The House of Solace is the go-to place for people who are injured or in need of physical aid in Arx. People with wounds minor and severe can be found here getting treatment and care from the Mercies.

Today one of those people looks to have suffered a bit more than most. A man is slowly making his way into the House of Solace. He has crutches with one leg bandaged, one arm is in a cast that looks to be a week or two older than the leg injury, and he has a trickle of blood and dirt coming from his hair - with some dirt and a bit of pottery shards still visible up above. The man isn't dressed for a dangerous profession either, looking to be some sort of craftsman with not one, not two, but a half dozen different lucky charms pinned to his clothes and hanging from his belt. Everything from small plants with extra leaves, to a cheap quartz pendant, to a rabbit's foot. "Mercy." Even his tone of voice is long suffering, like this is just expected to be how his day goes.

Reese looks over to toward the injured man, seemingly concerned. She is not much of a healer, but she does try to be helpful. "Here, let me aid you to a bed?" She says, heading in his direction and trying to offer self as physically support to the hurt man.

Teela's standing next to Valery and talking with her and Princess Reese when the man comes in. As the Princess turns to assist the man Teela studies him and she blinks surprised at all the charms and things attached to him, "Well seems like a superstitious fellow." she remarks as he seeks help.

Valery opens wide her eyes when the man arrives. She moves out of the way and she looks around, as looking for help.

There is no lack of mercy (or Mercies) in the House of Solace, and it would seem at least some are familiar with the recent arrival. Indeed, one of the holy healers directs the Mother Mercy his way. "Hello, Gene," Sophie kindly greets, summer sky eyes taking in the latest round of injuries. "Princess," is cordially offered to Reese, followed by polite nods to everyone else nearby. "Dare I ask what happened this time?" All the while, she's helping to ease him into a more suitable position to receive medical care.

Gene thanks Reese as she aids him, accepting the help without really looking at who is giving it. Sophie's voice is familiar though, and he looks up giving her a sad smile. "I was just sitting outside, and a pot fell." He dips his head down for her to see. It looks like it wasn't a direct hit, just clipping him. Plenty to cause a concussion. "I was just sitting outside trying to get fresh air." He sighs. "I really liked that flower."

Reese turns her attention to Sophie, giving her a somber nod of greeting. She then tries to help the man onto one of the cots. She backs off a step, maybe so that the real healers can tend to him. "Oh, I am sorry to hear that." She says looking him over. "It looks like you been injured more than one recently?" She questions softly.

The whole thing is curious and Teela moves with the Princesses as they go to seat the man. The stated intent of the flower pot has her tilt her head, "Someone threw a flower pot at you? Or are you saying it just fell?" she rubs her hands together then and shifts to squat, which makes the amazonian woman far less intimidating in stature at least.

Serenity arrives, delivering a message to Percephon before departing.

Valery is also the curious sort, so she follows Teela, keeping her basket close against her chest and away if any mercies' gaze. Having Teela in front of her helps for sure!

Scalp wounds, even when not serious, tend to flow like a river. The amount of drying blood does not seem to perturb Sophie, who carefully examines the site of impact. She leaves it to Gene to speak of injuries past, and she continues with the examination, showing interest in Teela's question. "Did you black out at all?" she asks her patient as she starts to go through the checklist of questions and observations to determine signs of a concussion. "What kind of flower?" is amiably tacked on, likely genuinely curious -- and perhaps to assess for slurred speech or other impairment.

Percephon is momentarily distracted by an incoming messenger, and he pauses to read that over -- at least until in the familiar, spoken-spoken din of comforting Mercy voices he hears Sophie. He glances up, fully intending on greeting her with enthusiasm, but he realizes that she is occupied with a new and very curious patient. He nears, studious, but not invasive. Tucking that parchment into his waistcoat pocket. "Good day, all."

