Walter nodded, smiled and let his gaze linger on the ancient tome sitting on the lecturn. The Lady of Graves was offering up a card, and Walter let Lem and Dragomir speak to the acolyte-- who, honestly, reminded him greatly of one of the more shrewish nurses at the Asylum-- to look over the book from a respectable distance. The dialogue faded into the background of his mind as he worked over what the card was, what it might have meant, and if he had just witnessed a sign of some sort.
The Uprising - 1d20+6
The Uprising is the chaotic neutral card from the suit of hammers, representing strength. It is representative of a powerful swelling event that sweeps the subject up and carries it along, often against its will. If you were to take the sign literally as an omen, a single-card reading featuring The Uprising signifies the coming of a great change like a flood. Those who fail to get out of the way in time will either be swept along, or will need strong foundations to resist and remain steady.
He caught snippets-- snippets that Walter found highly hypocritical of an acolyte of Pharasma. Judging instead of letting the Lady judge and a disagreement of fate's hand in the role one's life takes were both strange opinions for a worshipper of the Lady to speak.
As Walter makes his way around the temple, sweeping diligently, he comes across several of the other acolytes going about their own usual business.
- Father Grimburrow is indeed busy. He came back from the funeral this morning, and went immediately downstairs to the crypts beneath the temple (where, you learn, he is wont to go when he needs the space and peace and quiet to think) and told the acolytes not to bother him until vespers (evening prayer, held around three hours from now).
- The sister you spoke to is the church historian. Her total inability to master anything beyond the simplest spells is a sore point. If you want access to the church archives to research the five prisoners--you're going to have to go through her or get Grimburrow to override her authority. And that's not going to be pretty.
- By and large, the Pharasmins here appear to put significant stock in omens, signs and portents.
I think that about wraps it up.
After the children have left the store, the lecturer himself comes out of the other room, closing the door quietly behind him before coming to stand, beaming, before Rajina.
The best lies shade the truth...
Raj pulls his hood off as a sign of respect and starts fidgeting with an end of his scarf nervously, the portrait of an awed commoner.
"Well, sir, you see sir, it's like this... There's this young lady, sir. Oh, she's smart as a day is long, sir. Reads books and such. Not smart as you, I'm sure, but smarter'n me by a long stretch... An' a real beauty too, sir!" He looks away as if thinking about the girl and can't find words to describe her. He bobs his head for good measure. "Anyhows, I want to impress her, sir. Maybe get in her graces, if you unner'stand me. Worldly man like you, I don't need to draw no maps, eh? And she's good woman, sir, strict upbringin' with a hawk-eyed Da as I hear it. But, ya know how it is, right? Strict family gonna breed a little rebellion. Anyhow, I know my letters and see she reads books that her Da don't know about - taboo things good girls ain't supposed to read. I think they might thrill her, ya know? Just a little bit. So, so I was thinkin' if maybe you got some tales like that or maybe a book like that, I could get in good with her. I seen one book she had on Harrowstone and she said somethin' about the Pepper of Illmarsh. You got any books on that? I got some money."
Ah yes, Harrowstone! That most terrible of places, home to the worst humanity had to offer for so many years. And then the fire. Tragic. He doesn't seem terribly perturbed as he smoothes his moustache. He claps a hand on Raj's shoulder and leads him through another open doorway, towards the back of the building--a room filled with books and more items for sale, albeit not as professionally presented as the front room. This is probably the stock room.
So, young man, Alendru continues, you seem to be one for adventure and the finer things in life. No wonder then, that you have sought love so far above your station! I tell you, that is what we're all about here at The Unfurling Scroll: elevating the common man, giving him the opportunity to reach his true potential! It is wonderful to see a man such as yourself seeking true betterment.
As Alendru leads Raj into the back room, something tickles at the back of Raj's mind--some incongruence in Alendru's body language. So when Raj feels the prickling of an enchantment nibbling at the edges of his psyche, he's ready--and slams his mental defences home, but they're not enough.
Alendru's will forces its way into Raj's mind and clears the decks--and suddenly Raj finds himself standing before his best friend in Ravengro.
There, says Alendru with a smirk that Raj finds oddly charming, that's better. Now, a book on Harrowstone, you say...well, while I do have a few books on local history, I'm afraid I don't have much on--what did you say? The Pepper of Illmarsh? Perhaps Jominda has a recipe--I do have plenty of other interesting material here that will excite your lady friend, no doubt about that! This here, he pulls a book from the shelves with a black linen cover, the title in gold leaf, is Galdyce's Guest, by our very own Ailson Kindler. Go on, touch it, he says, proffering the book.
