Minds of Pretenders

The Scardina family is a minor noble family based out of Rosalia, and that's what sees you here today in the lush lands of the Myrrish kingdom most known for its decadent wines, fine works of art, timber, and precious metals. The airship ride, necessitated by the fact that mountains and woodlands are what separate Rosalia from Alexandros, was at least pleasant enough, given the balmy weather and clear skies that emerged once the airship sailed on past the borders of Alexandros. The Scardina family residence is then only a half-hour's brisk ride from the Rosalian capital on horseback, and you meet with Sir Otello Scardina not within the manor but with a walk in his vineyards. The nobleman is a tall human fellow with long brown hair, tied back neatly into a small ponytail, and his blue garments are tailored in the Rosalian fashion.

"I wish that you were merely just esteemed guests, otherwise I would gladly invite you to stay and sample the wines," Otello says once he's shown you around. "The fact of the matter is simple. I have a man who claims to be my half-brother, a thing that has besmirched my late father's memory in the wake of his death. He has also brought to a suit a contestation of my late father's will. I am not about to let my livelihood fall into the hands of a churl who has never even set foot onto the vineyards."

He takes a slip of paper from within his jacket and holds it out. "This contains directions to his abode and a small map of the surrounding area. I must warn you--I hired adventurers to handle this matter because he is alleged to be a wizard of some capability. I do not know what he has prepared for all of you."

Among the group who rode to meet Sir Scardina is a pair of raven-haired young men who, outside of their clothing, may as well be carbon copies of one another. The one in calf-length wizard's robes of a light linen, dyed a deep hunter green to match his eyes, has been the quieter of the two, and has made room via a leather pad on his shoulder for a gray hawk that seems to be quite familiar with him. He hasn't had much to say to this point, but when mention is made of the half-brother who is alleged to be a wizard, he snorts, a sarcastic smirk on his lips. "Wizards can be dealt with. You wouldn't happen to have any notion of what this man might want the estate for?"

This seems... excessive. The blank eyes of the war golem calling itself Khepri regard Otello Scardina with an almost remote stare, only exacerbated by the golem's plague doctor countenance. "Why are you so certain he is not your half-brother?" The metallic voice is toneless, devoid of any emotional bearing.

"Axiom: mortals err. An unexpected, unacknowledged sibling is an embarrassment, but one that is not uncommon in this day and age." The golem tilts its head, birdlike. "We will investigate the matter."

Theo is not particularly enjoying the walk through the vineyards on a 'balmy' day. It's not the walking really but the balmy part of that description. Pleasantly warm for someone who is in normal clothing is somewhat overly warm for a man in armor - which he is. He keeps up well in spite of the fact that he's wearing it, matching pace with a man who looks as identical to him as another person could forbearing that their clothes are quite different. Long observation of the pair might lead one to pick out other small differences, but they are quite obviously related to one another.

When the explanation is given, Theo does not accept the slip of paper, but rather stares at the man placidly. Others amongst the group manage to speak before he does, but he doesn't seem to mind this, simply adding onto the questions with a question of his own. "What precisely do you intend for us to do about his contention?"

Lavinia eyes the slip of paper, studying it for a while, before turning away, as Theo does not take, "Could you kindly read that out loud? I don't have my glasses." She doesn't wear glasses, of course, but why would she tell anyone that? "I second that question. I'm assuming this is just 'figure out if it's true or not'? There's not much we can do otherwise, after all." She rolls her shoulders, and begins to do some calisthenics. Limbering up, and whatnot. "I'm assuming he wants the estate because he wants to be rich and being a professional finger-wiggler is expensive." She mentions, almost as an afterthought, "Anyone who can make things burn with their brain is bound to be a little off-kilter, right?" A pause, and she goes on, "Just put a yard of steel through someone's ribs like a proper civilized person."

GAME: Reithak rolls sense motive: (5)+7: 12
GAME: Khepri rolls sense motive: (15)+9: 24

"Have any of you ever seen anything as out of place as a bird on a horse? Well, I've seen a few weird things here and there, but might be a weird thing. Of course, not my first rodeo, either." The large egalrin chuckles loudly to theirself as they travel. "They sure pulled out all the stops to get us here, huh? You'd think it'd be easier to hire local for something like this."

