Report for Ferric Aseph

[Poolson]

It comes too late, this report, though I feel we are not done with this forever. A life was promised to that Vault, and to leave the price of balance unpaid is to invite an unforeseen, deadly correction. It costs life to staunch the flow of death, and death is averted only to further the cause of death in the world.

The contents herein are if, tomorrow, on the last of the seven days, something happens.

Signed,
Mare Strider.

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Subject: Yagumdalar.

Description: A skeletal figure, dressed in a robe dripping with blood, and armed with a vorpal knife.

Abilities:

- Psychic Projection: Yagumdalar was able to call out to near passer-bys for his freedom by telepathic messages. It is presumed that he was able to even project images, taking on the likeness of one Trusty Pete, a scavenger of The Lover's Gap, and lessening his role in history as a benevolent Prince, who's name was the passage into any part of his realm.

- Incorporeal: Yagumdalar matches no known profiles of the incorporeal dead. Even Wraiths flay the soul, rather than leave physical wounds upon the body. The closest known profile is a Valarjhar, storm warriors, who return from death to earn honor to their name post-mortem and manifest to clash, yet Yagumdalar does not match any of the conditions that would make him such.

It is much more likely that Yagumdalar is a cursed being, who was previously destroyed without suffering Final Death, and is near to crossing the threshold into the material world. For a more detailed description, read the next section.
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Identity: Yagumdalar's psychic ability, dependency on blood for nourishment, long lifespan and "self sired dynasty", complete with manipulation over the living, such as compelling them to speak, obedience (read the report on Blood Puppets later), paralyzing them with fear, is more in line with a vampire.

However, mummies of great power have been supposedly known to have been able to project from their sarcophagus, command obedience from perceived lessers through unholy decree, and can draw sustenance from the lifeforce of the living (located within the flow of blood) to re-materialize as their living selves, deathless and unburdened by the light of the sun. Coupling this with its ability to instill terror, it is possible.

The blood test that the Astronomers were going to test would had said more, but, we had run out of time. Failing the blood test, we could had learned more from its chamber.

Blood Puppets: It seemed to have marked Bashir, Anais, and an unknown third with dominance. On the second remaining day, Bashir had begun to vomit blood, and express unusual behavior. Just who is the third party, I know not, but, if the curse still stands, Bashir and Anais will still be compelled to obey, come tomorrow as of the time of this writing. It would be of interest to the Fourth Legion to reveal the third party, and watch Bashir and Anais for unusual behavior.

Lethality: Yagumdalar seems to have an intimate understanding of its victims, whether by reading their mind, or some outward expression that he picks up on.

The Palatial Pyramid was a direct threat, so as to frighten the targeted individual.

The Plaza encounter, it manifested before Armis, who fears the manifestation of evil much less than most. Rather than directly threatening him, it threatened him with collateral, forcing him to choose either Cosine, or Mae, to die next.

The encounter at the Court House served as a threat to terrorize the public, having slain a Ashfolk citizen, it had grown in power to manipulate objects in the material world, this time being able to fashion a stake for the head to be piked upon.

The encounter with Scholar Xi, may he rest in peace, seemed to wait until he was alone, and vulnerable, before striking. The strike was much more visceral than a neck gouge, as if to make a mess on purpose, and instill more terror.

All instances of death were done with a perfectly still hand. Zi seems to prove to be the exception.

Symptoms of haunting: Iron, acidic, fizzy smell on the air. Blood cooling in random places of an immediate haunt, turning to scabs before long.

Repulsion to True Faith: Yagumdalar's presence seems to be repelled by devout word shouted on high, with holy symbol brought to bear. This seems more likely to stun him, rather than actually stop the haunt all together.

Extra: The severed head of the ashfolk victim seems to respond in the presence of those who have been haunted. Morally objectionable, to be sure, but keeping the head preserved, to make it serve as a canary in a mine, could warn us well in advance of its next strike.
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Consequences of late stage neglect: Factually unknown. All evidence points towards complete materialization, activation of Blood Puppets as thralls, and a hostile powerbase forming in the Ashways.

Option 1, Sacrifice at the Vault.

Chance of success: 100%.

Components Required: One living sacrifice.

Details: Each time Yagumdalar has had to be sealed away, it has been with life sacrificed, by closing the vault with one inside. Its chamber runs red with a pool of blood of those who have done so previously, and their death seems to be enough to lure him back into slumber, and eventual exorcism.

[close]

 Option 2, Raid.

Chance of success: With all assets as they are, 50%. Increased chance of success, based on new information that helps narrow down the identity, and appropriate exorcism required.

Components required:

If he is a vampire: One stake, melted from precious metals of religious value, typically an effigy, typically silver. The soil or sand of his homeland.

Otherwise, if he is a mummy: A means to dispel magical protections. The urns that contain his embalmed vitals will be highly fortified.

Details: Storm the vault. The main host scatters to draw his attention, while the actor in question closes in to douse the ground with the soil or sand, then stake him through the chest with the melted stake, if he is a vampire.

Otherwise, the main actor scours the room for where the embalmed organs are stored, and begin their destruction.

[close]

 Option 3, Parlay.

Chance of success: Difficult to say.

Components required:

One scroll of Animate Dead.

The severed head of the ashfolk victim, or the full body of the plaza victim, or Scholar Zi. Hand fan required.

Details: These victims have a link with Yagumdalar, and, by animating them, we can potentially host a seance, that can hear his demands, and fulfill them so that he never dares to leave his vault. Although morally distasteful, the results have consistently been positive. It falls upon us if we wish to tempt the ire of the public.

[close]

[CoffeeBean]

Mare,

I'll see this submitted into the files- if you have anything on the beast, let me know. If it is valuable information, we'll see if we can get you some well deserved payment.

If you don't, but feel that you could provide useful services in banishing it- contact Sergeant Ludovich. I'll vouch for your usefulness.

~Ferric Aseph