NM Part 5

2013-01-04T04:18:21Z

Nitro: Created page with 'The group finds themselves in the Wark and Kupo tavern, the lost souls referred to only as 'they' still clawing at the door to the safe haven. While you try and get some rest an…'

The group finds themselves in the Wark and Kupo tavern, the lost souls referred to only as 'they' still clawing at the door to the safe haven. While you try and get some rest and work out a guard duty roster for the night you're still left to ponder the papers taken from the Sheriff's office. Among them a note for the Sheriff to appear at the William Hess Murder Trial at the town hall, a missing persons notice for a 12 year old boy at the request of the Marlon Family, and a note to check a local pawn shop for a stolen wedding Ring.

Hunched down and resting against the wall by the barred door, Alba's ears twitch and jump, splayed wide to mirror the profound displeasure on her face. "I shall take the first watch," she says, pitching her voice to carry to the ends of the taproom. "It would be wise if two claimed each watch; better to guard the night with four eyes and four ears." Falling silent again, her lip curls faintly, and she throws up an elbow to *THUMP* against the heavy beam blocking the door, after a particularly savage burst of scratching. "Your *head* in my mouth," she mutters, the words said in the manner of a mild threat.

Ka'Len nods to Alba, "a sound ide-what?" He stares at her after the muttering and then shakes his head a little while flicking through the pages. "I'm not sure I want to face the criminal just yet. Lets go looking for the boy tomorrow or the ring perhaps?" He settles down with his back tucked into a corner while trying to make himself comfortable, but not too comfortable. Not that the scratching is really going to let him get much sleep regardless.

Sebastion is comforted by Alba's insistance in taking up the first watch, though he doesn't move from the spot he picked. He seems to be perfectly willing to sit and observe the door and windows as much as Alba is. The comfort is shown in visible relaxation, though his sword his still on his lap. He runs his finger over the flat surface of it, as if petting a really sharp cat. "The ring," he suggests, "It's a scavenger hunt, but the criminal may be very unhappy to see us, if he's anything like these things." 'These things' being the former people clawing at the door.

Remi was quietly strumming his Lute for a while, trying to calm himself down some, but has since stopped to let everyone try and get some sleep- having curled down on the ground as well. He peeks out with one eye open for a few moments, a single ear perked as well as he listens to the various suggestions, and then just nods some, agreeing, before trying to settle down enough to atleast catnap.

The summoner himself is oddly quietly, not realy moving and not really doing much. In fact it appears he might actually be asleep and leaning back his staff tucked up aginst one arm and the summoner completely out of it already, clearly exhausted from the day really. Yet he suddenly speaks up slowly, "It is in a sense, we seem to have a good idea where to start looking for four of the stories we need to complete. It will be a long day tomarrow and right now our biggest race coming up is against starving. Rest well."

Bob floats lazily about the room. At the subject of food he looks to Marduke "Should be safe to eat the food in here, always has been before. I mean I don't remember anyone dieing from it at least." He lands on the bar and is otherwise silent.

The night for the most part is uneventfull, while 'they' continue to claw and pound on the door and shutters whatever force that makes this place a safe haven continues to keep them at bay. After awhile the sounds die out and that same muted sunlight begins to filter back into the room. The tolling of the nearby belltower heralding the dawn.

Alba comes awake all at once, a dagger whispering out from its sheath, ears snapping upright and alert. Having slept uninterrupted following her watch, she seems at least partially more relaxed than before... likely the lack of clawing things is large part of the reason. Levering herself to her feet, the Viera slinks toward the pile of goods collected from the pantry, dividing out a portion of salt-beef, bread, and hard, sharp cheese for each.

Towards the end of the night Ka'Len took his turn at the watch. He had been just about ready to wake everyone when the bell goes off and there's a light snort, "well nevermind then." A nod is given Alba and he looks at the food before sniffing at it quietly, "alright so I'd say eat and we'll go exploring, we'll eat better when we come back later. Don't want things to get.. I don't know, infected, by taking them out or anything. I'm probably not making sense."

Sebastion wakes up, picking up his sword, when the bell tolls. He grimaces. He had pulled off the scar in his sleep, exposing the tattoo that creeps up the left side of his neck to his jaw. He affixes the scarf loosely back over the lower half of his face, pulling it down a bit to show his mouth, and stands up slowly. He yawns loudly and heads over to get his meal before they head out again. "The Pawn Shop, right?" he confirms with everyone, just to clear his brain gunk.

Remi managed to get through his own guard duty well enough earlier that night, and now wakes up again, curled on the floor, arms wrapped around his Lute as if the instrument somehow provides comfort. At the bell, he stirrs though, and slowly starts to sit up, rubbing his eyes before he peers around... And lets out a breath, happy it's dawn again.

Bob pops up from the bar and floats about the room. "Ah Smitty's Pawn Shop. West side of town in the slums.. baaaad neighborhood. Well at least it used to be, think everyone's dead there now. Good a place as any to start."

"Then it is likely their shades remain ill-tempered," Alba says with a careless half-shrug. Brushing the remains of her meal from her hands, she uncoils and casts her dark-eyed gaze about the room. "So. Shall we see what surprises Father Antlion yet keeps in wait for us?"