Reithak dismounts their steed as they arrive, and the egalrin joins the others at the vineyards. The inquisitor doffs their hat, and offers a low, sweeping bow. "Well, I can't speak for everyone here, but we're happy to help! False claims are serious business, of course." They nod. "Of course, if there is any actual legitimacy to such a claim, then that's something that needs to be brought up in the courthouses of course, but that's why we're going in to get to the bottom of it and make sure that's not the case, right?"

Sir Otello looks at Lavinia with a raised brow. "Well, my fiancee is a magic user herself," he says. "In fact, she's an initiate in the Temple of Althea. The Kingdom of Rosalia produces a fair number of wizards--certainly not on Rune's output, no, but there are many who use magic here. I'd recommend you not describe just anyone who uses magic as off-kilter, miss."

He clears his throat and answers Theo next, partially Lheo as well. "I'd simply like an investigation done," he says. "Truth be told--I was supposed to get a follow-up on the legal notice I had sent to him, but he hasn't yet. I have... a hunch. That something is afoul here beyond him wanting the vineyards and the money. Call it a gentleman's intuition."

Finally the man says, "I hired adventurers from Alexandria because we really don't have much of an established 'mercenary' network in Rosalia. Most matters like this, the Adventurer's Guild in Alexandria is who we turn to."

Lheo, the thinner of the two raven-haired men and the one wearing wizard robes, stares at Lavinia for a good, long minute or more, the smirk fading. "All muscles, no brains. Understood. Thanks for making that clear at once." He turns back to the client when he starts to speak, listening intently. "So you think there's more going on here than just a will dispute," he repeats. "You think he's up to something that wizards shouldn't be doing. I understand." Some of the smirk returns. "Yes, we'd better look into that, brother."

Khepri stares back at Otello with those pitiless yellow eyes, before reaching out to take the slip. "The matter will be investigated. All will be made clear in time -- one way or another." The golem regards the writing on the slip, nodding slowly, before tucking it away in a pouch on its harness.

The bird-face turns to regard the others, and Khepri remarks, "Does anyone have any other questions, before we set out?" It taps its fingers lightly on the hilt of its khopesh, thinking to itself.

Theo turns his attention from the man hiring them to Lavinia. Green eyes narrow considerably. In fact, with his arms crossed over his chest, one hand hanging a bit low in that motion so that he could have easily drawn his weapon... one might think he's considering a fight with the woman. Surely not. The paladin of Serriel only looks upon her more and more unpleasantly as she speaks.

Thankfully the man in charge of the job sets her to rights on the matter of mages, but he's not about to forget what she said out of mere politeness. No. "Indeed miss, mages are not to be trifled with and insulting them is liable to find you with injury done by their mace-wielding brothers." This firmly stated, he continues. "Just as using any steel you possess unwisely will lead you to the same conclusion."

He nods to his brother steadily and lets the subject go - for the moment. "Yes, we had best look into it indeed." Thankfully Theo wasn't known for his short temper or anything, but someone insulting his brother was one of those things that did not bear repetition.

Lavinia looks between Theo, then to Otello, first, then after a moment to consider, speaks up,"Your rebukes are well delivered." A pause, and then she reaches out, and tugs a glove off of one of her hands, and throws it at Lheo's feet,"That kind of response makes it impossible to work with you. I demand satisfaction."

"Noted, and my thanks for explanations of such matters." The egalrin thanks as they turn around to the others. A move which put the egalrin between the group, right where a glove was tossed. "They do have a point, you shouldn't assume of an entire group with such a statement." Reithak hums, stooping down to grab the glove and offer it to Lavinia. "But you there, should not make such statements based on one's beliefs or prejudices, either, it's not really a fair judgment, now is it? Lets leave this be, and be on our way. We've got plenty of time to work through or troubles on the way there, I'll be happy to listen to you all talk about what have you on the way."

