Wren is happy (and more comfortable) doing research than talking to nobles. She is quite excited about her recent discoveries into the leadership of the clans and shares it with everyone when she sees them.
* * *
"Eldon, were you able to get the book? Or should I go ask my good friend Estovion for it? He's very fond of me, you see, and he'll lend it to me, I'm sure," Wren gives her best smile to Eldon, her yellow teeth showing.
Arval looks a bit confused.
"A novelty?"
He shakes his head.
"No matter. You said that your huntsman needed to repair some of his equipment? Did one of your hunts go wrong perhaps? This a very violent environment as far as I've seen so far."
"I think Eldon is busy talking about himself again, but you know all about that. I think you should definitely go see Estovion about the book." Kawrock tells Wren, "Also from my notes it appears the group you referred to as the mangy b@#$hes is in fact the Vollenstag clan."
Perhaps she is wanting to nest with Arval. Or maybe it's the other way around. Human behavior is so confusing sometimes. Kawrock thinks to himself.
"Be i' all th' nobles' way around 'ere t' be speakin' so obliquely? Mebbe jest me time in th' mercs, bu' plain speeech is less like t' me misinterpreted an' end wit' someone's belly spli. Wha' be happenin' t' this place? "
Markiza smiles patiently at Arval.
"To be a little blunt, a dwarf, two halflings, the strangest elf I've never met - no offense, a man wearing a hundred pounds of steel, and finally a tengu will draw attention here, I must admit."
She taps her lip once more.
"Others who were around at that time were obviously the staff and Estovion, I believe Corvin - who you just scared off - has been around a long time. You could always ask Madame Ivanja - oh her Harrow readings are such fun! If you have mysteries, she is always the one to talk to."
Markiza then laughs a little nervously as Whiskeyjack starts muttering about the opaque language here.
"Ah... well yes. It is the way here. That said, I must not dally. Ta!"
She takes her leave at that point.
"Harrow readings? That does indeed sound fun!"
Arval, not being any help to the investigation anyways, searches out the woman to see about these reading.
Wren is doing generic research and reading. She doesn't necessarily pursue only the Whispering Way and werewolves, but pursues whatever seems of interest.
Wren, for many good and bad reasons, isn't the most social bird in the flock. She tries hard and *thinks* she makes friends, but actually getting others to like her is quite difficult (unless one is in an adventuring party, of course).
So when not actively eating with others or shuffling around to discuss what she's learned or read or to gossip, Wren will be spending a lot of time in quiet research.
Wren settles in delightedly to a well-stocked library, and enjoying some solitude to the infernal, incessant talking of others dives into the various tomes. She finds an excellent, and very new history tome which details the rebellion of 4670 and establishment of the Palatinates.
Arval and Lena scamper off in search of a Harrow reading while Wren settles in to do some more reading. Spotting Belik, they ask where they can find her. The halfling very, very discretely indicates that she can be found on the uppermost level of the watchtower.
Belik winks at Arval and Lena.
"Worry not, your visit is entirely confidential."
Despite his confusing response, they rush off to the watchtower to find the bottom floor and unfinished workshop. The second floor is a different story and is lavishly appointed with a few closed adjacent rooms. A nearly naked Vudrani woman lounges on a sofa, reading a book. She looks up at Arval and Lena critically.
"Something tells me you are here for the Madam. Top floor."
She returns to her book. Arval and Lena finally reach the top floor and knock on the door. After a moment, the door is opened and a striking Varisian woman smiles as she sees the group.
"I heard tell a group of brave adventurers had come to Ascanor. Please, come in. How may I help you?"
"I... ehm... Oke."
Arval away quickly from Belik and his awkward talk, only moments before he walks into a nearly naked woman. The moment he walks in on her he quickly turns around, his cheeks and ears turning red.
"I... Yes... We'll be on our way."
He quickens his pace and tries to get to the stairs as fast as possible. He relaxes a bit when he reaches their destination. With a bit of an abashed look he says to the woman.
"Did you know there is a naked woman one floor down?! We just..."
