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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4244749" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>The Consequences of Vice: Part 1 – The Crematorium</strong></p><p></p><p>The Freeport Crematorium was located on a rocky atoll a half-mile west of the city. Its purpose was simple: make sure the dead of Freeport were disposed of in an effective and sanitary manner. </p><p></p><p>Vlad and Beldin paddled a small boat closer to the atoll, with Sebastian at the bow. </p><p></p><p>“Actual burning of corpses is done only once a day,” said Sebastian. The moon shone brightly overhead, reflecting off of the surrounding ocean. “Hopefully, we’re not too late.</p><p></p><p>“How could we even tell?” asked Vlad. He coughed into his elbow. “It smells like they’ve been burning bodies all day.”</p><p></p><p>“A boat from the Crematorium visits Scurvytown every day at noon,” said Sebastian. He seemed blithely unaffected by the stench of burning flesh. “They pick up the newly dead, as well as fuel for the furnaces.”</p><p></p><p>Most residents of the city avoided the Crematorium workers, and the entry of one of them into any bar in town usually ratcheted the jocularity level down a few notches. </p><p></p><p>For the most part, the grim dedication of the Crematorium staff kept the dead of Freeport out of sight and out of mind. The winds still occasionally shifted badly, though, sending the faint smell of burning flesh wafting from the furnaces through the streets of Scurvytown.</p><p></p><p>As they arrived at the island, a figure exited from a large mausoleum. </p><p></p><p>“That’s a Nerothian temple,” said Beldin. “I’ve never seen one before.”</p><p></p><p>An insect-like figure approached the dock as they disembarked. The man’s features were completely concealed underneath a black hood with two large lenses. A mouthpiece pulsed as the man inhaled and exhaled. </p><p></p><p>“You are not velcome here,” he said, muffled by the mask. “Ve do not receive visitors.”</p><p></p><p>“A fellow Cancerite,” said Sebastian with a slight smile. “We are conducting an investigation. We’d like to view a certain corpse, if you haven’t burned it.”</p><p></p><p>The only response was the figure’s mouthpiece pulsing in and out. </p><p> </p><p>Sebastian nudged Beldin. “Show him the Sign of Drac.”</p><p></p><p>Beldin reached for the medallion around his neck and held it up. </p><p></p><p>“Is dis a joke?” said the figure.</p><p></p><p>Beldin looked at his medallion. Someone had replaced it with a symbol of the Undir Benevolent Association.</p><p></p><p>“Damn you, Kham!” shouted the dwarf.</p><p></p><p>Vlad pushed Beldin aside. “I have a Sign of Drac.” He flashed the medallion. “Let us in.”</p><p></p><p>After a few more moments of silence, the priest wordlessly turned away. They followed after him.</p><p></p><p>The rhythmic beat of a furnace and bellows grew louder. When they entered the mausoleum, the darkness was replaced with flickering fire from a gigantic iron contraption. Men similarly accoutered to their guide worked massive bellows. </p><p></p><p>At the center of the room were ten corpses, splayed naked on a conveyer belt. A large winch and lever was at the front of the belt. </p><p></p><p>“You have ten minutes.” The masked man stumped away.</p><p></p><p>Sebastian leaned over the corpse. Frederick was a twenty-year old male with black hair and brown eyes. He was about six feet tall. </p><p></p><p>“Anything?” asked Vlad. He kept one hand on the hilt of his blade, watching the grim taskmasters attend to their work.</p><p></p><p>“A quick look shows some minor scrapes and bruises, but nothing obvious that indicates foul play,” said Sebastian. He gently lifted the boy’s head and turned it. “Well, this is interesting.”</p><p></p><p>“What?” asked Beldin.</p><p></p><p>“There’s a scrape across the left side of his face, along with a light bruise.”</p><p></p><p>“Like he was punched?” asked Beldin.</p><p></p><p>Sebastian nodded. He wrenched open the corpse’s mouth. </p><p></p><p>“Hmm. The tongue’s gray. And the canines are slightly extended.”</p><p></p><p>“A vampire?” asked Vlad.</p><p></p><p>Sebastian shook his head. “There are no puncture wounds on his neck. No evidence of blood drain. Something else is going on here.” </p><p></p><p>He continued to poke and prod at the body. Sebastian lifted one of the boy’s hands and squeezed it in several places. “That’s odd. All of the bones in his right hand have been broken.”