Sunny listens carefully and looks around observing any staff in the area as Gabriel asks questions of the housekeeper. She keeps Chewy close, but watches what he pays attention to also as his senses are keener than hers. Unless the others propose another direction Sunny will ask to see Jacob first.
“He didn’t even have a visit.” She answers Gabriel shaking her head. Despite of her formal and strict air, Bertha was clearly affected by the lost of the child. “And I take you’re a stranger.” She turns to Sylvio. “Understand that it is neither polite nor wise to question the life of your betters, but given the work that you ae trying to do… Her ladyship is sleeping for the first day since we found what happened. She has been waiting to stay in vigil with her boy, up for two whole days. Your lordship is not in home. He took upon himself to arrange the preparations for the funeral. No doubt his way to say farewell.”
Her eyes turned distant at the words, as if lost in memories. To all of you, keen observers, it was clear the boy was well loved by both his parents and the villa servants.
“I imagine you would like to ask if he eat something strange or different and the answer is no. The Watch should have informed you about how thoroughly they searched our pantry for poison.” Her denounce some irritation at the investigation, equal parts insulted and annoyed. From that you can infer that the Watch’s investigation was a substantial disturb to her duties and she really does not believe someone in the house could be responsible. “We also didn’t see anyone strange around the property, anything wrong the doors or locks and I doubt anyone have something of importance to say that was not already told to the watchers in their long questioning sessions.”
Notes
All the inferences are result of your stellar passive perceptions. Feel free to ask Bertha any other questions or to go the area where Jacob's body is being prepared.
“Yes, I am a stranger to-a the city. Excuse Sylvio for-a his rudeness” as Sylvio smiles to show that he meant no offense, his hand rests on the pommel of his scimitar.
“Did the child have a governess-a to which-a we could speak?”
"Did Jacob leave the house for any regular activities? Any regular activities that brought him into contact with people outside the household? When did he last go out?"Gabriel asks Bertha, trying to be sensitive to her loss.
"It is obvious that you care well and very deeply for Jacob and his family. This is a fine house, beautifully maintained and displayed. These fruit trees must be magnificent in Spring!" She gazing at them imagining blossoms and vivid fragrance, then continues "Our visit must be a terribly intrusion on your grief and we will strive to be as brief as possible. Of the people we have spoken to, there was never an impression to us that his death was caused by any lack or inappropriateness on your behalf or your staff. Though going through official steps may have indeed made it seem so. I can't imagine what you are going through." She pauses a moment, looking down at Chewy." My companion here, Chewy, is extremely well mannered. May he accompany me within the home? I assure you he will do nothing to upset the household." Sunny pets Chewy lightly giving him a gentle trigger to be his most endearing.
Sweeps listens to Bertha’s short replies, it is clear she thinks that the Watch has already asked the same questions and did the same search. But there has to be something more, something that everyone’s missing. Gabriel’s warning of the next death occurring in two days strikes a chord. We may be able to stop the next attack. But how will we know who is next? There are countless noble families in Waterdeep. He stands awkwardly in the foyer, clearly aware that he is out of his place here.
“Bertha, it may be best to start with Jacob’s room and look there. That is where he was found, yes? While we walk, perhaps you could tell us more of Master Jacob. I can tell he was loved by all here. What were his interests and passions in life? Surely his days were busy - riding, swordplay, history lessons, or perhaps something else?”
Perhaps one of Jacob’s interests or activities will uncover a connection that has been overlooked. And in her grief, Sweeps is counting on the fact that Bertha would much rather talk about Jacob’s life than his death.
Amadi stands to the side as the others cover the questions he agrees the Watch has already covered. But something is missing, a link, a connection, a delivery method.
"I seriously doubt anything came from within the home. Its an outside threat. Has there been a fair, a circus, anything like that the child visited days prior? Something that was not unusual?" is all he can think to ask. He is interested in taking a good look at the locks on windows. His fear is that someone within his guild has provided access to the locks the guild makes. Someone would have access to the home but no leave any evidence they were there.