Being lead to sit down, Gene sets his crutches aside and relaxes to let his wound be tended. This seems to be the safest place for him of the day. "It just fell. I mean, nobody goes up to my workshop but me. It must've just been really windy today, or... Something else unlucky." He shakes his head to Sophie. "No, I don't think I blacked out. It was my orchid. Little purple one. Bulb might be fine, I can try to repot it when I get home." Gene reaches his good hand to rub at a coin-shape in one of his jacket pockets. "Please Gild, let that go well."

Reese seems relieved as Sophie takes over tending to the injured man. She turns her attention to Percephon, giving him a somber smile of greeting that touches her blue eyes. "Lord Percephon." She says in his direction. She then turns back to Gene, sucking in a soft breath. "It should go well. I mean what could possibly go wrong with a bulb replanting?" She says rather cluelessly.

Valery stands on her tiptoes to try to follow the healing process from over Teela's shoulder. She seems both curious and interested, and once the man talks about the orchid, she offers, quietly. "Maybe I can help with that..."

Just as it took Percephon a moment to pick out her voice, Sophie is not immediate in acknowledging the arrival of the Telmar. "Many happy returns, milord," is eventually offered with a tone and smile that bespeaks of many years of fond friendship. Then, she fully returns her focus to the task at hand (no pun intended): moving the foremost two fingers of her right hand in front of Gene, quietly instructing him to follow with his eyes while keeping his head straight. While he's at it, how many fingers is she holding up? "Have you a cat, goodman?"

"Your Highnesses --" It's a blanket greeting, delivered with a grim and thin-lipped expression. The expression widens and warms with Sophie's tone. "Ladies and mistresses. Sirs." His dark eyes widen owlishly behind his glasses, and Percephon resumes listening to Gene's tale. Focusing with sharp interest on words like /unlucky./ Which explains the profusion of assorted blessed charms and gewgaws on his person. Asking with casual nonchalance: "Sir, how frequently do you find yourself in ill-fated situations? You seem awfully weary."

Teela goes quiet while she listens to the others take up the questioning and she focuses on the fellow, listening and watching him. Percephon gets a long glance before she then turns back to all the attention that Gene gets.

"Oh, no. I don't keep pets, what with the work that I do. Too much risk to the products." He does as instructed - and sure enough has a mild concussion. That potted plant got him good. He shifts his gaze over to Percephon. "Oh, well. We all have bad luck now and then, yeah? I mean, I always had some misfortunes now and then, but for the last fortnight and a half it has just been terrible. Was right when I got my best paying client of the year, and I'm going to have to tell them the carcass was ruined when they come back in a week. Can't hardly work until I'm healed proper."

Reese bites softly upon the swell of her lower lip, seemingly thoughtful as she listens to the man's words. "Oh, I don't know what to make of that." She murmurs softly. "Maybe some prayers to some of the gods would help to change things?" She questions, looking between those gathered here as well. She starts to study the man closely, searching for any possibly unlucky items.

Reese checked mana + theology at difficulty 50, rolling 2 higher.

Sophie checked mana + theology at difficulty 50, rolling 7 higher.

Percephon checked perception + theology at difficulty 50, rolling 17 lower.

Percephon checked mana + theology at difficulty 50, rolling 29 lower.

Valery has successfully managed to stay unseen. Which means that she gets no answer. So, well, she keeps on watching.

Valery checked perception + occult at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Teela checked mana + theology at difficulty 50, rolling 45 lower.

Percephon checked mana + occult at difficulty 50, rolling 15 higher.

Reese hmms softly as she looks over the man. "Nice rabbit's foot. It looks old." She says softly. "Did your father maybe have some bad luck too?"

Percephon looks, blinks, looks again. Shrugging it off, as he casts judgment too quickly and dismisses the assortment of good luck charms as useless junk. "Poor fellow," he mutters beneath his breath.

"Sounds like you just have a good run of bad luck, Mister Gene." Teela remarks seeing nothing remarkable about him. She smiles to him, "Maybe the spirits will see some come your way soon." the scout nods and then she rises to her feet and goes to stand next to Valery again.

