[CLOSED] PLAYER PLOT: The Ashes Underneath His Nails

[amygdalae]

WHO: Jim Kirk, Hermione Granger, Adelaide Leblanc, Herian Amsel, Anders, Inessa Serra, Raylan Gibbs, Ciri
WHAT: The Inquisition sends a group of agents to uncover the truth behind a string of mysterious disappearances.
WHEN: Kingsway 1st - 8th
WHERE: Emprise du Lion
NOTES: Plotting post is here - feel free to post in there still for queries and concerns and further stuff where needed. Warnings for blood, violence, talks about death, experimentation horror, abomination-related stuff etc and eventual on-screen child death. ALSO no tag order - just respond when you feel like you should and I'll try to hit it back if it feels appropriate!!

QUICK JUMP LINKS TRAVELLING TO FROMAGE & FROMAGE GENERAL THREAD ROUTE INVESTIGATION SEEKRIT CAVE ENTRANCE INTO THE SEEKRIT CAVE CAVE INVESTIGATION - LEFT TEAM CAVE INVESTIGATION - RIGHT TEAM KID ABOMINATION THREAD BACK TO SKYHOLD

(—he remembers the chill of the frost and snow biting at bare skin, its usual pure white now tinged a horrid pink from the blood on his hands. He's far away from them now, the danger and the pain and everything else, but the blood will forever be on his hands no matter how much he tries to wash it away. His father had been right all along. He truly was a monster of the greatest kind.)

QUEST: THE ASHES UNDERNEATH HIS NAILS (PART I) The message had come swiftly, the letter itself hastily written with a shaky hand. The request itself was simple; a plea for help from a village at the outskirts of Emprise du Lion, whose people have been mysteriously disappearing over the last few weeks. Considering the ongoing civil unrest that's still transpiring in Orlais the Inquisition made its decision to send out a team of agents to look into this message and see exactly what was going on. The eight agents tasked with the mission were given enough time to prepare for the trip ahead. They would all meet up first at the Inquisition camp set within the Emprise and from there travel for about a day until they reached where their destination was - Fromage, a quaint little village that rested at the outskirts of the area. From that point on, it was up to the agents of the Inquisition to solve this ongoing mystery. The mission: to discover the truth behind these disappearances - and to stop it, if possible.

Comments

MORGUE + CELLS

[amygdalae]

The path apparently splits off once more at the end, though this time the distinction between each path is much more obvious. The stench of death and decay is strong from the left, while there are shadows of what look like metal gates down the right.

Going to the left has the agents entering a much smaller cavern; there's only a single torch illuminating the area from the far wall, but even that is enough to reveal the large hole that stretches across the middle of the ground. The stench seems to be even stronger from there - and perhaps that may even be the source of the smell. Only a close look will tell.

On the right the smell of death is less potent, but still never much present. The metal gates are quickly figured out to be cell doors, and it seems like this entire corridor has been made into a purposes of a makeshift prison. Most of the doors seemed to be locked save for three of them; one near the entrance, one at the middle and one near the end.

[dashing]

By now Herian has acquired her new staff, is aware of the feeling of what might as well be a second heartbeat pulsing over her own. Fire blooms at the staff's gnarled head, she hold it up, fire brightening and expanding to spill more light into the room, making the shadows stretch.

Her expression twists a little with the stench, but only for a moment as she starts to move forward towards the hole. In years past she might have covered her nose or gagged. The Spire, these past years, have made the smell of death far too familiar a thing.

Better to get a close look at the hole, as foul as the task might be, and she crouches at its edge, staff raised over it.

i'm so sorry

[amygdalae]

With the extra light from Herian herself the entire cavern is fully illuminated, though Herian wishes she might not have done so.

The hole originally shadowed by faint lighting is, in fact, what is now shown to be apparently a deep trench - or rather had been, because now its filled to the brim with corpses. In fact its so full that the corpses at the top seem like they can be pulled out if so inclined.

I'm not tbh

[dashing]

And that, children, is why you shouldn't go and inspect creepy holds in the ground.

She withdraws her stave rapidly, though she does not recoil. Rather, she just casts the light upwards, away from the pit, from this poor excuse for a grave, and looks over her shoulder even as she fights the churn of her gut.

"Do not look in here. It is a grave." A breath, ensuring she stays steady. "These people should be burned."