Ka'Len finishes eating as well and dusts off his hands before he walks over to the door. The young man takes a breath and then gives himself a shake before he murmurs, "lets just hope it's not something too nasty, though I'm sure it will be." He unbolts the door and then creeks it open a little, peering out then and if everything looks quiet he'll open the door the rest of the way and take a step out.

Sebastion gives a bemused chuckle at the word 'antlion,' and reaches up to pull the scarf over his mouth and nose, having finished his meal. He picks up the sword he set down a moment ago, and prepares to depart with everyone else, ready to find this Pawn Shop. He seems wary, but no more than the group was when they first arrived.

Remi managed to eat as well, quickly and efficiently, having learned long ago to grab a bite when he can in survivalist situations. Slinging his Lute across his shoulder afterwards and straightening his clothes, he starts following after the others, squinting a bit at the daylight outside as he steps out onto the street, "Hey Bob, does anything scary come out during the day much? Like that clown?" He asks.

Marduke wakes up slowly and pushes off to his feet and gets himself food. Glancing about he just nods slowly and shrugs his shoulders, rather relaxeda bout it all it seems. A glance to Alba and nods, "Lead the way then, im good with wherever." Picking up the book to carry it along. A glance to Ka'Len, "Wards are probably strong enough during the day. bodies are in the houses maybe not sure and not about to find out."

Bob looks to Remi "Ummm don't think so, course it's been awhile. At least if there is I don't remember. But yeah, Pawn shop Ahoy!" He seems to smile as he floats out the door.

Alba remains on guard during their journey toward the pawn shop, eyes and ears never still, one hand wrapped about the hilt of one of her heavy, curved daggers. Conversation remains her weakest skill, as she prowls through the streets, speaking up only now and again to take direction from the skull.

Ka'Len isn't much for conversation himself, though he gives Marduke a long look then turns it upon the buildings. There's a shudder before the man moves on a bit quicker. "Let's hope that it's a nice long day. After lastnight I don't think I'm going to sleep comfortably for a whle."

Sebastion glances aside at Ka'Len, briefly, as he hears those words. The man in the armor makes a thoughtful 'hrmph' noise, examining their surroundings quietly and cautiously as they travel. He doesn't anything to input for conversation, though.
Remi glances at Ka'Len and nods, agreeing, "Yah... Me either.." Before he falls silent again and just stays in the middle of the group, looking around and his ears swiveling this and that, trying to pay attention to what's around them, hoping everything will stay quiet but trying to be ready all the same.

"A luxury." Offers Marduke with a rather grim tone to his voice. Yet that is all he offers on that subject as he keeps his own eyes out making their way to the pawn shop. "The real question is, do we have any clue what to do with the ring once and if we find it?" A glance to the others.

Like before their travel takes them to the Y-Intersection begining at the town hall, this time Bob floating down the lefthand path. The road is simple cobblestone as the group passes several small businesses, a Curio shop, an Apothicary amoung them. Finally after passing a church the party enters the slums. These building are worn and dirty, having seen the ravages of time more than the rest of the city. Bob floats past the Drooling Marlboro tavern, last known location of the remaining Toriss brother, an air of malevolence hangs about that building hinting about what might be lurking inside. Your 'guide' finally stops in front of a rather unassuming building, the universeal pawn shop sign hanging over the door. Like all the buildings in town the windows are shuttered but the door is not boarded over.

"Perhaps there is an inscription upon the ring," Alba muses as they reach the door to the Pawn shop, slipping up to place her back to the wall beside it. "Regardless. We shall see what we may." The door is opened, and after sparing a moment to check the immediate inside for obvious dangers, she waves the rest within.

Ka'Len looks at Marduke, slowing a step before he shakes his head, "I've the feeling that it will present itself to us. Or at least I hope it will." The tavern is given a wary look as they pass by and then he takes a few moments to examine the outside of the pawnshop before slipping in once Alba waves them within.

Sebastion follows in with the rest, waiting so that he's the last one to enter. With Alba entering first, he acts to cover the rear of the group, thinking tactically. He keeps the sword raised, and looks for anything in the mists. Like errant clowns. A grimace shows on his face, thinking about it. Perhaps it had affected him more than he's letting on...?

Remi stares at the Drooling Marlboro as they pass it, ears splaying at the evil feel that seems to come right off it... Before he distracts himself as they arrive at their destination, looking up at the pawn shop instead and watching Alba open the door before he carefully starts to step inside. Hoping the fact the first person who went in wasn't attacked means it's safe.

Marduke hmms a moment, "If it was that simple." He offers with a faint smile, "Let us find the ring first and then go from there. Look for any ledgers of buys and sales, and the shelves. Though this is a ring, probably locked up, keys to." shrugging his shoulders as he opens the door and steps into the pawn shop. "Watch out for clowns."

Alba slips in behind the others, wandering about the counter by the till, fingerclaws trailing over the countertop as she examines the items on display. "Such places," she murmurs, half to herself, "there seems to be such sadness within them. To trade cherished things, simply to put bread in the mouth of a child... Ai. Wetlanders."

Ka'Len's hand strays to the hilt of his sword, but he doesn't pull it. However as Marduke brings up the clown he shudders a little bit and looks around before he breaths out, "I'm hoping there's nothing worse than them." He pauses, head tilting towards Alba's words before he starts to actually look at the items that have been stored in the building. "Never thought about that.."

Sebastion slips into the pawn shop, still as silent as before. He dutifully begins searching for wherever this ring is supposed to be, mild distraction in his eyes. He doesn't bother with the conversation, but he does give Marduke a disapproving look on the comment about clowns.

