Are the neighbors watching me?
Log Info
- Title: Are the neighbors watching me?
- Emitter: Cryosanthia
- Characters: Seldan, Seyardu, Cryosanthia, Aryia, Aya
- Place: The Temple of Eluna, The Explorer's Guild, the Lower Market Gardens
- Time: Saturday, August 07, 2021, 6:37 PM
- Summary: Seldan has summoned Seyardu to the Temple of Eluna, to share some of his discoveries. The manacles were used by the Erinyes, seem personalized, and were made locally. The crafter can be consulted. Seyardu updates him regarding the identify of some of the bodies found in the basement of the Lower Market shop, they were adventurers and the Explorer's Guild may be able to help. Before they get much further, Seldan is interrupted and Seyardu heads to the Guild to start the research. She encounters Cryosanthia, and Lily, who are updating Logs, and generally acting as a records' clerk. She assists, the adventurers were assigned a 'low risk' sewers mission, never completed it, nor returned, and another adventuring group closed it out a few days later. From the membership records, Seyardu is able to confirm the identity. Seldan arrives, and both warn that sewer missions, in particular ones near certain locations, are not 'low risk'. The whitescale assures she'll do what she can, she has no authority really, and the group heads to one of the other suspicious locations. They are joined by Aryia and Aya, who arrive fortuitously. At the Lower Market Garden Townhouses, the investigators meet one Perihan 'Peri' Shiraza, whose children have been suffering night terrors for nearly a year. There is also a strange tree in her neighbours yard. Eventually, they determine that 'her renta' might in fact be Lady Tiliyane, the Fey-enchantress killed a two months ago. However, the rent has been paid, implying the Erinyes are doing so? With permission, Aryia and Seyardu search the apartment and discover evidence the fiends have been there, very recently, and removed some of the material, and also that Tiliyane was there for quite some time.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, at the Temple -=-=-=-=-=-=-= Seldan 5'11" 187 Lb Human Male Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol. Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. =-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= At the Guild and Gardens -=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. Aryia 4'8" 110 Lb Shadow Elf Female A heavily scarred mul with a tired look about her. Aya 4'7" 105 Lb Shadow Elf Female Mul'niessa. Braided hair. Simple clothing. =-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= NPCs of Note -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Perihan 'Peri' Shiraza Human Female A tired mother of two, afflicted with night terrors. Little Fang 'Lily' Kobold Female A pinkscale youngling in a leather dress, Cryo's daughter. =-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. =-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The Temple of Eluna
The air is still and humid. The temperature inversion that has been smothering Alexandria remains, allowing a mist to persist through most of the day. The attic window likely isn't visible from the steps, and it's not visible at all from this location, blocked by a corner of the temple.
A purposeful choice.
Another humid, wet day in Alexandria. At least it isn't hot - at least, not that hot. Seldan stands quietly outside one of the smaller doors on the far side of Eluna's temple, appearing to be clad only in shirt, trousers, short black shoes, and a blue and silver robe, hair now juuuust long enough to tie back with a simple blue cord at the back of his head. Reunion sits on his hip, as is usual, but no other weapons are in evidence.
The day was humid, and pleasant as usual for the sith-makar. Though a request to be seen at the temple of Eluna, and by the silver guard she had come to know recently. So one day after a round of deliveries, she did not return to any of her usual places, instead taking a back pathway to reach the temple of Eluna, where there was an entrance she was not aware existed.
"Peace on your nest, Silver Guard Seldan." She says quietly, glancing to the paladin who was waiting. "Apologies if I have kept you waiting long."
It was oppressively humid.
"Peace upon your nest, also, Sunguard, and you have troubled me not in the slightest. Solitude and quiet is not a thing I am oft-afforded." A small, self-deprecating smile accompanies Seldan's demurral. "The manacles were made locally by a crafter within these walls, but sold to one of the sildanyar." The smile fades, and his entire demeanor abruptly goes impassive, doing a fair impression of an alabaster pillar. "From there did they fall into the ownership of the erinyes, each with a set that belonged to them. They used them to sleep -" Here, he draws a deep breath or two. "I would spare you the rest of what they were used for, if I might, and but say that I will see these beings gone from the city."
And not shared, that they would hang other people up and upside down and torture them. The impressions brought forth by the spell were of both the Erinyes that owned them, and their victims, impossibe to identify, that were tortured. They 'belonged' to specific Erinyes, one set was Infirith's, another was Daemila's.
Erinyes don't as a rule need to eat or sleep. They might lurk in a sort of meditative trance to get a rest cycle, as other beings do. There was a sense of anger, about sleeping, as if it was something they were forced to do. Either by another Erinyes, or were ordered.
Efforts were made to safeguard the occupants of the two houses checked so far. The goblins were happily relocated to an inn while their residence is under investigation.
The elderly halfling in the house that watches the Temple is a tougher nut to crack. He won't leave his house, only grudgingly accepts help or a guard, and seems to un-do any efforts of tidying up whenever he's left alone. It suddenly becoming very important he have a bauble he hasn't seen in decades.
The Temple of Vardama accepted the dismembered victims, gave them last rites, and informed the silverscale of what they were able to determine about them.
"Still, this is an important matter, which does warrant attention on my part." The silver sith-makar sighs She listens, as he continues, and she shakes her head afterwards. "I saw what happened in that basement, Seldan, and information is important. I would not be surprised by whatever horrors they may have used them for."
She pauses a moment, before she continues. "The woman at the river, who the guard shot to death when cornered, is it possible they were the one who commissioned the manacles? Or were they made farther back than ten months?"
"I have been making sure the houses we checked were safe, and more importantly, the occupants. Though the halfling from before, he is incredibly stubborn in his desires to stay, despite the fact they have been sighted in the attic again most likely."
"That is quite likely, and yet can I not say for certain," Seldan nods, listening to the description in its entirety before speaking. "They were made a year or so past, not long ere that lot came to the city. I believe that I have identified the maker's mark, and by the maker might we learn more of the one who purchased it. The evil that lies upon them is not his, but the mark the Erinyes left upon them, and make no mistake, the stench of evil lies heavy on them." A scowl accompanies that, breaking the alabaster pillar.
