Realms of Dread, Chapter Four

[kintire]

Shana nods soberly.

"I'm afraid I have bad news. There has been a double murder at the temple of Lathander... and a robbery, as well. A senior priest called Thumast Alfane, and an acolyte called Mikam. A young boy...

The priests have asked for Lathander's guidance, and we know a little about the killer. A former priestess, known to Alfane, but now in a new body. There is a possible lead as well: a female elf claiming to be a priestess visited the temple a few days before the incident, but was not seen again and did not join the rituals. We have a description of this person."

She takes a deep breath

"I'm helping the priests with the case. I had an appointment with Alfane and reported him missing. That includes providing any help I can to you, of course."

[ewancummins]

Shana nods soberly.

"I'm afraid I have bad news. There has been a double murder at the temple of Lathander... and a robbery, as well. A senior priest called Thumast Alfane, and an acolyte called Mikam. A young boy...

The priests have asked for Lathander's guidance, and we know a little about the killer. A former priestess, known to Alfane, but now in a new body. There is a possible lead as well: a female elf claiming to be a priestess visited the temple a few days before the incident, but was not seen again and did not join the rituals. We have a description of this person."

She takes a deep breath

"I'm helping the priests with the case. I had an appointment with Alfane and reported him missing. That includes providing any help I can to you, of course."

Rask replies-

''Great Helm watch over us all! She killed a priest and a young boy, too, you say? Shana, your friends are currently working another very important case. Neither case is a simple matter that I can hand over to my less-experienced men. I may have to have to split the team. Hmmm...you work well with Blaise Redman, don't you? I'll see if LT Guischard can spare the man...''

[Lord Skybolt]

Threan heads out to find them on the way though he stops at the orphanage to give a donation .

[ewancummins]

Alain, Blaise, Jamethon- en eoute to the orphanage

As the trio of investigators crosses town on foot, Jamethon asks Alain,

''Any specific orders; or should we just begin by questioning the staff and children, examining the scene, and taking notes?''

[steveflam]

Late one evening, not much longer after her practicing with her newly created friends, the elf departs for the seedier part of Marsember. She keeps to the shadows best she can, and soon finds the destination she seeks. Keeping her cloak's hood up, she enters the establishment.

Looking around she spies the man she came to see, and walks to his table, sitting. Lowering her hood, she smiles at the man. As always, in a low voice for his ears only, she speaks, leaning towards him"Evenin' Hoprig. I hope ye've had a good few days. I did have time ta think about what I wanted, an I dunno the name, but I does know it kin hide me appearance an race even. I think that perhaps ye might know of this type of item, given whatye do fer a livin, friend."

She grins at him, glad to see the heavyset man. She is positive he can help her, given their previous business together.

[ewancummins]

evening, a scummy little bar


Hoprig belches, wipes his mouth, and answers the elf-maid.


''Maybe I heard of something like that. Let me think...''

[BigBadQDaddy]

Alain, Blaise, Jamethon- en eoute to the orphanage

As the trio of investigators crosses town on foot, Jamethon asks Alain,

''Any specific orders; or should we just begin by questioning the staff and children, examining the scene, and taking notes?''

Alain looks at Jamethon uneasily. "That sounds about right." He keeps walking for a minute or so without saying another word, although it is doubtless he is uncomfortable about his most recent promotion.
"Listen, this appointment of rank...it has come as a bit of a shock. I just want you two..and the rest of our troupe to know...I have no doubt about your capabilities. I will not be pulling rank on any of you. I say we go on as we always have. As equals. If the captain wishes to call me Lieutenant, then so be it. It will just have to be another role for me to play. The only reason I joined this militia anyway was so I could remain armed while investigating the strange occurrences of the area."

[ewancummins]

Alain, Blaise, Jamethon- en eoute to the orphanage

Alain looks at Jamethon uneasily. "That sounds about right." He keeps walking for a minute or so without saying another word, although it is doubtless he is uncomfortable about his most recent promotion.
"Listen, this appointment of rank...it has come as a bit of a shock. I just want you two..and the rest of our troupe to know...I have no doubt about your capabilities. I will not be pulling rank on any of you. I say we go on as we always have. As equals. If the captain wishes to call me Lieutenant, then so be it. It will just have to be another role for me to play. The only reason I joined this militia anyway was so I could remain armed while investigating the strange occurrences of the area."