</p><p></p><p>“Sounds like he owed someone money,” said Vlad. “Any guesses who?”</p><p></p><p>Sebastian and Beldin exchanged glances. “Finn,” they said in unison.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 4244749, member: 3285"] [b]The Consequences of Vice: Part 1 – The Crematorium[/b] The Freeport Crematorium was located on a rocky atoll a half-mile west of the city. Its purpose was simple: make sure the dead of Freeport were disposed of in an effective and sanitary manner. Vlad and Beldin paddled a small boat closer to the atoll, with Sebastian at the bow. “Actual burning of corpses is done only once a day,” said Sebastian. The moon shone brightly overhead, reflecting off of the surrounding ocean. “Hopefully, we’re not too late. “How could we even tell?” asked Vlad. He coughed into his elbow. “It smells like they’ve been burning bodies all day.” “A boat from the Crematorium visits Scurvytown every day at noon,” said Sebastian. He seemed blithely unaffected by the stench of burning flesh. “They pick up the newly dead, as well as fuel for the furnaces.” Most residents of the city avoided the Crematorium workers, and the entry of one of them into any bar in town usually ratcheted the jocularity level down a few notches. For the most part, the grim dedication of the Crematorium staff kept the dead of Freeport out of sight and out of mind. The winds still occasionally shifted badly, though, sending the faint smell of burning flesh wafting from the furnaces through the streets of Scurvytown. As they arrived at the island, a figure exited from a large mausoleum. “That’s a Nerothian temple,” said Beldin. “I’ve never seen one before.” An insect-like figure approached the dock as they disembarked. The man’s features were completely concealed underneath a black hood with two large lenses. A mouthpiece pulsed as the man inhaled and exhaled. “You are not velcome here,” he said, muffled by the mask. “Ve do not receive visitors.” “A fellow Cancerite,” said Sebastian with a slight smile. “We are conducting an investigation. We’d like to view a certain corpse, if you haven’t burned it.” The only response was the figure’s mouthpiece pulsing in and out. Sebastian nudged Beldin. “Show him the Sign of Drac.” Beldin reached for the medallion around his neck and held it up. “Is dis a joke?” said the figure. Beldin looked at his medallion. Someone had replaced it with a symbol of the Undir Benevolent Association. “Damn you, Kham!” shouted the dwarf. Vlad pushed Beldin aside. “I have a Sign of Drac.” He flashed the medallion. “Let us in.” After a few more moments of silence, the priest wordlessly turned away. They followed after him. The rhythmic beat of a furnace and bellows grew louder. When they entered the mausoleum, the darkness was replaced with flickering fire from a gigantic iron contraption. Men similarly accoutered to their guide worked massive bellows. At the center of the room were ten corpses, splayed naked on a conveyer belt. A large winch and lever was at the front of the belt. “You have ten minutes.” The masked man stumped away. Sebastian leaned over the corpse. Frederick was a twenty-year old male with black hair and brown eyes. He was about six feet tall. “Anything?” asked Vlad. He kept one hand on the hilt of his blade, watching the grim taskmasters attend to their work. “A quick look shows some minor scrapes and bruises, but nothing obvious that indicates foul play,” said Sebastian. He gently lifted the boy’s head and turned it. “Well, this is interesting.” “What?” asked Beldin. “There’s a scrape across the left side of his face, along with a light bruise.” “Like he was punched?” asked Beldin. Sebastian nodded. He wrenched open the corpse’s mouth. “Hmm. The tongue’s gray. And the canines are slightly extended.” “A vampire?” asked Vlad. Sebastian shook his head. “There are no puncture wounds on his neck. No evidence of blood drain. Something else is going on here.” He continued to poke and prod at the body. Sebastian lifted one of the boy’s hands and squeezed it in several places. “That’s odd. All of the bones in his right hand have been broken.” “Sounds like he owed someone money,” said Vlad. “Any guesses who?” Sebastian and Beldin exchanged glances. “Finn,” they said in unison. [/QUOTE]
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