Diablotin 1 session 61

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Summary

Fifth-month, 2197:

• 23rd: They begin their investigation into the undead attack by checking the necropolis to confirm it as the source of the remains, and coming to the realization that their report may well have been the inspiration for this atrocity - and that therefore there may well be a leak in the chain of command. They speak to Casavant about their concerns, and learn about the existence of an artifact called the Rod of Dust. They consult with Reverend Father Caron, head of the Order of the Owl, and learn that the Rod is indeed missing from the treasury.

Logs

Session Start: Mon Jan 31 18:20:49 2005 [Diablotin_Narrator] You (except for Falke) spent the rest of the evening assisting with the efforts to contain and destroy the remaining lesser undead in the north half of the city. Fortunately, it seems that very few of them made it across the river, and those that did (mainly in Pearl) were quickly dealt with. [Diablotin_Narrator] There may still be a few hiding somewhere, but those roaming the streets have been disposed of. [Diablotin_Narrator] The number of casualties resulting from this terrible attack are unknown, since most of them must have taken place in the Shambles and Rhenea, but they are assumed to be in the hundreds at the least. [Diablotin_Narrator] Meanwhile, white smoke rises once again from the Matriarch's Palace as her robes are ceremonially burned. Her body will be laid to rest with all honours due to one who fell in defense of the city. [Diablotin_Narrator] The new Patriarch, who will preside over the funeral rites of his predecessor, is Reverend Father Azarel of the Order of the Bear, a fat, balding, jolly-looking man of perhaps seventy years of age. [Diablotin_Narrator] Succeeding him at the head of the Order of the Bear is a priest by the name of Loftus Frythe, a member of a minor noble family of that House and reputed to be a man of sober judgement and reason. [Diablotin_Narrator] The next morning, bright and early, after too few hours of sleep, you are summoned to a meeting with your lieutenant, presumably to discuss what to do next...

• Exeas is sitting behind his desk, doing paperwork, when you enter.
• Kalman will take some of that stuff he made so he will be less exhausted ;)

[Kalman] Good morning, Lieutenant [Exeas] Morning, soldiers. [Belden] Good morning, sir! [Belden] :) [Pavo] Morning, sir. [Loch] Morning [Exeas] How are you folks holding up? All healed up?

• Falke stumbles into the office.

[Falke] Good morning, Sir. [Belden] Oh we're all fine, thank the gods :)

• Kalman nods to belden
• Loch nods in agreement with Pasith
• Falke feels bad that he's having to leave his new bride alone so much! :/ But duty calls... She seems to understand. Right? ;)

[Exeas] Good, good. [Exeas] Well ... that was quite a night, to say the least. [Belden] Yes... [Falke] I'll say.

• Belden nods soberly.
• Loch nods

[Kalman] Mm... Quite.

• Pavo shakes his head at the thought.

[Exeas] The empress is less than impressed, as you might imagine. [Exeas] She wants answers. [Pavo] (Have we taken the armour yet?) [Kalman] Well... we might have some that won't surprise her [Diablotin_Narrator] (Loch had it - did he hand it in?) [Falke] (We left in our office!) [Falke] (We were going to hand it in asap) [Diablotin_Narrator] (...hence my question) [Loch] (I took it back to our office... I didn't exactly have time to hand it in_ [Falke] (We'll hand it in now, then) [Kalman] (Well... we'll say not, then. we could have it with us now ;) [Loch] We have some [Diablotin_Narrator] (okay. so no one but you guys has seen it yet... you can hand it in now, indeed) [Belden] It's Blackhope, sir... [Belden] Show him what we found...

• Kalman looks over to Boden, who is probably the pne charged with carrying it around

[Exeas] Blackhope? O_o

• Boden will pull out a large sack that clanks and produce the armor and other stuff we found.

[Falke] Well, the breastplate of the death knight seems to indicate so.

• Exeas checks out the contents.

[Pavo] We took it off the thing that killed the Matriarch. [Exeas] Death knight, hm? Is that what you're calling it? Good enough name, I suppose. [Falke] It seemed appropriate.

• Exeas takes the breastplate and holds it up, examining it closely.

[Exeas] Well, that is the crest of Blackhope, you're right about that.

• Exeas says, somewhat befuddled, perhaps.

[Belden] Obviously these... things... didn't just march from there, though... [Kalman] No... [Exeas] No, obviously not. [Boden] (is it right on the armour? Like part of it?) [Exeas] Are you thinking what I'm thinking? [Kalman] But once we killed it, they seemed to lose direction [Falke] There was a necropolis below the downs, on our way to the Arch. [Exeas] Yes ... that was in your report. [Kalman] What were you thinking, sir? [Exeas] Seems unlikely to be a coincidence, that you would discover, or re-discover, the necropolis just scant days before these things come out of it.

• Falke nods.

[Belden] They could have come from there, but someone would have had be there to... raise them.

• Exeas nods.

[Exeas] Now, I don't know much about raising the dead ... ;)

• Exeas grins wryly.
• Falke nods.

[Exeas] ... but how on earth could any sorceror, priest, or anything else raise so many creatures in so little time?

• Belden looks grim, not finding anything remotely humourous about desecration of people's corpses. ;_;
• Pavo also doesn't understand Exeas' amusement.

[Loch] (will use his Spellcraft to figure out)

• Kalman gets it, just doens't find it especially amusing.
• Falke also doesn't laugh.

[Belden] It would take many, many clerics... [Exeas] That doesn't seem likely to me. [Kalman] We don't know how much time they have spent looking into this, sir, only that they have. [Exeas] Well, who are 'they'? [Kalman] Blackhope. [Exeas] We're a thousand leagues from Blackhope. And as far as anyone knows, they don't know, or didn't know, about the necropolis, until you folks got back. [Boden] um, what if they used one of those teleporter circle things? [Falke] (Julia, would the numbers of skeletons I observed in the attack last night be comparable to the number we observed in the necropolis, or were there far more in the necropolis than there were animated?)

