Scene 3: The Gruesome Revenge

Galas 26th, 933.
The body still lay there, twitching every now and then, despite the passing of the spirit from this mortal coil. It was a gruesome affair, the young man pleading for his life, pleading for help.

I beg of you, please! I haven't done anything wrong! I do not even know that woman. Please! Get the Peacekeepers! Let them take care of this, please, they'll tell you I am innocent. I have lived here my entire life, you all know me! Please, I grew up right down the road from you, Tret! I stood on your doorstep as a child! Please! I beg of y----

His pleading abruptly cut off in a piercing scream. An arm held in the hands of the butcher, the man who the young man begged for leniency, for help, his eyes like that of a cornered animal. A hush fell over the mob, those that had just a moment before chanted for his death, and his punishment, as they all stared at what the butcher had done. Their rage momentarily stalled, they just stared as the blood dripped from the young man's arm, and then at the ash that seemed to flow from the torso of the man.

See! He is a filthy blood sucker! Where his blood should be, nothing but ash pours forth! We shall punish this vile beast, and prevent any more innocent girls from being attacked by him!

A woman screams loudly, the accuser and supposed victim of the young man. She yelled once more of him raping her, and then trying to turn her into his vampiric thrall. The mob, which a mere moment before had been completely silent, roared back to life, vindicated of any guilt, and justified in their crime. The young man, sobbing and screaming the entire while, was slowly and methodically dismembered, and despite the amount of ash/blood that poured from his body and his limbs, seemed as if he could not die. The body still drew breath, and as the ash kept pouring forth from the wounds, the mob forced the young man to start eating his own flesh, violently beating the ash out of his body. His mouth turned red, and his stomach heaved as fingers were forced down his throat, the flesh seeming to slide off the bones. The woman, flush with righteous revenge, glanced at the ash that should have piled up, and noticed that where the ash should have been, nothing but blood stained the concrete, and as her eyes flickered back to the young man, she screamed, as nothing but blood poured from his sobbing body, and the mob, which was clean just moments before, had become covered in blood. It was as the woman screamed that the Peacekeepers rushed on scene, and beat the mob back from the terrible scene. As one of the Peacekeepers knelt at the dying torso, the young man's lips moved as if saying something, but none heard it. None, save the woman, his accuser, his murderer.


Across the Rest, in an inn of ill-repute, but of high class, the young man who was just brutally murdered sipped of a blood-red liquid, a smile playing on his fang-filled mouth. A soft knock at the door is acknowledged, and a slim and beautiful woman, of brown eyes and dark hair, slips into the room. Her cheeks flush with youth and desire, she begs to please, and the young man grins lustily, and waves the woman on. His fingers trace little symbols in her flesh, and she slowly falls to her knees . . .

Galas 27th, 933
Gira Oz'mein, mayor of Traveler's Rest, walks lightly towards the Lightless area, taking care to not draw too much attention to herself. A house, three stories tall, with creeping vines covering the windows, is her goal. A mere street away from being engulfed in the Lightless area, this wizard is known to be a talented dabbler in the arts of necromancy, and her need is great. The protective wards let Gira through, and she knocks lightly upon the door, which opens almost immediately for her. She steps through, not looking back, and unbidden, but not unwanted, as the door shuts behind her, almost as if of its own volition. To any watching eyes, this seems quite strange, as no one has left or come to the home in some months, and Gira does not emerge from the building until many hours later. She walks straight into the Lightless area, and is swallowed by the darkness, seemingly as if by magic.

Post from Galas 28th, 933. This is two weeks from the beginning of the Shambling Dead.

Armand rests for the day to regain the strength lost from his long sleep. The next morning he sets off telling Ms. Aedendra and Alluviel that he will be back later on.

Armand heads out of The Lightless area and begins asking around for the location of any fortune tellers and the like that might help him with his dreams and news if anything major happened while he was asleep. He also attempts to inquire about "The Theatre of the Otherworldly" and if they are still working with the plays focused on "The Birds of Prey."

Armand Rosewood
You begin to walk the streets of E'drani, and you realize there has been a subtle change in the attitude of those around you. Everyone is looking askance at everyone else. The feeling of distrust is rampant, and an underlying layer of fear is sometimes shown through as you approach others on the street. All in all, it seems as if something has caused a great rift among the populace.

