As time passes and Judoc has no further brilliant ideas, he grows restless.  His studies take a backseat to teasing out the riddle of who killed Father Thomas.  That it was a skilled magic user is obvious to Judoc, but now with the added wildcard of a possible supernatural killer in play, Judoc finds himself relishing even more the opportunity to unravel the mystery.  He briefly considers asking to join the Mages Guild, but the one elderly man he talks to nearly destroys Judoc's patience with the man's utter uselessness.  His connection proves futile as well, not that they would be keen to see Judoc again anyway.  The worst of it is that Judoc's focus on sleuthing out clues has affected his attention to his coursework, and as a result, Judoc actually has detention.  He, the most promising student in his class, forced to waste time redoing an assignment that was perfectly acceptable already!  The ignominy of it all!

So here Judoc sits, stewing, painstakingly revising his work on elemental spells in combat.  What an utter waste of time.  Judoc knows all of this already.  Just like every other professor, Moloran thinks his class is the most important.  The killer could be planning his next move, or covering up his tracks, or any of a number of other things, and here Judoc sits, revising.  Gah!

Quill scratching away on parchment, Judoc looks up for a moment and looks thoughtfully at Alevius Cleppo, one of his fellow students.  Cleppo had been at mass on Sunday.  Perhaps he had seen something?  Judoc finishes off a paragraph about using Ice Slick to freeze the ground solid and create a slippery surface for enemy troops, and then he leans forward.

"You hear about Father Thomas on Sunday?" he says quietly in Alevius's direction.  "They found him dead in the confessional booth after mass.  He choked to death, and his face looked like they fished him out of the river."  Judoc begins working on another paragraph, this one about using a Flash spell and a Thunderclap spell to blind and deafen enemy ranks.

OOC:  Try to engage Alevius while working on the material.  Try to see if he saw anything unusual or if he'd heard anyone talking about what happened.

Thinking perhaps that Alevius had seen something worth discussing, Judoc starts off by getting the other student up to speed.  Father Thomas is dead, he died in a confessional, he looked like a water zombie.  It seemed a fairly succinct statement of the facts to Judoc, though Alevius seems unimpressed.

Alevius turns his head slightly, his eyes looking towards Judoc with an empty and appraising look for several moments before he simply turns back to his paper and whispers under his breath, "Eat shit Judoc."

OOC:  LOL, sorry for the bad reaction roll, perhaps I should have let you roll that one.  Of course, you are welcome to continue roleplaying the encounter as much as you wish but if being spurned like that is enough for you let me know and we can fast forward again.  Again, if you know where you want to go next let me know, otherwise I'll determine where the next scene is based on likely scenarios.

For a moment, Judoc considers wrapping both hands around Alevius's neck and squeezing as hard as he can.  Instead, he settles for hissing, "Thanks for nothing, asshole," and returns to his work.  His next example is an Utter Dome spell to protect his own company and a Rain of Fire spell to immolate the enemy.  All of his own troops except for Alevius, that is.  Hope you pack asbestos armor, you son of a bitch he thinks, writing furiously.

And so, the rest of the detention goes on, Judoc so frustrated that he stabs a hole through his paper as he dots an i.  And while Brother Moloran does suggest more edits even after the work is complete, Judoc manages to make his way out with enough time at least to manage a decent job of his other assignments... even if he can't accomplish anything as far as his investigation is concerned.

Judoc spends all day Friday determined not to land himself in another situation that will endanger his free time.  A single detention was one thing, but if a megalomaniacal teacher were to try and take away his weekend liberty, Judoc wouldn't be able to take it.  With perhaps some luck, Judoc manages to make it through the afternoon and has a whole weekend open to the possibilities of the investigation.  Unfortunately he finds himself fresh out of leads to investigate.  Still, Judoc walks the now highly familiar path between the college and Azer, hoping that something will come to him as he travels.

Partially because he thinks of nothing else and partially because it is one of the first landmarks in the city, Judoc decides to check in with Samuel at the cathedral to share what he has learned and to see if Samuel has anything of his own to offer.  Judoc heads straight down for the offices, finding it most likely that Samuel will be there.

"Judoc!"  Samuel starts immediately, standing up from his desk with a smile.  "I wanted you to look at something!  We had talked on Monday about the possibility of demons and I've been looking through Thomas's book for any clues.  This is the only marking he's made in the whole book as far as I've seen."

Judoc gasps at first, though it is not at the notes that Father Thomas had written, but at the markings of the title of the book at the top of the page.

Deamonology

Judoc looks down at the mark that Samuel is talking about, a thick slash of ink underlining the title of the page.

Agares

Agares (also Agarat, Agaros, or Agarus) is a demon described in demonological grimoires such as the Livre des Esperitz (as Agarat), the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, the Lesser Key of Solomon, and the Dictionnaire Infernal as a duke "under the powers of the east," an "old man, riding upon a crocodile, and carrying a hawke on his fist," who teaches languages, stops and retrieves runaway persons, causes earthquakes, and grants noble titles. The Lemegeton and the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum both list him as the second spirit, and state that he commands 31 legions of demons, while the Livre des Esperitz (which describes him simply as an old man) gives him 36.  The Book of the Office of Spirits places him (as Agaros) second under Oriens and describes him as an old man riding a cockatrice, sans hawk.  The Grimoire of Pope Honorius (which refers to him as Agarus) is more brief, omitting the crocodile and hawk, and omitting his functions beyond languages and titles.  The Grand Grimoire features him as a subordinate of Lucifuge Rofocale.  According to Rudd, Agares is opposed by the Shemhamphorasch angel Jelial.  Sloane MS 3824 mentions Agares, throughout invocations to summon spirits that guard treasure, and in the "Experiment of Agares" meant to draw him into a crystal.

Judoc looks at the opposite page, where there is a drawing under the name Agares.
Agares

OOC:  Roll vs. Perception-2.  Note that the above "Deamonology" entry is ripped straight off of Wikipedia.  It is laziness and does not count as an anachronism as all of these books would likely have crossed over or had duplicates in Banestorm Yrth.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:06, Tue 10 Oct 2017.

Frustrated by his lack of progress and the distractions of his schoolwork, Judoc keeps his head down in order to avoid attracting any more undue attention.  Finally, the last class is finished on Friday, and the young mage heads into Azer, hoping to discover fresh clues to help him close the case on this mystery.

