Thank you for that information warden
I think that we need to find werewolves to show us where the temple is located.
The morning following Randtam's review of the Warden's book collection, there is a flurry of commotion at breakfast as it is revealed that Count Graydon has been murdered! From what the party can gather, the housekeeper Ruessa Webbe, found Graydon’s corpse in his room, ripped to shreds as if by some great beast, his blood splattered all over the
room. No one has any explanation for the death, and the surviving guests begin to panic, with the notable exception of Duristan.
Duristan-Clearly one among the remaining guests or staff is a werewolf! There is only one way to be sure of who's blood is unstained. He dramatically jabs a silver fork into his forearm doing no more damage that drawing blood from five tine marks.
Duristan-Who else among you will prove they are not a savage killer?
There is some shouting and arguing, until finally Estovion is able to establish some semblance of calm. Estovion-There will be NONE of that Duristan! I am quite confident that there are no werewolves in the Lodge as the facility is quite securely enchanted to prevent their entrance. Please, I beg all of you to remain calm. My staff is doing everything possible to maintain our safety and I myself will be investigating the murder to determine its nature.
Any action?
"Can we examine the Count's remains?"
On Duristan and Estovion
"Can we examine the Count's remains?"
[dice=sensemotive]1d20+11
On Duristan and Estovion
You feel that Duristan is quite sincere and will probably stop at nothing to find out who among you is a werewolf.
Estovion is obviously upset about ANOTHER deadly incident in the Lodge, but is also quite nervous about something.
Estovion-Yes, of course. Any help we can have in solving the death of this great man will be appreciated. Belik will take you to his rooms.
Belik escorts you to the Margrave's rooms
creature it was.
No tracks can be found leading either to or from the room.
Wounds are consistent with what a wolf might make. Cannot even try heal check. Alamin?
"It's a puzzle to me."
Alamin quietly reveals to the party what she discovers.
This is wrong. From all you told me Randtam, Graydon was a good man despite what the stories about him might have said. We should see if we can't bring his murder to justice. Maybe he knew something that the Way did not want us to find out? I'm telling you something is wrong here and I think it all stems from Estovion. Today his aura seems off for some reason. He's not radiating evil, but really I can't get any kind of reading from him at all which is strange. I know I should be the last to say this, but I think Vraxel should break in and search his office. If we had more evidence I would demand it now, but unfortunately we don't. In the meantime we should probably question the staff and guests. It seems that Estovion will give us free range there. Maybe we should search the rooms?
@Group Did any of you get a chance to talk with Paucy or Delgros while I was researching in Estovion's office? What did they have to relate to the situation? Very curious what Paucy had to say. He has been here for a very long time and it would not seem to be in his nature to leave an animal pen open, especially the deadliest of spiders. I do not think Duristan had anything to do with this, but maybe he can give us some more information now since the Margrave has been murdered. He looked up to him. I guess I will talk with Duristan and the housing staff.
Alamin if you wish to speak with Estovion, be my guest. He seems to have my number. I am having a hard time locking him down on anything. I trust your gut/judgement. If we need to confront him so be it. He seems to be falling apart. His perfect Lodge is turning into a devil's pit. Or as you suggest we can send Vraxel in to take a quick look. We can search the rooms.
Seek out Diristan for a conversation. Duristan, I understand your anger. The Margrave was a solid and astute man. But blaming everyone in the Lodge is not the answer. What can you tell me of the werewolves you have been hunting? There are five clans, which have you faced? I believe some of the werewolves in the Shudderwood could cast light upon the murder of Cilas Graydon. Has anyone in the Lodge had an issue with you hunting werewolves? is there anything you can think of that will help us stop this menace?
By the way, do not attempt to implicate my friends or myself in the altercation. We had nothing to do with it. In fact we have been trying to figure out what is happening here at the Lodge. I understand your anger and distrust of werewolves, but we did not participate nor attempt to agitate someone in the murder. We only wish to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice.
Talk with staff. Is this normal for the Lodge? Have you ever seen anything like this before? Have you seen anyone here who seemed not to belong, maybe you got a bad feeling about them?
One thing Randtam would like to try would be to somehow sneakily get writing samples from all the guests and compare them to the note Uuranx received. Possibly while searching rooms. My linguistics ability is pretty good to decipher common script.
Vraxel will wait until Estovion is busy and enter his room to search, disabling the door lock if necessary to get in.
@Group Did any of you get a chance to talk with Paucy or Delgros while I was researching in Estovion's office? What did they have to relate to the situation? Very curious what Paucy had to say. He has been here for a very long time and it would not seem to be in his nature to leave an animal pen open, especially the deadliest of spiders. I do not think Duristan had anything to do with this, but maybe he can give us some more information now since the Margrave has been murdered. He looked up to him. I guess I will talk with Duristan and the housing staff.