• Kalman thinks for a minute

[Exeas] It's a possibility, Boden. [Diablotin_Narrator] (you didn't count... either the ones in the necropolis or the ones in the city, of which you saw only a small fraction) [Loch] A circle of teleportation could have been used to move a force here. Also, one may be able to create a magial device that would allow you to control animated dead. [Kalman] Well... then maybe we should go and see, at least, if thats where these things came from. [Belden] That would seem to be the obvious course of action... :/ [Exeas] I agree, that could be useful. [Falke] (no, of course not. I was just looking for a ball-park estimate) [Diablotin_Narrator] (really, you have no idea) [Falke] (ok) [Exeas] But the real concern in my mind isn't the undead. [Kalman] What is? [Pavo] Well if it wasn't Blackhope, who would do this and point the blame at them? [Kalman] . o O ( this had better not be going where I thikn it is going ]:| ) [Exeas] If they *did* use the necropolis ... well, only a very small number of people, above me in the chain of command, are likely to have found out about it. [Falke] Ah. [Falke] You think someone is a leak? [Exeas] It's possible. [Exeas] If the undead came from the necropolis. [Belden] Oh, I didn't want to say it. :( [Kalman] Who would those people be, then?

• Falke sighs.
• Kalman asks calmly

[Boden] What if that thing that madeline battled was the thing that tipped them off? [Exeas] Any of the captains, certainly. The Empress, and any of her council members. [Kalman] Hmm. [Falke] Do you hold any of those people in greater suspicion than the others? [Exeas] I honestly don't know. [Kalman] (I can't remember who all is on her council apart from a handful of ladies in waiting -_-) [Diablotin_Narrator] http://phrontistery.50megs.com/diablotin/empire.html [Kalman] (How is Liette Langevin related in the blackhope folks?) [Kalman] (n/m it's on the web) [Falke] Well... [Diablotin_Narrator] (her husband is the duke's brother, but the one he doesn't like, as far as anyone knows) [Falke] I guess we had better go confirm that they did come fromt eh necropolis, then, and start looking at our higher-ups a little more closely. :/ [Exeas] Of course ... discretion is needed for something like this. [Exeas] We can't just go around accusing people, or even making untoward implications. [Falke] Of course not. [Boden] Hows the looking into Blackhope going? [Exeas] I haven't heard anything new.

• Boden nods

[Kalman] Its possible that someone is being spied on without their knowdge...

• Kalman thnks of the discussion we were having just yesterday about scrying

[Exeas] We do have to keep in mind that the folks in Blackhope may be smarter than to send a powerful undead into the middle of a crowded city bearing their crest on its breastplate. [Loch] scrying can be detected, if one is knowledgeable on the subject [Exeas] On the other hand, maybe this is a ... well, a declaration of war, of sorts. [Kalman] Mmm... [Pavo] If they're after power so much they're willing to terrify the city to get it... [Pavo] It would be...effective, wouldn't it? [Kalman] I don't know. [Exeas] Well, that's your job then. Three jobs, actually. [Kalman] Is there any way of ruling out who might have looked at the reports? [Exeas] Find out where the undead came from and how they were created. [Kalman] I know we made our report directly to ttristane, and she hadn't heard *anything* about it before hand

• Exeas nods.

[Exeas] Figure out if there is a leak in the chain of command. [Exeas] And last, figure out what Blackhope has to do with any of this. [Kalman] Alright, sir. [Falke] Right, then.

• Loch nods

[Exeas] Are there any questions?

• Kalman looks to the others
• Belden shakes her head.

[Falke] Can I have my marital leave postponed? It looks like I'm needed... and even if I'm not, I wouldn't be able to relax while they're out and about. [Loch] The armor and weapon from the knight are enchanted [Loch] Our front line fighters could benefit from magical armor. [Boden] (What type of armor is it?) [Exeas] Falke, I'll make the arrangements. But make sure to treat your wife nicely even while you're on the mission.

• Falke smiles.

[Diablotin_Narrator] (full plate) [Loch] Once their magical properties have been identified, will we be offered a chance to use them? [Falke] You honestly think I need to be told that?

• Exeas chuckles.

[Exeas] No, no. [Exeas] I just don't want to have to take the blame if she comes to me complaining. ;) [Exeas] Loch, for now, since it doesn't look like you'll be in combat imminently, leave the material with me. Have to make sure it isn't malevolent, you understand. After that - we'll see. [Loch] Just preparing for the future, sir. [Exeas] Of course. [Exeas] Anything else? [Kalman] Not for the moemnt, Sir... we may be back after we've had a chance to check out the necropolis

• Exeas nods.

[Exeas] Naturally.

• Debbie is now known as Falke

[Exeas] Well, then ... keep me updated.

• Kalman nods

[Kalman] Of course sir.

• Kalman will salute again, and turn to go
• Loch salutes
• Falke does as well.

[Belden] GOod day sir!

• Loch then leaves
• Belden says as she salutes.
• Boden follows the others out.
• Pavo as well.

[Kalman] So... we'll check out the necropolis first... and worry about the rest after we see what's there? [Falke] I think that's our best plan.

• Boden nods
• Belden nods, looking less than thrilled.
• Loch nods as well

[Falke] Well... does everyone have what they need? [Belden] :/ [Pavo] I do. [Belden] I only need the Gods. [Pavo] I'm finding some way to keep my things with me in the bath if I have to... [Kalman] me too.

• Boden smiles at Pavo and Kalman.

[Kalman] Although I am trying not to become that paranoid yet. [Boden] Its the same for me...my wife was asking me about it...but you know... [Falke] Okay.... that's a little bit too much information... [Falke] ;) [Loch] I'm ready, but I'll cast a few enchantments before we go, just in case. [Falke] My bath is so tiny I'd impale myself. I guess I can keep my stuff next to it, though. [Boden] well you just use those daggers anyways. So thier smaller.

• Loch casts Empowered Fox's Cunning on himself, one on each of Falke and Kalman, Bull's Strength on Boden and Pavo.

[Falke] Okay... you obviously haven't *seen* the tub in question... [Diablotin_Narrator] (okay, rolling for those...) [Falke] ;) [Loch] (the fox's on Falke and Kalman are not empowered) [Diablotin_Narrator] ('k)

• Belden will cast Magic Vestment on herself.
• Loch will cast Greater Magic Weapon on Kalman's gun.

