Kawrock will try and pin down Durstan and ask him about his scar ward. "You still have not told me what that does or who talked you into it. I did a little reading and found nothing about it."
Arval sits down at the table again and starts eating as if his life depends on it, trying to regain his strength by eating. Later in the evening he will go to the library again to try and figure out how to read, unless anyone wants his assistance.
Whiskeyjack looked on the scene in concern. He too got the feeling that Estovian was covering something up. he made a note to talk with the others about it, especially Wren and Eldon. They were more of the thinkers of the group. It wasn't that Arval was unintelligent, just young, and naive, and a little rash, and...well not too unintelligent anyways.
The dwarf went off to find Delgros. Something about the ranger's behavior and the penned animals struck Whiskeyjack as odd.
Kawrock gives Avral a hearty slap on the back.
"That should help with the effects of the spider venom."
Kawrock settles in behind Duristan, who lets out a hueg cheer. He then listens, and his eyes go wide.
"As soon as we're done dinner here we can get you a scar-ward. Penelope does fantastic work. I believe she has mystical powers. She should be available later on. She performed it on me for a modest fee, guaranteed immunity to lycanthropy!"
Whiskeyjack finds Delgros looking pissed off, sitting in a corner and nursing an ale. He glances up and grunts to the dwarf.
"What kind of an amateur does Estovion think I am. Leaving the door to the beast pen open. What do you want, Whiskeyjack?"
The dwarf smiled at Delgros and held out his flask. "Though' ye could use a drink after Estovion through ye t' th' werewolves back there. Lef' th' gate unlocked, indeed! As if ye were a pup. Wha's he rally hiding, I wonder, tha' he feels th' need t' hide from? Were he th' one tha' le' th' spider ou'? An' what for? Me friends an' I be lookin' for some info, an' maybe we go' on 'is bad side?"
Getting a pat on the back certainly helps Arval get his strength back.
"Do you have another one of those magic thingies? Haven't got my strength back completely yet."
He says as he lays down the book, which he was holding the right side up this time.
"Sure no problem" Kawrock says giving Arval another slap on the back.
"If you still aren't feeling well tomorrow let me know."
Arval flexes his hands, arms and legs and seems very satisfied.
"No need! I feel like normal again."
He hefts his shield and sword to test them and nods.
"Thank you. This helps out a lot! Such a weird feeling to lose your strength in an instant..."
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Whiskeyjack looked on the scene in concern. He too got the feeling that Estovian was covering something up. he made a note to talk with the others about it, especially Wren and Eldon. They were more of the thinkers of the group. It wasn't that Arval was unintelligent, just young, and naive, and a little rash, and...well not too unintelligent anyways.
Delgros takes the flask gratefully and knocks back a long draught, calming down a little.
"Much obliged. I didn't reckon you dwarves were the type to jump, particularly to conclusions. Estovion has his secrets - don't we all - but never suspected anything untoward of him. I'm out of here on hunts so much that I don't honestly have to deal with him much."
He stares at the flask, taking another sip before passing it back.
"Blaming me, and then Paucy in front of guests that quick is not like him though. He's a cautious man. So that's funny. But going so far as to release a tarantula? More as like to kill some guests rather than you lot. Big spider don't follow orders. So a plan that dumb I'd put on Paucy, nasty simpleton - skins rats all the time. But Estovion blaming Paucy immediately in front of everyone, that's weird."
Arval and Wren head upstairs to spend more time in the library, but Wren in particular is crushed to discover the doors leading to the libraries have been locked. The Markiza, enjoying a drink with her Hound calls out that the libraries are locked after hours.
Arval shrugs as he discovers that the doors have been locked, he turns around and starts strolling through the hallways of the building. If he encounters anyone he will starts a conversation with them.
Eldon takes a good look around while eating, to see if Estovion and Belik are anywhere to be seen.
He then sneaks off, also heading to the library upstairs.
When Eldon notices the door's locked, he takes Wren and Arval apart.
