Dane tries to prepare the body with the proper respect so that the Speaker will be pleased and be forthcoming with his answers. It is obvious he has not been around shifters that often.
Fuming at his bungled interpretation of the scroll Vashik gathers the mystic energy around himself before focusing it on the spirit before him he racks his brain to remember the proper phrasing and obeisance required to appease Lauto and wring truth from the notoriously misleading dead.
Rurdev - Perception 24 - secondary skill - success
Rurdev watches the shifter's spirit rise from the body of his clansman. There is something off about Rosvodiz's form though. The shifter's neck had a tattoo that was not part of his clan's imagery. Rurdev pointed this out to the others. +2 to next History or Religion skill check.
Dane - Heal 10 - extra skill - failure
Dane tries to help adjust the body but just succeeds in moving the neck into a more awkward position. The tattoo is more visible, but the neck sits oddly on the table. 1/3 failures
Riardon - History 29 31 - primary skill - double success
The tattoo that Rurdev pointed out and that Dane showed on the shifter's neck is one of typically used by the priests of Lauto as part of the final rites. The tattoo was developed centuries ago by the priests on Bacarte after Lauto became angry at the number of violations preformed upon the dead. Many in Bacarte were speaking to the dead, raising the dead, or turning them into undead. Normally the tattoo is not placed on the body until it is ready to be interred after any investigations could be held. 2/4 successes for high roll
Vashik - Religion 16 - primary skill - success
The tattoo on Rosvodiz will prevent him from answering any questions with an extended response. He will be forced by the magic of the ritual that has been placed on him to reply with simply one to three word answers. 3/4 successes
Incarnation - History 10 - primary skill - success
Incarnation remembers that the tattoo can sometimes be disrupted if it is rubbed off. This has only been possible in Daunton recently due to cheap techniques in use here. It was discovered after a number of zombies were found in the basement of a local tanner who was using them as free labor. 4/4 successes
Dane figures the tattoo was added after the shifter had died. Vashik tries to rub at the tattoo on the corpse and finds some of the ink comes off on his thumb. From what he remembers that should disrupt the ritual enough to allow Rosvodiz to answer the question.
Time for someone to pose the question, there are only a couple minutes left in the duration of the Speak with Dead ritual that you preformed.
Incarnation does not take the bait, but addressed the apparition directly. Spirit! Tell us as best you can the circumstances surrounding your death! The who, whyfor, and how!
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
"I had it in my hands, it had called to me again that night driving me to stare into the depths of its odd angles, colours shifting across the cold metal. The Sybilline Idol drew me into it's countenance, whispering secrets from the Ghul'hadi. But it had drawn another that night and I was unaware of its approach even as the smell invaded my nostrils.
"I was too preoccupied to notice until the dagger slipped between my ribs. I turned then, shock at the blade sticking out of my chest. As I sputtered trying to breathe I saw a young man no more than 14 summers old. He wore ragged clothing and smelled aweful. 'The Umberal Sliver returns as shall the Waiting.' he had said in a squeeky voice.
"As I lay there a pool of blood spilling beneath me, he grinned and it was a terrible sight. No man's mouth should be able to open that wide. No teeth be that long and sharp. It was no youth that looked down at me and flicked a pointed tongue across the bloody dagger.
"It fled through my front door, with the Idol in it's hand. Moments later I slipped into Lauto's realm, only to be called back to this maddening place. Let me be." said Rosvodiz as the spirit melted away and only the cold corpse lay upon the stone table.
Incarnation's flames dim as he ponders the dead's words. Dark portents these words intone. The warlord has already told us these Ghul'hadi Old Ones: The dark patrons of those that toy with things Beyond. It is true indeed that the Idol is tied to this madness. But of more concern is the fact that the Umberal Sliver are returning—those that held the idol before. These could be the 'Shards' we told of or another, but in any case, these are likely those that seek the idol again.
The warforged taps his fingers together, causing small plumes of smoke to form. We should seek the dark ways beneath the foundry first, to ensure they have not returned to their old haunts. That is my counsel.
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
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