"So, Clovis, do you plan on trying to sell this rock again?" Quarick asks the shaken auctioneer. "You seem to have attracted some attention this time. Were you expecting to really sell a bit of the Starstone without any trouble? Did anyone approach you ahead of time, with threats or anything?" Quarick asks, the idea suddenly occurring to him.
"I've got too much invested in it to not sell it, but I think I'm going to take some additional precautions next time around. This was not what I expected." Thinking for a moment he adds, "Of course there were several who wanted to buy the stone outright, but they were all in attendance tonight. I made it clear to each of them that it would go to the highest bidder, and I think they were all ok with that to be honest." This draws another sour look from the man in the duster, who says "I'd be fine with taking it off your hands right now Steele, which is why I'm still here. Waiting for you to come to your senses and be done with that bauble. It's going to bring you more trouble than you can handle."
Laughing, Clovis says, "My guards made sure it was safe, as they were paid to do. I'm sure they could keep it safe against any other threats!" One part boast, one part overconfidence, saying the words aloud actually seem to spark something inside the man's head. "Speaking of which, how would you all feel about hiring on in a more full time basis? You have proved you can handle yourselves in a pinch, and I have regular work for folks such as you." he asks, letting the question hang in the air.
"You get attacked by bony monsters on a regular basis?" The gnome asks lightly, but there is a gleam in the swashbuckler's eyes as he peers at Clovis. A mistrusting, searching gleam.
"You get attacked by bony monsters on a regular basis?" The gnome asks lightly, but there is a gleam in the swashbuckler's eyes as he peers at Clovis. A mistrusting, searching gleam.
"Never! In fact, I've managed to run business for several months without so much as a stern look from one of my customers. This is the first time there's been violence involved." he states, rather candidly. "However, there are items out there that need to be sold, want to be sold. And its my job to see that they get a chance to fulfill that desire."
During the gnome's talk with Clovis Jonas remains mostly silent, listening to what is being said but also thinking back to the moments of the appearance of the strange humanoids and the subsequent fighting. He seems to reach a conclusion and then finally speaks.
"I am not so sure the...," he starts, pausing as if trying to find a suitable word before relenting, "...creatures were after the Starstone fragment, if it even is such a thing." He shakes his head before continuing. "No, I actually believe they were trying to get at someone in the roped off section, where the nobles were seated."
"Indeed," Hanz murmurs. "Which means the question isn't 'Why did they want the stone?' Rather, it would seem to be, 'Why did they not want someone else to gain the stone?'" The question hangs in the air for a moment before the dwarf shakes his head.
"Regardless, Master Steele, I am willing to return here to work for you again--at the very least, until you see yourself rid of that thing."
"Or perhaps their target was one of the nobles himself regardless of the stone," Jon muses with a shrug. "Could you perhaps tell us who those within the cordoned off area were? Perhaps once we know their identities, some more light may be shed, some connection may be made."
As others, smarter and cleverer then he began asking questions Quarick moved away from the limelight. Perhaps he might be able to find these nobles, perhaps not. Jonas looked to be a capable investigator.
The gnome felt the bony sword under his clothes, feeling the sharp edge. He wondered to himself if anyone is Absalom could identify this strange weapon and perhaps shed light on the whole affair? Perhaps those strange creatures were not even humans? He racked his brain to think of a useful authority. Absoalm was the Queen of Cities, surely it held someone with esoteric knowledge such as this?
Any number of places might yield some good results. The Arcanamirium for one, as few places have access to as much lore as they do. The Pathfinders are known for accumulating rare and unique items, and it would no doubt be of interest to them, even if they haven't encountered something like it in the past. The Master of Scrolls would be a decent lead in that direction. Someone who deals in the remains of creatures would also be an option. A taxidermist or alchemist perhaps. The Gladdus Brothers might be worth checking out.
