"Eh... goblin tribes?" Izomandakus raises an eyebrow and looks quizzically at the dead bodies.
Pachemu starts talking excitedly "Oink oink! Oiiiink oiiiiink!"
"What did you say again?" asks the boy to the pig.
Pachemu only has a scratch but Izomandakus is glad to accept Kast's cares.
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The goblins were from the Toadlick tribe - a northern tribe normally, but they are known to raid the Lost Coast Road from time to time. Pachemu nods knowingly.
You carefully make your way down to the stone door - and yes, climbing by rope from the grave area is the easiest method.
Lined up by the door, Seamus checks it and discovers it is clear, but locked. Not well however, and he’s easily able (taking 10) to quietly unlock the door. When you’re all ready, you swing it open!
The air in this damp cavern reeks of a horrific stench - a foul combination of decay, brine, and mold.
A painting leans against the far side of a rickety table, facing a large leather chair that sits nearby. This chair’s high back and cushion are horribly stained by smears of rotten meat and its arms are sticky with congealed blood. A smaller table sits against the southern wall, its surface heaped with plates and platters of rotten, maggot-infested meat.
The horrific stench of the room seems strongest to the west, where the cave’s wall has been overtaken by a horrific growth of dark green mold and dripping fungi. At the center, a patch of black tumescent fungus grows, its horny ridges and tumor like bulbs forming what could almost be taken to be a humanoid outline. It looks a rather good likeness of Vorel Foxglove, the original builder of this mansion.
What appears to have once been an exquisite puzzle box the size of a man’s fist lies smashed on the ground at the fungoid shape’s feet.
But all that doesn’t attract the eye as nearly as the sole occupant of the leather throne - Aldern Foxglove (image). Admittedly, he’s a far cry from the handsome young man you met just a short time ago when goblins were the only things to plague Sandpoint.
He rises up from his chair, his eyes widening in a mixture of fear and delight. ”You’ve come to me and are still alive!” twitch ”Well and good, for now I shall have the reward of tasting your heart while it is yet warm…” His voice at the beginning sounded much like the noble you knew, but the voice at the end had a rougher edge to it… an unwholesome quality. He wields a war razor, tooth and claw.
He attacks!
- - -
If the shield spell has expired, Izomandakus will unroll and use a shield scroll before the door is open.
Unable to see Aldern yet, Izomandakus attention is taken by the fungus and the puzzle piece "Isn't that the puzzle piece Vorel was using to become a lich? It reeks here!"
And when Aldern talks, he is just confused "Is that the lich?!"
Fort
Know (Religion)
Kast manages again to keep his lunch in his stomach. "It's a smart ghast. Very smart...so be careful," Kast corrects Izo.
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Val pushes through the stench this time, having a little bit of practice.
At the sounds of conversation, she follows the others in. She recognizes Aldern, and not just because he has the same coat on. He seems more himself now.
Whatever he has turned into, she does not know or particularly care. She saw upstairs what he has done, and that is all she needs to know. "Aldern Foxglove, you have finally succeeded in not boring me. You are something much worse now. I think you will soon be wishing you had stayed a nobody."
She advances towards him, taking advantage of her speed to throw out a blow at him.
HP: 50/51
AC: 22/15/17
Saves: F5/R10/W7 +2 will vs charm and compulsion, +2 fort vs poison and drugs, +4 fort vs alcohol
Hypnotic Stare:
Painful Stare:
Active Implanted Tricks 2/5 used): Psychosomatic Surge (Seamus, unused)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions: Mystery Disease
0: (Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand, Message, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
1: 1/5 used (Vanishx1, Lock Gazex0, Ill Omenx0, Faerie Firex0)
2: 3/4 used (Mirror Imagex2, Placebo Effectx1, Lesser Restorationx0, Tonguesx0)
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+4[/dice] damage.
Seamus, sickened, tumbles into the room and behind the unnatural Aldern and takes off his right ear. Valena moves smoothly into flank without letting the stench overwhelm her and stabs him in the kidneys.
