Chapter 3: Sleep

Chapter 3: Sleep

Ohglis
The Haunting



Set next to a lake, the village of Ohglis is home to the humans. This village was built on ancestral grounds, which is of great importance to the people of Ohglis and its success. The village itself looks plain. With its blackened rooftops, stone veneer walls and creaking wood, Ohglis has a somber atmosphere. Ohglis has a thriving economy, which is mainly supported by wood production, thieving and fishing. But their biggest strengths are elaborate beer brewing techniques.

Times are hard, specially with recent events. A strange creature has been attacking the village during night time for several weeks now. The Crypt is already nearing it's full. Each night an average of 2 to 6 people died. Usually families who are asleep in their own bed. The creature spared no one, not even the children. Inn Keeper went over to Eligor and asked him, "Are you looking for a room or a some booze?"

Ohglis
The Haunting

Pausing for a moment, Eligor looked at the Inn Keeper briefly before saying, "A room." After all that had happened lately, he wanted some rest. After parting ways with the kid, he had had much smoother trip. Perhaps that was the key here? That child attracts trouble like a Chocobo attracts predators.

Now, being unaware of the population's numbers, Eligor had no way to know that there were less than usual. That didn't mean he missed the wary looks sent his way, but beyond slightly narrowed eyes, made no other notes about his current environs.

Chapter 3: Sleep

Ohglis
The Haunting

The Inn Keeper didn't have any trouble selecting a room for Eligor since there were plenty of rooms available at the Inn. "That'll be 120 Gil." The Inn Keeper said. Immediately after planting the keys on the table, a constant chime could suddenly be heard from outside. The sound came from a bell-like charm belonging to the village priest, who was performing a funeral ritual prior to burning the corpse of yet another dead family.

The family was found dead this morning; a man and his wife, and two daughters aged 10 and 6. The bodies were pale, almost paper-like in color, it's as if their blood has been drained. There were also bite marks found on their bodies. The bodies were laid on top of a pyre, it was not customary in Ohglis to burn the dead, but under these circumstances the elders are worried that they might have an very troubling problem plaguing their village.

Ohglis
The Haunting

Paying the required Gil, Eligor then heard a chime that he knew to be for funerals. The fact that no one was celebrating only cemented this as while the taverns were filled, it wasn't for celebration. 

It was strange that such a thing was occurring now, but it wasn't any of his business who died. He looked outside briefly for curiosity's sake, but after seeing the burning bodies knew that something foul was afoot. After all, the cemetery he passed walking in said that they typically buried their dead. So that left either disease or dark magic as a viable cause. Hmm, it seemed he would have to shorten his stay here in order to not get caught up in their troubles. 

Returning inside, he went up to his room and locked the door after entering. It seemed he only had one night to recover and he wanted to make the most of it.

Chapter 3: Sleep

Ohglis
The Haunting

120 gil has been subtracted from Eligor

The Inn Keeper took Eligor's coin and left the keys on the table. Eligor went inside the room after catching a small glimpse of the events on going outside. The status in Ohglis was gradually degenerating. The villagers were being picked off, night after night by some evil creature. The hunters and able bodied men have already began searching the surrounding area for the creature's hideout but their efforts had bared no result. If the situation isn't dealt with, the villagers will be forced to leave their homes and although Eligor shares no relationship with these people, he might be the only one who can save them.

Ohglis
The Haunting

Placing his tome on the nightstand, the old Alfeir removed his cloak and placed it over a rickety chair in the corner that he pulled to the side of the bed. Then he took off his mask, his black hair falling over his face as it became free, sharp features becoming present in the candlelight. Laying the mask on his book, he stretched himself out over the mattress,he folded his hands behind his head and fell asleep.

*Dream Sequence* 

500 years ago:


It had been a long time since Eligor had heard anything from his family after his self-imposed exile. While it wasn't over something as mundane as murder it had caused trouble with a family that his own used to be close with. So when he got a letter from his little brother telling him that a cousin was getting married to a human he had been surprised at the courtesy. He wasn't invited, of course, but being made aware of the event at all was not something he had expected.


