the fingertip sears the undead's flesh with cold just as it comes into range. It topples into Sebastien impotently, sliding to the ground.
"You two made short work of that one."
Ajir strides back to the unconscious form of Marinus. "We can't leave him laying here and investigate what's happening in the cemetery. If one of you can't rouse him, I could carry him back into town, but it may a slow endeavor."
"Rest now." Sebastien whispers as he kneels over the fallen zombie and closes its eyelids.
Rising to his feet Sebastien makes his way back to the others as they huddle around Mari.
"I was able to stabilize his wounds but actually healing Mari isn't something I'm capable of at the moment. Is there anything you can do for him Milo?"
Millicent leans back against the wall, peeking back over it to see if any more dead are walking.
"I unfortunately am incapable of healing him myself as well. I think it might be best to take him back to town and inform the Father. He may be able to heal Marinus. Considering that one already got as far as the town square, there may also be more elsewhere that need our attention."
Milo sags with relief, lowers the sword with no less relief, and wipes his sleeve over his face. "Ye gods... the d-dead walking in the graveyard... in the tuh-town itself..."
He shakes himself with an effort and hurries back again to Marinus's side, crouching to do a more thorough inspection of the boy's injuries. His brows are drawn together in concern as he checks for broken bones and laceration where the zombie's claws and fists had struck.
He sighs after concluding his look. "I can only call on healing like that a few times a day, I'm sorry to say. Healing Mmm-madam Jones earlier and myself now... I can d-do nothing more for him right now. I... I..."
Milo lurches to his feet, looking a little grey, and promptly staggers a few feet to the wall of the Restlands, and, ah, decorates the base of it with the contents of his breakfast.
He doesn't seem to have any immediate input on the plan, being busy horking.
"I'll drag him back to the temple. Is everyone else coming or staying to watch the grounds?"
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Marinus gurgles on the ground. His hands twitch almost indecipherably.
Please ... no ... drag ... carry ... careful ...
Sebastien blinks once in stunned disbelief. "You want to take Mari to the temple...to the "priest" that is possibly responsible for what's happening?"
After a brief pause he starts moving from zombie to zombie collecting his spent ammunition. "Just give me a moment. I'll come along if only to make sure he doesn't take the opportunity to finish the two of you off."
Placing the two usable bolts back in his quiver and the two ruined bolts in his pack Sebastien turns back to Ajir. "Let's go. I suppose he might actually heal Mari if we ask in front of witnesses."
Millicent is sad to see her cigarette burning down to nothing and taking its flame with it, but alas she is not ready for another smoke quite yet. She drops the stub and rubs it out with her heel.
"Your opinion has been noted. I obviously disagree, but I give you my explicit permission to say 'I told you so' should he attempt to murder us."
A slight frown darkens Sebastien's face as Millicent continues to dismiss his concerns. "Well I agree that he's unlikely to act against us if we're all present. I just don't want Ajir going to him alone with Mari's unconscious body."
Sebastien's attention turns to Ajir as he struggles to lift Marinus. "Here, Ajir, let me help."
As he lifts Mari's legs he turns back to Millicent. "Perhaps you could keep an eye on what Grimburrow is doing as he heals Marinus. Would you be able to tell if he were casting something harmful?"
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Millicent nods. "I am particularly good at noticing such things, yes."
Milo digs out a handkerchief with a slightly shaky hand and wipes his mouth and chin clean of the signs of his nausea, head pressed to the cool stone of the wall. The scent of foul rot from the bodies is still strong in his nose, but he thinks he has nothing left to hurl.
Taking some deep breaths, he folds his handkerchief carefully to make sure the soiled bit is all on the inside, then puts it back in a pocket to wash later. With his hands free he can see... his sword-- no, not his, but-- well, the sword, lying on the ground where he'd dropped it.
⚔ You dishonor me even now. What soldier lets his steel just fall to the dirt?! ⚔
Still not a soldier. And you're a SWORD! You can't be-- DISHONORED. Now go... go back in your... where-ever you... go.
⚔ Get me a scabbard! Don't hide me! I want to be OUT. ⚔
No.
It takes effort, grimacing against the clamor from the blade, but after a few seconds of focus, the sword becomes more and more insubstantial an translucent until it is gone. Though not far, Milo knows. Wearily, he pushes off the wall and takes a few slightly wobbly steps back towards the others. What are they discussing? Oh... yes.
