"If it is  a curse the spell we need is currently out of the range of my abilities to do. once I've regain more of Moradin's power I might be able to clear the curse. Also Galqarin I know you don't like the Baron, but innocents\ lives are being extinguished. We need to put a stop to whatever is doing this,"syas Dormark to the bugbear.

Valerie shakes her head. "I cannot do anything about it either, so I think it is a good idea to keep it with me right now."

 Sandu stretched his legs and suppressed a yawn.

'So this is turning into quite the conundrum. The bones need to be recharged with divine juice, or however that works, in Krezk. That's the next town over, right?' He asked Galqarin. 'Yet we cannot leave without having the entire townguard bearing down on us BUT the longer we leave the church without the bones' protection, the more dangerous it becomes to stay. Can't leave, can't stay.'

He rubbed his eyes, hoping that he could rub away the frustration along with the fatigue. Alas, it was not. 'My proposal is that we catch whoever is running amok and be quick about it.'

He got up from the church pew. He was relunctant about it but he did not see any other solution. 'We should go and see what we can find out. Hopefully Vallaki's residents are a bit more forthcoming than the guards.'

He looked at the exit and sighed. He moved towards it, dragging his feet the entire way.

“Yes we should, Father is there a person tasked with preparing the dead for there final resting place,” asks Dormark.

Dormark - The Father looks bleakly at you, "Well, myself and Henrik would prepare the bodies prior to their burial... That is, of course, assuming that the family request an open casket.  Sometimes, unfortunately, the cadaver is not in a suitable state to be prepared."  He shifts uncomfortably, "...from what I hear of what happened to poor Henrik..."  Father Lucian shakes his head and drops the sentence.

“I’m sorry father, than we should expect the bodies to come here. We may learn what is Cushing this from the wounds they suffered. Or I don’t know how powerful of a priest you are father, but we may be able to hear what happened from the bodies themselves,” says Dormark.

"Well, I would expect any bodies to be delivered unto my care in due course - should their families wish for them to be buried in Vallaki."  The Father looks a little confused, the events of the past few days taking their toll, "It's a surprise that they have not been delivered here.  Might they be part of some ongoing investigation by the town guard?  If so, it could be they are being held in the Reformation Centre."

Lucian scratches his head, looking lost, "Hear what happened from the bodies?  Any power I have is afforded to me by the grace of the Morning Lord - I've never sought to commune with those that have passed... such a thing.  I would not look to disturb the dead's rest."  You notice the Father beginning to look incensed, providing a glimpse into the younger man he had been, "It is not natural for man to interfere in the workings of the Morning Lord."  He softens his tone a little, "Let the dead lie, let them be at peace Dormark."

“Sorry Father, I’d mean not to upset you, I’ll go take a look at the bodies, where can I find the reformation center,” asks Dormark.

Sandu waited outside the church for Dormark to catch up with the locations to visit. He stretched his arms behind his back, groaning a bit as he felt the muscles in his arms and shoulders tense up. He ignored his stomach's rumbling.

'Let's go, Dormark. The sooner we get this over with.' He looked over his shoulder. 'Anyone else coming?'

Galqarin shakes his head emphatically. "Not me. Bring bodies back here, I look."

As an afterthought he adds, "Watch out for Izek."

Afternoon - Day 6 - Vallakovich Reformation Centre

Dormark & Sandu - You make your way through the well-trodden streets of Vallaki towards the town centre.  The atmosphere in the town feels less pleasant since this morning's events; sideways glances are cast in your direction, children are ushered quickly out of your way by cautious parents, and a wide berth is given by the locals at all times.  Nonetheless, no negative comments are forthcoming and you get the sense that people are more fearful than angry or upset at you.

The Reformation Centre stands domineeringly over the cobbled streets.  You have passed the tall governmental building a number of times over the course of your stay in Vallaki.  You cannot help but assume that it was the architect's intent that the building serve as a constant reminder of law and authority within the town, something only emphasised by the stern-looking guards posted on the entrance.  Though many might describe the building as spectacular, it feels out of place and unseemly compared to the rest of the town.

Approaching the entrance, one of the guards speaks up, his colleague has a smug grin plastered to his face, "They've been expecting you, they 'ave.  Make yer way in".  His voice is gruff and emotionless, he stares at you both through vacant eyes, "Well, go on then - don't jus' stand an' gawp!".