Twitch. Aldern Foxglove seems to weep briefly, ”Oh woe is me… the Brothers of the Seven won’t help me now!” he moans, Twitch. ”Lighten up Aldern, we’ll kill these fools, and do as we will! We don’t need the Brotherhood, we only need the Skinsaw Man!” And with that, he steps back from his chair to the wall… to the mold, which seems to smile down upon him as a few clumps pop, covering him delicately with their spores.
He focuses his attack on Seamus’ deadly blade! He attacks with finesse and power - much more enhanced than he did at the boar hunt.
and Fort DC 13 (disease) and Fort DC 17 (paralysis)
and Fort DC 17 (paralysis)
He gnaws on Seamus' arm a bit (ooohhh, tasty!), as he tries to reciprocate. Not much damage, but the paralyzation save is more difficult!
"Aldern Foxglove?" Izomandakus echoes Valena's words and moves in to see who is the group talking about. His eyes go wide like dishes as the image confirms Kast's appreciations "He has fallen to the ghouls too. I thought you were a good lad, but you have totally fooled me"
Unable to reach the smart ghast, Izomandakus brings his hands to the casting pouch looking for a defensive spell, yet as he does, something goes in the wrong direction "The Brothers of the Seven? the Skinsaw Man? He has become totally insane like Grayst, wait, he did also say something about the Skinsaw Master. Is that your plan, to harvest us?" while the redhead remembers about Grayst, his hands, almost by their own accord, wave a different spell.
His skin becomes darker than Aldern's one, jaws are born from his mouth and powerful wings sprout from his back as Izomandakus transforms into a gargoyle.
Pachemu follows all along, but steps back at the end.
Round 1
Kast moves forward to attack Aldebert, at least in hopes of keeping the ghast’s focus off of Seamus. He stops short, changing his plan as he sees Izo change. That’s much more perfect. A perfect plan and weapon.
He casts Bulls Strength on Izo.
”Get him, Izogoyle! Get him!”
hp: 45/45
AC: 20/17/13 + 2/shield
Saves: F4/R7/W5* +4 vs. mind affecting
Aroden's Verve: 0/0 used
GlitterBomb: 0/0 used
Extend GammaRadiation: 0/0 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Think Really Hard: 4/6 left
Staff of Courage 2: 4/4 left
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+3[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+6[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
to hit;
P/B damage.
[ ooc]Morningstar, two handed:[/ooc]
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
Val takes a step closer to Seamus, takes a brief moment to center herself, then taps him on the shoulder. ”I think that is a problem for future Seamus.”
HP: 50/51
AC: 22/15/17
Saves: F5/R10/W7 +2 will vs charm and compulsion, +2 fort vs poison and drugs, +4 fort vs alcohol
Hypnotic Stare:
Painful Stare:
Active Implanted Tricks 2/5 used): Psychosomatic Surge (Seamus, unused)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions: Mystery Disease
0: (Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand, Message, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
1: 1/5 used (Vanishx1, Lock Gazex0, Ill Omenx0, Faerie Firex0)
2: 4/4 used (Mirror Imagex2, Placebo Effectx2, Lesser Restorationx0, Tonguesx0)
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+4[/dice] damage.
Kast enters the room and casts Bull’s Strength on Izomandakus who… changes once again, this time into a powerful gargoyle! Seamus is, unfortunately, paralyzed again by the Skinsaw Man (and because Valena is after you in initiative, you lose your round this time and can’t move out of the way - sorry!). Valena, casting defensively steps up and releases poor Seamus from the hold (which was measured in rounds, not minutes).
Aldern, the Skinsaw Man, laughs at the forces arrayed against him. ”This round goes to me!” he cries triumphantly as more spores spread from the wall onto his form.
He again focuses his attack on Seamus (who couldn’t move) trying to reduce your membership by one. ”I wonder how your deaths shall affect your friends. What things might you have done that will go unfinished? What will those broken promises spawn?”
”How will your murders shape the world?”
and Fort DC 13 (disease) and Fort DC 17 (paralysis)
and Fort DC 17 (paralysis)
Twitch. He looks down at his bloody blade, trying to hold back his tears as it slices into Seamus' forearm. ”I’m so sorry… I can’t hold him back.”
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The goyle's muscles increase in size as Kast touches him.