See how the pages feel smooth and sensual in your hands. The book positively pulses with emotional power. I tell you, young man, if your lady friend were to read this, she would be pliable in your hands--terrified of the horrific nosferatu of the Vale of Red Breath and desperate to seek solace in the strong arms of her beau. So how about it? Normally I'd sell such a fine book as this for one gold piece, but I can see you're an honest and good man, so I will only charge you five silver, he says with a broad smile.
But wait, I have a better deal, he says, moving around and collecting a few other tomes. These are Ms. Kindler's other books--all of them stories about her time as a Pathfinder, encountering all kinds of menace. If you were to buy all of them today-- he says, holding out a stack of eleven books --then I'd give you a further discount. Only five gold pieces for the lot. And I'll even throw in one of these-- He hands the stack of books to Raj and then rummages around in a small basket on a side table, and pulls out what looks like a boiled lolly*. Put this in your mouth when you're about to meet your lady friend, and you'll instantly be the absolute picture of perfection, the best you can be--it will clean your clothes, straighten your hair, and give you a healthy glow.
He leans close to Raj and whispers conspiratorially. It's magical, you know. Made it myself. He straightens back up.
Now, usually, I'd charge...oooh... he sucks air through his teeth, around thirty gold for all of this. But today, because I respect you, and because you've been so honest with me, I'll be honest with you--I don't like to make more of a profit than I absolutely need to when it comes to men in your situation. So today, just for you, I'll bring the price down to just ten gold pieces. What do you say?
His bright smile reflects the light from the window, almost blinding Raj for a moment. Raj has to blink hard before responding.
Now Raj knows larceny and a grift when he sees it...
But that doesn't make him a bad man. He's just scratchin' out a living like the rest of us. I'm acting like a hayseed after all. Is that any more honest?
And he doesn't like being parted needlessly from his coin...
But I shouldn't begrudge an enterprising merchant a little assistance and it's probably a good idea to build some friendships in town...
But there is also the mission to consider and half these books really don't fit his need. Coming home empty-handed isn't an option. By second nature he looks at the books appraising their worth...
I shouldn't be so jaded, he's an honest fella. I'm sure he's not looking to fleece me.
Raj gives the merchant a large smile, "That's near my whole purse! But this girl is worth it... But I know she wants somethin' bout the folks what died at Harrowstone. Maybe it was Piper not Pepper now that I think on it... an'... an' she said Mosswater Murderer or some such like that. Is that right? So how about I buy this Galdyce's Guest, another of her scary books - you pick a one that'll get this girl in m'arms, and whichever book ya got on them real-life scary folks at Harrowstone and that magic candy for the 10 crowns?"
Raj nudges Theron and tilts his head in the direction of the Scroll. "I'm gonna go book shopping. See why those kids are sucking lemons."
"I'm sure that they're just not enjoying the instruction," Theron says after giving Rajuna an odd look. "Don't mind me though, I'll just wait outside."
Theron leans against the wall for a bit looks about while Raj does his shopping. He idly glances at the kids as rush out the door, but doesn't get in their way. Wow, and I thought I had hated my inquisitor instruction. Afterwards he listens in a bit on Raj's fast talking to the shop owner and can't help but smile.
Perception (to notice they've left the main room)
Sense Motive (to realize something might not be right)
Mothers milk!, Dragomir calls out fondly as he drinks down a large ale. Locally brewed without a doubt!, he smacks his lips together. He'd made a point to say hello to such patrons that were there, smiling all happy and jolly-like... doing his level best not to come off like a thug. Asking after their fields and work and sharing the odd (pleasantly edited) recollection of his days on the family dirt farm.
He'd purchased two good bottles of the local spirits on entering, which perched on the bar and with his immediate business now done, he was just enjoying himself.
Hey Uncle - have a beer, on me, he called out to one of the farmers who was nursing his post work drink. Maybe you'll join me for a drink or two and tell me of Ravengro?
Why is Raj taking so long? Wait, I thought I was able to hear him talking a moment ago...
Something didn't seem quite right to Theron, so he leaves his leaning spot on the wall and walks in. The main room is conspicuously empty. Perhaps they were looking at stuff in the back? Theron tries to pick out the door to the storage room and walks towards it.
Perception (listening for voices so he can find Raj)
Karrik goes to work on the section of books Rose allotted to him, but not before checking on Flori and Kendra and brewing some (not-so-great) tea. If Kendra seems peaceful, Karrik whispers to Flori. "Feel free to join us in the sitting room. Rose and I are doing some organizing and research of the Professor's materials." He looks back over his shoulder as he begins to head away, "I'm making some more tea."
He re-enters the room carrying two tea-cups, both steaming hot. When he hands one to Rose, she can't help but notice the burnt smell coming from it. Karrik seems unaware as he settles in, sips, and begins rolling through all the books.
First he organizes them by general subject-matter, creating a list of each type, and makes a special column for any book likely to hold any information about any of the five prisoners who got special recognition in the stories the group told earlier.
