Tis worse than we feared, says Kaleb Hesse on your return. That we have lost a member of our troupe is heavy on our hearts... but here, your companion looks drained and weary! Let him lay with the prince, our best wagon, as a sign of our concern and gratitude.
The Albino throws aside some heavy curtains to reveal the man who had called out before is without arms or legs!
By reason of his Highness' condition it is our most comfortable as well.
This is sad...we could not save their friend. She died to pick some flowers...I guess something could be said about that
Nalun begins humming a sad tune he picked up at the University.
What are your plans now good masters?, ask the leader of this band.
What are your plans now good masters?, ask the leader of this band.
"We are bound for Lepidstat. Perhaps it would be best to travel together if you are heading that way. I do not think that spider will follow, but there is safety in numbers."
My thanks Friend priest - we would welcome your presence.
We are bound for the city ourselves to entertain the crowds that have gathered for the punishment of The Beast
The caravan is truly a mixed bunch of performers - mostly deformed but all of them extraordinary. Trollblood is a simpleton but stands near 8 feet tall and is quite strong. The bearded lady, Lidia Gerod,stands near on 7 ft tall and is possessed of a fine beard that brushes her chest. The man with no limbs, 'the human caterpillar' Prince Zar, is apparently an exiled prince of the “Lost Cities of Darkest Garund”, the two remaining 'Pin heads' have heads smaller than their bodies on scale of nearly a quarter or more (Poppy and Lettie) and so on. The Wolf Boy is a very hairy child - apparently from the Shudderwoods but more likely suffering from Hypertrichosis (werewolf syndrome) - he too is a simpleton but is cared for by Poppy and Lettie as if a little brother, and so on.
"Ah, yes the Beast. One of yours perhaps, had he joined with your merry band at a younger age?" Simeon inquires of the leader. "Cast off his violent prelidictions for a more prosaic existence."
Finally the caravan leader looks a little offended. This Beast has been a cause of trouble and strife for many years. It has been feared and decried - that why the crowds gather to see The Beast enter the 'Punishing Man'
The Punishing Man is a large effigy made of wood, wicker and other combustible materials that the worst offenders are put inside before being burned alive.
"Sounds like he's getting what he deserves..." offers Emmett, trying to smooth some of the wrinkles put in by Simeon. "I'm so sorry for your loss..." he adds, unable to let go easily of the failure.
"Disregard the robed man's comments, he has a rather odd sense of humor and is much better versed in ancient history than social niceties."
"It is probably best that we not linger here lest some other tragedy occur. I am sure Aleece will be well judged for her sweet soul. Jaru makes the traditional spiral of Pharasma over his chest and makes ready to depart.
Simeon shrugs at both the caravan leader's offense and Jaru's attempt at excusing his comment, "Feared and decried, you say? I'm sure each of your brood could regale us with tales of such from their own pasts. " he states bluntly, then his faces softens somewhat , "That was my only comparison, Hesse. That those persecuted can and often resort to evil means of exacting revenge."
Then with a snort at his own foolishness, turns and takes a seat on a wagon, opening one of his books....
Nalun frowns at the Itinerant Professor. He follows Father Toth's example and makes a Spiral.
Have I told you the story I once heard about the Beast... and he begins prattling on about stories that circulated among the University students regarding the Beast.
Emmett rests and recovers in the wagon and within a few days you roll into the small city of Lepidstadt.
Founded in 3898 AR, Lepidstadt is the largest settlement in all of Vieland and effectively acts as the county's capital since the governing council is based there. Its population is normally around ten thousand or so but from the streets? You can tell the people gathering for the trial of the beast has swelled its local population by more than a tenth of that.
Gravecharge is the name of the central cathedral of Pharasma in the Ustalavic city of Lepidstadt. It is overseen by its head priest, Father Eswayne Cidaimoikis.
You roll up, after asking for directions, to Kendra's new townhouse and begin unpacking. The move takes about a day to complete and by the evening you are tired but happy with the progress you have made, the move in complete and just some unpacking to remain.
Emmett's mood has improved during the recent Moving Days. He's been around town a few times on his own and has spent some time in bars and public squares. Saying little, listening instead. It seems clear that a change of venue was long due for him...
After the small dinner Kendra put together to celebrate her moving to Lepidstadt and some words in honour of the late professor, Emmett offers: "I'd like to go see how the baladins are doing. Perhaps we could pay them a visit?"
The Baladins? Who are they? Kendra asks.
Jaru is quite relieved to be in a city and away from the superstitious rustics of Ravengro. Despite their eventual acceptance of the outsiders, the Garundi priest never really felt welcomed there. He looks forward to a visit to the Gravecharge, but first there is the issue of returning the tomes. The honorable young priest thinks of duty before pleasure.
