Le démon dans le tableau
General Summary
L’annonce du maitre du manoir change drastiquement l’ambiance du repas. Les infortunés qui avaient choisi le sanglier se mettent à contempler silencieusement leur repas, certains poussant la viande suspecte du bout de leur couverts.
Les serviteurs s’affairent à apporter de l’oie aux convives lésés, tandis que le diner reprend son cours.
Rayaar porte particulièrement attention à Gregor Pierson , qu’elle suspecte d’être impliqué dans une histoire louche. L’homme de main reste particulièrement silencieux, apparaissant un peu irrité et repoussant les questions.
Vient ensuite le dessert sous la forme d’une tarte aux pommes que tout le monde s’empresse de terminer rapidement.
Avant de quitter la table, Karl interroge le docteur Siegler sur le récent Edit sur les mutants : « En tant que médecin, qu’en pensez-vous ? Vu la nouvelle loi, accepterez-vous de soigner ces mutants ? »
« Durant mes études, on m’a effectivement expliqué que ces créatures étaient contre-nature… mais avec la nouvelle loi, je vais m’y conformer et commencer à les soigner »
Rayaar s’empresse d’aller enquêter dans la cuisine. Elle n’y trouvera que Karla, la cuisinière qui ne lui donnera que peu d’information. La femme du fleuve décide donc de monter à l’étage pour confirmer qui est présent dans les chambres : Pierson et Siegler n’y sont pas.
Karl de son coté, s’isole dans sa chambre avec un plat de sanglier contaminer. Après en avoir gouter une très infime portion, il reconnait le gout significatif de la Gortsiete. Cette plante déjà identifiée dans le jardin et dans la chambre de Sieglier est soporifique et altère les capacités de ceux qui l’ingèrent.
Karl décide donc de se rendre dans le jardin pour tester le sanglier sur les chiens de garde de la maisonnée. Il traverse le jardin dans la pénombre, mais trouve l’enclos des molosses vide, ceux-ci dormant dans la petite cabane attenante. Karl décide donc de jeter la nourriture directement sur le sol et de retrouver Rayaar.
A l’étage, après une rapide discussion avec Vern et Rickard Aschaffenberg , les deux héros décident de se rendre à nouveau dans le temple souterrain.
Vern, peu rassuré, les accompagne.
Le trio utilise le passage directement depuis la chambre du baron. Une fois dans l’obscurité du sous-sol, ils s’avancent dans le couloir, et alors qu’ils s’approchent de la porte donnant vers la salle du temple, une lente litanie se fait entendre.
Doucement et aussi silencieusement que possible, ils poussent la porte pour surveiller ce qui se passe à l’intérieur : La scène qui se dessine devant leur yeux est très surprenante.
Todd, le serviteur zombifié rencontré plus tot dans la journée est allongé, entravé, sur l’autel de pierre. Autour de lui, psalmodiant une chanson monotone, un petit groupe de personnes se tient respectueusement en retrait de Gregor Pierson qui lit un des livres dont Rayaar a arraché des pages.
Karl et Rayaar reconnaissent rapidement les visages des adeptes :Berthold, Gunnar, Albrecht, Karla, Otto, Siegler… sont parmi les présents.
Mais ce qui les terrifie est le visage de Pierson. Débarrassé de son pansement, son crane fait maintenant apparaitre un gigantesque œil, mutation qui trahit sans doute les influences des puissances de la ruine sur le contremaitre.
Au fond de la salle, trône un tableau qui n’était pas présent plus tôt. La peinture représentant un œil violacé est un des tableaux de la salle de réception du domaine, près de la cheminée.
Karl, Rayaar et Vern échangent rapidement : il est décidé que Vern va aller chercher les gardes fidèles au Baron Aschaffenberg pour intervenir et capturer les adeptes.
Karl et Rayaar resteront seuls pour surveiller et préparer l’attaque surprise.
Après quelques minutes d’attente, leur attention est attirée par un bruit venant de l’échelle descendant vers le couloir : quelqu’un est en train de descendre, depuis la chambre d’Aschaffenberg.
Rayaar et Karl décident rapidement d’éteindre leur torche et d’attendre le nouveau venu.