"I think Estovion has the book we're looking for, but for some reason doesn't want us to have it," he whispers to them.
"Now I have many skills, as I'm good at pretty much everything. I'm no burglar though. We need to find some way to get in that private library of Estovion when he's not there... Meaning, we have to obtain a key to it, somehow. Or maybe I can be made invisible and sneak in? Though the latter would mean Estovion still inside as well, and we may need a distraction..."
He looks at both of them, then at the hallway leading to the banquet. "We should discuss this with the others..."
Arval bends down to hear what Eldon has to say. He nods whilst he is talking, indicating that he understands what he wants.
"Let's see what the others are doing then. I don't possess such skills either."
He will go with Eldon and seek out the others, hoping they know what to do.
Delgros pats Whiskeyjack solidly on the back.
"You're all right Whiskeyjack. Lemme know if you find out if Estovion is up to anything. He's a good boss but his behaviour is a little funny, I will admit."
The night grows quite late, with most of the guests having gone to bed.
Eldon checks around, and finds that Estovion has retired to his chambers. He eventually spots Belik heading out of the house towards his cottage outside of the grounds. Satisfied that they are unlikely to interrupt, he gathers the rest of the group for a quick meeting in Kawrock's room to discuss the intent to enter Estovion's tower.
During this time, it also turns out only one entrance to the library is locked at night. Another entrance, through the west stairs, is open to all.
It is now late at night and you find yourselves in the reference library, moving as quietly as possible. There is no sound in the Lodge except the lone guard wandering around downstairs. Everyone else is asleep. A formidable, locked trapdoor looms overhead, leading to Estovion's private office.
Eldon's about to scrape his throat when he realizes the sound may create some unwanted attention. He instead nods and whispers, "That spell's exactly what I was about to ask you to use, dear Lena."
Eldon points out the locked trapdoor to Lena.
"Let me check it first. Estovion may have some kind of security in place."
He casts detect magic and checks the trap door for any kind of trap.
Eldon looks over the door, which does not appear trapped. She whispers her spell, and after a bit the lock turns, and the trapdoor pops open. As quietly as possible, the group creeps up to the tower floor. The sturdy lock makes it clear the you are very likely going to be in trouble if you are caught here.
The walls of the tower, the highest point at the lodge, and lined with various books with a well-used desk at the side of the room. A lovely view of the forest is afforded from here.
"Probably best not to use any light sources" Kawrock says as he looks out onto the forest. "They'll be able to see it for miles." He then begins looking for the book they need.
The walls of the tower, the highest point at the lodge, and lined with various books with a well-used desk at the side of the room. A lovely view of the forest is afforded from here.
Wren bustles into the open library, only somewhat annoyed that Lena had opened the door before Wren had a chance to.
"I'm shocked that Estovion had the door locked! He must have forgotten that I wanted in...such an oversight that I will forgive as we are such good friends," Wren prattles as she enters and looks around. "I'm so glad we were able to avoid awakening him so I could enjoy the library."
Wren goes to the desk and sees what Estovion was reading and doing.
She reads for a bit, then turns to the rest of the party...as if wondering why they were still there.
"Oh, I'll be quite alright now, thankyouverymuch," Wren coos contentedly. "The rest of you can go see about other things, I'll do the research here."
Wren makes shooing motions with her hand, trying to send the others on their way so she can do the research she needs to do in private.
Arval closes the door as far as he's able without it falling back in its lock and stands on guard outside.
"You search, I'll stand guard here."
He casually leans against the wall as if he belongs where is he.
"Call me paranoid, bu' I be thinkin' tha' Estovian be up t' somethin'. He were too quick t' call ou' th' huntmaster an' th' idio' fer me liking. Even if'n 'e ain't bein' th' one t' be lettin' th' spider ou' himself, he likely planted th' idea in th' simpleton's head, then threw Delgros under th' carriage quick as spit. Though why 's still a mystery t' me. I' weren't like we'd be th' ones tha' first set on th' beastie. No' during th' dinner hour."