[circleprodigy]

The stench...Inessa's had worse, thanks to hunting darkspawn, but not much worse. She covers her nose with her sleeve, eyes watering as she catches up to Herian...and then all at once she's rather glad to have the warning. That's something she could (just barely) stomach seeing, but would really rather not, if she can avoid it.

"Then let's do so. They deserve that much, before we must move onward."

[dashing]

"The smoke in so enclosed a space as this is unwise. They must be moved before they can be burned." And they do not, she suspects, have time for that before this place has been properly investigated. They may not have time at all, but if she must then she will stay once the others leave, with Councillor LeBlanc's permission.

With the warning given, she drops the staff lower again, studying the bodies to look for anything abnormal - signs of red lyrium, of mutilation, anything.

[circleprodigy]

"...a fair point." Inessa sighs, knowing that she'll be of little help there and it will have to wait until their investigation is over. Even so, she'll strongly advocate measures to put these people to rest properly afterward. They deserve that much, since nothing else can be done for them now.

this is the worst GM comment ever i'm sorry (also cw: gross stuff??)

[amygdalae]

Herian is perfectly free to examine the bodies - or as much as she can when the bodies are all piled together in a hole that seems to have been dug for this purpose alone.

(I'm so sorry.)

It's hard to be entirely sure unless she actually... wants to bring one of the bodies closer, but it looks like each body seems to have parts of it gouged out. Like, there are probably gaps where the actual flesh and skin should be.

(I'm so sorry.)

[dashing]

"What did they do to you?" she asks the nearest body, although given their current circumstances, she momentarily reflects that talking to corpses is perhaps not the wisest course of action for their own sanity if nothing else. She cannot see well, murmuring an apology to the body on top as she sets down her staff and hauls them closer. (Not 'it', 'them,' the person who once lived in this body deserved more dignity than that.)

It takes a moment of effort, Herian leaning further over the pit, making herself look, making herself remember this. "Maker's breath."

Exhaled, more than spoken. "I am sorry this was done to you."

[ichaer]

While others take to the left, Ciri heads right with her sword drawn and stance tense. She is grateful that the sickeningly smell of death is lessened on this side as it gives her the chance to actually take in some much needed deep breaths but it feels like the smell is stuck to her lungs. Nevertheless, she focuses on the path before her as it opens up before her.

She passes a few of the metal doors, trying to peek into the makeshift cells before approaching one along the middle. Pulling on it, it does not budge so she moves down and tries another. This one does and she pulls it open, cautious moving to get a better look inside.

[amygdalae]

The cell that Ciri manages to enter... does not have a lot to show, it seems. There are only the barest of necessities, if there are even any at all. At the corner is an incredibly ragged bedroll that's been thoroughly chewed up by rodents and insects, and at the other corner there is a bucket for--well, Ciri can make her own guesses.

The only real point of interest is what seems to be a series of markings made on the wall next to where the bedroll had been laid out. They're only faintly visible from the light of the corridors, and if one isn't attentive enough they're all too easily overlooked.

[ichaer]

Ciri frowns at the darkness that covers the area but kneels, feeling at the rocks that make up the cell wall nearest her and trying to discover if some might have loosened. She can remember hiding valuables in such places growing up but wonders if the prisoners here would have anything left to hide from whomever held them captive.

After a moment, she sighs and stands. This was useless without some form of light so that was most important first. She considers calling for one of the mages but instead the nearby area for a torch or lamp firstly.

[amygdalae]

The rocks all seem to be perfectly solid - if there is somebody who did attempt that it probably did not happen in this particular cell.

In terms of finding a light source, however, Ciri might be in a bit more luck - the entire hallway is lit with torches that are shoddily hung from above somehow, and maybe if she tries hard enough she could get one of them down. As long as it doesn't break in the process.

[ichaer]

Lucky is her middle name and she grins as she eyes the torches. It would make trying to find something in this place all the easier. It's a bit of struggle but she somehow manages to pull one down without creating a giant disaster in the process.

Retracing her steps, she returns to the cell and shines the torch inside. Everything on the floor gets a glance over as she once again kneels, pulling the bedroll up and catching underneath before the series of markings grab her attention.

Despite her attitude, she's well read and takes notes of them. Perhaps something she can decipher? If not then it might be time to call on the others.

[amygdalae]

With sufficient light now Ciri can easily see the markings which--well, she didn't need to worry even if she wasn't well read, because its not like they're special codes or anything like that.

They're just very simple markings that seems to be counting something.