Turning to Jonas, Clovis smiles, "Well, as I don't feel any of them asked for any secrecy to their attendance, I don't see the harm in telling you." Turning sideways a bit, he extends a hand outward in a gesture towards the blonde haired woman, "First, may I introduce Lady Eliana Cormas, of the House of Cormas. Her family has no shortage of those with an interest in the arcane." The woman gives a very formal curtsey, her eyes scanning each of you before meeting with those of Jonas. They widen a bit at his gaze, a sudden hint of surprise in them, but she quickly recovers and returns to a casual stance. "And of course Kerstin Auttenberg," he continues, gesturing to the red headed woman behind him as he turns, "Kerstin traveled all the way from Brevoy to attend our gathering this evening." She smiles politely at the group, giving a short bow in acknowledgement. "Caspar you met, although it appears he had other business to attend to. And of course, Master Yarplen," he says, indicating the man behind the group. "Herne, please. Well met. You all fought well against those things.", the man in the duster adds. "Herne hails from Torch, in Numeria." Clovis adds, drawing a chuckle from the grizzled looking man. Glancing around, and suddenly realizing the absence of the others he adds, "Yellow Hatchet, Mister Bertoletti, Arukumbi, and Gatewarden Luciant all appear to have departed rather hastily, so unfortunately introductions can't be made on their behalf."
After some time wondering and weighing the words from the newcomers, Elxurian gets a determined look on her face. She seems to have drawn a conclusion, and it's not happy with it. She turns to Yarplen first, with a voice as as cold as ice. "Are you gonna tell us who sent these creatures after you, or is that person here among us, so you cannot talk about it?"
Don't know a single one of them...though that's not surprising.
Hanz, who had been frowning and chewing his lip, looks sharply up at Elxurian's accusation, seemingly impressed by her boldness. He eyeballs the Numerian, watching him carefully to gauge his reaction.
Penka, also surprised by Elxurian's accusation, also watches intently for some sign from one of those present that they were behind all this.
The stone radiates no magic or evil.
The scruffy looking man raises a wild eyebrow in the paladin's direction at the accusation, "Girl, if those things were after me I would have handled it myself. I'm not one to shy away from a fight." He glances in the direction of Steele and adds, "Clovis, if you aren't selling the stone tonight, I'll be taking my leave. You know how to reach me if you set a new date." Then turning to the group, his eyes leveled with those of Elxurian, he says, "If you find anything out about those things, I'd be interested in hearing what you've discovered." Reaching into a satchel affixed to his hip he removes a oval shaped metal device, roughly the size of a human fist. Turning the device over he indicates a circular depression on the surface. "Press there, and wait. I'll be able to find you fairly quickly." He holds the item out, waiting for someone to accept it, before nodding to Steele and turning to leave.
As far as you can tell, he is telling the truth. There was nothing in his tone or mannerisms to indicate he was hiding anything.
As Clovis introduces the nobles still present and talks of those that have departed, Jon notices Lady Cormas' surprise, but does not dwell on it. He does however turn his head slightly as if to look at the rest of those being introduced, but mostly to deny her a better look of his features. 'Well, someone is bound to find me familiar now and then, especially if he or she is from Taldor,' he ponders briefly before turning his attention once again on the matter at hand, trying to remember if any of the names are familiar, at least in addition to those he has already heard about either due to his time in Taldor or his stay in Absalom and recognized before the event began.
As he searches his memory though, he hardly has time to speak when Elxurian accuses the one by the name of Herne Yarplen of being the creatures' target, something he vehemently denies.
"Elxurian?" He turns to the woman, his expression one of puzzlement.
Lady Cormas is indeed from Taldor, and you recognize her as someone from your childhood. During several events that you would have rather avoided as a youth, you were pressed into rooms with other children while the grown-ups socialized. Eliana was also one of these children. Her family had a much loftier status than your own, but each family traveled in similar social circles, especially with your parent's aspirations. Eliana was always close by during these situations, and knowing now what you didn't know then, its entirely possible she had a bit of a childhood crush on you.
While Kerstin herself is not familiar, you recognize the Auttenberg name. A family related by marriage to the vanished line of House Rogarvia, direct descendants to Choral the Conqueror. You also know that this House, to a man, vanished many years ago, almost overnight.
Herne does not seem familiar to you.
Elxurian keeps her eye on Yarplen's until he finishes his theater. Deep in her mind, there is doubt, but she decided to trust her feelings, and of course the other indications she found. She takes the oval device from his hand, makes a mental note to analyze it later and then nods at him, with a look of understanding in her face.
She waits until the man and the other bidders left to answer to Jonas' request for an explanation. "The creatures were not here for the Starstone. They were definitely after someone inside the noble area. If you think of the precise time of the attack, you will realize they did it right after the outrageous amount offered by Yarplen's, which someone wouldn't be able to surpass, so they made their move. It could also be that, instead of trying to eliminate him because of the offer, they already had a plan to take him out, and they just needed to confirm it was really the man, which the offer made sure to prove." She looks at the device on her hands. "He is constantly in the road, and probably his enemies can't get hold of him, but in an auction as important as this it's a safe bet he will show."
