"Well someone's eager," you say. You start to grin, then remember that this city is a nightmarish shithole besieged by unknowable creatures who are to sanity what England is to national independence. Plus, you are kinda in the process of demolishing her life's work. The mortal coil probably doesn't hold too much appeal for her at the moment.
"But nah," you continue. "Still got some questions . Actually, this might take a while; you want a drink? Snack?" You look around at your companions. "Anyone?"
"I'll take some water," says Djura.
"Had some before you got here, but thanks," says Steffon.
"No thank you," says Iosefka.
"I think I need to step outside and clear my head," says Eileen. "Come get me when you're finished."
"Some water would be nice, actually," says Rosemary.
You nod and make your way over to the Powder Kegs' stockpile, grabbing three tins of water and a potato. Getting carved up by an egotistical high school science project makes a man mighty hungry.
Once you've passed out the beverages and taken a few bites from your tuber of choice, you put on your inquisting face again, although the effect is somewhat spoiled by Djura's slurping.
"Right then, back ta business. Ever heard of a chap by the name o' Gehrman?"
Rosemary finishes a long pull from her chin, puts it down, and scrunches her face in concentration.
"I haven't heard the name, I'm afraid."
"Wheelchair? Cool hat? Slightly creepy? Ringin' any bells?"
She shakes her head. and you frown. Down the checklist you go.
"Alright, then. Tell me more about Willem and Laurence; I've heard o' the latter, but only in his capacity for makin' kickass swords." You pull out the blade for emphasis and spend a few moments trying to get the angle just right to illuminate the etchings.
"Master Willem," she replies, "was...is....the greatest mind Byrgenwerth had ever seen. He, along with his student Laurence, plumbed the secrets of the old blood. They clashed over its use and Laurence left him to found the Healing Church, becoming both its first leader and its greatest craftsman. Soon after its creation, Laurence lost contact with Willem due to a horde of parasitic snakes making Byrgenwerth impossible to reach."
"Parasitic snakes?"
"They infest the body and destroy the brain. I'm told they explode out of the host's neck when threatened. It's quite gruesome."
"I'll take yer word for it."
"The snakes aren't the only issue; the Choir managed to slip two agents into Byrgenwerth, but only one made it back. She said she attempted to make contact with Master Willem, but encountered a spider-like creature that forced her to retreat."
You narrowly stop yourself from making a "web of intrigue" pun.
"I'll take some good boots and RAID when I visit, then. While we're on the subject o' Byrgenwerth, who can I complain to about all these bloody levers everyplace?"
She gets a pained look on her face. "On this, at least, we are of one mind, Father Anderson. The Church has tried to replace the levers, but we have no idea how they work. By all accounts, they don't make sense. If it makes you feel any better, the Church struck the architect's name from their history."
That does, in fact, make you feel better.
"Alright, last question until I think of a better one: would ye happen ta know the names o' the other Mediocre Ones? Ye call 'em Great Ones, but the one outside threw a bitch fit when I kicked its arse." With a frankly unnecessary flourish, you produce the club, which is holding together quite well considering the ugly gouge Arseface left in it. "I'm itchin' ta get me some more toys."
Her mind seems to take a moment to process the idea of someone fashioning an eldritch pseudo-deity into a bludgeoning implement, but manages to return her jaw and eyebrows to their neutral positions in record time.
"The one you killed was one of the Amygdala; there are more hidden throughout the city. You know of Ebrietas. There is also Formless Oedon, for whom this chapel was named. Unfortunately for you, Oedon does not possess an 'arse' to kick. Hence the name."
Well, that's disappointing, but it's also a unique opportunity. You've never kicked a hypothetical arse before.
"And what's his deal?"
"I do not know. If the Choir does, it is not a secret they saw fit to pass on." She takes another long drink and again shifts her position; the floor designs are lovely but certainly not meant for comfortable seating.
"That is all I know of the Great Ones," she says. "If you don't mind my asking a question, what do you intend to do, Father Anderson? Do you think you can kill them all? If you do, what then? What am I helping you accomplish?"
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