His voice dies down as he sees the woman clearly now, showing off a lot off leg and having a very tight corset on that accentuates her chest. He visibly swallows and his face turns a bright scarlet.
"I have asked about the book!" Eldon exclaims in a panicky voice, afraid Wren might go and damage the party's relationship with Estovion any more.
"Estovion's currently looking for it. I'm sure he'll let us know when he's found it."
It's easy for a distinguished storyteller as Eldon to notice the evasiveness in Markiza's words, but he decides not to press the matter. He instead smiles warmly at her as she takes her leave. "Take care, lady. I reckon we will see each other around."
Eldon heads to the hall downstairs, in search of Belik the porter.
|
Lena rolls her eyes at Arval's behaviour.
Arval, I mean really. You would think you had never seen a girl before.
Lena nods the the woman, and says Good day madam, we were wondering if we could have a harrow reading please. Well I am wondering, and this one is blushing. Do you get that reaction often?
Wren continues to read and research, occasionally hearing gossip about what the party is up to.
Madam Invanja eyes Arval up and down, looking much like a farmer eyeing a prize pig. She looks down to Lena and winks at her before sashaying into the room.
"Only some. Young ones, usually. Big man though, just with young eyes."
Ivanja lights a few candles and gestures absently for the two of you to have a seat opposite a small circular table. She then takes a deck of old, stiff cards from a box, turning to face the two of you.
"We'll discuss payment later. First, you must decide on the request of the spirits - a question. I will then assign that question to one of the suits according to their themes. You may ask the question on behalf of yourself, the two of you, or your group."
Ivanja holds forth the deck.
"Please cut the deck twice as you ask your question."
You make your way downstairs to the grand hall, discovering a truly fantastic open bar. There, you find an excellent Janderhoff 40, a dwarven whiskey of age and repute you haven't been able to get your mitts on. It's common knowledge that although the numerous humans may make a wide variety of spirits, they lack the patience and long lives necessary to properly age their spirits. This is the work of the masters.
As you nose the whiskey, Duristan spots you from across the room and hurries over.
"You found the Janderhoof? Splendid, isn't it? We'll need to talk about when our next hunt shall be. Two werewolves to my count, unbelievable. I also heard that Arval stabbed Corvin? Couldn't be happier, that little twit has been just a beast to everyone here."
Duristan plonks down opposite to you, babbling excitedly.
You make your way downstairs, and spot Whiskeyjack being talked at by Duristan. You immediately spot Belik giving some orders to a housekeeper, who hurries off.
"Master Eldon, how may I assist you?"
Wren sits forward to scratch her bony behind, then leans back again into the chair.
She lets out a contented nesting sound and continues her research into the mating practices of the adult blue flumpf.
"Aye, man, th' whiskey be some o' th' best I be tryin' outside of dwarven lands. Have yerself a glass. Mebbe it'll help ye ge' yer tongue t' stop waggin'. An' no, Arval dinnae stab th' cretin, erely threatened 'im a bi'. When Arval stabs things they tend t' stay stabbed."
Whiskeyjack poured another shot and tossed it back, noting the dark flavors of the Janderhoff and relishing the burn as it went down.
"Good day, Belik. Sir Lozarov requires your assistance in order to find a book I requested. He asked me if I could relay this to you, which is no trouble for me considering I was about to head downstairs anyway."
Eldon briefly looks over at Whiskeyjack and Duristan. He continues to follow what they say while he looks back to Belik.
Arval looks a bit confused as to what is happening but goes with it. he sits down opposite of Lena and looks at the deck of cards. He starts reaching for them but pulls back halfway looking really thoughtful.
"I thought this would be more like a future reading."
He says deep in thought, his look turns to Lena.
"Maybe we should ask about the whispering way?"
Kawrock goes to look for more books, hoping there might be something they missed.
He is also a bit concerned with Wren. This is the longest he's seen her go with out babbling on about some depraved adventure she's had.
Wren continues to read and study, gathering more knowledge that she nests away in various bird houses of her mind. She chitters to herself unconsciously, happily in her own world. She likes the Lodge.
