Day Ten

The battle with the doll rages on. Charles pulls a spine from his leg and continues to join in battle. Kiren, bloodlust in her eyes, presses the fight. Mutu on the other hand closes the window behind the doll when it crawls outside. The doll continues to flee but taunts the group. Threatening to return at some point. Checking on Oleksandra it is noted that the thread sewing her mouth shut is beginning to fade away. She appears to be in a dream like state, similar to a coma. Yet the affect is magical in nature both ritual magic and a curse. 

Beatrice accuses the party of being the ones that brought the cursed doll into the house. That is until Kiren finds the note and passes it to her. Beatrice debunks the idea that the note came from Gregor. She believes it to be a good forgery of his hand writing. Radu admits that he did not get the doll from Gregor but instead one of his clerks. He begins to describe Johan Schmit as a man with a distinctive scar above his eye. Beatrice informs the group that Johan has been on leave for a month. Beatrice and Mutu converse and agree to share information when we obtain any about the doll or, Johan, or how Pendegrasts may be involved with the curse on her daughter. She in turn offers a coin that will banish fear in a time of need. The party agrees that Mutu should carry the coin for good luck. Beatrice tells the party of the five families: Bethlens, Dragffys, Telekins, Pendergrasts, and Baumgartners. The Balory had been part of the five, but were replaced by the Pendergrasts when the Balory family fell into debt. 

Beatrice did talk about Gregor and his doll a bit too. Gregor’s dad was declared dead. There is a rumor that the doll of Gregor has a trapped soul in it. Some suggest that it might be the sould of Balory in it. Finally, Beatrice heads to Lepidstadt and the party returns to Poiana. 

Did the party head to town and see a weird lighting rod on the inn? No, they went to the elf gate to further investigate it. Charles notices a puddle of water near the gate and the closest coffin. Motes flare up and there appear to be signs of acid. Is this from the withering man? Before being able to investigate further the pool transforms and solidifies. The solid mass attacks the party.