Okay, let's get through the simple stuff first...
Lem: the sister in question is named Iona Geryn.
###
Walter: you can write your letter at the general store. The proprietors are a married couple named Luthko and Marta Avanaki. They run the store along with their five girls, all of whom seem quite attractive. They allow Walter to write his letter (including the provision of the pen, ink and parchment) and promise to hold it until the next Moonday (four days from now), when a courier will arrive to collect and deliver mail. A letter to Lepidstadt will cost 5 copper.
Luthko and Marta seem obsequious, but otherwise appear to be moral, upstanding folks. As far as Walter can tell, they don't treat him any differently than they would any other patron.
While the general store does have a full suit of masterwork plate mail on a stand, they don't have any other armour. A visit to the forge lets Walter meet Jorfa, the elderly dwarf proprietor. Whilst her talent is with metal, she does employ apprentices who make decent leather armour, so you should be able to find any 'normal' armour there (but not e.g. eastern armour), but only the metal armour can be masterwork. Which is not to say that Jorfa couldn't organise to have one created, just that masterwork leather armours are not available off-the-shelf. Standard prices.
Jorfa is quiet. So long as the normal forge noises don't bother him, Walter will find that Jorfa radiates a sense of quiet companionship--she is not pushy as a salesperson, and is more than happy to let Walter peruse her goods while she gets back to smithing a new set of horseshoes. Her apprentices are a little more wide-eyed at the notion of a stranger in the forge, and their gazes might make Walter feel uncomfortable after a while.
###
Theron: I will deal with your arrival at The Unfurling Scroll soon. If you don't mind, I might use a bit of that GM fiat I mentioned to script out some of the encounter.
###
Karrik: unfortunately the Professor's books don't seem to deal with Harrowstone or the prisoners at all--it appears that he has plenty of materials on the Whispering Way, but nothing on local history. Sorry about all those rolls, but you'll need Knowledge (local) or Knowledge (history) checks to learn about the Five Prisoners, and the Professor's library does not support those rolls.
###
For everyone: to clarify on the research front, Karrik is right; the only thing you have left to find out are the details of the five notorious prisoners who were incarcerated at Harrowstone at the time of the fire. You have learned everything else that's worth learning. Raj already knows their names, you just need to visit The Unfurling Scroll, the temple records, or the Town Hall to do some research on who they were and what they were imprisoned for.
###
I think that's it. On with the in-character show!
Although a few faces turn away as Dragomir begins his stories of life in rural Amaans, plenty more start to listen, and eventually after hours of carousing, buying drinks, and generally being as personable as he can, (costing him four silver pieces), the locals grudgingly accept his presence.
He gets to talking with a small group of farmers and fishermen.
Raj gives the merchant a large smile, "That's near my whole purse! But this girl is worth it... But I know she wants somethin' bout the folks what died at Harrowstone. Maybe it was Piper not Pepper now that I think on it... an'... an' she said Mosswater Murderer or some such like that. Is that right? So how about I buy this Galdyce's Guest, another of her scary books - you pick a one that'll get this girl in m'arms, and whichever book ya got on them real-life scary folks at Harrowstone and that magic candy for the 10 crowns?"
Alendru becomes very still, and looks long and hard at Raj. For a moment Raj wonders whether his new best friend is going to turf him out on his ear. But then Alendru suddenly brightens up again.
I tell you what. I'm an honest chap. I have to say, I'm afraid I don't know anything about this Piper or Pepper, but I can tell you that Mosswater is just over the border in the River Kingdoms. Frightful place. Destroyed by merrow. Apparently it glows in the dark.
In any case, the best I can do for you is to let you have a look through my shelves--including my private library, which is in the back. You might find something there.
But, he says as he takes the stack of eleven books off Rajuna and dumps them unceremoniously on a table, I am more attached to the tomes in there, so if you find something we will need to settle on a price. How does that sound?
Raj agrees readily, and Alendru leads him through a curtained doorway into a third room full of books. The shelves run floor to ceiling, with a small timber step-stool to enable access to the topmost shelves. This guy has almost as many books as Doc, Raj thinks to himself. No wonder I like him!
Take your time, Alendru says smoothly, and let me know if you find anything.
Raj smiles and sets to looking through the shelves with gusto.
###
Meanwhile, outside, Theron is starting to get a little suspicious. He goes into the front room, but finds nothing out of the ordinary. There is a closed door to his left but an open one straight ahead, through which he can see a pile of books carelessly strewn on a table.
The messy stack of books is completely at odds with the meticulous attention paid to the rest of the store. Having nothing better to go on, Theron makes his way into the next room--where he begins to hear voices.
...if you find anything. comes from behind a curtain ahead of him.
Theron creeps up to the curtain, quiet as possible. What could possibly be going on at a store? he asks himself, but the unpleasant feeling in the pit of his stomach persists nonetheless.
