Tabitha has spent many nights thinking about visiting the body of Bran but the timing has never seemed quite right. She has rehearsed in her head
as many pertinent questions she could think of, just to narrow that down to five seemed to be most difficult. She has used hours of her time
to perfect the séance ritual and now she finally feels she is ready to make the attempt to speak with him.
Should Dhann or Barrett accompany her? Ely? After much deliberation Tabitha decided this is something she needed to do alone so she
waits until the night has fully enshrouded the city then she gathers the items needed for the ritual; incense to bring the subjects essence forth and black
candles to complete her protective circle. Tabitha, dressed all in black quietly leaves Trollskull and walks down the alleyway toward Helm's Hall. With all that
has been going on lately, knowing various people and entities have been spying and watching their every move, Tabitha sends Midnight forth to verify the way
is safe.
is safe.
She moves slowly in the shadows keeping aware of her surroundings with her eyes sweeping to the sides and the rear. As she approaches the temple it is
eerily lit from the outside with the brisk breeze making the torch lights dance creating odd shadows. This isn't her first trip to the temple, not with the regular business
bringing the slain to lay in rest here, just her first without one of the others by her side.
eerily lit from the outside with the brisk breeze making the torch lights dance creating odd shadows. This isn't her first trip to the temple, not with the regular business
bringing the slain to lay in rest here, just her first without one of the others by her side.
She clears her throat and notices Midnight has perched on top of the temple to await her return to Trollskull. She checks her outfit, tilts her hat to the left and
forward slightly so her eyes are barely visible, then she steps forth into the entry of the Hall. As Tabitha enters the large doors to Helm's Hall, she feels like they
seem a little bigger this time, while visiting by herself. She paid attention during their last visit and recalls the location of Bran, getting past the clerics on duty alone will be the
greatest challenge. "Hello, miss. May I help you?" The young acolyte seems kind and willing to help in any way he can. A younger boy of about 16 dressed in robes, clearly
this is a child being cared for at Helm's Hall who has made the decision to follow the way of Helm and has just entered training.
Tabitha smiles and curtsies, "Yes you can..I am here on behalf of Lady Blackwood to visit the body of her son, Bran." Tabitha reaches into her pocket to produce a few
gold coins and extends her hand toward the young man. "I am also here with a donation, for the honor of Helm of course." She slightly bows her head at the mention of Helm.
At first the boy seemed hesitant to let her pass, but he was swayed by either her charm or the donation. "Right this way" the boy leads her to Bran's holding room and opens
the door. "There is a small bell inside, just there. Should you need anything, a gentle ring of the bell will call someone to help you. We are sorry for your loss." The boy turns to
leave and closes the door behind him. Tabitha is alone with a corpse under a white linen sheet.
Looking around to verify to her satisfaction she was indeed alone with the corpse, she started to prepare for the ritual. She imagined in the depths of her mind how the followers
of Helm would react if they knew she was performing a séance in their chambers. She lights the incense along with the candles and places them strategically around the body. There are
several sitting places near the pedestal where the body lies so she sits closest to his head for the ritual. Tabitha relaxes her body and mind closing her eyes and slowing her breathing..
as the incense begins to take proper effect she tries to make contact with Bran.
"Bran Blackwood, I am Tabitha a medium of Waterdeep here on request of your mother..this is the last time someone will come and speak to you and the last time you will be able to
make your peace. I have but 5 questions to ask of you, so please, I request your candor and honesty if at all possible." She is ready to commune with his essence so she opens her eyes
slightly as she sits in a tranced state and asks her first question. "To your knowledge, was Esvele, the Black Viper, sent to assassinate your brother Ander?" As the spell begins to take effect, the incense in the room swirls in the air and you watch as the smoke is inhaled into Bran's lifeless body. Though there is only a necrotic hole where his lungs used to be, you watch as his chest rises and he inhales the smoke. He appears ready to answer questions. A hiss erupts from Bran's lips and then a very strained answer comes. "Assassins were not hired by me. I paid the Zhentarim to help make the problem clean itself up." All that comes out in one breath with an exhale of incense smoke. He is ready for your next question. Tabitha takes a moment to process Bran's answer then focuses on the next question. "Why did you want Ander dead?"
slightly as she sits in a tranced state and asks her first question. "To your knowledge, was Esvele, the Black Viper, sent to assassinate your brother Ander?" As the spell begins to take effect, the incense in the room swirls in the air and you watch as the smoke is inhaled into Bran's lifeless body. Though there is only a necrotic hole where his lungs used to be, you watch as his chest rises and he inhales the smoke. He appears ready to answer questions. A hiss erupts from Bran's lips and then a very strained answer comes. "Assassins were not hired by me. I paid the Zhentarim to help make the problem clean itself up." All that comes out in one breath with an exhale of incense smoke. He is ready for your next question. Tabitha takes a moment to process Bran's answer then focuses on the next question. "Why did you want Ander dead?"
Another large breath in and the swirling smoke of the incense enters his mouth and nose. With a hiss, he exhales a very slow response: "With no Ander, I inherit the fortune. Mother said."
The smoke clears and Bran's body is ready for the next question. The hideousness of the being next to her makes her cringe slightly..killing one's own brother just for title or wealth doesn't sit
well with her. She remains focused and moves on to the next question. "With the exception of Nihiloor and Thiessel, is there anyone else specifically you were working with?"
The corpse sits quietly for a moment before inhaling the smoke deeply, "Manshoon, the one-armed man, of the Black Network." The incense continues to burn down, over half spent now.
Tabitha takes a mental note of the name, then relaxes her mind as she prepares the next question, "Do you have knowledge of how the shadow magic crossed over to this plane?"
Inhaling deeply then exhaling with a hiss, "I know nothing of shadow magic or crossing over planes." The last bit of incense burns down. He is ready for the last question.
She concentrates intently as she readies the last question, "Do you specifically know who killed the little girl, Iris?"
With one final exhale before falling silent forever, Bran's corpses hisses: "No. It wasn't supposed to happen that way. The Zhents took over and.... made .... a .... messsssss."
And with that, the head rests back against the stone, the mouth relaxes and the open chest falls. Bran is still once more. Tabitha opens her eyes completely and blinks to recover her
vision then gets up off the bench. She extinguishes the black candles and after they had a moment to cool she puts them in her bag. Tabitha puts her cape back on and readies to leave
ringing the bell for the attendant. The door opens promptly with the same boy. "Have you completed your visit, miss?" Tabitha nods slightly as she exits the chamber, "Yes I have,"
she smiles at the boy. "Thank you for your cooperation." With that she makes her way to the Hall's exit to return to Trollskull.
vision then gets up off the bench. She extinguishes the black candles and after they had a moment to cool she puts them in her bag. Tabitha puts her cape back on and readies to leave
ringing the bell for the attendant. The door opens promptly with the same boy. "Have you completed your visit, miss?" Tabitha nods slightly as she exits the chamber, "Yes I have,"
she smiles at the boy. "Thank you for your cooperation." With that she makes her way to the Hall's exit to return to Trollskull.