Jaye's Carrion Crown
Game Master Jason Sonia

Ooh! Loot! :P

Vaghn whistles softly to himself, confident that finding the copper in the road signifies a change in his luck. His eyes widen when he takes in the statue's new decoration.

"That graffiti... was not there two hours ago."

He casts a spell and studies the letter...

Heh, that sounds about right.

Rendel remains ever vigilant fearing that Tharnik's curse wis not an isolated incident.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26Perception
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 Sense Motive

Madeline takes note of Smith's comment, but since it was only himself which heard the baleful tune of nature she keeps such information to herself at this time. At Vaghn's comment of 'Graffiti', she too pauses and looks at what the local vandal's have perpetrated.

Perception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Smith

Perception:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Madeline takes note of Smith's comment, but since it was only himself which heard the baleful tune of nature she keeps such information to herself at this time. At Vaghn's comment of 'Graffiti', she too pauses and looks at what the local vandal's have perpetrated.

Perception:1d20+6

Smith

Perception:1d20+12

I already rolled your Perception for the statue. You easily see what Vaghn points out.

Heh, that sounds about right.

Rendel remains ever vigilant fearing that Tharnik's curse wis not an isolated incident.

1d20+7Perception
1d20+8 Sense Motive

Sense motive? Why?

Ooh! Loot! :P

Vaghn whistles softly to himself, confident that finding the copper in the road signifies a change in his luck. His eyes widen when he takes in the statue's new decoration.

"That graffiti... was not there two hours ago."

He casts a spell and studies the letter...

** spoiler omitted **

You do not detect magic in the area.

Alright, no magic. What is the letter? Is it in an alphabet I recognize?

Rendel Bladetwist wrote:

Heh, that sounds about right.

Rendel remains ever vigilant fearing that Tharnik's curse wis not an isolated incident.

1d20+7Perception
1d20+8 Sense Motive

Sense motive? Why?

Passerby's, people we see, the night also may contain malicious intent.

I already rolled your Perception for the statue. You easily see what Vaghn points out.

*Bows* Indeed, but which letter of the Alphabet, perchance, could it be? (^_~)

Smith, kneels and leans closer, studying the statue intently

Perception:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

The letter? It has been carved? Painted? Daubed in grease/oil/mud/ink?

Dortlin crouched down, first squinting at the letter, then at the ground. "Best mind how much you stomp about," he said, pointing at around the base of the statue. "This grass was trampled recently, might be able to figure what direction they came from, or went, if we look around a bit."

Reaching out, he lightly touched the tip of his finger to the wet paint then raised the digit close to his face and sniffed at the substance.

Might there be any obvious (or not) significance to the letter relative to the statue?

Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15.

The letter, written in common, is "V." It's written in an oily, red substance. It smells slightly of copper coins.

[ooc[I attack the darkness![/ooc]

"I know that smell...."

Detect evil, making sure the statue and the new letter are in the arc.

Dortlin's good eye roved around the area surrounding the statue, keeping a particularly keen outlook for any errant drops of red paint that might trailed in the grass after the vandals.

Whoops, I forgot to take survival, it would have made sense for Dortlin to have it.

Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 3.

"Whom is this supposed to be?" Rendel says of the statue.

Whom indeed?

"The statue itself depicts Warden Hawkran, the last warden of Harrowstone. The twenty five names carved into the base there are guards who died in the fire and attempted prison break along with him, as well as the warden's wife Vesorianna, who was also at the prison that night and died with them. Hmm..."

Vaghn casts a quick spell which causes his glove to begin glowing with a soft white light, which he uses to more clearly scrutinize the statue. He stares at the inscriptions for a bit, then dips the tip of his finger to a drop of the 'paint' used to write the scarlet letter and tastes it.

Your group sees Vaghn dip his fingers into the painted letter V, bring it to his lips, and immediately spit the paint back out, a foul look on his face.

In the distance, a wolf howls.

At the sound of the wolf, Madeline straightens, Smith looks off/out into the night.

Perception:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 (DM' exposition for Smith to follow (^_~) )

"Well...?" Madeline asks quietly even as her hand comes to rest upon the pommel of her sword.[/ooc]

"Definitely blood. And only two names on this monument start with a V... maybe one of them has lingered on as a spirit? Or someone is trying to contact them? I just can't think it a coincidence that the memorial linked to Harrowstone is defaced like this." [i]He pales.[/] "Or maybe... whatever it is has nothing to do with the names listed here, but rather some spirit that noted my presence here earlier today is trying to contact me from beyond the grave! V, after all, could stand for Vaghn!"

Madeline reaches out and offers a comforting touch upon Vaughn's arm. She looks to Dortlin where he is searching the grass.

"Are there any traces of where this malcontent who would deface memorials might have gone?" She asks.

"It could stand for "Vendetta" for all you know professor." Rendel says casually as he bends down beside him and inspects the tracks around the statue. "Besides, ghosts don't leave footprints."

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Survival to identify who or how many were trampling around here.

Dear replacement. No joy on the detect?

"No, this looks more like high spirits than spirits from on high. Could this be a prank for our benefit?"

I'll update later today.

At Smith's whispered conversation with his Mistress, she stiffens.

"Gentlemen? We may have a...problem." She turns and begins to walk towards the sound of the heard wolf calls. "My servant informs me that the calls of the wild come from the direction of the inn. Now, not wanting to cause alarm, but I believe it imperative we investigate in case there is a developing...Tharnik...problem." She finishes cautiously, though she tries to hide it well, her voice betrays some mixed emotions over the fate of their companion.

