Its all in the Cards.

Somewhat reluctant to enter given his past and present relations with infernal powers Dr. Crow pauses for a moment at the threshold before trying to enter…

Assuming the doors are unlocked….but knocks loudly and calls out if not.

The Door is not locked but something is blocking it from opening. (Althetics check to open.)
What do you call out?

"Something heavy is blocking the door" says Dr. Crow… "Hello, My name is Dr. Crow and I am in need of your services! Is anyone there? Do you need help?"

Apparently having learned nothing from her previous experience doing a solo reconnaissance up the stairs of the accursed mansion, Briar curiously lifts up to gain a higher vantage point. With the aim of peering in an unblocked window and between some fallen-away shingles, the little rogue ascends towards the roof.

No sounds or answers come for the delapidated church.

Flying around the church Briar does find a few old stain glass windows that could be broken or a few boards that could be removed to get in easier. There is a bell tower you could try but it likewise sealed. The roof is still in good shape.

Coming back down to her companions, she looks to Dr. Crow for results of his attempt to call out. When nothing could be said of a response, she relays her findings from the higher vantage point.

"There’s some windows we could break, a few boards we could pull down … we could probably try the bell tower too but I would definitely need help getting some of the barrier planks out of the way." She glances up the side of the building then reaches into her bag and produces a piton and some rope. "Who’s up for a climb?!"

Dr Crow backs up and shakes his head " I think I’m going to pass on the climbing for now and see if there’s a back door"

Walking around the Church you do not find a backdoor, but you do find a vast cemetery.


The cemetery is a sprawling expanse surrounded by a wrought iron fence, now rusted and worn. Winding paths meander through various sections of gravestones and tombs, each marked by loose dirt or appearing empty.
Near the entrance, two prominent stone mausoleums suggest important or wealthy occupants, with smaller gravestones neatly arranged nearby. Towards the center, densely packed, older graves and significant tombs with large stone slabs indicate a more ancient section.

Dead trees provide sparse shade, casting eerie shadows on the paths. To the left, a cluster of gravestones near a large tree suggests a family plot. On the right, more graves and a few smaller mausoleums are overgrown with weeds and grass, showing signs of neglect.

Stone markers and small fences line the paths, guiding visitors through this maze of emptiness. The scene exudes solemn decay, with the constant reminder of death now eerily empty or disturbed.

Nodding along to the list of ideas, Alyria goes to make her way in through pulling down some planks to enter in, carefully done so she can preserve as many as possible to replace again.

Jerinvar, having heard Briar's request for those to go with her, replies: "I'm not much of a climber, myself. I too will wait for another way to proceed. Not all of us can be born with a set of wings!" He says this last with a jovial smile and a friendly wink to Briar.

Alyria makes her way to a nearby boarded up window and pulls the boards off. One by one the group squeezes into the main chapel of the church. The chapel is a shambles, with overturned and broken pews littering the dusty floor. Dozens of candles mounted in candlesticks and candelabras light every dusty corner in a fervent attempt to rid the chapel of shadows. At the far end of the church sits a claw-scarred altar, behind which kneels a priest in soiled vestments. Next to him hangs a long, thick rope that stretches up into the bell tower.

As someone who is well acquainted with religion, is momentarily struck with a horrified awe at the state of the church. To let a holy place get to this state... it's indescribable to her. Eyes shifting to the reverend at the end of the room, taking in his soiled state, she decides to take this from a calm approach instead of scolding the man for letting the church and himself get to this state. Approaching the man behind the alter, she speaks out softly, "Excuse me, Father, what has happened here? Are you well?"

Father Donavich does not flinch or move from his kneeling position. He seems lost in his own thoughts and prayers.
As you approuch you her his prayer that is a desperate and fervent murmur, a constant stream of words that barely pause for breath. His voice, hoarse and weak from endless repetition, wavers with a mix of hope and despair. The words spill out in a ragged whisper, barely above a breath, as if he fears the silence more than the sound of his own pleading.

"O merciful gods, hear my cry... Spare my son from this curse... Show me the way... Grant me the strength... Guide me to the light... Save Doru from this darkness... Deliver us from this torment... Let your grace shine upon us... Bring peace to his soul... Do not forsake us in our hour of need... O gods, I beg of you... Do not let him suffer... Show me the path to salvation... I will do anything... Just save my son..."

Each phrase is laced with a mix of desperation and determination, the words almost tripping over each other in their urgency. His hands, clasped tightly in front of him, shake with the intensity of his plea.

Placing her hand carefully and gently on his shoulder, Alyria gives a soft squeeze of comfort. "I will do what I can to help your son, but I need your help to do so. I need to know everything you can tell me about what happened to him and I need you to come away and get clean."

The fairy pockets her climbing gear with a nonplussed shrug, still not entirely sure why she continues to carry such equipment. "Suit yourselves!" she beams at Dr. Crow and Jerinvar. Glancing over her shoulder as Alyria creates an opening, the little rogue smiles and gestures to the bipedal men, "Behold! A path!"

Briar giggles and launches after her paladin friend, pace slowing as she crosses the threshold into a broken place that once held hope. "Oh," she meekly squeaks before falling silent.