There are people all over the place claiming that they can read your fortune, telling you that you are destined for greatness. Your fortune gets read, telling you that you are destined to become a king, and one idiotic goblin swears you are destined to become a queen. You start telling your dreams to one fortune teller who seems to be mildly talented, or at least perform a good act, and she tells you that you seem to have been affected by the magic of the portals, showing you things that you cannot possiblty see without being there on your own. She says that some of those are definately instances in time that have occured in the city while you were asleep, and after hearing of the young man being brutally murdered, you realize that the fortune teller must have been correct, and that at least some of your dreams were scenes of things occuring in the city itself.

When you ask about the 'Theatre of the Otherworldly' you are told to go to the Theatre yourself and find out what plays they are playing. They are open to the public, and you should go on your own and find out what's being played. Some say that they are still running shows on 'The Birds of Prey' and others say they have finished with those stories. You feel that your best bet is to go to the Theatre on your own and find out for yourself.

Armand decides that if one dream has a high probability of being real it is best to treat them all as real for now. Though the dream about "The Birds of Prey" has the highest possibility of being created through his own aspirations it is his best lead.

Armand rushes over to the " Theater of the Otherworldly."Once there Armand begins to inquire all he can on "The Birds of Prey" and even probes a little on the other topics of his dreams just in case anyone there knows anything useful.

Armand Rosewood
As you inquire about the dreams, some of the people look at you askance, and several ask if you have had a doctor look at you in case you have contracted some sort of disease. If you make inquiries of just "The Birds of Prey" you are told that the line of plays is just about done, and the last one is being played today. All you must do is pay the one gold fee, and then you can enjoy the last play that is going to be run.

---

After your day abroad, searching for information, you realize that it will take you quite a while to return to the Lightless area, being a full 30 miles from "The Theatre of the Otherworldly." In fact, you are not quite sure how you managed to get to this part of the Rest so quickly. You feel as if your march to the Theatre was just a few hours, but you know it will take you a full day's journey to get to the Lightless.

Twitch rises from a rather uneventful sleep and downs some food to settle his rumbling stomach. He looks over a recently acquired piece of paper and tries to decipher it on his own. Frustration takes over and he slides it into a pocket and determines that the dwarven woman may know how to read it or at least give him some basics to figure it out on his own combined with the cheat sheet inscribed on the interior of his cowl. He grabs his recently finished piece of work and street clothes and heads over to her shop casting wary glances at those around him hoping he hasn't picked up something he shouldn't have. This fear is soon quelled by his own self confidence and he strolls arrogantly down the block.

Twitch Grasskicker
You walk through the streets, feeling that something might have upset the balance of the city. You may grow in confidence while you walk, but there comes a point where others begin looking at you with sidelong glances, wondering if you know something they don't. You hear, via rumours on the wind, about the murder, the terrible act of vengeance committed by a small neighborhood against one of its own, and the gruesome act of the neighbors eating the flesh of the poor young woman. Or perhaps it was feeding the Peacekeepers the flesh of the young man? Other rumours say that the flesh melted away due to the magical nature of E'drani, and that there is nothing for the Peacekeepers to work on, at least when it relates to this murder. So many words that fly through the air, and little else is easy to pick out.

You get to the jewelery shop, and the Dwarven woman smiles in form of welcome. She asks if you have a new piece for her to show, and when you give it to her, she promptly puts it up on display. When you ask her about the note, she frowns thoughtfully, and says she cannot read Undercommon, it was not something she had to learn. She thinks for a little while, and then she says she might know someone who can help you read it, if you wish to go ask them. If you agree, she sends you to the Skin and Fur, a business partner of hers, and someone who she is sure knows Undercommon. The Skin and Fur is a good half-day's travel away from the jewelery shop, and you know with all the rumours that abound, it is going to be a fairly enjoyable walk.

Armand begins to realize that he should ask about the events in the dreams without mentioning that they are dreams. He hopes that that way he will seem less crazy.

Armand decides that watching the play is probably his best move for now, not to mention that it has peeked his curiosity. It being the last one also plays a major role in his decision. He pays the fee and tries to get a seat near the center to get a good view of the stage. Armand eagerly and intently watches the play.

Abbatt closely watches the mayor aproach the building, and positions himself were he can follow her if she leaves. When she does leave he watches closely for any signs that she is diferent and quickly scans her with detect magic.

(what race is she)

Abbott Sinclair
As you look at Mayor Oz'mein, you notice a slight coppery sheen to her skin. She is definately Elven, but as your spell alights upon her, from much further away than you normally effect, you feel as if she is draconic in nature, or at least partially so. She is still quite pretty, but as you move closer to follow her, she definately seems to have a serpentine look to her.