Alamin if you wish to speak with Estovion, be my guest. He seems to have my number. I am having a hard time locking him down on anything. I trust your gut/judgement. If we need to confront him so be it. He seems to be falling apart. His perfect Lodge is turning into a devil's pit. Or as you suggest we can send Vraxel in to take a quick look. We can search the rooms.
Seek out Diristan for a conversation. Duristan, I understand your anger. The Margrave was a solid and astute man. But blaming everyone in the Lodge is not the answer. What can you tell me of the werewolves you have been hunting? There are five clans, which have you faced? I believe some of the werewolves in the Shudderwood could cast light upon the murder of Cilas Graydon. Has anyone in the Lodge had an issue with you hunting werewolves? is there anything you can think of that will help us stop this menace?
By the way, do not attempt to implicate my friends or myself in the altercation. We had nothing to do with it. In fact we have been trying to figure out what is happening here at the Lodge. I understand your anger and distrust of werewolves, but we did not participate nor attempt to agitate someone in the murder. We only wish to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice.
[dice=diplomacy]1d20 + 16
Talk with staff. Is this normal for the Lodge? Have you ever seen anything like this before? Have you seen anyone here who...
Duristan-I couldn't care less that the old man is dead. Got tired of hearing all his war stories to be honest. What does interest me is that someone in the Lodge is a werewolf or in league with them. You say you are not guilty of the crime? Just what the killer would say... Let's see you wound yourself with some silver to ally my suspicions. If you are not one of 'them' I and my men will gladly help you prove out the rest of the folks here.
The staff at the lodge are terrified and have never seen or heard of anything even close to this before.
Vraxel will wait until Estovion is busy and enter his room to search, disabling the door lock if necessary to get in.
While Estovion is certainly occupied, he keeps two guards on watch to the access to his office in the third floor.
You can try and con your way past them or attempt to climb the three story tower and try a window.
Speaking softly yet intently so everyone around us can hear. Duristan, if I was someone who was in league with werewolves, or actually really one of them...why would I have saved you and your men from death? You and your men were dying from the poison and wounds the spider inflicted upon you. My friends and I could have left you for dead. So your men and you owe your lives to my friends and I.. Looking at Duristan's men (if they are around) and Duristan. . You would not be here if not for my friends and myself. Does your threat to pierce me with silver make sense? Will it even prove anything? Where have you learned that this is how you find out is someone is a werewolf or better yet a lycanthrope. Do you wish to start a major problem with adventurers who have had many hard travels and even saved your life's? Use your heads.
Look to walk away peacefully from the exchange. BTW am I on my own now? Thought I would be searching rooms with Alamin. Hard to keep track when you are the Face.
There is no one around you besides Duristan.
Duristan smirks mockingly at you-YOU saved me and my men? From what I heard, you spent the battle throwing up like a young lad. I believe it was the halfling Vraxel and Alamin the paladin that did most of the saving. I owe you less than nothing and I'm sure that the holy warrior asks nothing for her services. Plus I have nothing to worry from her; her kind are immune to the sickness.
I'm not threatening to pierce you, as you say, but rather ask that you cut yourself-as I have-with silver to prove you are not one of THEM. They say that the infected usually do not even know they carry the curse and that is one of the things that allows it to spread; and YES it will prove something. Werewolves have a horrible reaction to silver. If you draw silver on yourself and are no worse off than a small cut then I will know I have nothing to fear from you. Here, take my blade and draw blood.
He hands you a finely crafted silver dagger.
you are a bigger fool than I thought. If this is what it will take for us to be able to work together so be it. I shall use my clean silver, not your silver. I do not accept his dagger but pull out my own finely crafted silver dagger. Make a small incision on my forearm.
Duristan ignores your jibes and watches intently as you cut across your forearm. As the blood begins to flow his eyes flash quickly from the blood to your face and back to the blood.
Duristan-Excellent, well done! You are no fiend for slaying but an ally to slay fiends with. Now you must test your friends Uuranx and Vraxel. I have tested my men and a few of the staff. I will test the rest of the staff and all of the guests I can convince. Then we will have to put Estovion and any resisters to the cut of silver so we can find the murderer! I love it; a hunt and I need not even leave the Lodge...
Duristan gathers his men and sets out to do his work.
Climb the building and try the window when no one is around to observe. Will use my rope of climbing.