[Diablotin_Narrator] +6 for Loch, +3 for Falke, +4 for Kalman, +3 for Boden, +5 for Pavo. [Diablotin_Narrator] MV on Belden, and GMW on Kalman. Got it :) [Boden] (ok) [Boden] (do you need me and Pavo to recalculate our attacks and damage, or are you good for that?) [Diablotin_Narrator] (I've got it.) [Boden] (k) [Diablotin_Narrator] You head to Stone's End, then, to make your way through the maze of passages, down through the sewers and into the necropolis...

• Exeas is now known as Forthright-afk
• Kalman will keep alert for anyundead, or what have you
• Boden uses his goggles to see in the dark.

[Diablotin_Narrator] Your trip through the sewers is uneventful. [Diablotin_Narrator] You finally arrive at the crack that leads down into the necropolis...

• Falke stops so we can listen and stuff before heading down. Dead silence?
• Boden will get out the magic rope.

[Diablotin_Narrator] You hear nothing out of the ordinary, Falke.

• Belden shivers a little.
• Boden will attach the magic rope securely and then have Falke tie a regular rope to the other end to make it long enough.
• Falke helps Boden with that.

[Boden] Should I head down first? [Belden] SHine the light down...

• Loch aims the light down
• Boden will peer down with his dark vision as well. (mostly just because he likes to use the magic items.)

[Diablotin_Narrator] All right.. you can see the bottom of the cavern. [Falke] (all clear?) [Diablotin_Narrator] It is littered with debris and bones, but you can't see anything moving from this vantange point. [Boden] ok, I'll go down first and check it out. [Belden] Looks clear so far...

• Belden peers down.

[Belden] Be careful, Boden!

• Boden will climb down the rope, being careful.
• Falke is ready to scramble down the rope if Boden gets attacked or something at the bottom.

[Diablotin_Narrator] Boden, as you climb down the rope, you can see that, where the walls were previously lined with many hundreds of bodies, now there are many fewer - not none, but perhaps a third or half the number there once were, at least in this immediate area. [Boden] (am I all the way down?) [Diablotin_Narrator] (no, not yet)

• Boden continue to climb down.

[Diablotin_Narrator] You reach the bottom.

• Boden will cast detect evil.

[Diablotin_Narrator] You detect no evil within the area of your spell.

• Kalman waits at the top
• Boden will climb back up then.

[Diablotin_Narrator] All right, you reach the top. [Falke] So... how do things look? [Boden] Ok, there are a lot less bodies down there, but I dont' detect any evil in my spells radius.

• Kalman is a little surprised when you come back up, but whatever ;)
• Belden nods.

[Kalman] was there anything else to see? [Belden] SO they did come from here, then.... [Loch] We should go down and do a thourough search

• Falke nods.
• Kalman nods to Loch as well.
• Boden nods at loch.

[Boden] Does anyone need some help climbing down? [Loch] who's going down with me, the fast way. [Kalman] We all managed last time... [Belden] I'll go with Loch :)

• Loch moves over to the ledge.

[Falke] I'll climb, thanks. :) [Kalman] but, sure :) [Pavo] I managed last time, I'm sure I can do it again :)

• Loch will drop down with feather fall with everyone who wants to go the fast way
• Falke starts climbing down.
• Belden hangs onto Loch's waist :o
• Kalman will opt for the quick way, not being the *best* climber in the world

[Diablotin_Narrator] You all reach the bottom safely.

• Pavo will wait until the rope is free and head down carefully.
• Falke likes practicing. ^-^
• Boden goes back down as well.
• Loch will use a few daylight spells to provide significant illumination for searching

[Kalman] Now, before we all go running around.. [Kalman] are there any useful tracks here?

• Belden looks to Boden.
• Boden will look for tracks.
• Falke looks to Boden, the resident expert.
• Pavo will head over to the wall and look over an empty spot...

[Diablotin_Narrator] Boden - the ground here is rocky and dusty. You can see your own tracks, both from when you all came here the first time, and from when you looked around just now. Immediately around the entrance, however, you see no other tracks.

• Falke scans the room for anything interesting.

[Pavo] (As long as the wall is close that is, if we're still in a group, I won't wander off.)

• Belden will cast Detect Evil as well :)

[Diablotin_Narrator] You also detect no evil in this vicinity. [Belden] (I'll keep focused on the spell) [Loch] (Time for search rolls, I guess) [Kalman] (yeha, I'll lok around, but stay out of Boden's way)

• Boden will search with the group, paying particular attention for tracks.
• Loch will employ detect magic in his searching

[Diablotin_Narrator] You search around the necropolis. It's clear that many bodies are missing, though there are still plenty remaining.

• Falke looks for anything useful...

[Falke] Belden, seeing as some of the bodies are gone, but not others, is it safe to assume that for whatever reason, the remianing ones couldn't be raised?

• Pavo looks over the vacancies to see if they look like bodies were there and moved.

[Falke] Or is there something we should do to nuliify this place and make sure we get no more attacks out of this quarter? [Belden] They might not have had the power to raise them all. [Diablotin_Narrator] Boden, as you search further, you find many tracks - mostly of the skeletal variety. [Belden] I was planning on Hallowing the grounds. [Boden] There are lots of skeleton tracks around here. [Belden] It takes time, though, [Falke] Oh? How does that work?

• Boden will keep looking for people tracks that aren't ours.
• Falke sounds interested.
• Belden says distractedly, focusing on her detection spell.

[Belden] It's a ritual of purification.

• Falke nods.

[Diablotin_Narrator] Boden - eventually, you think you find what could be some other human tracks, though they're very obscured by many other skeletal footprints. [Kalman] I'm sure it would be worth it [Falke] Me too. [Boden] Hey guys, these might be people tracks. [Belden] It will take the better part of the day.

• Kalman will stop so he fdoesn't accidentally mess them up

[Loch] Any sign on how they got in here? [Falke] Do you need to get things to prepare for it, or could you do it today? [Diablotin_Narrator] As far as you can tell, Boden, they just appear out of nowhere - at least, you can't see where they might come from.

• Boden will try and retrace the tracks to try and find were they come from.

[Boden] uh, I'm not sure. [Kalman] hmm. [Falke] Teleport? [Boden] maybe they come from nowere, but they could just be all messed up. [Falke] Someone would have had to know this place, then... [Kalman] There isn't any way to scry on whoever left them, is there? i suppose that would be too easy. [Belden] Are there any human tracks *leaving* here?

