Book 1: Crownfall, Act 2: Lost in History

[Othniel]

"I suggest we sweep the area either clockwise or counter," Astraea suggests. "And then the center before we move on."

[Zorbeltuss]

Out of his element, oh he had done some fencing practice, but nothing he had hoped to actually have to use, Mercutio decides to leave his sassy mouth shut given the circumstances when he saying unhelpful things was a seriously bad idea.

He never much liked it when things became that serious, or just serious.

[ManWithDoor]

The group spreads out, uncertain what exactly killed the man, or if it's still around. Some go to the side, others straight ahead into the opposing door. Theodrix is the fastest on his feet, reaching for the door. The creepy feeling causes him to pause, his instincts screaming at him. That slight hesitation saves him, as a clawed stone hand erupts forth from the wall, driving straight for his eyes. The bravo tumbles backwards, rolling away. A dead-eyed figure half-emerges from the stone, its face stuck in a silent scream. It strains but can't fully emerge from the masonry, swiping uselessly at the air.

Walcofinde

A second creature emerges as well farther along the wall, similarly bound. Whatever these creatures are, they appear imprisoned or limited, their lethal reach unable to kill everyone.

OOC

Theodrix: Reflex Safe - Successful! Dodge back before the Walcofinde can grab you.

[Vardaen]

"Holy Sh..." he tumlbes back out of reach at the very last moment. "What the hell is that!?" Sword out, he holds it to fend off the thing in the wall, turning here and there as more emerge from the hall. "I guess we know what killed our corpse here." He does his best to stay in the middle of the hall away from the reach of the things confined in the wall.

[Othniel]

"I haven't seen anything like it before," mutters Astraea. "But they have the look of the undead."

OOC

Knowlege (Religion) maybe? Rolling at a measly +5

[Zorbeltuss]

"Apparently, our host dislikes having guests, or maybe just the uninvited sort." Mercutio muses.

OOC

He's got +6 on religion, or anything not history/local/nobles

[Vardaen]

Theodrix looks at Mercutio, "A good point." He produces his small brooch and holds it out so the wall thing can see it, "We are members of the house! Stand down by order of House Voritas." He flashes the badge at the things again.

[ManWithDoor]

The two stone-skinned creatures continue to silently try to grab Theodrix, seemingly unaware of any authority they might be supposed to follow. Their reach is heavily limited by their bodies being so far unable to emerge from stone. If one sticks to the other side of the hallway, they are most likely safe. Well, safe enough.

Astraea tries to think of what these things might be, but she studied threats she thought she would be most likely to encounter. These aren't exactly garden-variety zombies or skeletons, and certainly aren't normally feared creatures of the night such as vampires. They're something strange. Oddly enough, it's Mercutio who comes up with the answer. So far he hasn't talked about his background - not uncommon, as no one really has. But regardless, he somehow has been informed about these strange beings.

Walcofinde are pitiful undead creatures that manifest when a living being is sealed within a structure, and perishes there. Some treatises instead call them "wall-coffined", as the most famous cases of their creation came from people being intentionally walled within a structure, starving to death instead of suffocating. The Walcofinde take on the appearance of whatever they possess, saving you the disquieting sight of the natural form of a decayed zombie with vicious bony claws. They have a certain cunning to them, although their instincts tend towards rending the living, especially those with divine trappings. Perhaps some sort of rage that their souls can never find rest.

[Zorbeltuss]

Yeah, Mercutio never asked to be born a Vernisant, but can't change it and one usually has to do nasty things to get such a valuable name, he had heard the stories of people disappearing into the walls, although he is pretty sure that the custom went out of fashion generations ago, wasn't even certain if his sister hadn't just cooked up the story to put a good scare in him.

[Vardaen]

They don't listen to the badge or the calls, so Theodrix figures they aren't set at guards. Any revelation given by Mercutio opens Theodrix's eyes. "These are the dead of those locked in here? If they couldn't get out maybe we can't! Ah shi..." he pockets the badge and redraws his blade. He keeps his distance, but wonders if he shouldn't try and put them out of everyone's misery.