Things knocked over in a fit of feline pique seems to be something that can be ruled out, and Sophie is too kind-hearted to conclude it the work of an envious rival working sabotage. Like Reese, she notices the rabbit's foot and pensively smiles. After a moment, she blinks, looking as though something occurred to her. "Goodman," she broaches while she starts to clean and bandage the head injury, "If I may inquire, what kind of animal is carcass in question?"

Olenna arrives, delivering a message to Reese before departing.

Olenna arrives, delivering a message to Percephon before departing.

The question about his rabbit's foot causes Gene to glance down. "Oh! No, my mother's actually. She never really had problems with bad luck, I don't think?" He looks around at the group. "Wait, who was it..." He focuses on Valery, giving her a small smile. "You offered to help me replant, didn't you? I apologize, that would actually be a big help. It'd be quite a challenge for me to do, right now." He glances to Sophie. "Not sure if I'd be allowed to go home right off, but it is an easy shop to spot. The taxidermist down in the lowers near the third dock." He shakes his head. "It would be a good place altogether, but there is a tanner next door. You'll smell it before you see it." He blinks at Sophie's question. "Some sort of wolf? I didn't get to start work on it, but it was pretty big. Bigger than the ones I've worked on before. I'd say it probably reeks by now, but the smell next door is worse for sure."

Olenna arrives, delivering a message to Reese before departing.

Reese hmms softly as she listens to the man's words. "Maybe we should take a look at this wolf? There has been odd kinds of wolves about the forest."

Teela tilts her head and then she says, "Did you give honor to the spirits of the animals after you slew them? It could be that their spirits are coming to you and causing mischief. If that is the case you may have to seek out a shaman to do a speaking and offer amends."

Valery nods to the man. "I can help, yes. I'm not a big expert but I have a garden and I know a bit..." She wrinkles her nose as they talk about the corpses and the tanner.

Olenna arrives, delivering a message to Reese before departing.

Sophie continues to work, casting a glance at Reese. "I would not mind taking a gander. Lady Eirene and I have examined some of the wolves in the Gray Forest to determine what might be ailing them. I am concerned perhaps the specimen might need to be a public health concern."

To Teela, Sophie adds, "My understanding is that it never hurts to honor the spirits. Lord Petrichor approves of such displays of gratitude."

"So do the animals." Teela smiles to Sophie and then she looks at Gene, "If the wolf is corrupted and you got oe of them, that could be the cause. Maybe. Although," she adds in open thought, "Who would bring a corrupted wolf into the city to have it stuffed and mounted? Or did they do so knowing it might do harm."

"I know someone who would do that." Reese says, but doesn't name any names. "Anyways, some people would. Lets go take a look."

Gene looks at Teela like she sprung horns and starts babbling in tongues. "I don't kill animals, miss. I'm a taxidermist. People bring dead animals to me. What they do with the animals before and after I try not to think about. If you saw some of the things I'd been brought, you wouldn't want to know either." He shakes his head. "You all are mighty curious. I guess my bad luck started when I got that one, so... Sure. If you're keen to go look at a rotting wolf, sure, be my guest. All I ask in return is you clean it take it with you, so I don't have as much to clean up when I get to working again." He sighs. "Won't make the client none too happy, but it isn't like I can save it after letting it sit for so long. Don't bother asking who the client was, either. I can see where this is going, hit on the head or not. It was just a local hunter who has been around for long as I have, he ain't any more special than I am." A grudging chuckle. "Luckier, maybe." His good hand dips into his pocket, pulling out some keys. He shuffles through them a bit before holding up the proper one. "Workshop key, right there. I've got a few extra pots down under the stairs outside, for the plant. Think I'll stay here, though. Gonna rest someplace with clean air for a while."

Valery looks at Reese and the others, before looking at the keys. She nods. "And the plant is still outside? Purple orchid, right?"

Teela gives a nod and she says, "I'll go." she puts her hand on her short blade on her belt and gives it a brush for a moment and she says, "I am curious about this wolf."

Gene gives a curt nod to Valery, which he instantly regrets as the motion causes his head to pound. He doesn't look up for more chatting, laying down and closing his eyes.