~Vraxel and the tower~
Vraxel surveys the area around the tower and finds the spot that he thinks sees the least amount of patroling and views from the watchtowers. His magic rope enables him to quickly climb to the third story where he works on the secured windows. It is a struggle with the window, and there is a very tense moment when a random guard patrol moves almost directly below him but he is able to masterfully blend into the tower stone and they pass by, none the wiser. Finally the window gives in to Vraxel's insistent ministration and he ducks into the Warden's office.
Estovion’s notes and journals are very telling-detailing the Warden's pro-aristocracy, anti-Palatinate political stance. Estovion’s moste recent journal, which details his alliance with Mathus Mordrinacht and the Silverhides and his recent involvement with the Whispering Way. The journal also mentions the cult’s interference in the affairs of the Shudderwood werewolves.
From his journal:
About 3 weeks ago: It appears that my past has come back to haunt me, in the form of unexpected visitors who arrived last night. Ostensibly nobles from Courtaud, they bore invitations from Adivion Adrissant in Caliphas, and Belik admitted them to see me. Their leader, a disturbing man named Auren Vrood who carried a sinister-looking, twisted homunculus on his shoulder, confided to me that they were agents of the Whispering Way, come to finally collect the debt I owe them for helping me with the spirit I discovered at the Stairs so long ago. Vrood “requested” that I arrange a meeting between him and one of the werewolves of the wood. Though I would prefer to have nothing more to do with them (for my youthful indiscretions were just that), I saw no choice but to acquiesce to their demands, lest they reveal my secrets to the Palatine Council.
As Mathus is my sole ally among the packs, I will speak to him and arrange a meeting, and hopefully I can wash my hands of this whole sordid affair.
Two Weeks prior to your arrival: Vrood and his fellows have returned. Though I made my office available to them, they declined
and requested a meeting with Madame Ivanja instead. Mathus arrived shortly after and went straight to Ivanja’s tower as well. I was somewhat surprised by their choice of location, but I suppose even necromancers and werewolves have their needs. I spoke briefly with Mathus after the meeting, but he was unusually withdrawn and gave no hint of what was said at the meeting.
Two Days prior to your arrival: A grave threat has befallen the Shudderwood, and I fear its origins lie at Ascanor. Unknown forces, almost certainly agents of Vrood and the Whispering Way, have attacked the Stairs, butchered Kvalca Sain, and stolen her heart for some dark purpose. Although their motives remain a mystery, this single act has thrown the entire hierarchy of the Shudderwood’s packs into disarray and violence. I know that it is customary when a packlord dies for her successor to consume the fallen packlord’s heart. With Sain’s heart gone, the position of packlord shall fall to whoever can claim the title, either by recovering the lost heart, or more likely through force, by slaying the leaders of the four rival tribes and adopting the surviving wolves into his own pack. Mathus has spoken with me before of his desire to become packlord, and I now wonder if his secret meeting with Vrood was the impetus behind these events. Without Sain’s heart, however, I doubt the other tribes will accept Mathus as their leader. He might find allies with the Sczarni or the Broken Ones, but the Vollensag and Jezeldans will never bow to his rule. Mathus’s concerns doubtlessly lie with his pack, not with me, however, and I worry my alliance with the Mordrinacht shall soon be forfeit. I fear greatly for the safety of the lodge, for if Mathus moves to take Highthrone without Sain’s heart, or if it becomes known that his ascendance is due to the Whispering Way’s interference, civil war will soon erupt among the packs of the wood, with Ascanor caught in the middle.
Head back to the others and tell them of the contents of the journal.
** spoiler omitted **
Return to the party and tell them of the contents of the journal once we are in a private location:
Estovion’s notes and journals are very telling-detailing the Warden's pro-aristocracy, anti-Palatinate political stance. Estovion’s moste recent journal, which details his alliance with Mathus Mordrinacht and the Silverhides and his recent involvement with the Whispering Way. The journal also mentions the cult’s interference in the affairs of the Shudderwood werewolves.
From his journal:
About 3 weeks ago: It appears that my past has come back to haunt me, in the form of unexpected visitors who arrived last night. Ostensibly nobles from Courtaud, they bore invitations from Adivion Adrissant in Caliphas, and Belik admitted them to see me. Their leader, a disturbing man named Auren Vrood who carried a sinister-looking, twisted homunculus on his shoulder, confided to me that they were agents of the Whispering Way, come to finally collect the debt I owe them for helping me with the spirit I discovered at the Stairs so long ago. Vrood “requested” that I arrange a meeting between him and one of the werewolves of the wood. Though I would prefer to have nothing more to do with them (for my youthful indiscretions were just that), I saw no choice but to acquiesce to their demands, lest they reveal my secrets to the Palatine Council.