It's just as he finishes that thought that he hears the same voice as before, but this time speaking some unknown language--the owner of the voice is casting some kind of spell.
Unable to recognise the spell, but sensing that something untoward is going on anyway, Theron bursts into the room, where he finds Raj bent double as he looks through some books on a low shelf, while a well-dressed and manicured man is seemingly casting some kind of spell on Raj.
Moving quickly, Theron steps behind the man and snakes an arm around his neck while placing his other hand firmly over the mage's mouth.
Abruptly silenced--and fearful--Alendru holds his hands in mid-air, not even dropping them down to his sides. On the other side of the room, Raj turns around. Somehow, the realisation filters through his charmed brain that Alendru was about to cast a spell on him--and the charm effect shatters into a thousand tiny pieces.
Behind Theron's hand, Alendru makes muffled noises.
It's quite clear to Raj that Alendru is terrified and has no idea who the man behind him is--or what they intend to do with him now...
"Casting spells on customers? That doesn't sound like something a shop owner should be doing. I suggest that you explain yourself and quickly!" Theron quickly says to the man while being careful to not give any hints that he knows Raj.
Theron carefully takes his hand off of the man's mouth so that he can say his piece, but keeps a firm grip lock on his arms in an effort to prevent further spellcasting. Then he pushes part of his cloak aside with his free hand and taps on a certain symbol of Iomedae...
Walter: you can write your letter at the general store. The proprietors are a married couple named Luthko and Marta Avanaki. They run the store along with their five girls, all of whom seem quite attractive. They allow Walter to write his letter (including the provision of the pen, ink and parchment) and promise to hold it until the next Moonday (four days from now), when a courier will arrive to collect and deliver mail. A letter to Lepidstadt will cost 5 copper.
Luthko and Marta seem obsequious, but otherwise appear to be moral, upstanding folks. As far as Walter can tell, they don't treat him any differently than they would any other patron.
Walter can't help but try to catch a glance of the girls whenever he thinks no-one is looking, leading to a letter that's a bit rambling and unfocused-- much like Walter's own tone of voice. He informs his foster parents that he will return just short of a month after this letter arrives, the nature of the Professor's request and the pleasant details of the day. Walter leaves out all of the darker details of the morning, like the trapped box with the horrid creatures, the Professor's desperate last words and the involvement of a cult of insane necromancers.
With a sad smirk, Walter titles his letter with 'Dear Family,' and begins it with 'Hello, family!'
Walter tried to make friendly with his interactions with Luthko and Marta, more comfortable speaking to someone far older-- he'd been told by his foster mother he had an old soul-- not quite looking for information, just being pleasant. If the chance arises, Walter will speak to one of the girls-- probably shortly, and a bit awkwardly.
Makin' nice with the folks -
While the general store does have a full suit of masterwork plate mail on a stand, they don't have any other armour. A visit to the forge lets Walter meet Jorfa, the elderly dwarf proprietor. Whilst her talent is with metal, she does employ apprentices who make decent leather armour, so you should be able to find any 'normal' armour there (but not e.g. eastern armour), but only the metal armour can be masterwork. Which is not to say that Jorfa couldn't organise to have one created, just that masterwork leather armours are not available off-the-shelf. Standard prices.
Jorfa is quiet. So long as the normal forge noises don't bother him, Walter will find that Jorfa radiates a sense of quiet companionship--she is not pushy as a salesperson, and is more than happy to let Walter peruse her goods while she gets back to smithing a new set of horseshoes. Her apprentices are a little more wide-eyed at the notion of a stranger in the forge, and their gazes might make Walter feel uncomfortable after a while.
Surprised to find a dwarf in such a place, Walter hid his curiosity and turned to perusing. He made a mental note to ask Rajuna or Karrik what kind of armor he might need, how to choose, what to wear, how to fit it and how to put it on-- he had a feeling that with the Professor's death, he'd been involved in some very dark, dangerous matters. As time went on, he was beginning to comprehend what had transpired and what the Professor had gotten him into more and more and with increasing doubt and fear, like the slow, dim-witted surprise that would lace its way across a man's mind as he fell. What was the Professor thinking? Why him? Walter understood Karrik, Rajuna, Theron, Lem, Rose, Flori, even Kendra, especially Dragomir, but he wasn't quite sure why the Professor would put him in this situation.
He thought of Kendra reassuring him that he there was 'good' in him, and frowned.
Walter spent some time at the smithy, acting as if he was checking the wares, but instead just letting his thoughts ramble in the grimy heat of the forge. When he realized how much time had passed, he hurried back to the town to try to find the others.
No worries! From some slightly drunken chit-chat, you manage to learn the following (not bolded because it would hurt my eyes):
- "That Father Grimburrow is a creepy old feller. Has some sort of gnome ancestry, I reckon. You seen how short and wrinkly he is? Gives me the shakes, he does."