"As for the halfling, I am told that the Erinyes continue to use that attic. Perhaps it would be well to determine whether any enchantments lie on him, that bid him conceal them."
"That is a possibility, and one worth looking into. If we can discover more of what happened when they showed up, then their goals will become more clear. I do not know if the halfling is magically, controlled, or if it is just memories which causes them to turn a blind eye to the situation." Seyardu nods. "There is also the matter of the bodies, to look into further. Perhaps if we look into what happened."
Seyardu sighs, and looks sadly at the temple Seldan was in front of. "A few novice adventurers, sent to the sewers for a rat problem, and they went missing. They may be active in the sewers as well in that case, and we could learn more based upon the documents at the adventurer's guild perhaps of what they know."
There is an interruption. The Temple door opens and an acolyte pops her head out, "Silverguard, you're needed to consult on... a matter. It should not take long."
Of course," he acknowledges the message with a short bow, then addresses the silverscale, "It may. I'll meet you at the Explorer's Guild."
The two head inside.
"Peace on your nest, Seldan, I will meet you there." Seyardu nods, and waves off the two, as the business seemed important enough. And wishing not to linger, she heads back the way she came, away from the main temple district plaza, to make her way to where the adventurer's guild was situated. If she was lucky, she could catch them while they were not too busy, there.
The middle of the day is when the Explorer's Guild is least busy. The adventurers are out, fulfilling contracts, and the ones who want to hang around and talk about the good old yesterdays haven't shown up. It is on the cusp of dinner-time, so more members might arrive at any moment.
The Explorer's Guild
Currently, there are a couple adventurers lounging about, talking. There is the Mission board, with various tasks, and the clerks who handle payment and records.
Well, clerk, as it isn't a busy time. A white-scaled Sith'Makar woman, sitting amongst a stack of logs. A carnation-scale youngling sitting on the counter confirms it.
Cryosanthia is In. She looks up, sensing an approach before the silverscale draws near, "Oh! Seyardu, peace on your nest. Were you looking for something?"
Thankfully, the travel is uneventful, and it isn't long until Seyardu reaches the adventurer's guild which she had visited on several occasions. With it relatively empty at the time, it isn't difficult to make her way inside, though it also meant that there were few inside to speak to. But a familiar pair of faces catches her attention, and Seyardu waves with a swish of her tail, before making her way over.
"Ah, Cryosanthia, Lily! Peace on your nests." Seyardu greets. "This one was looking for several records regarding past adventuring assignments. Would you know how I could look into such things?"
"Ah... ahm." Cryo smiles and sighs, rocking her head from side to side, "There are files. They're a bit of a mess. Everyone likes it organized their way. If you knew who commissioned it, or what it was titled, that helps a lot. Otherwise, they're sort of grouped."
"The further back, the harder to find. What were you looking for?"
"I understand if the files may be disorganized, but I will take a look through them if need be. I know not who commissioned it, but that may in fact be important, or it may not." Seyardu replies after leaning to pat the carnation Kobold nearby on the head. "Those who accepted it were Higild Simplestrength, and Rassif Wardod, two novice adventurers, and it should be filed as a low difficulty commission, to deal with somme manner of rat problem in the sewers beneath Alexandria."
"Peassce." Lily says, swinging her feet on the counter and leaning into the head rub.
"Oh! The sewers have their own drawer. It's over here." Cryo says, leaping up and moving across the counter, and pulling it out. She removes a fat folder and starts flicking through it. "Most of these are City Council commissioned, or Waterworks."
"There's been... a lot of problems with the sewers and regular workers don't go down there much anymore without adventurers going first."
"Um... Hildiguard?"
"Yes, that would make sense with current concerns. I would advise such caution, perhaps being accompanied by members of the sun guard or similar. As I believe this file should be marked as incomplete by the group." She says, not wishing to elaborate further with the child around.
"Higild, though I do not know if that is their full name or not."
"Incompletes... here's an incomplete. Higild and a Rassif Wardod." Cryo pulls a sheet out, lays it on the counter and turns it around so Seyardu can look it over. She reads it upside down.
Lily walks and stands, leaning over it, reading it sideways.
"So, five months ago, commissioned by the Water Department. 'Rats or mysterious noises, investigate'. Accepted Higild and Rassif. No results, no payment, reposted."
The whitescale straightens up, flips the sheet over, "Their details are on the back." She shrugs a little, "These 'minor' quests, adventurers don't always check in if they find nothing. They'll get paid something, but..."
The door opens, and Seldan strides into the records room, demeanor and bearing purposeful, but reservedly polite, dressed exactly as he was before. He pauses inside the door, glancing around, and his eyes come to rest on the Makari and the child that accompanies them. "Peace upon your nest, Cryosanthia," he offers politely. "Sunguard, I would ask your forgiveness for the disruption."
"Peassssce Sssilverrsss." Lily says, turning to stare at the Silverguard. She's wearing a fawn coloured leather dress and holding a hand crossbow, which at her size seems almost proportional. It's unloaded, but she does seem to enjoy pointing it.
"Hello Seldan, Pease on your Nest." Cryo says brightly, "I was helping Seyardu look up an old mission." She points at the sheet resting in front of them, then waves at a pile of Explorer Logs at the other end of the counter, "and tidying those up."
Her attention returns to the paper, "So, Higild, Rassif, rated beginners, this was listed as low-risk. Seems like a warrior and an urban tracker, no identified magical equipment or special equipment they left with."
She raises her head, "I can look for their membership file, it usually has some more detail. Were... you thinking of adventuring with them?"
"Are there any files on the reposting of the commission?" Seyardu asks as she reads the paper. "If there are, I would like to know the status of them as well. And the water department should be notified to not set such tasks with unknown sources as low risk tasks in regards to the sewers. I have heard of various dangers being present there, and this seems to be similar. It is related to what I spoke of, the other day. Their files should be closed, though if I could see them, it may help."