He moves past Ajir absently and crouches to scoop Marinus's not-exactly-heavy frame up in his arms, shifting a bit until he has the youth's weight over one shoulder, grunting as he finds his position. "I can... certainly haul him... to the temple at least," he says, though he still looks slightly clammy himself.
"I don't agree the... the father is... totally com-compromised. But.. if he is... seeing how he reacts to nnn-news of... undead in the graveyard itself... could be, could be... telling."
Carrying Marinus's limp and twitching form to the Temple of Pharasma proves uneventful, at least as far as the steps leading to the front doors.
Before you have a chance to knock upon the wood, or attempt to pull open one of the two heavy doors, a woman's scream reaches you where you stand. Further down the road, to the south. Not quite as far as the covered bridge, no. More like the vicinity of the Laramee home...
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Millicent takes a deep breath. She glances back towards the Laramee home, then towards the church again. She has been known to think fast, but she knows an immediate, instinctual decision is called.
"I am seeing Marinus healed before I do anything else. Go or stay as you will." As much as Millicent would prefer to do everything on her own, to always make only the most informed and deliberate choices, to reserve judgment until all has fell into place, she knows that the world simply will not oblige her. Sometimes, she has to trust someone. Today, that person appears to be Father Grimburrow.
She stomps up the steps and throws the doors open and strides in. "FATHER GRIMBURROW. Your services are required POST-HASTE. The dead walk and a boy bleeds at your doorstep."
Ajir lets concern for the screamer wash over him as the rest of the party deals with its injured member.
"I'll stay at the door and alert the rest of you should a threat approach." He stays outside, ready to dart inside. Not only is he acting sentry for the temple, but he's also attempting to observe what else is going on elsewhere from his vantage point.
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The Bereaved are cleaved in twain. Ajir and Millicent establish a presence on the front steps of the Temple of Pharasma, while Milovic and Sebastien take to the road, towards the Laramee home.
The light scent of frankincense greets you both, as the doors swing open. The interior still benefits from the last light of day, while several sconces bear their own, continual light in the main entry hall.
"FATHER GRIMBURROW. Your services are required POST-HASTE. The dead walk and a boy bleeds at your doorstep."
Within seconds, you are met by all three familiar faces, the blonde-haired acolyte, fellow acolyte Rankin, and Father Grimburrow himself. Setting eyes upon the too-quiet Marinus, the Father bids the boy be brought to the second door on the left. Though Rankin appears mildly put off by joining in the carrying, he doesn't speak. With Ajir standing in the front doorway, Millicent can relate what she sees when she comes to stand in the smaller doorway.
You can still hear the screaming from where you stand.
Father Grimburrow takes a moment to regard the boy's condition, before touching Marinus's forehead in the process.
He cast Status.
He nods to the blond acolyte. "Heal him, Saiya, if you'd be so kind. He is quite injured." The young woman nods her understanding, and proceeds to Marinus's bedside.
She's casting Cure Light Wounds several times in succession.
Within moments, Marinus opens his eyes.
Father Grimburrow comes to stand before Millicent. "Now, on what matter were you speaking of the dead walking?"
You arrive at the Laramee home swiftly, noticing inevitably the screaming has not stopped, only grown louder for your proximity, and steadier in its lower register moaning.
You are witness to a macabre reunion.
There is a little boy, cradled in the arms of a rotting corpse. The boy's face still retains a surprised look, despite its lack of color. The corpse doesn't seem to mind, as its head jerks and rocks, jerks and rocks, returning to the boy's neck after rocking several times.
The screams slowly soften into forlorn moaning. Mrs. Laramee, a short and round woman, stands a safe distance away, and rends her apron, her face awash in tears, and the color stolen from the dead boy.
It doesn't take long for your bolts and sword to finish the zombie, leaving you to stand over the grisly forms. Pushing off the rotted corpse to examine the child's corpse, you find the boy's head lolling precariously on the top of a spinal cord barely held together.
Millicent stands back and lets the Pharasmins do their work. She fulfills her obligation to Basti quite thoroughly by observing their magic closely. She is not particularly worried nor suspicious as she watches.
A status spell would be an ideal first choice in situations such as this.
And a number of cure spells. Exactly as would be expected.
