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"Aye, I suppose so," adds Orando, not addressing Ugghra's question. "I always thought his possession of the holy symbol somehow not quite right."

Orando and Ugghra seem far more interested in paying another visit to Brother Tomas at the temple. They continue to urge the group to leave these findings alone so they can exit this place. Curious.

Ozwaldus takes a closer look at the parchment. The list is clean of any dust and near the very top of the pile, indicating that it was only recently deposited here. It contains a total of 17 names, each one with a little information behind it. The first ten names you don't recognize. All but one of them is crossed off. The last seven names on the list are somewhat familiar to you and only two are crossed off. The list reads as follows:

You find another book of notes that is completely filled with the same sentence over and over. Every page reads the same thing: It didn't have to come to this, I could have saved him and this quaint little town.

Father Dowling trudges across the room to the open door. He peeks out to see a hallway that leads into a nice living room area. Everywhere he looks dust and cobwebs cover the entirety of the place. If anyone was in here recently, they must have been floating in mid air. In fact, as the priest moves across the floor, small clouds of thick dust billow around his feet and legs. It looks as though nobody has been in this place for many years, possibly decades.

Epi

The ranger reads over the found note, "Well I can't argue with my entry...except the part about poses little threat. We need to end this B****"

Angella moves with the good father, keeping a wary eye out for danger.

"Strange that the place is so filthy and unused. How has the mayoress gotten away with not using this place for so long and no One finding out?

She begins looking for ways into a cellar

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

The refined monster reads his entry with a contemptuous eye. "Harrumph! Stuff And Nonsense!" he exclaims in furious indignation and righteous outrage.
"Hm. Strangely, All These Other Entries Seem Frightfully Accurate," he thinks.

"If The Mayor's 'Idiot Brother' is Tomas, Then We Have Delivered Positive Steve Into Dire Peril," he politely repeats for the benefit of his slower companions. ...and the DM.

If not, then perhaps the demon that possesses the mayor has a cannibalistic demon brother?
OM, Do we know if the mayor has a brother? Thanks.

Orando, pornomancer

"Let me see that. I do love gossip." The elf reads the parchment then peruses the pile of papers. "Do we know if this is the mayor's handwriting?"

He examines the repeating sentences to see if the handwriting matches the list. She then looks for other documents or journals in the pile for corroboration.

"I wonder if these other names are among those who disappeared?" Orando wonders aloud. "We should get back Father Tomas' holy symbol. It plays a role in this."

Ozwaldus Maximus, Human Illusionist

Inferno wrote:"Hm. Strangely, All These Other Entries Seem Frightfully Accurate,"

Ozwaldus opens his mouth to protest, then shrugs. Fair enough, he thinks to himself. "Yes, wasn't Brother Tomas attepting to dissuade us from visiting the Mayor here? "She won't see you tonight," or some such. It seems he knew what conclusions we would draw seeing this olace abandoned. I feel we must catch the priest by surprise and aid Positive Steve, if we aren't already too late."

Father Dowling

The priest will continue looking around the unused area.

Orando digs through the pile some more, comparing the script and handwriting on the many notes and papers. He finds that most of the writing is in the same hand, also matching the scratches on the desk. At the very bottom of the pile, there are notes in which the script doesn't match the style of the other papers on top.

After some time is spent going through the notes, it seems more clear what might have happened here. The dusty stuff at the bottom of the pile contains trinkets and personal items. A hairbrush, some minor jewelry, small statuettes, a little rock with a face painted on it, and even a hand drawn artists rendition in pencil of a much younger Lady April and her family. (no men in the drawing other than the one who appears to be her father)

The pages on the bottom are mostly notes from townsfolk containing all manner of usual town problems and concerns. On every single page there is a handwritten note detailing how the mayor intends to rectify the many issues.

There are more notes in the middle of the pile that look similar but instead of the possible solutions written in, you see disparaging remarks on them instead, written in the script that you saw on the desk. Things like: "why don't you trim your ear hair so you can hear a little better, if you weren't so fat maybe you wouldn't worry about such things, I could make this rugged farmer one of my own, and intelligence is not this ones strong suit".