• Boden will try and see were the tracks lead to, and were they end.

[Loch] If they conveniently left behind an object or a hair, maybe. [Diablotin_Narrator] Boden - from what you can tell, it looks like they appear, walk around a while, then disappear again. You don't see any path that shows them coming in or out.. [Boden] uh, I think they probably came and left with magic. [Kalman] well... that's good to know. [Pavo] Did the death leave that way too? [Kalman] the death? You mean, the undead?

• Kalman looks at Pavo quizically

[Pavo] (Yes dead, typo queen!)

• Falke smiles at Pavo's slip of the tongue.

[Loch] (can I detect any residual magic in the area with detect magic?) [Boden] (Can I figure out how the skeletons got out of here?) [Diablotin_Narrator] No, you can't, Loch. [Kalman] Any idea how old the tracks are, Boden? [Boden] (Can I tell that Julie?) [Diablotin_Narrator] Boden - the skeleton tracks seem to go all over the place. Following a few of the trails, you find that they eventually lead to passages that probably lead out of this catacomb... maybe into the sewers, you're not sure. [Diablotin_Narrator] You don't think they could be more than a week old.

• Boden fills everyone else in on that.

[Belden] It's them, then...

• Falke nods.

[Kalman] :| [Belden] This site should be sanctified. [Falke] And the Hallowing ritual... I think it would be a good idea, even if it does take most of a day.

• Falke nods.

[Loch] It seems the logical choice [Kalman] can you do it alone, belden? [Belden] It will take me a day to purify an area of about 140' in radius. [Belden] So I can... but it will take a while. [Kalman] Well... maybe it would be better to get some others involved. [Boden] maybe we should get help then? More clerics.

• Falke nods.

[Belden] Absolutely. [Boden] Should we check on the other arch first? [Falke] Maybe... [Falke] Do you think the cold thing would come again, though? [Boden] Maybe they did something to it. [Falke] :/ [Belden] Well, we're right here. [Belden] It didn't come when we came out of it... [Falke] True. [Falke] I'm just really wary of it.

• Falke smiles apologetically.

[Falke] Well, let's do that, then. [Kalman] That's understandable... but I think it should be okay to check on it. [Loch] A quick look, nothing more.

• Kalman nods in agreement, and will start heading that way

[Diablotin_Narrator] You head toward the end of the necropolis, and arrive at the narrow tunnel that leads to the room with the Arch...

• Boden will go first.
• Pavo readies his weapons.
• Kalman keeps a hand on his gun, just in case,

[Diablotin_Narrator] You reach the end of the tunnel and find the door shut at the end. [Kalman] ... [Kalman] Are there any extra track out this way, Boden?

• Falke will listen at it.

[Kalman] (Also, did we shut it?)

• Boden will check.

[Diablotin_Narrator] Boden, you don't see any tracks this way, except your own. [Boden] I don't see any. [Kalman] Good. [Belden] (still no evil, I assume?) [Diablotin_Narrator] I don't recall if you shut it or not when you left - but it does seem to have a tendency to open and shut by itself, you may recall :) [Diablotin_Narrator] No evil.

• Boden will open the door.
• Falke has his daggers out and ready.

[Diablotin_Narrator] The white room within is silent, the Arch hanging, apparently peacefully. [Kalman] It looks fine. [Pavo] Everything looks the same... [Belden] I don't feel any evil presence. [Falke] Well, thank goodness for that. [Loch] (how tall is the door?) [Boden] should we just go then? [Diablotin_Narrator] (oh, roughly 9-10 feet tall, I'd say) [Pavo] Should we try to seal the door?

• Belden looks to Loch
• Pavo looks at it dubiously.

[Loch] (Are the hinges on this side or the other side? does it open out or in?) [Loch] I don't have the ability to magically seal the door. [Diablotin_Narrator] It opens in, but has no hinges. It pivots from a fixed point. [Belden] I could set a ward on it.

• Loch cuts a small strip of cloth from his shirt and will cast an invisible arcane mark on it

[Pavo] If we have others coming down to purify the area even more people may know of its existence... that's all. [Loch] I am leary of casting strong magics around the arch [Debbie] Understandably.

• Loch folds the cloth up.
• Pavo tries to see what Loch is doing...
• Debbie is now known as Falke

[Loch] Kalman, could you slip this cloth in the gap on the pivot side as the door closes, about a foot off the ground? [Kalman] Sure [Belden] The door doesn't always seem to need help opening and closing, though :/ [Kalman] I think it like to stay closed [Diablotin_Narrator] Anyway, yes, you can do that.

• Kalman will crouch to do so, then :)

[Loch] At least when we come back, we'll know if its been opened, if the cloth is on the ground. [Falke] Or if it's gone completely... [Falke] Would someone be able to use that to scry us? [Kalman] Lets try not to get *too* paranoid.. [Pavo] Not an easy feat these days... [Kalman] :/ [Loch] I can tell when someone is attempting to scry me. [Falke] Very well, then. [Falke] Can you block them? [Pavo] He can just tell us and we'll stop what we're doing and pretend to be playing cards :) [Loch] Not yet. [Loch] I think we're done here. [Pavo] (What happened to the body of the creature we defeated?) [Diablotin_Narrator] (crumbled to dust, you suppose) [Boden] (Did we see any places of honor within the necropolis? LIke any places that looked like they were for more important people?) [Diablotin_Narrator] (no, nothing like that) [Boden] (ok) [Pavo] I wonder how old this place is... [Kalman] Do you think it is worth investigating the necropolis more?

• Falke shrugs.

[Pavo] Well, we answered one question... [Kalman] :/ [Kalman] Yes... the rest of it is going to be a lot harder. [Falke] Hey... [Loch] We need to take action to prevent undead from coming out of here again. [Pavo] We can all come back when we purify the site... and look around more thoroughly?

• Kalman nods

[Falke] Is anyone scrying the bones of the animated skeletons, or the armour, to see if they can tell us who did the raising? [Falke] Because we are supposed to establish that it was in fact Blackhope... and not someone framing them. [Kalman] Well, we can't do that alone. We can go back to the city, and arrange for it while we try to figure out the rest. [Boden] If they came out of here throught the sewers, maybe the rat people know more about it. [Pavo] Loch, could you pull anything from the magic of a still animated body to find out anything about the master? [Loch] Scrying doesnt work that way, Falke... you scry a person. You need some sort of connection. [Loch] I don't think the bones of a skeleton animated by someone have enough of a connection to that person to be useful. It needs to be more personal.