As Mathus is my sole ally among the packs, I will speak to him and arrange a meeting, and hopefully I can wash my hands of this whole sordid affair.
Two Weeks prior to your arrival: Vrood and his fellows have returned. Though I made my office available to them, they declined
and requested a meeting with Madame Ivanja instead. Mathus arrived shortly after and went straight to Ivanja’s tower as well. I was somewhat surprised by their choice of location, but I suppose even necromancers and werewolves have their needs. I spoke briefly with Mathus after the meeting, but he was unusually withdrawn and gave no hint of what was said at the meeting.
Two Days prior to your arrival: A grave threat has befallen the Shudderwood, and I fear its origins lie at Ascanor. Unknown forces, almost certainly agents of Vrood and the Whispering Way, have attacked the Stairs, butchered Kvalca Sain, and stolen her heart for some dark purpose. Although their motives remain a mystery, this single act has thrown the entire hierarchy of the Shudderwood’s packs into disarray and violence. I know that it is customary when a packlord dies for her successor to consume the fallen packlord’s heart. With Sain’s heart gone, the position of packlord shall fall to whoever can claim the title, either by recovering the lost heart, or more likely through force, by slaying the leaders of the four rival tribes and adopting the surviving wolves into his own pack. Mathus has spoken with me before of his desire to become packlord, and I now wonder if his secret meeting with Vrood was the impetus behind these events. Without Sain’s heart, however, I doubt the other tribes will accept Mathus as their leader. He might find allies with the Sczarni or the Broken Ones, but the Vollensag and Jezeldans will never bow to his rule. Mathus’s concerns doubtlessly lie with his pack, not with me, however, and I worry my alliance with the Mordrinacht shall soon be forfeit. I fear greatly for the safety of the lodge, for if Mathus moves to take Highthrone without Sain’s heart, or if it becomes known that his ascendance is due to the Whispering Way’s interference, civil war will soon erupt among the packs of the wood, with Ascanor caught in the middle.
Good job Vraxel. Let's blow out and go to the Stairs of the Moon. Allow Duristan to have his way and Ascandor Lodge becomes a legend where people used to hunt. I am sure Duristan will help this myth.
But maybe we confront Estovion first...what say the group?
@grouop
"Maybe we should leave him be and pretend we are clueless. We could go look for the Stairs but tell everyone we are returning home cause there is no way to complete our quest."
...tick-tock...
I say we leave Estovion be for now and sojourn ourselves out into the woods. We don't need to tell people we're returning home.
That night the party is roused from slumber by the screams of a woman.
Quickly gearing up you meet in the hallway and head to the disturbance.
A guest room has its sturdy doors torn from the hinges and thrown to the floor like leaves. Inside a swirling mass of frigid air manifests the form of a bestial specter. Claws the size of daggers lash menacingly before its half-bestial, half-humanoid form, and its narrow eyes glow with a smoldering malevolence. The creature drips blood from its fangs and claws and at its feet lies the shredded remains of Ostovach, Lady Welgory's lover. The lady herself cowers on a large bed clutching thick blankets to her face, eyes wide in terror. Save me! she cries in a panic.
As you advance into the room the creature turns to face you.
The creature lunges at Uuranx ripping into his massive form with 2 claws and a bite for 30 points of damage.
cast shield and activate Bastion of Good (AC26)
Arousing from his slumber hearing the screams Randtam gets himself ready for battle. Gear up and cast mage armor.
Alamin slashes at it with her blade:
Vraxel blasts the specter with his bow.
Dam=1d6 weapon + 2d6 sneak +1d6 shock
As Uuranx and Randtam cover themselves in mystical protection Alamin steps forward to relieve the pressure from the massive half-orc as Vraxel drills two arrows into it.
Alamin's silver blade slashes the creature's form and it cries out in agony; with a rippling shimmer the battered form of Corvin Tergsvor falls out of it. The beast let's out a shrill howl of anger and focuses its eyes on Uuranx.
You are possessed as by a magic jar spell.
With a flash of light the creature envelops the mighty frame of Uuranx, who shrinks down in size filling the center core of the thing.
It attacks Alamin with an elemental fury fueled by Uuranx's spirit!
Party action
59/79 HP
65/79 HP
Uuranx, snap out of it! RESIST!
Randtam attempts to assess situation, his friend has been taken over by the specter. Randtam is figuring out that means an incorporeal creature. He did study this because he has an ectoplasmic Rod.
Magic Missle on its own
future spell may use ectoplasmic Rod.
Uuranx resist the evil spirit, do not let it taint your goodness. FIGHT! Do not let this spectre take over!