Brother Samuel is in, and Judoc enters, although first he looks around to see if Marcus is lurking nearby.  Judoc is sure the man is a spy of the bishop's and a toady of the highest magnitude.  Samuel's words surprise him, and his surprise turns to shock at the site of the book.  Deamonology.  Excellent!  Precisely what he wanted to see!

He eagerly reads the page that Samuel indicated and pores over the information.  Agares.  What he reads concerns him.  This is no mere imp.  This creature, if real, is a formidable beast.  Languages.  Catches runaways.  Creates earthquakes.  Bestows noble titles.  A commander of legions.  Judoc knows little of demons, but this one sounds like a major player.

Looking up from the book, Judoc says quietly, "So Father Thomas underlined this entry?  Why, do you think?  This entity sounds very powerful."  He looks down at the page again and the illustration.  "I have banished a demon before.  Well, with assistance from a fellow student.  That creature was puny, weak.  This looks very powerful."

He rubs his chin.  "Do you think I could borrow this book?  I'd like to show it to Baron Raisalter.  He's studied protections from evil, and he may be able to give further insight."  Judoc looks through the book again, searching for further clues regarding the late priest's interest in the text.


OOC:  Is this the book from the College or another copy?

Check the book for further markings.  If Samuel is amenable, Judoc would like to borrow the book and show it to Baron Raisalter.

Samuel does not ask why Judoc has lowered his voice, but he seems to take the cue and whispers back.  "It seems so, unless the mark was there before Thomas had it...  Though he was rather the type that wrote just about every thought he had in his books.  I guess I just assumed it would be him."

Judoc flips through the pages, unsure what he is looking for at first, but then smiles as he flops all the pages over to look at the back cover.  Judoc's grin splits wide as he looks at the stamp at the back of the book.  Templar Colllege Library.

"Odd."  Samueul remarks, this time forgetting to keep his voice low.  "I hadn't seen that before.   Though I suppose he could have picked it up when he went there last week..."  His voice trails off as Judoc asks his follow on questions.  "Sure I suppose.  It looks like it wasn't his book at all so it's probably better if you take it and turn it back in for him.  I'm sure he would have wanted that."

OOC:  No other markings of note on the book, though if you search it thoroughly enough you will find a section that talks to the devils' trap.  It will not be significantly different from what you read in the other book in the library.

Keeping his voice low, Judoc says, "Deacon Samuel, I know you aren't keen on the idea of exorcisms, but Father Thomas was bent on discovering all he could about protection from demons.  Perhaps he wasn't attempting to exorcise the demon but simply to banish it.  He used this Devil's Trap for protection, and he went to the College to learn more about how to battle supernatural evil.  Deacon, Father Thomas was killed over this.  He may very well have been killed by this very demon."

He looks at the page again and frowns, shaking his head.  "But why this one?  What made Father Thomas suspect that this demon was involved?"  How had the priest gotten the name?  Had R. given the name?  If so, why hadn't the priest mentioned the name in his diary?

A wild thought grabs Judoc.  What if the bishop had been the one who had summoned the demon?  The thought was preposterous, but Bishop Abram had been obsessed with gaining recognition.  Had Abram thought this demon had the power to grant the bishop what he coveted more than anything else?  The thought seems ridiculous, but Judoc mentally files it away for later.

He thinks back to the sermon.  Father Thomas preaching the sermon, droning on and on.  Judoc had thought he would never finish.  Even the bishop had been nodding off . . . the bishop . . .

Suddenly, Judoc's blood runs cold.  No.  No, it couldn't be.  He begins pacing back and forth.  Now who is going mad?  The bishop?  But so many pieces make sense.  The bishop's quick desire to cover up the murder.  His annoyance that Judoc was investigating.  His pursuit of a higher position.  The letter calling the bishop fucking mad.  And bloody fucking Agares, the giver of titles.  Oh, son of a bitch!  If only Judoc knew who X might be!

But what of R.?  Where does the young man fit into all of this?  Judoc has no idea.  The boy is the only piece that doesn't fit.

He stops pacing and runs a hand through his hair.  "Deacon Samuel, I need to ask you about the Bishop," he says very quietly.  "Last Sunday, did you notice him go to sleep during the sermon?  Do you remember when he woke up?  Was it after Father Thomas had left the pulpit?  Also, Father Thomas had a letter addressed to him complaining about the Bishop from someone named X.  Any idea who that might have been?"

In a normal tone of voice, Judoc says, "Well, I really need to get back to work on my weekend homework.  Thank you for your clarifications about church doctrine.   This whole turning the other cheek thing seems to fly in the face of everything I've ever thought.  I'll see you at mass this Sunday."

OOC:  OK, I've officially freaked myself out.  Oh, wow.  Take the book.  Go see Baron Raisalter immediately.  When Judoc steps out of church, he's going to cast Armor 4 on himself, just in case our boy Agares is waiting for him.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:15, Tue 10 Oct 2017.

Samuel's facial expression run a wild gambit from confused to shock, defensive to even flashes of frustration, though he quickly manages to compose himself to respond to some of Judoc's insinuations and accusations.

"I don't doubt that you are right.  Thomas seemed to be quite involved or interested in the possibility of demonic influences.  I admit it is even possible it was a factor in his death but he did not go to the college to learn about battling evil."  Samuel can see Judoc's argument already building and he holds up his hand to cut off the response.  "He went to the college because one of us goes every week.  It is almost always the bishop because he likes liaising with the Baron Graves - usually it's an informal and quite short visit.  But when Thomas went he stayed the entire day... from the way he was talking he visited the entire campus and he was quite preoccupied when he got back.  Although perhaps he did some research, along the way."  Sameul finishes lamely, looking back at the book in Judoc's hands.

When Judoc asks of the bishop, Samuel is slightly taken aback, especially at the note of the man's falling asleep during the service.  "No... I didn't realize he was falling asleep..."  Judoc asks of when he woke up, and of the relation to the time that Father Thomas had finishes his sermon.  Samuel's expression is rank with confusion which only deepens after Judoc mentions the letter.  "No... I... I don't know.  Father Thomas never really involved me in any of his correspondences, though if it was specifically complaining about the bishop I imagine it would be another priest in the diocese..."  Samuel's face turns somewhat red as he admits, "The man is not well liked, Thomas and I used to complain about him together all the time.  But... you can't be thinking that he is involved can you?  The man is self-involved and self-congratulating, but he's not evil.  He wouldn't do something like this?"  Again, Samuel's comment finishes lamely with a slight warble that makes the statement sound more like a question.  Samuel is flustered, and when Judoc stands suddenly to leave he is completely surprised.

