Ustalav, cursed with a history of tragedy and faded glory, the Immortal Principality of Ustalav clings to it's legendary past even as it struggles to forget centuries of horrors.
In the western end of this kingdom in a Palatinate called Canterwall is a small town called Ravengro with a population of only 311 people.
You all arrive in Ravengro upon receiving a letter from Kendra Lorrimor, daughter of the late Professor Petros Lorrimor informing you all being mentioned in his will which shall be read out after the funeral.
The locals treat you all with distrust, especially those of an unusual race, but you manage to get directions to the Restlands where a young 20-something woman is standing by the entrance with a closed casket. You notice her eyes are red and puffy, but she appears to remain brave in her dark, conservative clothing.
She approches you all with a look of sadness, curiosity and relief.
"I'm so glad you all made it. I'm Kendra Lorrimor, the Professor's daughter. You are all the only ones to arrive to pay respects and with
things the way they are in town these days, very few folks from Ravengro have come out for the funeral as well." she stands there, managing to keep up a strong face. "I need to get my father to a spot I picked for him to be buried. Father Grimburrow and the gravediggers will be waiting for us." she adds sadly, not wanting to come off as ungreatful as she is glad for you all to arrive, but she will need the group to carry her father for her.
Others begin to show up, two men dressed in fine clothing and looking as if they are men or some importance along with another who is wearing the best dark clothing he could find, followed by a thirteen year old boy and finally a young woman with a strong smell of herbs around her and a small mess on her dress. She apologises to Kendra, stating that she was working on something at her shop and would've been here earlier if the Sherrif didn't disturb her.
"Madam." With a somewhat deep voice and quite a soothing tone, Morbury begins. "I must admit, I did not know your father well, but I shall never forget him. You know as well as I, that my kind are not accepted fondly. Having said that, there was a situation that I was fortunate enough to keep him and his company from serious harm. He saw my face, saw what I was, and yet his reaction was..." He thinks a moment and for lack of a better word comes up with, "Nothing." He says as he explains a bit further to attempt to help her understand the world he lives in. "Most reactions are those of horror...or hatred. I understand this and would of expected as much from him. Alas, he responded in no such way and for that, I will never forget." He says as he moves to grab one of the handles on the coffin. "I consider it an honor to carry one as your father. And I am truly sorry for your loss, Madam, and even though I knew him little, he seemed a man who whould give any, or all, a chance. You must be proud." He says as he bows his head and takes his position.
Darcy carefully observes the group of misfits, gathered to see the professor off to the next life. Hmm it almost looks as thought he's gathered a bunch of misfits who won't be missed for this task. Maybe I should become scarce before something tragic happens.
Then with a shrug of her shoulders, she steps forward, putting aside her fears for a moment and reaching up to grasp one of the handles. Due to her size it makes it difficult to help carry the casket, but she shrugs away the discomfort, and moves forward with the rest. Don't be silly Darcy. Who or what would assault a funeral procession?
An immense man clothed from head to foot in a single large, black hooded cloak walks up to the Professor's daughter before looking up and his scarred chin is visible under the hood. Speaking in a quiet, but deeply resonant voice, "Ms. Lorrimor. I am Skyrn. I am so very sorry for your loss. Your father was a great man; I will gladly help you in your time of need and sorrow." Moving to the opposite side of the casket from Morbury, he respectfully lowers his hood, the left side of his face covered by his long white hair, leaving only a hint of scars underneath it, and readies himself to begin the procession.
Once when everyone has lifted up the coffin, Kendra begins to lead the way. It is clear that the others nearby were clearly close to the professor and the march through the grave yard is errily silent.
The procession reaches a half-way point, turning as you are all nearly there, however there appears to be a group of a dozen surley looking locals, the tallest of which leers in your direction as they take up the path and he marches forward
"That’s far enough. We been talking, and we don’t want Lorrimor buried in the Restlands. You can take him upriver and bury him there if you want, but he ain’t goin’ in the ground here!" the man appears to be shaven with hair sideburns and with the look of a man of experience in combat. He also has a disgusted look when he stares in the direction of Darcy, but is Addressing Kendra as he speaks.