"Is that why you killed the sawmill lovers? You kill love to shape the world?" Izomandakus roars angrily at Aldern and jumps covering the five feet that separate him from the undead.
The gargoyle's claws and jaws crackle with magic as he attacks Aldern from all directions "This one is for Banny!"
Izogoyle reels back a bit due to the awful smell of the room but he keeps his attacks nevertheless "And this one for Katrine!"
"And this is for Iesha who you so despicably choked!" Pachemu looks at the scarf surrounding her neck and gulps sad.
"And this is for all the weak that would die if we do not stop you here and now!"
Pachemu looks at Kast and moves to whatever space the guard leaves open next to Izomandakus.
Round 2
Kast casts Bulls Strength on himself, then climbs up the wall to get a clear shot at the ghast.
”Keep it up!”
hp: 45/45
AC: 20/17/13 + 2/shield
Saves: F4/R7/W5* +4 vs. mind affecting
Aroden's Verve: 0/0 used
GlitterBomb: 0/0 used
Extend GammaRadiation: 0/0 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Think Really Hard: 4/6 left
Staff of Courage 2: 4/4 left
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+3[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+6[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
to hit;
P/B damage.
[ ooc]Morningstar, two handed:[/ooc]
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
Val stabs towards Aldern, twisting her wrist at the last moment so her blade aims for his left flank instead of his right. She happily lets Izo take the lead on the banter this time. No toying around this time. Aldern needs to die, and die for good.
HP: 50/51
AC: 22/15/17
Saves: F5/R10/W7 +2 will vs charm and compulsion, +2 fort vs poison and drugs, +4 fort vs alcohol
Hypnotic Stare:
Painful Stare:
Active Implanted Tricks 2/5 used): Psychosomatic Surge (Seamus, unused)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions: Mystery Disease
0: (Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand, Message, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
1: 2/5 used (Vanishx2, Lock Gazex0, Ill Omenx0, Faerie Firex0)
2: 4/4 used (Mirror Imagex2, Placebo Effectx2, Lesser Restorationx0, Tonguesx0)
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+4[/dice] damage.
Kast strengthens himself and rises up into the air, walking on the walls. Seamus misses, even with his backswing, as he tries hard to return the favor. Izomandakus, with a whirlwind of swings, still manages not to hit the ghast. Valena does manage to throw off the Skinsaw Man, (flatfooted), and she manages to land a blow as a result! (7AC swing being flatfooted!)
"Is that why you killed the sawmill lovers? You kill love to shape the world?" Izomandakus roars angrily at Aldern and jumps covering the five feet that separate him from the undead.
Twitch. He swings his war razor at the poor gargoyle, doing what he can to end him before he begins. ”Of course. The world is in need of a purge, and the Brothers of the Seven will see to it that it is!”
and Fort DC 13 (disease) and Fort DC 17 (paralysis)
and Fort DC 17 (paralysis)
Izogoyle bleeds as the razor cuts on him "Be damned you and your Seven! You have done terrible things!" after a short breath the pounding keeps going, perhaps now more focused.
Pachemu looks at Seamus to see if he goes into the space below Kast, if not, she oinks and bravely goes there jumping to protect Valena and Kast from incoming attacks.
Val begins to go for another feint.
But this talk about some Brotherhood is distracting her. ”Brotherhood? Who the bloody hells are they?”
Even with her half-hearted feint, she still goes for an attack.
HP: 50/51
AC: 22/15/17
Saves: F5/R10/W7 +2 will vs charm and compulsion, +2 fort vs poison and drugs, +4 fort vs alcohol
Hypnotic Stare:
Painful Stare:
Active Implanted Tricks 2/5 used): Psychosomatic Surge (Seamus, unused)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions: Mystery Disease
0: (Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand, Message, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
1: 2/5 used (Vanishx2, Lock Gazex0, Ill Omenx0, Faerie Firex0)
2: 4/4 used (Mirror Imagex2, Placebo Effectx2, Lesser Restorationx0, Tonguesx0)
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+4[/dice] damage.
