NPC: "The Search for Aroden"'s page

Ulver Zandalus
Briarstone Nightmare Inmate

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Falling limp from the dying, withering grotesquerie, Ulver Zandalus gasps for his few last breaths. Just as before, he continues mumbling under his breath, seemingly whispering insanity without lucidity. "Nightmares. .... The Tatterman. .... Who am I? .... Disciples of Orpiment. .... Nightmare. .... Black Butterfly and The Cosmic Caravan." And he fades out of consciousness.

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Awakening for a moment to look upon you one last time, he sees the Dwarf. The Dwarf's withered, pale arm with the rows of pin-pricks. Just for a moment the dying eyes of Ulver Zandalus open wide and he tries to cry out loudly a warning, in a moment of stark clarity, a piercing gaze upon the arm, "Don't let 'The Chains of Night' get you, too! don't let the,... Chains of Night,... get y-" and his eyes close for the last time.

Swinging at spiders with your stool-leg proves innefectual as they continue to bite Ulver Zandalus -- and as Ulver Zandalus continues to attack The Eye with all the rage and fear of insanity.

Bursting a hole in the center of the eye-jelly with the mad ferocity of his assault, Ulver Zandalus shoves his whole face into The Eye, clawing hands first, and the manifesting Thing, its yellow tendrils and sickly membranes, fall dim.

The nightmare spiders begin to do slow and die, even as the giant eye darkens, Ulver Zandalus (covered with spider bites) face-first and arms flailing, also slows down. They are both dying.

Ulver Zandalus
Briarstone Nightmare Inmate
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In desperation as he futily attacks The Eye, covered in ammonia, arsenic and silver polish -- and swarmed with nightmare spiders -- Ulver Zandalus opens his mouth wide and bites down on the eye with all his might.

His teeth sink into the white of the eye and he swallows viscera and vile jelly. He continues to bite -- to EAT The Manifesting Eye alive.

He looks almost like a Zombie or Ghoul, ravenous, obsessively biting, gnawing, thrashing away at the thing, even as the spiders bite into the patient.

Autumn Evanescu
Priest of Pharasma

"I can not know whether killing Ulver Zandalus would bring an end to this. Aerwyn Savoia seemed to believe there is a connection, perhaps even some causal factor, but I would like some hard evidence, preferably proof, before killing a patient. Murder on a hunch feels dark. Of course, we don't even know what you'll find when you open the door to the solitary confinement chamber -- whether Ulver Zandalus is even still alive."

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Novembre Clacza
Inquisitor of Pharasma

"Perhaps you'll consider me just another "cold" Inquisitor but, Autumn's superior clearly felt there was a connection -- when I get sufficient nightmare-free rest I can use Divination magic to determine if Ulver Zandalus is Evil. If he is, that's sufficient 'evidence' for me to promote his execution -- if there is even a chance of saving the doctors, clerics, and patients remaining in Briastone. (Not to mention, who knows how far the nightmares and fog have spread, to Thrushmoor and Hallowfeld or even beyond.)"

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Autumn Evanescu
Priest of Pharasma

"We know that the chapel is still a Hallowed sanctuary and will protect us from Nightmares if we sleep there. The three cauldrons in the surgery room, however, they are just enchanted to Create Water to fill each day. We have to Bless the Water (an easier task because the Cauldrons are sanctified to Pharasma) in order for it to become Holy Water. But unfortunately, sleeping near them won't shield us fom the preternatural nightmares."

I was just perusing Gameplay and getting my own Gameplay post ready when I saw a repeat of the mention of the Rook chess-gamepiece as one of the items taken from the Nightmare.

I want to re-post a bit of dialogue that may have gotten overlooked. It's not critical by any means, but is yet a little clue or piece of info that, eventually may somehow come up again:....
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Novembre Clacza
Inquisitor of Pharasma

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"That castle piece,... may I see it for just a moment, please?"

Looking at it only briefly, but concernedly, the Inquisitor is stumped. But she has a theory:

"I think this is a magical component, like a spell component, but for a Gate that leads, well, I don't know to where but another Plane. Look at the door etched on the bottom. The coldness and grayness of it makes me think The Shadow Plane, but the material composition is more, I am unsure, Silver-of-'The First World.'

"Can you tell me where you found this?"

Autumn Evanescu
Priest of Pharasma

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"Yes. Apparently Count Hasserton Loew had you and the others transfered here in a basement room under his private office. I knew there were chambers underneath Briarstone; I did not know anything that specific.

"You really don't remember anything? How unfortunate.

"I would like to get to Dr. Eliege Losandro's office as well, to get you your records. I am sorry this has happened.