About halfway through the pile, that changes again. The notes in the margins are still in this newer handwriting, but they become more about how to solve the problems again and with a lot less cynicism involved. The townsfolk's notes on top of the pile have nothing written on them and that is where you start seeing the repetitive sentences written over and over on the other pages.

Nothing whatsoever is found that resembles a list of the many missing people. The "Heroes" list seems to be mostly comprised of men and women who came in to investigate the town's problem and failed. The only name that isn't crossed out above yours has "this one was smart and ran away" written after it. The list also points out the flaws of those who came before you. All of them similar to the snide comments after your names.

The only other thing that you find in the pile that catches your attention is a crumpled up piece of parchment that has the words "I tried hard and don't know what else I can do" written numerous times across every inch of the page.



One by one the members of the group begin to agree with the idea that Positive Steve could be in danger at the hands of Brother Tomas. So, of course, Dowling and Angella move further into the dusty manor, kicking up even more dust as they go. The 2 other doors in this hall are checked for stairs leading down, but none are found. The dust in the air is making further exploration through the manor difficult to do while still breathing.

If you would like to continue to investigate inside, please make a save vs. Poison in your next post. Thanks.

Father Dowling

The priest realizes too late that he should have given up searching through the dusty rooms, as he is overtaken by a horrible coughing fit. Maybe I should have used a handkerchief, he thinks.

Epi

The ranger calls after the dust dwellers, "I doubt there is anything to see here, but if there is it seems it won't go anyplace. Of course I don't know what aid we can render to Positive Steve. Unless Brother Tomas was lying, the only thing that could save him was the mayor's amulet--or alleged amulet."

Angella retreats, spraying out her waterskin over the place as she leaves.

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

Pleased that the others have seen reason (ie: agreed with him), the dashing, debonair devil leads the way to Brother Tomas' temple.

"I Say, I Shudder to Think What The Mayor Has In Store For That Town Meeting She Called!" he elocuted.

What time is it now, OM?
Is the meeting happening in her dusty abode? If not, can we pass its location on the way to Tomas without delaying our arrival? Thanks.

Orlando gathers up the various trinkets and such at the bottom of the pile, as well as sample letters from each stage of April's mental change, and the "I tried hard..." note. The elf also takes the list of adventurers past and present. He follows the others out afterward.

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

"Should We Quickly Glance In at The Meeting Hall On Our Way To Tomas, To See What Delightful Preparations the Mad Mayor Has In Store For Us? And Perhaps To Find Her?"

Epi

"Weren't we not just in the meeting hall? The room with the carving with 'Brother' on the desk?"

"May I have the pencil drawing to study?" Ozwaldus asks Orlando as they exit the premises. He'll study it intently as they go.

Dowling and Angella find it best to rejoin the group after the dust begins to make them cough and choke. Orando pockets a few items from the discarded pile as Ozwaldus studies the drawing a bit closer. Epi reminds the group that the only way to help Positive Steve is to find the Mayweather's family ring.

Sir Ugghra seems confused about the location of the meeting hall that you were just investigating. He then has a frighteningly accurate premonition.....

Once your party regroups and exits the dusty manor, you quickly realize that you are no longer alone in this hall. You stand on the raised area, just behind the single desk with the uplifting message carved in it. As you look out upon the once empty hall, still blinking the dust out of your eyes, you see a small gathering of folks walking towards you around the center of the room.

Some of you recognize the two burly front gate guards when they begin to rush at you with their weapons drawn. Behind them is the new sheriff, Captain Taneel, who also has a sword in his hand and also begins walking towards you. There is one more person there who doesn't advance on you. It appears to be the mysterious woman in the hooded cloak who had been watching you recently. She hisses from under her cowl.

What are you fools doing? Destroying a tavern was not enough? Will you not be happy until you have this entire town in ruin? Kill them all!

As the others advance, she tips her head back and you see that she is extremely attractive. She locks her steely gaze on the wavering Father Dowling. She motions for him to come to her with one very sexy finger wiggle.


Actions!

(Scott: can I get a Save vs. Spells in your next post please? If you fail, I will post for you this round. Thanks )

Father Dowling

Angella will try and move in front of the Wizards. If anyone comes close she will attack with her open hand.

[1d20] = 15 : [1d6] = 5 : [1d6] = 5 : [1d100] = 93