• Pavo nods.

[Loch] If the armor from the undead knight was given to him by someone, they're "might" be a connection, but it is unlikely [Boden] (How big was that knight?) [Kalman] Hmm. [Diablotin_Narrator] (about the size of a tall man, you'd say) [Boden] (ok) [Falke] All right. [Falke] Good to know. [Kalman] Alright... I guess the next thing would be to find out who actually may have access the report, then. [Loch] what I really need is a hair or a fingernail from those who were down here raising the skeletons [Falke] Good luck with that... after those skeletons stirred up all the dust. [Falke] If there was such a thing, we'd need a fine sieve and months to find it. [Kalman] mm, and us as well [Loch] Magic wont solve our problem. Any suggestions from the other end Kalman? [Kalman] Nothing I can think of [Boden] I'm still thinkin' were due a talk with the rat people. [Pavo] They might know something. [Boden] I mean...those skeletons walked out of here. [Loch] Nobody on the list of people who would have access might have reason to leak the report? [Kalman] I doubt it. [Kalman] And... like I said, Tristane hadn't even heard about it. [Kalman] Which mean I doubt many of her council did, either. [Loch] What if they were coerced? [Loch] Blackhope has something to use as a leverage. [Belden] That they do... :( [Kalman] (Can I get a K: Nobility role to know if there ais any useable dirt on these ppl, maybe? :/) [Loch] Boden, you make a good point, but if you were the rat people and an army of skeltons decided to use your sewars as a highway, I doubt you would get involved. Better to have them leave quickly. [Loch] And not notice you. [Belden] They might have seen something though... [Belden] Or heard something.

• Loch nods
• Kalman thinks about the people on the council...

[Diablotin_Narrator] Kalman - there's probably dirt on everyone if you look hard enough. I mean.. just think about half of what Ellayne gets up to, for instance. You don't know of any specific things that might have been used as leverage in this case, however - but, you know, that's probably the point. If you knew about it, other people probably would too, and then it's not very good leverage... [Boden] Yeah, and they may know things like if they had generals telling them what to do and stuff [Kalman] (Yarr....)

• Kalman shakes his head.

[Falke] ... [Falke] Would Tristane have told Althea? [Kalman] I don't know about anything that would be specifically useful, Loch. [Falke] Or... if they do have some weird sort of link, coulf Raimar have found out? [Falke] From Tristane, I mean... [Falke] That sounds ludicrous. [Kalman] I don[t thik it works like that, or she would know what *he* is up to [Falke] You're right.

• Falke sighs.

[Kalman] (where are reports kept?) [Diablotin_Narrator] In the guard post where they're filed, usually. [Kalman] Why don't we go to the post where they are filed, and... maybe we can see if anyone has accessed them from there. [Kalman] Or at least, see who has been around who *could* have accessed it. [Diablotin_Narrator] (pst, that would be your post, in this case :) [Kalman] (I know ;)

• Falke nods.

[Loch] It's a starting point. [Falke] Let's head back up. I could use some fresh air. [Kalman] right. [Boden] Do we want to go back the way we came in? Or the way the skeletons got out? [Belden] I thought they took different paths... [Kalman] Lets just go the way we know [Boden] ok

• Loch nods

[Falke] We could follow skeleton trails for days. [Falke] But I don't think time is a luxury we have, so much. [Falke] Let's get going. [Falke] (we head back up to the surface, then)

• Kalman will head back up as well ;)

[Diablotin_Narrator] So you head back up to the surface (I assume). [Belden] (yup_

• Pavo does!

[Kalman] (yarr!)

• Boden will be the last up so he can get his rope back.

[Kalman] (and to the guard post) [Loch] (yes, we head back up) [Diablotin_Narrator] Your trip back up is uneventful, and you can head to your guard post without difficulty.

[Kalman] Did we want to report on what we've found so far, or at least tell the lieutenant that the place needs to be hallowed?

• Falke gets his rope, too.

[Loch] Yes [Falke] We should. [Kalman] Alright

• Forthright is now known as Exeas

[Kalman] (off to Exeas's ;)

• Kalman will knock on the lieutenant's door

[Exeas] Enter!

• Belden steps inside!
• Falke does so.
• Exeas has just finished doing his daily exercises.
• Kalman follows

[Exeas] Ah, you're back. [Kalman] Well, back from part one. [Belden] Yes, sir, we've just come from the necropolis.

• Kalman says as he salutes
• Exeas nods.

[Exeas] All right. What did you find? [Belden] It seems like that *was* the source of the reanimated corpses. :/

• Exeas nods.
• Kalman nods

[Belden] There are far fewer now than there were. [Kalman] Boden also found footprints down there [Falke] And the marks of little skeletal feet all over the floor.

• Boden nods in agreement.

[Kalman] Human ones, that is, that seemed to have no entry or exit point [Exeas] As if someone had teleported in? [Loch] The animators used magic to gain enterance and left the same way. [Kalman] Exactly

• Kalman says to all of the above ;)
• Exeas nods.
• Falke nods.

[Belden] Sir, there are still enough corpses down there to mount another attack.... more than enough. [Falke] Several attacks, probably.

• Exeas nods grimly.

[Exeas] I see. [Belden] I would like to request that the site be Hallowed, to prevent this from happening... [Belden] To say nothing of the spiritual implications. -_- [Exeas] That's a very sensible idea, Pasith. [Loch] You cannot just teleport into a place you've never seen or at least had described to you.

• Falke nods agreement with Loch.

[Belden] I am willing to contribute my own services, but more clerics would be needed if we wanted to finish in under a week :/ [Falke] (I've learned that much about magic, at least! ^-^) [Exeas] All right ... I'll see that the proper people are informed in order to put together a group. [Belden] Thank you, sir. [Belden] I'm sure that the families of the dead would be very grateful. [Exeas] Now, Loch, you said 'animators' ... do you know how many there were? [Loch] Boden, do you think there was only one human? I thought you said several. [Boden] There were a lot of skeleton tracks down there. [Loch] We know that fellow Serrow, employed by Blackhope can use teleportation magic. [Boden] um...I'm pretty sure there was only one, but I can't be really sure with all the skeletons around and all. [Loch] And he's managed to find his way into difficulty locations before. [Exeas] True ... but so can any number of other people, Loch.