The door opening gets her attention, and she finds Seldan at the door, to who she waves. "Hearth Guard, not sun guard, though I understand based upon how much time I have been spending there, of late. Peace on your nest, Seldan. When I saw you last, where was it, and what was I doing there?" She asks, rather strange of a question, for certain.
Seldan blinks, then bows politely, a tacit apology for the error. "Yes, that was of some concern. You had come to meet me at the warrior's door to the Temple, Hearthguard, at my request. The crafter of which we spoke, what had he crafted that I found of interest, and why was it of interest to me?" He returns the question, smoothly and with no apparent offense taken, his gaze serious, and yet with a ghost of a smile flitting around the corners of his mouth.
"Um... let me see." Cryo starts flipping pages and folders, "wait, let me get you their files."
She snakes over to another drawer, opens that, flips through and pulls out two folders, setting them in front Seyardu. She's about to close the door when she chuffs a short exhale, changes her mind and closes it. "Those are really thin, there probably isn't much on them."
She returns to the sewer mission drawer and finger-crawls through it, "Mmm... mmm... nnn... mmm! Here's the repost." She scans it quickly, "Looks like, completed, paid, no traces of mega-fauna, no signs of humanoids, poison placed. And a map of where they went, entry point, underground. Water Department stamp a couple days later."
The whitescale lays that out on the table. A noteable detail, it's near the goblin house with the flooded basement.
Higild is a dwarf, Rassif is a human from Veyshanti, they are rated as very inexperienced. There are sketches of them.
"That was not what I mean, Seldan." Seyardu sighs, shaking her head and focusing on him more now, squinting even more than usual, trying to see if anything was amiss. There was just a hint of concern in the air that the other makari could likely pick up. "The previous time, was what I meant."
She turns to look at the files, keeping an eye on Seldan while she did. "It is still worth looking into, Cryosanthia, and they would need to be removed to be closed regardless, I believe."
The second report catches her eye, and she spends a moment looking through it. "Would it be alright, if I penned a copy of this for myself? There is information that would be helpful, and it would be best to leave the file undisturbed in case others look into it."
Both of Seldan's eyebrows go into his hairline at this, but he does not seem angry, and does not even drop into reserve. "My apologies for the misunderstanding. You speak of the dockworker, do you not?" He allows his speech, normally crisp and refined with the lilt of the Myrrish, to take on a slurred, Tsuran cast. "The Hearthguard is not without purpose, Cryosanthia, and I understand the concern."
His scent matches Seldan's.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls perception: (14)+8: 22
"Sure, yes, that's fine, you can use my supplies." Cryo brings over her paper and pens, setting them before Seyardu. She observes the silverscale for a long moment, inhaling slowly. Lily, is watching her watch Seyardu. The whitescale tilts her head to look at Seldan. There's another long moment of observation.
"Well, I'll pass along the recommendation to the Water Department. I don't know how they rate their assignments. The 'go check something out' ones are the worse, since you don't know what's there, if anything is there."
"I did not speak of the dockworker, no, but that is certainly good enough. You must understand, I did not know if I was followed, or not." Seyardu notes, visibly relaxing some, and the scent vanishing with a wave of her hand, before she reaches into her bag to pull out a bottle of shimmering ink and a gold inlaid fountain pen. "I appreciate it, I will use the paper, but I have my own ink which is easier for myself to read at a glance. Catches the light, and blends into the paper less."
She continues, making a copy of the report with ease and elegant script. "A recommendation would be good, as the area may be a nest of dangerous creatures."
Cryosanthia peers at Seldan, still seeming confused, her brow ridges furrowing, "Sabina's friend?" She's uncertain why the Silverguard would copy his accent, and lets it go. She watches as Seyardu starts making a copy.
"I'll... it's... I'm not in charge of anything. The City works' people send... usually a form, with the fee, and few details beyond 'adventurers go check out'. Half the time you can't even tell who signed it. It's... adventurers tell let each other know the sewers are really dangerous. It's kind of rare to know what you're looking for, unless it's Otyoughs or crocodiles."
"I understand, and take no offense." That ghost of a smile that Seldan wears grows just a little, his demeanor easy and calm, but it fades quickly enough, and he turns his attention to the reports, eyes flicking quickly over the pages. The smile fades entirely as he does so. "Near to one of the places of interest, Hearthguard. There are two other locations within the city that you should seek, as well -" He quickly describes them, places with unusual hauntings or disappearances dating back approximately a year.
"Seldan can tell you more, if he wishes. Yes, you're correct, that was close to the flooded basement." Seyardu notes as she nearly finished her copy, closing her ink and letting the sheet dry, which still considered to shimmer afterwards. "I would just not wish for people to be harmed due to investigating the place. And the water department should be aware of the danger."
"The other places should be checked, for certain."
Seyardu and Seldan are at the records counter, and Cryosanthia is helping them with Lily standing guard.
"There is evidence of magical tampering in that area, Cryosanthia." Seldan and Seyardu occupy the space before the records room counter, the paladin having dressed down as is his usual wont. All trace of smile is gone, and he is sober, serious, and focused now, a warning tone in his voice. "Do adventurers venture to the places I have named, they should have some experience, and have one versed in arcane magic accompany them. Do not send green explorers to those places, the danger is greater than they may guess."
Slipping in through the front door was a mul'neissa in a green dress that flares out at her ankles, coupled with long sleeves and white gloves that adjusted her bag on her shoulder. Aryia tilts her head to the side at the gathering at the front. A bit of tension goes through her from the composition, but the worst place for the ashwings to strike would be in the heart of a bunch of eager adventurers.
She walks up and raises a hand. "P--s - - n-st," she hisses while eying whatever it was going on.
"They..." Cryosanthia starts to explain, then exhales and nods, shaking her head slightly. It's a little cooler in her presence, "I'll let them know. Again."
She looks at Seldan as he describes the locations, "You... want me to look up City or Sewer contracts near those? That's... I can see if there's something. It might take a while."
Lily makes a small whistling noise, "Sssasssa I'm hungry. Can go eatsss?"
