"Well met to you good sir! It is a pleasure to make all of your acquaintances. I know I just walked in the door, and am certainly eager to hear what has been going on if you would be so kind as to indulge me, but as for the venture, why, I am determined to do nothing less than discover the final mystery that Professor Lorrimor was investigating at the time of his demise, and solve it in his name! I just know that he always hated to leave work unfinished, or a mystery unsolved, and with how secretive he had been lately, I imagine it was a big one! Perhaps dangerous as well, or requiring... precision, which is why I invited Herr de Savorie along. With his notes and journals, and a bit of legwork, I am sure we could help out friend publish one last discourse." He breathlessly looks at Kendra for approval.
At Vaghn's words Madeline's features harden.
"Well met to you good sir! It is a pleasure to make all of your acquaintances. I know I just walked in the door, and am certainly eager to hear what has been going on if you would be so kind as to indulge me, but as for the venture, why, I am determined to do nothing less than discover the final mystery that Professor Lorrimor was investigating at the time of his demise, and solve it in his name! I just know that he always hated to leave work unfinished, or a mystery unsolved, and with how secretive he had been lately, I imagine it was a big one! Perhaps dangerous as well, or requiring... precision, which is why I invited Herr de Savorie along. With his notes and journals, and a bit of legwork, I am sure we could help out friend publish one last discourse." He breathlessly looks at Kendra for approval.
"That is an excellent idea and a fitting gesture. I for one will gladly help! How do you propose to begin?"
"Yes." Rendel said. "Perhaps before we follow the professor's foot steps into some dusty tomb, or monster's hole, perhaps it is best we start with the apparent box of mystery he so direly wanted us to be rid of but chose also to keep here for a month."
He pulled the key from his pocket that he picked up the night before. Then, it was neglected and not even given a second glance by the others except for him. Now, it was the most important piece of metal in the world. Typical.
"I would suggest caution when we open this. The professor meant for the contents never to fall into the wrong hands. I can only imagine what wicked defenses the man may have placed on it to keep those hands from ever getting to them."
He turned to the newcomers, seeming to have a few words to say to them but turned instead to the basement and started that way.
"Please make your pleasantries quick." Rendel said as he walked away. "Evil did not wait politely for the handyman it certainly will not wait for a meeting with old friends."
Absentmindedly he put his hand on the hilt of his sword the events of the day making him more cautious than perhaps normal.
Kendra looks at Creel and says, "Perhaps with the key my father left. I suspect whatever he has locked in the basement is of some interest, which is probably why he left it to the people named in the will ...and perhaps why those fearsome beasts attacked. Should we have a look?"
"Which handyman was this?" Creel asks.
Creel shakes his head dismissing the irrelevant thought.
"Yes that makes sense. It might explain the stranger Torthen and I saw in front of the house. I half fear the wolves were somehow sent to attack as a distraction to cover theft or sabotage."
Creel moves to follow Rendal.
"Let me give you a hand Rendal. Trunks full of books are always heavier than they look."
Madeline stands ands follows the others towards the basement. Smith close behind her. Madeline walks with but the occasional wince or limp.
"I, uh, oh!" Vaghn is obviously confused by the turn of events, but at the mention of books perks up. Whatever it is the scowling man, Rendel, was talking about would become clear, he was sure, but books were old friends, and if they were books that the Professor had kept under lock and key they most likely contained significant information, perhaps even clues to what mystery he had been researching. Without further comment he followed, eager to lend his expertise.
|
Kendra leads each of you downstairs and into the basement. After circumnavigating a maze of older chests, strange crates, and bolts of exotic clothes, Kendra leads you to a corner of the room relatively clear of dust and debris. Here, you see a finely-crafted black oak chest with clasps made of darker metal.The chest itself is a relatively small object. Kendra, nervous about the contents, steps aside and allows Rendel the honor of opening it. The key fits the lock perfectly, and within are several old tomes and one relatively new one. The newest tome sits on the top and bears the phrase “Read me now!” scratched into the leather cover.