"But we still need to get to the chapel. Will you try to calm the young lady enough to draw a map of Briarstone? I guess I can too but, well, I was not blessed to have any artistic ability. Any attempt of mine will be poor."

Wyatt Wrunevescu
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The orderly and assistant nurse answers the Dwarf and 'Scalpel's questions. "Yes. When we first got trapped in here Autumn Evanescu used her last spell to cast an Augury to see if we should just bust out of the exterior windows and make a run for the village of Thrushmoor or even to Hallowfeld. Apparently Pharasma answered her prayers with an emphatic "No" and that it would not be safe."

He gets a little disturbed even looking at the direction of the tapestry hiding the 'Thing.'

"After we holed up in the lounge we built the barricade blocking the long hall -- where you came from -- and locked and barred the door to the main entry of Briarstone -- which is now covered. After a few hours we collapsed in sleep, trying to take watches in case any of the faceless monsters got through.

"When we all awoke six or seven hours later, a, uh, thing had manifested there. Novembre Clacza tried to use the tiny bit of magic she still had to destroy it. But, well, I guess that was also when they realized th Nightmares we were all having also prevented them from resting enough for their prayers to reach their deities.

"I put that tapestry up to keep from scaring the children, and, uh, to prevent it from "seeing" us. I think the damned thing is alive."

Novembre Clacza
Inquisitor of Pharasma

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The Inquisitor answers the Dwarf as Aerwyn Savoia's chambers are being searched. "I was hoping for a detailed description of Briarstone as well, as I am just arrived to help fight The Briarstone Witch.

"With Autumn Evanescu and Wyatt Wrunevescu's help, we were going to try to coax the teenage girl into drawing a detailed layout. She is an artistic prodigy -- as your friend saw from the Holy Symbol she crafted.

"Alas, when I tried to convince the young lady to help us, well, let's say I was not nearly as diplomatic as some of your friends, especially him with the Holy Symbol. The girl shut down emotionally. I understand the trauma -- a mental patient anyway, and now the catastrophe as literal Nightmares have come to life.

"Hopefully some of you can convince the girl to draw a map of this place -- under the guidance of Autumn Evanescu and Wyatt Wrunevescu."

Autumn Evanescu
Priest of Pharasma

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She nods in agreement with the Diplomat of the survivors, "Yes. It is time to enter High Priest Aerwyn Savoia's chambers to learn more. To learn what we can."

Autumn Evanescu
Priest of Pharasma

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"The chapel is close by but we don't know how many monsters are between us and it. It is also central, so I don't know how secure we could make it. But I think we hve to try.

"Of more importance is something growing just past a tapestry we hung to cover it from view." She whispers in a huddle with interested survivors and the Inquisitor, Novembre Clacza. [smaller]"A Thing 'not-from-here' is manifesting and growing on the other side of the tapestry. It is beyond my or the Inquisitor's knowledge. It's blocking passage to the chapel, and to the rest of Briarstone.

"I am certain it is from The Briarstone Witch. So is Novembre Clacza."

She turns to the Diplomat of the survivors, "Your Holy Symbol of Pharasma: It belonged to my friend, Vera. She's missing.

"Do you see the frightened young lady in the corner? Vera and I helped her carve that Holy Symbol. The young lady is a briliant talent at art and artistry. Vera and I encouraged her to fashion that. Vera was to give it to the Count of this place, Hassurton Loew. His father defeated The Briarstone Witch decades ago and built this hospital and asylum."

Autumn Evanescu gently brushes her finger against The Diplomat's found Holy Symbol of Pharasma, looking at it, looking 'beyond' it to the memory of her friend and peer. She looks back into The Diplomat's eyes, "May this Holy Symbol bless you and keep you, and may Vera's Soul whisper for your behalf to Pharasma."

Novembre Clacza
Inquisitor of Pharasma

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She turns to the man after he kindly gives the doll to the little girl.

"You are correct, it is not wise to trust in this situation. But The Priest listened to the words of your fellow, there, and convinced me to try. It looks like it was a good choice; the Priest of Pharasma is wise."

Novembre Clacza
Inquisitor of Pharasma

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"That castle piece,... may I see it for just a moment, please?"

Looking at it only briefly, but concernedly, the Inquisitor is stumped. But she has a theory:

"I think this is a magical component, like a spell component, but for a Gate that leads, well, I don't know to where but another Plane. Look at the door etched on the bottom. The coldness and grayness of it makes me think The Shadow Plane, but the material composition is more, I am unsure, Silver-of-'The First World.'

"Can you tell me where you found this?"