"Uh, of course, I'll see you Sunday, and I'll let you know if I find anything else."

Horrified, Judoc flees from the cathedral, though he takes steps to guard himself first.  With a few words and magic gestures Judoc makes his skin tougher than an ogres, though there is no discernable difference to his appearance.  His eyes swinging this way and that for trouble in the form of Marcus or worse yet, the bishop himself however, thankfully, he meets no resistance in his flight.

After making the long walk back to the college, Judoc is somewhat mentally and physically fried, though he makes his way immediately to the religious studies professor, barges through the doorway, and spews his book upon the man's desk, flipping open to the page for Agares and pointing viciously at the page title and its underline of recent ink.

Though at first Raisalter is taken aback by the display, he quickly turns the book around to face him, reading the entirety of the page.  "Is this our demon?"  Raisalter asks with a sober expression.

OOC:  It is 1830 on Friday the 19th of December.  You are down 8 fatigue from the use of your spell and an additional fatigue from the constant walking there and back again to the city.  If the deacon's remarks prodded any further questions feel free to ask in OOC or private but you seemed pretty ready to get back to Raisalter.

Deacon Samuel seems sure that Father Thomas wasn't trying to battle demons, but it all fits together in Judoc's head - the Devil's Trap, the interest in demonology, Thomas's questioning of Baron Raisalter, the notes about R., the thundering sermon about evil.  It all fits, or mostly fits, anyway.  Judoc can just imagine what the bishop and Graves get on about.  Father Thomas's correspondence clearly spelled out Bishop Abram's thirst for prestige and rank, and cozying up to the man who practically owns Azer is a solid strategy to achieve those aims.

The deacon's reticence regarding the bishop gives Judoc momentary pause.  There's an outside chance that some other person or being is involved here, but Judoc finds the bishop highly suspect.  He cannot rest only on circumstantial evidence, though.  What he needs is to catch the bishop in the act, or perhaps raid the man's office.  Could he do that?  What are the ramifications if he is caught?  It's for the greater good, he tells himself.  He has to know who killed Thomas, and if Judoc has to resort to breaking and entering, so be it.

As he hurries away from the cathedral, he half expects to come face to face with the bishop himself, or worse, Agares.  Judoc is no coward, and he knows he can thrash any non-mage he might encounter, unless he's outnumbered, but he's never faced a highly knowledgeable and more experienced mage in combat before, and he's certain that Father Thomas was slain either by spell or demonic power.  Perhaps the books are wrong about Agares, and perhaps he's not even the demon involved, but even Judoc's impressive arsenal of spells may not be enough to fight an actual demon lord, and he's certain a mage like Graves or Loke would  curb-stomp him, at least at this stage of his training.

After no demon presents itself, Judoc feels slightly ashamed for being frightened enough to cast his protective armor, and he allows the spell to dissipate was normal.  Judoc, lad, get a hold of yourself, he chides himself.  He can't be turning tail and running at every sniff of sulphur.  Demons have rules, too.  They can be bound by a pentagram. If you know their name, you have power over them.  I've got you, Agares, you son of a bitch, he thinks more confidently, feeling far braver now that he's put some distance between himself and the church.

He hurries to Baron Raisalter's study, hoping that the Religious Studies professor is in at this hour.  Judoc is not disappointed.  "Looks like Father Thomas borrowed our copy of Deamonology when he came to see you, sir," he says, pleased with his discovery.  "The only mark here is Agares.  What do you think?"

He waits for Raisalter to respond.  After his words, Judoc nods his head.  "I have a theory, sir, and I'd like to run it past you.  It sounds incredible, and I half-question my sanity in proposing it, but I'd like your opinion about it."

"Here's what I've uncovered.  Father Thomas died in the confessional booth, looking as if he'd drowned or been stung by a thousand bees, soon after giving a sermon denouncing the evil hidden in public.  He spoke of evil we couldn't see, and implored us to look and have true faith to banish it.  Then he was dead.  No one saw anyone suspicious go to the booth or leave.  In fact, no one saw anything."

"In his room, he had evidence of researching evil spirits, like succubi.  He had correspondence from someone else who signed the letter X., which called the bishop, and I quote, 'fucking mad', and entreating Father Thomas to write to the archbishop to check Bishop Abram's aspirations.  Samuel said that if the bishop were corresponding with anyone, it would most likely be another clergyman.  Perhaps their correspondenfe was intercepted."  No doubt by that fucking rat Marcus, Judoc thinks.  No wonder he had been so interested in Judic's conversation with Samuel.  The spy was probably looking for more tidbits to report back to his master.

"When I was in mass, I saw the bishop nodding off as if asleep.  The deacon didn't notice, but  then I remembered what you asked about someone waking up afterwards.  The bishop was also keen to pronounce the death a natural one, which others ascribed to his desire to hush up anything untoward and keep his own prospects secure."

"And then we have this demon, Agares, who grants titles.  Had it been harassing R.?  Had it met the bishop and recognized a more powerful vessel, one who might  e tempted by what the demon could offer?"

"I know, this is all circumstantial, but it fits the facts.  The bishop had motive, to silence Father Thomas to protect his own ascendance through the clerical ranks.  He had opportunity, being right there in the service and apparently falling asleep during the sermon.  And he had the means if he had somehow made a pact with this demon."

Judoc shakes his head as if to talk himself out of this brilliant theory he'd been able to construct.  "So am I crazy?  From what you know of the bishop, is he the kind of man to do something as mad as make a pact with a demon to gain further rank?"

OOC:  Before Judoc leaves, I'd like to ask the deaon if Judoc can somehow secure an interview with the bishop.  I think this will be very difficult to do, but maybe Judoc can play up the Templar angle and ask the bishop's advice on his opinion of the importance of faith as a Templar.  I mainly want to observe him and find out where his office is in case I decide to break in and search it later.

