Offical Investigation: Vampire Mortis?

[*WhenWizardsWar]

This report is filed by Christopher Cryptbane, Measure One of the Harmonium.

In the last two cycles, we have investigated two incidents of potential murder in our fair city.

I am going to hold back on my deductions and speculations until the investigation is more complete but in regards to the "murder" of two bodies who's ashed were found we have uncovered the following.

-Both victims are by all findings vampires.
-The assailant either imbibes alcohol in great quantities or (less likely) uses it as some kind of accelerant for the fire used to char his victims.
-He likely has access to quality weapons such as mechanian crafted crossbows.
-He is tall, likely physically strong and has a high pain tolerance.
-He is likely right handed.
-He likely has a good deal of medical training and or survivalist skills, his latest victim likely inflicted grievous wounds on him and he managed to escape the scene with relative haste which suggests field dressing knowledge.

I am not limiting my suspicions but it is very possible we are dealing with a vampire hunter or, and this is an unproven suspicion but i suspect we may be dealing with a drunken master, a martial artist who is known for his prowess at defeating foes after imbibing alcohol. I have seen such martial artists defeat a foe in stunning melee combat, then imbibe alcohol and breathe fire on the slain victim.

Until this matter is resolved, as a measure in charge of troop management i have extended all rotations by an extra four hours, where it could be worked out i have added two extra patrol teams in the market, the ladies ward and the clerks ward.

We have many open cases at the moment, but considering our prevailant number of undead residents and visitors in the city especially vampires this case should be given a high level of priority, that being said I am going to assign notarys Caius and Barnaban and the namers who originally brought this matter to us to Epsilon Squad. We have new ranks and new comers among the movers and notaries and even measures who should be informed that Epsilon Squad was created by myself last year during a time of extreme chaos within Sigil, it is a special investigative unit I took the liberty of forming to combat and deal with several high priority cases within recent history.

They will have no special powers or privilages other then given lee way to focus on one specific task that are deemed appropriate.

I will personally meet with the individuals named above and inform them of their skilles and services being focused on this critical issue at hand.

Also, I know we like keeping things within our organization, but lady Mir Fnar offered consultations at the first victims remains, and she has proven useful in many of our past investigations as well despite her...involvement with various people who have a spoken dislike and hatred towards us.

I have called her in as a magical consultant on this matter, she has a deputy badge and the understanding that her assistance is for this case and this case only, and that in matters regarding this case she should be presented to me with any information she uncovers, or any other measure rank or higher.

This does not give her rights to any other case or Harmonium matter and if she is seen interfearing, or inquireing about other sensative matters she should be dealt with accordingly.

Lets get this guy.

Christopher Cryptbane
Measure One
Office of Troop Management and Logistics.

[*vivallion]

Eskaia Whistel submits information with evidence linking to the murderer, even hostile contact with the said woman. Short hair with a long braid trailing to her back, outdoorsman-like attire made of leather, walks with a possible limp as of recent attacks, likely blood-stained attire or field dressing. A heavy drinker, froma flask. Was seen in the bazaar questioning about vampires and their locations where two cutters took her around to hive with false intentions. Eskaia Whistel followed them and was on location, commanding for her restrain.

She does not work alone how ever, during this they were attacked by unknown assilants with crossbows, ammunition being silver-tipped bolts. She escaped through the rooftop, the trail of blood vanishing into thin air, but not without vain of identifying the person behind the murders.

Witnesses to this were a vampire of name 'Trixx' and a human werewolf called "Ragnar"

Included in the report, is one silver-tipped bolt recovered from the scene.

[*WhenWizardsWar]

Measure One Cryptbane takes the alcohol bottles he recovered from the scene the broken crossbow, the alcohol stained rags and the silver tipped bolts and heads to the laboratory in the lower ward.

He asks the specialists there to identify the type of alcohol and its components, he ask them to use what ever means they can to uncover dirt or blood or anything from the crossbow and the silver tipped arrows and abit of the ash from the bodies he gives to them so they can test it to confirm that it is, or rather was flesh (even decayed) flesh at one point.

He does not want the crossbow destroyed or the silver tipped bolt destroyed, as he plans to take it to an expert smith for further examination.

As for the new evidence that the murderer is not alone, he rearranges the patrols of soldiers to start patroling roof tops in pairs, one armed with a shield and handcrossbow, the other with a composite longbow in addition to their melee weapons which he modifies from halberds to half spears so they can use different combinations of weapons and shield as needed.

The measure himself is seen actually soaring above Sigil with his pristine wings of white, accompanied by any other harmonium with the capacity for flight.