Reithak turns to Othello again, and waves. "Apologies for that, we'll be on our way. And rest assured we'll be on our absolute best by the time we're on the job."

Sir Otello looks flabbergasted at the situation unfolding in his vineyards. It's either that or a small bit of gratitude this isn't happening inside of his manor. "Ahh--may I request that this not happen here nor now?" he asks Lavinia. "Good miss, I think you can work this out. There really is no need for this."

He coughs. "If there is anything more I can do to help you, I will gladly provide."

Khepri whirls on Lavinia, eyes glowing. "We are on guild business. There is no dueling while on guild business. We will proceed to this wizard's lair and resolve the matter. Once that is complete you may discuss it among yourselves." A pause. "I recommend you all fill out your next of kin documents if you have not already. If you require them I carry blanks for such a purpose."

Lheo's green eyes rest on Lavinia, then turn away, even as Reithak picks up the glove and hands it back to her. He responds to neither of them, just turns back to their client. "Sorry about that. I don't think I have any more questions, and we should be on our way. Thanks for your time. Let us go, and find out what we can." He waits only to be sure that their client has nothing further for them before turning away.

Lavinia lifts an eyebrow at Sir Otello, then says,"I can certainly take it outside, and I can even admit when I've been an ass, but I've been insulted rather crudely as well." She sighs and takes the glove from Reithak. "In honor of our host." A pause, and then she says to Reithak,"And out of respect for you." Why she respects that particular egalrin is anyone's guess, but she turns, stomping off, glove being pulled on. For once, the mouthy adventurer is silent.

Once the glove is picked up, Theo like his brother turns the bulk of his attention toward their employer, offering a low nod to the man. Still. He doesn't quite take his eyes off the woman entirely. He seems glad when she stomps off, shaking his head a little. He looks over the others and nods once again. "We had best be on our way."

"Well, I appreciate it, Lavinia." The egalrin beams. Or at least, seems to beam, their eyes certainly have a bit of a sparkle to them for a moment. "And you too for keeping it civil Theo."

Reithak claps their hands and turns back to their host. "Well! I guess we will be on our way then. If I could ask anything else, you wouldn't happen to have a copy of any documents related to this claim, would you? Best we have our information and stories straight before we confront them, in case of any potential slip ups on their part. I wouldn't ask for the originals, but I wouldn't mind a moment to make sure there were no errors in transcription or the like."

Sir Otello is reluctant to part with copies of his claims, for understandable reasons, really. And the legal matters around contesting the will itself have not begun yet, so there are no transcriptions to read. However, he does provide Reithak with some facts: the man's name is Samuel Scythers, and he lives alone, as his mother, a serving maid who once worked for various noble families in the area, had passed away a few years ago. His house is a small cottage that looks like it's seen better days as the group approaches.

However...

The front door is ajar. Curious.

GAME: Lheo rolls perception: (17)+4: 21
GAME: Khepri rolls perception: (14)+11: 25
GAME: Theo rolls Perception: (11)+1: 12
GAME: Reithak rolls perception: (12)+11: 23
GAME: Lavinia rolls perception: (13)+6: 19

Khepri passes the time on the way to the cottage by discussing the tenets of Vardama, the Harpist. This is, of course, probably not the best oratory due to Vardama being the goddess of the dead, but it doesn't stop Khepri from explaining the best way to address the Guardian of Souls should you find yourself in her Halls.

When the ride thankfully comes to an end, Khepri smoothly climbs off the wagon, and begins to approach the cottage. "Samuel Scythers, I am Executor Khepri. I wish to discuss the nature of your claim against..." Then the golem trails off, coming to a stop. Suddenly its khopesh seems to leap from its sheath into its hand, and the golem unslings its shield. "Something is amiss," it intones.

Lavinia thankfully has a handkerchief. As she approaches cottage, she reaches for said hanky, covering her face, and backs away rapidly, with a sort of retching sound, "Ugh. Either he's dead, or he's a necromancer." She is left coughing, still covering her mouth as she reaches for the shortsword at her side, a foul expression on her face. "I don't suppose there's any chance this is an otyugh farm?" A pause. "I'm fairly certain that's not a thing." Another moment, and she adds, "Please tell me that's not a thing."