So, yes...come! The game is afoot! I believe we head to said inn?

"One person made these. Likely our painter." Rendel says just before Madeline's warning and then curses. "Damn! We're not prepared for this. I knew we should have warned the priests!"

"Ah, hells...."

Dortlin shouldered his longspear and set off in the direction of the inn at a goodly pace.

Your group sets off in the direction of the inn. It takes you roughly 10 minutes to traverse the river and head into town. On the way, you hear several more calls, all much more clear now, coming from the northern end of town.

Once you arrive at the inn, however, things grow quiet. The lights in the inn are dim and once was the gentle murmur of the staff cleaning up is now only silence.

Madeline adjusts her great coat and clears her sword hilt in preparation, but does not yet draw her blade. Smith stands resolutely beside her, though his gloved hands clench into fists, the leather creaking softly under the strain.

Perception Madeline:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Perception Smith:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

What time at night is it, based on having stayed there my first night in town and general common sense would it be normal for the inn to be so quiet and the lights so dimmed at this hour?

Instinctively Dortlin drew back into the shadows, from out of the dimness he squinted at the inn and around at the surrounding area trying to make out anything unusual.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12.

The hour is late and Dortlin figures it to be a few hours after the witching hour, when the night is at its coldest.

As your group looks around, Dortlin steps back into the shadow of a building. You can still make out the whites of his eyes and the scar that runs across the right side of his face.

Madeline indicates, to better help her companions try and discern what Smith has seen, even as Smith leans closer and whispers in her ear.

Madeline looks to the others.

"Should we circle the premiss?" She whispers.

No best to stay together. Safer that way. Creel glances to where Dortlin faded into shadow. His eyes flick from the hidden figure to the edge of the inn building.

Not whispering Come on, I expect the good folk are all asleep. Not everyone has your taste for moonlight.

Creel strides towards the main door his eyes, ears and other senses striving to pierce the darkness.

Detect evil as I approach the door. Any joy?

You hear another howl, this one from deeper in the wood, as something retreats into the shadows...

Rendel keeps his eyes wary and his hand on his sword. "We need to rethink ourselves here. How does it look for four armed men to walk into a closed tavern that may or may not be filled with bodies. Aside from that it's dark and our enemy is not bothered by it...fighting out here is suicide."

Rendel is visibly nervous.

Madeline but raises an eyebrow at some aspect of Rendel's words,

"Whatever it is, it seems to be moving away. Surely coming at the premisses from the rear, but all of us, would be the better course of action? Hence we get to peruse more of the building from the outside?"

She suggests in a moderated tone, even indicating which side of the building they should begin to maneuver around.

Preferably the side with the most open ground.

"I like that idea even less." Rendel says as he draws his blade and lights it with a blessing. "Sneaking through the rear is what robbers and murderers do. If we survive this we most definitely need to make use of that boxes contents." Rendel waves his sword in the egneral direction that Dortlin disappeared to.

"This place seems clean. There was something nearby but it has moved into the forest. I don't think chasing it in the dark would be wise."

Creel Steps up and tries the door. Opening it wide if it is unlatched.

As your group checks the door, you discover it is locked and secure. Taking the time to examine the outside of the building, all of the other doors and windows all appear locked and unmarked. After searching the local grounds, you feel secure that nothing has entered the tavern. The evil you sensed before has long left.

"Well...shall we go back and resume our investigation of the statue?" Madeline whispers.

"I am not sure there is much else to be gleaned at the moment. Unless one of our companions believes they can follow the trail our vandal left in the grass?"

At Vaghn's words Madeline looks to her companions and spares a glance for he Manservant.

Smith's high perception isn't a 'Tracking' skill...but could it help?

"Let's get some sleep, we've a lot to do come daybreak. Just prayin' the Harrowstone's got some answers..."

Tired and worn out, your group returns to the Lorrimor Estate to find everything lit and quiet. Kendra, obviously exhausted from the day's excitement, lies quietly on the couch in front of her fire, a cup of tea still half-full on the end table next to her. She snores gently.

Down in the basement, you can hear the sounds of futile struggle and labored, angry breathing. You don't hear Tharnik call out, but as you approach the stairs, he does quiet some. You get the distinct impression he's listening to you while you listen to him. The silence is almost eerie.

Worried, you set watches, both on the basement and on the house's perimeter. Your effort is in vain, however, as the remainder of the night is quiet. Thankfully, Tharnik makes no attempt to escape and no one assaults the estate.

The tolling of the town bell awakens each of you to another grey, Ravengro morning. As each of you stir, the smell of coffee and fresh baked muffins fills the house. You can hear movement from the kitchen.

Kendra seems to be speaking with someone in hushed, excited tones.

Madeline would have had Smith and herself help Kendra to a proper bed, just so that Dm knows. Madeline, with Smith's 'support' would have gone down and at least visually checked upon poor Tharnik and his condition before retiring for the evening. *Bows*

Vaghn walks bleary-eyed to the kitchen, his hair sticking out at odd angles. It is obvious that his body is on auto-pilot until he has some hot tea in his belly.

Madeline - noted. Speaking of, I just met a girl from Norway named Madeline tonight. I keep expecting her to ask Smith for something... LOL

As Rendel begins to emerge from the living room he stops jsut short of being in sight and tries to listen in and determine the nature and subject of the hushed conversation and Lorrimor's guest.

Will try to use Detect Alignment on the pair from behind the corner, starting with Evil, then Good, then Lawful, then Chaotic.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 Perception
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 Sensemotive