[IC] Aqua Mortis (Session 1)

The inside of the cabin reeks of rotting flesh. Aesthetically, it's homey if quaint. A curtain separates the main room—with wooden table, chairs, and washbasin—from an area beyond where the family presumably sleep. The laughter of children playing in the street outside comes through the open windows, but the smell persists. An older Dwarf woman sits at the table. She stares intently at a carrot, which she chops. She doesn't look up and seems upset.

The younger Barnpuddle nods. "Pa's not... Well, maybe it's best if you see him yourself. I warn you, though—it's not pretty."

Hildar eyes the woman but decides not to press her. Turning to Onin he nods "Yes, please lead on"

The woman's chopping grows more frantic as Onin parts the curtain and bids you to follow him. By the time you reach the back area, you reckon the carrot's been cut, and the chopping is now more of a tic than anything productive.

Beyond the curtain, you see why. In the dim interior of the cottage, Norc Barnpuddle's condition is, frankly, shocking. He lies in a sturdy bed, apparently clinging to life. The Dwarven elder looks almost skeletal, his skin tinted green and oozing pus from multiple lesions. He looks like he's on death's door, even though he must be in middle age for his race, to judge by the age of his son. The poor Dwarf's son, Onin, begins stripping away the ichor-soaked bandages. He applies new ones, making a shushing sound. "Now, now, Pa. These folks have come to see if they might be able to help you."

"Good evening " Nekurr bows slightly at the older Dwarf woman and her carrot as he follows Onin beyhond the.... curtain!

As he sees the state the old dwarf was left in he looks at both Tronus and Hildar and whispers discreetly "Could this have been just that... slime?"

Tronus slowly raising a shaking fist fighting the inate need to punch someone in the back of the head.

"No I don't think that's the case."

"Oh....oh my...." Hildar pauses at the door for a moment as his brain tries to comprehend the scene before him

The three of you find the man's state shocking, but you manage to hold it together. But make no mistake: Norc Barnpuddle's condition is on par with some of the worst injuries you've ever seen, like something out of the horrors of the Third Darkness...

Hildar does note that Onin seems a bit nervous. At first, you wonder if it's because he's embarrassed by his father's condition. But he keeps glancing at the door, so he's likely more concerned that someone saw that his father's having visitors.

The injured man coughs and motions to his son. "Light the damn candle, boy! We've got company." He looks at you with bloodshot eyes. He wheezes as he asks, "So tell me again who you folks are?"

Holy Fortuna's rainbows! I have seem undead looking better than this one!

Hildar gives himself a little shake before answering "Ah, my name is Hildar Erathnir Mr Barnpuddle. Me and my companions here are investigating a few matters relating to this recent construction work. Would you be willing to relay to us the nature of how you came to be afflicted in this manner?"

"I don't remember much about the accident, to be honest. I'm a blast man. I set alchemical fire charges and blow away rock. It's an old Dwarven secret. But I ain't never been drenched in goop before! Hensnest says she thinks we hit a pocket of air or something, but all I know's I got covered in this stuff." He seems to be getting agitated, and he starts coughing. His son calms him down. "Sorry. I'm good at my job, and I ain't never had this problem before. Uh... So who are you working for again? My son seems to trust you, but I got heaps of folks breathing down my neck."

"Bless you my good dwarf." Nekurr starts acting like a .... priest. "We have talked with Father Gettle and are here to help you, but with your recovering and with this mystery". While he tries to reassure the poor man, the cleric checks his wound carefully.