Round 3
Kast offers a hack down now that he has stopped climbing and just stands on the wall for a clear hack.
to hit;
damage.
hp: 45/45
AC: 20/17/13 + 2/shield
Saves: F4/R7/W5* +4 vs. mind affecting
Aroden's Verve: 0/0 used
GlitterBomb: 0/0 used
Extend GammaRadiation: 0/0 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Think Really Hard: 4/6 left
Staff of Courage 2: 4/4 left
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+3[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+6[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
to hit;
P/B damage.
[ ooc]Morningstar, two handed:[/ooc]
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
Kast gets a clear shot, and carves himself off a little Aldern. Seamus manages a blow against the flat footed opponent. Izomandakus rips into him, doing a great deal of damage in a very short time! Valena doesn’t manage the feint, but does manage the blow as she strikes hard and fast.
But this talk about some Brotherhood is distracting her. ”Brotherhood? Who the bloody hells are they?”
”You don’t know the Brotherhood? And you’re here? Oh, that is rich, Valena!”
He changes focus to Valena, and tries to bring her low. (profane bonus applied)
and Fort DC 13 (disease) and Fort DC 17 (paralysis)
and Fort DC 17 (paralysis)
Round 4
Kast hacks again.
to hit;
damage.
hp: 45/45
AC: 20/17/13 + 2/shield
Saves: F4/R7/W5* +4 vs. mind affecting
Aroden's Verve: 0/0 used
GlitterBomb: 0/0 used
Extend GammaRadiation: 0/0 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Think Really Hard: 4/6 left
Staff of Courage 2: 4/4 left
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+3[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+6[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
to hit;
P/B damage.
[ ooc]Morningstar, two handed:[/ooc]
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
"The Brotherhood is meaningless!" Izogoyle growls and keeps attacking on the ghast that was Aldern "The world will go on the same after your destruction like if the Skinsaw never existed!"
Pachemu stays back, supporting the group. If anyone needs to retreat, she will step up to defend the line.
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Val’s whole body locks up to Aldern’s paralysis at the worst possible time. How did he know her name? He made it sound like this Brotherhood is connected to her? Does this connect back to Corioles? She actually needs to talk for once instead of just repartee, and she cannot.
HP: 34/51
AC: 22/15/17
Saves: F5/R10/W7 +2 will vs charm and compulsion, +2 fort vs poison and drugs, +4 fort vs alcohol
Hypnotic Stare:
Painful Stare:
Active Implanted Tricks 2/5 used): Psychosomatic Surge (Seamus, unused)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions: Mystery Disease, Paralyzed
0: (Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand, Message, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
1: 2/5 used (Vanishx2, Lock Gazex0, Ill Omenx0, Faerie Firex0)
2: 4/4 used (Mirror Imagex2, Placebo Effectx2, Lesser Restorationx0, Tonguesx0)
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+4[/dice] damage.
Kast lands a telling blow, forcing Aldern nearly to his knees. Seamus swings a couple times, but can’t quite make contact. Izomandakus, though he tries to rip into him repeatedly, only manages one blow. But it is enough, as the ghast that was once human, collapses in a pool of puss and ooze. Valena becomes paralyzed - unable to ask the unasked questions. Unable to find out how Aldern Foxglove knew who she was…
In a few seconds (just ) Valena comes out of her paralysis as the party catches their breath. The stink in the room seems to be coming from the mold on the wall, which seems to writhe a bit at Aldern’s destruction. You’ll need to come close to it to drag his body away - so I’ll need to know how you do that and if you get within 5’ of the wall, please make a will save.
Val rouses from her paralysis by cursing in several languages. ”That bloody idiot! Cannot even be useful in his final moments! UGH.” She breathes in deep, massaging the bridge of her nose as she closes her eyes to try and calm down. ”Can someone do something about that mold while I collect myself. Maybe he has something on him that will help.”
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Kast initially looks insulted that his glorious cold iron bardiche, that even has a fancy name (like that of true perfect heroes) would be called a 'pigsticker', as if Kast would dare to stick a pig (let alone the pig within earshot) with it. He quickly calms when he realizes that Seamus might not have had the extensive training with the weapon, nor had he spent hours deciding exactly which weapon would work best against the orc hordes.