Still, it was something to do and while a war was kicking off he wasn't too concerned, so he went to spy on the wedding, not that it evoked any familial feelings, but it wasn't every day a family member got married. So he stayed through the ceremony and left a gift at the reception, and watched with amusement as they looked around frantically trying to figure out where the gift-giver was.


It wasn't a happy memory per se, but that didn't mean it wasn't a fond one.

*Dream End*

Chapter 3: Sleep

Ohglis
The Haunting

Time hasn't passed by much it had only been a 3 hours since Eligor arrived in Ohglis. Eligor was sound asleep when suddenly a knock was heard on his door. From the way it sounded, it didn't seem urgent, more like a customary knock from one of the attendants. The knock continued until Eligor woke up and answered whoever it was knocking on the door.

Meanwhile, the funeral ceremony was nearing it's end. People were already leaving, not because the ceremony as almost over, but because the sun was setting and they all feared what came with it.

Ohglis
The Haunting

Waking with a snap at the sound of knocking at the door, he draped his cloak over himself but didn't don his mask, holding it in the crook of his arm as he got off the bed with an aggrieved sigh. Apparently it just wouldn't do for him to get a full night's rest. Shaking his head to clear it of sleep, he walked over to the door and hesitated for a moment, considering the pro's and con's of answering at the late hour when there was no real reason for anyone to come to him at such an hour. Especially when one considered that he didn't actually know anyone in Ohglis.

"Who is it?"  he asked to the knocker. He wasn't opening that door until he had a clear idea who was on the other side.

Chapter 3: Sleep

Ohglis
The Haunting

The knocking stopped as soon as Eligor asked who it was. There was no response, Eligor's question was answered with dead silence. From outside the window, it could be seen that the sun is almost out. No one was out on the streets, all the doors and windows were locked. One of the windows inside the rooms bathroom suddenly was blown open by the wind. The air was uncharacteristically cold, chilling almost like they were across the Frozen bay.

Ohglis
The Haunting

The moment the knocking stopped, the Alfeir knew he had made the right choice. After all, why else would they stop if they didn't have some nefarious goal that was being circumvented by his not playing along? Then again, it was entirely possible that it was all a trick to distract him. The unexpected sound of a blowing wind met Eligor's ears and he turned quizzically towards the bathroom from which the noise originated. The cold it brought with it was unnatural for this region at this time of year, and he couldn't help the frown that made its way onto his face. 

He once again covered his face with his mask. Something foul was in the air, and while he wasn't quite sure what it was, he knew nothing good could come of it.

Chapter 3: Sleep

Ohglis
The Haunting

Something was definitely stalking Eligor. A dark creature born from the night. It had red glowing eyes that saw in the dark perfectly. The creature thirsts for blood and Eligor seemed to have plenty of it. Whatever it was, it was very good at masking it's appearance. It inched itself closer and closer towards the Alfeir. But just as it was about another inch away from Eligor, someone suddenly knocked on Eligor's door. The knocking was more prominent and this time there was a voice saying, "Excuse me sir! Please open up!"

Could this be another ploy devised by the dark creature or perhaps someone was truly knocking at Eligor's door. There was only one way to find out.

Chapter 3: Sleep

Ohglis
The Haunting

The tone of Eligor's voice was transparent, he was clearly not in a good mood. But there was need of him and his services. "This is the village guard. The mayor wishes to speak with you." The person behind the door replied with his rather crusty voice. The dark presence in the room was still lingering, perhaps waiting for Eligor to go to sleep. Through the window, the sun was almost completely gone. Thick dark clouds loomed over the village of Ohglis. It was like a dark spell had been cast on the land.