Belik nods once to Eldon and leaves without a word, making his way up the stairs and out of sight.
Duristan laughs politely and pours himself a finger of whiskey, ignoring Whiskeyjack's admonishment.
"Quite right, quite right." He noses the whiskey before sipping at it. "Even had elven whiskey? Rubbish. Anyways, before we go on our next great hunt there have been bets taken as to what your actual reason for coming to the lodge is. I have a modest amount riding on that you're here to hunt werewolves with me, but I'm starting to believe you may have more than one reason."
Madam Ivanja dips her head to Lena.
"The Seasage Effigy? This is not known to me, but I sense this is something old, and strange. Significant. The wisdom attribute is most appropriate. Both of you will now select a wisdom card from this pile."
She extracts nine cards from the Harrow deck, shuffles them, and lays them face down. Lena and Arval each pick one card.
Lena reveals The Midwife.
Arval reveals The Winged Serpent
Ivanja smiles as she looks to the two.
"This is the Midwife, it is a powerful card. It indicates that you are an enabler... or conduit of new creation, ideas, or change. For Arval the Winged Serpent, which represents you as a bridge of understanding between knowledge and judgement."
She allows Lena to replace the card, and Ivanja then shuffles the deck several times before allowing Lena to cut it twice. She then lays out nine cards, face up.
"There are forces of good and evil, and law and chaos in the world and that which lies between - neutrality. Each suit is an attribute, strength, constitution, dexterity, intelligence, wisdom, charisma. There are nine cards per suit which are combinations of law/chaos, and good/evil. So the Midwife was the Lawful Good card of Wisdom."
The cards snap as she lays them on the table.
THE FOREIGN TRADER (I, N) ------ THE EMPTY THRONE (Ch, LG) ----- THE MIDWIFE (W, NG)
THE MOUNTAIN MAN (Co, CN) ----- THE WINGED SERPENT (W, LG) --- THE BEATING (S, NE)
THE INQUISITOR (I, LN) ----------- THE VISION (I, CN)----------------- THE LOST (W, CE)
Ivanja remains silent as she studies the cards. The smell of incense is cloying.
"Both of your chosen cards have shown up. Very interesting. Now; nine positions for nine alignments, and nine relations to your destiny. The placement in the spread indicates if it is for your past, present, or future. Some cards are better matches than others - I need not interpret all of them. There is but one true match, and a few partial matches."
She taps her finger on the first card.
"I believe this card speaks to me. The Foreign Trader in the lawful good position means information of great benefit. At some point, you learned something which did great good, perhaps saving a life. As for the midwife..."
She stares at Lena meaningfully. "You are the Midwife. And in the future, you will create a positive change in a significant fashion. The card us unmistakable here."
Passing her hand down to the neutral role.
"The Winged Serprent in the present. Arval, this is understanding. You have a keen grasp of something that others may lack. You may be unaware of it, but you have great power in you... beyond your swordarm. The Beating is unsurprising - there will be attacks from all quarters in the future. "
She then stares down at the last row of future, and evil.
"The only card that matters here is the Lost. It is a true match, a card of chaos and evil in the correct position. I have seen enough."
She looks meaningfully at the two of you and her voice takes on a deep, sonorous tone. It is as if something is speaking through her.
"This Seasage Effigy is a piece of something greater. It may be a means to an end, an ingredient, or a weapon. There is a great evil for you to face. A powerful force, unseen that manipulates the world we know, both here in the Shudderwood and beyond. This force is growing and it is powerful, and malevolent. It can drive people mad, and will. It will threaten Ustalav, or the greater world. Your role in relation to this evil is clear. You are destined to face it, and change the fate of the world."
Madam Ivanja stops, and then slumps down in her chair.
"We are done. I will not request payment. Please leave."
Belik scampers up the stairs, straight for Estovion's room. After a moment, the two of them emerge and without sparing a glance to either of you, make their way to another section of the lodge.