Perhaps this is why the Watch has employed the guilds. Someone, some faction, is buying access to guild secrets and using it to their nefarious goals.
“All of his tutors are here. Like most children of the nobility, young Jacob had most of his education and entertainment provided at home.” It would take time to lead the group to each and every one of them, but it was possible. “Now, about your questions.” She said turning to Gabriel and Amadi. “He had no such activity nor visited such place and even if he had there would be guards with him all the time. As this tragedy shows well enough a child of an important family make for a good target, easier than their parents.” From her words alone it was clear Bertha believed that some kind of attack directed to the family. “It was well over a fortnight since he last went out. He was accompanying his lordship on an inspection of the hippogriffs.”
You imagine that would mean the boy was under more surveillance and security than ever, since he was together with Lord Gundwynd. There was also the matter of the time, it happened before the first killing.
“Oh, I know of warrior that fight together with animal companions. Chewy is welcomed here as long as he does not misbehave.” She said looking first at Sunny, then at the mastiff. The last words sounded like an advertence. “I don’t want anything soiled by him. Specially if you want to go the room where the body is being prepared for the funeral.”
In hindsight, Bertha didn’t seem surprised in seeing Sunny. Tortles were a rare sight for themselves, after all.
“Should we go now?” She asks after a deep breath. With your keen eyes you all take that it is not easy for the woman to see the boy laying cold and still.
Notes
Once again, the inferences are result of your stellar passive perceptions. If you wish to make any kind of skill check or go to Jacob's room you can say so in the OOC chat. If everyone is of accord I'll be moving the characters to the room in my next post.
Sunny commands Chewy to wait near the door and moves forward towards the boy. "If I may look at him closer?" She gestures as if to look under his upper garments and inspect his mouth and throat.
It is my impression that we are in the room where the child is displayed. She would like to open his mouth and look in mouth and throat to see if any damage was caused by whatever he vomited and note any unusual discolorations to his skin beyond what would be normal. Perhaps get lucky and see something others didn't. medicine6
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gabriel will make his own inspection of the boy, trying to be as respectful as possible. Tears fill his eyes as he does, weeping for the soul taken too early.
Before starting, he grasps the symbol of Lathander around his neck and whispers "Guide me please, Morninglord"(casting Guidance on himself)
Medicine check to inspect the boy for signs of cause of death, anything which might suggest a cause of the gruesome death: 21 plus 2 for guidance.
Gabriel then uses his Eldritch Sight to cast Detect Magic and inspect the room for any signs of struggle, invasion or missing (or added) items amongst the furnishings. Once again he seeks Lathander's guidance.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Sylvio approaches the door to the room before looking at the body. He gives the door and lock a close look for any signs of forced entry or tampering. 25 Investigation
He then moves to the windows to check for tampering, forced opening, locks, and any bars that may deny entry. 8 Investigation
As he works he asks Bertha “Is there a nanny or house worker who-a was especially close with-a Jacob?”
Sweeps stands in the room, doing his best attempt to be respectable as Sunny and Gabriel inspect the boy’s body, Sylvio inspects the room, and Bertha answers the group’s questions. The boy has had limited interactions outside the house, but the hippogriff trip intrigues him. The timeline does not work out, but still it could be a potential lead.
“Excuse me, Bertha. The hippogriff inspection, where was it exactly? In the city, or somewhere nearby?”
He turns toward the group, keeping his voice down to prevent Bertha from overhearing them, and asks Sunny and Gabriel “Perhaps poison and magic is the wrong angle, are there any creatures or parasites that could dissolve someone’s insides like that? Something that could be introduced to the boy either by accident or on purpose? Some of the worms that can be found mucking the stables... Nasty diseases.” he shakes his head.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gabriel's eyes widen at Sweeps' suggestion: "That's an interesting angle, maybe this is a natural attack. Hmmm..." he seeks Lathander's blessing before comparing the grisly details to his knowledge of the natural world: Nature 20 plus 4 for guidance.
This also leads Gabriel on another direction - he wonders if the circumstances of the deaths (the number four, removal of the insides, etc) resonate with any known religion or deity, even a minor one: Religion 13 plus 4 for guidance.