I think I know who that is... Nalun offers to go with the group bringing the tomes back, he was a University student at one time.
"The baladins! The street performers! The carney!" says Emmett, then he shrugs and adds: "Guess I'm just old, using old names... But yeah. Best go to the University first."
As the caravan enters Lepidstadt proper, Simeon becomes noticably more animated, even smiling occasionally.
"Ah,Lepidstadt ! Center of culture and learning! Smell that!" he says, inhaling deeply of the city's smells and stenches, "Civilization! "
Finished with the unpacking at Kendra's , he looks up from where he was placing some books on a shelf, "Yes, returning those books is of utmost importance, even without our explicit directions."
"Come, I will show you the way." he says, gathering his things, obviously excited to return to his former place of learning.
Simeon and Nalun are both very familiar with the city and in short order have you at the University. Recently renovated, Lepidstadt is a bustling, lively city of students and academics, with newly bricked streets, wide plazas, and grandiose structures built from imported wood and stone. Away from the university and city center, however, the narrow, winding streets of Lepidstadt show the signs of its age, with dilapidated hovels, crumbling stone walls, and cramped courtyards.
Simeon knows of Doctor Montagnie Crowl, a some what eccentric man (but then again most of the faculty are too) who leads the Antiquities Department.
When you arrive at the University you are greeted by the sight of several builders and craftsman working to repair the damage to the Antiquities building. In short order you are able to track down Dr. Crowl.
Busy busy busy around here Professor Plavini... I understood you were on sabbatical. What brings you hear at this exciting time? And who are your friends?
"Ah, good Dr. Crowl! Glad to see you so fit and hale. Simeon exlaims, before continuing "Ah, yes, sabbatical, indeed....you remember Lorrimar? Dead, unfortunately. Funeral then some nasty business....unspeakable horror! No, no, details must wait!"
Simeon pauses, enjoying the frustration evident on Dr Crowl's face, then indicating his companions, "May I introduce Miss Elidal, sworn of Iomedae, Master Emmett Escheus , master of arms; Mr Nalun Phlithmira, a fellow scholar , lately of our own alma mater; and finally Pharasmin Jaru Toth, of Osirion"
"We have come to return some tomes of Lorrimar that begged to be secured in a place of learning and discretion."
Dr Crowl looks sad indeed when he hears of Lorrimors death. Our halls will seem so much emptier with out his occassional visit to challenge us and our thinking. I always enjoyed his lectures. You have books to return you say. Ha! Thats Petros for you - I dare say he "borrowed" them from our vault - indeed I'd bet a gold to a copper thats exactly what happened.
He receives the books (except for the one to be returned to Judge Daramid) with a sigh. Ah Petros old friend, I'll be poorer for your loss.
He places the books carefully on a nearby table and sweeps a hand around the room.
Exciting times, what?, he exclaims. The Beast was caught outside this very room. He made a devil of a mess breaking in, clumsy as the proverbial bull in a pottery shop! And the time still needs to be spent renewing the wards for most of the displays that were damaged - we're doing inventory now but so far it seems that only one exhibit is actually missing.
Simeon knows that the display cases are protected by magics (an electrical form of 'Fire trap', normally needing a specialised lengthy ritual magic to cast).
It will take some considerable time to put them back in place - some of them had been in place for over a hundred years without incident and now? Its going to take Old Ygenivy weeks to do the work.
Ygenivy Pavlov, Master of Applied Magics is know to both the University Alumni. He is rumoured to the strongest (and eldest) wizard at the university though it was rumoured that Lorrimor (years younger) had the old wizards measure.
Surprised that the Beast wasn't burned to a cloud of gas by all the discharges of energy but then again the Beast is nothing if not extraordinary - a Flesh golem would you believe!?
What was the Beast looking for Professor? Why was he after your books?
"A flesh golem? What sort of beast is that? I imagine it might have been after the item that is now missing, Nalun. What is it?"
Missing? An old statue - An ancient Kellid artifact. We called it "The Sea-Sage effigy"... I have a drawing of it... where did I put it? From what we know of it, it was held by their shamans who were said to have prophetic dreams...Ah here we are.
The artists rendition is of a curious statue with a vaguely anthropoid outline, but with an octopus-like head whose face was a mass of tentacles, a scaly, flabby-looking body, prodigious claws on hind and fore feet, and long, narrow wings behind. The whole of the creature is slightly unsettling.
Golem? It's a magical construct... in this case re-animated tissue made to have a semblance of life through magic! This Beast looks like it has been sewn together from many bodies and not all of may be human.