- "The Forge? Jorfa's our smith here, and she does a mighty fine job. You know she's been in this town pretty much since it was founded? She's awful quiet though. Don't talk much. Even when she's been drinking."
- "Jominda's all right. I mean, there's good people and there's bad people, and Jominda's good people, whatever nonsense folks say about her selling poison under the counter or other bunkum. She helped my ma when she was suffering in her last days, and that makes her good people in my book." (Ironically, this man doesn't look like he'd know what a book was if he tripped over one, let alone own one.)
- "Them folks at the Silk Purse are honest--which is rare in that line of work, I can tell you. I once had a moneylender try to fleece my uncle out of his farm... <twenty minutes later> ...and that was when he said to them 'and you can take your tiger breeding programme and shove it!' Smart man, my uncle."
- "Alendru? Well, he's just a drifter. Only been in this town twelve years. Hardly enough time to even get to know his name."
- "Zokar? Let me tell you about Zokar! His tavern, The Laughing Demon? It's a slaughterhouse! See, he thinks we don't notice, but he always serves more corpse chowder after some unpleasant merchant has left town, never to be seen again. I tell you what, if Zokar ever invites you 'down back' to try out this week's chowder, look out--you could be next!"
"Casting spells on customers? That doesn't sound like something a shop owner should be doing. I suggest that you explain yourself and quickly!" Theron quickly says to the man while being careful to not give any hints that he knows Raj.
Theron carefully takes his hand off of the man's mouth so that he can say his piece, but keeps a firm grip lock on his arms in an effort to prevent further spellcasting. Then he pushes part of his cloak aside with his free hand and taps on a certain symbol of Iomedae...
Under Theron's grip, Alendru goes almost completely limp--which actually makes him harder to hold on to, and Theron has to struggle momentarily to hold the man up. Please, Alendru begs, it...it's not what it looks like! I...um... The swindler thinks frantically. I...was...trying to...um...just help this man to look his best! That's right! Yes! He was telling me about a lady friend of his, and I thought to myself, 'Alendru'--Alendru is my name by the way, good sir--'Alendru,' I said, 'it's time to do some good.' So I was casting...ahh...an illusion spell! Yes! So he would look fabulous for his lady friend. And I was doing it for free! he adds desperately.
Alendru works his lips, still panicked. Tell the man, Rajuna. That's what I was doing, wasn't it?
In a grift, use what you can. The more that is true, the less that can be seen as false...
Raj channels his genuine irritation and magnifies it. 'Commoner' Raj spins around his eyes going wide with disbelief and anger. "Wha... wha.... WHAT?! You HEXED me... and you was gonna DOUBLE-hex me right there! Necron-mancer." Deliberately invoking a title that will hopefully remind Alendru of what simple townsfolk would do to someone suspected of the charge, Raj looks blackly at the merchant and hisses. "Looks ta me like the wrong necronmancer had hisself a deathly accident. I doan know what folk 'round here do with his kind but where I come from, tar would a'ready be on the boil."
He shifts to a hopeful look at his saviour . "I can't thank ya enough, sir! I just come in here to get a few books for a girl I's sweet on and this happens. He was lookin' ta rob me of all my money... maybe worse. What if that wassa Zombie Hex he was working up? I got eleven Crowns to my name an' he was gonna take ten o' them and maybe my life! I want justice, Mister. I got no books, no magic candy, no sweetheart, and mighta been kilt dead."
Books safely tucked under one arm, Raj allows himself a little smile. He deftly flips the hard 'magic' candy in his other hand wondering if there was any magic in it at all.
Walter can't help but try to catch a glance of the girls whenever he thinks no-one is looking, leading to a letter that's a bit rambling and unfocused-- much like Walter's own tone of voice.
...
Walter tried to make friendly with his interactions with Luthko and Marta, more comfortable speaking to someone far older-- he'd been told by his foster mother he had an old soul-- not quite looking for information, just being pleasant. If the chance arises, Walter will speak to one of the girls-- probably shortly, and a bit awkwardly.
Makin' nice with the folks - 1d20+7
Walter makes quite an impression on the Avanaki family, his wide-eyed innocence contrasting with his sharp mind. When Walter expresses his desire to find some armour, one of the Avanaki girls leaps up from her idle contemplation of a ceramic bowl on the counter and volunteers to show him to the smithy.
They get halfway across the square, passing by the gazebo in the middle, before she speaks.
I'm Vesmera. She says it almost apologetically, looking at the gazebo rather than at Walter. She is small--a good two inches shorter than Walter--and slight, with large hoop earrings peeking out from behind her shoulder-length ash-brown hair. My family owns the store, she says brightly, before adding with a mutter but you already know that.
