> 'That was... quick.' He sounded genuinely confused. 'Did you come alone? Where are the others?' 

"I look for you", Galqarin gestures at the small group. "Others at church."

He briefly appraises them of his conversation with the two girls, Hedy and Ivah, and the urgent message from Moira. Noting the drawn weapons, he looks up at the attic hatch.

Quote from Buxton >>

OOC: Would Galqarin have been up in the attic before?

“Well what ever brought you, Galqarin, I am glad you are here. Something is up there Something - evil. But it has magic that draws on life energy and we,” Ioben gestures to indicate Valerie and Sandu, “thought it best to get the others to help as well.”

Valerie does not take her eyes away from the door. "Maybe I should check it out. I’m afraid whatever in there might already escape by the time the others come."

Dormark hearing this dashes for the door. The warforge dodges around people, or the more common response people getting out of the way of the living battering ram that is Dormark. Charging towards the orphanage he enters pulling out his mace and shield and says, "What is the situation?"  

"I been up there before", says Galqarin to Valerie. "Good hiding place. I come with you."

“The children have been having strange dreams and getting very sick. We found hidden Stu es throughout most of the building tied into dark magic. Whatever it is is hiding up there,” Ioben points to the attic. “We sent the kids away cause we have no idea what is about to happen and we wanted the to be safe.”

Baern starts to fumble over his reply to the Father about whether Galqarin lives when the child bursts in.  He joins Dormark on dashing out the front door of the church and towards the orphanage.

Early-Evening - Day 5 - St. Andral's Orphanage

Recap

The party reconvenes on the first floor of the Orphanage, a sense of trepidation in the air.

Baern, Dormark & Galqarin are quickly brought up to speed on the events that have transpired over at the Orphanage over the last fortnight:

• the nightmares being experienced by the children;
• a number of the younger boys running away;
• the suspicious death of Cedric;
• the dark runes etched into the children's beds;

This all culminates with discussion turning to Felix, the young boy that joined the Orphanage around the time the bad dreams commenced and the only child not to have a bed marked with the magical runes.

Attic

A stench of death and decay fills the air as the party ascend up into the Orphanage's attic.  The attic is rather barren of furnishings and otherwise choked with dust and cobwebs. There are a few random piles of clutter, and a large trunk sits against the west side of the room. At the far end of the room, by the attic’s only window, is a small boy sitting in a lone chair silhouetted by the incoming light.  High-pitched laughter emanates from the child as you enter.

((St. Andral's Orphanage - Attic))

The laughter ripples through the room and caused a shiver to run down Ioben’s spine. Is this person insane? He wondered.
Hustling to clear the entrance, Ioben moved up and to the right to stay behind the boxes by the wall. Dagger in one hand and rapier in the other, he crouched and watched the figure as the others entered. 

Dormark hearing what happened, walks forward toward felix and says, "Your plot has been revealed and you have nowhere to run fiend. Reveal your true form and lets us finish this." Dormark pulls out his mace and shield pointing the mace's head toward's the young boy.

Valerie follows behind with her weapons drawn. She also looks around the room for any hidden traps. 

Perception 20

"I can't see..." remarks Baern as he tries to enter the attic, gently pushing his way toward the front of the group.  "Oh...um..." he mumbles uncomfortably once he can see and hear the strange child.  Unsure of what to do the dwarf raises his shield and looks up at the others.

Valerie's Perception check:

ALL - At Dormark's words the child turns on his chair, a large smile on his face.  When he speaks his voice is high pitched and unnatural, "Well that's not a very nice thing to say."  Felix says, pretending to be offended.  "I had hoped we would exchange more pleasantries first.  You ask that I reveal my true form, yet what is YOUR true form - metal man?!"  There is a tone of mockery in his voice now, "You can ME a fiend... yet is it not what dwell's in peoples' hearts that is the true monster here?"

Felix stands, holding what appears to be a kitchen knife, and continues, "If the children had been purer of mind... well perhaps I would have found a less fertile feeding ground."  He steps towards the party and holds the knife up menacingly, "As it is, I find myself in need of a new skin... this one has become a little worn."

ALL - Please roll initiatives.

Initiative: 9

((Galqarin initiative: 7))

(14 for Dormark )

Sandu gave no reply but a stern stare and reached for his dagger. He was slightly worried he could not feel the full magical power he knew he had and hoped that the number advantage would be enough to press whatever it was they were facing into making a mistake

Initiative 8

Initiative: 11

Baern initiative: 18