Novembre Clacza
Inquisitor of Pharasma

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"26 Vials of Holy Water -- that's a significant arsenal against the Zombies. Against the Faceless Stalkers, though, you may have to use your makeshift clubs and anything else you can find. At least until such a time as we can get significant rest in the chapel. Once we can recieve or Divine spells and powers again, the priest and I will be more effective. I know you likely want me to accompany you -- my Morningstar is enchanted with magic as a Bane to fight Undead, and my magical Cloak helps Save me from magical Curses, Hexes and other debilitating attacks that don't come from a sword. But I have sworn to guard these children. To try to lead them to safety. My superior likely sacrificed himself to give us this chance at surviving."

Wyatt Wrunevescu
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Poking his head into the lounge for a moment, having fully reset the barricade and established the former inmate to guard for a moment, he addresses the Dwarf.

"Well done in the hall; I respect that attitude. If you're willing, I could use another guard -- another pair of eyes on watch. I'm, uh, not a warrior. I'm a little bit of a carpenter and orderly, and I've worked here so long I've become a reasonably knowledgeable nurse. Not a fighter, though some bouncer work with an unruly patient now and then has given me some grappling and brawling experience -- nothing like fighting Zombies, though."

Autumn Evanescu
Priest of Pharasma

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With her bright white cat Familiar in her hands, she answers your question about The Briarstone Witch. "It seems odd that the latest calamity wouldn't be the mayhem and misery inflicted from the return of The Briarstone Witch.

"The Principality Inquisitors sent a cadre here for that purpose -- and I know the High Priest of Pharasma here, my Mistress, Aerwyn Savoia, was certain the cause is The Briarstone Witch.

"I am reluctant to enter Aerwyn Savoia's private chambers to snoop through her papers. But like the Warden and the other Inquisitors, she is missing -- after having bought us time to get the children here to relative safety."

Novembre Clacza
Inquisitor of Pharasma

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"How to recognize a Faceless Stalker, you ask: It is not easy. We took a risk in allowing you in without proof. I believe the chance was good.

"When a Faceless Stalker takes the form of a person, it doesn't grant the creature knowledge of that person. So sometimes you can determine whether the person you're talking to is a monster in disguise or a friend, just through careful conversation.

"Also, when studying them I read that it takes several seconds for them to change their shape -- and that in the first moments of their unnatural Transmutation, it is easier to recognize as a monster. Alas, until I arrived here six days ago to hunt The Briarstone Witch with my Principality Inquisitor superiors, I had never been in combat with a real one. Actual combat is often at least a little different than training. And the ones we fought here had their disguises in tact."

Autumn Evanescu
Priest of Pharasma

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"The three cauldrons you mention, as long as the room remains Hallowed to Pharasma fresh water will appear to fill them each morning at dawn. We the Priests must Bless the Water for magical healing -- and to combat the Undead. It is Holy Water. If we can get access to vials, or anything that can hold water, we can arm ourselves with Holy Water with which to fight the Undead.

"But getting to the chapel where we can rest without Nightmares is the biggest priority. We have no Spells without rest."

Novembre Clacza
Inquisitor of Pharasma

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"I am the least member of a cadre of Inquisitors who came to Briarstone six days ago investigating rumors of the return of The Briarstone Witch. Over fifty years ago The Briarstone Witch spread misery, death and chaos -- for several years -- before the local Count, Hassurton Loew, and an Inquisition of Pharasma, tracked her to this location and destroyed her.

"That was about thirty-five years ago. But every few years a Ghost or Haunt of The Briarstone Witch reanimates, and every three or four years we perform an exorcism. That Count Hasserton Loew built Briarstone Hospital and Asylum on the top of the Witch's lair. I know it sounds foolish, but in Ustalov, All land is Profane; all Soil is Cursed. Nonetheless, ten years ago when that Count Hasserton passed his authority to his son, the current Count Hasserton Loew, the two of them paid for a poweful Exorcism and declared The Briarstone Witch destroyed forever. For a decade we thought her gone. Now she appears to be back.

"This time was a little different as it appears The Briarstone Witch is attacking the people in their dreams -- their nightmares. But four nights ago the Nightmare, I really don't know exactly, Escaped. Somehow a number of Faceless Stalkers broke free from the Dimension of Dreams and was unleashed in Briarstone.

"We can't get enough rest each night to heal, to recover. We're too exhausted to pray for our Divine spells. We have no magic. Little to no food or water. Few weapons.