You enter into a large, two-story room that has a pitched roof with rafters.  Several wooden benches are separated from the front of the room by a two-foot-high wooden divider fence.  A large, ornate chair sits on a raised dais at the end of the room like a throne.  You have no doubt that it is here that court would normally be held, though it is quiet now.  A side door opens and a young man, early 20's, enters the room, he looks nervous and it is clear he is a novice or junior ranking guardsman.

"W-w-welcome sirs.  This is th-the.. uhh.. Reformation Centre.  You're here for the... well... the..."  the young man gulps visibly, "the bodies."  The young guard pales when he mentions the cadavers and he looks a little uncomfortable.  "Not right, it ain't... wha'.. a-a-'appened to 'em."  He shakes his head, attempting to dispel the images that dwell there.  "Fol-... errr.. Follow me - please?"  The young man beckons for you to follow.  "The n-names m-m-m-Murph,"  Murph says, smiling sheepishly.

"Hello Murph, sorry to meet you under such circumstances. I'll take a quick look at the bodies and see if I can identify what happened to them. However, after I'm done we should probably send the bodies to the church to have them prepared for burial. It would be the best thing for them at this point of time.," says Dormark nodding to the young man.

Dormark takes a look at the wounds and asks, "Sandu mind giving me another pair of eyes."

Assuming Sandu helps Dormark and using guidance, Dormark checks the bodies 

medicine: 14 2

Dormark & Sandu - "Th-that's not m-my decision to m-make, I am afraid."  Murph says nervously, "Mr, uhhh, Dor-mark, I p-p-pr-presume?"

The young guardsman leads you through the side door of the courtroom.  The next room appears to contain holding cells; two benches, a pile of discarded clothing, and some lockers sit along the western wall.  Opposite where you enter behind floor to ceiling iron bars, is what appears to be a large prison cell with a handful of huddled occupants.  Though many seem preoccupied with contemplating their current predicaments, a couple stare in wonder at Dormark, their eyes widening in disbelief.

"P-pay them n-no heed," says Murph as he leads you through the room to the North.

You enter what appears to be the main walkway of the building. Of the many doors leading into this room, one heavy wooden door sits on a curved, stone wall. A wide staircase takes up the centre of the room.  This room is busier than the rest, guardsmen both on and off duty are present here.  You would not be surprised if the Reformation Centre served as the primary barracks for the Vallakian town guard.

Murph leads you both deeper into the building, past the staircase, to a guarded door to the West.  The guard standing in front of the door barely acknowledges Murph as he leads you on, his hand instinctively goes to his sword as you both approach, he keeps the weapon sheathed, however.  The door leads to a musky smelling corridor with stairs leading underground.

"S-sorry, it's a b-bit of a t-t-trek," Murph says by ways of an apology.

Arriving at the bottom of the stairs, Murph leads you to the only door, which is located to the East.  "B-b-before I o-open this d-door.  I b-best warn y-you."  He scratches at his arms absent-mindedly, "Y-you will e-exp-experience un-unusual th-things in the n-next room.  P-please k-k-keep with m-me an-and d-don't stra-stray t-too f-far from the c-centre of the h-hall-way."  There is an earnestness in his voice as he relays the warning and his hand shakes as he opens the door.

As you enter the corridor a shrill ringing enters your ears... then silence.  Turning in dismay you find cells lined to your left and right containing all manner of prisoners, most sit on their bunks clearly as deaf as you are to their surroundings.  You can no longer hear your footsteps or the gentle sound of your clothing rubbing together. In the centre of this dark, soundless hallway is a pale blue orb emitting only the faintest of light.

Murph looks at you concerned, he opens his mouth to speak, but you hear nothing.  He flails his arms wildly, insisting that you follow him along the corridor.  As you push through the door and leave the glow of the blue orb out of sight your senses are assailed; everything sounding a little louder after the momentary deafness.  Murph turns to you and shakes his head, "S-sorry 'bout th-that.  H-h-hate th-that p-place.  D-don't w-worry th-though, not m-much longer.  Jus' th-through h-here."

Finally, Murph leads you through a door to the East.  You find yourself in a room with a putrid stench, blood is everywhere - on the walls, on the benches in front of you, on the rags dotted around the room.  Standing in the centre of the room an older man stands, you judge from his clothing that he is likely some form of physician, or at least a guard that has some passing medical knowledge.