The other books inside are:
Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye: The rich purple cover contains a brass scarab set with a single eye in its center. It is locked.
On Verified Madness: This jet-black book twinkles as if stars were etched into its cover.
Serving Your Hunger: This dark brown book bears the unholy symbol of the goddess Urgathoa on it cover.
The Umbral Leaves: This lexicon is dark brown and bears the unholy symbol of Zon-Kuthon.
Madeline waits patiently for Kendra to sort through her late father's possessions. Though the four main books of note are obviously impressive.
Smith stands to one side, his gaze wandering over the rest of the basement.
Rendel took no chances when opening the box. He turned it away from him and the others adn the moment he heard the click of the lock he gingerly lifted the lid before taking a hard look at the contents.
Arcana
Dungeoneering
Drawing a stake from his belt he pressed it to his chin in thought for a moment before muttering to himself. "Dear professor if you had only learned the value of ignorance and a touch of fire you might have been alive with us today."
Rendel looked at the rest of the group and spoke sternly leaving no room for mishearing. "The knowledge of these contents do not leave this basement. Simply possessing these tomes are a lynching offense in most civilized places. Why the professor decided to pile them all together underneath his family's very feet is a mystery only the gods can solve."
Looking down at the books he frowned. Gingerly he took the tip of his stake just under the cover of the scratched book as if uncovering a landmine. Tipping the cover he peered over and attempted to read aloud the contents.
Creel smiles. "Oh I don't think we need to bother the gods with this one. The good professor gathered these tomes her because he needed them here. I for one thank him for it. Saves us a lot of time and awkward questions. The professor fought the darkness with knowledge. We are looking at his armory.
We had best start reading. Who or whatever was on the doorstep may not give us the luxury of time. There are five texts and nine of us so it should not take long.
I'll start with 'On Verified Madness'. There was and old study on the code of Iomedae the the chapter-house library that was bound the same way. Always wondered how they managed to get that effect.
Madame Lorrimer, the topmost text is most likely your fathers journal. Some of the information in it may be private, or painful. Do you wish read it?
|
|
As you sort through the books, you instantly recognize both of the unholy symbols. You recall that Urgathoa is the goddess of disease, undeath, and gluttony ..and cults to her have been rooted out in places as far off as Varisa and as close as here in Ustalav! Zon-Kuthon is another strange, some say alien deity whose unholy symbol immediately strikes you as odd. As the god of darkness, loss, pain, and envy - the Midnight Lord's worship is generally dissuaded in most civilized parts!
You know nothing about the Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye, but have heard about the book, On Verified Madness. If you recall correctly, it was a book about the Dark Tapestry and the abominations that sneak into the world from between the stars.
Nothing in or directly around the box radiates magic.
You can smell the evil coming from both Tharnik and the box, but it is a dull (inactive) and doesn't have the sharp scent that some creatures (notably some of the undead you've encountered) give off. There are simply something, especially unholy symbols, that give off that scent. You suspect this is the case here.
As Rendel pokes around the chest with his stake, naming the titles off for each of you to hear, you collectively notice Kendra's cheeks begin to redden. After Rendel finishes saying, "The knowledge of these contents do not leave this basement. Simply possessing these tomes are a lynching offense in most civilized places," her cheeks warm to a bright red, her eyes narrowing to cold slits in her face.
When Rendel finishes speaking, she turns to him and shouts, "What?!?! A LYNCHING OFFENSE? In a CIVILIZED PLACE?!?!! What sort of man, or more importantly, place do you come from?? Does possession of a library demand death in your homeland?? You, sir, are either as ignorant as the men that disturbed my father's funeral or possess all of the coath of a dull rock!! How you can continue to insult my DEAD FATHER is beyond me. I have NO IDEA what he saw in you. You, sir, are a BUFFOON."
She turns from your group, tears streaming down her angry face, and storms upstairs.
Vaghn seems in awe of the treasures scattered about this basement, and pays particular attention to the tomes within the chest.
