Chapter the Ninth: Paris

[Victoria Silverwolf]

There is no answer from the figure, nor any sign (such as movement) that the inquiry has been noticed in any way. The sobbing continues.

The policeman with the taper approaches the figure, eventually stepping to a position from which he is able to see its face. As he does so, he cries out and drops the taper, extinguishing it. In the darkness he half-runs, half-stumbles out of the room, muttering indistinguishable words, and is seen no more. (It may be remembered at this juncture that the French police are not always as reliable as the English.)

The other two policeman are not eager to confront the figure, particularly without a source of light, although they are made of somewhat bolder stuff than their vanished compatriot, and are willing to remain with the party.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry retrieves the taper and lights it again.

[Rooter]

-- Please make certain the rest of the chamber is empty. -- Lila requests of the two remaining officers.

-- We will not harm you. -- she says to the sobbing figure, and steeling herself, steps around to regard its face.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The two policemen attempt to search the chamber in the dim light, obviously relieved to be spared the task of examining the sobbing figure.

Spoiler:

WIS = 9[dice]0[/dice]

It must be admitted that they do not do a very thorough job. If there is anyone attempting to hide in the shadows, or if there is anything else of interest which is not obvious to all, they have not detected such during a cursory examination.

As Miss Davenport is somewhat inured to sights which would prove unnerving to one of lesser experience, she is able to view the countenance of the hooded figure, and relate its description to her companions, without excessive disturbance to her spirit.

Where there should be a face, there is only featureless skin; a blank expanse of perfectly smooth flesh. There is no sign of eyes, nose, mouth, ears; no hair or pores. It is as if a human visage should be entirely erased. In what manner such a being should be able to breathe, let alone produce the sobbing sound, is not evident.

[Mr. Handy]

"Good Lord," says Henry in hushed tones when Lila describes what she sees. "I'm not even sure where to begin. This must be that fiend Roterstein's work." He tries to think of anything that medical science might do to help this unfortunate soul.

[SunlessNick]

Ines gives a slight choking sound at Miss Davenport's description, but gets a hold of herself. "Could this be the effect of one of the infernal weapons he was distributing?" she asks.

OOC:   Is the figure a man or a woman?

[Rooter]

"And why was she or he left here? A warning? A diversion?" Lila looks warily around the chamber.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Upon closer examination, it is possible to determine that this unfortunate person was once an ordinary young woman, whatever she might be now. As Doctor North attempts to discover if medical science can be of any benefit, the woman recoils at first from his fingers; then she grips his hand with both of hers and places her head on his arm. One may deduce that she is entirely blind and deaf, as well as unable to produce more than vague moaning sounds, as from an injured beast. However, she does appear to derive some comfort from the presence of a sympathetic touch.

Spoiler:

int = 12 + 1 scientific genius + 3 profession (doctor) = 16[dice]0[/dice]

Making full use of his experience with the multiple ailments which have plagued mankind since Adam's fall, Doctor North is able to discover that the victim's flesh has been rendered into a semi-liquid state in some unknown manner, then reshaped and solidified. There are small openings in her throat, the purpose evidently allowing her to breathe as well as to sustain herself with water and some form of liquid nourishment. Thus she has been denied even the comfort of death. Despite this act of -- should one call it mercy or cruelty? -- the opening is apparently not enough to allow for intelligible speech.

[SunlessNick]

"This is monstrous..." As gently as she can, Ines takes the poor woman's hand, prepared to release it should she pull away. Nevertheless, she is sensible of Miss Davenport's words and her eyes dart round the chamber.

[Rooter]

Recalling their purpose in coming here Lila begins a careful search of the chamber for any clues which would indicate Violette DuPray's activities and movements.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry squeezes the poor woman's hand to comfort her as he fills in the others on his findings. "I fear that only Roterstein has the knowledge needed to repair the damage," he says. "We must find him and get the information out of him before he causes even more damage. Whatever he used to temporarily liquefy her flesh could be applied again, and then her face can be reshaped again. It would take a true artist to make it the way it was before, if we even know what her face looked like, but perhaps functionality could at least be restored."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The woman seems calmer now, apparently aware that she has found the company of friends rather than tormentors. She is willing to be led by the party, and seems co-operative, given her limited ability to communicate. Once in a while she dips a finger in a vial she carries and removes a small amount of a thick, colorless, gelatinous substance, which she applies to the small opening in her throat, where it is absorbed, this process evidently having replaced the normal process of nutrition. Meanwhile, the three adventurers explore the chamber in various ways.

Spoiler:

INT = 12 + 3 MECHANICAL GENIUS = 15[dice]0[/dice]

Doctor North is able to detect a secret passage, operated by an intricately designed mechanism, which connects this chamber directly with the room of the armorer.

Spoiler:

WIS = 11[dice]1[/dice]

A spark of intuition leads Ines to examine a corner of the room, where she discovers a crumpled sheet of parchment carelessly left behind by some person, where it lies half-hidden among the dust and debris covering the floor. It proves to be a crude map of the cathedral, with the letter X added in dark ink to a spot just below that structure's famed North Rose Window, where extraordinarily beautiful stained glass windows admit light of many colors into the dark interior.

Spoiler:

WIS = 12; I'll add + 1 for Tracking ability, Violette being non-preternatural but not exactly an ordinary person = 13[dice]2[/dice]

If there had been any traces left of Miss DuPray's passage from this chamber, they have been erased by time.

[SunlessNick]

"When we are finished down here, we must examine the place marked on the map," says Ines. "In case there is something meant to bring harm to the Cathedral."

[Mr. Handy]

"I've also found a secret passage to the armourer's," says Henry, "but we should see what the X signifies while we are here."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

-- It appears that there is some conspiracy at work here. -- remarks one of the policemen. -- I shall report this to my superiors at once. May I have that parchment, Mademoiselle? --

[SunlessNick]

Ines hands it over, though not before making sure she's memorised the right place.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

-- Thank you. --

With that he takes his leave, the other policeman remaining to assist the adventurers and the unfortunate victim of what he presumes (judging by his remarks) to be one of Nature's mistakes.

[Rooter]

"We must decide whether to search the armorer's room or visit the window, or split up. Someone must either stay with this poor woman or lead her to safety."

[Mr. Handy]

"I don't think splitting up in this place is a good idea," says Henry. "Since the window's right here in this area, we might as well examine it first."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

It being agreed that the party should investigate the North Rose Window, they proceed thence. The policeman is able to discuss the situation briefly with a few available clerics, so as to not raise undue alarm among those present. A concealing veil is discretely obtained for the unfortunate woman, who will thus be accepted as simply another worshipper.



The rose window is a work of extraordinary beauty, surmounting eighteen lancet windows, dating to the Thirteenth Century. At the center of the rose is the Virgin Mary, holding the Christ Child. Surrounding her are Old Testament kings and prophets.

Close examination of the floor, as well as the stonework which can be viewed without some form of artificial elevation, does not reveal anything amiss.

-- Per my conversation with the clerics, -- the policeman whispers, -- it would be possible to arrange for a tall ladder to be brought here, under the pretense of cleaning. This would allow for closer examination of the window. Of course, great care must be taken to avoid causing any damage. Such a process, I believe, would require enough time that we would barely be finished before we must remove the equipment so that Vespers may be observed. --