Remi stays near the entrance/exit even after stepping inside, just looking at all the items that are on display without touching any, though he does glance at Alba at her statement and looks thoughtful for a moment. Afterwards, he pipes up some, "What were we looking for again?"

Marduke sighs softly as he runs his hand along a shelf looking for a ring. "Lost more then sad. This whole place has a sad feeling, lost, and angry. It is said that the reason undead attack the living with such anger is that they are being who cannot live, and have not died. They resent the living for the lives they can still live. This place has that feel, for all it has lost. Yet here, this place. Not always does one sale to feed a child, the reasons people come to shops is varied, from just old stuff, to thieves selling stolen goods, and of course to feed a child." A shake of his head as he offers a sad smile moving to another shelf.

The pawn shop is pretty standard as they go. Shelves of various items line the walls and a caged-in counter dominates the far wall. A quick search of the shelves reveals a few items that stand out. A surprisingly well-maintained curved Mithril Dagger, a high-quality Violin, and a pair of hand-carved Chess pieces made apparently from Ivory. A white Knight and White pawn. Unremarkable in and off themselves though standing out since the rest of the set is absent. The door of the back counter made of steel bars with a rather sturdy-looking lock.

During her search, Alba's gaze rests on the dagger for a good while, her eye tracing its workmanship and quality quite appreciatively. Though it seems to pain her somewhat, however, eventually she moves away. "It is a lovely gift, Father Antlion," she murmurs, "but I shall not chance it until we are done here." The steel door, rattled once, experimentally, the Viera's nose wrinkling in frustration. "Likely it will be where precious metals and the like are... Perhaps there is one of us, skilled in teasing such locks open?"

Ka'Len's eyes wander over the items. Each of them drawing his appreciation and he starts to reach towards the ivory knight then pauses as he overheards Alba. Looking towards her then the young man frowns before shaking his head while moving to join her. "No sadly not.. perhaps one of the keys will fit the lock?"

Sebastion's eyes are drawn by the chess pieces. He gazes upon them, eyes lingering for a while. His brow furrows faintly, a hand reaching out... he hesitates, and lets his hand drop to the side, when attention is drawn to something more relevant, and he realizes

Ka'Len was looking at the chess pieces. He looks off at the door behind the counter as it's brought up, brows raising. His taciturn mood doesn't waver. Since he still doesn't have anything to offer, he reaches to pick up the chess pieces between his fingers, if they aren't in a display or something, and turn them over in his hand curiously.

Remi peeeeeeers at the violin for a long time, his interest in it a given, the Bard studying its features in detail. He suddenly shakes his head a bit however, as if trying to get rid of the urge he undoubtedly has, and finally manages to tear his gaze off it to look at the door, before shrugging a bit and stepping forward some, "If one of the keys doesn't fit, I can try picking it."

Marduke glances over each item in turn, "Each item has memories and stories that would go with them." Yet he doesn't seem all that terribly interested in each item, eyes still looking around. "No ledger at the counter then I take it?" He offers moving to head over to the counter, "Alba is right, we should not be taking anything. We may be back though, these items may have other special values."

The keys are clearly labeled as to what door they open. None of them fitting the pawn cage's lock. The chess pieces looking like ordinary pieces, worn through use but well-made and at one time likely worth alot of money. Both are engraved at the base with a symbol of crossed swords behind a shield. There is a ledger on the counter, unfortunatly it is closed and is on the counter inside the metal cage. Bob simply floats around absently, having nothing to add to the investigation.

Alba throws a speculative look at the skull, one eyebrow arching. "...Quiet, you are, for one who refuses to admit he is truly dead," she murmurs, stepping away from the steel-barred door. "Tchah... so we must chance the displeasure of the owners of this shop... Remi?" Looking to the bard, then nodding at the door, the suggestion is made clear.

Ka'Len remains quiet as he moves to the side so that Remi can attempt the door though he murmurs afterwards, "I should've brought one of the guns that Mordecai's been teaching me to use. I could attempt to pop it then likely."
"Looks like a family crest," Sebastion remarks off-hand to no one in particular about the symbol he sees under the chess pieces, "Or a crafter's mark." He spares a few more moments of examination, and then looks over at the others. A mild wilt of disappointment on his brows, and a hopeful raise again as he looks over to Remi, waiting for his success (or failure) with the lock.

Remi just nodnods at Alba and then steps forward, towards the door... A hand slipping into a pocket and coming out with a pair of thin, metal rods. Whatever use they would normally have, their current one is to try and pick the lock. The Bard not paying attention to anything else anymore as he gets to work, quietly humming as he does to apparently help him concentrate as he tries to use one of the rods as a tension bar to attempt to unlock the door while the other rakes across the tumblers.

"Or clues, pieces to the puzzles we have. The key to the pawn shop may be in another building." Marduke offers with a soft sigh and holds a hand to his head considering. "If we can't get past the lock lets consider taking the items and moving to another building." Pulling up the book though he is carrying and flipping it open, glancing through each chapter just in case something showed up. Then glancing over to Remi to watch the lock picking.

