Book II: Flamekeep- Chapter 3: The City Walls

[vandalaria]

Porter stood, satisfied with the sketch at last, and regardless there would be no more detail to be gleaned from the remaining goo the thing had dissolved into. 'Could a creature like this be from the same place as that other thing,' Porter wondered. 'Could one of those nightmare creatures find their way here physically?' Less a question for Neuks than just giving voice to a curiosity. 

Gently they closed the notebook and tucked it away, then turning first to Tobias and Pheuse, before abruptly turning once again with an "Ah, of course." They gathered their discarded sword from the ground where it lay, holding it in the awkward reverse grip that left the long blade trailing behind them like an afterthought.

[resonance]

((Nat 20+2=22)) Neuks deftly scooped up the liquid with little issue. "Ready!"

[redcoat]

Tobias and Pheuse: Glancing around the alley, you see signs of a struggle- broken crates, an ominous looking bloodstain, and the tent set up on the far side has several claw marks through it.

[Ancelas]

Tobias noted the broken debris in the ally, his eyes drawn to the tent. Frowning, he started forward, rapier held at the ready. Once he was in reach of the tent, he used the blade to try and pull some of the scraps of bloody canvas aside to see if there was something within, be it alive or dead.

[redcoat]

Lifting the canvas revealed... nothing immediately visible. A broken crate that appeared to have some items inside, a ragged bedroll, and a broken lantern.

[§~Samwise~§]

Pheuse followed behind Tobias and looked at the same scene. He wondered where a possibly injured being might be that had offered the blood. He began searching in earnest, looking for any kind of hiding spot and trail left behind by whatever had gotten wounded. (23 Investigation - Rolled-17+6)

[Ancelas]

Reaction: Pheuse was thinking along the same lines as Tobias, so Tobias moved forward to help the diminutive figure check the space, moving the canvas and some of the larger debris aside to ensure they could get a clearer read of the area.

((Assisting Pheuse's Investigation))

[§~Samwise~§]

((Advantage roll 23 investigation - Rolled 17+6 again))

[vandalaria]

Porter waited as Neuks put away her sample, watching Pheuse and Tobias’s investigation from the short distance away. They rotated their shoulder experimentally as they stood there — pain, but not terrible. Whatever had been done had taken the edge off, at least.

[resonance]

Neuks joined Porter at their side and looked on as Pheuse and Tobias searched the tent, staying back to not be in their way. Having not noticed it until now, she shifted uncomfortably. "Oh... I hope the person got away..." but her voice betrayed her doubt that it was likely.

[redcoat]

Fortunately- or unfortunately- the scene was a clear and easy read. The person who had been here had been squatting for awhile- several months, at the last. A small cigar box containing personal items could be found tucked under the flat pillow of the shredded bedroll.

Whoever had been attacked by the creature was injured- but the amount of blood did not indicate that it was a fatal wound. The blood trail ended quite suddenly though, and faint traces of a sigil were burnt into the dirt on one side of the alley.

[Ancelas]

Tobias frowned at the sigil and glanced at Pheuse. "What do you make of that?" Hearing Porter and Neuks approach, he turned and sheathed his rapier. "Signs of an attack, but no body. There's an arcane sigil of some kind here, though."

[§~Samwise~§]

Pheuse looked at the cigar box a moment for hints at who this was, but didn't linger long. He returned the cigar box to its place and followed the small trail that was left.

He knelt at the remnants of the sigil and was already examining it by the time Tobias could request it of him. (Arcana 19 - rolled 13+6)

[vandalaria]

"Indeed, Mistress Neuks." Porter's answer was non-committal, as uncertain about the details as she was. They stood somewhat back from Pheuse and Tobias so as not to disturb them, watching in turn their continuing investigation and the mouth of this alley, uncertain if their fight was going to draw any attention but guessing anyone able to likely had long since left the area.

[resonance]

((Passing))