I.

Two Inquisitors and a Guardian walked into a bar. The Crimson Cat, a humble public house in Dockwater, has always been known for its fair prices, lively music and bustling atmosphere. Its sign of a bright red cat dancing against a forest green background swung in the winds of the upcoming storm as our heroes made their first acquaintance inside.

It was the 14th day of Raven, 512 PCW, and they were set to meet at 7 Sundown, each briefed by their Guild superiors.

They were supposed to find the culprit of a series of murders, the so-called Justice Killer. Their four previous victims were Undermere males, killed with a single gunshot to the head. Crime scene sketches are being acquired. Their latest victim, a Dockwater resident named Paolos Mín, was found near the Southern waterfront by a factory worker by the name of Kirian Smallbottle. Both the Gharad and Arcanum were convinced that the Emozhyr could not control or contain the killers to the Undermere, and had decided to undertake action - without the knowledge or consent of the Emozhyr.

Levi Abraham Shepherd, having stalked directly from his residence on the Mainland to Dockwater, was the first to arrive at the Crimson Cat.

The streets of Dockwater were narrow and claustrophobic. In many places, the buildings leaned out at the upper floors so that neighbours can reach out and shake hands - or more likely, exchange unpleasantries. The mist was thick, so one almost miss the pub - if it wasn't for the loud piano music coming from its windows.

Inside, he saw a human woman in her 40's with long black hair behind the bar, the pianist to be blamed for the endless honky-tonk tunes, a young boy clumsily waiting tables to a mostly human crowd, as well as two copper Dragonborn playing chess in a corner, a female Scourge Aasimar sitting by herself by bar, a large group of Dwarfs playing an elaborate drinking game, and three half-elves chatting at the bar. He also spotted a couple getting friendly in one of the darker corners.

As Levi ordered a neat scotch with the young serving boy, Yutta, a second hero arrived. After a profitable day of fishmongering, Hinthraíl Venturion joined his table with a mug of the Cat's most cost-efficient ales. Together, they briefly discussed their briefings -and discrepancies- from the Arcanum. They speculated about their future partner from the Gharad, in hopes it might be the tough-looking Aasimar they both noticed at the bar.

Gonzu had just spent a rather confusing and tiring afternoon trying to navigate through Pyrenze Central's shopping area, causing him to be a few minutes late. Together, they decided to distribute their charms - and ales - to the others inside the Cat in hopes of gathering information on Paolos Mín:

II.

When asked about Undermere regulars, the bartender did not know of any. The serving boy Yutta seemed nervous, although it may have been due to his inexperience at waiting tables. The androgynous half-elf girls confirmed a rumour that a murder had occured Uppermere. An uncle of a friend of one of the girl's father had seen Gharad officers close off a crime scene, and blood red letters on a wall to form the word 'JUSTICE'. One of the ladies took special note of Gonzu's Gharad employment, making him the most interesting person in the room. The Aasimar was left waiting for someone a long time ago, and seemed to have traded hope for alcohol.

The Dragonborn, Carla and Jack, did know Paolos and described him to be a human male with spiky black hair and a shortish burly build. They played cards with Paolos on a semi-regular basis, and he owed them money. Last night, he seemed nervous and over-smiley. The pianist Singin' Tom (Tomás) also knew the victim from playing cards. He had the impression that Paolos owed many more debts from gambling and whoring. Tomás also informed the party of the rough location of Paolos' home, and that he himself played at a nearby church during the day if they had any further questions.

Invigorated, they paid for their individual drinks and left the Crimson Cat. After only a few minutes, a strange illness befell the party: dizziness, a sore and swollen throat that made it difficult to breathe, and finally, unconsciousness. Just before passing out, Levi managed to call for help and saw three or four figures approaching from a nearby alleyway.

They woke individually lying down in a dark, tight, cold and damp space. It smelt of musty wet earth and they heard the sound of… shovels?

Yes, they were being buried alive.

III.

After many heroic attempts to escape their grave situation through force, wit, silent trumpeting, and unusual uses of weaponry, thoroughly frightening the gravediggers Uncle Bob, a tall and gaunt human male in his 60's armed with one of his shovels, and young Anya, an eight-year-old orphan of potential half-elf descent with spiky dirty-blond hair and a shotgun as large as herself. It took a series of missed gunshots, failed attempts at speaking through their sore throats, fighting, grappling, threatening and healing to convince the gravediggers they were, in fact, not zombies.

Interrogation and investigation confirmed that they had been out cold for at least 24 hours, as it was just past midnight on the 16th of Raven. They had been ice cold, stiff, with no heartbeat or breath. Like 30 or so other bodies in the past few months, they bodies had been dumped in front of the gravediggers' hut along with 1 gold piece per body. When the first bodies appeared, they came with both a threatening note and well as the gold pieces. Although he suspected some sort of criminal activity, Bob decided that it would be best not to end up dead himself, earn a fortune, and give the poor souls a proper burial at least.

He seemed devastated by the idea that he may have been complicit in their killing, even though he was entirely convinced they had been dead at the time. Hinthraíl searched for tracks, but the strong rain had made it impossible.

Wondering whether the Justice Killings and their attempted murder might be related and questioning their own mortality here on the marshy grounds of Bonefield Cemetery, we will leave this story to be continued on the 19th of February.

In the meantime, all party members proceed to level 2!