When Kendra gets upset and leaves however, he looks distraught and follows her upstairs.
|
|
While you're certain you've heard of the Order of the Palatine Eye, you cannot, for the life of you, place them or where you read about them. You're certain it's an obscure reference.
The other books all cover topics you are familiar with. While you haven't read extensively about either Urgathoa or Zon-Kuthon, you know quite about them from general religious studies.
You recall that Urgathoa, better known as the Pallid Princess, is a goddess of gluttony, disease, and undeath - with a number of undead and living worshippers. She favors ghouls, which represent all three of her areas of concern. The book Serving Your Hunger was penned by Dason, her first undead knight-commander. It is considered her holy book and lists a number of her rituals and tenets. Her clerics and servants often wear grey, with their robes and cloaks cut or shredded at the bottom to represent her decay. Her clerics often place large banquet tables in her temples, which are fashioned to look like large feast halls. She is worshipped mostly in the Darklands, Geb, Osirion, Ustalav, Varisia.
You recall that Zon-Kuthon, better known as the Midnight Lord, is the god of darkness, envy, loss, and pain. His book, Umbral Leaves, was written by a mad prophet from his church. It lists his laws and all the edicts of the faithful. He is the patron deity of Nidal, but he is often worshipped in secret all across Golarion. His clerics don't have an established appearance, but they are fond of cutting themselves and generally wear black leathers and other, dark clothing that is cut open to reveal their own sacred wounds. He is worshipped in Belkzen, Cheliax,
Geb, Irrisen, Nidal, Varisia.
Although you are not an expert on the planes, you do know that the book On Verified Madness is about the gulfs between the stars (a region known as the Dark Tapestry) that is far from a welcoming place. This cold, dark void holds terrible secrets and maddening vistas known well to priests of Groetus and the Old Cults. Their clerics have access to powers from the Void, gaining powers of flight so that they might move through this void and the ability to call down monsters from beyond to do their sinister bidding.
You don't recall much reference to these books in history (other than as reference material relevant to their particular religions or cults). You do remember, however, that Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant, was a worshiper of Urgathoa.
Following Kendra As you move to comfort her, she pulls away, turning her head from you and immediately moving to the couch and sitting down. As you move beside her (keeping your distance) to deliver your encouraging words, she breaks down even further, her sobs turning to gasps of frustration, "It's... It's... It's just all happened so suddenly..."
She continues to look away, her head buried in an old, but finely-wrought throw pillow. She mumbles something into the pillow, which you don't quite catch, and then says, "It happened too fast. Why did he leave me so soon? I'm not ready to be alone yet, and ...and ...and now the people he's named in his Will, well, most of them are nice enough, but some of them are just terrible. Terrible I tell you!!" Kendra looks up briefly, listens to your words, and then pushes her head back into the pillow. She continues to cry.
"....
"I have not asked, and will not as I do not wish to upset you further, but I just got here: I don't know anything about the manner in which your father died, nor do I know anything about a Will, or these people. Maybe some of them are terrible, in which case I am sure you can simply give them the items they were willed by your father and send them on their way. I, however, came for a very simple reason: you, and your father, are dear to me. The closest thing I have ever had to family in fact. I..." He chokes on his words a bit. It is obvious there are tears on his face as well. "I will miss him, and I want nothing more than to make him... and yes, you... proud."
"You are not alone. For as long as you need me, I will be here." He grins lopsidedly through his tears. "Not that you will likely need a scrawny scholar like me for much, but I can assure you that, no matter what, you at least have a friend in me."
To Rendal Well that was ... unfortunate.
Rendel didn't even look up to bother with Kendra. By now her outbursts were as regular and predictable as the noonday son and just as easily forgettable. When she stomped out he shrugged.