Raisalter does not answer immediately, but waits for the preponderance of Judoc's information, deliberating the theories in his own mind for a time before he begins with asking more questions.  "So you know that Father Thomas had been researching demons, and you suspect that he had honed in on Agares due to this marking?"  He pauses for a moment as he rests his chin on two fingers.  "Seems like a sort of a stretch.  If only we knew what he did it might make the logical jump a little easier."

"Let me see if I can summarize."  Raisalter continues, looking at Judoc.  "A week before the murder or so, Thomas came here, asking me questions of demons, though when he did not get satisfactory answers to his hunches, he went to the library to check out this book to further his knowledge...  Perhaps after that, though I'm not sure if it had been written before that the difference is important, Thomas writes in his journal suspicions that a boy in his congregation may be possessed by a demon."</b.  Raisalter pauses for a moment, as he strokes his chin in thought.

<b>"Now I think there is something in the middle here that we are missing, something that we don't know yet, because if he did mark this book to note the name of the demon we are dealing with then he must have known significantly more than when he wrote his entry.  He prepared a sermon on resisting evil and immediately after giving it on Sunday, he was killed while sitting in the confessional booth."

"Now let's fit your theory into this puzzle."  Raisalter paces back and forth glancing back at Judoc as he attempts to make all the same connections Judoc has made for himself.  "You suppose that perhaps what we have missed was that Father Tomas had written correspondence back to X, or otherwise that he had received another letter and it was taken to the bishop?  Perhaps there was a confrontation that exposed the demon and the demon's name?  But then..."  Raisalter shakes his head forcefully as if shooing away a bothersome fly.  "But then why would the priest only have been murdered on Sunday as opposed to directly then?  Perhaps there would be more suspects immediately after the mass?  If the father had died in the Bishop's offices certainly there would be less ambiguity as to the perpetrator.  Still, if Father Thomas had known the connection between the bishop and the demon then why would he not seek help immediately?"

Raisalter turns in his pace, sighing forcefully as he picks his thoughts back up.  "There is something we are missing, the critical piece where Father Thomas learned or began to suspect not demons in general, but this specific demon Agares.  And I think perhaps I have misled you...  When I spoke of 'waking up' from possession I did not intend to make you think actual sleep was involved.  Instead, possession is more like a drunkard after a night of succumbing to his vice.  He simply wakes, in his bed, with no memory beyond the second or third drink having touched his lips.  In this case, the victim would 'wake' when the demon had left remembering nothing previous until the moment when he was possessed.  I think it unlikely that the bishop was under possession if he was physically sleeping during the mass and if he was it was by an exceptionally lazy demon.  I think it far more likely that your demon was the one accosting the boy R. if indeed his problem was based on being possessed."

Finally, Raisalter stops and looks back at Judoc, his face still pensive, though doubt has crept into the lines of his face.  "I cannot say I know the bishop well.  He seems to me a braggadocios twit who is friendly with enough people to have warranted his early promotion.  Perhaps his ambition is such that he would be willing to treat with a devil in order to further his career.  However, I think the prospect unlikely.  Demons are certainly interested in owning the souls of people in power, but I think you overestimate the bishops reach.  He oversees a diocese, and visits churches on the isle.  He has no effect to overall church policy or to the more personal lives of more powerful people.  He is also not a mage, which would significantly limit the powers of the demon while he was possessing the vessel.  Lastly, while the bishop is perhaps an arrogant and self-righteous prick, I have trouble seeing him as truly evil.  I have never seen him cause harm or wish harm on another, though perhaps he has a blind eye to the harm that is happening all around him."

"Still."  The baron continues, picking his voice back up a tick as he continues pacing.  "If that is the best lead we have, then it warrants further investigation.  There is no sense in being in disagreement when either of us could be right and there is evidence that may prove one of us vindicated.  Again, I warn you to be careful Judoc.  Though any named devil is bad, this one seems particularly so.  As I have said, the worst thing about the highest ranked of demons is that they are intelligent on a level that puts other demons to shame.  I imagine demon royalty is even more so."

OOC:  I think it is important to note that the book that you were talking about with Succubi was actually the same book that had the underlined entry of Agares.  You failed the perception roll that would have let you notice the single mark of ink or the stamp in the back of the book.  If you recall, you mostly passed over it due to the fact that it was relatively clear of the same gross notation the other books had.  It is perhaps unfair that you didn't recall the title was Deamonology when you were talking with the librarian only 1 day of game time later, but I had always intended to steer you back in that direction so I don't feel too bad.

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Judoc follows Raisalter's train of thought.  The Baron approaches the issue more rationally than Judoc has, the young mage has to admit.  Nodding his head, he says, "Yes, precisely.  Those are the parts that don't fit my narrative.  What of the boy, and how did Father Thomas narrow in on Agares?  From what I've heard from others, the bishop is not an outright evil man, and it does seem out of character for a man of god to treat with demons."

Judoc begins pacing again.  "If my theory is untrue, then the demon must still be tormenting the young man, R.  It is essential that I speak with him, but the Deacon refuses to give me who R. might be, as you said before, to protect the act of confession.  Perhaps I will be able to narrow in on his identity after mass this coming Sunday."

His mind tumbles sifts possibilities.  Surely the answer will come to him.  If anyone can get to the bottom of this mystery, then Judoc can.  They will call him the Inquisitor after this, if this is the path that lies before him and not the army or whatever entanglements the Row will bring.  Judoc's keen sense of curiosity has been whetted, and capturing this foul murderer will be quite the coup.

He stops and shakes his head, sighing with frustration and grinning wryly.  "I greatly appreciate your taking the time to listen to my theories, Baron.  I cannot be so open with my peers, and I fear to reveal too much to Deacon Samuel.  I'm going to try to see the Bishop and see what I can learn from him, but both you and the Deacon are quite skeptical that he is dealing with supernatural evil.  What of protection magic?  Will Armor and Shield be enough?  Is there such a spell as Protection from Evil?"

OOC:  Judoc will speak further with Baron Raisalter, but it's ok to move on to the next event.  Judoc will check in with Samuel to see if Judoc can secure an audience with the Bishop.  He'll also attend mass on Sunday.  He'll be looking for someone who might be R.

From this point on, Judoc will be a semi-regular attender at mass - say 1-3 times a month.  He is not devout, but he sees the value in at least seeming to be.