Walter hears her murmuring stupid! under her breath.
Anyway, I thought maybe you could...spend some time with me? I mean, not as in, you know, just stand around and say nothing...I mean, we could... She sighs heavily. The frustration in her manner and tone of voice is readily apparent.
Could I show you around a bit? she finally asks. When you're free, I mean. I'm sure you're busy and all, knowing folks back in Lepidstadt. She withdraws momentarily--thinking that perhaps she said too much.
Finally, they arrive at the smithy. But I did like listening to you talk to ma and da, she says, so maybe we can talk again if you have the time? She smiles and waits for Walter's response.
** spoiler omitted **
Diplomacy (gather info):
["I can't thank ya enough, sir! I just come in here to get a few books for a girl I's sweet on and this happens. He was lookin' ta rob me of all my money... maybe worse. What if that wassa Zombie Hex he was working up? I got eleven Crowns to my name an' he was gonna take ten o' them and maybe my life! I want justice, Mister. I got no books, no magic candy, no sweetheart, and mighta been kilt dead."
It takes Theron more than a little effort to not laugh at just how well Raj played his part. It wasn't exactly what he had in mind, but it sure was close enough. Alendru was probably just a wizard shopkeeper who was abusing his powers, but Theron sure as the hells intended to put a scaring into him.
After taking a moment to gather his own anger at the man's actions, Theron adopted the grim persona of the Inquisitor he had been trained to be. "So this man was trying to rob you with his spells? Well, as an Inquisitor of Iomedae I will make sure this NEVER happens again," Theron said, making sure that he placed emphasis on his title, as he suddenly released Alendru, and then opened up his own cloak so that the wizard would be able to see Theron's sword and the various symbols of Iomedae which adorned his armor.
"I don't believe you are a necromancer, but I AM going to inspect this establishment just to make sure. In the meantime however, you best start thinking of how you are going to make amends to this poor man lest I report you. If I ever find manipulating people with magic again..." Theron doesn't finish the sentence, leaving the wizard to make his own guesses about what his fate would be. Then he casts Detect Magic and begins scanning the surroundings with an appropriately grim look on his face.
Diplomacy (gather info): 1d20 + 10
Sure thing!
"Iona? Mighty crabby that one. Spends all day like she's got her skane up her--I'm sure you don't need me to draw a picture. Only ever seems happy when she's up to her eyeballs in words, reading about this or that. Cornered me the other day. Tried to explain how she'd discovered that my family line went back to Count Andachi's family or some such. What a lot of codswallop. Do I look like I worship the Midnight Lord? I don't even like it when it's time to pluck the chickens.
"Anyway, if you want to get on Iona's good side--although only the Lady would know why anyone would need to do that--you could do worse than listening to her talk about the history of the town and the prison. Or, if you have something to add to her own impressive collection of books and such, she'd likely be mighty obliged.
"Actually, I tell you what--if a man were to give her some kind of historical artefact, something related to the history around these parts, she might even fall head over heels for him. Now that would be a sight!"
Thank you, friend! To your health!
Lem downs his drink and buys the man another round.
The shadows lengthen as the afternoon begins to transform to early evening. If his home town was any indication, the locals wouldn't want to be out after dark.
Probly' time to head back to the house...
Dragomir starts thanking the farmers and work hands for their company and jerks his head towards the door when Lem looks over. Moving over to Lem he speaks softly, Lets see if we can gather up Walter, wherever he's gotten to and head on back. Hoisting his new bottles Dragomir smiles. Got what I came for if we have guests a callin', or if we end up findin' that sheriff - Whaddya say?
The shadows lengthen as the afternoon begins to transform to early evening. If his home town was any indication, the locals wouldn't want to be out after dark.
Probly' time to head back to the house...
Dragomir starts thanking the farmers and work hands for their company and jerks his head towards the door when Lem looks over. Moving over to Lem he speaks softly, Lets see if we can gather up Walter, wherever he's gotten to and head on back. Hoisting his new bottles Dragomir smiles. Got what I came for if we have guests a callin', or if we end up findin' that sheriff - Whaddya say?
Lem nods in agreement but when he tries to stand he falters a bit. He clutches Dragomir's arm as he staggers to his feet, swaying a moment before righting himself.
A fine idea! Lead the way, but slowly if you please. A bit of fresh air will set everything right.
Could I show you around a bit? she finally asks. When you're free, I mean. I'm sure you're busy and all, knowing folks back in Lepidstadt. She withdraws momentarily--thinking that perhaps she said too much.
Finally, they arrive at the smithy. But I did like listening to you talk to ma and da, she says, so maybe we can talk again if you have the time? She smiles and waits for Walter's response.