Kawrock does some searching, and finds a relatively well-used book that was lying on top of several others nobody had noticed yet.
In it is a detailed description of the Stairs of the Moon. It is an ancient temple of Desna, whose location is not exactly known, but it appears to be very much in this section of the Shudderwood. For over 800 years, the temple administered to those of Desna’s faithful among the settlers of the Shudderwood, until the Whispering Tyrant came to Ustalav. At that time, the high priest of Desna at the temple had a single son whom he loved dearly. During the wars against the Whispering Tyrant, the priest’s son served as a missionary, but when he returned home some years later he had changed, for at some point he had
contracted a particularly virulent strain of lycanthropy.
The priest tried everything he could to save his son. He imprisoned his son in a secret chamber beneath the temple and conducted experiments upon him, desperate to reverse the curse. When his research failed to yield positive results, these experiments turned dark and terrible. The priest developed a serum from his son’s blood that he used to infect his congregation with lycanthropy in order to study the disease’s effects. Over the generations, these afflicted werewolves’ offspring became natural werewolves, and their descendants now hunt the Shudderwood as the Mordrinacht tribe. When the temple fell to the armies of the Whispering Tyrant, consumed in mysterious pillars of white fire, death transformed the cleric’s wretched son into the undead vilkacis. The Stairs of the Moon was soon abandoned, and its memory wiped from the world at large.
Arval glances to Lena uncertainly. He stands and and leaves the room upon request.
"That was... Not what I expected..."
He says to Lena on the way down.
"What do you think she meant about me? Surely not everything was true, was it?"
Kawrock looks up from his newly found book and asks Wren. "What is a Vilkacis? I don't believe I have ever heard of such a creature."
Hey, where are they going? They're supposed to be looking for the tome I requested!
Eldon decides to sneak after Estovion and Belik, to see what they're up to.
"What is a Vilkacis? I don't believe I have ever heard of such a creature."
Wren cocks her head at Kawrock's question.
Know (Religion)
"Well, Kawrock...I first learned about the vilkacis during my tenure in the Temple of the Affluent Amazonians...".
Sparked by the recent discovery and Harrowing, Wren put her mind to researching more of the Seasage Effigy (and Sausage Effigy in case others are similarly confused):
Know (arcana)
Know (history)
Know (religion)
"Kawrock, if you're going down to the kitchens, would you have them send up a plate of sausages? No reason..."
Wren racks her brain trying to figure out what a vilkacris is, and even after spending some time searching the books, she still has absolutely no idea what one is. No clue. The only mention of one is in the book Kawrock found.
Arval and Lena return back to library, looking somewhat shaken, passing by Whiskeyjack and Duristan talking over their whiskeys.
You creep after Belik, he heads upstairs and into Estovion's room where the book is supposed to be. But after a moment they emerge, and without sparing a glance to Wren and Kawrock, who are busy researching, they make their way further into the lodge.
You shadow them expertly, and they don't go too far. Estovion and Belik head through the door that leads to the guests quarters, and then south, out onto the balcony overlooking the courtyard of the lodge.
You hide around the corner, eavesdropping.
"I can't work with these people infesting the library and asking questions. Please find out what you can about their reasons for being here without attracting attention. I am going to walk the ground to clear my head and calm my nerves."
Estovion then turns, and heads back towards the library where he begins speaking to Wren and Kawrock. Belik splits from him, heading downstairs.
Estovion promptly walks back in and smiles apologetically to Wren and Kawrock.
"I am afraid I have no such book in my personal library. That said I will inquire and see if any of our learned guests happen to own a personal copy. Send my regrets to Master Eldon."
"Were is Eldon? Maybe he knows what a vilkacris is." Kawrock replies to Estovion's message.
Arval joins Whiskey and Duristan and tells them what happened upstairs.
"No clue what she was talking about. Sounded really creepy thought."
|
|
Lena relates what the mystic said, and concludes
Assuming she speaks truthfully, the seasage effigy is obviously a ritual trigger, though for what I don't know. But considering the ghost they captured, it cannot be good.