The lock is old, but still strong. Though it does eventually give way to Remi's efforts with a quiet *clunk* and the door swings open easily enough. The cabinets in the cage are filled with more unusual items, some potions well past their prime, various gemstones, but no jewelery. The ledger is worn but readable, the final entry in the book being that he'd appraised a simple gold ring brought to him by a man named Davis. There's a note to send his offer to buy the ring from him to the Town Church.

Alba flips through the leger, studiously ignoring the gems and clearly off potions, nodding to herself as her eyes flick over the final entry. "Very well... the Church, this will be the next waystone upon this path." Pausing to nod her thanks to Remi, resting a hand upon the bard's shoulder, she slips clear of the crowd, waving the point of her knife toward the door... and pauses, looking from her dagger, to the shining mythril one winking on its rack. Making a highly annoyed sound at the back of her throat, she stops dead, wavering in her resolve to pick the thing up.

Ka'Len mills about quietly and finds himself by Sebastion, looking at the chess pieces as he ponders quietly. "They certainly stand out.." he murmurs before looking at Alba when she mentions the church. There's a quick nod and after a quick glance around he starts towards the door and pulls it open before looking back at the wavering. "Tempting it seems.."

Sebastion doesn't bother putting the chess pieces back where he found them, nor does he spare much interest for the gems. If anything's going to be cursed, it's going to be the shiny things, right? The chess pieces are put away in a pack he's been carrying with him, you know, to carry gil and other crap like that, while he gives an aloof shrug to himself. Like before, he's the last one through the door, more concerned about sudden surprises trying to get them from behind.

Remi looks perfectly innocent as the door swings open and he smoothly re-pockets the lockpicks afterwards. Smiling towards Alba then, he watches curiously as the book is retrieved, and then starts to follow everyone back out... Only pausing when the others do, and following their gaze with an arch of his brow. The violin managing to catch his interest again as he looks at it.

Marduke just shakes his head slowly as he smiles faintly, "careful, more often the items with the greatest value seem the least." To Sebastion and glances to Alba as he passes her, "It is a nice dagger, but be weary of greed." A shoot over to Remi, 'you as well, and good job with the lock. Lets head to the church, we wasting daylight." Moving towards the door.

Wether the items are taken or not the group eventually moves on. The church isn't far, acting as the boundry between the slums and the rest of the city. The wide doors opening easily enough revealing the typical church interior. Rows of pews lead up to an alter drapped in tattered silk, candles somehow still lit illuminate the room in a soft glow. The building gives a sense of peace to those that enter, this being one of the safe Havens that Bob spoke of earlier.

The only thing marring the scene is the skeleton laying face-down on the floor near the church's donation box a crossbow bolt sticking tip-first from it's back. By the way it's dressed the body was that of a Church Deacon. As the group looks on a translucent blue spirit appears in the room similar to the gate guard Alba and Sebastion saw before but dressed in the same garb as the skeleton. The spirit looks about heedless of the group and seems to drop somthing into the donation box before turning and before to walk away but stopping suddenly and facing the door. "What are you doing here? I did what you asked.. he'll never find the ring in time for the wedding. I want no more to do with this.. this underhanded scheming, and for what? So you can keep your family's 'purity', this is greed pure and simple." His eyes widen and he takes a step back. "What are you doing!? I did what you asked! No!" The spirit lurchs forward and falls, landing atop the skeleton and fading away.

Alba mutters under her breath the entire way from the pawn shop to the church, the bright mythril dagger bouncing restlessly in her hand, its sheath secured in place of the iron one at her back. Upon reaching the chapel building, she clears her throat. "It is perhaps wise if we disturb little, if this place is to remain safe. Perhaps I am in error, but I care not to know that we have ang--" And the Viera trails off, eyes widening as the ghost-drama begins to play out before them, the dagger in her hand gone still, knuckles white as she clenches it in tight fingers.

Ka'Len had begun to nod to Alba, but like her he freezes a bit. There's a quick glance to where he assumes the unseen attacker was and then afterwards the young man edges closer to the donation box. "Likely wrong.. but maybe, just maybe, he put it in here?" There's a quick glance at the skeleton before he shudders and starts trying to open the box to peer within.

Sebastion was quiet, no surprise, the entire way toward the Church. The sense of peace when they enter the building nearly staggers him, for some reason, his eyes squinting. He's an awfully tense fellow, and never quite peaceful, so he's not quite used to the sensation, and grumbles about it either way, at least until he sees the sight of the ghost. He reaches up to pull his scarf down, sheathing his sword, and approaching the skeleton. He kneels nearby, and lids his eyes. "Perhaps the deacon here is the reason this place is peaceful," he says, "There is no protection of the spirits here, I think, so..." He lets out a sigh. Sounds mildly sad, a rare emotion out of him. He stands upright soon after. "I'm starting to believe that there may be more corrupted souls in this place than just that elusive criminal," he speculates, "Or the ring is where the criminal is, if it's not here."

Remi blinks some as everyone takes the items that interest them, and after a few moments hesitation on his part, he just shruggas and ends up taking the violin... Figuring that if the items are cursed, one of them or all of them being taken won't make much of a difference. Following after the others then, idly studying the instrument as he walks, he only looks up as he stands by the church entrance and hears the ghost's voice. The Bard suddenly looking startled, and taking a quick step back, ending up peeking out from behind Alba. At least until the scene ends, and he looks at the skeleton instead, frowning quietly.