Lheo, who had kept his peace for the entire ride - and the entire lecture, as one accustomed to listening to oratory of the sort that does not interest him - covers his face with a gloved hand as he approaches the door. "Yes, I smell it too. Brother, be careful." He looks at nobody else in the party, and slows his steps.

A lovely butterfly lands on Theo's nose and the man blinks at the little insect in surprise. For a few moments he's distracted and then the little bug flies away and Khepri's seriousness and alarm has him drawing his own heavy mace from his belt. He... smells nothing, but considering the butterfly he's not surprised. Such insects are as drawn to nectar as they are to death. He braces himself. "We might as well head in."

He starts toward the door. Pauses at his brother's words and nods, then continues toward the entrance. "Hello!" He calls out cautiously.

Reithak dismounts smoothly from their horse again, and the large egalrin peers over the others, , and they stop to pinch the back of their beak. "Smells like rot, you all are right." They agree. "On your guards everyone, not certain what to expect in there."

Others took care of the job of making their presence known, so Reithak waits at the door, taking a look through the ajar portal.

GAME: Theo rolls Perception: (19)+1: 20
GAME: Reithak rolls perception: (13)+11: 24

The house is dark inside in the sense there's no candles, no mana-lamps, nothing. All that's lighting the place is the natural light from outside. There are, however, no real signs that anything's gone wrong here. There's a couple of chairs in the small home's living room. A small hearth, a pot for it to go on. But from a glance, it doesn't seem like there's much in the way of food in this house. Or people.

Just the smell of rot coming from a slightly open door that leads down a set of stairs.

GAME: Khepri casts Light. Caster Level: 5 DC: 13
GAME: Lheo casts Light. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14
GAME: Khepri rolls perception: (12)+11: 23

Khepri murmurs a soft prayer to the Harpist -- while it can see in the dark, the others might not be so fortunate. Its sword glows with a soft light, that illuminates the surroundings, and the golem sweeps its gaze back and forth.

"Curious. I can sense the stink. Decay, corruption. No sign of disarray..." The golem steps back to inspect the door. "And no sign of forced entry, either." Khepri looks to Theo. "You and I might wish to go first."

An arcane word, and a reach forward to touch the head of his brother's mace, and Lheo lights up the weapon with a green-golden glow that sends light dancing across innocuous-looking doilies and chairs and the usual matter of a house. "I'll be right behind you, brother. This place smells awful."

Theo nods to Khepri and steps into the house, heading steadily though perhaps a touch slowly and cautiously toward the source of the stench. "Stay behind me." He offers to the others. He only hesitates once they're deeper inside looking at the other. "It's likely some manner of undead down there, so be prepared." He hopes that he's wrong.

Lavinia sighs and ties her handkerchief around the lower half of her face to help block the smell somewhat, then reaches for her belt, and fiddles with a pouch there, pulling out a small faded stone. Shining with unburning fire, she tosses it into the air, where it begins to orbit just over her head in a tight, narrow circle. Sword drawn, she declines to joke for the moment, instead falling in behind Theo and Khepri. "Anyone gonna have trouble ignoring the smell?"

"Good call, that. Safer than lighting any fires in a basement." The large egalrin nods to the others. "Well, anything I could offer for now is speculation, could have let them in, could have forced their way in if it's open, assuming it was an outside force, and not something that went wrong with the person living here."

"So, lets make speculation not speculation, and get some answers. I'm right behind you both in case anything goes south, alright?"

Heading down takes a little bit. The stairs actually lead down to another door. Weird, but opening it is what leads to an unpleasant discovery:

A rotting body in a chair. Thankfully he's mostly positioned away from the door, so while it's still the discovery of a dead body, there's at least a small mercy in not having to look at it dead-on.

The problem is the strange leaf-like creature that sits on top of it. It perks up a little. A little purring noise leaves it.

And then four more like it come sailing down through the air...