Celui-ci approche. Le son de la descente le long de l’échelle s’arrête bientôt, pour être remplacé par des bruits de pas sur la pierre : l’homme approche, dans l’obscurité.
Karl et Rayaar sont prêts, chacun d’un coté du couloir.
Subitement, Rayaar se jette sur l’inconnu qui laisse échapper un petit cri, puis commence à chuchoter, avec la voix d’Aschaffenberg : « Mais lâchez moi voyons, c’est moi ! Et pourquoi tout est noir ici ? Vern m’avait dit que vous aviez une petite torche ».
Peu fiers de leur erreur, Karl et Rayaar remarquent avec horreur que le bruit a été entendu puisque Berthold et Gunnar, les adeptes les plus proches de la porte, s’approchent encore.
Au même moment, les investigateurs se rendent compte que Pierson tient maintenant un couteau, qu’il présente, pointe vers le bas, au-dessus de Todd.
Même si le rituel et très différent, cette scène fait bizarrement écho à ce qu’ils ont déjà vécus à Bogenhafen, et l’issue de la soirée pour le pauvre Todd fait peu de doute. Les deux aventuriers se décident à intervenir et se précipitent dans la salle, en se focalisant sur Berthold et Gunnar, les adeptes les plus proches.
Achaffenberg se précipite à l’intérieur derrière eux. Rayaar avait émis des doutes auprès de Karl sur les capacités de combat du baron… mais force est de constater que l’home manie l’épée de manière très efficace. Sans doute le résultat de son éducation.
Les deux premiers adeptes sont facilement mis hors de combat.
C’est à cet instant que Gregor, triomphant, finit une partie de son incantation et plante prestement son couteau dans le corps de l’apathique Todd, qui pousse un long cri déchirant.
Le sourire de Pierson se change soudain en rictus d’effroi lorsqu’il tourne la page de son livre, et réalise que certaines pages ont été arrachées.
Sans perdre de temps, Karl se jette sur Albrecht et Rayaar sur Siegler dans un déluge de fléchettes magiques et de coups de lances.
Aschaffenberg essaye d’approcher Pierson, qui tente de poursuivre son incantation en balbutiant sans conviction des mots inventés. Cette succession de borborygmes semblent malgré tout avoir une signification puisque le tableau au fond de la salle commence à osciller et vibrer d’énergie magique.
Le temps semble se figer alors que la toile de la peinture semble se fendre pour laisser apparaitre un démon mi-grotesque mi gracieux – sans doute la conséquence de l’incantation imparfaite. La créature, malgré ses capacités limitées, n’hésite pas et se dirige prestement vers le baron Aschaffenberg !
C’est à ce moment que la porte donnant sur le couloir menant à la bibliothèque s’ouvre en grand, laissant apparaitre Vern à la tête d’un groupe de garde.
Certains, à la vue du démon, reste hésitants et n’osent pas pénétrer dans la pièce !
« Ce n’est pas possible, qu’est ce qu’ils attendent ? » Peste Rayaar.
Cependant, petit à petit, les hommes d’armes se reprennent et se jettent à leur tour dans le combat. Avec ces renforts, l’issue du combat ne fait guère de doute.
Devant cette débâcle, Pierson choisit de prendre ses jambes à son cou et s’enfuit par la troisième porte, celle permettant d’accéder à la cave et à la cuisine.
« Vern ! J’espère que tu as posté des gardes à cette sortie comme je te l’ai demandé… Sinon il va s’échapper ».
Quelques minutes plus tard, alors que le combat dans le temple profane a pris fin, Rayaar et Karl se jette à la poursuite du fuyard…Ils montent quatre à quatre, les escaliers vers la cuisine et tombent alors face à face avec Olver, le chasseur accompagné de deux de ses chiens.
A ses pieds, se trouve le corps sans vie de Gregor : « Il a tenté de s’échapper. Alors je l’ai bloqué, il a tenté de me bousculer, alors j’ai lâcher les chiens ».
Rassurée, Rayaar prend le temps de fouiller le corps du défunt. La seule prise d’interet sera une lettre mystérieuse, de X.X. à Gregor Pierson .
