Killer on the Rooftops

Killer on the Rooftops
Date	6/20/2025
Storyteller	Jolyne
Tier	Trainee
Player Characters	Quill, Sabelle Regalia, Arumi, Ariyu, Life Giver
Rewards	250exp, 22g7s, Little Love, Jack's Tattered Cape
Result	Success
Author	Arumi (Aru)
Downtime	8

Associates investigate reports of a hooved prankster haunting a small town.

(The following report is written cleanly and with crisp penmanship)

07:18:36 – Day 1

My sister and I have departed from Onadbyr.

We plan to travel the roads by hoof to Runswick; it will be a few days of travel, but my older sister is always eager to care for me, so these will be some of the easiest days traveling I’ve had in quite some time. The other associates will no doubt be making their own way there, so we’ll meet them in the town.

12:05:58 – Day 1

We’ve encountered a cart coming from the direction of Onadbyr on the roads.

As luck would have it, our fellow associates are all traveling together and simply happened upon us on the roads. I admit to a little disappointment to so soon be robbed of peaceful time with my sister, but there’s safety in numbers.

The following is a description of the associates present at time of writing.

• Ariyu – my ever-dependable twin sister. She’s fast, powerful, and can land a shot from several hundred paces with her bow.
• Arumi – Civic wizard and scribe. I’m here to keep an accurate record of the expedition.
• Sabelle Regalia – Onadbyr’s sole cleric of the Living God and a human of above average stature. He seems somber on this outing – a strange departure from his usual upbeat attitude.
• Quill – a large, muscular tiger-patterned catfolk champion with a long and dexterous tail. He carries a variety of weapons and wears heavy armor.
• Life Giver – a diminutive leshy investigator with a keen eye. They seem to be a kindred spirit prone to keeping detailed notes.

We still have several days of travel before we reach Runswick, but the journey will at least be comfortable in a cart.

07:28:45 – Day 4

My sister has spotted some manner of creature in the woods.

During my morning preparations, she warned me to stow my notes and keep my eyes open. She seems to think it was a roughly humanoid creature, but couldn’t get a clear look at it. The others weren’t able to see anything either, but I trust my sister’s eyes.

09:59:38 – Day 4

We have arrived in the town of Runswick.

All of us suffer from some minor aches from traveling for so long; when we started to head into the town, we each realized we had great difficulty walking, and so we took some time to gradually warm up.

Life Giver has volunteered to take the lead. There appears to be a guard house not too far from the entrance into the town, so that will be our first stop.

10:05:57 – Day 4

We have met with the captain of the night watch, Zulfir – a pale elf of impressive height and with a thin build. The following is a summary of his briefing.

The people of the town have been beset by some manner of person or creature that is attempting to frighten individuals at night. There is no consistent description for the entity in question; some suspect it is some manner of devil, while others have said it appears as a ‘well-dressed gentleman’. Zulfir has been clear that currently it is suspected there is only one creature. Five days ago in particular, a series of incidents occurred in town around the same time – roughly 20:00:00, and we have been referred to three affected parties for potential information.

• An employee at the local mill.
• A farmer who accidentally killed a local carpenter in a panic, currently staying in the town’s temple.
• A carriage driver who was involved in a terrible crash, currently residing at the inn.

Both I and the other associates have expressed some apprehension at this – if the responsible party is only scaring people, that’s not necessarily a crime. However, Zulfir then informed us that at least one person has been directly scared to death.

We’ve decided to speak to the carriage driver in the inn first.

(Attached is a small parchment detailing a conversation between the associates and Captain Zulfir)

“I shall dub this case, ‘Shapeshifter or Sadist – the Killer of Runswick’.” – Life Giver

“That’s a good name for the case.” – Captain Zulfir

“Coming up with a good name is half of the job.” – Life Giver

“Very impressive detective – where should we start, then?” – Arumi

“Oh, I’m not a detective.” – Life Giver

“An esquire, then.” – Sabelle

“Well – no, not an esquire, either.” Life Giver

[Sabelle focuses for a moment in silence, touching a hand to his mask before pressing it against Life Giver’s head]

“I hereby assign you the title of esquire.” – Sabelle

“I don’t know that that’s how it works.” – Life Giver

10:15:27 – Day 4

We have entered the Stockpot Inn in Runswick.

