The group moves into the laboratory while Wahyu continues his quick analysis of the dead spell-caster’s component pouch. Mystie, responding to Dunkel, postulates, “Well, the homunculus is a part, a shard, if you will, if its master. If that’s his master back there, then any number of things could happen when the two are separated, although stories wildly vary. Insanity is mentioned, as well as flying into a permanent murderous rage. It goes on and on…”
As Mystie starts looking about, aided by Bubba both for locomotion and his sharp senses, Wahyu makes the determination that the components are likely from an arcane caster, but are quite varied and, thus, make it difficult to be more specific. Stepping into the room, he sees Cruendithas at an alchemy apparatus and Mystie investigating a notebook. He sees more notebooks, one titled ‘Rattle Rat’ and the other ‘Sustenance’, on a nearby table. Just to the left of the table is an odd sight. A cage is there, and inside is the long-dead corpse of what can only be described as a rat-snake hybrid. It is as big as a common dire rat (about 25 pounds), and has obvious fangs in place of front incisors. Nobody has heard of such a thing, but there it is. Or was
Meanwhile, Cruendithas is having some luck searching the area physically. A rack of vials is hidden behind some alchemical apparatus. Two are broken, but four are intact, filled with a translucent red liquid that detects as magic when focused upon. As he verifies his find, Mystie speaks up again, lifting her head from a book she says, “Oh, found something here. This notebook said ‘RCC’ on the front. A quick opening of cover reveals that means ‘Ratty Control Contraption’.” The little gnome pauses a moment as Hawk shoots her an incredulous look. “No, seriously,” Mystie continues, “that’s what is written in the notebook. And it should be on the display… table… oh no.”
Anyone in the room can see it. There is an outline of dust in an approximately 1’ by 2’ rectangle. Those that are closer can see the name-plate identifying the missing object as the RCC. Whatever the device is capable of, it is in someone else’s hands.
Further searching reveals no other significant items, either in monetary value nor relevance to the investigation. Although information has been gained, the group can’t bring the solution back to Venza… yet.
[sblock=Loot]
From this room you have:
4 Potions (CLW)
3 Notebooks (RCC, Rattle Rat, Sustenance)
1 Personal Journal[/sblock]
Epilogue:
The way home involves a lot of reading for those that are interested in what happened. It begins in the Journal, where the writer identifies himself as ‘Anthos the Magnificant). His writings are strange and macbre, describing reason for creating Ratty Control Contraption. Apparently, the man lost his brother Leatos, presumably in Venza, as that was where he said he was going before teleporting away. Anthos goes on to note scrying would have been much easier, but he describes ‘distracting pasta’ as a problem. Later in the book, he seems disappointed his rats cannot find his brother, although he does not relent and continues the search.
Also mentioned in the Journal is Anthos’ descriptions of his Homunculus, made to help him around the lab. This becomes important later, when the writer observes on separate occasions how he is becoming physically weaker. Abruptly, the writings then significantly change in voice and penmanship, initially appearing rather sane… for Anthos. However, the prose then begins a downward spiral, and the writer eventually displays obvious signs of instant as he asserts himself as Anthos. The entries continue to the current date.
Recently, the current writer in Anthos’ journal recounts a break in by Boggards from the river mouth
A while back the writer is incensed over the break in by the Boggards from the swamp at the river mouth, vowing revenge but not being very sure how to go about it.
The RCC laboratory notebook describes technical details about how the contraption was made and how to properly use it. The RattleRat notebook describes the creation of the hybrid creature, but then discusses the creature of being too dangerous to release into the word. Finally, the ‘Sustenane’ notebook details various experiments involved with prolonging life and abating the need for food and water.
Armed with this plethora of information, the group presents the books, along with personal accounts of the investigation to Whitecloak Jacobson. She is a little disappointed that there is more to do, but considers the information you’ve retrieved a step in the right direction. She pays the group and takes the books fur further study and eventual formulation of a final solution to the rats epidemic.
The End
[sblock=Ending]I went to summary description when you got it down to nothing more than ‘we read the books’. I hope you don’t mind getting the summary form at this point.[/sblock]