Marduke stops as he leans into his staff, eyes looking over the church. A glance to Alba, as she speaks only to be distracted like the rest by the sudden scene. Yet the moment the ghost vanishes he steps over and kneels by the skeleton and sighs softly, a tear in his eyes. "Troubled and torn, your spirit will never be at peace by your actions in life. Yet you were a man who followed the church, find your path again and help lead us to redeem that which holds you in death." Sighing softly as he looks the skeleton over and offering a prayer. Standing up he glances to Ka'Len, "Any luck?" A glance towards Sebastion and shakes his head, "The lands, most likely blessed would still keep their blessing. though his spirit may help." Glancing back to the skeleton, "He wanted us to see his last moments"

Stepping over the fallen Deacon the Donation box is opened, it is empty except for a single gold band. Removing the band from the box shows an inscription on the inside. "To Marissa Turner, may our love form a bond for all times."

Return to [[The Nightmare Manuscript]]

The Nightmare Manuscript

2013-01-04T04:04:52Z

Nitro:

NM Part 4

2013-01-04T04:02:52Z

Nitro: Created page with 'RECAP: After finding the town library and discovering the book that contains the group's 'story' the party has met a floating skull simply calling itself Bob that appears to be …'

RECAP: After finding the town library and discovering the book that contains the group's 'story' the party has met a floating skull simply calling itself Bob that appears to be a resident of the town. After telling them where they are and what they must do to leave the city they then had a brief encounter with another of the region's denizens.. the Clown. After recovering from the initial shock the party is left looking at the book's table of contents, which read. "Justice Unfound, A work Unfinished, A Duel Unresolved, Love Unrequited, A Family Undone."

Alba stares at the book on the table with evident distrust, ears folding back. "...Tchah," she spits, crossing her arms. "Tales are to be read, not lived." Leaning against the counter, shoulders hunched and head lowered, she stares out the window the clown was spotted through, refusing to look again at the book. "...But I suppose we lack for choice, in this place. Which chapter shall be read first?"

Ka'Len stares at the window for a bit longer before slowly starting to walk over to it. He peers out and then steps back again quickly before shaking his head, "Lets check one of the buildings then and uh... figure out what we're supposed to be doing I... guess?" He looks at Alba then before chewing on his bottom lip, "when all else fails start from the beginning."

Sebastion has been relatively quiet about the clown. Beyond the initial startle everyone else displayed, he didn't seem overly affected by it. It did made him tense; as a soldier, his default reaction to a scare is to get ready to stab something, so he's got that overall uneasy feel that everyone else does, in his own way. "Agreed," he says, after Ka'Len's words.

Remi keeps glancing at the window the clown appears at, bunny ears splayed and looking fidgety, not looking all of this one bit. He still manages to pay some attention to the conversation around him, though, and at the other's words, he nodnods, adding to Ka'Len's statement, "I guess we should go to whatever other building is closest to here, and go from there. I don't wanna wander around outside more than I have to."

Marduke is rubbing his head with a sigh and just shakes it. "One thing after another here it seems really." glancing to the book, "Well seems to be for you to carry Ka'Len. I suspect searching the other areas and seeing if there is anything said in the first chapter will help." Leaning into his staff and just glancing around with a sigh.

Bob just floats there as the group talks. "Well doesn't matter what order you take them in, just gotta finish them all. Might wanna get a move on though, you don't have alot of time till it gets dark. I suppose you found the Inn already? Couldn't have missed it it's the first major building you find when coming into town. Well when the sun goes down you best be high-tailing it back there before.. they come out."

"...They." Alba's eyes dart over to the skull, narrowing for just a moment in irritation. "...*They.*" And she pushes off the counter, making for the door. "If there is a 'they' that emerges after dark, then I have no wish to face it. Come. We go."

Ka'Len looks at Bob and he mutters, "they.... right I'm with Alba." He looks at the book, at Marduke and then back before sighing and grabbing it in one hand while putting the other on his sword hilt. "Right, if we face something nasty I'm dropping the book, someone else better grab it then." The young man starts towards the exit while nodding to Remi, "closest building it is."

Sebastion gives an extended look at Bob. His brow furrows, and then he draws his sword out again. He just grumbles to himself, evidently discontented by the news that there may be monsters out and about. Or other things, which are equally stabbable he would figure. He's not particularly conversational at this juncture.

Remi doesn't look too happy at the mention of 'They', and can be heard quietly muttering, "Yah, no 'They' please..." Before he adjusts the strap of his Lute, flexes all his fingers, and then makes to follow after the others, trying to look brave.

Marduke shakes his head slowly to Sebastion, "If they could of been delt with a blade they would of been delt with a long time ago I am sure." Pushing off from his staff as he glances around, "We don't have much time then it would appear. Ka'Len does the first chapter say anything?" Turning to head towards the door, "Closest building is a good idea."

Emerging from the Library the area is noticably darker as the sun hangs a bit lower in the hazy sky. The street signs show that the closes buildings are the Town hall, the Sherrif's Office, and the Armory.

Alba glances to one side, then the other, pausing for a moment to consider options. "...That way," she says, pointing to the Sherriff's Office. "We may learn more of what we face within the dwelling of the lawkeepers." With the sun on its way to setting, the Viera's coiled-spring tension seems greater and greater, as though waiting for the smallest push to explode into violence.