She absentmindedly places her hand up near her mouth as though she had a cigarette in it but quickly corrects herself. Her tone is clinical and restrained. "One appeared in the town square and attacked Milo, and then half-a-dozen more appeared walking out of the Restlands. We destroyed them all, but it was during the battle that Marinus was so badly wounded. If you wish to verify the remains, you are welcome to do so. I will not take it personally. So long as you recognize the severity of this situation, of course."
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The monk stands in front of the doorway, eyes and ears still scanning the village. He tries to block out the continued screaming and focus on other sounds, knowing that he can not do anything until the business here is resolved... or interrupted.
Cursed lands indeed. Then another unbidden thought flitters across his mind. and cursed companions? Flashes of fire and ice, gesturing fingers, a dhampir, and a translucent sword come to mind. He pushes the thought aside, acknowledging they are the only reason the town is defended.
His palms itch in irritation.
Marinus stirs. He gazes at his hands and the Pharasmins, a look of mild surprise on his face. Those fingers twitch.
Yes, same body. That was stupid of me...
"Um, thank you, father. I'm grateful for your prayers."
"Oh, forgive me. It was you who said the prayer. But I thank you all. Most kind. Now, where were we. An outbreak of zombies. Emm, remind me not to do something that foolish again. I might need it. The reminder." He gazes at Father Grimburrrow. "Yes, Ravengro has quite a lot going on. We'd meant to come talk to you about other matters, but I suppose that will have to wait until the zombies return to stillness."
He leaps to his feet. Familiar with divine healing, he doesn't hesitate the way some do, unsure whether their wounds have been fully treated. "Where are the others?"
Millicent signs back.
"Welcome back, Marinus."
Millicent takes off her glasses and wipes them off with her shirt, making the most of these few moments of repreive. "Ajir is out front. The others went to investigate a scream from the Laramee househould that we heard just as we reached the steps outside. We should go to them quickly, should they need help."
Sebastien sinks to his knees by the boy's corpse his shoulders sagging in defeat despite the quick dispatching of the zombie.
Head bowed he says a short blessing over the child. "May you find happiness in The Lady's embrace."
Rising to his feet Sebastien adresses the woman. "I am so sorry for your loss. It might be wise for you to make your way to the temple until we can be sure the town is safe." he says despite his misgivings regarding the priest. "Did you see any more of the creatures?"
As he waits for the Laramee woman to answer Sebastien scans the area visually while also listening for the sounds of other villagers in distress.
Milo takes no joy whatsoever in his and Sebastien's dispatch of the corpse, looking fairly ashen himself when the job is done. How many more of them are there? Is the entire town infected? --his mother, is she safe--??
He pants a little after the conclusion of the short-lived battle, and looks apologetically at the woman, grateful beyond words that Sebastien is talking and not him.
"What... happened here?" he asks Mrs. Laramee. "Are you hurt? I, yes, until we know it's sss-safe the temple might be, be, best..."
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"One appeared in the town square and attacked Milo, and then half-a-dozen more appeared walking out of the Restlands. We destroyed them all, but it was during the battle that Marinus was so badly wounded. If you wish to verify the remains, you are welcome to do so. I will not take it personally. So long as you recognize the severity of this situation, of course."
"Yes, Ravengro has quite a lot going on. We'd meant to come talk to you about other matters, but I suppose that will have to wait until the zombies return to stillness."
Father Grimburrow listens, his eyes gravely sunken for the conversation at hand. Saiya's eyes plead for action, largely and loudly.
"Yes, we should take our leave. Let's have a look at these undead. This is dark news, and my regret deepens, for my failure to heed the Professor's warnings. This cannot be coincidence, can it." The Father turns to Rankin waiting in the doorway. "You will stay, and await any who might seek refuge or healing. Saiya will join us in this excursion to the Restlands."
The collective gathers Ajir at the door, and takes to the road headed north.
When you gain the road, you spy Milovic and Sebastien escorting a short and round woman who Father Grimburrow acknowledges as Mrs. Laramee.
"I am so sorry for your loss. It might be wise for you to make your way to the temple until we can be sure the town is safe. Did you see any more of the creatures?"
"What... happened here? Are you hurt? I, yes, until we know it's sss-safe the temple might be, be, best..."
