Lysa Arianna |
Lysa tries to think over what the ghost said and previous conversations.
"Well, didn't the Way do something to him to keep him from interfering with their plans and from keeping those evil spirits in check? We did find his mortal remains, but there was no sign of his spirit in that room. Perhaps his soul is still imprisoned somewhere in this foul place? Maybe bound into an item? If it was bound into an item perhaps one of the cultists could even have carried it away with them and stored somewhere else?"
Firavel Mandorellian |
"I guess there will be no questions. Oh well, we'll figure something out."
Upon hearing Lysa's theory, Firavel says: "I think she mentioned the Way took him from his place where he kept the evil in check, probably, as you say, bound into something in their possession. I expect, or hope rather, that we can find his spirit if and when we catch up to the culprits."
Jean Whitemane |
Jean studies the spirit. He felt a moment of warmth as Vesorianna smiled and then disappeared. Then like most times the moment passed as more pressing problems arose.
"I believe you are both correct, Lysa and Firavel. The cult pulled the wardens spirit away to help with their plans, whatever they may be. When we catch up to them, we'll see about releasing him. Now let's be gone from here. We've done all we can."
DM Haldhin |
You return to Ravengro, and throughout the short walk, you notice that the weather has turned mild, almost pleasant. Birds fly about, and the surrounding area almost seems... normal. Quite unlike your earlier treks along this road.
Assuming you stop at Kendra's house, it's the first building once you get back to town.
Kendra's house is much like you left it, and she answers the door when you knock. "Come in, come in! Are you finished for today?"
She leads you into the dining room where an older gentleman sits at the head of the table sipping a cup of tea. Kendra moves to stand beside him, "Friends, this is Uncle Adi, sorry, Adivion Adrissant. He arrived this morning from Caliphas to pay his respects. He is a cousin on my father's side, but I've always thought of him as my uncle."
The older gentleman returns his cup to the plate and rises. He has the regal bearing of a noble, and his clothes are some of the finest you've ever seen. He is thin and pale, also something you would expect to see from someone used to fine living out of the harsh glare of the sun.
He executes a formal bow toward the group and gives Kendra a gentle smile. In a deep and slightly accented voice, he greets you, "I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Kendra has told me about your efforts to investigate Petros' unfortunate death. He and I were close, and we worked together on many research projects. Please, join us, we would appreciate hearing what you have discovered."
He returns to his seat and Kendra quickly heads to the kitchen to retrieve drinks for everyone.
Leon Ravencourt |
Knowledge nobility: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Leon's brows raise a bit, and he reaches out to shake the man's hand. "Pleasure to meet you, sir. I am Leon Ravencourt. These are masters Firavel, Sethis, and Mithias, my cousin Jean and Priestess Lysa of Pharasma" he says.
"I'm not really sure what we learned," he continues with a small shrug, waiting until Mr. Adrissant had sat before pulling out the chair for Lysa and then seating himself.
"There were ghosts in Harrowstone. They were anchored to the items they used in life to commit their crimes and were trying to build up enough power to get out. That is what Professor Lorrimer was investigating when he died. We finished his work there and laid the ghosts to rest."
Is it weird that I immediately don't trust this guy?
Jean Whitemane |
Linguistics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Knowledge Nobility: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Jean took a moment and set down his gear before coming to join the rest of the group. He stared for a moment and nods graciously to Adivion.
"Any friend of Petros's is a friend of mine. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Adrissant. I am Jean Whitemane. I too was a good friend of Petros. Perhaps once we have had a chance to rest, we can give you a full account of our trials. Also, I would be very interested to hear what sort of projects you and Petros were involved in together."
I don't know what you're talking about. He's obviously a highly sophisticated individual who is likely going to be our sponsor and highly important political client leading us into the next part of our adventure.
DM Haldhin |
Adivion leans back and gives Leon a shrewd look, "That's interesting, I was hoping you had discovered more..."
He reaches for his cup again but frowns, "Kendra, dear, I seem to have finished my tea. Do you have any more?" He prepares to stand up, but Kendra leaps up before he can rise, "I'll go get you some, Adi. Excuse me."
As soon as she leaves the room, Adivion looks at the group, "It's Lord Adivion, actually, not Sir. But I would greatly appreciate if is you simply called me by name, titles are only for brainless twits who can't succeed on their own merits." He says with a smile.