"That's a thought."  The Baron remarks at Judoc's mention of protection spells, he makes his way back to his shelves and rustles through a cabinet for a moment before returning to Judoc with a small stone that fits easily within a palm.  "Armor and Shield will work normally, though most demons are strong enough to manage significant damage to mere humans.  Other defensive spells will operate just as they would against a human opponent or mage."  Raisalter places the small stone in front of Judoc and he notices that the thing is emblazoned with a Templar's cross.  "I am sure there are talismans or amulets that protect specifically against possession, but they are rare and likely prohibitively expensive.  This"  He points to the small stone, "However may be of some assistance to you.  It is a spell stone, if you have come across them in your studies, specifically designed to turn spirits.  It works like a normal spell, you must concentrate for a moment, then crushing it in your hand you release its magic.  I am not sure if it is powerful enough for our demon, but it may buy you valuable time if you find yourself surprised."

And so, left with two nagging questions hanging as frayed ends to his investigation, who is R.? and What else did Father Thomas know? Judoc talks over the fine details with Baron Raisalter for another thirty minutes before the suppositions and hypotheses get so outrageous that the two determine that they are wasting their time until more useful information is acquired.  Judoc bids the professor goodnight with his thanks and makes his way to his dorms where he turns the information over in his mind for hours before preparing himself for bed.  Even when he tucks himself into his sheets however, his disorganized mind churns on end with the possibilities of his interview with the bishop, Samuels stubborn unhelpfulness, and the ever-present bloated and discolored face of Father Thomas as he spilled from the confessional booth onto the floor of the church below.

In his mind, Judoc approaches the priest for the first time...  He is looking for something new... some new evidence he didn't see or didn't process when he first saw the body - he recreates every feature and every detail.  Bending low over the man's face, Judoc notices for he first time that the man's lips are moving, mouthing some word in the softest of tones.  "What?"  Judoc whispers back, unsure what the correct protocol is when talking to a corpse but he felt that sort words were the best choice to coax out the clue.  Again, the corpse mouths something in near total silence.  "What?"  Judoc repeats, putting his ear nearly all the way to the dead man's mouth.  "Are."  The priest barely breathes, and Judoc leans in closer, trying to make out any follow on words but all the dead priest does... is explode.

Judoc sits bolt upright in his bed shaking the cobwebs of sleep from his mind.  "Wawwazzat?"  Across the room, Grobbik heaves himself forward, throwing the sheets off of his chest like a spray of sea foam off the brow of a ship.  As his head clears into wakefulness, Judoc is struck by the empty state of the room, which only a year ago held places for Giles, Elliot, and Mariana was ever present...  Now their small room seemed much larger for just the three of them - and it is with that thought that Judoc recognizes that Indrid's bed lays empty.

OOC:  It is 0300 on Saturday the 20th of December.  You aren't sure what woke you up but it was loud.  It is worth noting that it is against school rules to be out roaming the halls after curfew.

Accepting Raisalter's spell stone, Judoc examines it curiously.  "With any luck, I won't need to use this, but thank you, sir.  It's good to have another weapon in hand.  I'll return it after the demon's been dealt with."

As he returns to his quarters, his thoughts continue to be occupied with the mystery, and he curses the church's ironclad reticence to reveal any details about the goings-on of the confessional.  He smirks.  Wouldn't do to upset the free flow of gold into the church's coffers.

And then, he has another brilliant idea.  If Deacon Samuel wouldn't divulge the young man's name, perhaps Malcombe Fowler would.  He might know the identity of R., or at least give him some leads.  It couldn't hurt to track him down and ask.  He resolves to go looking for the boy on the morrow.

That night, Judoc sleeps fitfully, still preoccupied with the investigation.  He is so close to the answer.  He just needs one more puzzle piece to fall in place, that Aha! moment when all his theories resolve into what really happened last Sunday.  Perhaps this is why his dreams are haunted by Father Thomas's corpse.  What was it trying to tell him?  Who killed you, Father Thomas?  Was it R.?  Agares?  The Bishop?  And then the dream shatters explosively, and Judoc is thrown awake.

Or had it been a dream?  He looks around his chambers.  Something had awoken him.  He looks over and sees Indrid's bed is empty.  "Grobbik?  Did you hear that?" he whispers.  Standing up, he slips into his shoes.  Gathering his ring and his spell stone, he picks up his staff as well and steps as quietly as he can out into the hall.

OOC:  Put on shoes.  Take ring, spell stone, and staff, and go investigate the sound.

Judoc's whispered question to Grobbik receives a delayed and worthless response.  "What?" The goblin asks, his eyes already sagging again as he eases his body back down to the bed.  "I don't know what you... said." he yawns as he finishes the last word and Judoc can tell that there will be little useful information coming from his roommate.

Instead, Judoc decides to investigate matters on his own, slipping on a pair of shoes as he grabs his staff, powerstone, and the spellstone recently granted to him from the Baron Raisalter as he makes his way towards the hallway outside his chambers.  The passageways at this late hour are illuminated with he same dull blue glow as Judoc remembers from the servant's quarters and storage spaces downstairs, which leaves an eerie, shadowless light upon the floor.  Judoc looks in each direction down the hallway and as of yet he sees nothing.

Judoc grits his teeth for a moment, for he isn't entirely sure which direction the sound came from.  On one hand, to the left is the front entryway and the administrative spaces of the provost and other higher-ups of the college.  And on the other, to the right are the professor offices and the dining hall.  Before entirely putting himself in jeopardy of being caught in the hallways after hours, Judoc takes a moment to determine which way he wants to go.

OOC:  Sorry for the choose your own adventure aspect here, but it is rather important which direction you go.  You can either choose randomly, or if you wish to spend a hero point, I will roll 1d2 for you 3 times (1 for left, 2 for right) and if you get the right direction to head towards the origin of the noise on any of the three rolls I will choose it for you.   Regardless of the direction you choose, roll one time against stealth and one time against perception.

Seeing that Grobbik will be of no use, Judoc exits their room and looks cautiously outside.  Which way should he go?  Where did the noise come from?  If Judoc was awakened, no doubt others would be, too, and though the student mage is pretty sneaky, it wouldn't do to run smack into Brother Loke at this time of night.