The woman's eyes look through you, wide and confused, seeking understanding you will be woefully unable to provide her in this moment of profound loss. "I... I am not... not... REGGIE!!! REGGIE, NO!!!" She drops to her knees, and gathers the raggedy boy's body, gathers it to her bosom, and begins to rock in place. "He... he raised his arms... he wanted to be picked... picked up... by his Papi... nooooooooo, Reggie, nooooooo..."
Milovic does recognize it now- the zombie is the grandpa Laramee, still somewhat recognizable in his decay, the burial clothes still representing an old man's last attire.
Mrs. Laramee is easily maneuvered, once she's helped to her feet. The walk back to the Temple is pained with each step, as Mrs. Laramee keeps looking down, hoping to see life behind Reggie's eyes...
When you arrive at the Temple, you intercept Ajir, Millicent, and Marinus, accompanied by Father Grimburrow, and the blonde acolyte you first met at the Professor's processional.
Meeting on the road in front of the Temple of Pharasma, it is clear that Father Grimburrow and the acolyte known as Saiya seek to ascertain the grim reality of newly risen undead from the Restlands. Saiya cries out reflexively when she sets eyes on the dead boy's body in Mrs. Laramee's arms.
She is pulled from her escort of the Father to the Restlands, with his blessings. She escorts Mrs. Laramee and her boy into the Temple, closing the doors behind her to ensure privacy.
Your return to the Restlands is uninterrupted, and you are soon standing over the grisly second death scenes of the zombies recently slain by your hands.
Father Grimburrow examines each and every corpse, eventually standing slowly, and proceeding through the gates of the Restlands. Presuming you follow him, you join him in placing the grave sites which have been unearthed, and the dead citizens of Ravengro who have been stirred into returning for one last assault on the living.
The priest of Pharasma looks on each of you. "Thank you for destroying them. Had they been free to wander the town, who knows the extent of the sorrow they might have wrought."
Father Grimburrow grows silent. His eyes are set in fierce focus on the last unearthed grave. Professor Lorrimor's...
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Millicent feels the natural temptation to reprimand the Father for his oversight, but if a man has the good sense to admit he was wrong on his own, then she has the good sense to accept his contrition. She can spare the lecture for someone who needs it. She walks alongside the Father, as restrained as ever.
”There is no shame in admitting a mistake. What is important now is how we move forward, Father. I do hope that we can be allies in this endeavor.” She notices him staring intently at something, and she follows the line of his vision. Her own eyes pop as she recognizes what she is seeing. She quickly runs through all of the zombies they fought, trying to remember if any of them could possibly be Petros. She turns on her heel and dashes towards the Lorrimor house. ”EVERYONE. KENDRA.” She hopes that Kendra has enough skill to defend herself. At least for a little while.
Sebastien watches Father Grimburrow closely as they escort him to the Restlands and as he examines the various bodies and graves. At the mention of admitting his mistakes and working as allies, he studies the priest's face intently searching for some clue as to his intentions.
It takes a moment for him to realize what's happening as Millicent shout at them and breaks into a sprint but as her words and the empty grave break through the haze of suspicions gripping his mind Sebastien chases after Millicent at full speed.
"Not Kendra. Please let her be okay. I can't fail the Professor. Not in this of all things." he thinks frantically as he runs towards the Lorrimor estate.
Marinus follows Millicent. He skips to keep up while casting an eerily calm gaze around the village. It's almost the look of a hunter, belied by the easy sway of his shoulders as he bounces along.
"Kendra's plenty capable. Lireia, though. Basti, did you see her at home?"
Sebastien's stride falters for a brief moment before he regains his focus.
"What? No. Lireia wasn't there." he shouts over his shoulder as he sprints towards the Lorrimor home. "Searching the entire town would take too long though. I'll help look for her once I'm sure Kendra is safe."
The lines left from an almost permanent smile stretch forcefully into disdain and gloom on Ajir's face. He utters a small prayer to Pharasma for grace on the child's soul as the body is dispatched to the temple.
When approaching the Restlands he re-appropriates his discarded shirt and gear.
His thankfulness that the Priest has seen reason in time of crisis is shattered by Grimburrow's discovery. As the party darts towards the home of Lorrimor, Ajir becomes concerned with speeding away from the priest. He chooses to escort the Father to the manor, and defend him from any harm that may try to befall him along the way.