She is under the effect of no spells that you can tell, but she does seem to have several items of magical nature, and their enchantments are fairly strong, something that an experienced adventurer might own. You follow her into the Lightless area, dark and smelling of filth, and you manage to follow her to a building close to the center of the Lightless area. Gira Oz'mein disappears into the building, and if you move closer to the building, a sudden scent of rain breaks through the consistant stench of filth, and if brings momentary relief to the monotony of the Lightless area. People walk around the area in complete darkness, unless they are lucky enough to have a torch to lighten their way.

As the play opens Armand finds himself thrilled with the aspect of the play focusing on the Crimson Hawk. He played with the idea of already knowing the story and possibly pointing out any errors it could have. Armand recalls the opening story well for their first meeting was one of his favorites.

The story of the great demon also rang true right until the end. The talk of sacrifice was new to him as well as the acolytes and their ritual. Most of this Armand chalks up to artistic license. Just as he was ready to brush off this story the home and farm shown appear all too familiar.

Armand begins to think, "Something about this feels far to accurate." When the scene of their murder takes place and the positions of the bodies fully register a look of horror and grief falls upon his face. Many thoughts run through his mind, "What the hell is this? That can't... it can't be true right? This is.. it's just a play. But how could it... just how could it be? That doesn't just look like our farm it is our farm! Their bodies lying there it's just not... how could anyone know?"

Armand so lost in thought barley notices the sympathy for his character. As the play closes Armand composes himself, taking the time necessary. He is aware that worrying about this and asking himself won't get him any where he needs to find the play write.

Armand takes off his jacket, folding to cover the emblem on it, and holds it in his left arm to hide the emblem on his rapier. He does this to hide who he is just in case, and he avoids letting it be known to any one he speaks with. He then tries to get back stage to get information on where he can find the play write or anyone involved with the writing of the script.

If he finds the right people there Armand asks questions like, "Where did the inspiration for this play come from? How much of this story is true? Have you ever met the Birds of Prey? Would you, by chance, know where to find them?" If the one Armand seeks his elsewhere he will go off to find him asking the same types of questions.

Armand Rosewood
As you try to make your way to back-stage, you are blocked by a portly human who says the actors are in no mood to sign autographs. He seems to be not at all interested in listening to you at first, but you eventually talk him down to a point where he agrees to go and get the announcer. As the announcer walks up, you notice that he is indeed quite small as you thought when he first appeared on the stage, and he has a naturally loud voice. He informs you that the playwrite is not to be found here right now, as he does not actually work for the Theatre. All he knows, and he would know best he informs you, is that the playwrite is named Gerald Egrist. He doesn't even know where the playwrite lives. He showed up one day with a full script, and he sold it to the Theatre on the guarantee that they would only run the play once, and it was agreed to.

Armand thanks the announcer with a look of disappointment on his face, as his search has never been easy. As Armand turns around to walk away he throws on his jacket revealing the emblem.

Armand decides to talk to Aedendra about the play. He asks all who will listen on his trip back to The Lightless about Gerald Egrist or even for anyone that would be helpful in locating him such as seers or psychics. When necessary he stops by a tavern or two to rest and ask around there as well.

Before he leaves the shop, Twitch thanks the dwarven woman for displaying his work and asks her where the Cartographer's Guild is located. He then proceeds down the street at a brisk pace dancing here and there for everyone willing to stand and watch. After about three to four performances, he continues on to the Cartographer's Guild. He begins to ponder and entertain the idea of joining the Peacekeepers. It would help him get a better hold on the ins and outs of the city and allow him a few more liberties here and there. If he comes across any Peacekeepers in his travels through the city, he asks them if they need any assistance or perhaps would mind telling him their heroic stories of how they joined up. He also directs them to stop by and check out the dwarven woman's wares at her shop (provides the location and name of course). He then continues onto the Cartographer's Guild noting the location of the Skin and Fur if he passes it.

Abbot takes a moment to examine the building he has come to and then returns to his targets house, circling the building. He attempts to sneak in through a side or rear entrance.