Morbury attempting to ascertain the man's motives, intercedes. "Sir," He stops a moment before continuing and turns to Kendra, "Excuse me, Madam, but if I may." He gives a curt bow and then turns back to the tall man, "Sir, there truly is no reason for such talk. Let us pass and let this gentle lady bury her father where she chooses, I beg." He asks.
Morbury attempting to ascertain the man's motives, intercedes. "Sir," He stops a moment before continuing and turns to Kendra, "Excuse me, Madam, but if I may." He gives a curt bow and then turns back to the tall man, "Sir, there truly is no reason for such talk. Let us pass and let this gentle lady bury her father where she chooses, I beg." He asks.
1d20 + 8
The men all appear to want to say something, but they are all lost for words by what Morbury said and give everyone venomous looks as they all leave, though clearly looking hateful. Kendra and the rest of the procession appear quite impressed that you managed to convince these thugs to leave without spilling blood.
"I...I don't know what to say. Your words were so smooth that you managed to convince them to leave. I'm glad." she smiles softly towards Morbury. "Let's...Let's continue." she sighs as as the procession starts on again.
Arriving at the burial site there are already three people waiting there. Two men dressed in shabby garbs and holding shovels whilst the third is a old bald man with bushy eyebrows. He appears to have started his way down the path when he saw the commotion, but seeing as no one was harmed, he has returned to the plot.
Kendra nods to the party, the group lowering the casket for the gravediffers to lower it into the open grave. The old man gives a short sermon:
"Pharasma, we submit the body of Professor Petros Lorrimor to the ground, let his soul be taken by Pharasma and judged by the lady of the graves. Now, let us hear the last goodbyes from his loved ones." he turns over and lets Kendra stand and speak up for everyone as the preist moves away, giving her the room she needs.
Kendra fights back tears as she attempts to try and speak up about her father.
"My father was a great man who loves his family with all his heart. I will miss him greatly, but I believe he has passed on to a better place and Pharasa will reward him in his afterlife." she says as she struggles to find the words with what to say about her father, but she does the best anyone under this situation can, saying about his courageous and self less moments. "Thank you all for coming." she walks back to her seat and sits whilst Father Grimburrow walks over to the head of this group. "Is there anyone else who would like to talk about how the Professor changed your life?" He casts a weary eye your way.
Morbury stands when Rauno finishes, pulls back the hood of his cloak, albeit a bit cautiously, revealing his shoulder length ruddy blonde hair and begins, "I mentioned just a bit earlier, to the Lady Kendra, about the time I met her father. I shall repeat it to you. It was a desperate situation he and his guards were in and I just did what any good samaritan would have done. I thought nothing of it but he was insistent on knowing who I was. When I told him who I was, showed him what I was, he never wavered. He never wavered." Morbury then loses a bit of focus, then gathers himself and continues, "Obviously, being what I am, has its drawbacks. Most, if not all, do not accept my kind. But he was most polite. It was the only time I had ever met him. I truly wished I would have known him better. He shall never be forgotten." Morbury finishes and returns to his seat as he raises his hood back over his head.
Darcy appears unsettled at everyone opening themselves up, and hesitates before speaking...
I must admit I really didn't know the professor real well". "He saved my life once, and I'd get an occasional gift or letter from him...but I knew I owed him a favor...". "Just really thought I'd be able to repay him in life...not in death".
Nodding in agreement with everyone's assessments of the late Professor, Skyrn stands once Darcy finishes and adds his his story to the mix.
"Before I met the Professor, I lived a rough life filled with death and blood; I met him as he was traveling in the North and he was attacked. While his entourage was recuperating, he spoke to me many times, igniting my curiousity and he began to teach me things. Because of him, I left my home, my entire world, and now I am a student. Without him, I might easily be dead by now, and I most definitely wouldn't be here. He made me the man I am today," he finishes as he is looking at his grave, clearly uncomfortable with the notion of public speaking as he coughs and goes back to his seat to sit down.
