Session 172 - The Blood Drinker
General Summary
17th and 18th of Nolus (First Month of Summer) 723TR
The story so far
Jolanta, and her trusty bodyguard Blaine, are agents of the mysterious Order of the White Hand, hunting down unscrupulous mages and covering up magical mishaps.
This is the continuation of Session 171 - A Petty Dispute Among Lords.
Location City of Tashal in the Kingdom of Kaldor.
Part 1 - A Surprise Visitor
Jolanta has developed an interest in Earthmasters artifacts and has discovered that one may be able to capture and store images, the Ivory Specularum. After a month of diligent investigation, she thinks she has learned its last known location.
Satisfied when she returns to her accommodation to find she has a guest waiting for her, an old friend Rodolk Czurger the Rydequelyn Agent. Roldolk is a skilled inquisitor who hunts down hidden cults and worshipers of the evil gods in the "good" kingdoms. He was impressed when he learned that Jolanta recently drove off an undead warlock and saved the cities small dwarven population (refer Session 169 - Digging up the Roots). He asks if she would be willing to help him with his latest investigation. Dead bodies have been discovered in the village of Athten, drained of blood.
Location - Athten Manor, near Minarsis Castle in Kaldor.
Part 2 - The Bodies
At Athten, the investigators immediately visit the local chapel of Peoni; its priest, Father Tailor, is expecting them. They learn that the bodies have indeed be drained of blood; each has an oval-shaped series of puncher wounds with a deep bite mark in the center. Strangely the bodies were in an advanced state of rigor mortis.
The first victim was Odelina Ventrisse, a local spinster and busy body who died 10 days ago. A search of her home suggests that someone had broken in through a window. Jolanta suspects that she was killed elsewhere, and her body placed back in her home.
The second victim was the vagrant Ilbert killed 7 days ago and found outside the chapel. There are scuff makes in the ground, indicating that the body was dragged to that location at night.
The last victim was Anfroy Blithe; an old farmer killed 6 days ago. His body was found in his field again with drag marks, indicating he had been murdered elsewhere.
Unfortunately, the bodies have been buried, and the investigators find no other clues.