She ponders a second
A thought. Have we asked if strangers have moved through here lately?
Eldon rejoin Wren and Kawrock just when the latter wonders out loud about the vilkacris.
"Of course I can tell you more about the vilkacris, Kawrock!"
As Eldon starts his rant he keeps an eye on Estovion, to see if the man's headed back to his office or elsewhere.
"People always go' more'n one reason t' be doin' anythin', in me experience. Huntin' werewolves ain't exactly wha' I be interested in. More like, rest and relaxation a' one o' th' finest huntin' lodges in th' land. Tha', and Eldon had some book or another he were lookin' fer."
"I am afraid I have no such book in my personal library. That said I will inquire and see if any of our learned guests happen to own a personal copy. Send my regrets to Master Eldon."
"That's okay, Estovion. I'm sure I'll find it later when I'm in your personal library. When did you think you might want to invite me up?" Wren asks leadingly.
Diplomacy
Estovion calls over his shoulder, showing irritation for the first time.
"Later!"
He takes off downstairs in a hurry.
Eldon does in fact know about the vilkacis. It is a rare thing indeed and is a powerful lycanthropic spirit capable of inhabiting the bodies of mortals. The tribes of the Shudderwood are known to revere it as their progenitor and consider it holy. The vilkacis is a creature of evil, malevolence, and hate. It is incorporeal, but vulnerable to silver.
The destruction of a vilkacis is a difficult thing, for simply defeating its spiritual form will not destroy the creature. In order to do so, its canopic stone must be found and destroyed. Exactly what a canopic stone is, Eldon does not recall.
Wren learns some information about the Seasage Effigy as Eldon pratltes on about the vilkacis.
Wren reads what she can on the Seasage Effigy, and cannot actually find any language at all which refers to the statuette, almost shockingly so. The library here, and Estovion's own reference library are both very well-stocked with all sorts of information on the obscure and macabre. But the words 'Seasage Effigy' do not appear anywhere.
That said, as she tries to piece together information on it from the description, it becomes obvious to the learned, birdy elf that its described appearance does reference a religious idol of some kind. She is about to start exploring that angle when...
Duristan shrugs nonchalantly, sipping at his whiskey. Estovion arrives downstairs, briefly giving some orders to a porter before The Markiza spots him and begins chatting about nothing in particular.
"I never had much use for books, I find they cloud my mind. I need to be dynamic - an actor in order to slay as many werewolves as I have slai---"
Ding Ding Ding Ding!
The dinner bell starts ringing, and you hear guests start making their way down from their rooms and courtyard towards the main hall. Belik pokes his head into the library.
"I'm afraid the libraries are closed for the evening. If you would be so good as to join us all at the dinner table. You haven't been properly introduced to the Lodge guests yet."
Kawrock lets out a nervous warble "This vilkacis seems like the sort of thing the Whispering Way would be interested in." Perhaps we should start looking into how to find it.
"Oh! I was getting hungry!"
Arval says as he hears the bell.
"Will there also be beer?"
He says with a cheerful smile, completely having forgotten what just happened with the prospect of food. He makes his way towards the dinner table and sits down in the first seat he sees.
"Nice comfy chairs. Could sit in these all day."
He glances down at the table and looks confused, grabbing some of the cutlery he says.
"What's all this for? What's wrong with just a single set?"
Wren casts Prestidigitation a few times, fluffing and cleaning her feathers before heading down for dinner...and even hits the dirty bird, Kawrock, for good measure.
"I've never seen you bathe, Kawrock. Would you like us to set up a large shallow stone dish in the garden? Is that how your kind bathes? I use magic, of course..." Wren makes friendly and interested conversation with Kawrock on their way down for dinner.
When she arrives, she chitchats about what she learned of the Sausage Seasage Effigy to others.
Eldon takes a seat at the head of the largest table he can find, convinced it's reserved for the most important guest imaginable: himself. He soon notices his comrades sit elsewhere and decides to join them instead, out of sympathy for their lesser status. He knows fully well that everyone's aware of his incredibleness regardless of his position at the table, and that his remarkably humble nature will be admired even more if he pretends he's not the best. Which he, of course, knows he actually is.
