Rise of the Runelords [The Skinsaw Murders] (IC)

[rypt]

Al brushes a boot through a blackened patch in the dirt. He sighs, leaning on the shaft of his spear as he looks around the barn.

"I don't get it either. The other killings seemed, I dunno...if not targeted, then at least purposefully limited in scope. This, on the other hand, is just death for the sake of death. Maybe the killer's growing in confidence. Or maybe he's getting bored.

"And speaking of infection," he turns back towards the others. "How many of you were bitten or clawed?"

[digiman619]

Zada takes a deep breath, calming themselves after the adrenaline was done flowing. Turning to Al, they respond "What's a Lord without subjects?" They shake their head. "Regardless, my healing is tapped, so we might want to get some rest and come back in the morning." That said, they will inspect any of their teammate's wounds for signs of infection before determining their next course of action.

Spoiler: OOC

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Heal checks as needed.

[lostsole31]

Surprise Round ...

As Zada is tending to the majority of the party, checking their wounds, standing guard outside the entrance to the barn is Steingott. There is movement to the east, and he is not surprised.

S21: Steingott, you see a ghoul right at the corner of the barn, who was ready to charge you from hiding. What do you do?

Spoiler: Surprise Round

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This is a surprise round, so a SA or MA, but not both.

[TooterfishPopkn]

Aware of the presence of an approaching threat, Steingott quickly fires a chunk of earth at the incoming ghoul.

"There's more!" He shouts.

Spoiler: action

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Atk (1d20+8)[16]

Dmg (2d6+9)[18]

[lostsole31]

S21: Aware of the presence of an approaching threat, Steingott quickly fires a chunk of earth at the incoming ghoul, that hits with a crunching sound at hips and groin for 18. "There's more!" He shouts.

S3: The ghoul charges but Steingott easily holds the once-adolescent-female at bay.

Begin Round One ...

R1T21: Steingott, what do you do?

[TooterfishPopkn]

Just as comfortable in close combat, Steingott throws two quick jabs in response to the ghouls charge.

Spoiler: action

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Brawlers Flurry

Flurry 1 Atk (1d20+6)[8]
Flurry 1 Dmg (1d8+4)[8]

Flurry 2 Atk (1d20+6)[11]
Flurry 2 Dmg (1d8+4)[7]

[lostsole31]

R1T21: Just as comfortable in close combat, Steingott throws two quick jabs in response to the ghouls charge, but this young-woman-that-could-have-been is smaller than the other ghouls, throwing off Steingott's expectations as both fists miss.

R1T18: Destroyer McGee gets antsy in his familiar satchel!

R1T15: Norton, what do you do?

[meemaas]

Norton moves himself closer to the new ghoul, and strikes at her from a safe distance with his Rapier.

Spoiler

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Move action: Move one square down
Standard action: Attack Purple with Rapier

Attack roll (1d20+9)[22]
Damage (1d6+6)[11]

[lostsole31]

R3T16: Norton moves himself closer to the new ghoul, and strikes at her from a safe distance with his Rapier.

**POOF!**

Combat Ends ......

There is an unholy, foul smell coming from somewhere in the barn.

[rypt]

With a muttered curse, Al turns from the doorway to interior of the barn, his head tilted upwards as he eyes any hay lofts or exposed beams in search of the source of an all too familiar odor.

"You all smell that? I think we've got another ghast."

[TooterfishPopkn]

Careful not to go too far into the barn, Steingott scans the dark barn with his trusty Dwarven eyes.

Spoiler: action

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Steingott steps ten feet to the north from where he stands on the current map and scans the room with his dark vision.

[DrK]

Draegra

Draegra picks up another rock from the ground, transferring the light onto and rolling to far corner. THat done he'll repeat the process 3 more times until he's rolled a lit object into all 4 corners.

[lostsole31]

Through a variety of means of "earned paranoia," the group finally makes its way out of the main large room of the barn to a northern room in the barn to find a corpse, rotting, stinking, and ripe with flies.

[TooterfishPopkn]

Steingott steps just outside the doorframe and from there tries to get as good a look as possible at the body from a distance.