"Oh this? You mean the Iron Quill? It's different than a pigsticker, I tell you that...and yes, it will certainly do the trick."
From above, if possible, and after others have moved away, Kast will try to drag the body away from the wall.
Will, if necessary (and an additional +4 vs. mind affecting)
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Kast is able to drag the body, and the dropped war razor, from the wall. The mold seems to poof out at him as he does so, but he keeps his distance and it doesn’t affect him (and he would have made the save if it had).
You search the aristocrats body, magically presumably, and find…
War Razor +2
Leatherr armor +2
Ring of jumping
Ring of protection +2
Stalker's Mask
Small silver keyring with two keys. One key is rather large with an inset opal. The head of the smaller key resembles a roaring lion.
324gp in assorted cash
His nobles outfit, worth some 200gp at one time, is unfit. Even repaired and cleaned, you doubt anyone would buy it (ie I’m not including it in the treasure).
On the table, you also find a letter, recently written.
You have served us quite well. The delivery you harvested from the caverns far exceeds what I had hoped for. You may consider your debt to the Brothers paid in full. Yet I still have need of you, and when you awaken from your death, you should find your mind clear and able to understand this task more than in the state you lie in as I write this.
You shall remember the workings of the Sihedron ritual, I trust. You seemed quite lucid at the time, but if you find after your rebirth that you have forgotten, return to your townhouse in Magnimar. My agents shall contact you there soon - no need for you to bother the Brothers further.
I will provide the list of proper victims for the Sihedron ritual in two days’ time. Commit that list to memory and then destroy it before you begin your work. The ones I have selected must be marked before they die; otherwise they do my master no good and the greed in their souls will go to waste.
If others get in your way, though, you may do with them as you please. Eat them, savage them, or turn them into pawns - it matters not to me.
- Xanesha, Mistress of the Seven
- - -
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Val leaves others to identify the magic items while she goes for the letter. She leans on the table with both hands while she stares down at it.
She blinks at the paper as it reveals new revelation after new revelation. Her voice remains flat of affect as she describes the contents. ”Who would have guessed that Aldern—that little pissant—was a just doing someone else’s dirty work. Even the victims were chosen for him ahead of time. By this ‘Xanesha, Mistress of the Seven.’ And she also speaks of a master.” She closes her eyes and hangs her head as she leans over the table still. Normally, she would have quipped on the irony of a “Brotherhood” being led by a “Mistress,” but she is too tired, too utterly and completely tired. ”There are at least two more levels going on to this affair than we were aware of. I do not understand the purpose, though. Some nonsense about harvesting souls. Apparently, she was the one telling him to put that Sihedron thing on the bodies.” She picks up the letter and offers it to whoever. ”This Xanesha apparently has a townhome in Magnimar, so at least we have a lead on where to go.”
Valena has not heard of the group before or of Xanesha.
Know (Local) - Xanesha
Know (Local) - Brotherhood 7
Kast will help Izo identify the magics, taking none for himself.
”Magimar? No. I’m heading back to Sandpoint to report back to the Sheriff, and also to hope we’ve cleared out all the ghouls. That’s where we need to go next, make sure Sandpoint is safe,” Kast answers with his intent, his duty.
”The only question is whether we burn this place to the ground when we go. Also the attic, so we’re not done yet. I owe you an attic search, right, Seamus?”
Izomandakus scans avid the items, paying just enough attention as the letter is read "So, he was a pawn of this Xanesha?"
"Ok, let's go to Sandpoint then, it seems if we want to track down this Brotherhood we will need to travel Magnimar again though" Izomandakus looks from afar the mold "Did you saw that puzzle piece, it is like the one in the ritual that failed for Vorel... that mold... I am unsure about the house, but we need to finish that mold"
Val looks over the identified items while she listens to the others’ responses. ”I agree that Sandpoint should be protected. We should keep the information that we have dealt with Aldern close to the chest, though, and we should not tarry too long. We do not want his masters to suspect we are onto them and flee.” She takes the protective ring and puts it on, switching it out for the one she was wearing. ”Any of you need this old ring of protection? The armor looks nice, but I am invested in the mithral. Could be good for Seamus. I could not bring myself to use a razor as a weapon on the aesthetics alone. And that mask? Absolutely horrid. The only skin I want covering my face is my own, thank you very much. The other ring for jumping is nice, and I certainly would not turn it down, but I also will not deny it from anyone else.”
