BlackBerry glared down at the corpse. The corpse…didn’t move. It remained resolutely still even when BlackBerry quickly withdrew his finger from its socket. Unceremoniously, he wiped his hand across the dirty, dusty floor trying to get the worst of the skin and sinew stuck to his finger. His nose curled at the stench that had arisen from the corpses now much-emptier-eye socket.

“Yes, yes I am fine thank you Lady Kathryn. It is just all this dust and filth wreaking havoc is all.” He sniffed and felt a familiar warning tingle at the back of his nose. “But yes if there is nothing else here perhaps I may head outside for some fresh air, and to get a better look at whatever change has become of me and investigate those grapes as well.”

But even saying this BlackBerry didn’t move from his spot where his eyes kept jumping between the two corpses. A warning sense of dread had made itself comfortable in his stomach. Similar to their situation in the Township they were left with more questions than answers and likely not anyone around with the answers they needed.

“Bashed his head in?” He repeated Kosaras findings of the other corpse. “Possibly we have stumbled into an old crime scene? But if so it would seem a lot of effort to lock and bury this place if it were after the fact.”

BlackBerry took a breathe and stood back up with a stretch.“Well, I feel that blocking this place up again might be a wise idea actually, Kosara. We would not wish for anyone else to stumble in here in case whatever has affected us may return and affect someone else. There is no telling what harm could befall someone. On that note, I am sorry to say Victoria but perhaps our changes may not just be physical but magical as well?”

He grimaced as he spoke the thought. It was a worrying idea that they had all been so changed so easily.

“I must admit, I am likely mistaken about this corpse.” He gestured down to it, it grinned up at him still having not moved. “They are likely nothing more than simple corpses and I am simply jumping at shadows.”

Something was off about this place, and it wasn't just the fact that a piece of magic she was looking forward to using decided to fail on her. Victoria was certain she had done it correctly. So there had to be a caveat somewhere; a condition that existed or that wasn't fulfilled which muddled the spell somehow. Mentally, she prodded about for what that missing piece might be. There was usually a bit of wiggle room with things like this - exact wording to keep the practitioner of Arcana within certain lines of safety - so that a toe may step over a line or small liberties taken with minimal risk. But there were always hard and fast metrics that, when not adhered to, caused a spell to "fizzle". Victoria was certain that this happened here.

The subject of Speak With Dead must not have been affected by it for ten days prior. Considering that the place was walled off, this was probably not the case. The corpse must have some semblance of a mouth, from which it may speak. This condition was filled. The corpse cannot be...

A sudden flash of quiet inquiry flashed over Victoria's face, even as the markings of her preferred school of magic left her face. Sparkling, crystal blue eyes regarded the attempted subject of her spell with renewed interest, but she kept herself quiet. Guarded, even. The general consensus of people's faces brought her to the conclusion that there were notes of suspicion from the others, too. A quick mental command brought her Morty to interpose itself between her and the corpse, and she spoke with a projected, optimistic voice. "No, Master Baronfjord, I do not suspect that the surge altered my magic." She then looked to Kathryn, saying, "Perhaps we should get what we need and leave this place for now. The remains can be properly interred when we know more of them. Now if you all will please excuse me, I shall be right back, after getting a push cart from the workshed nearby."

Victoria met eyes with each of her companions present and then looked warily at the corpse she could not magically converse with just earlier. Her Morty maintained its interposing stance as she exited the distillery, careful not to stumble on her way back up to fresher air. Once out, Victoria did do as she said she would, but first gave her Raven Familiar a hard stare, imprinting a course of action that it may take involving staying put and lending its senses if necessary. Satisfied, the Bard twirled her cloak about her shoulders against the bracing winter wind, and set off for the nearby shed. She was returning with a cart for a barrel or two of that lovely distilled spirit, and she hoped that her silent insistence for caution was received.

Kathryn listened intently as the group went about their investigation. Again, Kat found herself rather lacking here. Sure she wasn't useless, but compared to her party, she didn't really have the skill set for this sort of thing. She was more of a "Hey how's it going" sort of girl. Then flatten into paste sort of girl when that failed. The latter being a much more proficient skill of hers. "I'll admit, this whole thing is rather weird. Between the likely murder scene, and the weird built up magic, and then Victoria's magic not seeming to work on these two?" And... the eye socket BB so politely tested. That Kat would rather forget about now. It's not that she had a weak stomach. But ew.