[*Miraie]

Preliminary results from the Harmonium laboratory (or the scientists in their disposal) indicate that the ashes indeed came from a vampire who was once a mortal. They are, in other words, authentic. The dirt and grime found in the recovered equipment seems to point out solely to the locations they were found in. One researcher suggests that the equipment has been maintained regularly. Initially, the rooftop patrols manage to catch a few clever cat burglars, but there are no signs of the hunters. It is likely many people have paid attention and noticed the new Harmonium tactics. Perhaps rooftop crime is decreasing! But when that happens..

[*Midnight]

A letter arrives at the Barracks directed to whoever leads the investigation into the vampire murders.

To whom it may concern

My Faction recently came into possession of a murdered undead in Undersigil.  We have secured the scene and await your arrival.  The remains will be tested and subject to autopsy.  Will we share our findings with you as soon as we are able or welcome an observer from your faction for the procedure should you wish to send one.

Factor Valios of the Dustmen.

[*WhenWizardsWar]

Measure One Cryptbane makes a note to attend the autopsy personally, being a former devotee of Kelemvor he hopes his own expertise and understanding of the undead will be helpful.

[*Selebius]

A letter from the Fraternity arrives for Measure Cryptbane- finding out who is in charge of the investigations was something Hasclaan found not too difficult to find out-

Measure,

our investigations at the Courts have not yielded much but there are still some imformations that might be useful.

First we are almost sure that whoever hunts those undead is not based in Sigil but enters and leaves through the portals.

Second cross referencing our date did not point to any of Sigil's resident religions or cults nor are there any connections to crimes involving Vampires that were handled at the courts.

Whoever this hunters or vigilantes are they have not been active in Sigil before.

I suggest to question citizen living near portals close to the murder sites next as they might have seen someone suspiceous leaving or entering Sigil- even the most stealthy have to still trigger the key and awaken the portal so if luck is at our side someone might have noticed something helpful.

I will continue my investigations and keep you informed,

Hasclaan Guunt, A8

[*vivallion]

First Notary Whistel reports a third murder in the Lady's ward, this time the victim being the famous Evoker Lady Cecilia Hawcroft, slain but this time her dusts not disturbed. Her two bodyguards were also found dead on the scene, including a mercykiller who managed to crawl back to their headquarters' entrance before perishing to his injuries, as testimonied by the mercykiller who was present on the scene.

One of the bodyguards had been slain with a lethal shot to the back of his neck, the bolt had been removed and likely re-used to kill the other bodyguard, who was much more formidable as two shots were required to slay her. This could indicate that the group behind the murders is running out of ammunition to use, silver-tipped crossbow bolts by specific or mechanus origin. Whistel suggested to check in with any possible alchemists or smiths capable of making said ammunition, alchemicaly or otherwise.

Lady Hawcroft's dusts were not disturbed this time, retaining it's full human-like shape, head to it's neck intact. Her gown had rips and tears, indicating she may have been attempted be hit several times.

There is also her spellbook left present in the crime scene, protected by several wards which prevent it from being opened or picked up, for such, an arcane of Harmonium or a third party is required to determine if the Evoker Hawcroft managed to cast a chant or not before her death, along with possibility of other clues.

To further prove that the same person has been in the scene, there were several heavily-reeking bottles of home-brewed alcohol in the corner of the opening, between the two buildings next to the steps leading up into the Temple of the abyss.


ADDENDUM #1:
Another matter, a woman of black-attire came to the scene during investigation, questioning Whistel before telling her she was about to burn the bodies before any of harmonium got through, possible disruption of a crime scene?

*Below, is a crude drawing of a woman, and a description to match Viviana.*

ADDENDUM #2:

Looking at the direction these murders are going by, this is the current frequency of it: Clerk's ward, the Great Bazaar, Lady's ward. It can be assumed the next murder will happen within Lower Ward, and any inquiries of vampires living there should be made.

[*WhenWizardsWar]

Measure Cryptbane rubs his for head as he pauses for a moment in the barracks to grab a quick meal before continuing to scour the city for this unsanctioned vampire hunter.

He pens a quick message which he leaves on a movers desk before leading another detachment out on patrol.

Movers and Factors.

As you are all aware we have a suspect running around Sigil conducting unsanctioned murders of vampires on our streets. I have launched a full investigation into the matter as I know you are aware from the frequent updates from myself and the namers and notarys in the field.

But its no really enough.

I know we suffered a major set back on our training ground on arcadia but our troops here in the city are already assigned to our last man and we just need more man power. I have filed the nessicary forms to requisition sixty more troopers from our homeworld of Ortho, these troops if granted will be assigned in pairs at the major portal sites. I have come to this decision based on recent evidence presented by our investigators in the field, sixty soldiers will allow me to cover thirty of the major portals within the city which will give us a significant edge at catching anyone matching the description of this guy or his accomplices as they move about the city.

Christopher Cryptbane

Measure One

Troop Managment & Logistics.

[*Miraie]

Increased Harmonium presence at known major portals does not seem to yield any immediate results. At least the culprits should find Sigil harder to leave now. After all, one cannot simply planeshift away.