Ka'Len looks around and then up at the sky before he frowns a little bit, "you don't think maybe we should make an early night of it..." He looks around and then at Marduke before flicking the book open to the first chapter so that he can skim the page quickly while following after Alba, though after a moment's thought he turns and offers it to Marduke, "no reason for me to carry it. I think it's just keeping it with us that's important."

Sebastion glances at Marduke briefly, the words causing a thoughtful look in the soldier's green eyes. He replies, after some of their walking and after they leave the library, "In that case, I will hold it anyways. It will give me comfort. And it could be used for things other than combat." He waits for them to make a decision, though he does look up to the sky and gives an agreeing 'hrn' at Ka'Len's suggestion.

Remi peers up at the darkening sky suspiciously for a moment, before going back to watching his step after he follows after those before him towards the Sherrif's Office, studying the building curiously as he approaches, "So which bit of the book applies to that place, you think?" He asks.

Marduke steps back from Ka'Len as his eyes go to the book, clearly not wanting to really be the one carrying that thing. he sighs softly and holds out his hand, "Very well. Just seemed last time the book screamed at somebody else who touched it didn't it?" Raising his eyebrows and regardless of book or not turns to follow after Alba, "We don't want to split up either, and honestly, I don't think any of us here could get her to change her mind." Pointing to Alba with a touch of a smirk. A glance to Sebastion and a nod, "I understand."

The Sheriff's office is a fairly small building compared to a place like the Library. The door sticking for a moment by with enough force it pops open revealing the musty interior. A rack of swords and polearms rests against the wall just inside the door, the weapons speckled with rust from disuse but still serviceable. A desk with a ledger and other papers sits against the right-hand wall while a pair of cell door dominates the left. Sitting on a shelf at the back of the room are 5 large glass jars. Four of them containing what at one point would have been Human heads. Though they've long since shriveled and mummified. Bob floats around lazily. "Ah the Toris brothers. Worst Bandits in the history of Draver's Valley. Sheriff and his boys caught 4 of them before the event hit town, guess they never managed to bring the 5th to Justice."

Alba creeps into the Office, throwing a distrustful gaze over everything her eyes find, though the story of the bandits causes her to arch an eyebrow. "These bandits, what was their preferred crime?" she muses, poking the ledger with a long fingerclaw, to see if the other books about town are forbidden; a thought which, given the emptiness of the library, probably isn't far off the mark. "...It is likely we wish to collect what tomes and papers we may, and hurry back to the inn. I simply do not wish to waste the night in idle terror of what lurks outside."

Ka'Len slips in after Alba and he looks at the shrivled heads before blowing out a breath, "and why would they put their heads in a jar.. that's just..." He looks for the right word for a few moments before shaking his head, "macabre." He looks at Alba then, nodding before stepping over to inspect the papers and collect what doesn't crumple.

Sebastion walks up to examine the jars with less disgust and more mild curiosity. The story had caught his interest, in particular, because of the supposed title of the first chapter. He reached up with a free hand to ruffle his own hair as he thought about it. "Then I gather the first order of business is to find the fifth brother." He reaches up to tap at the empty jar, curious about it. "He could be anywhere in this foggy town, if he's even here," he realizes, tiredly and a bit agitatedly.

Remi looks wide-eyed at the jars, looking slightly pale too. Tearing his eyes away from them though, trying not to look again, he instead listens to Bob, putting on a thoughtful expression as the fifth brother is mentioned. Glancing at Sebastion then, he nodnods in agreement, adding, "Yah, that's what I was thinking... Figured the brother must still be out there somewhere... Prolly as some mean ghost."

Marduke has the book and flips it open to glance over the first chapter thoughtfully to see if anything there is writen. "You know I have this nagging feeling we are going to need some ink." He offers with a hmm and glances up to see what in there. Bleching a bit with a sigh, "That is something new even for me." Eyes looking over the jars and sighs, and staying near the door. "We should hurry, the sun is near setting."

The book remains empty, it's pages blank except for the one denoting the name of the chapter. Bob drifts about the room seemingly at random. "Oh he's still around alright, Toris brothers were a mean bunch, worked in Extortion, Highjacking, Rape, Murder, Arson, Rape, Muggings, Fixing Chocobo Races, and Rape." The notes on the desk seem to be the sherrif's notes on the case of the brothers, noting that he beleived the final one to be holed up in the Drooling Marlboro pub on the city's western side. Amoung the other papers on the desk is a note to appear at the Willaim Hess Murder Trial at the town hall, a missing persons notice for a 12 year old boy at the request of the Marlon Family, and a note to check a local pawn shop for a stolen wedding Ring.

Alba takes up the ledger, nodding to Ka'Len as the swordsman takes up the papers. "Very well," she says shortly. "We return to the inn, now. There is much we may learn from these writings... and much to be warned of. Where it is thought the last of these brothers made their lair, for one." The Viera spares a look out the window, and strides with purpose toward the door.

Ka'Len frowns a little bit and murmurs, "missing boy and stolen wedding ring.. not sure how important the last would be but.. perhaps the boy might be something to keep in mind too." He follows the look then motions to the door, "lets get back before it gets too much darker. I don't much relish the idea of finding out who or what 'they' are."

"You said r... Hrn." Sebastion almost pointed out the obvious. Evidently he caught onto the point of the emphasis, and grimaced pretty hard behind that scarf. 'Yuck, those kinds of criminals,' his face might indicate. He shakes his head slowly, and turns his attention to the others as they begin to speak of going back to the Inn. He turns to follow without a second thought, sparing only a cursory lookover to the room as he departs.