"Ah, the 'investigators'." the man says with a smirk, "Thank you, Murph, that will be all."  Murph moves to say something, but it looks like the sights and smells of the enclosed room have adversely affected his stomach, he covers his mouth and makes a quick exit.  As the young guardsman leaves the room you hear a wrenching sound from just outside the door.  The old man sighs and shakes his head, "The youth of today.  Please, by all means, gentlemen - take a look."  He leads you over to the nearest bench, a cadaver lies obscured by a once white, now bloody, sheet.

Whisking back the sheet you are met with one of the most gruesome sights you have seen since you entered Barovia.  What remains of Henrik is lying on the table, except where you would expect his head to exist there is instead a bloody mess of bone, blood, and gore.  Henrik's chest does not look much better - it is split open and you can see that a number of the ribs are shattered.

"Well, you can see why suspicion may have fallen upon yourself, Mr Dormark."  The old man says, "I am sure you would be able to afflict similar wounds to that which our dear coffin-maker sustained.  By the looks of you, at least."  You get the sense that the old man has a cool, calm, calculated arrogance about him, but he does not mean to cause offence with his comments; some might say that his bedside manner is a little lacking.

"Oh, the name's Vosper." he says formally, waving his hand around the room, "Much of the others are a similar story - who, or what, is able to cause wounds like this...  well I guess that is what you are here to find out.  I suppose you have questions?"

Dormark's initial Medicine check:

Maps of Reformation Centre (Explored Regions):

Afternoon - Day 6 - St. Andral's Church

Galqarin & Valerie - "I can't just sit here, Ismark!"  Ireena's voice breaks the awkward silence in the church.  Since the events of the morning, the church had been shut off to the locals.  Father Lucian had, with some gentle persuasion from Ireena, taken to bed.  Since Dormark and Sandu left for the Reformation Centre, Ireena and Ismark had been quite animated with each other - neither wishing to concede any ground.

Ismark, undoubtedly fearing for his sister's safety, had vociferously been voicing his concerns; given the news regarding the bones and now the business of the murders, his mind was resolute.  Ireena, on the other hand, was strongly averse to "hiding away in fear" and "cowering whilst her friends could be in trouble".  Currently, they were arguing in the Church's office, what had started as hushed words were becoming increasingly louder.

With a slam! the office door shut.  Ireena, flustered and red-faced, walked at pace into the main hall.  "Valerie?  Galqarin?  Oh, there you are," you note that Ireena's voice has adopted a polite tone, "I was wondering if you would be able to accompany me to the town square... or the Blue Water Inn... or Blinsky's... anywhere really."  She sighed heavily, "I need to clear my head and my dear brother would rather that - if I did leave the church - I did not go alone."  Frustration creeps into her face and she purses her lips.  In an attempt to fight back her anger she speaks through gritted teeth, "It would appear I require a chaperone."

"So, how about it?  Any takers?" she says, attempting to come across unfazed by her recent row.

"I go", says Galqarin succinctly. Thinking of Izek and his henchmen, he continues, "Best not square. Inn or Blinsky's."

His eyes light up at the thought of the toymaker's shop, and the Blue Water Inn has been a welcoming place for him, relatively speaking at least.

Sandu walked alongside Dormark to the Reformation Centre. He was not suprised by the cold shoulder or frightened response the townsfolk gave the two of them but rather was a tad relieved: it meant there would be no unpleasant encounters until deemed necessary. The stammering guard that acted as their guide during their visit was a pleasant surprise though.

'Thank you for your attendance, Murph.' Sandu gave the young man - My age and taking up a guard's position? Good on him - a polite nod. 'Considering the circumstances, it's nice to speak with a friendly someone.'

He followed Murph and Dormark to where the bodies were stored. It was a harrowing experience. Sandu knew they were good and well dead but even so he had to take a couple of seconds to compose himself. After steeling himself and pushing out any thoughts of the bodies coming back to life and attack, he assisted Dormark in a more thorough inspection of the cadavers. After conferring with Dormark, they could at least deduce that there was a modus operandi: constriction of the body and blunt trauma to the head. That did not narrow it down to anything meaningful but it was better than knowing nothing.

