[actual play] Changeling: the Lost

 

Changeling: the Lost

Venice: Broken Masks, Shattered Dreams

Episode 2 - Clay - part 2

      The motely met up at the Devil's Forest pub later that evening. They were able to discuss what had happened, with Stitches putting together what Little John and Clio knew. It seemed that they had to find this 'eye thief' and it seemed that some sort of pledge or contract was being used since the Wyrd was wrapped around the events. Clio decided she wanted to go back to see Malvolio and discuss this book of names he has asked her to find. Stitches also informed them that another body had been found with ribs missing. This now made a whole 7 bodies. This one was found with 'VI' inscribed on their head and the same verse. But also, as Little John had informed him, there was more. The deceased had drawn with their own blood what turned out to be the alchemical symbol for the sun, and helium, surrounded with 9 stars with the word 'Paridiso'. Clio knew this related to Dante's 'Inferno' since it was the name of a chapter of the book. Else decided to go to the House of Autumn to use the library for some research, and have a look at the location where she was apprehended, as it seemed the men were able to see past the mask. Sonata and Freki went with her to look for clues while Stitches headed to the public gardens to figure out what was causing the unrest.

*****

      In the alleyway where Else was attacked, Else, Sonata and Freki found no further clues, and so Sonata and Freki headed back to find Stitches. Stitches meanwhile was making his way through the public gardens, near the Via Garibaldi. As he walked through the gardens, the night gave them a air of danger and mystery. Lamp light dappled through the tree branches, and there were people moving about in the shadows. Some were laughing, intoxicated, others were engaging in amorous activities, while others were arguing. Stitches viewed the world through his Fae eyes and could sense the strange cloud of desire being spread through the gardens, and so he followed it to it's source.

*****

     Clio returned to Malvolio to discuss the book of names that he had mentioned. The party was still going on at the palazzo and the company employees were getting more and more drunk. Malvolio produced a small key for Clio and mentioned that this should get her access to the book. As the night continued Clio allowed herself to drink and dance, and she too lost herself in the festivities.

 

 *****

     In the gardens Stitches found the source of the aura. It was a statue, perhaps from the arts festival held in Venice. It was of a number of figures all twisted together, clawing for the sky. A tree of naked forms. As he approached a strange man appeared from the bushes and intercepted him. This was the Cheshire Cat. He was old and scruffy looking. Cat like ears and a tail. He moved about like ape, but with a feline grace. Leaping onto the park bench, spinning off onto the gravel and then up to hang from the statue. The mad Changeling spoke of the people here being like mice, all blind following the blind as they did not see the truth. He went on to explain he gave others the chance to see the truth so long as he could see life with their eyes. It dawned on Stitches that this mad man had made pledges with those who had lost their eyes.

     There were people approaching and the cat disappeared, leaving Stitches alone as 4 homeless men walked up to him. Stitches was not a fool and kept an eye on them. He was right. The men went to grab him, and so Stitches lashed out with a scalpel he kept with him at all times. Two of the men grabbed him and they pinned him down before the man he had cut pulled out pistol. They wanted to know where their men were and where the rest of his kind were. Stitches didn't answer, only saying that the two men were gone. The leader of the hunters pointed his pistol at Stitches' knee and pulled the trigger.

*****

      Sonata and Freki made their way through the park and they passed a group who were apparently kicking something. It turned out these women were beating up another girl, and so Freki and Sonata stopped them, Sonata using his music to creep the women out. They fled as Freki bounded forward. The woman on the ground was badly hurt, so Freki offered her some goblin fruit. It turned out they were all friends and that the others had set upon this girl it seemed out of jealousy due to her upcoming wedding. Freki got the girl to safety as they heard the sounds of the gunshot.

*****

     At the party, Clio was getting more drunk. She has been dancing for sometime now with another Changeling, Mercutio, another of Malvolio's motley. He was also a Fairest, and a Dancer. He was graceful and beautiful, but he was also sleazy. However the alcohol had doen it's job and he and Clio found somewhere quiet to talk and more.

*****

   In the park Sonata had summoned the power of his contracts. Fog and darkness now enveloped him and he approached the statue where Stitches was held down, in pain. Sonata, from his hiding spot, began to spook the men using his guitar. The shrill tune caused them to split up. The fog allowed Sonata to move forward, and in the near dark he struck. Freki and Else soon arrived and as Sonata had finished with the first of the men, they began to hear screams from another two off them. Something in the night had also attacked.

*****

   At the party Clio awoke to find her clothes in disarray. She adjusted them and smartened herself up, not realising that Malvolio was watching. He left with a grin, and remarked that it had been a good show, leaving behind a rose and some polaroids of her and Mercutio.