Remi blinks slowly at the list of crimes the bandit brothers were known for, and after a moment simply states, "... Glad most of them are gone, then..." And he risks a brief peek at the jars, shaking his head. Afterwards, he goes to help Alba and Ka'Len gather up any useful papers, and nods in agreement with Ka'Len, "Yah, going back sounds good. We can maybe figure these out in peace then. Hopefully."

Marduke hmms a moment as he turns to take his leave, "Love unrequieted Ka'Len, the ring will most likely be related to that. The missing boy family undone. Sure there will be more clues, this was a good stop, and I suggest we jog instead of walk." Turning to head out the door. "Tomarrow will be a long day, and keep a eye out for some ink. Just in case."

Emerging from the Sherrif's Office the wind has picked up as the sky has Darkened further. Bob drifts about turning in slow circles.. "Ohhhhh this isn't good. Get a move on folks!" As the wind whips through the empty streets the haze gets thicker, begining to turn into a full-blown fog. Shadow's lengthen and seem to stretch and twist in unnatural ways, giving you the feeling that they're actually watching you. As you move back towards the Wark and Kupo the doors on some of the sealed houses begin to rattle and bang as though somthing were pounding on them from the inside.

From a rapid slink to a ground-eating lope, Alba picks up the pace indeed, dagger in one hand scrimshaw charm held by its thong between two fingers in her other hand. Whether or not she makes it to the Inn's door first, she slams her back against the outer wall, hurriedly gesturing the others in before her. "Hurry! Hurry!"

Ka'Len looks around only briefly and then he breaks into a run after Alba whilet he hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Upon reaching the door he yanks it open and motions for everyone to get inside while looking out along the road, "they're coming... lets move it people. C'mon c'mon!"

Sebastion is most certainly not the fastest of the group. He is not, however, the slowest person ever. He breaks into a run, easily able to jog and keep up with the others without outright sprinting. He's probably the last to actually reach the Inn, but he's unlikely to lose the others on the way. He's quick to get inside the Inn, with wide eyes, not inclined to stay outside where things are starting to get ugly.

Remi starts moving at speed as everything suddenly gets scary outside, his face holding a slightly panicked expression, but the Bard atleast still having the presence of mind to conjure up the start of a fireball as he moves, a slight glow cupped in the palm of one hand, ready to be thrown as a proper orb of flame at anything hostile that jumps out. Though for the most part, he just tries to get through the door that's opened before him.

Marduke is already moving to break out into a run, eyes glancing by some of the buildings. "Wards... spirit wards, that is why it was off. They are wards for souls..." storing the information away as he makes his way to the inn carrying the book along with him held tight in his arms.

Reaching the Wark and Kupo Bob shoots through the door like he'd been shot out of cannon. "Close the Bloody door!" The rest of the group enters the Inn and the door is closed and sealed with a heavy crossbeam. Outside the wind whips and howls, rattling the shutters and causing the lamp outside the door to swing and sway casting odd flickers of light through gaps in the shutters to dance along the floor and walls. Then it all stops, the wind dies off and the rattling and banging from the doors on the surrounding buildings cease. This peace last only a few moments though before a new sound is heard, a sound like the shuffling of feet, fingers clawing over the wood of the door, and the low mournfull moaning from an unknown number of tortured souls.

As the beam is settled into place, Alba prowls the front of the common room, knife and charm still in hand, ears back, dark eyes wild with fear and rage. When the wind dies off, she pauses, straightening a bit... only to drop into a low crouch as whatever is outside tries to get in. Flattened ears twitch at every scratch, every thump, and her posture takes on the look of nothing more or less than a cornered predator, nerving herself up for an all-or-nothing clash with what waits outside.

Ka'Len catches Marduke's words and files the information away while the papers are clasped to his chest. Backing away from the door as everything rattles he gnaws on his lip. The silence does nothing to relax him thouhg and for good reason as his nightmare is fullfilled. The young man breaths out before he looks at Alba and after amoment slides away from her lest the panic cause her to lash out. "Bob.. how long is this going to last for?"

Sebastion does not have a single moment of relaxation after they've shut themselves inside the Inn. He picks a spot somewhere opposite of Alba in the room, sword held ready with both hands. When he starts hearing the scrabbling at the door, his hands tighten on the handle of the sword. At least he picked a tactical place to stand, just in case.

Remi moves to the middle of the room and stays there, looking pale and wide-eyed, ears splayed way low, and one arm outstretched, palm out, tracking across each boarded window in view, ready to blast it the moment one of the things outside would break through. The Bard obviously not enjoying all this one bit.

Marduke steps inside and out of the way so the door can be closed. Shaking his head he walks over to a table and sits down, catching his breath and trying to lose some tension. He puts the book on the table and leans back crossing his arms already thinking, "Morning, it will stop at morning with the rising of the sun I suspect." Eyes looking to the book and shaking his head as he mutters, "What in the folly happened here?"

Bob drifts through the room "Ah relax they can't get in here, the Inn is one of the Sanctuary spots in town. The lost souls can't enter the building so long as the door stays closed and barred." He nods in Marduke's direction "Bingo, the sun rises and this poor shades go back to thier holes for the day. As for what happened.. well mabye if I can get a bit of my mind together I can tell you that.. I think."