"Yes Lily, just a moment please. Ssassa is helping her friends," Cryo says automatically, grabbing a piece of paper and writing notes to herself. "I'll put this for the Guild, for reviewing the missions. Make it high risk. Very high." More writing, even her quick scribbles are elaborately elegant.
Lily, standing tall on a counter waves down at Aryia, "Peasssce on your kneesst."
"I am sorry if I am causing more work, but it is important. I can go speak with them myself another time, perhaps." Seyardu replies as she stows aways the copies in her bag. "But thank you for everything, this one should take their leave now."
Before she could leave however, Seyardu turns to find a familiar face entering. And she waves to the mul'niessa. "Ah, peace on your nest, Aryia. Did you have your dress repaired?" She asks, squinting at the sleeves.
Seldan turns as Lily addresses someone behind him, and bows politely, although a quiet reserve begins to take over his bearing again, his shoulders tensing. "Her light upon your path, Mistress Aryia. Yes, I would be grateful, do you find the time," he adds over his shoulder to Cryosanthia. "And ... there is a thing of which I would speak to you, in private."
Perhaps Lily knows the proper spells to summon aid. Perhaps someone else was merely monitoring? A handful of jerked meat appears within Lily's reach, along with the hand holding it and the rest of Aya. "Here you are, Little One." See? Her unexpected appearances can be beneficial, as well. Even if it does coincidentally occur in time with mentions of private discussions.
Aryia merely nods towards Seyardu's question, Seldan's greeting and-
She flinches, turning sharply towards other mul'neissa. "-k- -t th- f-k, l-tt-r- -."
"Tia Ay-ayssss!" Lily cheers happily, making sure to grab the jerky. Of course, she makes sure to cover her suspicious Aunti Nemisis with her hand crossbow while she does. It's currently empty, but it's the thought that counts. Once the jerky is safely in her mouth, she hugs the nearest arm.
"They... they don't care, Seyardu. Adventurer's Business. They mark everything High Priority, Low Risk, Low Pay. Their workers want something checked out, the fill out a form and go to lunch. They've been asked for more detail, we're lucky to get a good street reference. That's why all the Guild missions teams are so messed up, there's so little to go on, might as well send anyone."
The whitescales frustrated rant subsiding, she sighs and stares at her paper, "I'll make notes. Maybe it will change something, but it's bailing out the ocean." Inhale, exhale, "Peace on your nest Aya, Aryia."
"And, of course Seldan, any time it's convenient." Although there's a slouch in white sith's posture that suggests now might not be convenient. She lifts her head with a wane smile, "Zeke tell you the news yet?"
"I have not seen him in some days," Seldan shakes himself out of - something - and shakes his head at Cryosanthia. "Perhaps later. It has kept for a time already, and shall keep longer." That quiet reserve remains, and is hardening, and he seems almost - distracted.
"Well, speak to him first. Good luck! I'm going to finish here. Thanks very much for feeding Lily, Aya." Cryo says, re-filing things, and taking the steps to make a very detailed note of the information provided. It starts with a map. She is spreading it out as the investigation team leaves the Explorers Guild.
"Peace on your nests," Aya offers in return to the wary, but now momentarily sated, carnation one, and all others. Whom she then follows out towards the lower gardens.
The Lower Market Gardens aren't far from the Guild. They are also free of giant bot-flies. The mists remain on the streets, it's not reassuring. This particular location was noteable for a large number of neighbour complaints.
The Lower Market Gardens
This property is near the lower market garden. It is one of six houses in a block of houses, located at one end which allows it to have windows along the side, as well as the front and back. It's part of a small complex of similar townhouses, arranged parallel and at right angles to each other. There is a small park in the centre of them, and a strip of greenery with a stream that separates it from the nearest road. It's bordered on the other side by the park.
All in all, these are the upscale dwellings in an otherwise poor neighbourhood. Three stories tall, the houses are a little thin. Each front is painted a different colour, and narrower than average. Stairs must occupy some of the floorplan, that would cut into the living space. The rooms would not expouse the golden ratio, not easily. This aesthetic compromise may matter to some, or not.
The front garden is small and neatly tended. The back garden has two exits, a walk-out into a tiny yard, and an elevated porch with a set of stairs and it's own door.
Knocking will cause it to open. A tired looking young woman flings it wide. She has ruddy, mahogany skin and dark brown hair which is barely visible. She wears a Veyshanti style of clothing, a head scarf with a neck scarf, and a long, loose dress with colourful abstract patterns. She has very expressive eyes, and long eye-lashes.
Her accent is oddly rustic, "Oh lord-luva-duck! Wha've done ta bring down a conclave o' doom on me? You're a right fright sight. Doan tell me is tha kids again."
Aryia swaps out her dress for her usual wear. She is NOT getting her favorite dress messed up so early on. She sticks her hands in her pockets as they go about the houses, her trying to piece together why they were there. Doubly so after a such a salt of the earth woman greets them.
"You are welcome to join us as well if you wish, Aryia." Seyardu suggested before they left. "This concerns you as well, and it is safest to investigate matters as a group."
Once they reach the house, Seyardu takes a step back, letting the more normal looking people in the group be the first to investigate the premise, as had been in the past.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "roll perceptions, DC25" GAME: Aryia rolls perception: (18)+13: 31 GAME: Aya rolls perception: (16)+23: 39 GAME: Seyardu rolls perception: (9)+3: 12 GAME: Seldan rolls perception: (14)+7: 21
What is it with elves and trees? Aryia and Aya aren't even the kind of elf that likes trees yet they both notice: There's a newly planted tree in the yard next to this house.
What made this location noteable was a lot of neighbour complaints, largely from the townhouse immediately attached, but others across the street or park. Reports of children screaming in the middle of the night. Over several months.
Aya arches a brow at the woman's concerns and question. "Which children?" She doesn't do anything to assuage the right fright at the moment, as a little worry can prove quite useful. "There have been complaints."
"Yes, mistress." Seldan looks around at the others, then steps forward. "I am called Seldan. You have been approached previously?" He spreads a hand, palm-down, in a gesture intended to be peaceful.
Aryia's skillset did not involve speaking with others, which she lets the rest do. So it is to no surprise her attention slides off to the side. Her gaze lands on the tree in the neighbor's yard, her head tilting to the side as she idly watches it.