She looks to the mold that Izo was pointing out, and she shudders just contemplating it. Even if it was not Especially Evil Mold Somehow, she would have shuddered. ”Do you not have some kind of blast of fire or cold or whatever memorized out of that spellbook? Seems a better route to me than just hacking at it. How does one even engage a mold in melee?”
Kast has heard of the Brotherhood of the Seven, but only distantly. Apparently they are a cult of Norgorber, operating in Magnimar. More than that he does not know, though he believes they are perhaps hundreds of years old.
Surprisingly, though he feels he should know something, Izomandakus knows nothing of Xanesha, nor does he know where the name may have come from. He suspects the outer planes, but he’s really not sure.
Moving into the attic, you open the first door - the one that Seamus had been trying earlier when Kast set off the fiery haunt below.
The door opens to a large number of wooden planks, rope, and other repair supplies which are stored here. The ceiling above sags noticeably and in several areas patches of the sky above are visible.
The equipment is really the first proof that anyone’s been here in some time. There are also some fresh repairs here - they fixed up the flooring so as to have a place to store the building supplies. They had big plans from the size of the pile, plus all the equipment still outside in the rain.
Kast steps gingerly in the attic, considering putting the Iron Quill away and drawing his ‘star, which he does. In close quarters, he’d rather have his sihedron shield and ‘star. But then, he’d prefer not to be in close quarters at all.
”Yeah, I’m pretty serious. I think this place is both in danger of collapse, but also has enough residual necromantic detritus in that…that…it just needs to be purged. And fire and/or opening it to the sun are the best ways to do it. But fire is better.”
He waits in the hallway while Seamus works, keeping an eye on the others doors.
”The only question is whether I’ll get in trouble with the Sheriff, but I think not. This is a judgement call, and we’ve all seen the horrors here, what bred here.”
”We can tell them we started a fire by accident, even. Say it just fo started by an unlucky lit oil lamp getting knocked down, and then with all the dusty dry wallpaper….” She holds her closed fist up, then suddenly explodes it open. ”Poof. There she goes.” She makes sure to clean off the new ring before putting it on. ”I am without a doubt the best dissembler here, so I would be happy to sell such a story. However, I am concerned that burning down a whole manor might be a rather big alert to Aldern’s masters that someone is coming for them next.”
You’re very careful at each door, though it’s a bit of drudgery for the next several as they open to simple storerooms stacked with old furniture, sheets and linens, boxes and coats, and other bits. Nothing of real value can be found here - most of it is from long ago and has rotted with the leaks, rats, and other issues.
The next room (the one with the bed) is a loft. The ceiling of this room angles down steeply, leaving only four feet of headroom to the southeast. A low cot and dresser are the rooms only furnishings. You’d imagine it was the butler’s chamber.
As you open this door however, you her a shriek of pain from a room further in. Probably the northeast most door.
Kast follows Seamus towards the door.
"I heard it too this time. Something is in there," Kast readies with his 'star.
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This room is cold and damp with an old armoire standing near the east wall. The ceiling slopes down to only four feet high to the northeast, leaving little room for a small window. A full-size mirror in a dark wooden frame of coiling roses leans against these bricks, angled toward the tiny window.
A body, wrapped in bed linen, lies on the floor by the mirror. From the smell, it’s been been a week or more since death. That said, as the door is opened, the body rises up and stands! As the sheets fall away, you see a woman, clearly strangled. It’s Iesha Foxglove (image)!
- - -
She shrieks loudly,
Everyone please make a DC 20 will save or cower in fear before her wrath.
Though you are all frightened, at least a little bit, you gain some comfort from the Pottersmoot rings you bear. Much like Covenant Rings (link), the knowledge of your strong friendship, reflected in the rings Seamus gave you all, helps you keep it together. Though it does not take a ring slot, these rings do provide a +1 saving throw vs Fear (untyped).