"I for one would not like to see the civilization where having these is considered fine by the common folk. If she wishes to enlighten the townsfolk I'm sure they will happily respond in kind." He tapped his stake on one of the covers. "This is the holy text of the Goddess of Undeath. And this." He tapped his stake on another. "Was penned by madmen in the thrall of the Midnight Lord. The other two may be harmless though I am ignorant of one I admit. On Verified Madness I have only heard of but it speaks of creatures few can begin to comprehend."
He shook his head and sighed sadly. "I think it best we leave her out of this. I care nothing of her opinion of myself but her father was no innocent. I fear she may have some rather dramatic reactions when and if I decide to press further. Believe me, had we not needed to find a clue among these I'd have put a torch to each and put an end to this. I'm serious about these books and I don't think she realizes how much danger she's in. The man was already rumored a necromancer by the commonfolk. How much good do you think the authorities will be when an angry mob breaks down her doors and burns her a witch when they find out about these?"
He shook his head again. "I am only trying to protect her. Not coddle her naivety.
As Creel spoke he listened carefully. "I once spent a couple of days in a leather workers shop. It involves a lot of cat piss. I would ask extreme caution when referencing these tomes. It was troubled minds that wrote these. They might be contagious."
Going back to the journal he went back to reading aloud.
Giles raised a brow as the woman stormed out but didn't try to stop her. "Hells, and I thought I was having a bad day." He spoke without looking away from Kendra's egress, but it wasn't clear who he was speaking about. Popping the lid off the flask, he went over to examine the contents of the chest. "I'm not sure how you can claim inherent evil in any of these books, they're just words, mate. If I were to write a story with an antagonist cult, I'd be using books like this for research."
"In my experience, people are rather panicky; I certainly wouldn't take for fact that the Prof was in fact some sort of death lover."
Creel's face clearly shows the sadness he feels following Madame Lorrimers departure.
"Well, call it coddling or not. A softer touch will get better results with our hostess."
"Professor Lorrimer was a good man. If we are very lucky and work very, very hard we might hope to do half the work he has done in uncovering, understanding, and fighting evil."
Here some anger touches Creels' voice
"Yes the professor has dark books, he needed them. They were his tools. He used them to go into dark places and bring the enemies secrets into the light. Secrets have power, he denied the enemy that power."
"Though he was not a member of our vaunted order I consider that he walked the paladins’ path. He took terrible risks, he shouldered heavy burdens, he risked his life his soul and his mind so that others would not have to."
"And he paid the price, so unless you have proof that he crossed a line. Proof that you can bring before legitimate, legal authority, I strongly suggest you keep your suspicions out of Madame Lorrimers hearing. "
"Remember that we are her guests and remain only at her sufferance. I would hate for whoever is behind the wolf attacks to succeed in their aims because we were barred from the information and assistance provided by the Lorrimer house."
"Now put down your wooden toy. Walk up those stairs like a man and apologize to the good lady. If she will still see you."
Creel gazes steadily at Rendal through the musty silence.
There was a tense silence in the room. The calm before a landslide. He returned Creel's stare in equal measure with no small amount of pent up rage adn frustration behind it. For a moment it seemed as if Rendel would walk out of there or put the stake right into creels heart. Then he sighed and looked back down at the journal.
"Very well. When there's ample opportunity I will apologize to malady when she has calmed down and we can walk out the door without being assaulted by everything with fangs. I'm not going to explain my suspicions to you. Nor will I dishonor the professor's memory by walking the path he encouraged me to take against my mothers wishes poorly. Now if anyone has anymore grievances here they'd like to air out now do so before the next pack of wild animals shows up to rip pieces out of us. Now can we please stop wasting time? Every moment of bickering is another one gained by the enemy."
|
|
** spoiler omitted **
Clearly settled, Kendra offers you a smile that belays her thanks.
Unless interupted by Thorthen, Tharnic, Madeline or Giles, Creel will pick up 'Verified Madness' and leave the basement.
"Air is a little thick down here."
Creel will head to the kitchen. Setting the book on the table Creel will begin making tea. Assuming I don't blow the house up before I get that strange burner lit.
