Murder In The Lady's Ward

[*MimiFearthegn]

In addition to the recent distressing news that an Harmonium outpost in Arcadia was attacked (and slaughtered, no survivors were found), there comes a report of a recent murder in the Lady's Ward.

Self-proclaimed Lord Alandris was found dead on his doorstep, having been stabbed repeatedly.

Needless to say, his family is clamoring for justice. The primary suspect is a Sensate Namer - by name Luisiani - who claims that she was under the orders of "voices who came to her in her dreams."

//This is open for anyone who wants to respond. If not, then justice shall take its course.

[*Selebius]

Something in this report catches Hograth's eye. First he is not sure what it is but then he has this weird feeling- the whole "voices who came to her in her dreams" part bringing up memories.

He had witnessed disturbing dreams, probably linked to those odd scrolls that proved to be a problem. Of course there could also be something else behind this- magic invading the dreams is not too uncommon, there are even fiends who have those abilities.

And there is always the matter of possession- or just a case of good, old fashioned madness and all the imaginery friends this condition might bring.

Nevertheless he wants to make sure and so he makes his way down to the cells to speak with the suspect and he also sends a request to the archieves to find out if any scrolls of Memnur have been found among the suspect's possessions.

As for the matter of the Outpost attcked there is not much he can do. It pains him to hear of the losses, the Harmonium contigent on that plane something he trained and trained with, preparing them to act as a fast response unit should Sigil's own troops being compromised again.

It worked well enough during the Far Realms invasion but this time... whoever took out that troops might strike again. Perhaps even here. So he sets up a letter to his superiors:

To: <whoever is in charge of the matter>
From: Hograth Thorn, Measure III

Sir,

I have heard if the recent attack on one of our outposts on Arcadia and having worked with those troops before I offer my assistance in investigating this strike.

To do this I need to know more about the camp.

What was the purpose of it?
What was the purpose of the soldiers being trained there?
Where there any unusual assets (troops, individuals, weapons, items, magical research) at this camp?
As there were no survivors and the witnesses finding this camp found no hints on what happened is it possible to question the dead through Necromancy or to raise a few selected individuals from the dead?

As additional measures I suggest to put the remaining camps on light alert and to arganize extended field training operations for the personell that might be in danger.

Assaulting a camp, while dangerous is dealing with known variables. Finding soldiers spread in the wild, combat ready in freshly prepared positions will make it more difficult for this unseen foe to coordinate another attack.

Hograth Thorn, Measure III

<a seal showing a dragon's claw and an arcane sign showing something similar>

[*WhenWizardsWar]

Even as Measure Hogarth inks his letter, halbards are emptied from weapon racks, plate mail is tightened on torso, boots laced and shields and swords gathered.

Shortly later a continginent of Harmonium lead by Measure One Cryptbane scours the ladys ward for anyone who might have seen or heard anything or anyone else directly involved.

A short time later, if the sensates location is known the harmonium descends upon their location in a drizzle of plated soldiers.

The sensate, their possessions and anyone who attempts to interfere with the sensates apprehension is arrested as well.

No questioning is done on scene, and anyone apprehended is quickly escorted to the barracks, each individual protected by a protective circle of Harmonium.

Naturally, if anyone resists the harmonium round up they are brought in as well, and if and when the eventual person refused to even open up the door measure one cryptbane uses a magical hammer to stimulate the locks open or, if that doesnt work the harmonium is not afraid to batter a door down.

[*MimiFearthegn]

Hograth's message eventually makes it to Mover Elysia - or at least, she is the one who responds:

Measure Thorn,

The 'outpost' you mention in Arcadia was a research facility and town. Its garrison was small; it was out of the way, the location was not well known, and we thought it was secure. What happened there was a terrible tragedy.

The town was one of our holding locations for the Scrolls of Mnemur. The vault in which they were held was broken open, and all the scrolls have vanished. Fortunately, we only store scrolls in small increments. The guard on the other similar holding locations has been increased.

The researchers stationed in the town were all under strict orders not to touch or study the scrolls, but we have found evidence that they disregarded these instructions before the incident.

We have been unable to raise any of the victims from the dead. The evidence suggests that they were attacked by a pack of large ursine monsters similar to werebears. The attackers left behind a few corpses, but otherwise seem to have vanished into thin air.

Your offer to assist in this matter is appreciated. Have a care how you mention necromancy in official correspondence, however - you know our Factol has his principles.

In Harmony,

Mover Elysia

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, Measure Cryptbane secured the murder site, and marched quite a number of 'witnesses' to the barracks. The value of some of these witnesses was questionable, as they were mainly bystanders who made too much noise during the apprehension, but it was fairly certain from the testimony of all that the Sensate Luisiani was guilty.

There followed a large number of complaints filed with the public relations department about how the arrest was conducted, the 'manhandling' of certain prestigious personages who happened to be standing by at the time, and demands that this be taken to court as fast as possible.

There were even a few concerned letters about how the Sensate wasn't in her right mind, and should be taken to the Gatehouse, and an official complaint from the Sensates about the matter in which it was all being handled, and a request that she be transferred back to the Festhall so they could care for her.

[*Selebius]

Hearing of the way the arrests have been conducted Hograth gives a rather frustrated sigh- but this time he decides to leave it to the Measure who caused all the troubles to fix the situation and the political fallout.