It's a big tree to be recently planted. About nine feet tall and oddly flat on top. As if it might have been a taller tree someone cut the top off flat to make it exactly nine feet.
"We did not mean to frighten you, apologies." Seyardu adds, stepping a bit closer. "There has been information told which is concerning, and we would just wish to speak with you, to see it resolved, if you will allow. Have you been having trouble, recently? It seems others have been visiting you as well?"
"Well ah got a britchload a complaints thay doan send a small army for." The woman snaps at Aya, then leans all the way out of the doorframe to yell at the townhouse beside her, "Like soam 'bout a guy smells like he's cookin' up the whole sewers! Ane' Quit bangin on my walls at night!"
It seems like she's about to wind up further, taking another deep breath, which she lets out with the Silverguard's introduction. "Ay, Aye, I have. Ah'm Perihan Shiraza, you k'n call me 'Peri'."
"Yah, buncha times, that guard or someone turn out, wantin' to check on me kids. It ain't their fault, the poor little duckies got night terrors. Ah tell 'em an ah sit with 'em, but them dreams keep comin' back."
"Have you spoken with the Seers on the matter, Mistress Peri?" Seldan regards the woman soberly, seriously, his eyes lowering just briefly at the mention of night terrors. He does not explain, and meets her eyes again quickly enough. "Have your children spoken of their dreams, at all?"
He looks from face to face, at the others, then back to Peri.
"That guard?" Seyardu asks the woman, looking curious. "I am sorry to hear that your children have been having poor sleep. Has there been a guard in particular seeking you out?" The sith-makar asks. "Perhaps there is something to be done to help with their sleep, if the reason is caused by external events. Did they tell you at all why they returned?"
None of that sounded right. Night terrors. Aryia makes a few gestures with her hands after tapping Seyardu on the side to get her attention. "That tree over there looks really fucking weird. Like, too perfect, too large, too new. Flat topped." The scarred mul gestures towards Peri to get her attention and jabs a thumb towards the tree. <Handspeech>
"The tree is not right?" Seyardu asks, turning her attention to the plant herself. "Seldan, Aya, Aryia thinks something is off with the tree there. Could you tell us anything about it, Peri?"
"If me babies got tha second sight or seein' the future?" Peri looks quizically at Seldan, blinking, her long lashes waving. "Took ta that Temples, got a blessin' an' some incense. It helps 'em, hav a little light burnin'"
"Same guards come, each time, lookin' like they doan wanna. The guards come because ma kids is waking up screamin'" She leans out the door, to holler at the neighbouring house again, "an' some Men is drain' a' all sympathy an' understandin'!"
She huffs, looks at the silverscale once more. Stares, moving her head from side to size and watching how the light reflects off her scales. "Pretty. The nightmares, is a few weeks, errry few weeks."
Peri shakes her head, "Kids doan say what, just 'scary'. Was tol' na ta bug 'em, maybe they forget easier. Breaks my heart, hearin' em wail."
Peri's attention is caught, she follows Aryia's thumb jab, she frowns, looking confused. "Wha... that tree? It showed up, in ma yard. I push'd it out to the street for trash, then HIMSELF OVER THERE goes and steals it an' plants it there."
She shrugs, "was inna big pot. Ah think mah renta threw it out."
"No, Mistress. The Seers are wise in the ways of dreams, and at times may help ease them. I myself have sought them out at need." Seldan's answer is brief, though, distracted as he is by Aryia's commentary, and he turns towards the tree, studying it intently, his eyes unfocusing briefly. "Holy Seeress, show me the presence of Your enemies," he whispers, maybe or maybe not loud enough for Peri to hear.
There is evil. Much like the wood in the attic, it's been around powerfully evil things for a while.
Aryia scratches her head. That's a big tree for one singular person to plant. She taps Seyardu for a translation again as she asks Persi, "How the hell did you manage to push it? It's massive." <Handspeech>
She does take a step away from Seldan.
"It does seem strange, to have a tree that size in a pot. Was it that size when you brought it out to the street?" Seyardu asks. "I do not mean to alarm you, but it may have been left for some reason, and we would see if there is anything of note about it, if that's alright?"
"Tha pot ha' a roun' bottom, an' I tilt it a titch an' it jes roll on out." Peri says, making a hug and a body-wiggle suggestive of rotation. "I guess was a big pot, ah seen bigger in tha gardens or on the streets."
She nods to Seldan, "Ah ain' though a' that. Mah renta was good wit 'em, maybe she's one a them Seers. She was eddycat'd."
"Anyho, it fine checkin' it out, not mah tree."
Seldan does not immediately answer, but whatever it was he was looking for, when his eyes refocus, the even features have set themselves into grim lines. "Perhaps so, Mistress." He turns his gaze to Seyardu. "I have the ability to look more closely, but perhaps it is best if I watch. That tree has seen fell things indeed."
"It is still odd, as a tree such as that would not survive indoors." Seyardu notes, walking closer to the tree. "Could you tell us more about your ,renta?"
She squints at the tree, one hand resting on the collar of her vest. "Celestial mother, grant this one the sight to see the magics that are around us." <draconic> She prays, trying to investigate further.
Aryia crosses her arms and glances over Persi, her nodding to herself and watching the tree. She squints at the top of it, and follows it across to the buildings next to them, seeing if they were perfectly level with windows or anything else.
"Well'm'm, she's one a'em tall shin' elves. Very arrissycat, nice speakin' an' all. Polite. Payup on time." Peri says, the first signs of real cheer in her voice. She waves at the townhouse behind her, "Got her tha' down groun' level, me an' tha kids, we's second an' top. Sep'ted entrances. She's got tha walk-in out tha back, Ah go tha step up."
The woman moves out of her doorway, revealing a short, narrow corridor that leads to a flight of stairs. She points, "Tha's her window."
The window is shuttered, and through the slats a heavy curtain is visible. In comparison with the odd tree next door, nothing stands out as unusual. It's at a different height from the tree top.