Après les émotions de la nuit, il est décidé d’aller se reposer. « La nuit porte conseil, et demain je pourrai organiser votre retour vers Kemperbad si vous le souhaitez»
The announcement by the master of the manor drastically changes the mood of the meal. The unfortunate guests who had chosen the wild boar began to silently contemplate their meal, some pushing the suspect meat with the tips of their cutlery. The servants busied themselves bringing goose to the aggrieved guests, while the dinner resumed. Rayaar pays particular attention to Gregor Pierson, whom she suspects of being involved in something fishy. The henchman remains particularly quiet, appearing a little irritated and deflecting questions. Then comes dessert in the form of apple pie, which everyone quickly finishes. Before leaving the table, Karl asks Dr Siegler about the recent mutant edit: "As a doctor, what do you think? Given the new law, would you agree to treat these mutants?" "During my studies, it was indeed explained to me that these creatures were unnatural... but with the new law, I'm going to comply and start treating them." Rayaar hurried off to investigate in the kitchen. All she found was Karla, the cook, who gave her very little information. The river woman decides to go upstairs to confirm who is in the bedrooms: Piersson and Siegler are not. Karl, for his part, isolates himself in his room with a dish of contaminated wild boar. After tasting a tiny portion, he recognises the significant taste of Gortsiete. This plant, already identified in the garden and in Sieglier's room, is a soporific and alters the abilities of those who ingest it. So Karl decides to go into the garden to test the boar on the household guard dogs. He crossed the garden in the half-light, but found the molosses' enclosure empty, as they were sleeping in the small shed next door. Karl decided to throw the food on the ground and find Rayaar. Upstairs, after a quick chat with Vern and Rickard Aschaffenberg, the two heroes decide to head back to the underground temple. Vern, not quite reassured, accompanies them.
The trio use the passage directly from the Baron's room. Once in the darkness of the basement, they make their way down the corridor, and as they approach the door to the temple room, a slow litany is heard.
Gently and as silently as possible, they push open the door to see what's going on inside: the scene that unfolds before their eyes is very surprising.
Todd, the zombified servant they met earlier in the day, is lying shackled on the stone altar. Around him, chanting a monotonous song, a small group of people stand respectfully behind Gregor Pierson, who is reading one of the books from which Rayaar has torn pages. Karl and Rayaar quickly recognize the faces of the followers: Berthold, Gunnar, Albrecht, Karla, Otto, Siegler... are among those present. But what terrifies them is the face of Pierson. Unbandaged, his skull now reveals a gigantic eye, a mutation that no doubt betrays the influences of the powers of ruin on the foreman.
At the back of the room sits a painting that wasn't there before. The painting depicting a purplish eye is one of the paintings in the estate's reception room, near the fireplace.
Karl, Rayaar and Vern talk quickly: it is decided that Vern will fetch the guards loyal to Baron Aschaffenberg to intervene and capture the followers.
Karl and Rayaar were left alone to watch and prepare for the surprise attack. After waiting for a few minutes, their attention is drawn to a noise coming from the ladder leading down to the corridor: someone is coming down from Aschaffenberg's room.
Rayaar and Karl quickly decide to extinguish their torches and wait for the newcomer. He approaches. The sound of climbing down the ladder soon stops, to be replaced by the sound of footsteps on stone: the man is approaching, in the darkness.
Karl and Rayaar are ready, on opposite sides of the corridor.
Suddenly, Rayaar pounces on the stranger, who lets out a small scream, then starts whispering in Aschaffenberg's voice: "Let go of me, it's me! And why is it so dark in here? Vern told me you had a little torch".
Not proud of their mistake, Karl and Rayaar are horrified to see that the noise has been heard as Berthold and Gunnar, the followers closest to the door, approach again.
At the same time, the investigators realize that Pierson is now holding a knife, which he presents, pointing downwards, over Todd. Although the ritual is very different, this scene echoes something they have already experienced in Bogenhafen, and there is little doubt as to the outcome of the evening for poor Todd. The two adventurers decide to intervene and rush into the room, focusing on Berthold and Gunnar, the closest followers.
Achaffenberg rushed in behind them. Rayaar had expressed doubts to Karl about the Baron's fighting skills... but it has to be said that he wields a sword very effectively. No doubt the result of his education.
