Day 5.1: Creepy Dolls & 5 Familes

I really hate creepy dolls. Especially when I can’t kill the creepy buggers…

Bitch shot me with a dart and paralyzed my left arm. (I really need to figure out what that stuff is as could be useful later!) then taunted me.

“Tick tock, tick tock, into the night I flee. Tick tock, tick tock, You will again see me!”

Tried one last attempt to kill her, but missed. Scampers into the forest – not suicidal enough to follow her but she is SO going on the LIST. Once out of range, Charles blue glow dissipates so no other undead/trapped souls around. Removing the needles, removes the paralysis, but a lingering cold remains within my limb. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for the girl.

The stitches on her mouth weren’t finished (thankfully) and faded away as did the needle spikes, yet she wouldn’t wake up, slipping into a dreaming coma based on the rapid eye movements. Fear she may be trapped in the land of nightmares and shadows (shudders).

I don’t remember anything like this before, but Mutu said he did. This was a ritual of some sort, although those normally take longer, magical in nature, so possibly a curse. Lady Beatrice claim that was impossible as her charms and sigils would have prevented it and accused us of causing this catastrophe. I told her of the tag (which of course was conveniently missing from the doll). She didn’t believe us and said we were in league with Radu to kill her daughter. (who she had sent Henrick to fetch). Mutu pointed out that if her wards were so strong, then this would never have happened so maybe they weren’t as strong as she thought – that shut her up, along with me finding the tag from the doll, just as Radu arrived

She studied the handwriting – it’s not Gregory’s hand, a VERY good forgery, but not his. Radu explained that he received the doll from a clerk of the company – [YOHAN SCHMIT], 40’s, with mustache, glasses, and always wore crisp white shirt and a distinctive scar over his eye. She confirmed that was what Yohan looked like but that he was currently on leave. Radu did say he insistent on meeting him outside the office and didn’t want anyone to know of the gift, but Radu had no reason to suspect anything as he was a clerk of the company and Radu often accepted package deliveries on behalf of the company. Yohan was one of the only clerks Beatrice kept on. Possible betrayal – maybe, but would be very surprised. She did mention he had a gambling problem and visited the House of Bones in Lepestad. Could someone trying to set up the Pendergrasts?

Something isn’t right.

Mutu offers for us to look into the issue in return for her knowledge of the elf gates. She agreed and sent Henrick for a contract.

Meanwhile we pump her for information on who might want the families fighting

Five Families of Importance:

1)      Baumgartners (Beatrice)

2)      Pendergrasts (Gregor)***

3)      Bethlens

4)      Telekis

5)      Dragffys^^^

***Pendergrasts took over for the Balory family after a series of poor financial investments which the Pendergrasts bought up, thus displacing them. Only remaining heir is [ELIZA BALORY] owner of the Balory Parlor (Salon) a frequent haunt for the elite and political rulers which has music concerts in which Gregor is NOT invited.

^^^ Dragffys rumors that they managed to become part of the elite 5 only due to a dispute over land where he cheated [someone] out of valuable property. Also, youngest [ANDRE de DRAGFFY] hothead who also had a huge gambling problem and was known to frequent the House of Bones. Perhaps he met up with the clerk there. [Bribery? Extortion? Gambling debt owed to him by clerk?]

Asked what she knew of Gregor –

Superficial musician (really not good from all accounts). Used to hold concerts and always bring this weird doll with him. Doll??? – Raven hair, porcelain doll, seemed very old – rumor that a soul was trapped in it. Supposedly his father (Gabriel) imprisoned the youngest Balory child in a doll. Always had it with him for like 18 years, but recently (past 2 months) has not been seen with the doll. (Since his father disappeared/declared dead)

            Gregory had father declared dead (disappeared)

            Sister Greta also disappeared and no one knows where she is.

When we told her the doll that attacked her daughter was a trapped soul, Beatrice blanched. While Henrick gone she gave us a reward – [COIN of COMFORT] – banishes whatever causes the fear – we gave to Mutu for now. Told us her father was a friend of the Pendergrasts, NOT her. She always though Gregor was creepy.

Henrick returns with contract:

·              We will investigate the attack on her daughter and share information (possibly discover how to break curse)

·              She will share information on the elf gates the Professor seeks

·              Will offer limited resources to call upon for support in the investigation

Beatrice decides to leave for the capitol via the river (1.5 day travel). Staff concerned it will be the Blood Moon in 2 days hence. She won’t be deterred. Allows us the run of the house (O.O!!) and she leaves in the morning.

Investigating the house:

Music room – find a WIP musical score with the signature of Gregor. I manage to play what is written well – unfortunately the music is not. Bizarre, discordant, dissonate – like trying to simulate the scurrying of small animals. An unpredictable score that creates a sense of unease. [POCKETS MUSIC SHEETS]

The rest of the house is very uninteresting, general items not worth “collecting”.

Library – Mixed books of various genres with trinkets spaced out in between. We did find 3 books on summoning magic 1) Der Kulteder Ghule, 2) Versteckte Kulte 3) Misterele Taramului Viselor (will have to read later as right now, exploration is more important while I have “permission” to do so.) We checked on the girl once more – no change. Seems to be dreaming. Beatrice told us to take the books we found as she had no need of them and would rather, they not be in the house. (Done!)

 

Day 6

Slept well –rich people have good beds!

Lady insisted on leaving on the 8th despite concerns about the Blood Moon the next day (9th). We escorted her to her boat with her daughter and she invited us to travel with her. Declined as we still had things to check out here. As she leaves, Henrick disinvites us (he had no sense of manners – he’ll pay for that)

We return to Poiana along the same path. Once again get sense of being watched. Hot foot it out of there. Really not in the mood for red mist again. Upon reaching the Inn we notice a stone antenna on the roof that hadn’t been there before. I skirt the outside while the others talk with the innkeeper about the new addition. Through the open door I hear them claim “Little ones and their shenanigans. Better not to notice them.” How can you not notice a stone….um, it’s gone. Checked to see if it was just invisible, but no. The stone lightning rod/chimney thing disappeared. Not sure I like whatever these “little ones” are. (NEED MORE INFORMATION)

We decided to return to the crypt to really investigate the elf gate to see if we can discover anything else that we might have missed. In the daylight (not sure how its brighter, but het, going with it) we are able to make out what looks like a face/bird/owl on the gate. The words are still unreadable although I can identify it as elven and the metal is still missing, so no one had used the gate.

Mutu and I were totally absorbed in the gate, but Charles noticed a puddle of water next to the last coffin. I don’t remember that being there before. There didn’t seem to be any source for the water. The coffin itself had etches from something caustic leaving scratches in the wood. Closer examination of the water shower black motes to be floating in the liquid. As Charles stepped closer, a protoplasmic ooze formed with the black motes suspended within it form, a foreboding atmosphere surrounding it. (I’m really beginning to hate these dame black motes!)

Charles slashed at it, but the substance doesn’t seem to be very susceptible to slashing or piercing (water – big surprise) but doesn’t seem to like cold as much. Mutu bashing it however worked quite well.

Guess it’s goo time!

Tagged: Gatewalkers, Kiren, Player Journal