Although, based on the space between the first and second floor windows, and the distance the window is from the ground. The tree might be the perfect height to fit inside. It would of course, not thrive, as it's not an indoor tree.
Under normal circumstances.
"She's very quiet, likes walks in tha' park. Nittyowl, doan see her much days." Peri seems finished with her assessment of her renter.
Seldan listens carefully to this, the grim lines of his expression only deepening. He does not comment, though his eyes go up to the window, studying it closely.
"I do not wish to investigate the elf unnecessarily, but I cannot help but wonder if they have something to do with these matters." Seyardu sighs as she looks at the window. "Tree could fit in there, but why would it be inside? And why does it still look off?"
Seyardu looks to the woman again. "The days your children have had nightmares, have you noticed anything recurring during, or before them? Strange noises, this elf being out or in the building, or perhaps others being over?"
"Oh, Ah doan thin it ha' ta do with Tils. She been inanout lakh a ghost. Nat see her fa' weeks. Mous quiet." Peri says, assured. "If an'thin', when she's out. She had a trick fer right puttin' that kids ta sleep ane woul' do it if ah asked."
The woman shrugs, looking at Aryia, as Aya appears to have vanished when she wasn't watching. "Mebbe she lahk'd trees an' it got too big. Ah doan know how elves is wit dey trees."
Looks like the woman's attention was taken for the time being. Good. Aryia takes a few steps towards the tree, her looking it over closer before craning her head up. She cracks her neck, stretches her arms, and hops on up into the branches.
GAME: Aryia rolls athletics: (3)+10: 13
The tree is easy enough to climb, although it brings the neighbour to the window. He stares at the Mul'niessa in his tree. He was expecting some bird-watching, perhaps. Elves in the branches, not expected.
"She would put the children to sleep?" Seyardu asks, frowning just a bit. She glances to the tree, and back to the home, how it seemed like it would fit. But if it was brought out, then that left further questions. "Miss Peri, when was the first time your children began having these nightmares? As well, if you can remember, when was the last time that you saw her?"
Aryia's head pops out of the top, her squinting against the sun as a small twig with a singular leaf sticks out of the top of her hair. She locks eyes with the neighbor, a brow raising. A hand slowly raises as well, waves subtly, then the whole mul'neissa sinks back down into the leaves.
Well that was embarrassing.
Though, an idea crosses her. She scrambles down back to the trunk and walks around it, looking for signs of damage.
She's thinking this is the same tree the fey-elf person tried to flee in. Maybe this is a special kind of tree that's easy to traverse in, and they're bound from the fey person so they can use it.
How to tell.
"Oh, it start'd las' year when it were gettin' cole, before tha' Spookful fall holids. Ah 'mem'r cause was thinkin' if me littl'uns ha' been a Haunty 'ouse, nightmares woula ma' sense." Peri explains, brushing her hands down the front of her dress, "'cept was befar, an' didna let 'em out for Shrieks'n'Sweets 'cause though itt'd make 'em sleep worse, an' they was complain' no candy."
"Tell'em ah'd buy'em up candy, but weren't the same, they want' dress up as Docs'n'Lawyrs." The woman frowns again, thinking back, "offin' an all, since then. Tils was a great help there'. Ain seen her a whie now'. 'S not unuse'l. Rent's been pay, pile a coin erry month, regular clocky."
She nods towards the tree, "Ah think, two month back, that were put out."
A careful inspecting reveals some damage, which might be familiar to the Mul'niessa, depending how often she punches trees.
And how hard.
GAME: Seyardu rolls knowledge/arcana: (4)+5: 9
Aryia raises a brow, her running a hand over the damage and placing a fist right where the striking point would be.
- ... ...
She stands up ramrod straight. Aryia easily vaults over the fence and jogs back to Seyardu, her knowing the sith-makar had bad eyesight. "Seyardu. The tree. The tree is the same kind of tree from the river bank," the elf gestures, trying to be calm but her fingers whip the air at certain points from her revelation. <Handspeech>
Aya confirms Ariya's assessment on the odd nature of the recently-planted tree. This draws some of her suspicions towards the neighbor, and she suggests to Seldan that they might seek his observations of recent events while the others converse with the modest mother of many.
"Silverguard, let us speak with the neighbour." She nods to Peri, "We'll raise your concerns with him."
"That we shall." Seldan confirms, making a short bow, "By your leave, madam." The odd pair head next door.
"Two months ago?" Seyardu inquires, looking back to the elf for a moment, and in the direction of the river, before her attention is back on Peri. "Miss Peri, when you receive your payment, does she normally do so in person? Has she paid you in person the last two months, or does she normally leave payment for you somewhere for collection?"
She looks to Aryia, and nods, seeming to understand. "They may have tossed out the tree, if it was being kept for them, for some reason."
"Oh, she'd put a..." Peri starts to say, then leans out to stare at the townhouse beside her. She can't quite make the angle to see her neigbhour in the window. He's still there, watching his tree and wondering what else is going to pop out of it. The house-mistress lowers her voice, ".. a tha top a these stairs a-out mah door, right 'gainst list. Quiet'n'all. Was tha' usual' way, an' no. Ha'n't seen her inna bit."
"Knocked a few times, when tha' kids was tearin' up, but she been scarce."
Aryia nudges Seyardu with her elbow. "Ask her what the elf looked like." The mul felt like they were about to hit something big. <Handspeech>
But... if... the tree looked like it could fit through the window...and this is possibly the elf-that-was-killed's place...
The erinyes tossed it? And are paying rent to keep up appearances?
The elf MADE the trees and littered them around Alexandria?
They did use fey-like magic and nature magic, for sure.
Seyardu jumps a bit at the nudge, but she looks quickly to the handsigns. She nods. "Both homes prior were used while there are others still living in them." She says to the mul.
She takes a step closer to Peri. "I may have an idea what is causing your children such trouble, miss Peri. I would not ask this otherwise, but do you have a spare key to your renta's home? I would ask if it would be able to take a look around, to see if we can find the source there." She asks calmly, gesturing to the main door in the hall.