GAME: Khepri rolls knowledge/nature+3: (18)+8+3: 29
GAME: Khepri casts Bless. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+3: (14)+3: 17

The war golem's eyes flash in warning. "Leaf rays! Be wary, they are dangerous plant creatures, immune to most mental manipulations, and their sting is venomous!" Khepri raises a hand in benediction. "Let the Harpist guide your blows," and a shimmer of light washes over itself and the rest of the party. That done, the golem advances, its khopesh glowing softly as it quietly invokes a prayer to Vardama, strengthening its chassis against attack.

GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+3+2: (13)+3+2: 18 

All but one of the now-identified leaf rays surges forward to swarm Khepri, but despite the storm of stingers, they all fail to find purchase. The strange leafy creatures glide in the air as easily as their seabound counterparts, but this doesn't help them in their mission.

GAME: Reithak rolls 1d20+4+1+1+2: (4)+4+1+1+2: 12

"Alright! Poisonous leaf creatures? Well, we'll have to be careful then!" The large egalrin laughs as she dashes into the fray, drawing the rapier at their side in one motion and slicing at the closest creature in the next, only to hit a large swathe of air. "I'd wonder if the harpist guiding my blows is trying to get me killed, but I think that one was all my fault." The egalrin grumbles.

GAME: Lavinia rolls weapon8+3: (10)+6+3: 19
GAME: Lavinia rolls damage8: aliased to 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5
GAME: Lheo casts Shield. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15

"Okay. So, this is the second time I've been on guild mission and something leafy has attacked. I'm beginning to think I should've been a gardener. Gardener's do this, right?" Even as her sword makes a 'schink' sound as she pulls it, she's running up to join her compatriot in the thick of things. It's a smooth motion. A step, and a simple thrust, poking a nice, bloody hole in the strange creature, before resetting her stance. She looks more like she's fencing than fighting at the moment, sword leading, other hand slightly extended to angle the buckler,"I guess it's good a devotee of Vardama came along. I doubt Vardama would approve of what's going on down here."

GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7

Lheo casts a quick look at his brother as the others burst into action, but one thing is clear about those plant creatures as the battle takes shape, and that is that he isn't going to be able to help at all from where he is. Another arcane phrase, and a shield of green-gold-white, pure magical force shimmers into being before him. He then moves off to the side of the room, seeking an angle that will not put his allies in danger. "Brother, this way," he calls.

The last leaf ray that hasn't moved yet glides over to Reithak, attempting to sting at the egalrin inquisitor and losing itself somewhere within the feathers, never finding flesh enough to puncture.

GAME: Theo rolls 1d20+6+1: (7)+6+1: 14
GAME: Theo rolls 1d8+4: (1)+4: 5
GAME: Khepri rolls weapon9+2+1+2: (14)+7+2+1+2: 26

Theo watches his brother rush off around the combat with a shake of his head and a light laugh. "I'm not as fast as you brother!" He calls out in the other's wake. Besides, there's enemies between him and Lheo. Enemies that might turn their attention in that direction. He steps only a little forward, swinging unerringly at the creature. The blow has a decent amount of strength behind it, but he's not used to fighting flying foes and he merely clips it.

GAME: Khepri rolls damage9+2+2d6: aliased to 1d8+1+2+2d6: (2)+1+2+(9): 14
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+3: (8)+3: 11
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+3: (3)+3: 6

Khepri stands unfazed as the leaf rays swarm it. The stings bounce off its armor, or are deflected by its shield. Deliberately, Khepri focuses on the khopesh in its fist, and suddenly green runes appear on its surface, crackling with power. Then the war golem whirls, the heavy blade describing a glowing arc through the air that passes -through- the leaf ray -- and it drops in two halves to the ground. "Stand fast! They cannot best us!"

GAME: Lavinia rolls weapon8: (2)+6: 8
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+3: (19)+3: 22
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5
GAME: Lavinia rolls fort: (19)+2: 21

The leaf rays continue to swarm even as Khepri kills one of their number. One tries to sting at Khepri just as ineffectually as another stings at Lavinia, but one of the leaf rays does manage to finally sting someone--stinging at Lavinia when its ally does not.