Percephon nods, quietly, and will move along with the others to inspect the shop.

The smell from the Tanner is exactly as advertised - horrible. There is a reason it is out here where the sea air is strongest, to help mask it and keep it away from the nicer parts of the lowers. The taxidermist's shop is notably nice for the area. Well kept, clean, no windows on the lower floor. The bench out in front overlooking the waters has the broken pot near it, with the poor purple flower half-smooshed sideways. It might survive, but it won't be as pretty as it once was. There is a flash of motion from the stairwell as you get close to the structure. What was that? He said he didn't keep pets.

(Perception+Survival rolls, DC 40. Lower rolls may be partial successes)

Reese checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 8 higher.

Percephon checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 20 lower.

Teela checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 2 higher.

Sophie checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 28 lower.

Valery checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 20 lower.

Reese makes her way toward the tanner while trying to take point. She likes to be all protective like that. "Nobody touch this wolf, it would be tainted." She says. Reese then blinks. "Wait..was that a stoat? Hmm, I wonder if we should also follow it, if we can?"

Teela's eyes narrow as her scouting instincts kick in and she shifts lowering down into a crouch and moving, narrowing her profile, "There is something here." she holds up a hand to pause the others from coming closer as she begins to move towards where the flash of motion was. Her keen eyes narrowing to see if she can catch another view of the thing that was moving. She nods to Reese, "I think so but could have been a rat."

Teela checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 30, rolling 4 higher.

Valery wrinkles her nose at the smell, covering her mouth with her hand. She, however, is going to need it to gather the floor, unfortunately. She freezes, when the others talk about the rat-stout looking in that direction.

Teela checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 5 lower.

Percephon does not appear concerned. "I /thought/ I saw something. Perhaps it was a red woolen sock, or, you know. Something," with a hand held up toward his face, hiding his expression of extreme disttaste from the wafting scent of the tannery.

Teela creeps up, looking for the critter that was lurking at the stairs for whatever reason. It isn't until she starts to look away that there is a flash of motion, something disappearing down the alley way and around a corner. Whatever it was, it decided to haul tail before Teela could get another good look at it - or close enough to have a chance of catching it.

She does find the replacement pots, though. Right where Gene said they would be.

Wait, what? A STOAT? For a moment, Sophie's eyes widen. Not with fear but with a certain ardent fan-girling hopefulness tinged with a hint of dread. "Sir Matthew?" she politely inquires of the hidden maybe-stoat in question. Shit must be bad if the Knightly Order of Petrichor's Fluffybottoms are involved.

Valery stands up, with the flower on her hands. She follows Teela with her eyes, looking worried, and murmurs, to Percephon. "Socks don't move..."

Teela looks back as she says, "Well I found the pots for you, Valery." she smiles and then glances to where the creature retreated, "I can not say what it was. It ran before I got a good look." the scout does not seem put off by the smell but she does wrinkle her nose a little. Then she looks at Sophie for a moment, "Sir Matthew?" and then the Percephon, "Not a sock, lovely." she gives him a grin and then she looks at Sophie, "We should move inside to investigate."

Reese looks over to Sophie, sucking in a soft breath of concern. "Okay." She says, bracing herself for trouble. She then turns to Teela, giving her a nod as well. "Yupe, lets look." She says and reaches out for the door.

The door doesn't budge when tested, but luckily you all have the key. Once it is unlocked it opens easily - but the smell inside is easily worse than the air outside. The rotting maggot infested corpse lying on the large work table in the center of the room immediately makes the source of the smell apparent. If the abyssal wolves seemed bad when they were fresh, this rotten corpse is the stuff of nightmares. The only mercy is that it is - unlike the things burrowing through it - quite dead.

"Generally speaking, no, socks do not move." Percephon addresses Valery, very straight-faced. "But, perhaps they /do/ now. It's certainly not out of the realm of possibility." Although, mentally taking a step back. "Fine. Not a sock. It might be a rat. Or it might be a stoat. If it's a sock --" the Scholar-Lord nods, rolling his shoulders back with a sniff, smiling crookedly for just a moment. Letting the others take point, wisely.

