Chapter 2: The Skinsaw Murders

Viktor looks around the room, squinting his eyes. The dead can be more subtle than mere clanking skeletons and rotting zombies, Gongar. Pointing at the desk, he continues. Desks have papers and ledgers. They often hold secrets. Viktor moves to inspect the stain and the desk for possible papers and clues.

??

Viktor is dead silent until he suddenly cries out in pain and turns slightly to reveal a horrible act bloody of self-mutilation.

Urthask is shocked by what he is seeing. What deviltry would force someone to stab himself?

Viktor drops the piece of wood and takes a trembling step back, staring wide eyed at his companions. His mouth moves but no words come out as he lowers his gaze at his bloody hands and the fresh wound. After a faltering step, he tries to grab the old desk but his posture gives in and he crumbles to the floor, on his knees. I Don't know what happened... I, I felt I had to do it. He looks at the splintered piece of wood and flails it away from him. It was the dead! They did this to me! His shouting end in a wince, the pain of a near-fatal wound clouding his mind.

Gods man! if these spirits can turn us on ourselves there is something fouler here than just the dead. Gongar rushes up to Viktor and stanches the bleeding and checks for any infection or poison. Then uses the healing want on him.

Hetris watches, threads of horror winding through her mind as Viktor's blood pulses out of the wound. She walks to the wood and moves it slightly with her toe. What in the Hells would have caused that? she asks no one in particular as she thinks over the kind of curses that could have led to this. Hmm. Suddenly her eyes glaze over white as she casts her gaze across the room.

Casting detect magic.

Viktor sighs as his gaping wound closes shut. He takes hold of the table and gets up, grabbing Gongar by the shoulder. Thank you friend. Thank you, he says, eyes more resolute than before.

Having dismounted and rushed in alongside Gongar, Urthask swats away the bloodied wooden stake. "I say we leave this room NOW!"

Do you see something, Hetris? I am inclined to agree with Urthask here, let's push onward while we still have our strength and minds intact.

I was searching for things of a magical nature, and sense nothing. Nothing lingering, nothing emanating. Almost as if that echo weren't magical at all, but - yes, I agree. Let's quit this room, and not come back anytime soon. she says, turning to leave.

Let's head back to the hallway, everyone. We have to find the source of the wailing.

Gongar Follows Viktor to the next room muttering about curses and magic.

Urthask nods as he gets back in the saddle.