Sunny struggles to find clues initially, but listens to the others' questions and concerns and thinks further on anything she may know of parasites or natural causes beyond poisons that could do. Then something unnerving occurs to her, but she will discuss this privately with the group. "I need to speak with the person who inspected him after death, before preparation for the funeral." She looks again at the body considering it again with the new possibility.
Sunny spends some time just with Jacob, opening her mind just standing near him as if in a meditation or prayer out of respect for the dead.
I like the line Makkui - good way to split up IC from the details.
medicine21 - new one if allowed due to the time spent in the room, Sunny would be happy for any Guidance provided.
Sunny will also use a spell slot and concentrate on Primevil Awareness and see what she can detect.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Note: Everyone, roll for initiative.
“The creation is outside of the city.” Bertha says as with gestures de party agrees to move to the boy’s room.
She guides all of you through a hallway to the entrance hall of the mansion. A large area, held by marble columns richly carved. The floor is covered with finely embroidered carpet. At the center of the room, you can spot a hearth and in front of it a set of armchairs surrounds a small table of dark, polished wood.
You ascend the stairs and follow the housekeeper through another hallway. You pass two or three doors before stopping again. Bertha cast a look at you that indicates that is the place. As you enter you see a large bed with a canopy in cedar. On the floor you find toys - a rocking horse, a ball, stuffed animals. But nothing caught your eyes more than the table at the center of the room, for in there rested the pale remains of what but days before was Jacob Gundwynd.
“We’re waiting the balm to take hold, so he can look fine at the service.” She says almost coldly, as Slyvio goes to examine the door. You gather the old woman was using all her strength to hold in her emotions. “He had a wetnurse, Liliam. We can speak with her after you make your examination. She was too attached to the child. It would be too cruel to bring her there.”
Despite the keen eyes of the elf he find no evidence or tampering or forced entry. At the same time Sunny and Gabriel move to examine the body. They find his torso marked with a T-section clearly made in the autopsy. Aside of that there is no wound, be it in the mouth, throat or anywhere else, really. The tortle asks to see the mortician and before receiving any answer concentrates in her Primeval Awareness, but feels nothing.
At Sweeps suggestion, the aassimar tries to think of some creature of the natural world that could cause such death, but nothing comes to mind. He then focuses his thoughts on the circumstances of death, but before he can think of something a wave of pain sears through his body. His muscles tenses and he can feel himself starting to sweat and tremble.
For as far as he could remember, Gabriel was used the presence of the divine. That warm, caring, welcoming feeling. A strength full of life, full of light. This was different, opposite. A cold and oppressive force, perverse, defiling, almost a mockery of the vivid energy that usually composes magic. And it emanated form Jacob’s body.
You know instinctively that you can only notice this terror because you are three times connected with your god. By blood, by blessing and by pact. Only someone that close with the celestial could sense such veiled corruption. And as you contemplate this fact a symbol, a glyph, red like blood, appears on the chest of the boy. The windows of the room are slammed shut, all at once, and Jacob open his lifeless eyes. There are no pupils anymore, just a white and soulless void. The echo of dozens, hundreds, maybe thousands of whispers reach everyone’s ears and when you all look at the child he, or whatever is in his place, open the mouth and spills a cloud of black smoke that rapidly fills the room. The whispers then turn to wails that rapidly turn into screams of pain and fury and despair. Louder and louder with each passing second. Louder until it is almost unbearable, and you can see nothing beyond the inky smoke.
Gods, it stinks. It stinks with the sweet and putrid smell of death. It takes a moment, but you can see again. You are no longer in the boy’s room. The walls and floor gave place to stone, dark and musty. Jacob’s body is nowhere to be seen but Bertha, poor woman, is still with you. Light comes from torches and candles, sparsely disposed through this location.
A screeching sound then cuts through the air, followed closely by the flapping of wings. From the stones three spectral figures emerge. Ethereal, emaciated, covered in rags and moaning disjointedly. Behind them a monstrous crow looms threatening, its eyes focusing first on Sunny that now feels strongly the presence of undead.