Just prior to entering, my sister spotted some suspicious hoofprints in the snow on a rooftop near the inn – she intends to investigate it further if she can find a ladder. Life Giver is convinced the hooves are around the size of my own, and that the creature seems bipedal. I hope whatever is causing these problems isn’t a hellspawn like myself; the last thing I need is more suspicious gazes directed the way of me and my family.

The ground floor of this establishment is a small dining area. Sabelle seems to have taken an interest in an orange-haired cat by the bar, and seems to be trying to communicate with it in between drinking milk from a bowl. The other associates have found a pine tree leshy matching the description given by the captain and Life Giver has taken the lead on questioning them. Present with the leshy are two others: a pale human in dark clothes, and a red-scaled nagaji with a serpent’s head. For my part, I intend to investigate the rooftop with my sister; she’s just received a ladder from the bartender.

10:21:57 – Day 4

I write this from atop the roof of a building adjacent to the inn.

My sister and I have finished our investigation, and found that the prints do indeed seem the same size as our own hooves, though we’re unable to identify what manner of person or creature left them. It seems as though the prints are spaced very far apart, as though the person leaving them was jumping from roof to roof. My sister has managed to ascertain that the tracks from here lead across a variety of rooftops before ultimately heading into the forest. For my part, I’ve managed to discover scorch marks near some of the tracks – whatever is leaving them seems to have the means to produce magical flame. We’ll be meeting back up with the rest of the associates to pool our information.

10:25:04 – Day 4

My sister and I have returned to the inn.

Life Giver and Quill detailed the conversation with the three from before. The leshy – Blissful Crown – was driving a carriage to Onadbyr for the other two at the table when a gaunt figure in white clothes appeared before them and breathed fire, scaring the horses; their frantic flight through the woods caused the carriage to fall over. The leshy managed to get out of danger, but the others were injured in the crash. As they got into the town, they saw something similar to a hellspawn sitting on the blacksmith’s roof before hopping down and fleeing. As a side note, Life Giver believes this leshy – Blissful Crown – may be related to a former associate from Onadbyr. I’m unable to verify this.

Sabelle has shared his revelation that the orange cat at the counter may be related to Quill. Tensions seem high.

Ariyu has shared our findings with the group. Sabelle and Quill both agree that our next course of action should be to go into the woods, following the tracks, and kill whatever creature we find. I admit to the others my hesitation at this; for all we know, these are all a string of accidents, and the creature meant no harm. Sabelle seems convinced this creature is an Agadaz – a mischievous gambling devil that resembles a horned humanoid, known for settling alongside humans.

Life Giver, alongside myself and my sister, all think it’s for the best to ask more questions of the townsfolk to be certain.

10:32:15 Day 4

We’ve arrived at the church to Shelyn.

It’s a humble building with a small graveyard alongside it. There were only two people inside of it: a priestess chiseling a statue of some kind, and an elf deep in prayer at the altar. As a self-described cleric well-versed in atonements, Sabelle has volunteered to take the lead in speaking to this man, to which Life Giver has preemptively disavowed any relationship to our colleague.

(Attached is a conversation between Sabelle and Crim)

[Sabelle approaches the man, book in hand]

“Deep in thought, are you?” - Sabelle

“Yes- yes, I am very deep in thought – I have a lot of guilt clouding my mind right now.” – Crim

“Are you a worshipper of Shelyn?” – Sabelle

“I am, but I am reaching out to whatever deities will listen right now.” – Crim

“Come with me, child. I have someone who will answer your pleas for forgiveness. I am a holy man, and this is the text of the Living God. Come and tell him your sins, and you may be forgiven.” – Sabelle

“Well… I have never heard of the Living God, but I mean… it won’t hurt to give it a try, right?” – Crim

“That’s the spirit. Come, come – not in a place of worship of another deity – that would be rude.” – Sabelle

“Very well. Lead on.” – Crim

[The two leave the church. Sabelle takes several steps outside before sitting cross legged on the ground to hear the man’s confession]

10:41:00 – Day 4

Crim has provided us with his accounting of events.