[ichaer]

Thank the Maker too because she would not be in the mood for breaking codes in creepy cells. She'll take note of how many markers have been scratched into the wall before heading out and beginning to try and open other cells. Even if they're locked, she'll try and get a look in to see if anything stands out.

Otherwise, she'll put her focus in the cell at the end that does open for now.

[amygdalae]

The interesting thing about the markings is that they seem to repeat - some markings don't even get to the five counter before they're suddenly starting again. Each 'set' don't last very long too - the furthest it seems is seven, and then it starts again.

As for the other cells that can't open - the light from the torch gives a bit of illumination to generally see that most of them are pretty much the same, but unless she actually gets inside the doors themselves block out too much light to be able to really make out anything.

And about the unlocked door at the end... well, the place is certainly different from the other cells. For one, its a lot more well-furnished.

[circleprodigy]

Not able to get away from that hole fast enough, Inessa then focuses on the unlocked door near the entrance, both to be productive and (hopefully) get her mind off that horrible stench and what those people must have suffered. Garahel remains at her side, much more at ease now that he's not gagging as before. He'll sniff around but Inessa's the one taking the lead on the brief investigation.

oh my god i am so sorry

[amygdalae]

Unfortunately for Inessa, things aren't going to get better for her anytime soon.

There's not so much as the stench of death but rather the stench of blood, strong and incredibly potent. The rest of the room is shrouded in darkness but there's enough light from the corridor outside to at least make out what is closer to the door where Inessa stands--

That something being a human foot, apparently. But it's not separate, at least, so that's something of a minor consolation. If anything it looks like its still connected to the rest of the body that's currently hidden in the shadows of the room she's entered.

this face forever

[circleprodigy]

The stench of blood has Garahel gagging and backing out almost immediately, causing Inessa to turn and--

--oh. Oh, Maker. Inessa's hand goes to her mouth and she fights back that urge to flee and though she's not exactly nauseous, the Grey Warden mage nonetheless is suddenly wishing for a cup of ginger tea...or several. That might have to be a priority later, once out of the caves.

Almost certain she's going to regret this, Inessa steps forward and tips her staff toward the shadows, needing what light it can afford. Perhaps something about this human's death can give her insight to share with the others. (If not, then maybe she'll just never eat again.)

Inessa does not deserve this (cw: MORE GROSS STUFF)

[amygdalae]

The staff gives off just about enough light to make out the rest of the body - but as with Herian earlier, it may not be something she had wished to do.

Mainly because what she's seeing right now is a body that is similar to the other bodies that Herian discovered on the other side. The person is just as dead as the rest, though the smell of blood and the redness of it suggests that it had still been relatively recent. And just like the bodies in the 'morgue', parts of the flesh has also likewise bee gouged out.

It's... definitely not a pleasant sight.

/sob

[circleprodigy]

"Maker's breath!"

Inessa barely utters that oath before she's promptly backing out of the cell, even more pale than usual. Garahel whimpers, the large mabari likewise unnnerved and leaning against her for comfort. She pats him and tries to take in some calming breathes, but it'll be a few moments before she can manage to collect herself. Even for a Grey Warden, this is gruesome.

/slams through a wall

[ichaer]

"Nessa!"

She had been exploring the nearby area and heard her friend's voice in the mostly silent halls and came running from the other end. Her sword is still drawn but she looks more concerned than upset as she quickly steps in front of the other Warden. She can't see much inside the cell from here but the smell is unmistakable and she turns to her friend, placing a steadying hand on Inessa's shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

[circleprodigy]

Inessa's just staring ahead at that particular cell, her normally stoic expression one of undisguised horror. Ciri's voice alone isn't enough, but the hand on her shoulder snaps the elven mage out of that shut-down mode, and she gazes back up. There's a valiant attempt to calm her voice, and though it might be enough to fool most others, there's a tightness in it that she probably can't hide from Ciri.

"I...I wouldn't look in that cell. The body's in no fit state to be seen. Andraste's pyre, it's pure desecration...."

[ichaer]

The tightness in her voice doesn't go unnoticed and the corner only deepens on Ciri's own face. As Inessa speaks, she glances back over her should toward the room. She doesn't like the idea of it but someone has to go in there and she's seen enough mutilated and desecrated corpses in her life to no longer be utterly bothered by them.

Hopefully this wouldn't be too bad...

"It's hard, I know but I'm going to try and see if I can find anything that stands out. It might be the key to figuring out what happened down here." She says, speaking softly. "Just stay here where you can't see. I'm going to go and get my torch, okay?"