The ChurchRegina steps forward and bows her head in a show of grief.
"A tragedy. What can you tell me about her when she was alive, Father?"'Yes, yes, of course,' the priest says, swallowing audibly. 'I don't really know what to tell you. She was a sweet child, very sweet. Everyone liked her. The man who owns the Alehouse, Guntram, is... was her father. My assistant - the one I mentioned, who's stopped coming around - had his eyes on the girl, if you understand.'
He pauses. 'In fact... could you perhaps spare some time to pay both of them a visit? I don't think they've taken her death very well. I'd be grateful if you let them know I am always here for them.'
While Regina converses with the priest, Alexandre and Aydin head downstairs to see the body.
The Church CellarThe cellar turns out to be a low-ceilinged, dark space that seems to house a wall of wine shelves. It seems a bit excessive for sacrament. Otherwise, there are few small storage rooms, and a basic morgue or preparation room of some kind. The girl is there, under a sheet of stained cloth, which Alexandre pulls away to reveal a young, rather fine-looking - even in her current state - woman in a torn dress. The pair begin their examination, trying to be as respectful as possible.
[6+1=6] It doesn't take long for Alexandre to recognize the work.
The long, scraping cuts, the chunks of flesh torn apart and the draping surface wounds scattered across the girl's body make it plain. Alexandre can almost smell it on her. This is the work of a werewolf - and not just any werewolf - a young, inexperienced one, likely undergoing its first full moon.
[2+2=4] From what Alex can remember, young werewolves are still alternating between their human and wolf forms, the latter brought to the surface in the full moon. Their forms are as formidable as an adult werewolf's, but they fight their bestial natures subconsciously and are often clumsy and slow - atleast, when compared to the fully-grown ones.
This raises a troubling prospect. The werewolf might be one of the villagers, infection dormant until now. Or there might be a pack living the woods, with a newborn let loose at the village. Or, even more worryingly, it might be both.
The Bartelsberg AlehouseHippolyte and Viktor, drunk as they come, are approached by a thick-set woodsman after a while.
'Uhh... are you the ones who just arrived earlier today? There's something wrong with Jacques... err, your driver. Do you know what's happened to him?'
He points behind him to a corner table, where Jacques sits staring into his drink while another villager sits next to him, looking uncomfortable and continously glancing your way.
---
8/8 Health Points: [
IIIIIIII]
The Preacher – Aydin Kyrotomanios
Equipment: The Quran, Prayer Mat (rolled-up), Walking Stick, Simple Clothing, Packet of Foodstuffs
Speaks: Turkish, Arabic,
Rudimentary Greek,
Rudimentary French,
Fragmentary Italian, Fragmentary PersianSkills:
Man of the Faith 8/8 Health Points: [
IIIIIIII]
The Spy – Regina Boulanger
Equipment: Flintlock Pistol, Dagger, Fake Papers, Travelling Clothing, Packet of Foodstuffs
Speaks: French, English, German, Italian, Swedish, Russian,
Rudimentary Turkish, Rudimentary Spanish,
Fragmentary Hungarian, Fragmentary ArabicSkills: The Spy's Tools 10/10 Health Points: [
IIIIIIIIII]
The Woodsman – Viktor
Equipment: Woodsman's Axe,
Ancient Musket, Woodsman's Rags, Tinderbox
Speaks: Serbian,
Fragmentary French, Fragmentary TurkishSkills:
Skilled Hunter,
Wilderness Survivor 8/8 Health Points: [
IIIIIIII]
The Surgeon – Hippolyte d'Oberlin
Equipment: Surgical Gear, Notebook, Clean Cloth, Empty Bottles, Travelling Clothing, Packet of Foodstuffs, Fine Walking Stick
Speaks: French, German, English,
Rudimentary Swedish, Rudimentary Turkish,
Fragmentary Russian, Fragmentary Arabic, Fragmentary LatinSkills: Field Surgeon,
Natural Scientist 10/10 Health Points: [
IIIIIIIIII]
The Monster Hunter – Alexandre Aruno
Equipment: Flintlock Rifle, Silver-coated Knife,
Bag of Tools, Fine Clothing, Flask of Wine, Packet of Foodstuffs,
The Malleus MaleficarumSpeaks: French, German,
Rudimentary Italian, Rudimentary Swedish, Rudimentary EnglishSkills: Scholar of Evil,
Famous Hunter ---
Author
Topic: Bonaparte's Hounds - Monster-hunting in the 19th century - Turn XI (Read 9510 times)