"Top o' tha', 'e's been awfully unhelpful abou' lettin' th' others see th'b ooks they came here for, an' if'n th' Whisperin' Way have influence here, then surely th' Lodge Master'd be th' one they'd have in their coin pouches. Hope th' others find somethin' in tha' library."
Suddenly, Whiskeyjack slapped himself on the forehead, then winced as once more he had forgotten about the gauntlet on his hand. Rubbing the spot he said, "Ye know who we should be talkin' t'? Tha' prissy halfling a' th' gate! You know, th' one wha' turned 'is nose up a' us when first got here? 'E'd be like t' know anyone tha' came t' th' Lodge. Maybe ye should be th' one t' talk t' 'im, Lena, ye bein' a fellow halfling an' all?"
Wren starts poking through Estovion's desk, finding all sorts of information as the group discusses what to do.
She finds the following:
The Halo of Dreams, and the Desnan journal which pointed the group upstairs have been hidden in Estovion's desk. Wren quickly pours through the Halo of Dreams. It is a text about the Desnan faith, and its spread from Varisia throughout Avistan. The book contains, among other things, references to a relic known as the Dusk Moth which is hidden in the stonework of the Stairs of the Moon. Legends speak of priests transporting the relic to the temple, but all knowledge of it was lost when the Whispering Tyrant conquered Ustalav and the temple was abandoned.
As Wren reads, the following note falls out:
Searching elsewhere, she quickly discovers that Estovion is staunchly pro-aristrocracy, and has been organizing propaganda against the Palatinate authority.
And finally, Wren finds his journal. Within are some very interesting recent entries.
Eldon inquires about Wren's finds and listens to what she has to tell.
"Maybe we can get Estovion on our side," Eldon opts. "If we tell him the real purpose of our visit here is to learn more about he Whispering Way, and we make it clear we're willing and able to help with the werewolf crisis... We just have to find a way to mention the werewolf thing without revealing that we went into this room..."
Wren shakes her head at the evidence of Estovion's mistakes and past deeds, fully confessed in his journal.
"It's really sad that my good friend Estovion didn't mention this to me earlier. He could have trusted me after all we've been through, what with the spider and Arval's angry assault of nobles and all," Wren notes, agreeing with Eldon.
Wren pulls out her quill (of the many many feathers she has on her person) and writes down some notes.
Notes:
Halo of Dreams
Stairs of the Moon
Dusk Moth
SauSage Diaries
Song of Spheres
People:
Auren Vrood
Palatine Council
Mathus
Madame Ivanja
Kvalca Sain
Wren then restores the desk to its original formation.
Arval nods to Whiskey, only half understanding what he says but getting most of it.
"That might be a good idea! Though the little fellow didn't like us very much..."
While Eldon spoke quietly - for Eldon - Wren's words easily carried out to where Whiskeyjack and the others guarded the door. The warpriest turned to the room.
"Wha's tha'? Ye find somethin'?"
Wren explains what she found and shoos the others out of the library so she can research more in peace.
After getting shooed out of the library Kawrock decides to go see if anyone in the lodge is up to anything besides sleeping. To avoid detection he shape shifts into a tiny mouse and scampers off.
Eldon stays in the library with Wren and starts looking for information about canopic stones and how to destroy them. He also looks for information about a vilkacis in the area of the hunting lodge and where it and its canopic stone may be located.
Arval remains in his lounging position at the door, waiting for everyone to finish up inside.
Wren makes some notes in her notebook, continuing her research and then re-reading Estovion's notes.
Notes:
Halo of Dreams - tome
Stairs of the Moon - place (made up of Dusk Moth?)
Dusk Moth - artifact?
SauSage Effigy - missing artifact
Song of Spheres - dream state? Desna?
People:
Auren Vrood
Palatine Council
Mathus
Madame Ivanja
Kvalca Sain
Wren will try to research any connection between the SeaSage/Sausage Effigy and the Dusk Moth as both seem to be artifacts that the Whispering Way has interest in.