After working at his farm, he paid a visit to the graveyard outside of the church to pay respects to his deceased partner. While he was deep in prayer over the grave, he encountered a ‘tall, finely dressed individual wearing white’ crouching. When he asked what they wanted, the individual asked for a light; Crim happened to have a lantern with him, and he gave it to them. When he turned it on and held it over, he got a better look at the individual’s face – seeing that they had a fanged mouth, no nose, and bright, ruby-red eyes. He was so terrified he ran down the hill towards the inn to try to escape, but he felt a hand on his shoulder. Thinking that this was the creature giving chase, Crim spun around, grabbing a garden trowel he had with him, and stabbing out at the figure behind him. The figure collapsed to the ground immediately, dead. Captain Zulfir saw this all occur, and when he turned on his light to get a better look, realized it was the local carpenter – a well-respected member of the community.

Life Giver was not convinced that this man could kill someone with a garden trowel, suspecting that perhaps something else was responsible. To test this theory, Crim offered to retrieve a gourd, and demonstrate stabbing it with the trowel. After missing the first strike – presumably due to nerves – he struck true, landing what surely would be a lethal blow on a normal human if struck in the right place.

Sabelle has been assuring the man that divine providence guided his hand, and that the carpenter was surely a wicked person. He doesn’t seem convinced.

After ruminating on what we’ve learned, Life Giver has come to the conclusion that the creature we’re dealing with is a very rare type of fey – a ‘Spring-Heeled Jack’. This creature takes on many forms; people have reported seeing a bear, a ghost, or a devil. But from all records, there’s only one Spring-Heeled Jack, and one of the descriptions matches that of the hellspawn-adjacent gaunt figure with ruby eyes, a forked tail, and hooves, which can jump great distances, attacking people in the middle of the night.

Sabelle has proposed waiting for night to fall and waiting for the creature in town, but I’ve reminded him that his vision may make such a plan difficult for him.

10:54:31 – Day 4

We have departed for the woods.

My sister was able to find the tracks in the snow and follow them deep into the woods. They’re very far apart from each other, which seems to indicate the creature is indeed jumping as expected of Spring-Heeled Jack. The tracks seem to lead into a particularly dark section of the woods – I feared some of the associates may struggle to see in there, but Sabelle has volunteered to conjure magical light.

11:12:11 – Day 4

Battle Report:

Casualties:

• None

Injuries:

• Ariyu – moderate burns across body from magicked flame

• Arumi – minor, shallow burns from magicked fire

• Quill – minor burns, slight fur loss from magicked fire

• Life Giver - minor burns, lost leaves from magicked fire

• Sabelle – severe burns encompassing most of his body caused by magicked fire

• Spring-Heeled Jack – Severe wounds from several arrows of varying sizes, from both Ariyu and Life Giver, one small bolt courtesy of Quill; currently unconscious

Summary:

After Sabelle conjured magical light, Spring-Heeled Jack was immediately drawn to us. I attempted to communicate with him, but he gave no response. Life Giver attempted to communicate with him in Fey, and it seemed to work; he responded in kind. Unfortunately, he proved very uncooperative. He refused to answer any questions, though he did in a roundabout way admit to harassing the village for malicious purposes. Hearing this, the associates attacked him as he tried to run away, fleeing into the treetops.

My sister proved too quick for him; she quickly shot a pair of arrows that soundly hit the mark, slowing the creature greatly. After a few more light shots from Quill and Life Giver, the fey was rendered unconscious, falling from the treetops. Quill has tied him up, attempting to prevent him from being able to jump away when he wakes up. Life Giver is convinced he may not actually be responsible for the attacks in the village.

We’ll try to ask him some more questions, now that he’s been captured.

10:15:51 – Day 4 Spring-Heeled Jack has been executed.