The rest of the procession appears to be all in awe at the group and what they have to say about the professor and what he had done across the lands far from here. You've all impressed these people, however they still appear to look upon you as strangers and with distrust, but Kendra doesn't appear to have the look of distrust in her eyes at all.
The Alchemist stands and talks about her friendship with the professor and how he taught her a few techniques in potion making, though some of the other members didn't seem overly impressed with her mentioning that as she also sticks her foot in her mouth a few times, but it's obvious she means well even though it didn't come out that well.
The Father steps out to finish off the funeral.
"May Pharasma take what has been said into consideration as she judges Professor Petros Lorrimor into the next life." With that he sprinkles holy water over the coffin before the gravediggers start to cover the coffin in the earth.
Kendra rises, thanking everyone for coming as they leave, but she turns to the group with a smile.
"I thank you all for telling your own stories and about your time with my father. Please, come with me to my f- I mean, my home for the hearing of the will." she asks of you, leading the way out to the main villiage of Ravengro.
Upon entering The Lorrimor residence you all find it to be a modest home with a crowded bookshelves in every room.
"I'll make some tea. I can tell you are all weary from your jurney. Please, talk amongst yourselves as we wait for Councilman Vashian Hearthmount to read the will. He's the closest thing to we have to a solicitor." she explains as she goes to make some tea for you all, leaving you all alone together.
Rauno doesn't sit, but wanders the edge of the room, glancing at the spines of the books. He nervously adjusts the scarves wrapped around his wrists, and shifts the large scarf worn bandoleer style around his chest.
I'm a bit surprised to be asked to remain for the will reading. During our many long talks, I expressed interest in his extensive book collection. But I always made it clear that I felt a need to be, well, mobile. Not everyone is accepting of me as the professor has been. I thought I had made it clear to him, many times and many ways, that I did not feel his claim of debt to me was valid.
After an awkward moment he adds I could never tell what he was thinking. And he still confounds me.
"You and me both". "I only met the guy one time and I'm in his will". "Something is fishy here".
"You and me both". "I only met the guy one time and I'm in his will". "Something is fishy here".Rauno doesn't sit, but wanders the edge of the room, glancing at the spines of the books. He nervously adjusts the scarves wrapped around his wrists, and shifts the large scarf worn bandoleer style around his chest.
I'm a bit surprised to be asked to remain for the will reading. During our many long talks, I expressed interest in his extensive book collection. But I always made it clear that I felt a need to be, well, mobile. Not everyone is accepting of me as the professor has been. I thought I had made it clear to him, many times and many ways, that I did not feel his claim of debt to me was valid.
After an awkward moment he adds I could never tell what he was thinking. And he still confounds me.
My father kept many secrets, it's local knowledge he researched evil powers, but I do not know why. Kendra explains to the group as she sets down the tea, enough cups for everyone. "I don't know why you have been invited, I'd like to know too but you are all mentioned in his will."
Turning from his examination of several books when Kendra re-enters the room, Skyrn speaks. "I too have no idea why I would be mentioned in his will. While I greatly appreciate what he has done for me, I had no idea that anything like this would happen to me; perhaps it had something to do with the manner of his death? If you don't mind me asking, how did he die?"
Turning from his examination of several books when Kendra re-enters the room, Skyrn speaks. "I too have no idea why I would be mentioned in his will. While I greatly appreciate what he has done for me, I had no idea that anything like this would happen to me; perhaps it had something to do with the manner of his death? If you don't mind me asking, how did he die?"
Kendra grows silent, but nods as she knows you would all wish to know what happened.
"He was exploring old Harrowstone. It used to be a penetentury where the most vile criminals in all of Golarian were taken. I...do not know much, most people stay away from there because of the sounds of wailing at night, but there was once a fire up there, killing all the prisoners and guards who were trapped with them, including the warden." she sighs as she's building up to how her father died "He was exploring the building and we found his body in the morning. A peice of a gargoyal fell and crushed his face on impact. It was horrible. He wanted a wake but, with his face in such a condition it wasn't possible."