• Kalman frowns

[Exeas] Any evidence of how the animation was done? [Loch] But the number of sorceror's who can teleport is limited. [Loch] No real indication. [Kalman] It might be easier to determine that by examining the undead themselves? [Loch] (do I think I could figure it out with time?)

• Loch thinks

[Kalman] Well, anyway, now that we *do* know that's where they came from... [Exeas] Is there anyone you think we can trust who would have good information on that sort of thing - a trusted scholar of some sort? [Loch] (knowledge Arcane for idea on anyone I trust who has studied Necromancy?) [Loch] Necromantic magic is not studied very much in this day. [Diablotin_Narrator] (sec, checking if there's anyone you'd know about...) [Belden] (yeah... I don't think I know anyone but... do I? :p) [Boden] We could always ask Blessing. He seemed to know about all kinds of magic things.

• Exeas nods.

[Diablotin_Narrator] Loch, you don't know anyone at the Castalia who specializes in Necro. [Loch] It's probably worth asking Professor Blessing. I can't think of anyone studying that kind of magic. [Diablotin_Narrator] Belden, you think that the priests of Owl know the most about death magic. [Kalman] alright. Well, we'll get looking into that as well. [Belden] The priests of Owl might be able to assist us. [Belden] They are granted special insights into the domain of Death. [Exeas] All right. Was there anything else to report? [Kalman] Not at this time, sir. [Exeas] All right. Well, good work so far, soldiers. [Kalman] Thanks sir.

• Kalman will salite, and head out again

[Falke] :/

• Loch nods

[Falke] I wish we could have discovered more.

• Kalman waits outside for everyone else

[Falke] Thank you, sir. [Loch] We've just started and already we know quite a bit.

• Loch says as he heads out
• Falke salutes and also heads outside.

[Belden] We're doing great, don't be discouraged!

• Boden keeps up with everyone else.

[Kalman] Well, that's the easy part... [Kalman] To the filing room? [Falke] Sure. [Belden] TO the filing room!

• Boden smiles warmly at Belden and heads off with the group.

[Loch] . o O (not exactly the battle cry I would have expected from this group)

• Kalman chuckles
• Falke is amused.

[Kalman] (how long has it been since we filed it?) [Falke] (I assume the librarian person would keep a list of the people it's checked out to?) [Falke] (been checked out to, that is) [Diablotin_Narrator] All right.. you head to the filing room. [Diablotin_Narrator] It's been, what, a week or so, I think, since you filed it. [Kalman] (keen) [Kalman] (is there some kind of clerk here?) [Diablotin_Narrator] (yes, just give me a sec ;) [Kalman] ('k :)

• Brother_Laurus is in charge of keeping the records here... he's in his mid-fifties, with curly brown hair and spectacles.

[Kalman] (Do we already know his name, then? :) [Diablotin_Narrator] (sure, you work here..) [Kalman] Hello Brother Laurus :)

• Kalman will say as we enter

[Brother_Laurus] Hello there.

• Belden smiles winningly :)
• Brother_Laurus looks up from whatever he was doing.

[Belden] (what order is he in?) [Kalman] We were just looking into something, and we were wondering if you might be able to assist us.

• Brother_Laurus wears the purple robes of the Order of the Owl.

[Brother_Laurus] Oh? [Kalman] Do you keep a record of who accesses the reports we file?

• Kalman will be at his most diplomatic, because terry is yelling at me -_-)
• Loch will use his Rod of Spell Silence to cast detect thoughts descretly

[Diablotin_Narrator] (okay) [Brother_Laurus] We do keep those records, yes. [Brother_Laurus] What were you looking for? [Kalman] We need to see who has looked at the last report we handed in, please. It's very important.

• Brother_Laurus is mildly bored and wondering what you want.

[Brother_Laurus] All right...

• Brother_Laurus goes to check on that.
• Loch probes
• Kalman wonders if this is going to be so easy
• Brother_Laurus returns shortly with the file your report was kept in.
• Brother_Laurus looks it over.

[Kalman] (was... great -_-)

• Kalman waits patiently

[Brother_Laurus] It looks as though it's been checked out by Captain Casavant, and hasn't been returned yet. [Belden] Captain Casavant? ;o [Belden] ... When was that?

• Brother_Laurus checks.

[Brother_Laurus] Right after you filed it.

• Kalman nod

[Kalman] Thank you. [Belden] SO... no-one else has checked it out?

• Belden asks, jsut to verify.

[Brother_Laurus] No, that's right.

• Belden nods.

[Brother_Laurus] But if it was an important report, it's not unusual that the Captain would have passed it directly on to, say, the Warlord, or whoever might need to know about its contents. [Kalman] Well, we'll have to talk to him, then. [Belden] Well, I'm sure we can track it down! :) [Brother_Laurus] I suppose you will. [Kalman] Thanks again.. we'll leave you to your work

• Brother_Laurus nods and returns to whatever he was doing before you arrived.
• Kalman will head out of the room

[Kalman] So, we should go and talk to the Captain, it seems. [Loch] Yes.

• Kalman will say to the other, once we're reassembled

[Falke] Yes. [Kalman] Well, let's go then. [Kalman] (and so we head there :)

• Casavant is in his office.
• Loch will recast his spell before we reach Casavant
• Kalman will knock

[Casavant] Come in!

• Kalman will enter

[Kalman] Good day Captain :)

• Kalman salutes amiacably

[Casavant] Ah, hello there.

• Falke smiles and salutes.
• Loch nods a greeting and monitors the captains thoughts throught the interview.

[Belden] Hello sir!

• Belden says with a salute.

[Casavant] How are you doing after yesterday's troubles? [Kalman] Well, we're all in one piece. [Falke] I can think of places I'd *rather* be... ;) [Casavant] I'm sure we all can :) [Kalman] Heh, true. [Falke] But yes, we're all in one piece and life is good. [Casavant] Well, what can I do for you?