Armand Rosewood
As you leave the Theatre, you start looking for mystics, psyphics, seers, whoever will look for the man, for this Gerald Egrist for you. Psychics who claim to have knowledge of the universe and its inner workings are unable to find anything in regards to the man. Arcane mystics are unable to find any existance with that name, not in the future, nor in the past. Divine seers say their gods know not of this man, or they are not answering questions about him. Dejected, you continue on your way to the Lightless. The trip, which only took you a few hours to get to the Theatre, will take you a day and a half to return to Aedendra's home. You stop at a small inn, cheap, and without even a name on its sign. Your night, while not the most comfortable, goes by quite quietly. At one point though, a noise awakens you briefly, and as you look around, you see no sign as to what might have caused the noise, and you roll over and quickly fall back to sleep. You return to Aedendra's home near 'nightfall,' and you find that the front door is locked. You find this strange, because you don't even remember the door even having a lock, but the moment passes, and you knock on the door, waiting for Aluviel to come let you in. Eventually, the door cracks slightly, and then Jec stands in the doorway, and smiles as he lets you in. He informs you that Aedendra is currently with someone, and there does not seem to be any sign that they will be finished any time soon, and Aluviel has gone out, and she should be back in a day or so.

Twitch Grasskicker
You dance through the streets, easily catching the attention of others, and after your fourth performance you end up with a few jingling coins in your belt-pouch giving you a merry tune to dance to. Many of the Peacekeepers decline the offer of assistance by Twitch, and those that don't decline just completely ignore him. Several of them snort when you ask about heroic stories in relation to how they joined up, but none elaborate, and some tell him to just buzz off. Several nod in recognition of Dumathoin's Blessing, and several say they would be willing to look at your pieces on their off-time. You are sure that Orila Azzak will be quite happy with the increased foot-traffic, as well as the increased security. You know that the Skin and Fur is to the west, while the guilds, found within the Mayor's Wall and Moat is directly south of Dumathoin's Blessing. The Cartographer's Guild, located just inside the Wall on the southern end of the Mayor's Wall is a fairly large building, making you feel as if there is much regarding maps hidden inside. A half-orc stands at the door, asking for proof of membership, and also seems to be acting as a salesman of sorts.

Abbot Sinclair
The building is a run down hovel, large enough for about 7 or 8 people, and about 14 rooms. The roof looks solid, and mostly new (or repaired), and there is a slender walkway through some nocturnal plants. A very sturdy door stands at the front, and it that seems to be the only entrance into the house, with the exception of some small windows that look closer to arrow slits than true windows. When you return to your target's home, the half-Drow, you see it is much the same as it always was. You move closer, and nothing seems to happen, even when you walk up to the home to look for another entrance besides the front door. You find a second entrance to the rear, and as you open the door, it swings inward very quietly, allowing you access to the home. You look into the home, and there seems to be no light inside, and nothing is waiting for you on the other side of the door. A box stands against a wall opposite the door, and that is all you really see.

Without making a sound, Abbot Sinclair draws his cold iron kukri and and examines the room. After making out his surroundings he moves to the box and examines it.

Armand asks Jec about the lock curious of its sudden installation. After hearing what Jec has to say Armand retires to his bed waiting for the chance to speak to Aedendra. Armand contemplates the possibility that Gerald Egrist is merely an alias. That thought only makes Armand's want to find him ever stronger.

If Aedendra does not become available before to late Armand will sleep and try her in the morning. When he get the chance he discusses the dreams, Gerald Egrist, the play, it's connection to him, and even that he sensed her at the play. Armand asks for any information and advice she can offer on these matters.

Abott Sinclair
The box stands completely still, and then shakes as it suddenly opens, exposing a stair-well leading down. The darkness continues for a while, and then down near the bottom of the stairs is the flickering light of a torch, well below the street. The box's door hits the wall with a loud bang, despite your efforts. A voice calls down from a floor above you,

Didn't I tell you to leave Mayor Oz'mein? I am a very busy man, and I am entitled to my privacy. I have nothing to do with with your problems. Now leave, before I force you out.

As these words are being spoken, you can hear footsteps walking over you, and then heading back towards the front of the house. If you wait there long enough, a soft glow of light leads its way down the stairs in the front of the home.

Armand Rosewood
Jec tells you that the door always had a lock, there is just not usually a need for it, but Mother has a very special guest, and they did not want to be interrupted. As you go to your room to think, you lay back and you eventually fall asleep, knowing that Aedendra is still with her guest. You wake in the morning, only to discover that Aedendra is still with her guest. You wander about the home for a little while, and then there comes a knock at the door. If you go to see who has come for a visit, you see that it is Aliuviel, and she seems injured. You are not sure, but there is a slight limp to her step, but she just smiles at you, a smile that reaches her eyes and continues past.

Twitch takes the words of the many Peacekeepers with a smile knowing that by at least sending customers to Dumathoin's Blessing, he has broken 50/50 in what he hoped to accomplish. He walks up to the half-orc and inquires about the membership and asks what he is selling. If he doesn't have much success here, He heads over to check out the Skin and Fur.