Knowledge (arcana) 8, Knowledge (dungeoneering) 8, Knowledge (engineering) 8, Knowledge (geography) 8, Knowledge (history) 8, Knowledge (local) 8, Knowledge (nature) 8, Knowledge (nobility) 8, Knowledge (planes) 8, Knowledge (religion) 16
Nalun thinks about what he has learned about such an artifact...
Its simply one curio among many... now the Kellid on the other hand, thats different. The Kellid were the original people of Ustalav but have been largely displaced by Varisian and Skald immigration as well as the more obvious depoluation caused by the Whispering Tyrant. It was said they once worshiped strange and dark gods. Kellid pure bloods are rare and the once mighty people, famous for their barbarous ways and skill in battle are likely farmers or city folk these days. The language of the Kellids, Hallit, is still spoken in pockets of Ustalav.
Jaru looks disgusted. "But the creature is not undead? Why would it have any interest in looting museums? Who created this thing? Surely they directed it."
That, friend Priest, is EXACTLY my thoughts - it makes no sense whatsoever. I can't conceive of single reason for that creature to come in here and destroy the place... plus of course, where the effigy is now of course - I mean if the creature did steal it? What did he do with it? Eat it?
He stops mid arm waving rant.
Apologies - I am a little distraught - like I said its going to take weeks to repair the damage let alone get things back in order. Thank you for the books, but not the news of dear Petros' death. Is there anything else I can do for you?
Simeon pauses in his silent perusal of the books pile in one corner of the professor's office, his head raises at the mention of golem , "Curious, a construct. Under the control of a puissant practictioner, or does it have it's own motivation somehow." he muses, mostly to himself.
"So the golem rampages about for several year, then comes to the school here to steal a very specific curio, then after many years of escaping capture, is captured. Strange indeed!" he states , then leans over again, running his finger along the spine of a thick tome.
He then straightens, "I would see this Beast. Where is it held, Professor?"
In the prison, securely bound in heavy chains and behind stout bars or so I am told but the Beast is not available for open viewing - else to many of the mob would have ventured in to throw refuse and worse at the creature. I doubt you could get audience without permission of one of the magistrates in town for the trial. The trial is in few days. The day of the trial will be fixed in a day or two.
I would think the latter... Nalun doesn't hold the burghers of Lepidstadt in very high regard.
"Indeed, one does not imprison the sword or dagger of the assassin! But, one cannot but forgive the illiterate and ill-informed authorities putting on a show for their equally ignorant audience." Simeon spits spitefully, the draws a breath and calms himself "Nay, there is an intelligent agency behind the actions of this construct, mark my words. It may be diverting to attempt a solution to this puzzle. " he says, tapping a finger against his lips meditatively.
Jaru nods. "It all sounds very peculiar, but we still have other business at hand- Dr. Crowl, would you mind signing a receipt for the tomes and so you know an Embreth Daramid? We are to finish up the Professor's business with him."
Embreth Daramind? He is a 'She', he chuckles. She is one
of the justices of Vieland and a magistrate of Lepidstadt - a hard but fair judge it is said.
He writes out an affidavit for you and signs it.
As for the Beast itself? It just stood outside quietly while it was chained before it started bellowing and striving to break free... then it just gave up and let itself be led to the jail. Most particular.
"This is not making much sense... Perhaps if we can't have a look by our own means, we can find a sponsor? How about working for the barrister assigned to represent the beast? That might get us some information on who's controlling it?" offers Emmett with a low and slow voice.
Emmett nods: "Sure sounds like the next thing to do, since we're headed there..."
The walk to the Judge's house (in a better part of town) is uneventful.
You knock and are admitted by a young woman to the house where an elderly woman reads by the fire.
She rises and faces you.
I am Judge Embreth Daramid... would you be the beneficiaries in Petro's will? I believe you may have something for me?
Nalun doesn't know what the Judge is talking about, but he is sure that someone else does.
Emmett blushes slightly at Elidal's remarks and just nods at the judge.
Simeon listens to Elidal speak, nodding at her observations. Pursing his lips, he addresses the Judge, "Judge Embreth, I'm not sure what you expect of us. From my recollection, Petros' will stipulated that we were to deliver his dangerous tome to the university, then report to you. If there is other requirements we are not aware of , please enlighten us."
Petros also would have left a tome - bound in purple leather with a Brass scarab - I believe this was to return to me? I know because I helped draft the will.
As for your companion Nalun, he was included in the bequest. For your other companion- maybe we can work something out... Indeed there is something I think we can help each other
I take it you have heard of the capture of the Beast? What think you of the situation?
I think it is very odd for a creation such as he to want to steal a curio....
At the mention of a missing tome, Emmett straightens to attention, unclear as to what it could mean.
He interrupts the judge, a bit gruffly: "Missing tome you say? Do you remember what it was about?"