After that squeamish ordeal Sandu made his way along the other two deeper into the Reformation Centre. It only struck him now but he had already begun hating that name. Too many implications. Too many memories. The feeling was not helped when they walked through the prison section of the place. Sandu did take stock of the couple that gawked at the presence of Dormark. Had they never seen a warforged before? The most likely answer: he had yet to see anyone else of Dormark's stature in Barovia. He had not even seen one like him before he came to this godforsaken place. Or was there more to it? He hated how paranoid this place was making him.

The strangest was still to come. Their guide Murph lead them deeper into the complex, taking them down a flight of stairs into the basement. The young man issued a rather cryptic warning when he opened the single door. Sandu had little time to ponder what Murph had meant by it when he found himself robbed of his sense of hearing. Cautiously walking into the corridor revealed naught but holding cells and a faint glowing blue orb in the middle of the hallway. Sandu's eyes instinctively flashed dark at the sight of it and he could feel his jaw moving and forming words yet he could not tell if he had spoken them*. Whatever the blue orb was, Sandu was both fascinated and repulsed by it. He hurried after Murph until the oppressive aura no longer had an effect on him.

It only made him trade one unpleasantness for another. The final room Murph had brought them to was an abbatoir more than anything else and the gruesome sight and smell of blood everywhere sickened Sandu to his core. Had he not already seen the flesh melt of a child's bones, he would have joined Murph retching outside. Sandu swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and introduced himself.

'I would say it's nice to meet you, Vosper, but considering the circumstances,' Sandu briefly eyed all the blood and spent only the briefest time necessary looking at Henri's remains, 'that would be a lie. My name's Sandu and yes, your burgomaster has charged us to help resolve this issue.'

From his backpack he pulled a sheet of parchment, an ink pen and a small bottle of ink and put them on the least blood covered spot on the table that he could find. 'My first question would be when and how frequent this has been happening up to now.'

*Casting Detect Magic if that's possible.

"I could see why you would think it was me, but some of these are unusual. It looks like they were restrained before being killed with enough force to break their chests. From what I see the killing blow was blunt force trauma by a weapon. It looks to be the work of more than one creature if I had to guess," he says stepping away from the bodies. 

"Where were the bodies found and were there any witnesses to the crimes" asks Dormark.

Mid-Afternoon - Day 6 - Vallakovich Reformation Centre (Basement)

Sandu - You find that Murph is genuinely chuffed at your comments, you get the feeling that, due to his junior level, he is used to being at the bottom of the pile and given the so-called 'donkey jobs'."Th-th-thank you sir,"he says, returning your nod,"I-I try m-my b-best." 

Walking through the corridor with the orb you attempt to cast detect magic.  Unfortunately, nothing happens, please make an arcana check to find out what you may discern about the orb.

Noting your rather pale complexion, Vosper nods, "Indeed - these are circumstances most grim, most grim indeed.  I must admit that investigations have not progressed at the rate we would like - our primary suspect,"he nods in Dormark's direction, "was cleared after Henrik's death."

"First body was found yesterday morning, near the Morning Gate - the Easternmost entrance to the town.  The victim was a guardsman returning home from his shift guarding the gate, which gives us a pretty good timeframe for the attack."  You watch as Vosper's hand gestures towards a sheeted corpse."Second would have occurred not more than a few hours later, during the downpour.  Looks like the poor lady was seeking shelter under the trees to the south of the town centre; clothes were sodden by the time we found her.  Murder likely occurred in the early afternoon or late morning." Vosper sighs as his hand points to another of the sheeted corpses.

"Third victim, yet to be identified, is a man in his 40's; hard to tell for sure given the state we found him." Vosper's face is downcast as he continues,"You find whoever done this, you find them and make them pay.  His body was found in a side street not far from Henrik's shop, likely occurred in the early hours of this morning."

"Finally, there is Henrik," the old man shakes his head in disbelief, "looks like the poor sod was trying to make a run for it.  A young lad reported the body to a guardsman, turns out he found it in the vicinity of the Zarovich gate - must have been a horrible sight.  That's how we cleared you all, you see.  No chance you could have got there from the Church in time - especially given how much noise and commotion you lot were making, subtlety is clearly not a strong point."  Vosper allows himself a fleeting, mirth-filled, smile.

As quickly as the smile appears it fades as Vosper looks serious, "At the rate this person is killing?  Action needs to be taken immediately.  The Baron is keen to avoid creating panic.  All this "all will be well" nonsense he keeps spouting.  It's not looking good, in truth."