Getting the hint -
Walter's face flushed a little when she asked to spend time with her. He listened to her words in his head again to try to pick out what he thought he saw for just a second. He thought she was funny, and, well, he didn't know her too well, but that's why she asked to see him again. From an analytical standpoint, she was probably one of the few unbiased sources of information he could find in the town, and she'd probably know things that the adults wouldn't tell strangers, and... her hoop earrings were kind of cute.
He wondered how old she was. He hoped she wasn't thirteen. This had happened before. He was sixteen-- no, seventeen now, just last week. Well, it didn't quite matter.
"Um... sure, yeah. Absolutely. You can, um, show me what's what around here. I haven't gotten a chance to, um, look around the town too much and it'dbenicetohaveaguide and... yeah."
Walter beamed-- quietly and shly-- as she made time the next morning to meet him there. "Okay. Um, see you then."
.....
It was just outside the tavern that Walter met Lem and Dragomir, Lem staggering a bit and Dragomir red in the face. A little out of breath from his run from the smithy, he was glad to see he wasn't left behind and in time to join the group on the way home.
The thought crossed his mind to mention what he was doing the next morning, but he didn't say anything. Today had been a long, long day and Walter was ready to sleep-- and it was with a kind of regretful yawn that he realized he still hadn't prepared any of the rooms in the Lorrimor house to be slept in.
*heads back to the House sharing the things he learned in the pub*
'Commoner' Raj allows himself to be reluctantly led away by the Inquisitor who is all that ensures the spell-slinging Merchant doesn't face a brace of pitchforks and torches. When they are out of sight of the shop and practically to the house, Raj resumes a 'non-fuming' walk and casts a sidelong glance at Theron. "Nice work back there. You sure you've never run a grift? You set that fella up like you've done it before."
He re-thinks the encounter before adding, "Thanks. I don't know what he was fixing to cast on me, but I don't imagine it would'a made me any prettier."
"Nice work back there. You sure you've never run a grift? You set that fella up like you've done it before."
"I'm not completely sure what 'running a grift' even means, does that answer your question?" Theron said while finally letting himself smile over how much they had scared that man. "At first I just didn't want to deal with complications that may have come about if he knew that we knew eachother. After your amazing act however, I saw the potential for teaching him a lesson. That man is going to be afraid to cast so much as a cantrip for weeks."
He re-thinks the encounter before adding, "Thanks. I don't know what he was fixing to cast on me, but I don't imagine it would'a made me any prettier."
Theron frowned as he went over the mage's hand motions in his head. "You're welcome. I'm not sure what that spell was either, but I imagine he was going to try to use it to loosen your purse strings. I'm half tempted to turn that fool in, but he probably would get burnt at the stake in this town. We'll just have to see if the lesson sticks."
Raj laughs as they continue towards the front door, "Ha! Waste of a spell for him - my purse was near empty to begin with. As for the lesson... We're goin'ta have'ta maintain the illusion we jus' created. Whenever I'm in sight of friend Alendru, I'll play the surly superstitious bumpkin who wants to paint him with tar. And you will have to be the watchful Inquisitor bent on keeping a close eye on me so I don't seek my own informal justice..." He continues his explanation as he pops the latch on the front door and steps into the room. Raj points one of his newly acquired books at Rose, "And Miss Rose there is stuck playin' the bookish woman I am pining over who pays me little to no attention. Tragic."
He smiles at Theron, "You're now hip-deep in a grift, Inquisitor."
He continues his explanation as he pops the latch on the front door and steps into the room. Raj points one of his newly acquired books at Rose, "And Miss Rose there is stuck playin' the bookish woman I am pining over who pays me little to no attention. Tragic."
Engrossed in the book she's reading, Rose barely looks up as Rajuna and Theron enter the house. Realizing her name had been spoken, she looks up at the duo, "I'm sorry, what was that?"
The scarred man looks slightly sheepish. "Well, we were in the Scroll, Miss Rose... and I had to think up a lie to explain why I was looking for a book on those five prisoners. So I spun out a tale about pining over a beautiful young lady who found illicit tales a bit.. uh... thrilling. An' that I thought I might win her favor by gettin' her a book about Harrowstone's killers. Good news is the merchant bought it..." Raj hands her the tome, "Bad news is you gotta play the part of the lady with a taste for scandalous readin' when we are out and about. An' I gotta be all cow-eyed over you." He adds hastily, "Only in public o'course."
Dragomir stomped across the porch and into the house. The huge Ustalav let out a jolly booming laugh as he heard the exchange, face red, and while not drunk, clearly had been having a few drinks. He grasped two bottles in one hand by hooking his fingers around the bottle necks.
Good one, I've not heard that line before.
He paused to help Lem in who was in a slightly worse state than Dragomir and was followed by a thoughtful and somewhat distracted Walter then looks around the room.
We've a few tales to tell and it sounds like you do to... lets dice for who cooks dinner and swap tales.