Notes
The link for a roll20 VTT with map and tokens will be provided in the OOC chat. You are free to move your characters as far as their respective movement speeds allow. Rolling initiative for the five monsters and poor Bertha (and the monsters) in the spoilers.
@Everyone, anyone that can either cast a spell of have proficiency in the Arcana skill may do an Arcana check. DC 13.
@Jynne, make a Constitution saving throw. DC 15.
@Gruba, make a Wisdom saving throw, DC 13. The results of your Religion check will come in my next post, together with the effects of the Wisdom save.
Watching the woman Amadi tries to determine if she is telling them the whole story. These are nobles after all and saving face is part of the makeup. They will hide things to save the family even in a situation like this.
Insight 21 + Guidance 2
Amadi quietly follows Sylvio as he inspects the doors and locks. He also looks at them to see if he can identify which master made them and how old they may be or if they have been replaced recently.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Sunny resists the suddenly strong temptation to pop into her shell. Then the sudden worry about her companion. Is Chewy here? The smell hits her intensely then is cut off as Sunny holds her breath in case it is affecting her. She also sees that the poor woman has been forced to join their terror and wonders if she is indeed an ally.
On her turn she moves forward to the closest enemy and slashes twice with her left short sword and once with her right. "You will not win this fight!" She hisses at the creature angrily, her softened demeanor instantly gone and yellow eyes glaring. If Chewy is present he is to guard Bertha.
Sunny can hold her breath for up to an hour if needed. She will release it if it doesn't seem to help in resisting the sensation she is feeling beyond the smell however. She is also able to absorb elements as a reaction if needed - although this also may not be presently relevant. She has several favored enemies also - Draconic being one of them should this apply - also probably not.
Sunny listens carefully and looks around observing any staff in the area as Gabriel asks questions of the housekeeper. She keeps Chewy close, but watches what he pays attention to also as his senses are keener than hers. Unless the others propose another direction Sunny will ask to see Jacob first.
“He didn’t even have a visit.” She answers Gabriel shaking her head. Despite of her formal and strict air, Bertha was clearly affected by the lost of the child. “And I take you’re a stranger.” She turns to Sylvio. “Understand that it is neither polite nor wise to question the life of your betters, but given the work that you ae trying to do… Her ladyship is sleeping for the first day since we found what happened. She has been waiting to stay in vigil with her boy, up for two whole days. Your lordship is not in home. He took upon himself to arrange the preparations for the funeral. No doubt his way to say farewell.”
Her eyes turned distant at the words, as if lost in memories. To all of you, keen observers, it was clear the boy was well loved by both his parents and the villa servants.
“I imagine you would like to ask if he eat something strange or different and the answer is no. The Watch should have informed you about how thoroughly they searched our pantry for poison.” Her denounce some irritation at the investigation, equal parts insulted and annoyed. From that you can infer that the Watch’s investigation was a substantial disturb to her duties and she really does not believe someone in the house could be responsible. “We also didn’t see anyone strange around the property, anything wrong the doors or locks and I doubt anyone have something of importance to say that was not already told to the watchers in their long questioning sessions.”
Notes
All the inferences are result of your stellar passive perceptions. Feel free to ask Bertha any other questions or to go the area where Jacob's body is being prepared.
“Yes, I am a stranger to-a the city. Excuse Sylvio for-a his rudeness” as Sylvio smiles to show that he meant no offense, his hand rests on the pommel of his scimitar.
“Did the child have a governess-a to which-a we could speak?”
Noob
"Did Jacob leave the house for any regular activities? Any regular activities that brought him into contact with people outside the household? When did he last go out?" Gabriel asks Bertha, trying to be sensitive to her loss.
