Day 16.3: Daddy Issues

“Have you seen the yellow sign? Follow the yellow sign.”

 Who are these people trying to hurt the father? [They are not the enemy] I strike at a shiny construct, obviously glitching its programing who seems to be hurting the master, ignoring the other two living sacks. A mobile bone creature, attacks the master, then another appears behind him. Master is in danger. [They are friends!]

 In a blink, the mummified creature is in front of me. Why had I hesitated? I strike at the creature along with the rest of the party, Mutu and Charles making massive hits against it, killing it. It seems to falter, his last words whispering on the wind.

 “Have you seen the yellow sign? Follow the yellow sign.”

 What have these invaders done to the father!! I once again strike out at the shiny construct, but am unable to hit for some reason. [FRIENDS, don’t hurt!] The mobile bone creature envelopes me in its long skeletal limbs, but I slither away. Have to be faster than that! Distracted the shiny constructed does manage to restrain me, chiding me like a demented father. You are not my FATHER!! The chanty human begins some incessant bad rhyming, repeating it over and over. [Yes! Release Me] Gods save me, learn to rhyme.

 I shake my head, returning to myself and find Mutu has me grappled on the ground… Um, Mutu?? Dominated? Now I am pissed. I have enough demons in my head, there isn’t room for any others. (Thankfully I didn’t hurt anyone in my new family)

 

Chest Room & Workshop

Gaining my composure, I start looking for the next room and find another secret door leading to a room with two chests. The chests were bound in sigils to placate spirits. A plaque writing translated to Withered Dreams. More gossamer tangled around the chests. Mutu determines that the sigils were to keep the spirts lock into the chests, so we open them. We found 9 vials of gossamer/hair strands/ black veils (confirms there are 9 victims-6 remaining) along with a music box of whispers and more sheet music. Seems to be trophies(?) (or maybe the means to bind them) from Gregor’s victims. It seems like one of the vials and veils possibly belonged to Bessamie Balory(?)

HIM tried to ferry their souls – They were victims of Gerhart (Father) not Gregor. He ripped away their dreams and nightmares trapping their souls. The veils seem to be linked to the women – can’t sever the link, but might be able to use the veil to communicate with undead. (Not sure this is the time or place to check this out). The music box suddenly stops playing and the souls are released (but not yet free) as their souls and dreams are separated. 23 victims in total based on the items we found.

Souls released. Dreams trapped. Need to figure out how to reunite the souls and their dreams

Maybe use veil connection to speak with Bessamie Ballory?

 Continuing our exploration of this house of horrors, we find a workshop (S) and some [Artisan Tools: Woodworking] as well as other arcane paraphernalia. The next room (N) is a storage room containing jar sealed with black wax.

 

Altar Room

Moving further, we find another room (S) that leads to a ritual room with an alter and grotesque tapestries lining the walls. Within is an alter with skull and yellow bound tome. Sigils suroundint it in a circle made from dried blood (so not active). Diana & Kiren both got a queasy, recognizing only the intent of the place. Charle on the other hand (he really is a font of information today!) recognized it. Gregory must have contacted the Whisper of Shadows to gain knowledge/power from between worlds. I recognize the name. A dangerous individual who fractures any mind involved with him or near the entity.

 Mutu steps forward (sigh…) and three creatures erupt from the tapestries. Diana and Charles decide they are done playing (finally). Charles throws a fireball. Mutu creates an electric arc between them right before the blast. BOOM. Creature 1 dead (again?). My spell misses and in a fit of rage I throw a dagger – which funny enough crits. Diana loosed her fireball bead. BOOM. Creature #2 dead and then Him and Mutu strikes the remaining creature. Cleanup in alter 1 (#3 dead) The creatures were [Variations of Thatchlings].

 The yellow book is bound in skin and sinew and has making from a long lost language. Ask Geist about it. Claims he hadn’t seem anything like it even from before his imprisonment, but manages to get the gist of it.

            Play some music. Pay the Price. Get an answer to a question

(Not an outright lie, but also not completely truthful – Geist possibly bound against speaking again)

Using my insight into the planes, realize this is forbidden knowledge that could unbalance the worlds.

The Whisperer is said to be an ancient and otherworldly entity, dwelling in a realm that exists in the crevices of reality, a place where the fabric of existence is thin and malleable. They understand that this being is not bound by the laws of time and space as we know them and that it communicates in ways that can fracture the human mind, offering knowledge that is as dangerous as it is compelling.

There are dire consequences often faced by those who seek to contact the Whisperer. They know of many who have been driven mad by the mere proximity to such an entity, their minds overwhelmed by the vastness and terror of the knowledge they touched. I am wary of the price of such forbidden wisdom and the delicate balance one must maintain when delving into these dark corners of existence.

Moreover, I recognize the symbols, rituals, and signs associated with the Whisperer in Shadows, understanding both the allure and the risk they present. While I might not engage in these practices, their knowledge makes them a valuable resource for understanding the nature of the Whisperer and the ways in which it might influence the world.

It is a tool for a gateway. Normally you would go to the Whisper of Shadows to ask the question. Using the book, someone found a way to summon him to this plane, piercing the veil with flesh. (Control however would be iffy)

Mutu & Charles desanctify the room while Diana cleaned. I meanwhile look for more rooms and found another secret door.

 

Wine Cellar

We found a well-stocked wine cellar with various expensive vintages. Mutu decided we should take it all, including the crystal wine glasses in the storeroom (I’m so proud!!) Stair leading up to a ballroom/solarium or the servant’s quarters were only other exit it seems. Decided we needed to clean out all the rooms down here before leaving, so we headed back north to the entrance area where there were two doors left.

Left room lead to Shadow Sonata Chamber and right leads to Broken Music room.

 

Shadow Sonata Room

Choose left we find a harpsicord Gregor’s picture larger than life. Mutu called it “Last Wall” (Not sure how he knows this?) Mutu moved in to collect the scotch, glasses, and silver tray. A glance in a mirror captured his attention. Mutu sneered and unable to look away. I use telekinetic projectile to knock the mirror to the ground, shattering it. The blast of power erupts and an evil Mutu appears.  He hits HARD! The party works together to dispel another [HAUNT] by excising the spirit while I cover the mirror up. Find Spiritsight & Dreamtime Teas and Last Wall Brandy

How did Mutu know what the brandy was?

Broken Music Room

Checking the room of Broken Music, we find a poltergeist in the form of a ghostly conductor. Seems he really like to hear people play as phantom instruments appear for each of us – except Charles – and we are compelled to play. Charles realizes you can banish the instruments through performance. I perform flawlessly on my Kazoo and it fades. The others had a bit more trouble so helped them out. (Who knew my circus musical days would come in handy.) Mutu decided to perform a dance with his music and, well… lets just say he overwhelmed the conductor with distain and banished him.

 

Hidden Chamber in WIne Cellar

Rechecking my map, I found an area back to the south that was blank and didn’t overlap with the next level. Normally I would disregard it, but the chamber was too perfect (squared off walls) to be a mistake. The party investigates and finds a hidden room. More graves and dirt. To the north a living wall depicts a beach city by a black lake – Nod. An instrument plays and an open grave surrounded by stones carved with sigils. A mural on the wall by the grave reads “Bind what can’t be chained.”

The entity reveals himself as the Whisperer of Shadows, encouraging us to ask questions and gain power and knowledge. Even tries to bait me with my sister’s whereabouts. But there is always a price – a high price. Declining the offer Diana decides the best course of action – and starts to bury him with her shovel full of dirt.