As Morbury enters, he makes a futile attempt to stand in an out of the way place. Finding it to be quite difficult in such a quaint place.
Listening to the others, Morbury remains silent. He interest perks up, though, when Kendra speaks on the research her father was doing. Taking a cup of tea, "Thank you, Madam." he takes a sip and listens to her response to Skyrn's question. Curiousity overcomes him and he can't help but speak, "Madam, if I may, how long was your father gone before you found him?"
As Morbury enters, he makes a futile attempt to stand in an out of the way place. Finding it to be quite difficult in such a quaint place.
Listening to the others, Morbury remains silent. He interest perks up, though, when Kendra speaks on the research her father was doing. Taking a cup of tea, "Thank you, Madam." he takes a sip and listens to her response to Skyrn's question. Curiousity overcomes him and he can't help but speak, "Madam, if I may, how long was your father gone before you found him?"
"He went out one night to study Harrowstone penitentury. He didn't return home so I asked the sheriff and he went looking for him and found him dead under the gargoyal which a peice fell off of and smashed his face." she described, though it's clear that it's still hard for her to come to terms with this. "I do not know why my father mentioned you all in his will, but he must have a reason for it.
Morbury seeing the pain on the woman's face, refrains from asking any other questions. Did he go alone? If so, why? And why would he go at night? That would be the worst time to go. Especially being human. All these questions running through his mind. "I will impress upon you no further, Madam. Forgive me for asking."
Morbury seeing the pain on the woman's face, refrains from asking any other questions. Did he go alone? If so, why? And why would he go at night? That would be the worst time to go. Especially being human. All these questions running through his mind. "I will impress upon you no further, Madam. Forgive me for asking."
"It's okey I found his dissappearence...odd. If I asked him where he was going or what he was doing he'd tell me nothing, but insisted it was to keep me safe." she points out, smiling at how concerned Morbury is as are the rest of the group.
Hearing the tragic tale of the Professor's demise, Skyrn looks visibly saddened, though a little light seems to return to his eyes when Kendra smiles. Nodding in understanding as she speaks, and seeing Rauno partake, he carefully helps himself to some tea.
Kendra looks over at the golden and red scales of Raundo, but doesn't mention it as this has all been strange having written out the notes that she sent to everyone to invite them here in the first place for the reading.
Just at that moment a man comes to the door. Kendra gets up to answer the door, greeting a familiar face from earlier.
"Councilman Hearthmount" she announces as she lets him in. He was one of the important looking men wearing a suit at the funeral.
"I would've been here sooner, but I needed to fill out some paper work." he explains as he makes his way, though appears surprised by the group's presance, but continues as he sits at the dining table, expecting you all to join as you hear him read out the will.
Once everyone is seated, Kendra gives a nod and Councilman Hearthmount clears his throat before reading out the parchment he has.
“I, Petros Lorrimor, being of sound mind, do hereby commit to this parchment my last will and testament. Let it be known that, with the exception of the specific details below, I leave my home and personal belongings entire to my daughter Kendra. Use them or sell them as you see fit, my child.
“Yet beyond the bequeathing of my personal effects, this document must serve other needs. I have arranged for the reading of this document to be delayed until all principals can be in attendance, for I have more than mere inheritance to apportion. I have two final favors to ask.
“To my old friends, I hate to impose upon you all, but there are few others who are capable of appreciating the true significance of what it is I have to ask. As some of you know, I have devoted many of my studies to all manner of evil, that I might know the enemy and inform those better positioned to stand against it. For knowledge of one’s enemy is the surest path to victory over its plans.
“And so, over the course of my lifetime, I have seen fit to acquire a significant collection of valuable but dangerous tomes, any one of which in the wrong circumstances could have led to an awkward legal situation. While the majority of these tomes remain safe under lock and key at the Lepidstadt University, I fear that a few I have borrowed remain in a trunk in my Ravengro home. While invaluable for my work in life, in death, I would prefer not to burden my daughter with the darker side of my profession, or worse still, the danger of possessing these tomes herself. As such, I am entrusting my chest of tomes to you, posthumously. I ask that you please deliver the collection to my colleagues at the University of Lepidstadt, who will put them to good use for the betterment of the cause.