And so he waits, hoping for his keen intuition to help him decide the correct way to go.

Judoc leans on his intuition to tell him the right direction and though he reasons there are many potential sources of the blast, the most likely would be some sort of intruder who would come in through the front entrances.  He picks his way towards the left, keeping towards the edge of the corridor and watching and listening for both foes and professors who might now be skulking the hallways.

Judoc manages his way to the end of the cooridor and takes a moment to listen at the large oaken doors that bar the way to the entryway.  Hearing nothing, Judoc slowly releases the latch, but never the less a groan is elicited from the mechanism as it raises the iron bolt from the floor.  Judoc opens the heavy portal just enough to peer his head into the room beyond.

He is quite surprised to see Brother Hilath and Brother Moloran standing a mere two dozen yards away.  They stand not a foot apart from eachother and speak in hurried whispers.  Judoc strains to hear the conversation, but his heart catches in his throat as he watches Brother Hilath turn his head to look directly toward Judoc!

Luckily, just then, another distraction overwhelms the moment.

The door to the Provost's offices bursts open and Judoc does not need to wait for the tone of voice to know that the Baron Graves is smouldering in anger.  The man is fully dressed in his armor, his sword hanging ready at his hip, and his houlders thrust forward as if he is expecting to draw it at any moment.  His face is drawn up tight like a bowstring as he barks commands with little regard to whom he is talking.  "I want him, and whoever else you can find awake and ready for questioning!"

Brother Moloran's voice sounds scandalized, raising an octave above its normal level.  "But sir!  He was attacked!  He needs to be..."  Moloran stops as Hilath cuts him off with the gesture of his hand.  The older mage steps back from the conversation and turns towards the doorway where Judoc hides as he walks forwards deliberately.  "Who is there?"  Hilath asks as he readies his hands in front of him for spellwork.

OOC:  Rough stealth roll made worse by a damn near crit success from the professor.  However, the lighting is poor and you think it unlikely that he has recognized you even if he knows where you are.  You could attempt to hide, there are other dorm rooms nearby you (roll against stealth), or you could attempt to hide behind cover somewhere in the hallway (if that is your choice, roll against scrounging and stealth).  Otherwise, you could come clean and let them find you (roll your best option of reaction, or social skill).  Feel free to think of any other option you may have through spellwork or other skills that I may have ignored.

Several thoughts occur to Judoc simultaneously.  Chief among them is Shit!  Shit!  Shit!  Two professors practically right outside his room, and worse, Baron fucking Graves on the warpath.  Worst of all, Hilath has apparently spotted Judoc.  And where the fuck is Indrid?

He doesn't think they've seen his face, and he could simply melt into one of the dorm rooms and hide, but this is a prime opportunity to find out what's going on.  Had he really heard an explosion?  What had happened tonight?

He makes a decision he knows he's going to regret, but he steps out of the shadows with his hands where the professors can see him.  "It's me, Judoc," he says.  "I was sleeping, and I heard a tremendous noise!  Was that some kind of explosion?  Are we under attack?"  Yes, there's going to be hell to pay with him being outside at this time of night, but this is a solid chance to find out what all the commotion is about.

Judoc's heart thrums in fast percussion, over and over, so loud he can hear it in his ears despite his attempt to cover his infraction with a reasonable explanation.  Though Judoc knows, even as he is speaking, that he is too nervous just now, that his words are not convincing.  The fact that Judoc is speaking barely seems to register on Hilath's face and the old Templar simply gestures with two fingers "Come."

The word is not exactly angry, though neither is it anything less than a command.  Judoc swallows his nervousness, knowing that at this point there is nothing left for him to do but follow and he pushes himself into the grand entryway so that the other two teachers can now see him.

Moloran's face registers shock and disbelief as Judoc exposes his identity.  His gaze lingers on Judoc's staff and the young teacher blurts out "Judoc, how could you!"

For the second time, Hilath cuts off Moloran, this time with a single word.  "Enough."  Though Moloran seems to have several more comments to make, he holds his tongue, with his eyes maintaining their focus upon Judoc with disappointment and anger.

Judoc is more concerned however, with the reaction from the Provost.  Graves had already threatened to throw Judoc out of school once as punishment for failing to kill a member of Murderer's Row, Thresher.  It had been a mere month ago, and Judoc knew all too well that Thresher was still alive but in hiding, though the ring he was wearing was proof enough that the Provost at least thought Thresher was dead.  It was a precarious situation to say the least, and if there was one person at the college who Judoc wanted to keep on his good side it was the Baron Graves.  Judoc turns his head towards the provost of the school and watches as the headmaster's explosive rage simmers to an expression of calculated appraisal.  The moment passes quickly, and Graves moves to address the two professors.

"Hilath, put him in my office then tend to the other one.  Cast whatever you need to put him in a shape to be questioned as soon as I am done.  Do not let him leave."  Hilath nods at the direction and prods Judoc forward as the Baron continues to speak.  <b>"Moloran, send out word to the others, keep all the students in their rooms and with whoever is available start searching the corridors for intruders, there may still be someone here we are missing."

Hilath keeps Judoc moving forward step by step towards the provost's offices.  He had never been in them himself before, though Grobbik had told him several months ago what they looked like.  The outer office was for brother Hilath, the administrator of the college and assistant to Baron Graves, the provost.  Two other doors in the room led to the Provost's office and to the Provost's quarters.  To Judoc's right as he walks in the outer room is Brother Hilath's desk, a massive monument of organized chaos which held all the administrative documents of the college as well as personal scheduling and notes for Baron Graves.  Draped about various places on the walls are various historical documents and paintings, including the original charter of the school.  However, there was one thing that was not as Grobbik had mentioned, and it was what took up all of Judoc's attention during his short walk across the room.

To his left, his knees pulled up to his chest where he sits upon the floor is Alevius Cleppo.  The arrogant bastard seems worse if anything from the last time Judoc talked to him in detention a few days ago.  His face is paled, cradled between his two hands as it sinks towards his kneecaps, shaking back and forth in a slow repeated motion.  The boy's face is scrawled up in wrinkles, his eyes wincing and his jaw clenched as if he is fighting hard to hold back tears.  Just beside him, the doorway to the Provost's quarters is hanging limply from its frame with two of the hinges having been ripped from the wall and its center cratered inward slightly, projecting the shards of splinters outward at the edges.