• Casavant asks with a smile.

[Kalman] Well, Lieutenant Exeas wanted us to look into some of the aspects of the attack... [Kalman] And we're wondering if you still have the copy of the last report we handed in? [Diablotin_Narrator] (Loch, you can sense his mind there, but you're not picking up any thoughts) [Kalman] From after we went missing?

• Kalman will just try to Sm him ;)
• Falke will be SMing him too
• Belden will SM the hell out of him as well.
• Pavo tries not to be suspicious of Casavant, after all anyone could have the report now if he wasn't careful. Over all though, he tries his best not to show what he's worrying.

[Casavant] Ah, that report. I passed it on to the Warlord, due to its contents. I also drew it to the attention of the Matriarch and the Chief Sorceress, as it seemed particularly relevant to their areas of expertise.

• Falke doesn't look suspicious at all. :)

[Diablotin_Narrator] None of you SM types sense anything amiss - he doesn't appear to be lying.

• Kalman nods.

[Falke] (The Chief Sorceress... is she a Menomonie?) [Falke] (I'm trying to remember...) [Loch] were copies made? [Diablotin_Narrator] (no... check the website, I promise it's all there) [Kalman] (Liette langevin) [Kalman] alright

• Kalman frowns a little

[Casavant] Is there a problem? [Kalman] We're not sure. [Kalman] As I said, we've ben doing some investigating...

• Casavant nods, listening.

[Kalman] It seems like the undead were raised from the necropolis that we mentioned in that report. [Belden] We are trying to determine how whoever raised them would have been able to learn of the necropolis so quickly. [Casavant] Ah.. yes. That thought had occurred to me as well. It's worrying...

• Kalman nods

[Belden] Seeing its existence was, as far as we are aware, unknown before we came upon it. [Kalman] Whoever did it was able to teleport into the area. [Casavant] Well... that narrows it down slightly, I suppose. [Casavant] What avenues are you pursuing? [Kalman] Well, sir, there is more to it than that. [Kalman] The Creature we fought on the bridge... the one that Killed the Matriarch, was wearing armour with Blackhope's crest. [Casavant] I see...

• Belden nods solemnly.

[Casavant] And you think they must be connected in some way, then? [Kalman] We're not sure. [Kalman] But we can't rule it out at this juncture.

• Casavant nods.

[Kalman] It's a disturbing thought [Casavant] Very... [Casavant] What's your next step? [Kalman] Mmm...

• Kalman glances at the others...

[Belden] Well, we were trying to determine who had access to the information. [Kalman] We could try and talk to the warlord, I suppose. The report is the only real lead we have. [Casavant] Well... it was probably shared with most of the Inner Council, and perhaps some members of the Outer as well.

• Belden nods to Kalman.

[Belden] Hmmm... [Kalman] Well, perhaps. [Kalman] We know the Empress herself wasn;'t aware of any of its contents. [Belden] The more people knew its contents, the greater the chance they could have been leaked unknowingly, or... otherwise. [Casavant] Yes... that's true. [Kalman] . o O ( she wasn't even aware we had diassappeared ;_; ) [Kalman] To me, that makes it seem unlikely that it was *widely* circulated among her advisors. [Casavant] Perhaps not that widely - but I can't believe it wouldn't have been shared with those who would have most knowledge of the matters it dealt with.

• Kalman nods

[Kalman] Well, the Warlord himself would surely know... And as you said the Chief Sorceress... [Loch] and the third is dead. [Casavant] As I said, I drew it to their attention personally.

• Kalman doesn't mention the matriarch, because a: that's just insane, and b: she's dead.
• Casavant nods.

[Kalman] They might at least know if it was passed on any further. [Casavant] Perhaps. You might trace this quite a long ways, though... are you sure this is the most fruitful line of inquiry? [Kalman] No.... But as I said, we don't have any other leads :/ [Casavant] Well, for instance, who could have raised that many undead? Surely that narrows the list of suspects considerably.

• Kalman shakes his head.

[Loch] It would take a powerful sorceror or priest, or a powerful magical object. [Falke] . o O (Well, if we keep a registry of practitioners of Necromancy, that could be useful. :P)

• Casavant nods.

[Loch] I am leaning more towards an object, since we only know one living person was present in the necropolis. [Loch] Have you heard of any object of power that could raise the dead?

• Casavant thinks for a moment.

[Kalman] (I wanna use mine, I didn't think of it befoire... Cassavant is my idol! ;D) [Casavant] I've heard stories, yes... I don't know how much truth there is to them.

• Kalman thinks for a moment as well ;)

[Loch] What stories? [Diablotin_Narrator] (nope, Kalman, nothing leaps to mind)

• Kalman listens, then
• Rum-away is now known as Rumor

[Casavant] A rod - rods can be used indefinitely, they don't lose their power over time - made from the arm-bone of a great spellcaster named Orome... they called it the Rod of Dust. [Belden] O_o

• Kalman frowns

[Belden] WHat was it supposed to do?

• Pavo looks a little repulsed.

[Kalman] WOuld it be capable of raising such a hoard? [Casavant] Supposedly, it could raise the dead... [Casavant] I don't know if it could raise so many, but...

• Casavant shrugs.

[Loch] It is worth investigating.

• Kalman nods

[Casavant] It was supposed to be kept by the highest members of the church, so it wouldn't fall into the wrong hands... of course, I don't know if that's true or not, I'm not a priest. [Belden] ... I think we need to talk to someone from the Order of the Owl.

• Loch nods

[Kalman] I think you're right Belden.... [Kalman] Thank you, captain. [Loch] Thankyou for your help, Captain. [Casavant] Well.. I don't know if it'll be any help, but you're welcome. [Belden] I would think it'd be possible to speak to the Head of the Order if we ask for an appointment on official Guard Business... [Casavant] Yes, that shouldn't be a problem. [Loch] . o O (I wonder if that is what Avdiel was after when he attacked the Patriarch) [Kalman] Excellent. We'll do that, then.

• Kalman will salute, so that we can get going

[Diablotin_Narrator] All right... where are you goin? [Loch] . o O (If it was, it would have been good to know that an object of power had been stolen) [Falke] Thanks, Captain.

• Falke salutes and follows the rest out.