Reese checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

With the way people are now looking at her, Sophie suddenly has a better idea of how poor Leola must feel when she must explain certain things that surely sound insane. She's offered some reprieve as she dons her work mask (dissect and study enough questionable material, one has gear), and furthermore when the stench serves as greater distraction. "I have some spare," is offered, a bit late, the bands of cloth and leather infused with the Mercies' special blend of herbs and oils.

"Smells like an Abandoned charnal pit." Teela remarks as she steps in behind the first person in and takes a look around, "Given the conditions of the interior I find it hard to believe the man is not with sickness too." she gets a rag from her pouches and begins to tie it around her face. Then she offers another to Valery, "Cover your mouth and nose." she tells her small friend.

Reese checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 13 lower.

Teela checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

Sophie checked perception + tanning at difficulty 25, rolling 9 lower.

Valery checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 16 higher.

Reese sucks in a sharp breath as she opens the door and she struggles really hard not to get sick. The Princess is looking rather pale, but she manages to keep it together. "Oh, this is not good." She says, moving to cover her mouth and nose with the collar of her pink gryphon shirt. "Um, I think we should burn it. Maybe while outside of the main part of compact?"

Valery steps back. She's about to reach for the cloth, but her hands are full of flower and ground, so she can just raise her arm to try to cover them with it.

Percephon has rolled a critical success!
Percephon checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

"Bad -- good luck," Percephon mutters through splayed fingers before he belatedly accepts a mask from Sophie. He looks pale. Pale enough to swoon if he simply had to depend on holding his breath the entire time. "Burning it might be best. Blessed fire, if possible."

Teela takes a moment to tie it around Valery's face when she has her arms full and then she looks at Sophie and Reese, "Burning the shop might be best." although Teela seems serious her tone is laced with a sarcasm that indicates she knows they can not, "Getting it out of here is best. Let's look for a sack and we can see if we can go burn it." seemingly in agreement with the others.

Maybe it's the work mask that she's wearing, or maybe she simply has dealt with this kind of thing before (spoiler alert: it's both), but Sophie is unperturbed by the sight or smell of the rotting carcass. Well, about from the general healthy concern any sane person would have when handling anything Abyss tainted. "There are protocols for this. Please stay back."

What are these protocols? Well, it seems to start with fervent prayer in the form of a rite of cleansing. Whether or that holds any power, who can say? Sophie certainly seems to believe -- and in the bottle of holy water she procures and starts to pour over the corpse in the manner of someone who actually has experience with this kind of thing.

Teela steps back by Valery and then she refrains from rolling her eyes at the sudden prayer that comes out of Sophie, "Sure. Okay." she then makes sure to look around and keep an eye on things while Sophie does her thing, on alert and guard for any danger or surprise 'bad luck' incidents that may occur.

Percephon will quietly excuse himself to allow Sophie to undergo the ritual involved with the Abyssal wolf corpse, leaving entirely in order to add this experience to his notes for later review.

Reese lifts her gaze toward Sophie and she seems more than willing to let her take the lead on this. "Okay, Princess Sophie." She says, taking a step backwards.

Valery kinda hides behind Teela again, as she tries to put the flower in the pot. She'll need more dirt, but for now it's better than on the street!

Teela waits while Sophie does her thing with the corpse. She stays keenly alert and aware of the goings on while she looks around the interior of the shop to make sure that the Mercy is not interrupted.

For any paying attention, the holy water seems to be working, with a sizzle and a hiss, causing some of the carcass to smoke and dissolve. "I would feel much better disposing of this on sanctified ground, with holy fire." Sophie looks to Reese, "Help me bundle this up and bring it back to the House of Solace, please, for proper disposal? It should be safe enough to move. I worry about the maggots, though. Some might be unaccounted for." Those present? They can DIE DIE DIE. Ahem.