He sobers a moment... and mumbles, Forgot for a moment we've just buried a friend, and someone a bit more dear to you than he was to me. Don't take it th' wrong way. My apologies.
He looks a bit guilty and plunks the bottles on the sideboard.
Don't suppose anyones looked at the kitchen and what supplies we've got or if someone needs to run out for some food?. The warrior smiles hopefully, Maybe even head to this 'Laughing Demon' tavern? I've heard some outlandish tales about that place... but it seems you can get a meal there.
Hells, with the funeral and all, maybe we can convince the owner to deliver something and get the dishes in the morning
The scarred man looks slightly sheepish. "Well, we were in the Scroll, Miss Rose... and I had to think up a lie to explain why I was looking for a book on those five prisoners. So I spun out a tale about pining over a beautiful young lady who found illicit tales a bit.. uh... thrilling. An' that I thought I might win her favor by gettin' her a book about Harrowstone's killers. Good news is the merchant bought it..." Raj hands her the tome, "Bad news is you gotta play the part of the lady with a taste for scandalous readin' when we are out and about. An' I gotta be all cow-eyed over you." He adds hastily, "Only in public o'course."
Rose becomes slightly red in the face listening to Rajuna. "I, um, I think I can handle that part." Rose takes the book from him and begins to leaf through it, imagining Rajuna flirting with her. She leafs through the pages and her thoughts continue, unconsciously merging with a remembered dream. Feeling her cheeks warm, she chases away the thoughts, hoping no one noticed as she focuses her mind on the book at hand.
Lem, slightly worse for wear after trying to keep up with Dragomir, seems much better as he breathes in the fresh air on the journey back to Kendra's house. He greets everyone warmly and watches the exchange between Rajuna and Rose.
Ah, to be young and in love. Even out of this tragedy some good may blossom. His mind wanders to a time long ago and a girl far away, in both space and time.
The sound of clanking bottles jars his focus back to the present.
Well, I'm glad to hear that you lot found some success. At present we don't have much to show for our efforts at the temple, being turned away from seeing Father Grimburrow today. However, we do have a way to get some information tomorrow. One of the acolytes, a...willful...servant of Pharasma named Iona is in charge of all of their records. I'm going to call on her tomorrow and appeal to her love of local history--I believe her help will be invaluable. If I could possibly donate a book or some piece of local history to her cause, I believe it would be worth the effort.
The "sobering-up" halfling addresses Karrik, Flori, and Rose:
It seems that you have done a fine job of beginning to sort through the Professor's books. Have you found anything of historical significance that Ms. Lorrimor might not mind being rid of?
Good will pays for itself Padre... I'm sure Grimburrow will be more eager if he hears of your food donation and see's enough wood stacked for a few days... he trails off, thinking. Then again that old b#!#$ may not 'trouble' Father Grimburrow with the "who" of it. Dragomir pulled at his face. I don't think I can trust her to do the right thing by us there... .
The warrior threw himself into a padded chair which squeaked alarmingly and started to slide off his boots.
Ooof... Best be careful with this one. Anyways, all that aside? This is a typical small town and then some... that Scroll Shop feller? He's been here 12 years, and to them he's still considered a 'blow in'. Us lot? We're bloody mayflies - here today, gone tomorrow. May flavour things some with how we deal with the folk here.
Something interesting came up though - the town Smith appears to be pretty long lived, and has been here since the place was founded, maybe from when the Prison was built. If anyone is goin' t' know something about what happened there, it'll be them.
Boots off, he extended his tatty sock clad feet to the fire.
That should be worth looking into I think.
He looks somewhat warily at Karrik. Whats news here?
"Good one, I've not heard that line before".
Raj almost misses the large warrior's rumbling comment. His head snaps around. Line? What li... "What? No, what? I was..."
Rose becomes slightly red in the face listening to Rajuna. "I, um, I think I can handle that part." Rose takes the book from him and begins to leaf through it, imagining Rajuna flirting with her.
Rajuna dares a glance at Rose and isn't sure what brought the blush to her cheeks - whether it was the tinge of bawdiness in the role of 'lady love' or Dragomir's statement. His first reaction is to explain he didn't mean it that way. His self-preservation instinct stays his tongue, warning him loudly that any fervent denial could be seen as an insult to Rose. Whatever painted the color on Rose's pale cheeks had effectively painted Raj into a corner. Well, sh!t. I'm hoisted.
Raj presses on as if Dragomir hadn't sprung the trap expertly. "So... I'm sorry to put ya in such an awkward spot, Miss Rose. It was the best story I could come up with an' it gives you a good excuse to check out the Harrowstone books at the Scroll yourself. The merchant won't bat an eye about it now." He looks around for something to do. "Right. So... sorry." He finishes lamely and hustles off toward the kitchen to find something to drink. Idiot.