The first two adepts were easily put out of action.
It was at this point that Gregor, triumphant, finished part of his incantation and quickly plunged his knife into the body of the apathetic Todd, who let out a long, heart-rending scream.
Pierson's smile suddenly turns to one of horror as he turns the page of his book and realises that some of the pages have been ripped out. Without wasting any time, Karl pounces on Albrecht and Rayaar on Siegler in a deluge of magic darts and spear blows. Aschaffenberg tried to approach Pierson, who tried to continue his incantation by stammering out made-up words without conviction. But this succession of babbled words seems to have some meaning, as the painting at the back of the room begins to sway and vibrate with magical energy.
Time seems to stand still as the canvas of the painting seems to split open, revealing a half-grotesque, half-graceful demon - no doubt the result of the imperfect incantation. The creature, despite its limited abilities, doesn't hesitate and heads straight for Baron Aschaffenberg! Just then, the door to the corridor leading to the library opened wide, revealing Vern at the head of a group of guards. Some of them, at the sight of the demon, remained hesitant and didn't dare enter the room!
"It's not possible, what are they waiting for? Rayaar pisses.
Little by little, however, the men-at-arms pull themselves together and throw themselves into the fight. With these reinforcements, there was little doubt as to the outcome of the battle.
Faced with this debacle, Pierson decided to take to his heels and flee through the third door, the one leading to the cellar and kitchen. "Vern! I hope you've posted guards at this exit like I asked you to... Otherwise he'll escape".
A few minutes later, just as the fight in the unholy temple had ended, Rayaar and Karl set off in pursuit of the fugitive... Four by four, they climbed the stairs to the kitchen and came face to face with Olver, the hunter accompanied by two of his dogs.
At his feet was Gregor's lifeless body: "He tried to escape. So I blocked him, he tried to push me, so I let go of the dogs". Reassured, Rayaar took the time to search the body of the deceased. The only thing of interest was a mysterious letter from X.X. to Gregor Pierson . After the emotions of the night, it was decided to get some rest. "Tomorrow I can organise your return to Kemperbad if you wish".
The announcement by the master of the manor drastically changes the mood of the meal. The unfortunate guests who had chosen the wild boar began to silently contemplate their meal, some pushing the suspect meat with the tips of their cutlery. The servants busied themselves bringing goose to the aggrieved guests, while the dinner resumed. Rayaar pays particular attention to Gregor Pierson, whom she suspects of being involved in something fishy. The henchman remains particularly quiet, appearing a little irritated and deflecting questions. Then comes dessert in the form of apple pie, which everyone quickly finishes. Before leaving the table, Karl asks Dr Siegler about the recent mutant edit: "As a doctor, what do you think? Given the new law, would you agree to treat these mutants?" "During my studies, it was indeed explained to me that these creatures were unnatural... but with the new law, I'm going to comply and start treating them." Rayaar hurried off to investigate in the kitchen. All she found was Karla, the cook, who gave her very little information. The river woman decides to go upstairs to confirm who is in the bedrooms: Piersson and Siegler are not. Karl, for his part, isolates himself in his room with a dish of contaminated wild boar. After tasting a tiny portion, he recognises the significant taste of Gortsiete. This plant, already identified in the garden and in Sieglier's room, is a soporific and alters the abilities of those who ingest it. So Karl decides to go into the garden to test the boar on the household guard dogs. He crossed the garden in the half-light, but found the molosses' enclosure empty, as they were sleeping in the small shed next door. Karl decided to throw the food on the ground and find Rayaar. Upstairs, after a quick chat with Vern and Rickard Aschaffenberg, the two heroes decide to head back to the underground temple. Vern, not quite reassured, accompanies them.
The trio use the passage directly from the Baron's room. Once in the darkness of the basement, they make their way down the corridor, and as they approach the door to the temple room, a slow litany is heard.
Gently and as silently as possible, they push open the door to see what's going on inside: the scene that unfolds before their eyes is very surprising.