As soon as he takes it all in however, Judoc is through the next doorway where he is directed to sit on a chair that faces towards the Provost's desk.  "Stay."  Is all Hilath states before he takes Judoc's staff from him and is back out the doorway into the office without.

Here is the provost's office, Judoc has much more time to take in the surroundings.  Like the office without, the furniture here is built with function in mind.  There is a small bookshelf in the far left corner, stacked with a variety of leather bound tomes and books that look varied in age and wear.  In front of him, the Provost's desk is large and rectangular creating a barrier that goes most of the width of the room.   Beside him are another two chairs, all of them wooden backed with no arms.   Judoc looks at the wall opposite him, taking in the wide expanse of a intricate and colorful tapestry depicting the Provost, armored, sword in one hand and helm cradled in the other as he stands in front of the Templar coat of arms.  On the wall to Judoc's right, an oil painting is displayed, life sized of the Baron from the waist up, holding the knight's cross.  Beside that is a framed document, difficult to discern from this distance, though Grobbik recognizes the coat of arms of Emperor Diophrates adorning the bottom right by the signature.

Behind him, the door opens and closes, as the provost makes his way to the desk and seats himself.  The man seemed to have regained his calm for the most part, though his brows arch menacingly and he leans forward aggressively in his seat.  "Judoc."  The man starts, bringing up both of his elbows to lean on the desk in front of him as he gestures with one hand.  "Start where you need to.  Tell me what you saw."

Judoc begins to feel something like a gentle breeze across his face, although there is no open window...  And Judoc would bet his life it was not air that was moving.

OOC:  You are being cast on, if you wish to resist, roll against will.  Regardless of whether you succeed/fail/do not resist, you can act and speak normally in the next post.  For expediency's sake I assumed that you would not resist anything up to this point.  Hilath has taken your staff although you still retain your ring.

Being out in the halls after hours bears serious consequences. Nevertheless, Judoc tries to justify his actions with an explanation, but his words fall flat even in his own ears.  Judoc knows he really shouldn't have been out of his room after curfew, but he absolutely had to know what was happening, consequences be damned.  It was just a bit of bad luck that he had blundered into two Templars right outside his room.

Graves is a much bigger problem.  The provost does not know that the man he had commanded Judoc to kill was still alive, and worse, that the Row had been able to entangled Judoc in their machinations.  Were they behind the uproar this night?  If so, how many agents did they have in the College, and why had they not contacted Judoc?  Not that Judoc wanted anything to do with them, not if it put him at greater odds with his teachers, but he did owe them, heavily, and he wonders when he will be called upon to repay his debt.

Too, Judoc wonders just where Indrid is.  His bed was empty - was Indrid involved in what was going on, or was he somewhere else, maybe a midnight rendezvous with a girl?  Graves mentions the other one, and Judoc groans silently.  They're going to think the two of them are in on whatever's happened tonight.

Grobbik had described Graves' office, so although Judoc hadn't seen it before personally, he was familiar with the basic layout.  But what shocks him is the large hole in the wall where the door to the Provost's office should stand. Judoc gapes at the destruction, and almost simultaneously he notices Alevius Cleppo.  Had Alevius done this?  In heaven's name, why?  And then Judoc is in the inner room, Graves' personal office, and Judoc does not look forward to his coming interrogation.  If there is one person in the College that Judoc respects for their power, it is Graves, and too, Judoc knows he's playing a dangerous game with the Row.  He's still not sure which side he's on, the power-hungry Graves or the criminal-minded Row.  The Templars aren't all like Loke and Graves, that's for sure, and the last time Judoc had met Thresher and the man's friend, Judoc hadn't exactly parted on amicable terms.

So now he sits, waiting for Graves and his inevitable questions.  Too, Judoc is burning to know what happened with the door.  He and Grobbik had talked about the previous in incident when parties unknown had attempted to gain access to Graves' inner sanctum. Was anything missing?  He looks around the room, but he knows that he wouldn't be able to tell if there were something out of place.  He imagines what paintings of himself would look with the Knight's Cross.  He has no doubt that if wanted to, Judoc himself could one day be provost of the College.

Graves comes in, and Judoc stands when the provost enters and takes his seat after the Baron does.  The gentle breeze feels good until Judoc realizes that he should not be able to feel any wind.

"Sir, there isn't much to tell.  I was dreaming, and the dream suddenly exploded.  I woke up and went to investigate the explosion, because it seemed very real.  I met Brother Moloran and Brother Hilath almost immediately.  The damage here, sir - were we attacked?  Is this some kind of retaliation?"

The provost's lips curl up slightly at the ends, giving his countenance an almost devilish look, but as Judoc finishes, Graves merely shakes his head.  "Now is not your time for questions.  What was Cleppo doing here in my offices?  What is it that he wanted?  Are you telling me you know nothing of what has happened tonight, though you were standing just outside where the trespassing occurred, weapon in hand and ready for battle?"

Judoc is relieved to see that Graves's temper does not flash in this line of questions, but stares intently at Judoc with no perceivable emotion, waiting for an answer.

OOC:  Sorry, but since you mentioned the fight was "right outside your room" a couple of times, I should probably jump in to clean up the confusion.  At the first post when I asked you if you were going left or right, that was right outside your room - between that and the next post you walked about 50-100 yards down a corridor towards the main entryway of the school, I just ran quickly through it because nothing happened as you were going until you got to the oaken doors separating the doors from the entryway.  I probably should have done a better job talking about the distance - I thought it was irrelevant but I can see how it could be confusing if you thought all this was "right outside".

Nodding his head, Judoc accepts the Provost's censure.  Judoc knows he was in the wrong, but he simply had to find out what had happened.  As for what Alevius was doing there, Judoc hadn't the foggiest idea.  Cleppo had always struck him as a Templar wannabe who didn't have what it really took to be a Templar, and Judoc is surprised that Alevius would somehow be up to his eyeballs in something that would harm what little chance he had of actually making it into the Templars.

"Sir, I have no idea what Cleppo is doing here.  He's in my cohort, but he and I are not really friends.  He's an asshole, sir, but I didn't think he was suicidal."

"As to why I was ready for trouble, sir, I thought we were being attacked.  Or something.  The explosion alarmed me, and I thought there might be hostiles on the grounds."

