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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rafael Ceurdepyr" data-source="post: 1600251" data-attributes="member: 16566">Part 6, in which we destroy a cell of cultistsThe next day, they hear of many violent crimes and horrible murders that have been happening throughout the city.  People complain that the Black Watch isn't doing anything and that the Red Watch has been seen with increasing frequency in the lower city.  Raef asks around and finds out that most of it is what you'd expect—bar fights gone wrong, jealous lovers—mostly from the lower area, but also in the upper city.  Most recently a lesser eel was found nailed to the doors of a house of worship dedicated to Shannari, a handmaiden of Alyander.  Shannari was a virtuous woman who lived in a seaside village.  While the men were away fishing, a creature attacked the village and she attacked and killed the serpent.  Because of her bravery, she ascended.  A side legend is that she died of poison and her body was hidden.  An alternate story is that her name was Thonoria in the ancient tongue, worshipped by the cults of R'znak.  This legend is that she summoned a monster while the men were gone destroy her rivals, killed them all, then when the men returned, fed them a drugged stew made of the slain women.  She had sex with them and gave birth to a thousand serpents.  The eel is her symbol.In a bar, Raef learns that that day at noon at the market of Weaver's Well a creature appeared and attacked people.  He talks to a man who was there who said the thing smelled awful, twice as tall as a man, with dark red hair and horns.  It killed 20 people before a squad of 20 Red Guardsmen killed it.  After it was dead it stank even worse, like putrid blood, and then dissolved.  It didn't seem to come out of the well.  He does remember a weird guy in red and black robes and shaved head going on about the end of the world and how change is coming right before the creature appeared.Other rumors differ in details, but agree in substance.  They go to the market to investigate, and find people milling around.  There are smashed carts everywhere and the area smells like something died and rotted.  People have the same descriptions as the ones Raef heard in the bar.  Ari goes to where a group of people are huddled.  The stones where the creature fell are blackened with a 10-12 foot tall humanoid outline.Raef finds someone who was near the man in the robes. He had begun speaking in tongues.  Just as the clock chimed noon, he pulled out a knife and slit his own throat. And the creature appeared.  No one remembers seeing the body afterwards.After finishing a search of the area with no results, they go to the shrine where the eel was nailed on the doors.  The ornate and geometrically carved building has bright white, freshly painted double doors.  Inside is a sanctuary with a vaulted ceiling like a ship and concentric rings of pews.  A cantor is practicing a flute.  Around the walls are four large tapestries depicting Shannari.Raef talks to the cantor, Singer Petronelli.  Neither he nor the Keeper heard anything, and assumed it was an evil prank.Ari and Levan go home, while Raef goes by a tavern and picks up a girl, getting home about dawn, once again infuriating Ari.That afternoon, another monster is reported near the old warehouse district at another market.  The creature fought its way to the docks and was killed by a large group of sailors.  The Red Guard was on the scene, sheepishly assisted by the Black Watch.  Ari, Levan and Raef investigate and learn that it's the same kind of creature.  Somebody was seen in black and red robes, but was more discreet this time.  They realize there's only one market left, Tanner Market, so they hurry there.  By the time they arrive, it's closing.Early the next morning they leave the signal for Mr. G., but he doesn't show up, so they go on to the market to be there by noon, the time of the other two market incidents.  They divide up and scout around the area.  Raef and Levan see a handsome man in black coming toward Ari.  He introduces himself—"Will Corby, at your service"—and says that the Boss is busy.  This time, Ari is happy.Meanwhile Levan is watching someone in a heavy leather cloak and follows from a discreet distance.  Ari and Will see a different man in a leather coat who walks to the center of the market, drops the coat and is revealed in robes, and slits his own throat.  The spurting blood runs down his chest and he begins to grow into a horned, apelike creature with red fur.  It lashes out at the nearest person and crushes his head.When Ari, Will and Levan draw near it and try to fight it, they are overwhelmed by the stench and start throwing up.  Raef fires bolts at it from a distance, and Ari manages to kill it.  One or two bystanders have died, but the carnage is greatly reduced this time.  Raef is overcome by the fumes after its death.  Within a few minutes, the dead creature dissolves.  Levan doesn't see the man he was watching or the knife.  They retire to a tavern to recover.  Will suggests they find out where the things are coming from, explaining that Mr. G. is currently indisposed.  They discuss matters and decide to split up and search the area.Levan finds the trail of two men and tracks them to the warehouse district.  Ari, Raef and Will have had no success and catch up with Levan.  They find out that one of three closed warehouses seemed to have people coming and going.  One of the others, Furrier Brothers, was damaged by fire, while Fleur de Lys Shipping is open at the beginning and end of the season.  The four watch for awhile in an alley until dark, then Levan opens the lock.Inside they are attacked by men in red and black robes, but defeat them all.  The crates in the warehouse are random, full of an assortment of unrelated things.  Levan finds a place near a crate where there are scuff marks on the floor, with a trapdoor beneath.  Will checks the trapdoor, determines it's safe.  Out of the hole, a tiny being appears, but Ari skewers it.Down the hole is a small room, which Ari drops down into.  Black and red robes hang on pegs, and it is furnished with a dressing screen with a light behind it, a bed, a stack of books and papers.  Ari doesn't recognize the language in the books. Through a curtained passage, she hears chanting.The others come down.  Raef recognizes the script of one book, entitled Ways of the Unspeakable Ones.  They put on the robes and go through the tunnel.  There are eight robed men on the ground, bowing and chanting before a man in a red robe.  Behind them is a large stone painted with strange sigils.  Raef kills the man in the red robe.  They fight and kill the rest of them.  Will, who has gone over to the fallen leader, says, "Good work, guys", just as the stone opens.  A vaguely spheroid creature covered with eyes emerges and attacks Will with barbed tentacles.  He screams.Ari shoots it and eventually Levan strikes the death blow.Searching the dead leader, Raef finds a black pearl ring—Will had found the mate to it—merchant clothing, a dagger with a sea serpent handle and a scroll with letters in Old Common, but not the words.  Ari makes a rubbing of the runes on the stone and find 3 sheathed daggers in the base.  One has dried blood on it.  Levan knocks over the stone.  On the way out, Raef takes the papers—sketches of the altar, map of the area with markets circled, calendar calculations—and three books.  They also find a note that seems to be in the same handwriting as the previous note:My Brother in the Change,In ancient times our paths may have gone their separate ways, but it is good that we may now each build upon the other's strengths. As you said yourself, there have been setbacks in our plans, but as we say "There is more than one way to drown a man" and the prizes we lost come back to us through other routes. All things go to the rolling sea, all things return again from it. We do not anticipate problems fulfilling the plans we have laid; so do not let that fear hold you back. Your efforts of the past weeks are admirable, but I urge you TO DO MORE! Allow your disciples the chance they deserve to free their truer selves! Take the gift I send to you and share it. Their sacrifices will open the doors to greater truths yet to be revealed. A day is coming when the world will return to its proper ways, be the vanguard of that way! Embrace your destiny and know that when this city shakes hidden things will rise and what is now done in secret will then be done on honor. You will know the day is at hand when the head is severed and grows anew! Until that day be as you ever were meant to be: Catalysts!                Until that Day,                H.</blockquote>

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