Todd, the zombified servant they met earlier in the day, is lying shackled on the stone altar. Around him, chanting a monotonous song, a small group of people stand respectfully behind Gregor Pierson, who is reading one of the books from which Rayaar has torn pages. Karl and Rayaar quickly recognize the faces of the followers: Berthold, Gunnar, Albrecht, Karla, Otto, Siegler... are among those present. But what terrifies them is the face of Pierson. Unbandaged, his skull now reveals a gigantic eye, a mutation that no doubt betrays the influences of the powers of ruin on the foreman.
At the back of the room sits a painting that wasn't there before. The painting depicting a purplish eye is one of the paintings in the estate's reception room, near the fireplace.
Karl, Rayaar and Vern talk quickly: it is decided that Vern will fetch the guards loyal to Baron Aschaffenberg to intervene and capture the followers.
Karl and Rayaar were left alone to watch and prepare for the surprise attack. After waiting for a few minutes, their attention is drawn to a noise coming from the ladder leading down to the corridor: someone is coming down from Aschaffenberg's room.
Rayaar and Karl quickly decide to extinguish their torches and wait for the newcomer. He approaches. The sound of climbing down the ladder soon stops, to be replaced by the sound of footsteps on stone: the man is approaching, in the darkness.
Karl and Rayaar are ready, on opposite sides of the corridor.
Suddenly, Rayaar pounces on the stranger, who lets out a small scream, then starts whispering in Aschaffenberg's voice: "Let go of me, it's me! And why is it so dark in here? Vern told me you had a little torch".
Not proud of their mistake, Karl and Rayaar are horrified to see that the noise has been heard as Berthold and Gunnar, the followers closest to the door, approach again.
At the same time, the investigators realize that Pierson is now holding a knife, which he presents, pointing downwards, over Todd. Although the ritual is very different, this scene echoes something they have already experienced in Bogenhafen, and there is little doubt as to the outcome of the evening for poor Todd. The two adventurers decide to intervene and rush into the room, focusing on Berthold and Gunnar, the closest followers.
Achaffenberg rushed in behind them. Rayaar had expressed doubts to Karl about the Baron's fighting skills... but it has to be said that he wields a sword very effectively. No doubt the result of his education.
The first two adepts were easily put out of action.
It was at this point that Gregor, triumphant, finished part of his incantation and quickly plunged his knife into the body of the apathetic Todd, who let out a long, heart-rending scream.
Pierson's smile suddenly turns to one of horror as he turns the page of his book and realises that some of the pages have been ripped out. Without wasting any time, Karl pounces on Albrecht and Rayaar on Siegler in a deluge of magic darts and spear blows. Aschaffenberg tried to approach Pierson, who tried to continue his incantation by stammering out made-up words without conviction. But this succession of babbled words seems to have some meaning, as the painting at the back of the room begins to sway and vibrate with magical energy.
Time seems to stand still as the canvas of the painting seems to split open, revealing a half-grotesque, half-graceful demon - no doubt the result of the imperfect incantation. The creature, despite its limited abilities, doesn't hesitate and heads straight for Baron Aschaffenberg! Just then, the door to the corridor leading to the library opened wide, revealing Vern at the head of a group of guards. Some of them, at the sight of the demon, remained hesitant and didn't dare enter the room!
"It's not possible, what are they waiting for? Rayaar pisses.
Little by little, however, the men-at-arms pull themselves together and throw themselves into the fight. With these reinforcements, there was little doubt as to the outcome of the battle.
Faced with this debacle, Pierson decided to take to his heels and flee through the third door, the one leading to the cellar and kitchen. "Vern! I hope you've posted guards at this exit like I asked you to... Otherwise he'll escape".
A few minutes later, just as the fight in the unholy temple had ended, Rayaar and Karl set off in pursuit of the fugitive... Four by four, they climbed the stairs to the kitchen and came face to face with Olver, the hunter accompanied by two of his dogs.
At his feet was Gregor's lifeless body: "He tried to escape. So I blocked him, he tried to push me, so I let go of the dogs". Reassured, Rayaar took the time to search the body of the deceased. The only thing of interest was a mysterious letter from X.X. to Gregor Pierson . After the emotions of the night, it was decided to get some rest. "Tomorrow I can organise your return to Kemperbad if you wish".
Report Date
24 Feb 2024
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