"It is not so outrageous, if you consider they are potentially buying a piece of the Starstone." Tsura cuts into the discussion. "But still, it is worth noting, as pointed out by the paladin, that they attacked right after your bid, Mr. Yarplen. Just as the bidding was placed outside of the limits of many of the bidders. Or probably much more than they had on them or arranged before the auction." She turns to Yarplen. "Mr. Yarplen, do you have any rivals? Maybe ones that were attending tonight or are related or associated with rivals?"
Diplomacy
"I think you are overlooking on important thing lass." Herne says, speaking to Tsura, "If someone wanted the thing so bad that they'd kill someone who outbid them, why wouldn't they just have stolen it outright?" He turns to Clovis, speaking to the man while at the same time addressing those present, "Despite your best efforts at protecting your goods, I could have that stone for myself right now if I had the mind to do so, and if I wasn't an honorable man. The same could be said for several in attendance this evening. So why would someone try to kill a bidder just to remove them from the auction? Anyone with the means to drum up a private army of...freaks, should have no problem taking a treasure like that away from the likes of you." he says, waving his hand to indicate those present. "No offense, but we don't dance on the same stage." he adds, his tone completely serious and without humor.
"My money is on the fact that someone wanted someone else dead, or wanted to send a very specific message. The rest was just circumstance, pure blind coincidence." the rugged man says.
Elxurian just listens to the conversation while the man is present, and although she is highly suspicious of him, there's no more reason to point the finger at him. "Indeed that task would have been easier while they were here, since the guests were supposed to be unarmed. You seem like a nice man, but in my opinion you're the most likely target. Judging by your looks we can say you spend a long time on the road, being very hard to find. Do you have a more likely target in mind?" She turns to the other guards as well. "Anyone guys? What about that guy in the military uniform who was still armed despite of the rules?"
Hanz frowns, thinking. "It seems to be that any one of these men or women could have enemies powerful and important enough to warrant such an attack..."
Since the others are playing the shy for now, Elxurian answers to Clovis' offer. "Yes, mister Clovis, I would like to keep working for you for a while."
As the others talk with Herne, Jonas turns to the red headed woman. "Lady Auttenberg," he says, a brief bow of his head accompanying the words, "I seem to recall some things about your family. You are related to House Rogarvia, yes? By marriage at least. A House that, if memory serves, vanished overnight and to a man many years ago."
He pauses, letting the information sink in, before continuing. "Considering the strangeness of that event, could you possibly have been the target of those strange creatures?"
As he waits for an answer, he momentarily turns to Clovis to nod his own agreement to his offer before turning back to the noble woman.
Herne nods to the paladin and says, "True enough, I am not always the easiest to track down, but that doesn't mean I was the target. I wish I had more information, but unfortunately I'm at as much of a loss as to what those creatures goal was as any of you."
Turning to Jonas, the red haired woman raises an eye for a moment at the question, "A distant relation to be sure, and one that has been more of a burden than a boon. However, my whereabouts are rarely a thing of mystery, and if someone wanted to make an attempt on my life they'd do it somewhere less...public. I'm sorry, I don't think those things were after me."
It soon becomes obvious that everyone has somewhere they'd much rather be. The noblewomen make their excuses in a polite and gracious manner, meeting their escorts outside to take them to their respective lodgings within the city. Herne also departs, promising to send word if he stumbles across any answers and commenting again that should anyone come across any new discovery as to the creature's origins, to call for him. Clovis turns to the group after all of the guests have been taken care of and says, "I feel my evening is only just beginning. I understand the guard has questions for me, and I must attend to those. There is also the matter of dealing with the removal of the recently deceased as well as the cleanup. I must consider what, if anything, I will be able to do for the families of those who fell victim to this attack, as I feel there is a large burden of responsibility on my shoulders here." He sends his assistants and servants out to begin to attend to matters. Once alone he adds, "I need to secure the stone and deal with personal matters. Please meet me back here in three days. That will give me time to sort things out and prepare what I have for you. Come ready to travel." Almost forgetting, he continues, "Oh, and take this. Consider it one part bonus, one part retainer for your services. I want to thank you again for how you handled things this evening. The outcome could have been far more dire without your presence." And with that he hands over a sizable pouch and heads for the door.
Opening the pouch you discover several finely cut emeralds.