Vosper goes over to one of his work benches and grabs a sheet of paper.  "I took the time to plot out where each of the bodies was found.  Here, take this."  He hands you the sheet of paper, on it a map is scrawled depicting the location each of the victims was found ((see spoiler below)).

 

 

Dormark - Vosper smiles broadly, "A fine deduction, a fine deduction indeed.  I've written as much in my report; an interesting tidbit to note is that the bodies seem to have been restrained prior to the killing blow being delivered."  He walks over to one of the bodies, the third victim, at the back and removes the sheet covering it.  The body is that of a man in his 40's, heavy bruising marks his body and his head and chest are in a similar state to that of Henrik's.

"This is most perplexing indeed - the man's arms and pelvic bones are completely splintered."  Vosper lifts the cadaver's arms, red blotchy bruises cover them, shards of bone can be seen protruding from the flesh.  "What could restrain the man in this manner prior to death?"  He seems genuinely at a loss to find the words, "Look at the man's hands - no real evidence of resistance can be found.  Deeply unusual, wouldn't you say?"

"Witnesses?  Well, that is where things get more interesting.  There were no witnesses until poor Henrik's murder.  The crime itself was not witnessed but a young lad - one of the Martikov boys - stated that he saw someone leaving the scene that appeared to be in full plate armour.  In truth, other than the fact that the timing does not match, this was another reason why suspicion fell to yourself."

"I would be careful when trusting the statement of the younger generation though - prone to flights of fancy.  I can assure you that - as you have undoubtedly seen - such a description hardly fits anyone within the town."  Vosper shakes his head dismissively.

Mid-Afternoon - Day 6 - St. Andral's Church / Blinsky's Toys

Galqarin - Ireena's eyes light up, "Thanks Galqarin, anywhere away from these four walls!  I would love to check out Blinsky's toy store - always loved his toys!  Remember - Is No Fun, Is No Blinsky!"  She says between laughs, her mood rapidly improving from earlier.  "May I," she says offering you her hand.  She turns to the remaining party members, "Let my brother know we'll be at Blinskys."

As you leave the dour church into the streets of Vallaki, you are struck that today appears to be a little brighter than the previous - though the mists still roll overhead.  Walking the streets you note people going about their business, paying you little heed; given your Vallakian clothing and Ireena being relatively local, you do not stick out like the others.

Making your way to the toy shop, Ireena regales you of all the wonderful childhood memories she has of Blinsky's toys and how dear they were to her.  She allows herself to be carried away in the moment, leaving any dark thoughts behind.

When outside the store, Ireena gasps and gives your hand a squeeze, "Why - it's exactly as I remember it!"  She rushes to the window of the store.  "Isn't it wonderful!  Look Gal, Raven!" She quickly corrects herself. "I haven't been here since I was a young girl!  Look at that, doesn't she look life-like!"  Ireena points to a child-sized doll, a marionette, dressed in the traditional Barovian garb with a giant painted smile on its wooden face.

Ireena can barely contain herself as she enters the shop with you.  Blinsky stands behind the counter, he looks up as you enter with a smile.  "Gyood myorni..." Blinsky's smile fades as soon as he sees you, the colour drains from his face and he looks decidedly ill.  "Whyoo are y-you?" His voice is almost a whisper and he stares wide-eyed at Ireena, "w-w-whyat ees thys?".

"Is there something wrong sir?!"  Ireena says, her mood ruined, "I-I didn't mean to cause any offence."  She looks worried as her eyes meet yours.

Not saying a word, Blinsky reaches a shaky hand below his counter.  It emerges a second later with a small toy, then another, then another.  As he places each toy on the counter his hands shake more and more, almost to the point of fitting.  Ireena cautiously approaches the counter.  She stops suddenly, her voice is quiet at first, "W-what is the meaning of this, I do not understand I...".  She whirls on the spot and hisses to you, "Galqarin!  Please... help!".

Your actions are swift as you rush to Ireena's aid.  It is then that you are able to better make out each of the toys.  Lined up on the stores counter is a series of dolls in different outfits and poses.  All bear more than a striking resemblance to Ireena; all of her facial features mimicked on their wooden faces.  Their vacant, beady-eyes stare back at you.

"Wha... Why make dolls like Ireena?", asks Galqarin in confusion, as he lends support to Ireena herself. His vocabulary seems suddenly inadequate to articulate the questions rushing through his mind. The strangest one sticks in his head: What came first, the dolls or the person?