The Lair of the Beast

Mayve is going to see some alchemists to find out what the removal of the gland stuff is all about.
 
Me and Takk have gone to see if we can find where the beast is sleeping. We found Abe. He is coming with us.
 
After wandering aimlessly around the back alleys for a while we spotted Captain Marvello crossing the square. We followed him to the scene of a recent flayer murder. Takk found a trail, I am very impressed by his tracking skills so far, but before we could follow it Barmello and his black cloaks turned up. They were very sorry for their conduct and offered to help. I couldn't think of a reason to say no without me sounding petty so I said yes and we took off after the trail.
 
We went into an abandoned warehouse and found a think with no skin, it had a hook and a crowbar. It was very tough, gave me a few good whacks with the crowbar but we managed to knock it down.
 
There is no way that thing was smart enough to be stealing skin and pretending to be other people. I suspect there is a pupeteer somewhere behind it.
 
Abe found a trapdoor at the back. We opened it and I began to get creepy vibes. I drew my sword and proceeded down the stairs.
 
Fake Master Vernan was there with a very corrupted guy all chained up. I suspect this is the creature that was tearing people in two. I am glad it is chained up.
 
Fake Master Vernan tore his skin off and is now charging at me naked. He is very fast and incredibly difficult to hit. He charges for Takk and I knock him on the ground. At which point something awful burst out of the corrupted man... this is the foulest of magics I have seen since I crossed the mountains. It must be destroyed.
 
After a brief fight with the beast it was destroyed, it hit my shield so hard it dislocated my shoulder. Which hurt.

Turns out that Farther Bordello was an imposter and so someone else has the Skull of the King and the flesh disguise book.
 
I've taken some time to recover and am staying in a good inn called "The Ruin."
 
My fight with the Beast has shown me how much I have let my skills lapse in the last few years, I feel like I am becoming old and slow. This is something I should strive to work on.... especially now I have people who are depending on me.