He shuffles silently back to the temple, leading the woman when necessary.
He gives a relieved nod to see Marinus on his feet again, but relief is short-lived after the trek back to the Restlands, and the horrific discovery there. Milo groans as another crisis presses, but he's right there running back towards Kendra's house as well.
Damn the stupid, accursed sword! He can't spare a minute now to call it forth from-- wherever it goes.
⚔ Guess you ought to get a scabbard..... ⚔
Nnnghhh...
Milo grits his teeth as he races with the others, praying frantically to Pharasma that they are in time.
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The pharasmin appears, well, grim. His demeanor is steadfast in his determination to examine both bodies and burial grounds. There is strain about his eyes, which suggests pain.
That, or he looks like he really wants to get back to the temple so that he might relieve his bowels.
As Millicent sets the pace, it becomes quite clear that Father Grimburrow will remain in the Restlands, alone, while the Bereaved bolt to the Lorrimor Place, as if Baalzebul himself were made manifest to harry the friends of Kendra the whole way home.
South down the road, across the covered bridge, and rounding the Draznoi home, the sprinters bring the Lorrimor Place into view. Standing on the doorstep, none other than Professor Lorrimor. He is but a shadow of his former self, and his back is turned to you, as his arms slowly drag across the front door of his once home.
Milo bellows at the top of his lungs, even if he is slightly breathless from the pace so far. He pelts across the grass, trying to veer to the north to leave Sebastien a clear shot.
Marinus moves forward, though keeping his distance a bit more than previously. He waves his hands in the air.
Coming into view of the Lorrimor home Sebastien quickly aims his crossbow and fires at the shambling remains of the Professor.
"I'm sorry, Professor." he whispers, as shaky hands and eyes fighting back tears betray his usual pinpoint accuracy.
Millicent rubs her eyes as she sees Marinus off with his death wish again. She tries instead to focus on the remains of Petros. Now that she knows the zombie is outside with them and Kendra is likely unharmed, she has significantly relaxed. She knows that this shambling flesh and bone is not her friend. This body before her is no more than animated meat, an insult cooked up by some necromancer or other to toy with them.
"If possible, please attempt to do as little damage to his body as possible. Especially in the area of the head." She had already been considering whether to have the Professor exhumed in order to make another autopsy of their own, but he has been kind enough to get up and walk directly to them. Might as well make the most of it.
Ajir musters the drive to push forward, leaving dark thoughts to be contended with later. He can feel his ki change from flowing to emanating as his body prepares for a fight.
"Not this time kid." Ajir jogs forward to Marinus' side.
HP: 20/20. Hero Points: 1. Investiture Pool: 5. Ki Pool: 3.
AC: 16. Touch: 13. Flat: 13. CMD: 12. CMB: 1.
Features: Evasion
Effects:
Milovic calls out to Kendra, though whether she hears him, or her dead father, or if she understands the instructions or not, is unclear. She fails to materialize on the doorstep, at least. Marinus baits the late Professor, while Ajir keeps close to the youth's side. Millicent begins a mental autopsy from the road, and Sebastien thunks a bolt into the front door of the Lorrimor Place, instead of Lorrimor's decaying spine.
The twang of the bolt in the door, slightly above the shoulder, gets the zombie's attention, at the same time the voices do. It turns to look at you, then turns back to the door and slams it again, this time quite loudly.
"Coming!" Faint, but audible to all is the voice of Kendra, likely roused from her study at the back of the house. The dead Professor makes a predatory growl, his arms raised towards the door...
Millicent advances and gives a shout of her own. She does her best to enunciate clearly.
Round 1
Marinus moves toward the manor.
A bolt of force flies out. I'm sorry if this damages him. Her safety is paramount!
Ajir sprints towards the door.
Silently berating himself for his lack of composure Sebastien runs closer in an attempt to line up his next shot.
Milo is already feeling out of breath from the run to date, but he summons a last burst of speed, powered by the mental image of Kendra savaged by the abomination her late father has become...
He leads with his fist, an attack prompted more by desperation than by skill-- though even now, the voice whispers in the back of his skull, curl your fist, now... yes... thumb OUTSIDE the knuckles, boy...
The next several moments pass swiftly. The zombie at the door, the hands pawing the wood impotently, the animal groans from the once noble man's throat... it all becomes a soft haze, softening the horror of the memory forming behind each of your eyes.