"The elf, do you remember her appearance? If there is a link to one we encountered recently, it may be dangerous to stay here, and we would make sure it is safe for you and your Children. Many facts line up, and it would be unwise to dismiss such things as coincidences."
The silverscale is going to keep referring to tenants as rentas until corrected.
Which might be some time coming.
"Oh, well, aye, ah gots a 'tra key. Ahm supposey giver a day or two tellin' ahm comin' in." Peri says, although she does fish in her pocket, and does bring out a ring of keys. She sounds worried, "Tils is a grea' renta, ah doan wanna run her off."
Her eyes widen, especially when a threat to her children is identified, "Ya think Laey Tils is in trouble? Ah.. Ah not seen 'er in a while. Could be a check-wells like tha guards is always doin'. C'mon'on roun'."
She steps forward and closes her door, then heads down the steps. The woman travels out to the street then walks down the side of her townhouse. As she's on the end, there are windows. The lower floor windows are shuttered with curtains behind them. This is not unusual. In a city like Alexandria, there often aren't ground floor windows, or bars on the ones that are. Keeps nighttime visitors out.
The rear of the townhouse is similar, a small yard that has a fence dividing it from the Market Gardens. Wouldn't do for the homeowner to feel the park was theirs. There's a wide set of doors, glass, sliding, and two hinged gates that close and lock. They are currently closed, and locked. As with the other windows, the sliding doors have a heavy curtain in front.
The tree might have been able to get out of the front window, it definitely could be brought out the back doors.
Peri chats as she walks, and unlocks things, "So, Lady Tils was tall'n'thin an all ganty like. Gots the long hair, an' a sharp nose, bit of a wiggly riva. Ha' tha' dresses all embroyey, an' fancy. Showin' skin. Slim, an' ha' this, jes alla magical like. Ya look 'n yep, na a human ah' all."
She knocks several times on the door. Waits, knocks again, "Tils! Tils ya' in there? Ah'm a worr'd ain't seenya." Peri looks at Seyardu and Aryia, "no offense meanin', you' not human inna differen' way she's weren't human."
Knock, knock, knock, "Tils! Ah'm comin' in, kay?"
Aryia purses her lips as they walk and talk. She frowns a bit at Seyardu, her gesturing. "You don't have to warn her yet about the possible dangers. She might clam up and not let us do anything. Tell her after." <Handspeech>
The mul'neissa glances over the doors and windows. She diverts a bit as the landlord knocks on her tenant's door, Aryia getting close to the front window and back doors, her squinting and looking for drag marks in the wood on the frame. She waves off the apology from behind her back.
"That sounds like the same person," Aryia gestures from her inspecting spot towards Seyardu. <Handspeech>
"I understand, Aryia, but I would at least have her know why we need to investigate." Seyardu follows along, doing her best to listen to the accent. It was hard, with half the words missing half of their syllables to follow along, but she did her best as they continued.
"It is alright, I take no offense from it, I understand completely how I would not be mistaken for a human, but elves can be difficult at times. I understand wishing to give her notice, but we should see inside today. Though this one would ask, if you have never seen inside her room before, to remain out here. Or have not seen inside within the last two months, for that matter."
There is no answer. Peri gives one last, "Ah'm comin' in."
The gates have been spread wide, she keys the sliding door, pulls it open, then pulls the curtain aside.
Afternoon sun leaks into a dark space. It's pitch with the blackout curtains. Peri is occupied tucking the blanket up, to get more light. "Tils liked sleepin' durin' tha day, ah think."
"Well a' course. Ah seen it 'fore she was me renta, an' cuppa time, drop in, inspect, wit notice an' all. Was always nic'an'tic, spot shiny', smell good."
She glares at the attached townhouse, "Not like himself, breedin' bugs."
It's possible to enter. The furthest points of the room are still dark.
Aryia returns. "Drag marks. Gouges. Something heavy, I think it was the tree." <Handspeech>
She peers in, the dark corners of the room cut through from Taara's ancient blessing as she steps in silently.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "So, roll perceptions for searching" GAME: Aryia rolls perception: (8)+13: 21 GAME: Seyardu rolls perception: (6)+3: 9
"So, the tree was likely in here, the time matches up if it was no longer needed." Seyardu nods. "That is good to know. Which means the people staying here, ah. There was likely three sets of manacles. If you find any, let me know."
She looks through the room, not wishing to open the other window just yet for the Mul's benefit, and trusting her to find what she could not.
Aryia huffs. "Seyardu, can you please keep this shit in sign? I don't want to scare her." <Handspeech>
"Man'cals? Why wou' there be man'cals?" Peri asks, facing Seyardu.
Inside, it's a little narrow, but otherwise it's an open-concept, spacious apartment. It's wider in the middle, as the inner wall has a walled off chunk corresponding to the stairs up and down. They weren't accessible from the apartment, though it seems they were at one time.
The living space was divided into bedroom, living room, kitchen and study, largely by carpets and furniture providing false barriers. The kitchen is an island bordering the living room, and the study lines up with the front window. The kitchen has utensils, a small set of pots, some plates. The living room has a couch and some seat.
"Ah provid it furnish." Peri says.
Everything looks normal. The disturbing discoveries take a litte more searching. In a closet there are three sets of manacles, attached near the ceiling. There isn't a lot of clearance with the door closed, a prisoner of them would almost have a wall or door within inches of their face.
There are a set of knives, rolled up and under the sink. Butchers knifes, and no proper chopping block here for them.
There's a small shrine. To Taara.
"St-p-d f-ck-g c-ck s-ck-r T-r- b-sh-t," Aryia curses as she finds the shrine, her having been silent so far as she found even more evidence against the elf that attacked them. The knives were shown to Seyardu, Aryia having been spared the details of underneath the shop, but she finds the manacles as requested. But the shrine... phew. The shrine.
"Can I break this please for the love of fuck?" she bluntly asks, pointing at it while gesturing towards Seyardu." <Handspeech>
"I do not know the word for them, Aryia. But she cannot be told nothing either, as they may need to find a safe place to stay." Seyardu replies, and she turns to Peri. "While they may have been a good renta, they may have been trying to cover up what they, or others do." She explains. The gesturing to the shrine makes her squint more.