Kat did take a moment to pause, and listen to how alcohol could be poisoned from time to time in her homeland, and how effective it seemed to be at well.. poisoning people. "I suppose I didn't consider that Kosara..." Kathryn said. They were surprisingly logical points. And they hit harder coming from Kosara who didn't seem to have that sort of logical train of thought. The tiefling woman likely knew a lot more than Kathryn gave her credit for. The tall woman made note of this, and would take what the smaller woman would say with far more consideration. "Well, it tastes pretty fine. Plus, if it was poisoned, chances are V or I would notice something by now. But I do see your point." That would however, not stop her from finishing the cup she had poured for herself. Apart of her still wanted to relax, enjoy the winter in comfortable accommodations. Yet, she was fearing that these complications were going to be a bigger problem than she first thought.

As everyone settled about to finish up their tasks, a question still lingered on Kathryn's mind. What had caused the burst of magic that took place? Seeing as how the dead dudes had failed to rise at Blackberry's prompting, Kat had her doubts there. Even if Victoria's magic had seem to fail on them. Sliding her hammer away, she figured a fight wasn't about to break out. But the weapon of blunt force trauma did remind her of an ability she saw Victoria use once when identifying her new weapon. "Hey V, got a second? And maybe some magic to spare?" Kat asked putting her combat kit away across her back and belt, and maneuvering around the barrels and furniture as to not have to shout across the room. Once next to her slightly less short friend she spoke up with a tone of inquiry on the lip. "Remember when you cast detect magic on my hammer here? Could you do that again? But on the corpses here? Or maybe on the alcohol?" That both Kat and Victoria had consumed... Which looking back, maybe wasn't the best idea. But it was free, and they were so far not dead! Or cursed.

Unfortunately, Victoria had other plans and points to make. "Okay, when we learn more, we'll come back, and learn what we can from these two." And the alcohol both she and V have been sharing. That she may have also filled her water skin with as well. The barrel was already open, she didn't see the harm in filling up the pouch with some liquor for the road. "I think you two are right. We should try and seal this place up when we leave. We don't want some poor innocent walking in and suffering from whatever is going on in here." Or to let something out that could also cause harm. Victoria was also thinking ahead on moving about some of the barrels using a nearby cart! Perfect. "We could load up one or two in the cart, and I could carry one back as well. Do you think it would be better to take the one we already opened? Or leave that here?" Kat asked the bard. She was far the expert in terms of fancier alcohol. Kat was just a consumer and casual enjoyer. "No matter what we do, we should take steps to be cautious. Something weird is happening here. Be in dead people who won't talk, or very convenient brandy. We should be careful." While V went to grab the cart, Kat herself would begin rolling up barrels out of the entry way to be loaded up and carried off.

As the others apparently had decided that their investigation into the… destillery was over for the time being, Kosara was still looking with studying gaze at both the dead figures. The one that the dragonborn ahd poked with his claws and the one she had looted… ahm… searched for clues. She was actually NOT planning on taking the coins really. First of all it was silver, wasn’t shiny enough. Second it wasn’t right, especially if these people were known to others in the community around these parts. These silvers probably belonged to somebody, maybe relatives or family and it would be right to return it to them… IF they weren’t magical in some way that is.

“Yeah I agree, we should block this place up before leaving.” Kosara agreed with Berry when he brought it up. V had decided to go grab a cart. Kathryn herself was apparently focused on getting the booze as an important thing to do. Everybody with their own priorities she supposed.” What should we block the entrance with though? I mean we can pile the rocks back up, but it will take a while. Maybe we can fit another door on it? Or move some barrels to block it?” Kosara offered some suggestions, before her eyes once more focused on the bodies.

“Hmmm...” her eyes narrowed at the one that Berry poked. There was something weird going on here. V failed with her necromancy spell about talking with the dead. Why did that happen was the question. Suddenly she gestured with her left hand and spoke a brief incantation.” Sacred Flame.” The golden radiant energy descended onto the body further away from her and covered it almost like a veil… before the body burst into flames. As far as she was aware this spell was for ‘creature’ targets. Which usually included undead too. She was fairly certain it didn’t attack random non creature things.” Okey… something’s off with that body. PRetty sure if it was simply a dead person the spell shouldn't harm the body.” She stated flatly as she pulled away from the one she was next to and then repeated.” SACRED FLAME!” A second veil of golden light descended onto the second body in the premise and moments later it too began to burn in a controlled show of flames, turning it partially to ash.

“Alright… something really off is going on here! We are BLOCK THIS PLACE BEFORE LEAVING!” Kosara stated flatly as she made sure the things she had found on the body earlier were securely stored away and to the side of the room.” Do you guys think we can pull the door from the shed and use it to fit in place here? We can then use a barrel or something to block it so it cannot be opened.”