GAME: Reithak rolls 1d20+4+1+1: (14)+4+1+1: 20
GAME: Reithak rolls 1d6+3: (5)+3: 8
GAME: Lavinia rolls weapon8+1: (5)+6+1: 12

She hit it, she hit! She... just got stabbed in the shoulder by a leaf-thing's tail. "Ow! That hurt you little..." And then she's retaliating by trying to stab it right back. This has neither a satisfying, more useful effect, as she is visibly distracted by checking the wound for poison (as if she'd know what she's looking for). Her stab, thus goes wide.

"I know we can, but still means we can't be sloppy! I really need a better showing." Reithak laughs as she takes a quick swing at the leaf monster, only to feint as she hops to the side, skewering the leaf with the tip of their rapier. "Don't be afraid to fall back if you need to! I'll patch you up soon as you need."

GAME: Lheo casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15
GAME: Lheo rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
GAME: Reithak rolls 1d20+4+1+1: (13)+4+1+1: 19
GAME: Theo rolls 1d20+6+1: (9)+6+1: 16
GAME: Theo rolls 1d8+4: (5)+4: 9
GAME: Reithak rolls 1d6+3: (5)+3: 8

Cool and calculating as Lheo is, a quick glance reveals that Theo is not yet in trouble, and so he opts to help out. He points with one finger and shouts something that sounds arcane, and a burst of blue-white fire erupts from the tip of his finger, slamming a solid blow into the leaf-ray closest.

The bloodiest of the leaf rays that remains abruptly turns course, turning to fly at something that might not put up so heavy of a fight. It picks Lheo at random--

But it never gets there. Theo's mace and Reithak's weapon cut it down as it flies, its corpse slamming into the floor.

GAME: Theo rolls 1d20+6+1: (18)+6+1: 25
GAME: Theo rolls 1d8+4: (6)+4: 10
GAME: Khepri rolls weapon9+1+1: (12)+7+1+1: 21
GAME: Khepri rolls damage9+2+2d6: aliased to 1d8+1+2+2d6: (3)+1+2+(7): 13

If there is one thing that is guaranteed to make Theo see red, it's his brother in the least amount of danger. Earlier had been an argument, a verbal dispute. This? This was war. The first foe to turn toward his brother went down in a swipe and he moved around Reithak to reach the next. Slamming it to the floor; his hands crushing it beneath his mace. A low growl leaves his mouth and he turns on the ones that remain.

Soon...

GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5

As Lavinia is menaced by one of the rays, suddenly there is an obstruction. A metal shod fist grabs it, pulling it away from her, as Khepri pulls it close. The khopesh sinks into the creature's body, twisting, breaking it apart as the runes glimmering on the blade shine brightly. Then there's a cracking sound, and the whole thing dissolves into loose vegetation that falls around Khepri's feet like flower petals.

The final leaf ray seems to continue to choose poor decisions, going for Theo as he strikes down another one of the leaf rays. The leaf ray's stinger glances off the man's armor, however, which it may soon come to regret.

GAME: Reithak rolls 1d20+4+1+1+2: (14)+4+1+1+2: 22
GAME: Reithak rolls 1d6+3: (3)+3: 6
GAME: Lavinia rolls weapon8+3: (4)+6+3: 13

With the leaf monster closest sliced and smashed until it was no longer moving, Reithak dashes around the room, somehow making it behind the remaining leaf ray in spite of their size, with time to spare to land a solid stab right in the rib. "One left, keep it up!"

Lavinia is nothing if not persistent. Though, based on how she moves so she can get behind the ray, and the way she yet again misses when trying to stab it with her shortsword, maybe she should not be holding her sword on the side she got stung on,"If I ask you to die, pretty please, would you?"

GAME: Lheo rolls perception: (2)+4: 6
GAME: Lheo rolls perception: (3)+4: 7
GAME: Theo rolls 1d20+1+2: (18)+1+2: 21
GAME: Theo rolls 1d8+4: (7)+4: 11

Seeing that the others have things well in hand, Lheo backs up a step, looking around him, and nearly backs with a clang into one of the cages set around the walls. Only when he walks into one does it dawn on him - these things were being held here. Experiments with plant creatures - what would a man imprisoning plant creatures want with a vineyard, indeed? _Such a takeover would truly give rise to the grapes of wrath,_ he muses. If that is what they were. More looking needs to be done.