You hustle to the Grand Bazaar, hoping to catch the brother's shop still open, arriving just as they are preparing to close up. "Evening to you master gnome, what can we do for you? I fear it is closing time, and even the mighty must rest, so please be to the point." say one of the half-elves.
"Of course we are familiar with Clovis, he's been making quite the name for himself. However, we generally don't attend such affairs, too steep for our blood." says on the men, and the other continues almost immediately, "The list of goods this time around had nothing that seemed suitable for our purse. Starstone indeed, thats a right funny one there." Eyeing the gnome up, the first brother says, "Look. We've no time for pranks. Whats the story here?"
"If you will excuse me, I will be taking my leave for a little while," Jonas says to the others as he prepares to leave. "I have an idea or two about some people that may be able to shed some light into what happened, but it will probably take a bit of time. But I am sure we will find each other easily enough, yes? I am staying at the Murdered Mare myself, so perhaps we could meet up there a little later?"
He then adds with a smile, "I am sure we will have more to talk about soon enough."
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"What do you make of THAT, gentlemen?".
Elxurian nods to Jonas, who at least says where he was going. "Coincidence. I'm also there, although I'm hardly ever around it when I'm in town. Guess this changes things, see you tomorrow."
Hanz's eyebrows raise as the auctioneer hands them the bag full of gems, but he shrugs and pockets his share nonetheless. Turning to the others, he nods and says, "I am not staying at the Murdered Mare, but I believe I have heard of such an inn. I will meet anyone who wishes to meet there tomorrow afternoon." With a curt nod to the others, the dwarf stows his weaponry and moves off at a brisk (for a dwarf) pace.
Salutations and firm hand be to Pavo Krupt of the Arcanamirium:
My friend, the auction you sent me to has concluded, but I was unable to fulfill my task--there was no buyer for the item that interested you. Before the auction could be concluded, it was attacked by monsters wielding pieces of their own skeletons, a depravity I've neither seen nor heard of before. There were a great many fatalities, and Clovis Steele called off the rest of the auction. The other guards and I destroyed the monsters, but none knew what they were.
I would speak with you in person, if I may. In addition to desiring to pick your brain for possibilities as to the nature of the fiends that attacked us, I would discuss the artifact itself with you--for while I had it under my observation, it seemed to me that it did not radiate the powerful magic such an object should have. It is possible that its aura was masked, of course, but I am desirous of your thoughts.
I shall visit the Arcanamirium tomorrow morning to see my sister; send word to her if you are able to receive me. I remain your faithful servant,
Hanz, of the Deadshield clan of Dongun Hold
His letter done, Hanz folds and seals it, scratching his personal rune into the wax, and then dispatches it via a messenger to the Arcanamirium. After that, the dwarf sits brooding in the guttering candlelight at his desk. What could those things have been after? And what might they have gained from disrupting the sale of the Starstone fragment? Bah, I do not like this endless intrigue--I am meant for the solidity of gears and steel, of stone and wood, not the fluidity of shadow and honeyed words. Brigh, guide my hand. Let me create a good work. Realizing that he's wasting ink by doodling on his spare parchment, the dwarf turns in and blows his candle out.
The next day, Hanz goes straight to the Arcanamirium after his morning prayers, and knocks on his sister's door.
As the Pathfinder Society typically prefers reports in person, Jonas takes a diversion the next morning to the Foreign Quarter of the city to the Grand Lodge, a massive complex located in that section of Absalom. He is escorted before Venture Captain Adril Hestram and gives his report in full, detailing the auction events, those present, and the appearance of the strange attackers. Venture Captain Hestram listens intently at the report, nodding several times during the conversation and taking notes throughout the interview. On Herne, Hestram says, "Herne Yarplan is no mystery to the Society, and has actually done work for us in the past. His own skills were rather instrumental in several recent dealings with the Technic League. He's a bit of an enigma, but we've no reason in the past to doubt his credibility. And while he is a rather strange individual, he's not someone who would be hard to find. I have my doubts that these attackers were after him." When the discussion turns to the creatures themselves he asks many questions, most of which have no suitable answer. "I will pass the information of these creatures along to our scholars and see what we can determine. It would be most ideal if, should you happen to cross one of these beings again, you might obtain a corpse for our study. It would prove most beneficial."
Wrapping up he thanks Jonas for his work and, despite the auction highlight being a flop, informs him that he has done good work for the Society.