Wren and Eldon spend their time researching late into the night, discovering the following:
- There appears to be no connection with the Dusk Moth and the Seasage Effigy
- The only information found on the Dusk Moth is incidental, which creates a vague picture. It is apparently tied to the Stairs of the Moon, and has something to do with connection to Desna. Passages mention it being 'activated'.
- Eldon is unable to discover anything new on the vilkacris. It is a powerful lycanthropic spirit noted for its ability to possess people.
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Kawrock scampers off as a mouse to discover what more he can. Nearly the entire lodge is asleep, although he sees some activity from the guard tower, where Madam Ivanja stays. He creeps in through a crack in the stonework and finds a room where Ivanja is speaking with her employee, Niama. They are both enjoying a sweet-smelling substance from a glass water pipe and appear to be quite high.
"So my darling, I believe the adventurers who have arrived here are interested in figuring out what it is that Estovion has been up to. The guests you had a little while back... do you know who they are?"
Niama inhales deeply before slumping back.
"They had a strange symbol, a gagged skull. Why, are they important?"
Ivanja shrugs.
"Perhaps not to us. But seek out those adventurers... that blushing farmboy, talk to him, he seems pliable. Figure out why they're here, and perhaps you can tell them about your visit. If they won't open up, money will do. The usual rate. Now leave me, I'm tired."
Kawrock goes back and let's Arval know that he might be approached by Niama tomorrow, since he is most likely the blushing farmboy, and she might know more about who the whispering way agents were.
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Lena was lost in thought for a while. Then she says
desna has always being my deity. I wonder if I can find out about this ritual. Communing with the goddess would be...interesting. She shakes herself.
still, priorities. We should confront Estovian about his relationship with the whispering way. This werewolf thing is going to be...a problem.
Arval takes in the information Kawrock tells him and looks back at the door of the library.
"Best if I not be alone tomorrow then. Or maybe we all can pitch in for some questions..."
He raises from sitting against the wall and seeks out the others. Telling them what Kawrock told him.
"I think it best if someone sticks by my side tomorrow. And what do we want to know exactly from this Niama? Maybe I can remember the questions."
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You all bed down, sleeping comfortably in your feather beds, save for Kawrock who is above such savagery. Wren stays up as late as she can doing her reading, but eventually succumbs to the moderate sleep needs of the elves, and the increasing risk of being caught where she should not be.
The following morning you come down to see the Margrave, Cilas Graydon, suited in ornate chainmail with several guards at his side. Despite his poise, he is obviously a man grieving and does not look to have slept. His voice is a powerful baritone, cutting through the morning conversation in the Lodge.
"Excellent, you're awake. Thank you again, Lena, for your offer to recover Echtmoor's body. We leave immediately. Lena, you will ride with me. For the rest of you, if you do not have horses they will be secured. I intend to be back by this evening; it will be a hard ride and we do not have a moment to lose. You will of course be rewarded in whatever way I can manage."
"I can fly along, no need for a horse." Kawrock says as he looks over at Wren to see if she can say the same.
Wren hardly yawns from her of research and rest, still keeping herself clean and fluffed with her magics. She attends the breaking of the night's fast with unusual vigor, as if her night of study had increased her appetite significantly.
"More fruit! And nuts if you have them!" Wren orders of the staff, whether they work in the kitchens or not.
"...it will be a hard ride and we do not have a moment to lose."
Wren nods, almost ready to go as soon as breakfast is eaten.
"I shall require a horse, good Ser Cilas. It will be long ride and we shall discuss much as we travel. Have I spoken to you about the time I assaulted a troll-held castle with the most disagreeable of companions! I remember like it was last month but it was likely so long ago...it all started with my good friend...blahblahblah...talkative halfling with a penchant for buggery...blahblahblah...another halfling with twice the penchant, I think, not like she would admit...blahblahblah...and why must dwarves have beards? Disagreeable...blahblahblah..."