"It is obvious that you care well and very deeply for Jacob and his family. This is a fine house, beautifully maintained and displayed. These fruit trees must be magnificent in Spring!" She gazing at them imagining blossoms and vivid fragrance, then continues "Our visit must be a terribly intrusion on your grief and we will strive to be as brief as possible. Of the people we have spoken to, there was never an impression to us that his death was caused by any lack or inappropriateness on your behalf or your staff. Though going through official steps may have indeed made it seem so. I can't imagine what you are going through." She pauses a moment, looking down at Chewy." My companion here, Chewy, is extremely well mannered. May he accompany me within the home? I assure you he will do nothing to upset the household." Sunny pets Chewy lightly giving him a gentle trigger to be his most endearing.
Sweeps listens to Bertha’s short replies, it is clear she thinks that the Watch has already asked the same questions and did the same search. But there has to be something more, something that everyone’s missing. Gabriel’s warning of the next death occurring in two days strikes a chord. We may be able to stop the next attack. But how will we know who is next? There are countless noble families in Waterdeep. He stands awkwardly in the foyer, clearly aware that he is out of his place here.
“Bertha, it may be best to start with Jacob’s room and look there. That is where he was found, yes? While we walk, perhaps you could tell us more of Master Jacob. I can tell he was loved by all here. What were his interests and passions in life? Surely his days were busy - riding, swordplay, history lessons, or perhaps something else?”
Perhaps one of Jacob’s interests or activities will uncover a connection that has been overlooked. And in her grief, Sweeps is counting on the fact that Bertha would much rather talk about Jacob’s life than his death.
Amadi stands to the side as the others cover the questions he agrees the Watch has already covered. But something is missing, a link, a connection, a delivery method.
"I seriously doubt anything came from within the home. Its an outside threat. Has there been a fair, a circus, anything like that the child visited days prior? Something that was not unusual?" is all he can think to ask. He is interested in taking a good look at the locks on windows. His fear is that someone within his guild has provided access to the locks the guild makes. Someone would have access to the home but no leave any evidence they were there.
Perhaps this is why the Watch has employed the guilds. Someone, some faction, is buying access to guild secrets and using it to their nefarious goals.
“All of his tutors are here. Like most children of the nobility, young Jacob had most of his education and entertainment provided at home.” It would take time to lead the group to each and every one of them, but it was possible. “Now, about your questions.” She said turning to Gabriel and Amadi. “He had no such activity nor visited such place and even if he had there would be guards with him all the time. As this tragedy shows well enough a child of an important family make for a good target, easier than their parents.” From her words alone it was clear Bertha believed that some kind of attack directed to the family. “It was well over a fortnight since he last went out. He was accompanying his lordship on an inspection of the hippogriffs.”
You imagine that would mean the boy was under more surveillance and security than ever, since he was together with Lord Gundwynd. There was also the matter of the time, it happened before the first killing.
“Oh, I know of warrior that fight together with animal companions. Chewy is welcomed here as long as he does not misbehave.” She said looking first at Sunny, then at the mastiff. The last words sounded like an advertence. “I don’t want anything soiled by him. Specially if you want to go the room where the body is being prepared for the funeral.”
In hindsight, Bertha didn’t seem surprised in seeing Sunny. Tortles were a rare sight for themselves, after all.
“Should we go now?” She asks after a deep breath. With your keen eyes you all take that it is not easy for the woman to see the boy laying cold and still.
Notes
Once again, the inferences are result of your stellar passive perceptions. If you wish to make any kind of skill check or go to Jacob's room you can say so in the OOC chat. If everyone is of accord I'll be moving the characters to the room in my next post.
Sunny commands Chewy to wait near the door and moves forward towards the boy. "If I may look at him closer?" She gestures as if to look under his upper garments and inspect his mouth and throat.
It is my impression that we are in the room where the child is displayed. She would like to open his mouth and look in mouth and throat to see if any damage was caused by whatever he vomited and note any unusual discolorations to his skin beyond what would be normal. Perhaps get lucky and see something others didn't. medicine 6
Gabriel will make his own inspection of the boy, trying to be as respectful as possible. Tears fill his eyes as he does, weeping for the soul taken too early.
Before starting, he grasps the symbol of Lathander around his neck and whispers "Guide me please, Morninglord" (casting Guidance on himself)
Medicine check to inspect the boy for signs of cause of death, anything which might suggest a cause of the gruesome death: 21 plus 2 for guidance.