Jonas earns 1 Fame and 1 Prestige point.
Escorted to the study by a young page, you enter the room and are nearly dumbfounded by the amount of books and tomes covering the walls and shelves of the small chamber. Volumes upon volumes of rare lore and historical accounts dominate the room, which otherwise contains only a small table and a large desk at the far side of the study. Seated at behind the desk is a rather stern looking man, his silver hair shaved close to his head and his beard neatly trimmed. He wears a loose and rather comfortable looking robe of deep blue, cinched at the waist with a wide leather belt from which hang several pouches and trinkets as well as a rune traced silver wand sheath.
"Master Deadshield, right on time. Your news is troubling, and I wished to hear the account first hand. I understand the auction did not go as planned, and without a buyer you were not able to place the device I assume. More to the point, these strange attackers. What can you tell me about them?"
The two half-elves scrunch up their faces a bit as the bone sword is revealed by the gnome. Then, shock aside, the both begin to look over the weapon carefully. Holding out a hand and accepting the shard, one of the men turns the bone over several times, scratching at the surface with a fingernail before passing it over to the other who places it under his nose and sniffs at it several times. This continues for several minutes, the two passing the bone shard back and forth, examining it in various ways.
"This is most strange," says one of the men. "Most strange indeed." finishes the other. "Would you mind leaving this with us for a day or two? Tests, tests should be performed." says one, as the other nods in agreement, "We will promise it's safe keeping to be sure."
It takes two long and agonizing days for a runner to appear at the Murdered Mare, stating that your presence is requested at the Gladdus Brothers Apothecary.
Arriving, you find the store closed, but one of the brothers quickly opens the door and ushers you inside. Inside the place has been wrecked, and the floor is littered with glass and liquids. "Came they did, came for your artifact." says one of the men, whom you have now come to know as Dask. The other, by the name of Berr, continues, "But they were too late. The study yielded results."
The two go on to explain their findings to you, actually excited about what they had discovered, despite the ruin to the store. The bone shard was of no natural substance, despite the appearance. It was in fact a man made material, wrought by powerful magic. It showed none of the common properties of an organic material and contained none of the common elements that are seen in living creatures. More interesting still, was that there was residual magic left within its structure, however they had not completed their study of the magic itself before the object was stolen from their secured storage within the shop.
Strangely enough, apart from the damage caused during the intrusion, nothing else of value, of which there is a considerable amount, was stolen...
"Find another," beseeches Berr. "We must continue the study." finishes Dask.
"These attackers," the dwarf continues, frowning, "were like nothing I'd ever seen before. They seemed human at first--they stood among the visitors to the auction without anyone noticing--but when they attacked, shards of bone erupted from their elbows. They used these like swords. Either they were not human, or they were humans under some very baleful dark magic--but I sensed no such thing when I scanned the crowd, although it was a brief look. I was hoping that you might have some insight, or that the libraries here might provide further information."
He appears a little troubled, but quickly enough a smile appears on his lips again. "Of course, if everything was already known and no mysteries remained, it would make our Society a thing without purpose, would it not? We do love our mysteries."
"I will see about... borrowing a corpse for study if given the chance," he says with a shrug, "but you will let me know if you find out anything more even without one?"
Elxurian waits at the common room at the Inn for anyone who wants to share information with her. She has her breakfast very slowly, to give time for anyone to chime in before she is done and ready to leave. If anyone meets her there, she shares the information she got so far.
"I don't know about you, but I couldn't find anything on the mwangi man, Arukumbi. Whoever he is, it seems no one I know has ever seen him here. The half-orc, Hatchet, is also a mystery. He's a soldier from Belkzen, and found no reason why he came to the auction. Caranah Luciant is very suspicious, tough. She only cares about power, I've heard, and that can be very dangerous. Of course, she fled during the battle and the creatures didn't pursue her, so I don't think she was the target. How did you fare on your wanderings, folks?"
Krupt scratches his recently shaved head, itching at it madly as if trying to jog loose some hidden memory. "I'd like to think I've seen or read about most creatures, but this sounds unlike anything I've studied. Give me some time to consult a few books and some of the scholars here, and lets see what we can come up with. I'll send word if I dig anything useful up. Until then, keep an eye out for these things. More information would be of great assistance." The mage stands, arching his back in a grand stretch as he moves around the desk, "Keep the gem for the time being. If the auction happens again, your orders stand. You might even discover a use for it before then, who knows?" says the old man, a slight hint of humor in his eyes.