In the kitchen with Tharnik
"Have a seat while I raid the cold well. Think I remember.... Yes! Thought I saw a bottle or two in there."
Creel removes two deep brown bottles from the gold well. He sets a bottle and the book down by Tharnick, Notices that the bottles are still wet and belatedly grabs a towel.
Creel sits at the table and opens the second bottle.
"Things don't look so good. Wolf attack. Vanishing men. Those I can deal with but I don't know what to do about Madame Lorrimer." "It seems that we are all trying to help but it just keeps going wrong." Now I have a million questions to ask her but we got off to such a bad start that I don't know that she would let me get the words out. Mind you the questions touch on rather private matters so I don't really have grounds to ask." What do you think, my friend. You may well have the best relationship with her of any of us. How would you approach her with questions about how her father died and what if any efforts were made at revivification or spirit contact. Not to mention the questions about how he died. Sigh."
"Oh, been meaning to ask you. What happened on you walk with Madame Lorrimer? I mean how did the attack start? Did you notice anything untoward before the wolves attacked?"
Madeline steps up to Rendel, raising a finger and planting it firmly in the fellows chest.
"You, sir, have the manners of...a...pig." She snarls, while it seems such to be the strongest epithet she can manage. "And I would suggest you learn even a modicum of manners when you endeavour to speak to your betters!" With that she wheels and hurries after Kendra.
Smith continues to stand in place, though the man's shoulders tense and hands bunch into fists, he does not follow his Mistress but continues to wait -looking intently at the others as he does so.
** spoiler omitted **
|
|
As Rendel sits down to read the book marked 'Read me first,' he comes to realize it is the late professor's journal. Opening it up, several pages, each dogeared and marked appropriately, stand out. Thumbing to these entries, he discovers;
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."
As he wrote down his notes he was silent letting the thoughts sink in and letting his companions get a chance to digest what was said. As he wrote he spoke up (Only if Torthen and Giles remain)
|
|
Tharnik looks around the kitchen and thinks for a second. "You know, if I hadn't heard about this shadow man, I would have thought this was just a freak attack, possibly by sick wolves. But now I'm not so sure."
Torthen has been sleeping since the meal was served. It was here he was fully relaxed, could think clearly, and recap to himself the events that unfolded.
The wolves were not acting as they should. Perhaps if we were to explore the forest, or talk to the town around us, we might discover a true cause... and that's a nice set of ... zzz.. what's that?
When the dwarf wakes from his very short rest, he finds there is a plethora of chatter around him about darkness, undeath and so forth. The very talk of it bothers him visibly as he wakens to it.
"Look here, lads and lass. Whate'er it is, the old man had it for good reas'n. I'm sure if'n we go about and speak to the townsfolk, we'll be able t' find better information abou' the area. I would like t' find the schemer behind th' wolves, myself."
"So you're still here? That's surprising. You don't appear to have any real investment here considering the crowd of characters the professor has managed to gather."
[ooc]And of course the relevant rolls.[ooc]
Religion
Arcana
Dungeoneering
[spoiler=Rendels Notes]
Who are the whispering way? Tied to the whispering tyrant? Soemthing else?
Undeath as a fountain of youth? Vampires?
What or who is in Harrowstone? What is Harrowstone?
Ghosts that aren't ghosts?
[u]Things to do[/u]
Visit the temple of Pharasma and see this list of unfortunates the professor wrote about.
Ask someone to interview Kendra thoroughly about the contents of this journal. Maybe that strange little man who seems so close to her.
Visit this false crypt in the Restlands at the intersection between Eversleep and the Black Path. Arm self for Harrowstone.
Find Harrowstone. Come loaded for the supernatural.
Find the Professor's murderers and bring them to justice.
Apologize to Kendra.
Find Father.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
"To politics!" the word is a curse in orcish.
Creel shakes his head. "Too many strange things, Lorrimer's death, wild Stirges smashing through a darkened window, Strange men vanishing. And you know as well as I that even sick and starving wolves would never attack a village. Isolated homestead, sure. Tiny hamlet in the middle of a killing winter, maybe, but a village this size when there is still plenty of game in the woods? No. They were driven."