Professor Lorrimor flinches from Marinus's mental thrust, then collapses into the still closed door from Milovic's fist. The small frame of the Professor turns to face you all, slowly.
Lorrimor's greyed good eye looks back and forth between Ajir and Milovic, and the zombie decides to slam Milovic in response to the blow. It misses at the last moment.
Round 2
Marinus' hands twitch — not communicating, but a somatic sign of his mental efforts as he sends positive energy shooting out at the body of the man who protected him through childhood. "Go back to sleep, Professor. You deserve the rest."
In nature, when two smaller birds find themselves harried separately by a larger bird of prey, they begin concerted attacks, both of which are impossible to parry at the same time when arriving from different directions. In the present moment, the youth and the dhampir fire simultaneously, Marinus piercing the Professor with positive energy, Sebastien puncturing the Professor with metal-tipped wooden stake issued from his crossbow. Both attacks push the zombie back and into the front door, but only Sebatien's bolt pins him to it.
Just in time for Kendra to open it, realize what begged entrance, and for the Professor's daughter to begin screaming, for what turns out to be several, wrenching minutes...
Milo sags with a combination of relief, and exhaustion, and adrenaline crash, as the Petros-that-shouldn't-be is brought down. Kendra's life is safe, if not her peace of mind. He groans and lets himself just... sit down, or collapse, really, in a slow ooze of limbs onto the porch. Kendra's safe. Perhaps he can pass out. That would be nice. His ribs and head still ache like hell from the earlier wounds he suffered.
"...we... did it.. that's... good," he mumbles. "Kendra I'm.. I'm s-so-- sorry."
Emm flinches as Kendra screams. She rushes to the door and tries to pull her away so that she can no longer see the body. She does her best to hold Kendra, but her touch is not particularly warm. Comforting other people has never been a particular strength of hers, and she discretely glances for someone else to take over. Once someone does or Kendra has calmed down enough, Millicent moves to confer with Milovic.
"Excellent work, dear. I hate to impose, but this is a time-sensitive matter. I would like to investigate the body both for evidence related to his undeath and death before it is contaminated any further."
As the others comfort Kendra and investigate the Professor's body Sebastien loads a bolt into his crossbow.
"Now that Kendra is safe would anyone like to join me in searching the town? I would still like to find Lireia and check on Milo's mother at the very least."
Ajir nods as the doctor throws a worthy punch and the kid puts the Professor's corpse back to rest. He stands over his unearthed friend, concerned.
It takes a moment Millicent's lack of comfort to become apparent. He steps over the body to enter the doorway and block the view.
"That was unfortunate. Are you uninjured? We should get you some tea..." Ajir tries to distract Kendra from the party's grisly task of searching the body (and hopefully removing it from the premises).
Millicent spends several seconds removing the Professor's hand from the bolt sticking in the front door. Fortunately, the shaft penetrated the palm without shattering the metacarpals. The bolt remains in the door.
Ajir eases Kendra's mind, allowing Millicent and Dr. Draznoi to carry the body to the couch in the living room, away from his living daughter, who takes a seat at the dining room table for the time being.
It is apparent that the body was buried as it was found. Likely as a closed casket ceremony, from start to finish. The lower half and left side of Petros's face is crushed, as is the clavicle and upper ribcage on the same side.
Every bone broken seems to have responded in their own resistant strengths to the same force. The windpipe is also involved, so this amount of damage would have likely been fatal, though it may have taken him a while to die from asphyxiation.
There is nothing else about the Professor's body which is remarkable.
Milo caught his breath eventually and stood to help the others with the body, looking sorrowfully down on the professor's battered corpse.
"Well... I... w-would have preferred a different method of... exhumation but..." He trails off as he sets to studying the injuries, both old and the ones they just inflicted.
Milo's face is drawn and unhappy. "I would say blunt force t-trauma," he concludes. "All of these, these spots look crushed, not slashed or, ss-sstabbed. But I don't think it was, f-falling rocks." He smiles, thin and wan. "I mean I d-doubt any of us do, now.
"But the windpipe is also damaged.... rocks falling from, from above would have a hard time doing that. They would land on the top of the head. The shoulders. Perhaps upraised arms or hands. Not to the face. Not to the throat."