(Attached is a transcript of a conversation between the associates and Spring-Heeled Jack)

[Spring-Heeled Jack slowly regains consciousness]

[In Taldane] “Oh. It would appear you’ve caught me then.” – Spring-Heel

“You have explaining to do.” – Life Giver

“No, I don’t believe I do.” Spring-Heel

[Life Giver motions to Sabelle and Quill]

“These two want to kill you, but I want to make this as peaceful as possible.” – Life Giver

“Why did you want that sinner’s lantern?” – Sabelle

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” – Spring-Heel

[Laughing] “Don’t lie. Lying gets you killed.” – Sabelle

[Ariyu draws her bow to intimidate him]

“You can try to kill me if you want, but no one can.” – Spring-Heel

“Might not be able to – but I’ll enjoy every attempt I make.” – Quill

[Laughing] “I like you. You’d fit right in.” – Spring-Heel

“I wouldn’t want to fit in anywhere you belong, buddy.” – Quill

“So are you the one that caused that poor farmer to kill someone?” – Life Giver

“Oh, that guy killed someone? That’s funny.” – Spring-Heel

“He was guided by divine power – that has nothing to do with this man.” – Sabelle

“Explain yourself, Mister Spring-Heel. Or do you prefer Mister Jack?” – Life Giver

“Mister Jack was my father. Call me Spring-Heel.” – Spring-Heel

“What do you mean it was funny?” – Life Giver

“It was funny.” – Spring-Heel

“Did you cause it?” – Life Giver

“I guess I did.” – Spring-Heel

“That sounds like a confession to me.” – Sabelle

“Right. So you’re just evil then?” – Life Giver

“Some may call it evil. I prefer the term chaos.” – Spring-Heel

“What have you been doing this past week?” – Ariyu

“Been paying visits to the town.” – Spring-Heel

“Because you’re lonely?” – Life Giver

“No. Because I want to scare people and possibly kill them.” – Spring-Heel

[Life Giver is clearly exasperated at this point.]

“Okay. I think we’ve heard enough.” – Arumi

“We cannot trust those like him.” – Quill

“Any last words before you’re sent back where you came from?” – Life Giver

“You can never kill Spring-H-“ – Spring-Heel

[Ariyu cuts his speech short by shooting him through the head with an arrow – his body is not moving, but his face has a wicked grin on it]

Time of death: 11:15:51

11:36:17 – Day 4

Battle Report:

Casualties:

• Spring-Heeled Jack – Killed by a wide variety of arrows, burn marks, bolts, force projectiles, and a considerably sized divine lance.

Injuries:

• Quill – several shallow cuts from a dagger.

Summary:

As we brought the body of the first creature back to the town, we encountered a tall, old human wearing white clothes – one that precisely matched one of the descriptions of the creature terrorizing the town. After directly asking him if he was Spring-Heeled Jack, he attempted to leap away into the treetops, exactly as the first one did. He managed to stay hidden for a time, but Sabelle conjured an illusory tree that he attempted to climb, causing him to fall to the ground where the associates promptly dispatched him with minimal injuries.

It would seem that there is more than one Spring-Heeled Jack. We’ll stay vigilant in case there are more of the creatures.

11:58:34 – Day 4

We have arrived back in Runswick with the bodies of two Spring-Heeled Jacks in tow.

Sabelle attempts to preach to the citizens as we pass, but they mostly seem scared to see dead bodies being carried into the town.

After showing the bodies to Captain Zulfir, Life Giver explained the situation and warned the captain that there may be more of the creatures lurking about. Both Sabelle and Life Giver are attempting to persuade the captain that the murder in town was not in fact Crim’s fault – blaming divine providence and Spring-Heeled Jack’s deceptions respectively. Their combined efforts seem to have an impact; he’s agreed to not hold Crim responsible.

After a brief dialog, Captain Zulfir awards us a sum of gold for our efforts, and the other associates took a magic dagger and cloak from the bodies of the Spring-Heeled Jacks.

08:40:36 – Day 8

After several days of travel by wagon, we have all reached Onadbyr.

We have sold the cloak and dagger from the Spring-Heeled Jacks and split the gold evenly between ourselves with the reward money – totaling 22 gold pieces and 7 silver pieces each.

There are no further incidents to report.

With that, this expedition is complete.

-Arumi, Civic Wizard