So he focuses on the incident in Arcadia, writing another letter.

To: Elysia, Mover
From: Hograth Thorn, Measure III

My Lady,

these news are rather worrying, the loss of the stored scrolls another setback.

I suggest to find out how the attackers found out about the cache- probably the activation of one of those scrolls during the research might have led them to the base.

If this is true the other locations should be safe but I suggest to prepare new locations for the case that all of those bases are compromised.

Perhaps examining those corpses will reveal something- perhaps the attack was led by a community of natural shapeshifters or druids. As the scrolls are involved we have to assume more sinister sources as well.

I hereby request the permission to examine one of the corpses here in Sigil as well as a copy of the research log.

Perhaps we can find out what has happened and prevent other attacks,

Hograth Thorn, Measure III

<a seal showing a dragon's claw and an arcane mark showing something similar>

After sending a messenger with this letter to Arcadia Hograth consults the Harmonium's archives. Arcadia is a familiar plane to them- perhaps they had encountered those bearlike creatures before.

[*WhenWizardsWar]

In response to the politcal fall out, Measure One Cryptbane clamly and firmyl states the following.

We acted swiftly and promptly because of the danger having a murderor on the loose presents, especially with the knowledge that they may or may not have been under their own control of their faculties. We determined that there was a threat and a danger in the city and we acted according to our policies to start containing the situation, we do appologise if we irriated or upset those we detained or those whos lives we interrupted but we have a duty to this city and its harmony and indeed the harmony of the multiverse.

We understand several important personal of society are upset but we did what we felt was nessicary and with the swiftness that we would display with any case of murder in the city.

We respect the ways the triad tries to operate and help maintain law and order in the city but in all the Harmoniums years of operation within the great ring it should be well understood that we will do what we must, when we must, and how we must in order to bring peace and harmony to the domains under our protection even if a few toes have to, sadly be stepped on.

This is why we are here, this is the task you expect of us and we continue to carry out our duties in accordance to our military doctrines and organizational beliefs.

That being said, those we have determined were not involved have been released back to homes, businesses or where ever we apprehended them with out deepest appologises.

Again, we will continue to operate according to our policies and doctrines but we are not unsympathetic to those whos lives we sometimes have to interrupt during our operations.

I hate to use the term because i personally find it offensive but we are commonly called "hard heads" but they dont call us "heartless".

Any questions and comments please address them in messages to me and have them delivered to me in my office in the barracks.

Harmony At All Costs
And with our appologies.

Measure One Cryptbane

Office Of Troop Management and Logistics.

[*MimiFearthegn]

After sending a messenger with this letter to Arcadia Hograth consults the Harmonium's archives. Arcadia is a familiar plane to them- perhaps they had encountered those bearlike creatures before.

The bear-like creatures were not any more native to Arcadia than anywhere else. Arcadia had bears, and bear-like creatures, of course, but they weren't usually the sorts to go and slaughter an entire village.

The closest descriptions of these creatures in Arcadia came from the ruins of the outpost itself. Before its inhabitants were slaughtered, one of them had complained of nightmares where giant bear-like creatures came and attacked him. Someone else had even painted these supposed creatures of nightmare, before they appeared, and the painting bore a remarkable resemblance to the corpses the creatures left behind. . .

* * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, Officer Cryptbane's office was flooded with a multitude of complaints, demands for recompense, and one death threat from a VERY irate noble lady who felt her day had been ruined because the Harmonium had kept her from a rather important social gathering.

[*Selebius]

Those news were alarming indeed.

Creatures from the nightmares attacking people- made real by the scrolls' power? And is it their nightmares coming real or do those creatures manifest in dreams first and our reality later?

He departs to Arcadia to take a look himself but before doing so he words a polite letter to the Sensates:

Sirs, Ladies,

as you might aware there have been several instances of strange incidents which some link to the artifacts called Scrolls of Memnur.

I know no other Faction knows more about experiences and no other faction has mastered the ability to record them, to make them real for whoever wants to access them.

This is why I request your factions counsel.

I suspect those scrolls to be able to make nightmares real or perhaps to use people as a kind of portal to manifest creatures first in dreams and then in reality.

Please share with us whatever information would be helpful in this case and I am more than willing too cooperate and help with whatever research your own faction conducts in this case.

Hograth Thorn, Measure III

<a seal showing a dragon's claw and an arcane mark showing something similar>

Afterwards he pens a similar letter to the Signers:

Sirs, Ladies,

as you might aware there have been several instances of strange incidents which some link to the artifacts called Scrolls of Memnur.

We have reason to suspect that those scrolls are able to make nightmares become reality or perhaps to use people as a kind of portal to manifest things- first in their dreams, later in reality.

I know your faction has unparalelled knowledge in this matter, the ability of imagination and thoughts to reshape the Multiverse.

So I seek your counsel in this matter and am happy about any help or data you can provide.


Hograth Thorn, Measure III

<a seal showing a dragon's claw and an arcane mark showing something similar>

(( If there are PCs of those factions involved in the plot those letters could be adressed to them of course. :) ))

[*MimiFearthegn]

//there WAS a Sensate involved. If you want to copy those letters over to the respective faction boards, that would be great.

[*Selebius]

((And done!))