“Yet before you leave for Lepidstadt, there is the matter of another favor—please delay your journey one month and spend that period of time here in Ravengro to ensure that my daughter is safe and sound. She has no one to count on now that I am gone, and if you would aid her in setting things in order for whatever she desires over the course of this month, you would have my eternal gratitude. From my savings, I have also willed to each of you a sum of one hundred platinum coins. For safekeeping, I have left these funds with Embreth Daramid, one of my most trusted friends in Lepidstadt—she has been instructed to issue this payment upon the safe delivery of the borrowed tomes no sooner than one month after the date of the reading of this will.
“I, Petros Lorrimor, hereby sign this will in Ravengro on this first day of Calistril, in the year 4720.”
Once he finishes, Councilman Vashian looks to Kendra, who thanks him.
"Thank you, Vashian." she puts on a brace fave as she ecorts him out of the house and returns. "Again, I thank you all for coming. I will need a few weeks to decide if I want to sell my home or sell it. There are so many memories here, but I want to move on too." she pauses for a moment before turning back to the group. "In the meanwhile I ask if you all remain as well just as my father asked. My home is quite large so I can offer you all seporate rooms, free boarding for the month the will requests. Make yourselves comfortable whilst I fetch the chest my father's will mentioned, but I am afraid to open it." he offers a key to anyone to open the chest for her.
Rauno will step forward and accept the key.
I have some modest training in the arcane arts, and I will open it if you'd like. I think it is important that we take a moment to catalogue the contents to make sure we know what we are transporting, when the time comes of course. Is the chest of such size that one of us can offer a hand in retrieving it?
I would be glad to accept your hospitality before the journey to Lepidstadt.
After she goes to get the chest, Rauno will quietly say to the others I am concerned about foul play here. The will almost sounded like he expected some harm to befall him before he could make another trip to Lepdistadt. At some point before we go to Lepidstadt, assuming of course all of you are willing to undertake the task, I would like to investigate the site of the professor's demise.
Kendra returns with the chest. It's a small object of oak and iron, but clearly weighs a bit. She sets it down and is nervous as Rauno opens the chest with the key, which fits into the lock perfectly. As it opens there are several old tomes and one relatively new which sits on top of the pile bearing the prase "Read me now!" scratched into the leather cover. At first glance it looks like a ledger of somekind.
Rauno will take the marked ledger and step away from the rest (fearing a trap, mundane or otherwise), and open it to scan its contents.
Circled Entries in the Profess or’s Journal:
Ten Years Ago:
The Whispering Way is more than just a cabal of necromancers. I see that now. Undeath is their fountain of youth. Uncovering their motivation does not place me at ease as I thought it might. Their desire to be eternal simply makes them more dangerous.
Two Months Ago:
It is as I had feared. The Way is interested in something here in Ravengro. But what could it be?
One Month Ago:
Whatever the Way seeks, I am now convinced their goal is connected to Harrowstone. In retrospect, I suppose it all makes sense—the stories they tell about the ruins in town are certainly chilling enough. It may be time to investigate the ruins, but with everyone in town already being so worked up about them, I’d rather not let the others know about my curiosity—there’s plenty of folks hereabouts who already think I’m a demonologist or a witch or something. Ignorant fools.
Twenty Days Ago:
It is confirmed. The Way seems quite interested in something—no, strike that—someone who was held in Harrowstone. But who, specifically, is the Way after? I need a list of everyone who died the night of the fire. Everyone. The Temple of Pharasma must have such a list.
Eighteen Days Ago:
I see now just how ill prepared I was when I last set out for the Harrowstone. I am lucky to have returned at all. The ghosts, if indeed they were ghosts (for I did not find it prudent to investigate further) prevented me from transcribing the strange symbols I found etched along the foundation—hopefully on my next visit I will be more prepared. Thankfully, the necessary tools to defend against spirits are already here in Ravengro. I know that the church of Pharasma used to store them in a false crypt in the Restlands at the intersection between Eversleep and the Black Path. I am not certain if the current clergy even know of what their predecessors have hidden down below. If my luck holds, I should be able to slip in and out with a few borrowed items.