Theo has eyes only for the one remaining foe. It's been weakened by the others, but he feels little in the way of mercy for it. It's a matter of life and death. If they leave it alone; it will continue to attack them.

Unacceptable.

Theo's mace comes back around and he swings down again just as the creature shifts to move away from the attacks and the narrow avenue of possible escape becomes certain death. The leaves fall to the ground and he takes a deep breath to try and get his battle-rage under control. "Any others Lheo?" He knows that his attention gets a bit narrow in a fight, and he trusts his brother to watch his back for him.

Khepri starts to raise its khopesh again, only pausing when Theo smashes the last one with his mace. There's a moment, and then the golem lowers its blade again. "Hm." Its head turns left to right and back, checking, and it states flatly, "No movement."

Taking note of the rotting corpse, the Vardamite goes over to inspect it first. "The words must be spoken," is all it says, though it takes the time to examine the body.

Reithak stops, and exhales loudly before cleaning off their sword with a cloth from one of the pockets in their jacket. "Yeah, think that was the last of them, at least for the immediate moment. Don't know if they were one to a cage or not, if they were, then great! Might be more that escaped into the countryside out of the building though, with the way the door was open."

Reithak wanders over to where Khepri was investigating. "Poor guy, regardless of circumstances. Does it look like they were struggling at all, Executor?"

GAME: Theo rolls Heal: (5)+5: 10
GAME: Reithak rolls heal: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Khepri rolls heal: (19)+3: 22
GAME: Reithak rolls heal: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Lavinia rolls heal: (14)+1: 15
GAME: Lheo rolls perception: (10)+4: 14

Lavinia steps forward to join the others examining the corpse, and frowns, "Looks like they stabbed him to death. There's no way he would've let them all out at once, even if one gave him a slip. Something truly stupid or strange would have to happen for them all to slip out at once. Someone... I dunno... set them free while he was here? What's that?" She gestures to one of the wounds.

Lheo takes a moment to ascertain that Theo isn't hurt, but with everyone gathering around the body, he opts instead to wander the room in search of any clue to what the man was doing. They'll find him later paging through arcane-looking research notes. "Feeding them mana -" he mutters to himself. "Growing them. And this man wanted a vineyard. We dodged a bullet, brother, and so did Sir Otello."

Theo started to speak up, but looking at Khepri as the construct began to speak the words for the dead he decided not to interject and interrupt the other's rites. He looked at the other two. "It'd be best if you didn't touch the body. In case these were the sort of creatures that lay eggs in the dead." He turns toward Lheo and nods. "We'd best inform the man what has happened and that his half-brother - true or no - will no longer be seeking an inheritance."

Reithak takes a look at the body, but others seem to have it more in hand, so the egalrin is happy to get a bit farther from the corpse. "Not all those wounds are from the same time. Few of them look like they were after they died, but I can't tell from what." The egalrin shrugs. "So he was growing them, feeding them mana, as well then. I admire the research in a way, but clearly he was not taking proper precautions, or considering what he was doing in it's entirety. I still don't like it though, those things weren't smart enough to open their own cages, were they? I can see maybe one getting out by accident, but all of them?"

A more thorough search of the place on the way out reveals some interesting things. Samuel Scythers' mother was a woman who, as it turned out, was the illegitimate child of a completely different noble in another Myrrish kingdom, the Kingdom of the Lion, and so she was bequeathed, before her passing, a deed to an old, old manor by the name of the Ivyhold House, 'once owned by the Padaryn family of Bryn Myridorn'.

However, since she is dead... And her son is dead... When you present the finding to Sir Otello, he raises a brow. "I have no use for another manor," he says, "and I think it rightfully belongs to the Padaryns, no? I'll send it along where it ought to be."

You're paid for your time, and it's back onto an airship--with a glass or two of wine from the vineyards as thanks--that sees another job well done.

-End