Ohglis
The Haunting

Looking at the man in front of him, he knew that whatever the mayor wanted to talk about would be troublesome. But, as he didn't want to get on the bad side of the leader of the village he was trying to rest in, he felt it prudent to follow the guard. "Very well," Eligor said neutrally, any hint of his previous mood now gone or hidden. "Lead on." 

He would have liked to try getting back to sleep, but whatever that presence was, it was making him nervous, and he HATED that feeling.

Chapter 3: Sleep

Ohglis
The Haunting

The guard led Eligor out of the Inn and through the empty streets of Ohglis. If it weren't for the numerous torches and the light from within the houses, you would think that Ohglis is a ghost town. No one made a sound inside their homes, no laughter nor any chatter. The presence of fear was evident.

The mayor lived in a small mansion. The guards showed Eligor in and accompanied him to the main hall while they wait for the Mayor's message. There he joined a number of other warriors, travelers, magicians, and more. The Mayor had collected them for a purpose.

Ohglis
The Haunting

The group awaiting the mayor's message was quite large, especially when considering that he passed no one on the way to the man's mansion. Eligor wasn't entirely sure what it was about, but he had a feeling that it had to do with his suspicions regarding the funeral. 

Obviously he knew none of those that were gathered here, although he didn't rule out that they might know of him. He just knew that any chance he had of getting a full night's rest was shot to hell.

Chapter 3: Sleep

Ohglis
The Haunting

Not everyone who was called could be considered honorable. Some of the men were common thieves, murderers, and rapers. There were some who were eyeing Eligor and his fancy garments. After about 6 minutes of waiting, the mayor finally came out of from his office and addressed everyone at the main hall.


"For those of you who don't know me I am Baron Bersola, the mayor of this God forsaken village. I have no intention of keeping you all here for long so let me get right down to the point. There's a monster that has been plaguing our quiet town night after night. It murders people in their sleep, not even the children are safe from it. I will give 50,000 Gil to whoever brings me the head of this creature!" Said the mayor. Upon hearing the reward money, the crowed cheered. The prize money was more than enough to make most of them do anything.

"The monster will undoubtedly attack again tonight. I urge you all to be vigilant! I will not keep you here any longer, good luck and happy hunting!" After the mayor's announcement those who were gathered started making their way out the mansion, driven by desire and greed.

Ohglis
The Haunting

Eligor watched with hooded eyes as the others departed. He left the building shortly after the crowd departed, as to not be trampled. Money wasn't a big concern for him, but it never hurt to have it. Shaking his head, he wandered out onto the streets of Ohglis with thoughts of strange creatures plaguing his mind. It seemed his suspicions had been correct. 

Wandering the streets, Eligor kept an eye out for any shadows within shadows, a darkness hiding within another. The trouble with looking for this kind of thing is that when you start looking, there is a high chance of seeing things that aren't there. The torchlight was both a boon and a curse in that it provided shadows but it allowed for creatures who thrive in them more places to hide as there isn't a sure way of knowing how large the shadows cast should be.

He only hoped that the creature wasn't too troublesome.

Chapter 3: Sleep

Ohglis
The Haunting

There was a lone rider coming from the south. A messenger from the village of Riverun rode to Ohglis to report the attack that happened just a few hours ago, that left their village in ruins. It seems that everywhere Agnes went, she would leave a path of destruction. The messenger rode straight passed Eligor and the sell swords and headed straight into the Mayor's Mansion to deliver his message.

Hours of searching and still no sign of the creature the mayor mentioned. There were also no reports of any attack in the village. It seems that the large quantity of people patrolling the village in groups scared the monster away. Or perhaps it was just waiting for a more opportune time to strike. The night was young and darker things were still yet to come.

Suddenly there was some disturbance in one of the residential houses in the north east corner of the village. The area had little to no light. The torches have been doused out and the guards patrolling the area were found dead on the floor with their heads decapitated from their bodies. Further inspection reveals that yet another family has been murdered. A father and his two sons, had their guts cut out from their bellies and their heads were also separated from their necks. Could this be the monster everyone feared? Or something else.