"Yes, sausages would be nice," he replies to Wren.
Kawrock's belly rumbles as he just realizes it has been a while since he last ate. As he walks down the stairs and Wren comments on his grooming habits he simply replies, "I bath in the ashes of my enemies."
At dinner he watches Eldon wander around until the Halfling finds the largest chair to sit in, which looks rather silly given his small stature. Kawrock clicks his tongue in amusement as Eldon realizes where everyone else is sitting and comes over to join them. "I am curious as to what else we have found here. It seems that the people we are looking for seem to be gathering items from the different locations we track them to. I think this vilkacis may be what they are looking for here, but getting to it ourselves may have us dealing with different werewolf clans."
Wren cleans up the surprising amount of feathers that have littered the library, assuredly saving Belik a bit of a headache. You all head towards the dining room, seeing the various guests they've encountered. Most of the guests are already assembled - you spot several familiar faces. Whiskeyjack enjoying a drink with Duristan - Whiskeyjack is enjoying the drink far more than the company. The Markiza is seated, laughing with a handsome, rugged-looking young man you do not recognize. Delgros sits near them, occasionally talking to the younger man.
Corvin Tergsvor, the snotty noble Arval terrified spots all of you descending the stairs and immediately picks up his absinthe, making for an opposite side of the room. Cilas Graydon sits alone, nursing wine and showing the grief at his friend's death. Madame Ivanja sashays in, sitting near Whiskeyjack and Duristan.
The staff bustle around as you settle in. Duristan immediately pipes up, having replaced his whiskey with a pre-dinner cocktail. He speaks clearly to the entire room, drawing attention.
"I say, a toast to these strapping adventurers, with whom I added two more werewolves to my kill total!"
There is polite applause and a few raised glasses. Corvin tries not to look Arval in the eyes.
"And they have the most fascinating stories to tell. Master Eldon, could you entertain us with a ghost story before dinner? It would be ever so exciting!"
The Markiza groans.
"Oh please Duristan, you know I don't like being scared."
Duristan waves her off.
"The ladies love a good fright, don't they. Give us a good one Eldon!"
Wren sits wherever there is space. She is happy to chatter and chitter to anyone, mostly because she's not aware (or really caring) if they are listening or not. She will tell her stories (you all know the ones) about her life growing up.
She will hunt and peck at her food (leaning towards fruits, vegetables, and nuts).
She listens intently for Eldon's story and prepares one of her own should Eldon's not entertaining enough.
Whiskeyjack inclined his head to Madam Ivanja as she sat near him and Duristan.
"Good even' Lady. Ye be th' seer th' others were all fired up t' visit? Mebbe god some good info on th' werewolves, or other visitors t' th' area? We be lookin' fer somethin', though I ain't sure wha'. Mebbe ye know?"
He peered over at the woman with bleary eyes.
Arval sits down randomly at a table and looks a bit askance at all the fancy silverware.
"You lot eat with this? Whats wrong with a spoon or a knife?"
He picks up a fancy goblet from and examines it from all sides.
Eldon stands up, ready to give the best ghost story of his life.
However, he is rudely interrupted.
All of you stand up, and you hear cries coming from outside.
"A GIANT SPIDER IS EATING QUIENE!"
Everyone starts charging out, and screams start to sound out from the various guests. The guests are also all nearly entirely unarmed except for some guards, who charge with you. You head out onto the front porch and spy the biggest spider anyone have ever seen in your lives about to dine on the stablemaster!
A massive tarantula covered in bristly hairs strides forward with deliberate steps, its eight eyes scanning for prey.
Arval
kawrock
Eldon
Lena
Wren
---
Tarantula
---
Whiskeyjack.
Tarantulas unfortunately do grow to this size naturally, although they are quite rare. Aside from carrying a strength-sapping poison, they can throw their barbed hairs, which cause incredible pain, enough to nauseate. They have no particular immunities or weaknesses.