Alamin fights back against the savage form of a possessed Uuranx, hitting once, and as the damage from Vraxel's arrows and Randtam's magic bolts blast away at the creature it lets out one final rage filled howl and disappears.
Uuranx staggers to a knee bloody and beaten as he is released from its evil grip.
***end of combat***
Randtam wonders how this spectre could get on Ascanor Lodge. How did it get past the supposed defenses of Estovion? lets get out of here while we can. The Warden is a problem...
Alamin can you check to make sure our friend is OK and will have no short or long term effects of this quick possession.
"Lady Welgory, its over, are you okay, what happened here!"
Randtam wonders how this spectre could get on Ascanor Lodge. How did it get past the supposed defenses of Estovion? lets get out of here while we can. The Warden is a problem...
[dice=KnowNature]1d20 + 12
[dice=KnowArcana]1d20 + 14
Alamin can you check to make sure our friend is OK and will have no short or long term effects of this quick possession.
You have read about various types of spirits that represent certain types of creatures. Something like this would usually be the result of a divine curse and therefore probably immune to any defenses the Lodge would have against physical threats.
Alamin reports that Uuranx is fine, but certainly shaken by the experience.
"Lady Welgory, its over, are you okay, what happened here!"
Tears streaming down her face the normally well composed Lady Welgory is beyond rattled-I was with Ostovach having some...errr...late tea when we heard a noise outside the doors to my room. He went to the door to listen and said he heard a snuffing sound followed by some growling. The thing began clawing and pounding at the door finally ripping them down. My brave Ostovach grappled with the beast but was no match for it and his was slain within moments. Fortunately my screaming brought you here and you know the rest. Thank you for saving my life, you have my most sincere gratitude!
At that point Belik, Duristan, and several guards show up to the scene.
As Vraxel consoles and cojoles the Lady, Randtam is observing.
Belik and Duristan show up late. Check the body language on them. Are they honestly surprised by what has happened.
thinking to himself Where is Estovion? Time to get out of here. Let Duristan have his indoor hunt. We should be heading for the Stairs.
Are the injuries consitent with the injuries with the Margrave?
"Sorry we did not arrive in time to help Ostavich too my lady."
As Vraxel consoles and cojoles the Lady, Randtam is observing.
Belik and Duristan show up late. Check the body language on them. Are they honestly surprised by what has happened.
thinking to himself Where is Estovion? Time to get out of here. Let Duristan have his indoor hunt. We should be heading for the Stairs.
Are the injuries consitent with the injuries with the Margrave?
You feel that both are again stunned at the violence that has taken place here. The injuries are exactly like before; certainly that 'thing' is the cause.
"Sorry we did not arrive in time to help Ostavich too my lady."
Lady Welgory embraces and sobs I know, but thank you for saving ME!
Quietly to the group, I am sensing no evil from anyone here.
The injuries are consistent with the injuries to the Margrave. We have found out what murdered Graydon, but not why he was murdered. Was this a random act of a doomed spirit or a specific attempt to murder? Was Ostavich or Lady Welgory a target?
Where is Estiovan? He should be here. Duristan and Belik came quickly and are surprised by the savagery that was inflicted upon the deceased. This may be an attempt to distract me from investigating more about Graydon and why he was assassinated.
Randtam investigates Graydon's room. Again if need be.
Quietly to the group, I am sensing no evil from anyone here.
Back to group quietly, I believe werewolves or shapeshifters are not inherently evil. Estiovan is the problem. He most likely is implicit in these event or has allowed this to happen through his ignorance. Do we stay and attend to this situation, or allow matters to transpire naturally.?
The injuries are consistent with the injuries to the Margrave. We have found out what murdered Graydon, but not why he was murdered. Was this a random act of a doomed spirit or a specific attempt to murder? Was Ostavich or Lady Welgory a target?
Where is Estiovan? He should be here. Duristan and Belik came quickly and are surprised by the savagery that was inflicted upon the deceased. This may be an attempt to distract me from investigating more about Graydon and why he was assassinated.
Randtam investigates Graydon's room. Again if need be.
A further investigation of Graydon's room reveals no new clues.
Estovion does not appear during your investigation or at all during the night. Nor is he to be found the next day. The staff becomes completely panicked and the remaining guests begin to pack and prepare to leave the Lodge.
Time to go. If anyone has a reason to not prepare to leave say it now.
I have One last search of Estiovon study and living quarters
Take 20....
Hopefully everyone searches somewhere somehow.
To our group only:
"Let's get out of this place, we should look for Estovion and his Whispering Way friends out in the woods, they will likely try to oppose is."