"But if a few of you can help us, maybe now we have a little extra manpower with which to get some resources. Until now, at least, we couldn't leave the children. My superiors, and the Warden of Briarstone, I believe sacrificed their lives buying us the time to get the children here to relative safety. We've been hoping for respite from beyond Briarstone. But if it can come from within, well, we'll accept whatever help we can get."

Autumn Evanescu
Priest of Pharasma

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"None of us have any memory loss. I don't know why you do. I don't know how you came to Briarstone Hospital-and-Asylum, or how long you've been here.

"The Warden of Briarstone, Elienge Losandro, could answer your questions, maybe -- if he's still alive. He is missing. But even if you were secreted in here somehow, there may be a written record. Perhaps we can find it. But several doctors, nurses, and Clerics are missing.

"Before the Warden and the lead Inquisitor charged in fight to buy us time to get the children here to safety, I was just one of the ranking Priests of Pharasma. I've been assigned to Briarstone for eighteen months. Wyatt Wrunevescu has worked here over fourteen years.

"It is the fourth day since tragedy struck." And the Priest turns to Novembre Clacza.

Autumn Evanescu
Priest of Pharasma

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"There is a lower level, actually, though it is not "official." It was built over the warrens of The Briarstone Witch when the Count Hassurton and Principality High Inquisitors tracked her down and destroyed The Briarstone Witch. That was over thirty-five years ago.

"But all entryways to those chambers were sealed decades ago. It is possible that the earth-shakings when the Nightmare creatures came through opened up a way down. .... But that would not explain how you got here.

"Come, let us take you to where we survivors have congregated. We can discuss more. .... I know you want to run out of Briarstone Hospital and Asylum into the yellow fog; I understand your frustration. But my Augury spell, well, I recommend we try to find some answers first.

"Mister Wyatt, you and the Inmate stay here, rebuild the barricade; we'll be in the lounge."

Wyatt Wrunevescu
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"They want to prove they're not the Faceless Monsters! Let them go kill one or two and bring their bodies as proof!

"Hear that?! Go kill a Facless Monster and a few Zombies and come back. Then we can believe you!"

Novembre Clacza

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"I am an officer of the High Principality Inquisition; I don't work with monsters -- I hunt and kill them. You say you would like us to answer questions, well that's what Faceless Stalkers try when they're trying to gather information to use to better their charade. And considering you can't answer some basic questions, and that Mister Wyatt doesn't know you--

"Maybe start by describing the blood drinker you mentioned. And the nightmare."

Autumn Evanescu

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"Nightmares?! Yes, we've been having nightmares, too. But I know you are not patients here and don't understand how you could have gotten here. And I don't know of any blood-drinker.

"I see you have a Holy Symbol of Pharasma, but anyone could have killed one of my friends and taken that. Why are you trying to draw us away from our secure location -- just for water? Please forgive my suspicious nature but in Ustalov, better safe than sorry when the Undead start rising.

"I don't know how you can prove yorselves -- and I don't know why you can't or won't tell us your names as if you all coincidentally have amnesia. But we can't risk letting you in."

Wyatt Wrunevescu
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"It sounds like 'Faceless Monster' tricks! They say they don't remember who they are! I'm telling you, I've been here for years and what they say doesn't make sense. ... We can't risk trusting them. They have to prove it."

The fear is palpable in everyone's voice.

"Look at the man's arm, withered and skeletal. He is a monster!"

Novembre Clacza

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"No, Autumn, Holy Water doesn't harm them; it was a good try, though."

Autumn Evanescu

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"I don't know them, either, "Inquisitor"; let me try this."

A single vial of water arcs through the air from the makeshift bulwark toward you, smashing the Dwarf in the chest.

Water trickles down his torso but does nothing. Clean water.

The vial was identical to the twenty-six vials you filled from the three cauldrons of Pharasma.

"That confirms it; they are not Undead and they are not Demons. I don't know whether Holy Water of Pharasma harms Faceless Stalkers."

Novembre Clacza

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"There are monsters here called 'Faceless Stalkers'! They transmute themselves to mimic people the way Doppelgangers do. We've killed a few but know of at least two more who made a tactical retreat at our last encounter.

"I want to believe you. But you have to prove you're not a horde of Faceless Stalkers!"

Wyatt Wrunevescu

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"Who are you?!"

"I know every patient in this asylum and you're not among them!"

Wyatt Wrunevescu

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"I don't believe you; you Are those 'Faceless' Monsters, and with a horde of Zombies you've figured out how to Command.

"Beware! If you come closer we will strike you down with all the Holy Lightning of Pharasma!"

.... psst, get Novembre here now, Inmate; we need her here immediately. Run! And stay quiet; don't alarm the children."