''Of course, Alain, I understand.''

It isn't long before the party arrives at the Ingleoarn Home of Orphans.

The building is an unremarkable two storey structure, stucco with a slate roof like many buildings in the city.
. A worried looking middle-aged woman post your group and invites you inside-

''You men are with the militia, yes?''

[Jamethon is wearing his badge openly, BTW]

[ewancummins]

in a quiet corner of town

The cloaked figure leans forward on the balls of his feet and grabs Hoprig's weasel-faced little lackey by the jacket.

''Where is my money, you worm?''

The man begins to panic-
''Don't worry, you'll get it. I swear! Please, please don't hurt me!''



The cloaked man reacts almost the very second he hears a woman's voice from the shadows of the nearby alley- but 'almost' isn't fast enough to save him from her magic. His limbs lock into place, his shout dies on his lips before it can be heard. Only his eyes can move. He blinks furiously, as if this alone could break the spell that holds him prisoner. His hands are so close to his weapons, if only he could move!

He spots motion out of the corner of his eyes- a familiar face moving into view. There's a flash of green streaking through the air towards him and then he is engulfed in terrible pain as acid eats into his face! His eyes burn and his vision begins to blur.


Above the pounding of his own heart, he hears the scrape of daggers coming out of sheathes, and the footsteps of several people approaching him. Still he cannot move to help himself. He feels the knives stab into his armpits, groin, and neck, over and over again. The pain is only temporary. Soon comes the cold and the darkness...

[Lord Skybolt]

Threan walks to orphanage . Then when he gets there looks for some one suited to take his donation . As he does not want to put his donation in a drop slot as it were .

[Le Noir Faineant]

Shana nods soberly.

"I'm afraid I have bad news. There has been a double murder at the temple of Lathander... and a robbery, as well. A senior priest called Thumast Alfane, and an acolyte called Mikam. A young boy...

The priests have asked for Lathander's guidance, and we know a little about the killer. A former priestess, known to Alfane, but now in a new body. There is a possible lead as well: a female elf claiming to be a priestess visited the temple a few days before the incident, but was not seen again and did not join the rituals. We have a description of this person."

She takes a deep breath

"I'm helping the priests with the case. I had an appointment with Alfane and reported him missing. That includes providing any help I can to you, of course."

Rask replies-

''Great Helm watch over us all! She killed a priest and a young boy, too, you say? Shana, your friends are currently working another very important case. Neither case is a simple matter that I can hand over to my less-experienced men. I may have to have to split the team. Hmmm...you work well with Blaise Redman, don't you? I'll see if LT Guischard can spare the man...''

Ironheart, who presumably had stayed to wait for Shana,
looks down on his own feet to hide a smirk...

[kintire]

Shana nods gratefully

"We'll resolve this issue as quickly as possible. Hopefully it shouldn't take long, with a description of the culprit"

[Ken of Ghastria]

Before entering, Blaise responds to Alain, "No worries, my fellow scholar - I'll be just as disrespectful of you as I would anyone else." Smiling, he pats Alain on the shoulder.

His jovial attitude fades as he sees the woman's anxious expression. "Yes, we're from the militia." He introduces himself, Alain, and Jamethon. "And your name, madam...?"

[ewancummins]

the orphanage-


The woman answers Alain,

''My name is Yorna. I'm the purser for the orphanage. Please come in.''

[ewancummins]

Rask's office-

''Hmmmmm...Alain deliberately left Ironheart behind and took Blaise with him to investigate the orphanage case. He must need Blaise more for this phase of the investigation. I won't question that without reason.
I need someone reliable, so Ironheart, I'm putting you in charge of finding the woman who murdered Thumast Alfane and young Mikam and who robbed temple of Lathander. Don't kill anyone you don't have to kill, but feel free to knock heads together- so long as these are disreputable heads we're talking about, yes? I'd forward you some men for extra muscle...but somehow I think that would be superfluous. ''