"Jean, Petros and I, as well as our compatriots, often worked together to find and stop various evil groups and cults... such as The Whispering Way. Now, did you find any evidence that Those Who Whisper had anything to do with Petros' death? And did you find out what they were doing at the prison?"
Frankly, after spending so much time inside a haunted prison, I'm surprised Leon is still capable of trusting anybody. :)
Mithias Mead |
"The evil in the prison hand been contained by the spirit of the former warden. It seems that the same individuals that murdered the professor also managed to remove that guardian. It was only a combination of good fortune and our timely arrival that stopped the escape of the malevolent ghosts that were trapped there."
"Whether the culprits were cultists we cannot say. If they were, then they would have had the means to completely release those ghosts and not stop at half measures. Perhaps the professor scared them off, or maybe their goal wasn't to release the ghosts at all."
Lysa Arianna |
"Sir, you said that you often worked together with the professor. Did he write you what he was doing or send you any information about the Way? Are you away of the true identities of any of the members or of who may have assisted them? Perhaps maybe where they were staying?"
DM Haldhin |
Adivion sits back and brings his hands together in front of his face, the image of contemplation.
He finally drops them and responds, "I would surmise that you are correct, their goal was not the release of the ghosts in the prison, or else they would have simply done so; the members I have ... dealt with... have certainly had the power to control undead. Therefore, we must assume that their goal was either to kill Petros or release the guardian. Going by what he sent me before his death, I am of the opinion that his death was not their purpose since he knew of their presence for some time before he died. That leaves the guardian... but why would they need that particular spirit?"
He looks at Sethis, "There are many who dedicate their lives to keeping evil at bay, and they would not appreciate me giving their names away so recklessly. Most of us have subjected ourselves to several powerful spells to prevent information from being taken from us, by either mundane or magical means. As you have not, I must beg your forgiveness in not answering you more directly. I will send your names and descriptions to my allies though, which should aid you if you unknowingly encounter them in your travels."
And to Lysa, "He did relate to me the details of his final days in a letter I received. As for information about the Way, we shared such details, yes. As for the true identities, that is a difficult question to answer. My men and I have identified and captured several operatives, and we have names they used, but as to their true identities? I'm not sure we know, but honestly, I'm not sure it matters. Once members are inducted into the Way, they cease their former lives and dedicate themselves to its goals. The induction process is very thorough, and those who commit are completely dedicated - I have seen children turn against their parents, and parents turn against their children. Once the Whispers of the Way are heard by its members, they are lost to normal society. As for their goals, they vary from cell to cell, but they always include a reverence for undeath, often at the expense of the living. But ultimately, every member has a deep-seated desire for personal power, and a willingness to do anything to get it."
DM Haldhin |
Adivion thinks for a moment. "Kendra told me that Petros asked you to return some books to friends in Lepidstadt. Fulfilling his last wishes is probably a good place to start - I've learned over the years that the good Professor never did anything without a plan."
"But that said, I would be happy to inquire with my sources to find out any information I can on active cells in the region. I do not know how long it would take to get reliable responses, but I would be happy to send word when it becomes available."
"I should also let you know, I have asked Kendra to come live with me in Caliphas. We are distantly related, so though she jokingly calls me Uncle, there is some truth to it. As the last living member of my family, I feel a responsibility to her. She has agreed to come stay with me after she finishes dealing with matters here in Ravengro. All of you are of course welcome to visit as often as you wish - my manor is always open to people who have risked their lives to find the murderer of my friend, Petros Lorrimor."
Anything else before we move on? Not trying to rush anybody, just trying to keep everything moving.
Jean Whitemane |
As the conversation seemed to come to a close, Jean wordlessly excused himself from the meeting and began wandering through the house. He took his time going from room to room recalling his many visits to the professors home. The thought that the house would soon be empty saddened him somewhat. Even though it hadn't been long since his demise, already the house felt a little more deserted than before. He eventually found himself standing in the entrance hall. He recalled those many years ago when he had first come to the professors house. Clenching his fists, he spoke quietly; "We'll find those who did this to you Petros. We'll find them and put a stop to them."
I'm good to move on here. I don't have much else to add while speaking to Adivion.
DM Haldhin |
Adivion answers Leon as Kendra returns to the room bearing a large teapot for her uncle.
"The house shall be sold, with proceeds going to Kendra. The belongings are Kendra's, but I expect she will send most of them to the University for it's library. But the decision is hers."
Kendra pats him on the arm, "Let's not talk about that now, Uncle. I guess you've told them that I'm coming to live with you?"