The Baron Graves quietly appraises Judoc's answers, staring intently into Judoc's face as the silence drags on.  The situation is discomforting to say the least and Judoc is tempted to speak again just to break the silence though he knows not what to say.  Just as Judoc's lips part to say something about the weather, anything to break the silence, he is reprieved from the task.  "No.  I don't suppose he is...  Good"  He says, as he puts his fists downward into the table as he stands abruptly, gesturing with his hands towards the door.  "I'm glad to see that you had nothing to do with it."

Judoc is somewhat surprised by the sudden dismissal, especially after such a prolonged staring contest but he does not need to be told twice to leave.  He jumps up quickly from his seat and makes his way towards the door.

As he opens the portal, Judoc is struck by the momentary scene outside, Brother Hilath staring down Alevius, who is turning his head swiftly down and toward Judoc, his face exhausted but defiant, blinking a single tear from his eye to roll down his cheek.  "I do not know!"  Alevius shouts in a whisper, though as he sees Judoc his face hardens to a stone look of hatred, and he quickly breaks his confrontation with Brother Hilath as he walks freely towards the Provost's office, shoulder-checking Judoc subtly as the two pass.

"And what am I to do with this one?"  Hilath asks, his tone disconcertingly calm.

"Send him to bed."  Graves responds flippantly, "He knows nothing."

Hilath shifts his glance from the provost to Judoc, an intent look of judgment that Judoc can feel scouring the back of his soul.  "Yes, your lordship."  the administrator responds as the door to Graves's office latches closed.

"Don't forget your staff now."  Hilath gestures towards the wall, where the oaken stave rests freely against the wall.  "Come on."

OOC:  Graves is too focused at the moment to entertain follow on questions from you and it is clear from the moment that he stands that the two of you are done for now.  You recognize that attempting to get information out of him is a lost cause and likewise Cleppo does not have any interest in telling you anything.  If you wish to try and wring some information out of Hilath, you may roll against fast talk.

What could Graves be thinking?  Judoc would dearly pay to know Graves' thought process on this, and Judoc wonders just what Alevius had been up to. Was it a prank gone wrong?  Had someone gotten to Cleppo in order to send a message to Graves or actually try to steal something from the provost?  Perhaps Graves has a valuable artifact or some kind of dossier that someone wants, and they hired Alevius to recover.  Tempted by greed, the student had tried to break in twice and was eventually caught.  Judoc's not satisfied with this theory, but there are obviously undercurrents here that he doesn't know about.  There was a good chance that Alevius had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time and wasn't even involved, but the other student's behavior hadn't been that great recently.  Alevius was in trouble somehow, and maybe this drove him to try to break into Graves' office.  Part of Judoc is pleased at this thought, and part of him dearly wants to know what's going on with Alevius.

As Judoc leaves Graves' office, the young mage looks at Alevius with a mixture of curiosity and pity.  Are they about to lose another student from Judoc's year?  Mariana, Giles, and Elliot are already gone, and perhaps Alevius will be joining the exodus soon.  And where the hell is Indrid?  Could Alevius and Indrid be conspiring together?  Judoc finds the idea implausible but not out of the realm of possibility.

Collecting his staff, Judoc nods at Brother Hilath and falls in behind the administrator.  "It seems incredible to me that anyone would try to break into the College," he says.  "There's no more dangerous place for thieves in all of Azer.  And to be so noisy about it - it seems very clumsy.   But I find it hard to believe that Alevius would do something like this.  This happened before, right?  A rumor was going in that someone tried to break into the Provost's office a week or two ago."

OOC:  Try to get some information from Hilath about the details of the attack, who he suspects, and why this happened.

To most men, Brother Hilath is a stoic.  He is imperturbable, as perhaps is required from anyone who would be Baron Graves's number one assistant for so many years.  However, To Judoc the Obscure, the Merciful, to Judoc, Hilath is just another wall with which to bounce off his ideas.  He talks of thieves, of the incredible stupidity of targeting the college, of Alevius Cleppo, and through all this Hilath keeps his head pointed forward, leading the way back towards the hall of soldiers.  But as Judoc speaks of the attack a week ago, he knows that he has struck gold.

Hilath pauses a moment in his step.  "Yes."  He continues his pace forward, pushing his way through the doorway into the corridor that separates two of the dormitories of the college.  He turns his head back towards Judoc.  "Yes, something like this did happen, a week ago to the day.  The door to the provost's quarters itself was attacked, gouges all in it's face, though the portal itself was not breached and the Baron was not in at the time and did not arrive until the morning...  It seems odd, the pair of events, as if someone is trying to attack the Baron himself."

Judoc does not have much time to think on the matter however, for the two arrive at his dorm room and Hilath opens the doorway for him to enter.

"Have a good rest, Judoc, I would not attempt to make your way back out of your room tonight.

As Judoc makes his way into the room, he glances towards his left, where Indrid's bed lies, and sees a convincing lump amidst the covers, and hears the heavy breathing of a sleeping man that seems to him just the slightest bit forced...

Much like his boss, Hilath makes it readily apparent that the conversation is over and he expects Judoc to head to bed.

As Judoc plys Brother Hilath with questions, the administrator has little to say until Judoc hits on the previous week's attempted break-in, and it is thus that the student gains more information, though Hilath merely corroborates what Judoc has heard.  He finds it significant that Graves had not been present when the failed burglary had taken place.  They had not intended to harm Graves, then, but had merely intended to gain access to his office.  It is clear to Judoc that Graves has something that someone else dearly wants, an artifact, perhaps, or some information, something valuable enough to throw away caution when attempting to steal it.  Surely Alevius isn't involved.  Ridiculous.  Why jeopardize his future for this, unless he is desperate?  It is unfortunate that Judoc and Alevius do not get along.  Judoc would dearly like to know what the other was doing outside Graves' office.

When he arrives back at his own quarters, he nods his head.  "Yes, sir, of course," he says, bowing his head.  He returns his items to their places and climbs in his own bed.

When he is sure that Hilath has departed, he whispers, "Indrid.  Are you awake?"

OOC:  Try to get Indrid to talk.  Tell him what Judoc saw, the blasted door, Alevius there on the scene, and ask where Indrid was earlier.