Gabriel then uses his Eldritch Sight to cast Detect Magic and inspect the room for any signs of struggle, invasion or missing (or added) items amongst the furnishings. Once again he seeks Lathander's guidance.
Investigation 15 plus 4 for guidance.
Sylvio approaches the door to the room before looking at the body. He gives the door and lock a close look for any signs of forced entry or tampering. 25 Investigation
He then moves to the windows to check for tampering, forced opening, locks, and any bars that may deny entry. 8 Investigation
As he works he asks Bertha “Is there a nanny or house worker who-a was especially close with-a Jacob?”
Noob
Sweeps stands in the room, doing his best attempt to be respectable as Sunny and Gabriel inspect the boy’s body, Sylvio inspects the room, and Bertha answers the group’s questions. The boy has had limited interactions outside the house, but the hippogriff trip intrigues him. The timeline does not work out, but still it could be a potential lead.
“Excuse me, Bertha. The hippogriff inspection, where was it exactly? In the city, or somewhere nearby?”
He turns toward the group, keeping his voice down to prevent Bertha from overhearing them, and asks Sunny and Gabriel “Perhaps poison and magic is the wrong angle, are there any creatures or parasites that could dissolve someone’s insides like that? Something that could be introduced to the boy either by accident or on purpose? Some of the worms that can be found mucking the stables... Nasty diseases.” he shakes his head.
Gabriel's eyes widen at Sweeps' suggestion: "That's an interesting angle, maybe this is a natural attack. Hmmm..." he seeks Lathander's blessing before comparing the grisly details to his knowledge of the natural world: Nature 20 plus 4 for guidance.
This also leads Gabriel on another direction - he wonders if the circumstances of the deaths (the number four, removal of the insides, etc) resonate with any known religion or deity, even a minor one: Religion 13 plus 4 for guidance.
Sunny struggles to find clues initially, but listens to the others' questions and concerns and thinks further on anything she may know of parasites or natural causes beyond poisons that could do. Then something unnerving occurs to her, but she will discuss this privately with the group. "I need to speak with the person who inspected him after death, before preparation for the funeral." She looks again at the body considering it again with the new possibility.
Sunny spends some time just with Jacob, opening her mind just standing near him as if in a meditation or prayer out of respect for the dead.
I like the line Makkui - good way to split up IC from the details.
medicine 21 - new one if allowed due to the time spent in the room, Sunny would be happy for any Guidance provided.
Sunny will also use a spell slot and concentrate on Primevil Awareness and see what she can detect.
“The creation is outside of the city.” Bertha says as with gestures de party agrees to move to the boy’s room.
She guides all of you through a hallway to the entrance hall of the mansion. A large area, held by marble columns richly carved. The floor is covered with finely embroidered carpet. At the center of the room, you can spot a hearth and in front of it a set of armchairs surrounds a small table of dark, polished wood.
You ascend the stairs and follow the housekeeper through another hallway. You pass two or three doors before stopping again. Bertha cast a look at you that indicates that is the place. As you enter you see a large bed with a canopy in cedar. On the floor you find toys - a rocking horse, a ball, stuffed animals. But nothing caught your eyes more than the table at the center of the room, for in there rested the pale remains of what but days before was Jacob Gundwynd.
“We’re waiting the balm to take hold, so he can look fine at the service.” She says almost coldly, as Slyvio goes to examine the door. You gather the old woman was using all her strength to hold in her emotions. “He had a wetnurse, Liliam. We can speak with her after you make your examination. She was too attached to the child. It would be too cruel to bring her there.”
Despite the keen eyes of the elf he find no evidence or tampering or forced entry. At the same time Sunny and Gabriel move to examine the body. They find his torso marked with a T-section clearly made in the autopsy. Aside of that there is no wound, be it in the mouth, throat or anywhere else, really. The tortle asks to see the mortician and before receiving any answer concentrates in her Primeval Awareness, but feels nothing.