The rest of the conversation continues, but it is mainly small talk and quite a relief from the stressful days you've had since arriving in Ravengro.
DM Haldhin |
Rewards from the Church of Pharasma
Father Grimburrow comes to visit you at Kendra's house.
First, for clearing Harrowstone of the spirits, he offers you a small monetary token of appreciation. He also offers to provide one casting of Masterwork Transmutation for each of you at no cost.
Next, he offers to forward your names and descriptions to other churches around Ustalav in order to aid you in the future. This permits everyone to get spellcasting services at Churchs of Pharasma at a discount.
-----
The money is already included in the total Loot calculations.
Characaters receive a 10% discount for spellcasting services at Churches of Pharasma.
DM Haldhin |
Rewards from Ravengro
A few days later, Councilman Vashian Hearthmount, the same man who executed Professor Lorrimor's will, comes to visit. He unrolls a long scroll and begins reading... and reading... and reading.
After several minutes of platitudes and laudatory comments about your actions, he arrives at the reason for his visit. Having heard of your exploits in clearing Harrowstone Prison, the Council of Ravengro has decided to reward you for your service. They had been saving the money to try and hire mercenaries to investigate the prison, so they have decided to pay you instead.
Each of you receives also gains the right to establish a small farmstead near Ravengro should you someday choose to settle there. Coincidentally, your lands surround the formerly haunted Harrowstone Prison.
Having made his statement and presented your rewards, Vashian bows low and excuses himself. Apparently the man's disposition is perpetually terse...
This money is also included in the total Loot calculations.
DM Haldhin |
A week before you leave Ravengro, Alendru, the school teacher and town wizard, pays you a visit.
Entering Kendra's house, he places a large tome on the table. "My friends, this is a flesh golem manual - a book that details how one may create a monster made from the flesh of once living creatures. It came into my possession by accident, though I suspect it was stolen. My investigations have revealed that its owner is one Montagnie Crowl, an instructor at the University of Lepidstadt. Since you are heading that direction, would you consent to deliver this to Professor Crowl?"
"While I am interested in such a work, I would be a man of low character to keep such a book if I know it to be the stolen property of another man, especially an instructor and a fellow practitioner of the arcane arts."
All you need to do is take the book to Lepidstadt. Alendru is being forthright, and all of you believe him to be sincere. Assume Sense Motive checks reveal him to be telling the truth.
Jean Whitemane |
Jean smiles at the man. He seems in considerably better spirits now than when he arrived and holds out his hand. "Of course, we can certainly deliver this tome on your behalf."
And to think, I'm usually out traveling the country hunting down rumors of monsters. Now I'm playing a messanger.
Sethis Reis |
Hearing what the councilman has said about a farmstead Sethis will take the time before everyone leaves to check out the chosen locations as well as sitting down with whoever would be responsible for finalizing the paperwork to get prices and expansive details. He will then write home to his family (Who are most likely quite worried about him by now) summarizing his time in Ravengro, but avoiding mention of ghosts and monsters, and relating the information about the farmstead including his hopes that the family could use this to expand their business with a new location and ample ground to plant and cultivate their products. Futhermore, he will ask his parents to subtly look into purchasing the Lorrimor estate due to his fond memories of his late mentor.
"That's an odd book to just happen upon Alendru, i hope that you at least had the chance to read it before now."
Leon Ravencourt |
Leon spent the morning penning a letter to his family detailing the group's exploits in the Harrowstone prison, noting each of his companions and their accomplishments (paying particular detail to a certain young priestess). At the end he added the information about the plot of land, advising that they send a representative to the notary here and have the land title added to the family's holdings. He also mentioned that Lord Adivon was moving Kendra and Professor Lorrimer's estate to his home in Caliphas, and that he may be willing to negotiate the sale of some of the professor's rare books and relics.
Later, when approached by Wizard Alendru, Leon smiled. "I think we were headed that direction anyway."
DM Haldhin |
"Honestly, once I realized what it was, I stopped looking at it. The rituals and spells are beyond my meager skills, and one thing I've learned through the years is to not even attempt anything beyond my abilities. I was going to attempt to sell it, but once my divinations revealed its true owner, I could not go through with that plan. I know if I was missing a valuable tome such as this, I would hope the finder would return it to me. So it's the right thing to do."
I had not planned to provide details on the land grants at this point in the adventure, but I can do so if you need/want it.