Spoiler: action

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not trying to get a lot out of this.
Trying to discern if this is an actual corpse or another ghast, provided its even possible from the entrance.

[lostsole31]

Seems like a corpse.

[digiman619]

Zada touches the corpse on a (decent) part of exposed flesh. A small burst of positive energy shoots from thier fingertips, as they examine the corpse in an attempt to determine what the cause of death was.

Spoiler: OOC

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SA: Healing hex on the corpse. If it's undead, that'll expose it real quick. I will then attempt a Heal check to determine how they died.

[TooterfishPopkn]

"I'm pretty sure it's just a corpse, fellas."

He looks to his fellow investigators.

"Anyone wanna go with me and get a closer look?"

[lostsole31]

Steingott is asking for volunteers, not realizing that when he turned around Zada passed him and verified with her hex that it is in indeed a corpse. The corpse was killed by way of getting mauled with bite and claw.

Most peculiar, though, is pinned to the chest of the corpse (see Discord).

[rypt]

Al grumbles a string of profanities through his teeth as he steps into view of the body. "Let me guess -- there's a note." He exhales a slow, audible breath, his frustration momentarily visible in the cloud rising from his mouth through the cold winter air.

"Given what we heard from Grayst, figure this was meant for you?" he says to Draegra. "Any ideas as to why he's so focused on you in particular?"

[DrK]

Draegra

Draegra looks to the others and shrugs, shaking his head “Hmm, I don’t think that it’s meant for me. Or at least I cannot think of why anyone would be writing to me. But one thing I know is the person writing these will not be happy when we catch them”

He looks sadly at the bodies and speaks a brief prayer for the dead. Then looking about, ”Is there any other buildings you can see?

[lostsole31]

The farmhouse and barn were all there were.

[rypt]

"Right..." Al replies with a sigh to Draegra, seeming not to share the samsaran's certainty. "Any of you familiar enough with this area to know if there are any rivers or streams nearby?"

[DrK]

Draegra

With the note clutched in a hand he shoves it into the belt pouch before looking at the others. "Shall we do one more search of the buildings and the nearby fields and then head back to the village? We can do nothing here, there is no-one to save unless the guards can get her back to town and the ghoul fever treated." He summons a spark of divine energy to bring light to his morning star and with that held ahead of him he walks the interior of the barn making sure to look in any stalls, stables, ay logs or side rooms

[lostsole31]

The party searches the barn, and other than the rotting body left behind as a message, they find nothing of interest.

[rypt]

Al nods. "Aye, I'd like to have a look around before we leave. See if the pattern holds that the killer is choosing locations accessible by water." He looks past the others to the rotting remains. "But first, I think we should either bury this body or burn it. I don't think it's safe enough to have someone else come do so later."

[TooterfishPopkn]

Steingott nods.

"Good idea, Al. I'll search the area with you and watch your back. Unless anyone has some quick flame on hand, I should be able to make a big enough hole for the body in a reasonable amount of time."

Spoiler: possible action

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Provided no one has flame on hand, Steingott would begin using Basic Geokinesis to move 5 lbs of earth at a time to dig a hole for the body.

[rypt]

While Steingott prepares a grave, Al will take note of any distinguishing features of the man's appearance which have not been erased by claw, fang or rot. Things like approximate age, hair color, absence or presence of facial hair. If the man wears a necklace or any rings, he will take note of those as well.

Once the man has been buried, be it by Steingott's abilities, a shovel, or if need be, Al's own shield, he will first search the area around the farmhouse for a well. Then, along with anyone who wishes to accompany him, he will walk the periphery of property, ideally at a distance of about 50 yards from the buildings or as close thereto as the lighting conditions will allow, in search of any bodies of water -- brooks, streams, etc. -- whether they be frozen over or not.

[lostsole31]

Basic geokinesis makes a fine shovel. The party finds nothing else, and no immediate, natural source of water. There is a hand-pump for an under ground well behind the farmhouse.

[rypt]

Al can be heard grumbling with increasing frequency as their search progresses and proves ultimately fruitless. "So much for that theory. Back to town then? Maybe the girl the guards carted back can fill in some of our missing pieces."

[TooterfishPopkn]

Steingott nods. "I'm with you, Al. I could use some rest."