"For a good while after Bob makes his assurances, Alba remains where she is; crouched, knife out, and very much in a stabby frame of mind. Once the assurances penetrate, however, she eases, fractionally, casting the skull a glare over her shoulder. "...Sanctuary," she rasps, clearing her throat to speak up. "There are more of these places? Tell us where."

Ka'Len nods slowly and he looks at the windows and door before taking a seat finally and beginning to shuffle through the papers. "Once we hear the story we'll need to try and rest and set a watch. I.." He pauses and looks at Sebastion and Alba then at Remi, "maybe one of you three would be best to go first."

Sebastion starts to relax as Bob explains, though he doesn't seem overly happy with this turn of events. He retrieves one of the chairs to set it up, so he can sit and watch the door and a couple of the windows. "I've got first watch," he volunteers, helpfully, though he sounds moderately gruff about it, as if he already had the idea in the first place. He glances over to Ka'Len, briefly.

Remi only relaxes a tiny bit at the skull's assurances that those things can't get inside the inn, still refusing to leave the middle of the room, really, and keeping his guard up. Glancing at Bob then, he waits for him to explain what happened to this town, and also glances at Ka'Len, nodding some, "... I prolly won't sleep."

Marduke just shakes his head slowly, "I suspect that is the case. Souls trapped within buildings only able to come out at night, a town haunted. Unfinished stories wanting to be told lost in time bound to a book unwriten. A flying skull with no memories named bob, and to top it all off a clown." Shaking his head, "This place has one hell of a curse." Eyes looking to the book as he considers it thoughtfully, "I suspect, this book may be part of the key to finishing those five stories and finding the pieces to Bob. I also suspect with a bit of ink and a quill we might be able to do a little editing ourselves. The dead body upstairs was writing, makes me suspect there is power in that. Write parts of the story for our success where we might otherwise fail. Im not sure yet." His rambling done and mostly talking to himself trying to sort some things out. Blinking he glances up and nods around, "Try to get some sleep."

Bob swivels around to look to Alba "Ummm.. the Church on the west side of town just before the slums, and the Marlon Estate at the far end of the east side of town. There might be others but those are the only ones I remember right now." The skull moves to settle itself onto the bar.

Alba slowly uncoils from her crouch, knife bouncing in hand as the shades continue to moan and scrabble outside the Inn. "...Mn," she says, nodding slowly. "...Very well. Then we shall wish to hear the tale of this place, the moment it returns to.... mind." A puzzled glance is thrown to marduke, the supposition met with careful consideration, but unremarked upon for the moment. "Father Antlion's jaws are greater than we feared, it seems... Let us hope that we act swiftly and smartly enough that he does not feast upon his guests."

Ka'Len tilts his head towards Marduke, frowning a little and then he looks at Remi, "me either, but we need to try. Without sleep we'll make mistakes and mistakes here would be really... unpleasant." Looking to Bob again he murmurs, "alright, tell us what you remember about what happened if you would then.." He stops and looks at Alba, "you and I think of things at the same time often it seems." There's a little snort and then he rubs his neck while trying to get comfortable with his back against one of the inner walls of the inn.

Remi nodnods a bit at Ka'Len, before reaching behind his back to grab his Lute and swinging it forward into his lap. He starts plucking at the strings then, playing an ever so quiet tune, mostly just to calm himself, while he waits for Bob to get to talking.
Marduke just shakes his head slowly and closes his eyes as he considers, "Well for now im going to bed. Wake me up when you want me to take a watch. Though something tells me we should be fine for the night, just don't go outside." Resting back in his chair laying the staff against his chest, still clearly ready should it be needed.

Bob seems to think for a moment "Well I don't remember exactly what happened, for reasons we've already discussed. But somthing bad happened here, somthing bad enough for the Spirits to litterally cut this place off from the rest of the world. The residents damned to live out thier days with whatever the city was sealed off to keep from the rest of the world. But the door swings both ways.. the books are the key to getting out. Finish your story and the way out opens to you. Umm that's about it for the moment."

...And to finish our story," Alba mutters, dropping against the wall nearest the door, resting her arms on her knees, "we must do... what? Certainly it will not be enough merely to write 'And they all escaped,' so... What is it Father Antlion does not wish for us to do?"

Ka'Len sucks on his lip and he starts to shuffle through the papers once more. "Right now? Something lets see about following the clues we've got. The kidnapped boy and the stolen ring. I'd prefer to hold off on the criminal for now.. but that's just because."

"'Justice Unfound' is the first on the list, isn't it? I would think it would be better to try them in order," Sebastion comments, from his seat, without looking away from the door or the windows. The scratchy noises keep his attention much easier than the group.

Remi listens to everyone's conversation,and only pitches in after Sebastion speaks, quietly commenting, "I think it was said we don't have to do them in a particular order, as long as we do them... I just don't want to cross the whole town to get somewhere while there might be a clue right next to us." The Bard meanwhile still quietly strumming his Lute, trying to create a somewhat relaxed atmosphere.

Marduke shrugs his shoulders, 'I think we need to fix the problems describe, fix the love, fix the justice, fix it all. In a sense we may have to undo the curse on this place or at least enough to let us out." Shaking his head and sighs closing his eyes again, "It is very rare for the spirits to abandon a place completely. This honestly has my curiosity now what happened here."

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The Nightmare Manuscript

2013-01-04T03:46:01Z

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