The meeting ends and a page escorts you back to the main grounds.
Hanz receives 1 Prestige and 1 Fame for the work on his mission so far.
"Indeed, indeed we will." says Hestram, "Make no mistake, we will be doing whatever we can to identify this strange new threat. If we discover anything I will send word. In the meantime, stay close to Steele. I have a feeling that this is all somehow linked to the fragment. If its owner or whereabouts change, notify me immediately."
Tsura returns to the Abbey of the Everlight as the sun begins to hide behind the cityscape horizon of towers and minarets. Passing through the outer courtyard, she stops at the small fountain in the portico and performs her ablutions before entering the sacred grounds. Her first task is to give thanks to the Dawnflower for her safety, and she does so by going to the chapel. She kneels in prayer on the tiled-floor mosaic, reciting her chants of humility and gratefulness. She reaches into her purse and counts out twenty measures, then drops them into a donation box as a tithe on her earnings [-20gp]. She makes her way to the small cell of Father Tanrid and gives her report. Father Tanrid is a kind soul, but takes to heart the adage of being gentle as lambs as as wise as serpents. She summarizes her findings, per her mission from the Church of Sarenrae:
- Clovis Steele is indeed in possession of a rock which he purports to be a fragment of the Starstone.
- The rock does not detect as magical, but this is not surprising of artifacts.
- The bidding for the item was fierce. She summarizes the names and appearances of the attendees in the roped area.
- She describes the sudden attack, in particular the appearance and tactics of the creatures.
- Clovis insists that great effort was necessary to secure the rock; even extraplanar help.
- He has hired Tsura to continue to provide security in light of the attack.
Tsura asks for permission from Father Tanrid to continue in her task under the employment of Clovis Steele. She is deeply troubled by the deaths of so many innocents, and would see justice done to those responsible.
Quraick sits next to Elxurian as she eats her breakfast. As if he didn't know they had got off to a chilly start, chatters about the weather for a few moments, then grows serious.
"Quite a list of upstanding citizens. Who knows which one is the rouge? But I took have made progress. I swiped one of the bone shards from the scene." His voice doesn't note that he just mentioned theft. "I took it to some alchemists in the City. They made some progress with it. They found out it wasn't natural bone at all, but some sort of magically created item! They would have found more but someone busted in and took it back. They wreaked the place pretty good too. We are hot on their trail, I'll tell you that. The alchemists said if they had another sample, they might find out more information. Maybe we can convince the other's to help me rustle it up? I hate to think of whoever did this getting away with it.". The gnomes voice is strangely serious as he ponders the violence already committed.
While he waits to Elxurian to answer he amuses himself with making his spoon disappear and re-appear.
Entangling roots
School transmutation; Level druid 1, ranger 1, summoner (Wild Caller only) 1
Casting time 1 Standard action
Components V, S, DF
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one plant creature
Duration 1 round/level
Area 10 ft. radius around targeted creature
Saving throw Reflex partial; see text; Spell resistance no
Description
This spell functions as entangle, except that it affects an area 10 feet around the targeted plant creature's space (note that a creature of Large size or larger creates additional squares of affected area), and it does not hinder the targeted plant creature (though it may affect other allies within its area).
Time required: 7 days
Cost: 100 gp
Research DC: 12
Elxurian listens to what Quarick adds, and is happy with his discovery, although a bit worried about the alchemist shop. "I can help you by coming together in case you're after those guys today. Otherwise we could go to the militia and request another piece, to see what happens. I would hate to see them refusing that request, since that would probably mean they are involved too, and that will definitely make the scenario worst."
After listening to her story, taking in all of the details provided, a deep look of worry crosses the face of the elderly priest, "So many lives lost, for what? Either an unconfirmed artifact or some strange vendetta against someone in attendance. Either way, the description of how these creatures you encountered savagely treated so many innocent lives troubles me. They seem to have been without remorse of any kind." The old man paces the small room for a moment, quietly looking inward for some bit of guidance on how to best approach this heinous act. "You must find the source of these beings, and prevent this from happening to any other innocents. I will use what resources I have at my disposal to try to determine their origin, but I ask that do you what you are able to as well. Seek me out if you discover anything, and I will do the same. Keep close to Mister Steele. I feel somehow he is involved in all this, despite what he might think. He may lead us to answers in time."
Tsura earns 1 Prestige and 1 Fame with her faction.