A New Barovia: Chapter One

[VAN]

Adam with arms wide open as display of non threat gets closer to Jacob. He tries to mask his disappointment of seeing the famous dark elf in such bad condition. He has heard tha Jacob was a great cleric and if neither him couldn't heal himself from the insanity Adam is pretty sure that he can do nothing to help him. Trying to speak calm as if talking to a kid he says:

"Jacob, we are here to investigate some murders. Four women have been murdered the past months and the militia reports have been stolen. We try to find the responsible for all that. Can you help us Jacob? You have helped my and Thomas fathers so many times in past do you think you can do same thing about me and Thomas as well?"

Adam hopes that reminding the dark elf how powerful he was once might jog his memory and clear his mind even momentarily so he could help them.

[steveflam]

Jacob looks up at Adam from his upside down position on the floor. Visibly confused, he looks around. Then sighing, he stands and looks around again, this time with more intensity, completely ignoring you all and walking around. He does this for almost ten minutes. Any who watch him will see he is touching his head, a crown to be precise. It appears to be made of foliage. He mutters words in a language you don't understand at all. When he is finished, he walks back towards you all and once in front of you, levitates up a little. Sitting in a yoga position in the middle of the air he now looks to be more lucid.

"I looked magically at this area. I warn you, I am not lucid for long. I am aware of the murders but can't help you or anyone as the madness takes me. Someone was invisible here, this is how those papers disappeared. They were very skilled in the rogue ways as well. They were a lycanthrope, werebadger that is. And this lycanthrope is not tall. Sorry I can't be more help. Good-bye......."

The dark elf disappears after that.

[Ail]

"Ah!", Robert exclaims, surprised, "We learn something after all... A werebadger? does that fit the paw mark we saw on the ceiling? Hmmm... the least people involved the better. So one miscreant is enough to do the murders and rob the evidence. That's good, that's good... only one person to find then"

he says more cheeringly towards the end. Then he stands up and knocks the elf chaply in the back

"Bravo, uh.... Lord elf. Thank you for your information!"

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Truly, yes, Robert," says Khalfani with some degree of relief. "Happy indeed that our foe may not be part of a great ... oh, what is that word? ... contraption, where many people are united in secret? Khara, this teez language... please excuse me.

"You that are familiar with Jacob and his family ... you believe what he just said, yes? If so, then we know also that although our foe is capable of horrible, savage acts, so too does he know when to use stealth and subtlety... and magic. We must not underestimate him. I advise that we all carry small pouches of flour with us. It is a simple solution to a complicated trick."

He continues, "And our foe may still be one of the militia. I know that our searches have been without fruit, and I share your frustration. I can suggest only one more search: In the weeks immediately before the first killing several months ago, was any militia member hired or seek to be excused from duty because of a sudden illness? If the curse of the LIKE-annn-thrope works like an infection or disease, as I have read is often true, then it seems possible that the first attack came shortly after the killer himself was infected. For these answers, we may need to speak with Dmitri."

[VAN]

Adam thinks for a moment Jacob's words and says:

"Yes I trust Jacob, I don't know what he did, but he apperead well when he talked. He also warned us that this will not last long. But I don't agree with you that is for sure only 1 person. Can be more than one, Jacob said that one got in here but then he taled in plural. "They were very skilled", "they were lycanthrope". So I'm afraid that are more than one of these were badgers. Maybe one has rogue skills and one is mage. But I do agree with Khalfani's plan we should start from the militia men hired recently or got sick just before the murders started. Also we should pay a visit to Cornelius, he seems to know something more and he might want to share it with us. Maybe we can try to find Delsenora and visit him later today."

[kintire]

Marilee looks astonished as the elf speaks and pays close attention, then looks thoughtful

"I think he was just saying they because he didn't know whether to say "he" or "she". But "not tall"? Maybe a Gnome or a Dwarf? Also, does anyone know if you need special equipment to kill werebadgers?"