Switching back to common and remembering the tea. "I suppose we should all get together tonight and decide what we want to do about it. Perhaps there is something useful here or in that box downstairs."
"Suppose you could say that." Giles said as he picked up a book. "Don't know any of you from a hole in the ground - although, Vaghn claims to have met me before. Hells if I remember," he held the book under his arm as he sneaked another sip of his whiskey. "Really, just came here to pay my respects and see if I couldn't get some kind of work. Used to do the 'under the table' work for him in the past - biting and such." Replacing the flask in his pocket, he produced a writing instrument and a small pocket book on his way up stairs.
After making his way up, he takes a seat near the other and jots a few notes in a pocket book before scanning through one of the books from the basement.
Page 1
Scene: Local sleepy town in Ustalav; random group gathered after funeral of former mentor/employer (i.e. the hook). Locals claim was member of necromantic cult (NB: Fill in blanks later, i.e. find evil books in basement, etc.).
Protagonist: [Name later] (NB: Need a new character than last three books)
- Witty
Charming
Attractive
Brooding
(NB: Flaws? Love interest? [Not the daughter - too easy - what's the deal with Madeline and the 'man servant'? Will the critics call draw parallels to myself again? Do I care?)
Other notes:
- Antagonist within the group? Rendel seems to be moving that way. Maybe he knows more than he is letting on. Perhaps just 'good is not nice'.
Research more into the local cults and the dealings the the 'hook'.
Giles would pick up whatever book is on top and take it with him
Rendel smiled to himself as Giles made his minor confession. "No, professor you were anything but innocent. But I would not dare go so far as calling you evil."
Folding up his notes and replacing them he marked the relevant spots in the professors journal and joined the rest upstairs, leaving Mr. Smith to the dark. As he left he noticed the creature still standing there. "Don't think I've forgotten about you. If you're capable of thought that is. I cannot say what you are. But I can say what you're not. Your mistress would do well to have you bleed when you're injured."
As he stepped into the kitchen he dropped the journal onto the table for everyone to see.
"Thankfully, the odd one out of the pile appears to be the most relevant to the situation. His journal, written in his final days among the living. He was a busy man right up until the end. I won't bore you with the details as I've already marked the necessary pages.
I will say he did not mean to have it left in the chest with the...others. He simply had no other alternative. In the meantime I'm going to the Temple of Pharasma and have a chat with the local priest."
Rendel gestured to Giles and Vaughn (if he's downstairs).
"If you'd like to accompany me I can take you to Professor Lorrimor's resting place. It is not so out of the way and I have a mind to make sure it's not been vandalized."
As he turned to walk out of the door he stopped, fished in his pocket and put the key back on the table. "Please return those wretched things to the box when you've had your fill of their corruption. I only hope whatever you glean from them won't be necessary to solving our current predicament. A situation I fear threatens us all."
"If you'd like to accompany me I can take you to Professor Lorrimor's resting place. It is not so out of the way and I have a mind to make sure it's not been vandalized."As he turned to walk out of the door he stopped, fished in his pocket and put the key back on the table. "Please return those wretched things to the box when you've had your fill of their corruption. I only hope whatever you glean from them won't be necessary to solving our current predicament. A situation I fear threatens us all."
Creel sits quietly at the kitchen table across from tharnik. A half empty dark class bottle in front of each of them.
"Hold a moment friend. Couple of points to consider.
First, remember what happened the last time someone went for a stroll. Make sure you are all armed, I expect there will be trouble. Feel free to borrow my club if you need a secondary weapon. Hate for you to have to rely on that stake again.
Second point, when you meet the good father let Giles or de Grafft do the talking. You have a gift for the right word at the wrong time that rivals my own. It is a power to be respected. The locals fear us enough. Don't give them more reasons than they already have."
"Enjoy your walk."
With that creel picks up and begins to read 'Verified Madness'.