Roleplay- Northern Expedition

[Henry Avery]

The pair find a rusted gate set in walls of mossy, crumbling stone, hanging off its hinges. The ground is marred by deep claw marks, as though some gargantuan beast had come through at great speed. An overgrown courtyard awaited them beyond this failed barricade, a long dry fountain at its center. Gnarled, ancient oaks blocked out the sun, wide, entangled branches forming a tunnel over the path to the manor's rotted front porch, where the door had been bashed inwards, more deep gashes marring the frame.

[Meliva]

Ellen readies her weapon as she waves the other's to follow close behind and keep alert.

This doesn't look very good. Be on guard.

[Henry Avery]

The manor's dim, moldy foyer was trashed, curtains slashed to ribbons and walls carved up by razor claws. The parlor was wrecked, furniture splintered and tossed about, the fireplace poker stabbed into the wall. A trail of fresh blood led up the stairs, the steps and balustrade of which were marred by yet more deep gashes.

[Meliva]

Ellen quickly goes up the stairs, weapon at the ready, while Brian follows a short distance behind her. Both keeping an eye out.

[Henry Avery]

Further investigation finds a savaged corpse upon the landing, a shattered sword still gripped in its hands, torso gutted. most of the vital organs are missing, ribcage smashed open.

[Meliva]

Ellen looks to the corpse and asks Brian

This clearly isn't the work of some man murdering another man or any animal I know, some sort of monster did this. Any guesses as to what kind? I'm thinking it's some sort of beast what with the claw marks.

Brian nods and looks around. Ellen shouts somewhat loudly

Anyone here? Any survivors at all? Brian take the body here to the villagers and see if they can identify the man and bury him. Question them too while you're at it. I'll look around a bit.

[Henry Avery]

Meanwhile, back in Avonmora,Vune finds herself caught by surprise with a vision...

Cold, dark... nothing, all consuming. It's dark, so dark. A face, cracked and twisted, sad eyes pleading for release..."Are We...Connected? Yes, Good. Erased...Go North....Find Me..." Another voice speaks, two simple words. "[CONNECTION TERMINATED]"

[Meliva]

Vune blinks for a moment before sighing

Well suppose I can spend some time on a side job. Erased huh. Well won't be the first time I had to undo that kind of damage.

With that Vune begins a quick journey north, meanwhile Ellen continues looking through the mansion while Brian delivers the body to the villagers to see if they can identify it-as well as what might have done it

[Henry Avery]

Room after room, full of dusty furniture, moldy carpets, and timeworn books. All in all it seems as though this manor has stood empty for centuries, despite the townsfolk believing their leader lives there. One room stands out, however. It appears to be a combination of an alchemist's laboratory, wizard's enchantry, and a simple study. One area however, is entirely destroyed, One wall blasted open, the surrounding area burnt and blacked, odd cords of darkness seeping from the remnants of a machine. The rest is filled with books, blueprints, dusty potionmaking equipment, and ritual circles. Near the ruined machine, a charred, leatherbound journal sits, open to a page, some text still readable.

ENTRY NUMBER SEVENTEEN
DARK DARKER YET DARKER
THE DARKNESS KEEPS GROWING
THE SHADOWS CUTTING DEEPER
PHOTON READINGS NEGATIVE

A painting hangs on one wall, the face burned away. The nameplate simply reads "The Good Doctor".




When Brian returns to the town with the corpse, most of the people simply scream and run into their homes, muttering protective prayers as they shutter their windows. One man stops to speak, however.

"You must leave, while you can. This corpse is a victim of the Zeithetzen.

[Meliva]

Brian just sets' the corpse down

was this your leader by chance? He was dead in that building we were pointed to. Side note, want us to try to kill this thing? We got some experience hunting down monsters and the like.

Ellen meanwhile looks around a bit, before sighing

Not a mage or a scientist, so no real idea what this junk is or what happened here. I'll let my sisters or someone know of this spot and have them look into it. I better make sure Brian ain't run into whatever killed that man.