"There was no link to that god at any of the other places. While it should be cleansed, and destroyed, there may be somemthing to be learned." <Handspeech>
There's a spot with strange marks on the ceiling and a circle of dried leaves on the floor. It lines up with the tree being inside, then moved outside. The stains seem to be sap, and some chlorophil from the leaves. It's not positionned in a great spot for sunlight, even if the windows were uncovered, which Peri is in the process of doing.
Overall, the apartment is clean, with some exceptions. Certain low-traffic areas seem to have a little dust, a month or two's worth. The shrine is dusty, except for the sacrificial bowl, which has some dried meat in it.
As far as living spaces go, this one is pleasant. It's much nicer compared to what was found hidden under the water illusion. That was cramped, hap-hazard. This place seems more liveable.
Except for the nasty closet.
Aryia's stomach churns at the sight of the bowl. She knew what was in there. Or at least, what it represented. She goes around the closet, patting every single wall and surface, looking for something to give. It was a magic person, they must have done some kind of bullshit to hide their bullshit so they could do their bullshit.
"Manacles," she shows, "And yes, I know. That can come later. I know you want to be nice but you're being naive. You're telling everything to someone you don't know. In Charn that would get you extorted. Then killed. " <Handspeech>
"I'm not telling everything, and for all you know, being honest was what allowed us to be allowed in here. It was concern that made her let us check most likely, and being vague would not help that. And the moment they know the place has been searched, this place becomes unsafe." She retorts, beginning to unfasten the manacles. She would give them to Seldan, to be compared to the others later.
"Peri, this place, it may have something to do with the nightmares your children have been having. Finding a safe place to stay may be a good idea." She suggests. <Handspeech>
The wall are all right. They line up with the outside footprint and the known stairways. There doesn't seem to be false floor panels, or anything in the ceiling. None of the cabinets or closets are strangely deeper than they should be.
"Tha's na food." Peri discovers. There is none. There's a bowl where fruit might have been, and empty bins in the kitchen cabinets that might have had oatmeal or flour. Perishables, fruits, meats, usually aren't kept in great quantities. This apartment doesn't have an ice box. It's missing everything, salt, pepper, no herbs hanging up, although there are hooks for them.
"So, ya mean move? Move ferever or out fer a bit?" Peri asks, "Ah'll, ah'll take 'em someplace."
The hiding places are more in plain sight. Aryia is much more successful in the study. There are books, most in Sildanyari, that deal with magic and enchantments. There are a few rolled up mats, which have magic circles on them, and the sorts of spell components associated with enchantments.
The books are not nicely lined up, and they have some gaps in them.
"You aren't but you are," is all she signs about that. Her attention goes to the books as she finally finds something. She recognized it was Sildanyari, but couldn't tell at all what they said. The mul grabs a few of them, as well as the mats that had magic circles on them and the spell components. It looked as if the place had been abandoned for some time. Especially so if there was no rotted food. <Handspeech>
"Tell her we might need to come back here and that we have to show some stuff to the... temple people," she asks, waffling for the signs near the end. <Handspeech>
Despite the anxiety riddled on her visage, Aryia was glad to make some headway on their woes.
It's not dusty in certain areas. it is in others. At one point it was cleaned regularly, then that stopped. Now it's only 'cleaned' by movement.
That meat in the offering bowl to Taara. It looks like a dried up tongue. You also recall one of Lancer Tafetha's injuries was her tongue was missing.
GAME: Seyardu rolls knowledge/religion: (2)+5: 7 <OOC> Aryia whispers reroll GAME: Seyardu rolls knowledge/religion +1: (15)+5+1: 21
Taara is known to be good a liar, so communication, and something like a tongue sacrifice to her could be a sort of prayer for something similar: languages, lies believed, persuasion. Something tongue related. The other part, Erinyes don't really need to eat, or sleep, or even move. They don't 'get cramps' the way normal people do, and they can teleport. They aren't going to 'pace', or walk around a room unless they had a reason to. They'd probably be perfectly happy standing there for hours, waiting or thinking.
They could be using the room still, and wouldn't disturb the dust much.
"At least for a while, until the matter is resolved. I understand it may be difficult, but it is important." Seyardu says, giving the woman a smile. "The temple of Althea is safe to stay at if needed, they are willing to help assist with food and necessities if needed."
Seyardu continues to look around, stopping at the books and mats. But she gravitates towards the shrine. With no other foodstuff in the room, the scent of the offering was picked up, despite how faint it was.
"Celestial Mother, guide this one's thoughts, to better understand those we face." <Draconic> She offers in prayer, wracking her brain.
"Tongue. Lancer missing theirs. God sacrifice for things related to tongue?" she gestures to the Mul. "Do not think too much of the dust being undisturbed, either. They teleport, and do not eat or sleep. They could be hiding here, without moving much. They entered the flooded room directly, the maid did not know they were in there." <Handspeech>
Peri nods, picking up on the increasingly tense atmosphere and exchanges between the two, "Ah yah ah'll pack up an' out spit'lickin'. Althea ya say? 'kay." She catches sight of the shrine, and the sacrifice, and then retreats across the room, "Yah ah'll get on that now, baggin' a bag, you call me when ya ready ta lock it up. I'll tell your man."
She's gone, quickly.
Aryia scrunches her face together. Yep. That's what she figured. "People do that as a sacrifice for power from Taara." She waves goodbye to the landlord. Yeah, she wouldn't want to stay long either Aryia thinks to herself as she's gathering up evidence for research. <Handspeech>
"I will help you carry your things if you need afterwards." Seyardu offerrs before Peri is gone. "Yes, apparently they do. The tongue is important, perhaps for rituals involving speech." Seyardu suggests, taking cloth from her bag to wrap up the meat and stow it, to be brought to the temple of Daeus. "It could be how they sound like the Lancer, look like them, with the disguise not broken by dispeling. The lancer seemed surprised, it could have been a physical change. We should not linger, but they will know we were here regardless. So take what you can with you, and I wil do the same." <Handspeech>