Seventeen Days Ago:
Tomorrow evening I return to the prison. It is imperative the Way does not finish. My caution has already cost me too much time. I am not sure what will happen if I am too late, but if my theory is right, the entire town could be at risk. I don’t have time to update my will, so I’ll leave this in the chest where it’ll be sure to be found, should the worst come to pass.
The other books in the chest are as follows:
Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye: The rich purple cover contains a brass scarab set with a single eye in its center. There is a lock on it, but no key to be found.
On Verified Madness: TThis jet-black book is a treatise on aberrations and other entities found on Golarion that possess remote ties to the Dark Tapestry, the name given to the dark places between the stars in the night sky.
Serving Your Hunger: This text is a copy of one of several unholy books sacred to the goddess Urgathoa. Lorrimor’s notations liberally sprinkle the margins.
The Umbral Leaves: This lexicon is a translation into Common of the unholy book of Zon-Kuthon.
Kendra seems surprised at such strange and unholy looking books here. She remains calm though as she focuses on the purple book which appears to be locked without a key.
"Again, I thank you all for coming. I will need a few weeks to decide if I want to keep my home or sell it. There are so many memories here, but I want to move on too." she pauses for a moment before turning back to the group. "In the meanwhile I ask if you all remain as well just as my father asked. My home is quite large so I can offer you all seperate rooms, free boarding for the month the will requests. Make yourselves comfortable whilst I fetch the chest my father's will mentioned, but I am afraid to open it." he offers a key to anyone to open the chest for her.
Being a loner pretty much his entire life, outside of him and his parents, Morbury pushes aside the awkardness of the situation, "It would be an honor, Madam." he responds with a bow of his head.
After she goes to get the chest, Rauno will quietly say to the others I am concerned about foul play here. The will almost sounded like he expected some harm to befall him before he could make another trip to Lepdistadt. At some point before we go to Lepidstadt, assuming of course all of you are willing to undertake the task, I would like to investigate the site of the professor's demise.
"I as well. There are so many unanswered questions. I feel there is more to it than what is known and if there is, then I feel Madam Kendra has a right to know." He whispers back to Rauno just before Kendra returns with the chest.
He whispers back to the others, in response to Rauno's statement, just before Kendra returns with the chest.
"Books...really just some old books...though this one does look challenging Darcy says picking up the purple book". "Bet I can figure out how to open this one given time".
"So is there anything exciting to do in this town". "I'm weary from the journey, but would like to go into town and look around in the morning if anyone else would like to go along".
Seeing the human woman pull out the purple book, he realizes he knows none of their names. "Forgive me, but I have failed to introduce myself. I am Morbury Dedlock, son of Lord and Lady Dedlock, both have which passed and are with 'The Dawnflower'." He says with a bow.
After introductions, Morbury is curious about the lock on the purple book. "Madam Kendra, is there a key for this book?" He asks with a quizzical look.
Seeing the human woman pull out the purple book, he realizes he knows none of their names. "Forgive me, but I have failed to introduce myself. I am Morbury Dedlock, son of Lord and Lady Dedlock, both have which passed and are with 'The Dawnflower'." He says with a bow.
After introductions, Morbury is curious about the lock on the purple book. "Madam Kendra, is there a key for this book?" He asks with a quizzical look.
"No, I've never seen this book before in my life." she explains as she looks at the book, having no idea why her father had these strange books.
@Darcy: You notice that the book is untrapped and the cover appears to be quite beautiful in colour.
After Rauno has read out the passages in the jurnal Kendra remains putting on a brave face, though tears start to creep out from her eyes.
"I...I had no idea. I do not know what happened but...I wish I could've been there. I...could've done something." she seems on the edge as this jurnal casts doupts on what appeared to have been a accident.
