Over the last four days, Darelle, Daryle and Gerald rested and re-equipped. They bought healing potions and Darelle invested into another invisibility potion. Daryle, meanwhile went hunting and captured 48 crowns' worth of pelts and goblin ears. She meets with Karlyle the butcher, who mentions that most of the goblin ears that have been turned in are those of juveniles.
Darelle spends some time with Dr. Mordel, who reports that there is a flu epidemic in the town. About one in five people seem to be affected. They are stricken and bed-ridden, but after three or four days they are able to return to their regular activities. The population outside the walls seems not to be as affected.
Gerald continues his research into the magical bow he wishes to build, and he begins to seek out components to build his copper coin change mail. He thinks that Roscoe will be rather impressed with this new invention.
In the late afternoon, Cassandra knocks on Gerald's door. After a sharp exchange that included a discussion about not telling her that he was back in time, Gerald reveals that he was badly injured. Cassandra forces her way inside, and she cooks him a nice meal. Over dinner she mentions that she is doing research in ice magic. Gerald mentions the idea of a unified theory of elemental magic where the elements could be stronger when combined properly than the sum of their parts. For example, earth to mud. She teaches Gerald the orison spell of ice over, which allows him to freeze roughly a cup of a normal liquid. Used on a water elemental, this will cause 1d4 points of damage. She departs late in the evening, after sharing a passionate kiss with him.
Calistril 24, 4712
Following the sisters' return from Xer and their quest for information on the Shadowborn family, the Coopers meet in the morning for breakfast at the Juliver Arms. Daryle tells her siblings about the goblins and what Karlyle told her. She speculates that it could either be a new tribe moving into the area, or the older goblins might have all been slain and are replaced with younger and more inexperienced troops. The breakfast is delicious, fried potatoes, pancakes, bacon, sausage, and eggs. Suddenly, they hear a scream. Through the window, they see two people running away. Both of them are elderly townfolks.
They hear a scream, then see two people running away, while Hellknights run in the opposite direction. Darelle is the first one out. She sees two automated hounds two street corners away, bent over two unlucky victims. The Hellknights have formed a defensive perimeter and are fighting them. Darelle sprints down the street and takes one of the corners next to the soldiers. One of the dogs lunges and bites down on a soldier's arm, chopping the arm right off. Darelle strikes at it, followed by Daryle firing arrows, while Gerald expands several magic missiles. It's enough damage to destroy the dog, who explodes. Darelle peels pieces of shrapnel from her face, but one of the Hellknights perishes. The combat continues for a few more moments, but the other dog is swiftly dispatched. Both dogs are constructs. Darelle attempts to heal the heavily injured soldier, but instead severely cuts his carotid artery. She is forced to use a few healing spells to restore him back to health.
Daryle examines the civilian bodies. Both victims were female and had black hair. One of the girls appears to be about 17, while they know the other is known to be a mother of three children who's about 37 years old. Daryle loots the bodies and picks up 17 copper coins and a small silver pendant while pretending to check for their injuries. The Hellknights roll their eyes and are aghast at this behavior. As more Hellknights arrive, Gerald orders six of them to bring the bodies to the Temple of the Golden Key to see if they can be revived. High Mother Sarise Dremagne tells him that the Hellknight can be brought The cost is too prohibitive. Gerald speculates that their black hair made them targets. Gerald makes all necessary arrangements to notify next of kin for all three victims, then leaves the paperwork on Roscoe's desk.
While examining the destroyed parts, Daryle finds a specific mark on both dogs. She has seen similar elements on some of the constructs in the Spire. Maralictor Wirt arrives on the scene to take command. In their discussion, Daryle mentions that she has seen similar constructs on Klarkosh's level in the Spire. She surmises the constructs could probably not escape by themselves. The symbol on the dogs is unique and though it vaguely reminds her of something she's seen before, she can't put her finger on what that was.
The house itself belongs to Geoffrey Kirker, according to Wirt, but, according to a neighbor, he and his family usually reside in Daggermark during the winter months. The house is searched, and no bodies or constructs are discovered inside. Daryle also explores the house to see how the dogs got in. She comes to three possible conclusions. The dogs could have been deposited by a green storm, summoned, or placed in here a while ago then activated today.
Meanwhile, Darelle tells Gerald to go ask Cassandra if Nissa has been summoning creatures. Gerald heads over there and carefully weaves the dogs into his discussion with the two of them. Nissa is very interested in the dogs, and Gerald quickly discerns that the child is not responsible for their presence. Returning to the scene of the attack, Gerald mentions to Maralictor Wirt his interest in training Nissa, the budding sorcerer. Wirt carelessly waves him away to do what he thinks is best, before tasking Gerald with investigating dimension doors and ways to prevent them. It would be unfortunate if enemies were able to introduce themselves in Fort Inevitable this way.
Wrapping up the investigations, a carpenter rebuilds a door to replace the destroyed door on the Kirker residence, and the Hellknights leave the scene. The Coopers continue their investigation for a while, but discover nothing. Gerald detects faint hints of magic in the air, but any of the three scenarios mentioned by Daryle could have been the cause.
As they head to Darelle's house, the Coopers encounter Cassandra again. She's wearing a cloak and carrying a strange package wrapped in leather. Gerald exchanges pleasantries with her, then offers to walk her home. At first Cassandra is very reticent, but then agrees. They all continue their walk down the street.
Three houses away from Dr. Mordel's house, the Coopers see a woman being thrown out of a second floor window. She smashes to the ground and dies instantly. They take a quick look at her. In her mid forties, she too has black hair. Daryle heads to the North Gate which is manned by a platoon of Hellknights led by the inept half orc Bolgur. She tells him what has happened, and connects this incident to the two deaths that happened earlier. Bolgur dispatches three Hellknights to investigate the matter. The officer in charge is surprised that Signifier Gerald did not invest the house to attempt to catch whomever threw the woman out the window. Gerald replies that he had to secure the scene first. The soldiers exchange glances. They break down the door and search through the house, finding nothing. Daryle receives permission from Gerald to enter the premises, but does not find dog tracks inside the residence. There are no other people present in the house.
Darelle documents the names of the three victims, and plans to investigate if there are any links between them aside from their black hair and their gender. With such a trying day, Darelle and Daryle return to Darelle's house, while Gerald heads back to his house. In the process, everyone forgot about Cassandra ...
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