At Sweeps suggestion, the aassimar tries to think of some creature of the natural world that could cause such death, but nothing comes to mind. He then focuses his thoughts on the circumstances of death, but before he can think of something a wave of pain sears through his body. His muscles tenses and he can feel himself starting to sweat and tremble.
For as far as he could remember, Gabriel was used the presence of the divine. That warm, caring, welcoming feeling. A strength full of life, full of light. This was different, opposite. A cold and oppressive force, perverse, defiling, almost a mockery of the vivid energy that usually composes magic. And it emanated form Jacob’s body.
You know instinctively that you can only notice this terror because you are three times connected with your god. By blood, by blessing and by pact. Only someone that close with the celestial could sense such veiled corruption. And as you contemplate this fact a symbol, a glyph, red like blood, appears on the chest of the boy. The windows of the room are slammed shut, all at once, and Jacob open his lifeless eyes. There are no pupils anymore, just a white and soulless void. The echo of dozens, hundreds, maybe thousands of whispers reach everyone’s ears and when you all look at the child he, or whatever is in his place, open the mouth and spills a cloud of black smoke that rapidly fills the room. The whispers then turn to wails that rapidly turn into screams of pain and fury and despair. Louder and louder with each passing second. Louder until it is almost unbearable, and you can see nothing beyond the inky smoke.
Gods, it stinks. It stinks with the sweet and putrid smell of death. It takes a moment, but you can see again. You are no longer in the boy’s room. The walls and floor gave place to stone, dark and musty. Jacob’s body is nowhere to be seen but Bertha, poor woman, is still with you. Light comes from torches and candles, sparsely disposed through this location.
A screeching sound then cuts through the air, followed closely by the flapping of wings. From the stones three spectral figures emerge. Ethereal, emaciated, covered in rags and moaning disjointedly. Behind them a monstrous crow looms threatening, its eyes focusing first on Sunny that now feels strongly the presence of undead.
Notes
The link for a roll20 VTT with map and tokens will be provided in the OOC chat. You are free to move your characters as far as their respective movement speeds allow. Rolling initiative for the five monsters and poor Bertha (and the monsters) in the spoilers.
@Everyone, anyone that can either cast a spell of have proficiency in the Arcana skill may do an Arcana check. DC 13.
@Jynne, make a Constitution saving throw. DC 15.
@Gruba, make a Wisdom saving throw, DC 13. The results of your Religion check will come in my next post, together with the effects of the Wisdom save.
Crow: 18
Spectral Figure I: 21
Spectral Figure II: 7
Spectral Figure III: 15
Watching the woman Amadi tries to determine if she is telling them the whole story. These are nobles after all and saving face is part of the makeup. They will hide things to save the family even in a situation like this.
Insight 21 + Guidance 2
Amadi quietly follows Sylvio as he inspects the doors and locks. He also looks at them to see if he can identify which master made them and how old they may be or if they have been replaced recently.
Investigation 8 + Guidance 4
Initiative 20
Sweeps initiative 19
8 Initiative
Noob
Sunny resists the suddenly strong temptation to pop into her shell. Then the sudden worry about her companion. Is Chewy here? The smell hits her intensely then is cut off as Sunny holds her breath in case it is affecting her. She also sees that the poor woman has been forced to join their terror and wonders if she is indeed an ally.
On her turn she moves forward to the closest enemy and slashes twice with her left short sword and once with her right. "You will not win this fight!" She hisses at the creature angrily, her softened demeanor instantly gone and yellow eyes glaring. If Chewy is present he is to guard Bertha.
Sunny can hold her breath for up to an hour if needed. She will release it if it doesn't seem to help in resisting the sensation she is feeling beyond the smell however. She is also able to absorb elements as a reaction if needed - although this also may not be presently relevant. She has several favored enemies also - Draconic being one of them should this apply - also probably not.
Constitution save vs DC 15 16
arcana 17
Initiative 7
Left Short Sword first Attack: 20 Damage: 7
Right Short Sword Attack: 23 Damage: 6
Left Short Sword second Attack: 16 Damage: 4