[Kalman] (to see if we can see the head of the order of Owl, apparently)

[Diablotin_Narrator] All right... That's Reverend Father Caron. He has a house in the Pavillion. [Kalman] (we head there :) [Diablotin_Narrator] You head there. His house is not ostentatious, just a nice middle-class dwelling, perhaps slightly larger than average.

• Kalman will knock

[Diablotin_Narrator] A middle-aged woman answers. [Woman] Hello there... [Kalman] Good afternoon, madam.

• Belden smiles pleasantly.
• Woman smiles.

[Kalman] We were wondering if it might be possible to speak to the Reverend father? [Kalman] It's guard buisness.

• Kalman smiles as well :)

[Woman] Well, if it's guard business, certainly.

• Woman opens the door wider to let you in.

[Kalman] Thank you. [Woman] I'll just see if he's free right now... [Belden] We don't mind waiting :) [Kalman] of course. [Woman] There's some tea just on the table there, if you want to help yourselves.

• Woman gestures to a sideboard, where there is indeed a teapot and cups.
• Falke looks amused.

[Kalman] Thank you :)

• Woman departs, leaving you in the entry way.

[Belden] Oh, how lovely! [Falke] Anyone?

• Falke offers to pour tea for those who want it.
• Loch shakes his head, no.

[Kalman] Tnaks, Falke [Kalman] (thanks) [Belden] Certainly :) [Pavo] Does she just have tea ready all the time? O_o

• Falke pours for those who want it and brings it over to you.

[Belden] Well, the Reverend Father sees a lot of people, I'm sure.

• Falke doesn't take any for himself, though. He just finds an out-of-the-way place to sit himself down and listen.

[Belden] Clerics seeking spiritual advice, and the like :)

• Woman returns shortly, with a short, stout man in purple robes, sleeves pushed up. He is about 50 years old, with thinning brown hair, and he smiles at you.

[Reverend_Father] Hello there :) [Kalman] hello, Father :)

• Belden stands as they come in.

[Belden] Reverend Father. :)

• Kalman stands as well

[Reverend_Father] I hear this is guard business? :)

• Belden bows her head respectfully, making the sign of the Wheel.
• Falke stands too, since it seems to be the polite thing to do.
• Pavo stands respectfully to greet him.

[Belden] Yes, Father, we need your wisdom. [Kalman] Yes, indeed. [Reverend_Father] Oh, well, I'll see what I can do... [Kalman] We're looking into the attack that occurred yesterday. [Reverend_Father] Ah, yes... :( [Reverend_Father] A great tragedy. [Belden] On so many levels. -_-

• Belden says, nodding sadly.
• Reverend_Father nods.
• Kalman nods sympathetically :/

[Kalman] As I said, we have been investigating, and trying to figure out exactly where the undead could have come from, and how so many coudl have been raised. [Belden] We have reason to believe they were all reanimated by one person. [Reverend_Father] Ah... I see. :o

• Kalman nods

[Reverend_Father] That would be a most... lengthy undertaking. [Kalman] yes, possibly using a magical artifact of some kind [Belden] We have heard rumours of such an item...

• Kalman nods to Belden

[Reverend_Father] ...yes? [Belden] Something called the Rod of Dust. [Belden] We were hoping you might be able to tell us how much of that rumour is based in fact.

• Belden asks hopefully.
• Reverend_Father looks pained, but nods.

[Reverend_Father] It is a real artifact... very powerful. [Belden] I feared you might say as much. [Belden] Please, go on... [Reverend_Father] But it's kept strictly under lock and key - I can hardly believe it could have been used for this... atrocity.

• Falke listens with interest.

[Kalman] Would it be possible to verify that it is still in its place? [Falke] When's the last time anyone would have checked on it? [Reverend_Father] Well.. yes, I could check on it. The Heads of each order, as well as the Matriarch... ah, Patriarch now, I suppose I should say.. are the only ones who would have access to it. [Kalman] Alright [Loch] We lost a Patriarch not long ago in a brutal murder. It would be best to check on the Rod. [Reverend_Father] Yes... yes, I agree...

• Reverend_Father appears concerned, however.
• Kalman nods

[Belden] We would appreciate it very much... [Belden] ... Is there something else, Father? [Reverend_Father] No... nothing specific... I just... well, I very much hope that it's still there. :/ [Kalman] As do we :/ [Boden] When will you be able to check on it?

• Belden nods sympathetically.

[Reverend_Father] I can go this afternoon.

• Boden nods

[Kalman] That wold be very helpful. [Kalman] Can you tell us any more about what exactly the rod can do? [Reverend_Father] It's not really something I'm supposed to discuss.

• Reverend_Father says reluctantly.
• Kalman nods

[Reverend_Father] Well. If there is... any trouble, who should I report to? [Belden] Please father... Think of all those poor souls. ;_; [Kalman] We may need to know, if it has been removed... but it can wait until we know whether otr not that is the case :/ [Loch] It seem highly likely it was employed to attack the city and was involved in the death of the Matriarch. I'm sure an exception can be made. [Kalman] YOu could report it to Captain Cassavant. [Reverend_Father] All right. I will do that. [Kalman] Thank you for your help, Reverend Father. [Reverend_Father] Certainly. Thank you. [Reverend_Father] I'll check as quickly as I possibly can. [Loch] How soon do you think it will take? One of us can wait. [Reverend_Father] I'm not certain. But, as your friend suggested, I can bring any news I find directly to Captain Casavant. [Kalman] We appreaciate it, and the time you took to speak to us. [Reverend_Father] It's no trouble at all. [Loch] Thank you. [Belden] Yes, thank you so much,

• Reverend_Father shows you out himself, then.
• Kalman will introduce himself before we leave -_-... I'm so rude

[Loch] When you let Casavant know, could you send a note to our offices. We would appreciate it.

• Reverend_Father nods.

[Reverend_Father] I'll ask him to do that. [Kalman] Thanks again. [Kalman] (and we will go back and report and wait to hear what happens;) [Diablotin_Narrator] All right... you head back to the guard post to wait and hear more. [Diablotin_Narrator] A few hours later comes the message, relayed by Casavant - the rod is indeed missing. [Diablotin_Narrator] We'll end there for tonight... Session Close: Mon Jan 31 22:37:23 2005