Feeling sorry for Kendra, Morbury sets his tea down and offers her a comforting arm. "Madam, it seems there are a lot of unanswered questions regarding your father. If it is your wish, I believe we, as a group, would be more than willing to see if any further information can be ascertained from this 'Harrowstone'. If there is more to be learned, a truth to be uncovered, this would seem the place to start." He asks sincerely. "I know this is difficult for you, and I am truly sorry, but I feel you have a right to know the truth of what happened to your father, if indeed there is more to it than just what we know."
Entranced by the ancient books, his mind whirling with the possibilities of what might be in the locked book, Skyrn snaps out of it when people begin to talk once more. Reading over the ledger as Rauno describes it, Skyrn silently agrees with Morbury when he suggests investigating the Harrowstone Penitentiary. After a moment's thought, he adds, "It might also be a good idea to try and get a hold of a few of those artifacts that he mentions for fighting ghosts. And anything else that might be useful."
"It might also be a good idea to try and get a hold of a few of those artifacts that he mentions for fighting ghosts. And anything else that might be useful."
"Agreed. Let us see what we can find out about such artifacts. Then we can travel to Harrowstone and see what it is the Professor was on the verge of uncovering."
"Whatever". "Better than sitting here doing nothing but reading some stuffy old books
You all arrive at the graveyard with the silent and calming sound of nature in the areas, birds calling out in the trees. It's still daytime and you see nearby the gravediggers having finished with burying the professor's grave and walking back to the temple with their shovels and spades.
Covered in dirt, they look in your direction, obviously having questions on their faces, but they ignore you and head straight to the temple to
Casting detect magic over the grave did not sit well with the accolite who appeared and watched you intensly, however he seemed to nod when he realised what the spell was, but continued to watch and follow you.
You notice at the interesction of Eversleep and Black Path that there is a tomb. The crypt itself is a freestanding granite mausoleum, the roof of which is decorated with a pair of leering gargoyle statues. A single stone door with a rustylooking lock sits in the mausoleum’s south facade, but the lock appears to have been melted and put back into place to make it look as if it's still in tact. Just then the Accolite approches you.
"What are you doing?" he pushes the question to you suspeciously and eyeing you up with caution.
Rauno acts startled when the acolyte addresses him.
I apologize; I meant no offense. I was lost in thought. I recently lost my dear friend, the professor. I was merely wandering and admiring the amazing stonework here as I contemplated the future without his wisdom and kindness.
Bluff 1d20+5
He leers at you for a few moments, still suspecious, but he nods understandingly.
"My apologies. The professor wasn't popular with his reading material nor his investigatings into the dark arts so we're all understandably suspecious of you all." he looks at the grave of the professor and sighs. "I saw the spell you used. Trust me, we used detect magic on the corpse and nothing showed up." he then leaves, but glances back every so often.
"My apologies. The professor wasn't popular with his reading material nor his investigatings into the dark arts so we're all understandably suspecious of you all." he looks at the grave of the professor and sighs. "I saw the spell you used. Trust me, we used detect magic on the corpse and nothing showed up." he then leaves, but glances back every so often.Then perhaps it was just an accident as they said. I suppose in grief you don't want to believe it is something so... random. Thank you for your kindness. With a slight bow, Rauno will turn and return to the others.
Quietly he will share There is a masoleum up there that has been broken into, and it is in the area that the professor referred to in his journal. The grounds are being watched closely by acolytes, but perhaps after dark some of us can return to investigate? Rauno will recount his talk with the acolyte, and the description of the door to the tomb.
Darcy's eyes light up when the clandestine mission is suggested..."Now you're talking" She practically oozes excitement.
Listening to the others speak about the "sneaking around", "I do not understand why we must be so secretive. Let us go and speak with the temple and see if they will allow us to use said artifacts. All we must do is explain why. Surely they would understand?" He asks as if it's really just that simple.
Friend Morbury, the people of this town do not trust us. I agree with what the professor said, that they are mostly good, just scared. And who could blame them, trying to eek out a living in these lands as they do. If we ask for the artifacts, they almost certainly would refuse us due to that distrust. It would put them on guard against us, and they may even relocate the items beyond our reach. No, my friend, for the good of this community, I believe more subtle means are called for.