[BigBadQDaddy]

Seemingly lost in thought after hearing Jacob speak from a somewhat clearer frame of mind, Thomas realizes his heart has picked up it's pace. He was to finally be tested against the type of beast that had scarred not only his family time and time again, but which had been the cause of so much pain in the world.
He should have realized earlier. What little information they had gathered had made so much sense now. What didn't make any sense was the means of dispatching the dead. Why the arms and the heads?
The young man's ears perk up as he hears Marilee's question. "Likely, yes. Most superstitions like to lend credit to items commonly enough found in the world such as silver for werewolves.
"The truth is that many of these creatures react to a specific allergen. Our best bet is to try and find who fits the personality of such a creature and investigate them to discern it's true weakness. No easy task. Though now we have a lead to go on."

[VAN]

"Maybe Deselnora knows something more about these creatures or we can ask a bard or a sage. As about the head and arms well they might be needed in a ritiual or just the murdrer wanted to leave that as "personal signature" or all these women had something in common maybe a tatoo or something. Maybe we can ask if Vassili's sister had any tatoo. Don't forget also that maybe this werebadger works for someone else that was intredted at the heads or the arms. The question is from where we start. My opinion is to check the list and sign who was recently hired or got sick as Khalfani said and try to find out if Vassili's sister had any tatoo's at her head or right arm. Then we can try to contact Deselnora and Cornelius."

[steveflam]

At the Militia HQ, not much more information can be gleened[sp]. None know if Mariska had a tattoo. You do get a list of all the soldiers working for the militia. None on the list are of the height challenged variety. Thomas does get a list of Krezk residents. With Khalfani's help they do realize that of the whole population, five percent is of the halfling or dwarf variety.

Leaving the HQ you make it back to the Inn. Inside, Cornelius is absent but Quorrin is there. "Good day, how might I be of service to you
this afternoon?"

[VAN]

Adam looks at the list while walking trying to remember the names in order one of them get into their way at the future. Once at the inn he looks around a bit disappointed not seeing Cornelius or Deselnora. He gets closer to Quorin and asks:

"Hello, can you tell me please where I can find Deselnora or Cornelius."

[steveflam]

Quorrin looks at Adam and sniffles, wiping his brow with a hankerchief. "I say, Madame Delsenora left instructions not to disturb her until this evening. As for Cornelius, he is gone home for a few days. Is there anything else I might be of service to you, young sir?"

[kintire]

On returning to the inn, Marilee sits down, wincing, looking around with no friendly eye. She stretches, then winces again, holding her head for a moment.

[VAN]

Adam doesn't try to mask his disappointment but still says:

"Do you know if there is a bard or a sage in Krezk that we can visit?"

[Ken of Ghastria]

Back at the inn, Khalfani ponders the information they've gathered. As he hears the others talking to Quorrin, he walks over and joins the conversation. "Please excuse me, Quorrin -- you seem to be a good location to hear many tales. If you could indulge me with two requests. First, please, something to drink... an ale, perhaps? Second, aside from Delsenora and the good Vasili, do other members of the militia often come here to relax?"

_________________________
My apologies for the longer-than-expected absence. After catching up from vacation, I then lost access to the boards for a couple of days. All fixed!

[steveflam]

Adam doesn't try to mask his disappointment but still says:

"Do you know if there is a bard or a sage in Krezk that we can visit?"

Quorrin turns to Adam. "Let me see. Yes there are two that I know of in Krezk. One Arselius Knorth can be found but fifteen minutes from here. The other, one George Lemay can be found on the other side of the city." Quickly jotting down something on a piece of paper, he hands it over to Adam. "Good luck, sir."

Back at the inn, Khalfani ponders the information they've gathered. As he hears the others talking to Quorrin, he walks over and joins the conversation. "Please excuse me, Quorrin -- you seem to be a good location to hear many tales. If you could indulge me with two requests. First, please, something to drink... an ale, perhaps? Second, aside from Delsenora and the good Vasili, do other members of the militia often come here to relax?"

The barkeep turns around and gets a mug of ale for Khalfani. Returning, he hands it over. "Yes, well from what I have observed, quite the few members of our militia come here after working hours only to sample our food and alchoholic beverages, sir Khalfani. I always wonder how you can drink so much and have little effect. Maybe I should start giving you the Missus' brew that her husband Cornelius
perfected for her. Unless you are like her and prefer a clear mind."