The Flayed Man Part 5

So there you are in a mortuary room in the Temple of Vardama, standing over the assembled remains of a man who died some time ago, given the skeletonization. You have the chance to ask it a handful of questions. The Arvek cleric is ready to assist.

Olek stands by quietly for the moment, not wanting to say anything and confuse the spell or anything. He's just here for moral support at the moment.

Malik looks around at the others, then offers a bit of a shrug. "I suppose we should start with who he is. What's his name?" He looks around to the others for approval, and then to the cleric, offering a nod to proceed with the question.

Not being entirely experienced at the questioning of the living, let alone a corpse, Seldan looks over at Malik. He nods at the suggestion. "I would hear what he knows of his killers, as well," he agrees, "but the name will do to begin."

Having intoned the Vardaman spell tied to this, the Arvek steps back and lets you ask your questions.

There is a moment and then a sound, like a whistling breath being drawn in.

Then: "Morv. Morv Blayton." The voice is a gravelly whisper from between the teeth of the skull. Yes, it's speaking. In a sense.

Malik winces a bit as the dead body speaks its name, though whether at the speaking or at the name is anyone's guess. He looks to the others, then steps aside to let Seldan ask the next question.

Olek nods as the name comes out. He's gotten a quill and paper from someplace and writes that down in case we need to remember it later.

Seldan grimaces at the sound, shuddering at the obviously unnatural speech, but draws a deep breath. "Morv Blayton, what do you know of those who slew you?"

"I died... I died at the hands of Toes, of Blar, of Dunes." That whispering sigh answers again.

Olek says to the priest, "Next question: What would he tell someone to help them investigate his death and bring his killers to justice?" It's a bit convoluted, but hopefully it's pretty definite while being as open ended as possible.

"I don't know. It burns, it burns, oh gods, it won't stop. I just want to die. They held me down and cut and cut and cut and cut."

Seldan closes his eyes, pained at the description, then pushes that unruly lock of hair out of his face. "What was the day, month, and year of the day you died?" he asks quietly, after a glance at the others.

"It was the twenty fifth day of Quintoos... I think? 1018... " So. A handful of years ago just about. Makes sense.

The Arvek cleric holds up a single finger. You may have just a single question left at this time. He is looking discomfited.

Seldan nods silently to the Arvek cleric, his entire bearing one of deep thought before he speaks again. "What was the name of your direct commander on the day that you died?" he asks finally.

"Davont. I reported to Davont."

That, he does have, it would appear.

Seldan looks both satisfied and discomfited at the answers, and looks at the Arvek cleric again for his direction. "Thank you, Mourner. You have aided our search, as has he."

Olek bows his head to the Arvek, and echoes, "Thank you for this. I think with these answers, we can help his spirit finally rest."

As does the cleric, truth be told. He glances towards Verna, giving her a polite nod, and then says, "I'll begin preparing the bones for further interment. I can not promise that the internment will put a rest to his spirit. It depends on if it is actually linked to his bones, but it can't hurt."

"We should seek this Davont, as quickly as may be. His command may wish them returned, or at least to know of their proper interment." Seldan nods his understanding but looks around at the others, grimly. "I think it unlikely that the spirit is linked to the bones, else would it likely have followed us to this place. Does it not remain circling the village?"

Olek nods about it not hurting. "I'm afraid you're right," he agrees. "But yes, you do that, and we'll see about taking care of the rest." He nods to Seldan about looking for Davont, but says, "He won't care aboubt the bones, but he'll know how to tell his family and they may want the remains."