Locating a pushcart large enough to be capable of moving a barrel or two wasn't difficult, seeing as this was crop bearing farmland, even if that crop was just grapes. The idea did cross Victoria's mind that any cart she could move by herself over not-quite-even terrain might not be the absolute best thing to transport full barrels of ...extremely fine brandy... along footpaths which wound between the hills of the Rose River Vineyard. The very thought that one of those barrels might careen off of the cart and into some hard and/or sharp surface, or merely crack under its own weight combined with falling from a moderate height, either method of damage resulting in all of that lovely brandy soaking into the cold, winter ground. But this was the best option available to them at the moment, so there she was.

Victoria's return to the entrance of the hidden distillery gave her a touch of pause. Something had occurred here in her absence, and she bet that the wisps of char on the wind might have something to do with that. This wasn't fully against what she might have suggested, were she to vocalize her suspicions as others had vocalized theirs, as her own attacking magic wasn't the best suited to immediately eradicate an opponent. Yet. But first, she addressed the rather loud topic at hand, putting her opinion in the open. "Of course, I agree. I also think that Cecily L'Rose, or even we, may wish to get back in there." She regarded the gaping hole in the side of the hill, and the barrels Kathryn was rolling out of it. "If for no other reason than the realms shouldn't be deprived of that ...very excellent brandy..." She trailed off for a moment but snapped back readily, "Though a fresh set of eyes on the situation, or the passing of a day for reflection, might reveal more."

Then it occurred to Victoria that there was a conversation ongoing concerning her use of magic in the recent past, this from their resident "Half-Giant" which probably needed addressing before it led to a further misunderstanding. "Oh, I don't have that kind of detection magic. There might be something in one of the Ritual books I acquired recently, but I haven't been able to translate the Pact Magic version into something I can use yet." She shook her head to reorient her conversational direction, as she was beginning to get off of her point. "In any case, I didn't use a Detection incantation on the Constable's hammer. It was an Identification spell, cast in Ritual form. I already knew the hammer was magic from its use in the fight on Harvestide; detection was unnecessary. Do you wish to learn about Arcana? Perhaps there's something further to unlock in the mind of the magically curious."

Weather: Additional snow is threatened by the approach of clouds, just a touch thicker than overcast - as if they were plotting their own precipitous shenanigans upon the hills and valleys of the Vineyard. This approach is heralded not only by the lessening translucence of the clouds, but also the steady winds which swept the area, unburdened by heavy tree coverage or any appreciable wind blocks. It's not snowing just yet, however.

Time: Elevensies and a half, let's say.

Ambience: Radiant flames have half-turned corpses to ash, which is interesting in an of itself, but lent a different, burnt-corpse sort of smell to the air which replaced the more mouldering scents of just a few minutes prior. The heavy sweetness of old spirits production remains, though now muddled with holy cadaver scorch. But that's down inside of the distillery. Outside, it's significantly better of air quality even if it is significantly colder.

Full barrels and two distillery tanks take up most of the room within the hidden distillery, in surprisingly good condition despite their apparent neglect for a very long time. The stable, underground temperatures probably had a lot to do with this. The open door might begin to compromise the contents therein over time, but you're probably good for just now.

The dead people are half bones and half ash. Whatever else might have been on their person of a more flammable nature is now part of that ash.

A notation: The effects of the Wild Magic remain, now about a half hour past their onset.



For those focusing on the full barrels, they are extraordinarily heavy and will require either ropes and animal assistance, a group effort, or someone particularly large and strong to manage them out of the hidden distillery. That is to say, Kathryn can roll them up the slanting tunnel with a far better chance of success than any single one of the others present. Still, a slip here could cause substantial damage to one below or behind a loose barrel.

Moving the barrels now has the options of rolling individual ones along footpaths and hope nothing bad happens, rolling a couple into the cart that Victoria provided and hope nothing bad happens, and returning to the Coach House to get the army wagon and mule to haul a greater amount away at one time.

Elsewhere within the bounds of the southern fields, previously viewed anomalies remain for others to view. Barren (even for the winter season) vines entwine frames and stakes in orderly, slightly curved rows. It was a gradual change for those walking toward the affected area, but after a while those with any knowledge of agricultural processes would recognize the signs of a place marked for clearing and replanting. The few leaves remaining on these vines were brittle and dry; tendrils which were once vital and held the vines snugly to the planting frames were woody and snapped with ease. these plants appeared biologically incapable of supporting flower nor fruit. Nevertheless, two spindly bunches of smallish, near-to-black grapes hung from a vine, sporting tough, withered skins. They bobbed lightly as the cold, winter breeze pushed them about, an eerie sight of withered fruit growing on deceased vines.